The Most Popular Fate Series, Ranked

Choose the series you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:37
The world of anime is rich with series that spark intense discussions and passionate followings, and the Fate series is no exception. With its intricate narratives and deep character developments, it stands out as a significant cultural phenomenon. Determining which installment resonates most with audiences can enhance viewing experiences by highlighting fan favorites and guiding new viewers to widely acclaimed episodes. By participating in the ranking of the Fate series, fans contribute to a broader community dialogue that shapes collective understanding and appreciation of the series. Your votes help identify which stories are the most cherished and why, creating a dynamic list that reflects the preferences of a diverse fanbase. This engagement not only enriches the community but also gives individuals a voice in curating the content.

What Is the Most Popular Fate Series?

  1. 1
    38
    votes
    This is the most popular Fate series due to its well-developed characters, engaging plot, and stunning animation. It is a faithful adaptation of the Unlimited Blade Works route of the Fate/Stay Night visual novel.
    Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works is a popular anime series based on the visual novel game of the same name. It is the second adaptation of the Fate/Stay Night visual novel, following the Fate/Stay Night 2006 adaptation. The series is known for its action-packed storyline and well-developed characters.
    • Genre: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
    • Release Date: October 2014
    • Episodes: 26
    • Director: Takahiro Miura
    • Studio: Ufotable
  2. 2
    48
    votes
    Link.
    Fate/Zero is a highly regarded prequel to Fate/Stay Night that is known for its mature and complex storytelling. It delves into the moral ambiguity of its characters and explores themes of fate and desire. Set a decade before the events of Fate/Stay Night, it chronicles the Fourth Holy Grail War in which seven mages summon legendary heroes to compete for the ultimate prize.
    • Genre: Action, Fantasy, Drama
    • Episodes: 25
    • Original Run: October 2, 2011 – June 23, 2012
    • Studio: Ufotable
    • Director: Ei Aoki
  3. 3
    24
    votes
    Link.
    Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front - Babylonia is an anime television series based on the popular mobile game Fate/Grand Order. It serves as a great entry point for newcomers to the Fate franchise, offering a self-contained story that can be enjoyed without prior knowledge. The series takes place in the ancient city of Babylon, where the protagonist and their allies must battle against powerful demonic beasts to save humanity.
    • Genre: Action, Supernatural, Fantasy
    • Original Work: Mobile game 'Fate/Grand Order'
    • Episodes: 21
    • Director: Toshifumi Akai
    • Studio: CloverWorks
  4. 4
    13
    votes
    Link.
    Fate/Apocrypha is a popular Fate series that features a unique premise of two teams of seven Servants battling to claim the Holy Grail. It takes place in a parallel universe to Fate/stay night and follows the Great Holy Grail War in a city called Trifas. The series is known for its diverse cast of characters and intense action scenes.
    • Number of Servants: 14
    • Number of Teams: 2
    • Setting: Parallel universe to Fate/stay night
    • Location: Trifas
    • Premise: Servants fighting to claim the Holy Grail
  5. 5
    14
    votes
    Link.
    Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya is a spin-off series that combines elements of the popular Fate franchise with magical girl tropes. The series takes a lighthearted and fun approach, offering a unique twist on the familiar Fate universe.
    • Genre: Action, Fantasy, Magical Girl
    • Original Run: 2013 - Present
    • Number of Seasons: 4
    • Number of Episodes: 56
    • Main Protagonist: Illyasviel von Einzbern
  6. 6
    9
    votes
    Link.
    Fate/Extra Last Encore is an anime series that takes place in an alternate timeline to the main Fate/Stay Night universe. It introduces a distinctive concept of a virtual reality battle where ancient heroes known as Servants compete against each other.
    • Genre: Action, Fantasy, Mystery
    • Original run: January 2018 - July 2018
    • Episodes: 13
    • Director: Akiyuki Shinbo
    • Character designer: Masaaki Takiyama
  7. 7
    10
    votes

