Release Date
2025
Every time a newFateseries comes out, there’s always the possibility that it’s someone’s first, no matter how off the beaten path it might be from something considered “entry-level”. There’s no shame in diving into the deep end, mind you, but sinceFate/strange Fake’s release date is as yet up in the air, here are some viewing recommendations to enjoy during the wait.
Based on the soon-to-be-finished lightnovel series by Ryohgo Narita (Baccano,Durarara),Fate/strange Fakedepicts a Holy Grail War conducted by rogue magi in America. As Mage society reels from the declaration of this chaotic imitation of the ritual, all eyes turn to Snowfield, Nevada, where two opposing Grail Wars collide - one “True” and the other “False”.
Not Another Fate Viewing Order
The objective of this piece isn’t to serve as a viewing order of what is needed to understand the context surrounding this newest adaptation. Other writers here at Game Rant already have that covered and have written general watch lists for those who want to explore this series top to bottom. Even among those pieces, there are a few different takes onwhat makes the best entry point, anyway.
Naturally, being familiar withFate/Stay Nighthelps to build an understanding of the basic rules for a Grail War. In anime form, that means the Studio Deen adaptation from 2006 or anything made by Ufotable, fromFate/ZerotoUnlimited Blade Worksand theHeaven’s Feelmovies. Otherwise - whatever your level of understanding - if you’re hyped forFate/strange Fake, the following stories could enhance the experience of the full story when viewed in preparation.
Fate/Apocrypha Did It First
Before A-1 Pictures took a crack atFate/strange Fake, they pulled a lot ofthe same tricks to build hype forFate/Apocryphaand set it apart from what came before. At the time, it was the biggest Holy Grail War put to animation yet, at least in terms of the sheer size of the conflict. Set in an alternate timeline where the Grail was stolen during the third war,Apocryphafollows the events of the so-calledGreatHoly Grail War.
Instead of just seven Master-Servant pairs fighting each other, two armies battled one another, each with seven Masters and seven Servants, doubling the cast, the carnage, and the fun. It’s an inventive spin on the formula, and one granted the proper gravitas thanks to phenomenal music and strong performances. Best of all, Shun Enokido and Takahito Sakazume,the directors ofFate/strange Fake, both worked onApocrypha, largely as action directors.
The Perfect Primer for the Fake Grail War
The magnitude of the action can be frequently exhilarating, even with some uneven artwork at times. Some of its later episodes, in particular Episode 22, are legendary among animation enthusiasts for how raw and striking the animation could get during its most bombastic battles. As such,Apocryphais a worthwhile watch for its action alone, as it can serve as a tantalizing tease of what heights can be expected from the newest adaptation.
In a lot of ways,Fate/strange Fakefeels like the perfect follow-uptoApocrypha. It’s smaller in some ways but bigger in just as many. Both stories involve taking the already sizable ensemble of a typical Grail War and multiplying it, except in the case of Narita’s story, he eschews the conceit of the war having two plainly defined “sides”, thus maximizing the chaos.
There is More to Fate than Grail Wars
One of the coolest parts of being aFatefan is realizing just how much its coolest elements extend beyond the bounds of its franchise. Type-Moon has created some truly spectacular modern fantasy stories, whose lore and core magic systems make up the foundation of theFate Series. SinceFate/strange Fakeis pulling elements from all across Type-Moon’s work, there is one anime that is begging to be watched, especially for fans ofFate/Zero.
Lord El Melloi II’s Case Filesis a noveladaptation that is a direct sequel toFate/Zero, following a grown-up Waver Velvet after he survived the Fourth Holy Grail War.Case Filessees Waver take on the titular name, Lord El Melloi II, in memory of his former teacher, as he tackles magic-related mysteries in between teaching Modern Magecraft Theory. The anime culminates in a mystery that is best described as “Murder on the Orient Expressby way ofHarry Potter”.
Putting Strange Fake’s Chaos into Context
If that description doesn’t entice, few things will. It is a moody and striking mystery series that reunitesFate/Zerodirector Ei Aoki and composer Yuki Kajiura, the results of which speak for themselves. Divorced from the confines of a Grail War, the series touches upon the inner workings of the magical society hidden beneath ours. Its politics, rivalries, and various forms of magic are explored aplenty across 14 episodes and one special.
Lord El Melloi II is not onlyone of the best characters fromFate/Zerobut one of the most compelling Type-Moon characters in general. His prominence inFate/strange Fakealone makes this series a worthwhile watch, but furthermore,Case Filesis hugely beneficial for putting the world beyond the Grail War into context. It helps grant one an appreciation of the hierarchy and the philosophies governing the use of magic. It puts into perspective just how disastrous the Grail War in Snowfield is.
What Else To Check Out
For longstandingFatefans who have yet to see eitherFate/ApocryphaorLord El Melloi II’s Case Files, now is the perfect time to catch up. While not essential, they are worthwhile watches that will makethe eventual release ofFate/strange Fakeall the more satisfying, be it for the lineage of its production team, the evolution of its concept, or some simply cool lore.
Looking beyond anime, it would be a disservice not to recommend the visual novelsWitch on the Holy NightandTsukihime. Especially the latter, as plot elements like Dead Apostles and the functions of the Holy Church play a role inFate/strange Fake’s early volumes. As for the former of the two, it’s an all-around excellent story that explains the magic ofFatebetter than just about any other entry in the franchise, perfect for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Fate/Apocrypha is now streaming onNetflix. Lord El Melloi II’s Case Files is now streaming onCrunchyroll. Fate/strange Fake is now streaming onCrunchyroll.
