Reasons Why the Fate Series is the Most Complicated and Confusing Anime to Watch

Kapanlagi.com - The Fate Series is one of the anime with the most epic stories and plots. The story revolves around a major conflict called the Holy Grail War, which is a secret battle between seven wizards (Masters) who summon seven legendary heroes (Servants) from various eras. These Servants are divided into seven classes: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Berserker, Caster, and Assassin.

The goal of this battle is simple yet intense: the winner gets the Holy Grail, a mystical artifact that can grant any one wish. From the outside, it may look like a battle royale among mages and heroic spirits, but Fate actually focuses more on: the philosophy of idealism vs realism, the past traumas of the Masters, the moral conflicts of the Servants, the emotional relationships between Masters and Servants, and the changes in history and fate.

Now BUT, if you are just starting to like anime or are a beginner in the anime world, the Fate Series is super not recommended to watch. The reason? This anime is known as one of the most complex and convoluted anime in terms of watch order. Here’s a breakdown of the explanation for clarity..

1. One Story Has Several "Routes"

The origin of Fate is the visual novel Fate/Stay Night, which has 3 routes: Fate Route, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven’s Feel. Each route presents different conflicts, different rivalries, and different characters who live or die.

This fact makes each adaptation look like an 'alternative version'.

2. There’s a Prequel, But It’s Better Not to Watch It First

Usually, we would choose to watch the prequel of an anime first. The reason is to ensure that the timeline of the story we are watching is chronological. However, this case does not apply to the Fate Series.

Fate/Zero is the prequel to Stay Night, but in tone, it is darker and will ultimately ruin the experience if watched first. So, don’t do that.

3. Every Timeline Has Its Own Universe

There are many AUs (Alternate Universes) that are not directly related: Fate/Apocrypha, Fate/Grand Order, Fate/Extra, Fate/Strange Fake, Carnival Phantasm, and Fate/Prototype.

If you watch randomly, you might get confused because characters you know appear but with different roles/personality. So, what will you do about that?

4. The Simplest and Easiest Watching Order

But if you insist on trying to watch the Fate Series, don't worry, we have prepared a list of the simplest watching order for the Fate Series. To make it simple:

• UBW (2014)
• Fate/Zero
• Heaven’s Feel Trilogy
• (Optional) Fate 2006
• Apocrypha
• FGO Series (Babylonia–Camelot–Solomon)
• Extra: Last Encore
• Strange Fake
• Illya Series
• Carnival Phantasm

With this order, all elements of Fate will feel coherent; from lore, characters, to the philosophy of the story.

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