    Fate/stay night

    Type-Moon
    This is the original Fate/Stay Night anime adaptation and introduced many viewers to the Fate franchise. While it has since been surpassed by newer adaptations, it still holds a special place in the hearts of many fans.
    Fate/stay night is a popular visual novel franchise created by Type-Moon. It combines elements of fantasy, action, and romance. The story follows the protagonist, Shirou Emiya, who becomes a participant in a deadly tournament known as the Holy Grail War. In this battle, seven mages summon legendary heroes from the past to fight for the ultimate prize, the Holy Grail, which grants any wish. Fate/stay night has spawned various adaptations, including anime series, movies, and games.
    • Genre: Visual novel, Fantasy, Action, Romance
    • Main Protagonist: Shirou Emiya
    • Setting: Modern day Japan, alternate timeline
    • Holy Grail War: Deadly tournament where mages summon heroic spirits
    • Adaptations: Anime series, movies, games
    Fate/stay night in other rankings
  8. 8
    7
    votes
    Link.
    Fate/Prototype is a short OVA that serves as a prototype for the Fate/Stay Night visual novel. It provides a glimpse into an alternate version of the Fate universe, showcasing different characters and storylines. The OVA primarily focuses on the characters Ayaka Sajyou and Saber, exploring their relationship and their participation in the Holy Grail War.
    • Runtime: Approximately 12 minutes
    • Genre: Action, Fantasy
    • Release Date: December 31, 2011
    • Animation Studio: Lerche
    • Director: Aoi Kiyosumi
  9. 9
    9
    votes
    This is a TV special that serves as an introduction to the Fate/Grand Order mobile game. While it may not have the depth of other entries in the franchise, it is still a fun and accessible entry point.
  10. 10
    1
    votes
    This is a comedy spin-off that parodies various characters and events from the Fate franchise. While it may not be for everyone, it is a beloved entry among fans for its silly and irreverent humor.
    Carnival Phantasm is a comedy anime OVA series that celebrates the works of Type-Moon, the creators of the Fate series. It combines characters and elements from Fate/stay night, Tsukihime, and other Type-Moon visual novels in a humorous and over-the-top manner.
    • Release Date: August 14, 2011
    • Episodes: 12 episodes + 1 OVA
    • Runtime: Approximately 30 minutes per episode
    • Genre: Comedy, Parody
    • Theme Song: Opening - "Super Affection" by Various Artists; Ending - "Fallen Maidens" by Various Artists

Missing your favorite series?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular series

  1. Online engagement
    A series with a bigger online following is a good indicator of its popularity. This can include factors like the number of followers or subscribers on social media platforms, engagement rates (likes, comments, shares), as well as discussions and fan groups on forums like Reddit or MyAnimeList.
  2. Critical reception
    Critical reviews and ratings by both professional critics and the general audience can help paint a clearer picture of a particular series' popularity and quality compared to others in the franchise. Websites like IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and MyAnimeList can be useful sources for gauging critical reception.
  3. Awards and recognition
    A series that has won or has been nominated for prestigious awards is a good indicator of its popularity and success. This can include anime industry-specific awards such as the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, as well as broader award shows like the Tokyo Anime Award Festival.
  4. Merchandise sales
    A popular Fate series will likely generate more revenue from merchandise sales, which can include goods such as action figures, posters, and clothing. Higher merchandise sales can be an indicator of a passionate fanbase.
  5. Impact on culture
    The more popular series in the Fate franchise might have a greater impact on anime culture, inspiring fan works such as fanfiction, fanart, and cosplay. A series that has a lot of fan-generated content is likely more popular than others.
  6. Spin-offs and adaptations
    A popular series might be more likely to spawn spin-offs or adaptations, such as movies, games, novels, or manga. This can be an indicator of the franchise's impact and popularity among fans.
  7. Longevity
    The length of time a series has been popular can be used to gauge its popularity over time. A series that has remained popular for years (or even decades) might be considered more popular than a new series that hasn't had time to build a fanbase yet.
  8. Accessibility
    Finally, the popularity of a certain series may be influenced by how accessible it is to newcomers. A series that is easy to get into and understand, even for those unfamiliar with the broader franchise, is likely to be more popular than a series with complex lore or a steep learning curve.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Fate series. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or series is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2617 views
  • 162 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each series once every 24 hours. The rank of each series is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular fate series

The Fate series is a popular franchise that has been captivating anime enthusiasts for more than a decade. Created by Type-Moon, the Fate series features a unique blend of historical and fictional characters in a battle for the Holy Grail. The franchise has spawned numerous adaptations, including anime series, movies, and video games. The Fate series has gained a massive following around the world, with fans eagerly awaiting each new release. With so many different adaptations and spin-offs, it's no wonder that fans are constantly debating which is the most popular. Let's take a closer look at the Fate series and try to determine which one reigns supreme.

Share this article