Navigating the Fate Universe: Timelines, Connections, and What to Watch First (Without Getting Grail Mud on Your Shoes)
So, you want to explore the Fate series? Great choice! You’re entering a world of epic fights, heroic spirits, and alternate timelines. It can get confusing. Let’s clear the air; there’s a lot to connect and watch in the series.
Don’t worry, brave anime explorer! This guide serves as your map through the Fate multiverse. We’ll help you avoid the mistake of watching Heaven’s Feel without knowing what a Holy Grail War means. We’ll clarify connections and canon, including the bad ends, so you won’t need a Command Spell to follow along.
Fate Series: It’s a Multiverse, Baby!
Let’s get into the main idea: the Fate series exists in a vast multiverse. Every Fate anime is a different reality. They all connect, but they depict their own distinct timelines with unique events.
And listen closely – in the Fate universe, all routes are canon. Yes, even those endings that explode into chaos. This is known as a “Canon multiverse.” So, if Shirou meets an unfortunate fate, that’s just Tuesday in Fate land.
Take Fate/Grand Order, for instance. It presents an alternate universe where Fuyuki City only had one Holy Grail War instead of the usual five. The exciting part is that Servants from various universes join forces, including those from Fate/stay night and Fate/Zero. It’s a cosmic Servant convention!
Now, as for Fate/Zero, it’s often called a prequel. While it takes place before Fate/stay night, TYPE-MOON refers to it as a “subtly different Parallel World.” It’s less of a direct prequel and more of a closely related story. Think of it as a snapshot of your neighbor from years ago. You recognize it, but things have changed.
Decoding the Fate Viewing Order: Where Do I Even Start?!
Got the multiverse idea? Great! Now, how do you watch this epic saga? The fortunate news is that the viewing order for most Fate anime is flexible. Each series often stands alone, with its own Holy Grail War rules and timelines.
If you’re seeking a clear path without spoilers, here’s a suggested viewing order:
- Fate/Stay Night (2006): This is the classic entry point and sets the groundwork.
- Fate/Zero (2011-2012): Dive into the gritty prequel, though it might spoil some Stay Night routes.
- Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works (2014-2015): Enjoy Rin’s storyline with stunning visuals.
- Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel (2017-2020): Experience Sakura’s darker tale through this movie trilogy.
- Fate/Strange Fake (2023-2025): Catch the latest entry which airs until January 15, 2025!
If you lean towards chronological views, here’s a suggested chronological order:
- Fate/Zero (2011-2012): Occurs ten years before Stay Night.
- Fate/stay night (2006): The original narrative begins here.
- Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (2010/2014-2015): Events happening at the same time as Stay Night, focusing on Rin’s view.
But honestly, starting with Fate/Grand Order ‐First Order‐ could be a great entry point too. This TV movie adapts the game’s prologue and is a relatively standalone introduction to the Fate universe. Keep that in mind!
Fate Series: Individual Connections – The Family Tree, Sort Of
Now, let’s explore how key Fate series relate. Picture this as a quirky family tree filled with swords and magic users.
Fate/Zero and Fate/stay night: Parent-Child Secrets
Fate/Zero takes place ten years before Fate/stay night. It follows the Fourth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City. It serves as the dramatic backstory to Stay Night. As said, “Fate Zero precedes Fate Stay Night.” Simple enough.
But there’s a catch about watching Zero first: spoilers. While it’s set before Stay Night, Zero reveals major plot points and character secrets intended to remain mysteries. Starting with Zero is akin to reading the end of a book first – you grasp some of it but lose out on suspense and surprises.
Fate/stay night Routes: Saber, Rin, and Sakura – Oh My!
The Fate/stay night series covers multiple routes, each presenting a unique take on the Fifth Holy Grail War. They serve as “retellings of the main story where events unfold differently.” Same characters, different circumstances – like Groundhog Day but magical.
- The “Fate” route: Focuses on Saber and Shirou’s connection; covered mainly in the 2006 anime.
- Unlimited Blade Works: Centers on Rin Tohsaka and her bond with Archer. “Unlimited Blade Works revolves around Rin Tohsaka, while the 2006 “Fate” route centers on Saber.”
- Heaven’s Feel: Delves into Sakura Matou’s dark path and horrifying truths. Some view these routes as a progression: “Fate Zero begins; Unlimited Blade Works is the middle; Heaven’s Feel wraps it up.”
Fate/Apocrypha: The Alternate War
Fate/Apocrypha takes a daring leap into an alternate timeline. It diverges from Fate/stay night. A fresh Holy Grail War emerges, featuring different factions, Servants, and a unique story. Picture it as a wild “What If?” scenario.
Fate/Grand Order: The Mobile Game Multiverse
As noted earlier, Fate/Grand Order exists in its own alternate universe where there’s just one grail war instead of five. Its charm comes from summoning Servants throughout the Fate multiverse from “like SN and Zero.” It’s an epic cross-universe mobile game event.
If you’re interested in an anime adaptation, Fate Grand Order: First Order serves as a prelude to Fate Grand Order – Absolute Demonic Battlefront: Babylonia. So, watch First Order first, then Babylonia – makes sense!
Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai): The Prototype
Garden of Sinners, or Kara no Kyoukai, stands out as it takes place in yet another universe distinct from both Tsukihime and Fate/stay night. Yet, it acts as a prototype for those series, leading to many core concepts similar in both. Picture it as an older sibling that paved the way for Fate and Tsukihime.
Fate/Extra and Fate/Strange Fake: Parallel Worlds
Fate/Extra, which began as a game, exists in a “parallel universe to Fate/stay night.” It’s another branch on the Fate multiverse tree.
Fate/Strange Fake: Initially a light novel project within the franchise evolved from an April Fool’s joke into a serious series. Watch out for its future anime adaptation!
Fate Fun Facts: Bonus Lore to Impress Your Fellow Masters
- As of March 17, 2025, there are at least 7 Fate anime series, not counting movies or spin-offs. The latest addition is Fate/Strange Fake.
- Gilgamesh is busy! He appears in multiple Fate series across different classes: Archer in Fate/Zero and Fate/stay night, playable Servant in Fate/Extra CCC, False Archer in Fate/strange fake, Caster in Fate/Grand Order, and as an Archer Class Card in Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya. Versatile!
- Astolfo, Rider of Black, is from Fate/Apocrypha. He also creates chaos in Fate/Grand Order.
- Enkidu is Gilgamesh’s friend, known as “neither male nor female.” Gender has no limits in the Age of Gods.
- The original Fate/stay night visual novel is an “eroge.” Be aware of this when you start your Fate journey.
So there you have it! This is your quick guide to Fate series connections and viewing orders. Now you can summon your inner otaku and explore this epic franchise. Go watch some anime and try to not get caught in a Grail War. If you are, use your Command Spells wisely (or for pizza during your Fate marathon).
