With Fate/Extra Last Encore being released this season, a question of whether or not I should get into the series has come to mind. I aim to answer the question of whether or not it’s possible to dive into this insanely huge series, or if it’s better to just avoid the clusterfuck that is this; Fate.
After doing some research, I’ve learned that there are many different alternate universes and alternate Fate storylines which makes for a very confusing series. After checking out all of the different arcs and seasons to watch, you wouldn’t have a single idea on where you should start. To help figure out where to begin, you’d assume looking up the order online would be helpful. Sadly, there are MANY different ways of watching the series. Some also will include the light novel series into the list of what to include into your Fate endeavor.
I say f*** it to all that nonsense and believe I have figured out the best way to watch the Fate series. It’s a bit insane but get this. If you watch the series by release date, then you should be fine. Mind Blowing idea! What I’d do is go to kissanime.ru or any other site that will let you know the anime’s release date. Once there, search up Fate and most of the series will pop up. I say most because there are some movies that are in the series with different names. Since I don’t even understand the series and it’s order that well, I’d say don’t worry about em! What could go wrong?
So – if you decide to just watch the series by release date, this is what the order looks like:
- Fate/Stay Night Jan 7, 2006
- Fate/Zero Oct 2, 2011
- Fate/Zero 2nd Season Apr 8, 2012
- Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Jun 22, 2013
- Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2wei! Jul 10, 2014
- Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2wei! Specials Sep 26, 2014
- Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) Oct 12, 2014
- Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) 2nd Season Apr 5, 2015
- Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2wei Herz! Jul 25, 2015
- Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) 2nd Season – Sunny Day Oct 7, 2015
- Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 3rei!! Jul 6, 2016
- Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 3rei!! Specials Sep 30, 2016
- Fate/Grand Order: First Order Dec 31, 2016
- Fate/Apocrypha Jul 2, 2017
- Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Movie: Sekka no Chikai Aug 26, 2017
- Fate/Grand Order: Moonlight/Lostroom Dec 31, 2017
- Fate/Extra Last Encore: Current
- Fate/Stay Night Movie: Heaven’s Feel, Not aired Yet
There it is! The release date order of the Fate series. It’ll feel strange watching the series by release date since there will be gap breaks in the series. Since the order is by date, you’ll be watching different parts of different series/arcs at strange and different times. But remember that if you were watching this series while they aired, you’d be left waiting for the next season to be aired.
Now to answer the question of whether Fate is too hard to get into. Yes, it definitely is. It could be worth watching, but for many people, there are just too many recommendations on how to watch the series. Since there are too many different possible orders, it makes it mind-numbingly painful to figure out where to even start. So if you’re interested in the series, the most simple way to watch the series would be by release date. I’m sure I missed a few OVAs and Specials, but I hope this at least sets a guideline for how to watch the series.