So, you want to get into the Fate franchise and don’t know where to start? Well, that’s a pretty common issue with bigger franchises these days, especially ones that go the multi-verse route when it comes to storytelling. Between the main scenarios, spin-offs, remakes, alternative endings leading to new timelines, some content overshadowing the base story, and all of it pulling influence from various religions, folklore, and open-source fiction, it can feel like you need a Ph.D. to fully understand what’s going on.
Fortunate for our readers, I have a Ph.D. in Big Bara Tiddies! And I’m here to help break down what Fate is, and a smooth sailing guide to help you get into the franchise.
What is Fate?
Fate originally launched in Japan as an erotic visual novel with three alternative routes that unfolded depending on the player’s choices. The story is centered around high school student, Shirou Emiya as he suddenly hurled into a centuries-old conflict and an all-out deathmatch against six mages in the Fifth Holy Grail War. Mages summon a heroic servant to serve as a battle partner. This servant is typically someone from myth and legend such as King Arthur or Gilgamesh. However, in recent adaptations, the writers have begun to include historical figures such as Napoleon and Alexander the Great. Together, they fight to the death to claim the Holy Grail and be granted whatever they wish for.
The original game has been adapted into several anime and films, as well as received several prequels, sequels, and launched a multitude of spin-offs for alternative timelines, and even a few mini-series that are non-canon just for fun.
What to skip?
Before we get right into it, let’s establish two important titles to avoid: the 2006 anime and the 2010 film. Reasons being that the 2006 anime pulled plot elements from every story route of the original game, and ended up being a convoluted Frankenstein job, even if it eventually settled on the original Saber Route. It hasn’t aged well and is a sight for sore eyes from start to finish.
The 2010 film, Unlimted Blade Works, tried to tell the entire plot of an eight-hour-long game in 100 minutes. Although it isn’t poorly animated and has a few high notes, it misses a lot of detail and is very rushed.
The Starting Point?
It’s always split between the TV anime: Fate/Zero (2011/2012) and Fate/Stay Night -Unlimted Blade Works- (2014/2015). Both of these are canon to the central timeline.
Fate/Zero is actually a prequel to Fate/stay night, telling the story of the Fourth Holy Grail War, ten years prior. Why start here? Besides stunning animation, great dubs, and an amazing story written by Gen Urobuchi (Madoka Magica, Psycho-Pass) with some of the most compelling characters of the entire franchise, the ending is a major plot point in Fate/stay night and spoiled in the first three episodes of Unlimted Blade Works.
Also, we can’t forget that Fate/Zero is the only story featuring the bara king and his twink boyfriend: Iskandar and Waver Velvet!
On the downside, the first episode is as slow as it can be; trying to introduce the premise and almost every character in 45 minutes. It can be a lot to take in at once if you’re new. Fate/Zero was written after Fate/stay night and assumes viewers are already aware of what is considered basic knowledge of the Fate universe, even if it does repeat it all.
However, those who manage to push through to episode two will find that it’s full-steam ahead for a wild ride, and no going back.
Fate/stay night -Unlimted Blade Works- tells the second route of the visual novel. It’s the same story as the 2010 movie but the series does it right with superb music composed by Yuki Kajiura and theme songs performed by AIMER, Kalafina, and Mashiro Ayano. Why start here? Because it’s so faithful to the original game, the Fate universe unfolds at a slower pace, making it easy to digest. The characters in this series are also the most iconic and easily recognizable. Odds are, if there’s a character you saw in fanart and found them visually pleasing, it was from Unlimted Blade Works.
However, the story does spoil all major outcomes of Fate/Zero, leaving a watch of the prequel later to feel a bit pointless when you know what to expect in the final episode. It also only tells one of three routes, leaving much curiosity towards characters that don’t get as much development in Unlimited Blade Works.
Personal Recommendation: It’s really a coin-toss, but I’d have to say Fate/Zero! Then go right into Fate/stay night –Unlimted Blade Works-.
What’s next?
Get some popcorn, because it’s time for a few movies! At this point, you might be curious about the other routes for Fate/stay night, and you’re in luck! The 3rd route, Heaven’s Feel was adapted in a trilogy of films between 2018 and 2020. Easily the bleakest and heaviest of all Fate/stay night routes, Heaven’s Feel delivers an absolute chilling story centered around the characters neglected in Unlimted Blade Works.
It’s been stated that although it is impossible for the events of all three routes to occur at the same time, all aspects of the characters shown are consistent and canon in the same universe, regardless of potential timelines. With that in mind, you can be sure to get a completely new and exciting experience, even if the general premise is still about Shirou Emiya’s involvement in the Fifth Holy Grail War.
Clean-Up (Optional)
Did you enjoy the protagonist of Fate/Zero so much that you wished he got a sequel series? Maybe one where you ran around the world as a magical detective as a grown adult? Guess what! He got it. Enjoy Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files {Rail Zeppelin} Grace note.
Did you fall in love with Shirou so much that you wanted just a little more of him and the main cast of Fate/stay night? Then make a grocery list and get ready for the spin-off cooking anime, featuring dishes that you can make in your own home, safe to eat. It’s even gotten its own cooking game on the Nintendo Switch.
All culinary supervision was provided by a Japanese chef, Makoto Tadano. Settle down for the wholesome mini-series, Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family.
Beyond Fate/stay night
With the main attractions finished and the decision to either skip or consume related specials, what’s next? From here, you’re completely pulled out to sea. What you do next is up to you and there are plenty of options. The good thing is that it can be consumed in any order because alternative timelines are rather good at being self-contained. Feel free to dip your toes in other
Fate/Apocrypha covers an alternative timeline during the Third Holy Grail War where the clash of mages interrupted and fourteen new mages have to retrieve the Holy Grail from Natzi Germany.
Fate/Extra -Last Encore- is based on the spin-off games, reusing characters in a digital universe for a new Holy Grail War.
Fate/Grand Order is a mobile game that has received multiple anime and film adaptations centered around a new protagonist traveling across space-time to prevent the apocalypse in his future.
And this is only animated media! There are still many unmentioned mangas, light novels, and games; many of which still haven’t been localized outside of Japan. By the time you’ve finished the first few titles we’ve recommended, you should be able to pick whichever one looks interesting and be just fine. Good luck enjoying Fate!
