While the Fate anime series isn’t that hard to follow its watch order, some newcomers might still get confused. This is mainly due to how many spin offs there are in the series, most of which are standalone stories. The only exception is the prequel and the main story that’s split into 3 different routes. Each of these keep the same plot till at a certain point where they start to branch off in their own unique direction. It’s also important to note that every single one of these entries are apart of the larger nasuverse that encompasses many series. Here I’ll be giving a simple fate series watch guide showing both the order and where to find them.
Fate Original Story
Serving as the main story to the series, Fate/Stay Night is split between three different routes along with the prequel Fate/Zero. Each of these lead to a unique direction the story takes after a certain point, similar to alternate timelines. Here we follow Shirou Emiya as the main protagonist of the main story and explore different parts of his character along with his three love interests.
Fate/Stay Night
The first route here mainly explores the lore of the world and the foundations to the Holy Grail War. Though more importantly it focuses on Shirou Emiya’s relationship with his servant saber and her lore. For many this route is simply the direction the story would take if shirou fell in love with saber.
Unlimited Blade Works
This second timeline gives us a lot more action than in the last as it focuses less on the world this time around. Though we still get more insight into how the servants powers work as well as their masters. This route also explores more of Shirou’s ideals and how they may affect his future. Of course similar to the first, we get the focus switched from Saber to Rin who is Shirous love interest this time around.
Heaven’s Feel Trilogy
At last we have the darkest route of the three, while also being the one with the best action scenes. The Heaven’s feel trilogy focuses more on Sakura’s character and her relationship with Shirou. This was also where we got to see more of Illya’s character and the connection between her and Shirou. While this route gives us the most lore of the series, it also has some of the best fights yet.
Fate/Zero
The prequel to the Fate/Stay Night entries, Fate/Zero mainly focuses on kiritsugu and kirei’s actions that lead to the main story. This chapter of the series is by far one of the most grittiest ones yet next to the Heaven’s feel trilogy route. However, many prefer to watch the 3 routes of the original story beforehand. This is mainly due to the prequel also spoiling some big plot points for the Heaven’s feel story, though it’s all up to you.
Fate Spin-Offs
Fate’s spin-offs are perfect if you don’t care about the chronological order since each of their plots aren’t closely related. The only one that has enough lore for multiple parts like the main story is Fate/Grand Order.
The Case Files of El-Melloi II
This entry to the series is the least intense one from the rest, as it focuses more on the lore instead. Here we see Waver Velvet from Fate/Zero returning as the main character with a different alias. Now as Lord El-Melloi II, he must tackle numerous mysterious magecraft cases at the Clock Tower, HQ for all mages.
Fate/Apocrypha
This story has no connection at all to any of the other fate anime projects. Instead it has its own standalone plot including some of the best action scenes from the series. Though more importantly if you like the lore of the servants then this anime gives plenty backstory on most.
Fate/Extra Last Encore
Last Encore is apart of a bigger universe involving the Fate/extra games lore which may pose an issue. This is due to the anime’s story relying on the fact that you’ve played the games already. Plus from what I’ve seen not many in the fate community really enjoy this spin off series.
Fate/Grand Order
The Grand Order spin-offs are one of many fans favorites, though some still complain it didn’t do justice to the mobile games. Nonetheless it still gives us some of the best fan service and action scenes to date. The order to watch these different chapters of the series starts with its movies First Order, Camelot 1&2, Demonic Front Babylonia show, and Grand Temple of Time: Solomon the last film.
Fate/strange Fake- Whispers of Dawn
Now for the new entry to the fate series, Fate/strange Fake- Whispers of Dawn an upcoming 2023 summer anime. This spin-off is apart of a series of light novels set in an alternate universe after the 5th holy grail war that still has the main story as canon. Though some of the events are still different to how it went in the anime. It also references elements that are normally found in tsukihime, another work in the nasuverse. The story focuses on a team of mages trying to start their own holy grail war in the U.S using a fake one to start the true one.
In conclusion
Ultimately this is me just displaying the important parts you need to know before starting this series. Many hardcore fans can likely give you more detailed information over the lore if you’re interested. In case you’re apart of those fans or just someone who’s interested in more info, make sure to comment below.