15 Anime Like ‘Fate’ Every Fan Needs To Watch

The Fate Series, created by Type-Moon under Kinoko Nasu’s guidance and Takashi Takeuchi’s artistic direction, centers around the Holy Grail Wars—battles between Masters (experienced wizards) and Servants (manifestations of summoned heroic spirits) for the Holy Grail. Originating from the visual novel Fate/Stay Night, the franchise includes prequels, sequels, parodies, and adaptations, all connected by the Fate prefix. Holy Grail Wars are the focal point, with the last surviving pair obtaining the Holy Grail. The franchise is highly successful, expanding into profitable videogames and inspiring numerous popular anime adaptations. This article lists 15 anime series similar to the Fate series.

1. Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online (SAO) is a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game (VRMMORPG) launched in 2022, using NerveGear to stimulate users’ senses directly through the brain. Players, unable to log out, discover they are trapped in the game by the creator, Akihiko Kayaba. To regain freedom, they must reach and conquer the final level on the 100th floor of the floating castle of Aincrad, confronting the ultimate boss. Failure or attempt to remove the NerveGear results in a brain coma caused by electric shocks.

2. Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World

Catapulted into a fantasy world, Subaru Natsuki is saved from bandits by Emilia, a silver-haired half-elf aiming to be the next queen of Lugunica. Grateful, Subaru offers to help find a thief who stole from her. Unfortunately, they face dire consequences and die on their mission. Strangely, Subaru awakens at the point of his initial summoning, realizing he has the power to return to life after death, retaining memories. Armed with this ability, Subaru embarks on a perilous journey to save Emilia and others, navigating the challenges of his newfound power.

3. Mirai Nikki

Yukiteru Amano, an isolated and asocial boy, keeps a diary on his phone. He believes he has an imaginary friend named Deus Ex Machina, the time lord. Deus organizes a game, modifying Yukiteru’s phone to predict the future. Yukiteru discovers the diary now records events before they happen, leading him to realize the phone’s newfound ability to foresee the future.

4. The Severing Crime Edge

Original Release: April 4, 2013 – June 27, 2013
Number of Episodes: 13

The story follows Kiri Haimura, a boy who enjoys styling and cutting girls’ hair. He meets Iwai Mushanokōji, known as “the queen of hair,” whose hair is cursed and cannot be cut. With special scissors, the Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge, Kiri has the mystical ability to cut Iwai’s cursed hair and protect her from vengeful and bloodthirsty “Killing Goods.”

5. Darwin’s Game

Kaname Sudou, a normal 17-year-old, receives a mysterious invitation to play the game “Darwin’s Game” from his friend Kyoda. Expecting a simple game, Kaname is thrust into a deadly reality. After a fierce battle against Banda-Kun, he encounters the formidable player Shuka, leading to an alliance. Together with other players, including Ryuuji, Rain, and Sui, they join forces to face challenges and confront One, the leader of the most brutal clan in the D-Game, during the “Shibuya Treasure Hunt” event.

6. Digimon Universe: App Monsters

In the year 2045, the world enjoys prosperity thanks to advanced technology, while the World Wide Web gives rise to sentient beings called Appli Monsters or Appmon. Haru Shinkai, a high school student, encounters an Appmon named Gatchmon, who seeks refuge on Earth from a pursuing evil entity. They discover that the supercomputer Leviathan has gone rogue, generating viruses to turn Appmon malevolent. Haru and Gatchmon team up to restore the balance between the two worlds and thwart Leviathan’s destructive plans.

7. Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS

Set in Den City, the series revolves around LINK VRAINS, a virtual reality platform where duelists can assume avatars and engage in card battles. Yusaku Fujiki, a high school student and skilled hacker known as Playmaker, secretly defends LINK VRAINS from the terrorist group Knights of Hanoi. The Knights aim to seize control of Ignis, an artificial intelligence, to locate the hidden Cyberse world in the web and destroy it. Yusaku becomes a target for both the Knights of Hanoi and SOL Technologies, the company behind LINK VRAINS, as he strives to protect Ignis and prevent their malicious plans.

8. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Code Geass is set in a world where the Holy Empire of Britain conquers Japan, renaming it “Area 11,” the story follows Lelouch Lamperouge. Lelouch, determined to annihilate Britannia for its oppression, gains the mysterious power of Geass from a girl named C.C. This power allows him to control others with eye contact. Lelouch, joined by his childhood friend Suzaku Kururugi, who serves in the Britannian army, embarks on a quest for revenge against Britannia for the atrocities committed in the Shinjuku ghetto. The narrative explores their complex relationships and the impact of Geass on Lelouch’s journey.

9. Re:CREATORS

In the anime world, high school student Sōta Mizushino is transported into the mecha anime “Vogelchevalier” during a battle. After his tablet crashes, he inadvertently brings the anime character Celejia Upitiria into the real world. They discover that characters from various stories have been similarly transported, aligned with a girl in military uniform. This girl promises them a way to return home by ending conflicts in their respective worlds, unbeknownst to their true intentions. To prevent catastrophic consequences, Sōta and Celejia embark on a mission to bring these characters to their senses.

10. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! 5D’s

In Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D we are introduced to moto-dueling disks called “D-Wheels” or “Duel Runners.” Set in New Domino Town’s future, the city is divided into Satellite, a poverty-stricken area, and Neo Domino City, the affluent part. Yusei Fudo, the protagonist from Satellite, aims to seek freedom for his people and locate Jack Atlas, the Turbo Dueling King. The story revolves around Yusei’s quest for justice as he confronts old friends, betrayal, and the mysteries surrounding the malfunction of the Ener-D reactor that divided the city seventeen years ago.

11. Guilty Crown

In the dystopian Tokyo of 2039, Japan grapples with the aftermath of the Virus Apocalypse, a pandemic that struck on Christmas Eve 2029, leading to the intervention of the international organization GHQ. With Japan under martial law, GHQ enforces its rule, often resorting to brutal tactics. Ouma Shu, a seventeen-year-old student, inadvertently joins the rebellion against GHQ after encountering Inori Yuzuriha, a member of the Undertaker terrorist group. Led by Tsutsugami Gai, Undertaker seeks Japan’s independence and challenges GHQ’s oppressive regime.”

12. BTOOOM!

Ryōta Sakamoto, an unemployed 22-year-old, leads a mundane life at home until he finds himself mysteriously transported to a tropical island. To his shock, he realizes that he is now trapped in a real-life version of the BTOOOM! video game, where players fight using bombs. In this perilous situation, Ryōta must learn to survive, confront the challenges of the game, and undergo a transformative journey from insecurity and isolation to newfound bravery and confidence.

13. Ga-Rei: Zero

Kensuke Nimura, a high school student with the ability to see spirits, encounters Kagura Tsuchimiya while being pursued by evil spirits. Their accidental kiss leads to the destruction of an energy source attracting these spirits. Soon after, Kagura transfers to Kensuke’s class, revealing herself as part of a government agency combating supernatural threats. Kensuke’s unique skill and connection to Kagura draw him into the agency, where he becomes a recruit in the fight against malevolent spirits.

14. [C] – The Money of Soul and Possibility Control

“Kimimaro, a two-job scholarship student, dreams of a stable life. One evening, a mysterious figure offers him a chance to win substantial money with the condition of repayment. Reluctantly, Kimimaro is drawn into the Financial District, a peculiar world. Teaming up with Mashu, his Asset, he engages in battles to avoid bankruptcy and navigate the complexities of this unusual financial realm.

15. Claymore

Original Release: April 4, 2007 – September 26, 2007
Number of Episodes: 26

The Claymores, feared and half-demon warriors, are enlisted by villagers to protect against demonic threats. Distinguished by their silvery eyes and large swords, they are known as ‘silver-eyed witches.’ Claire, a Claymore, is tasked with eliminating demons in a village. Raki, the lone survivor, joins her on her journey, unraveling the secrets and tragic destinies of these unique women as they confront the monstrous threats together.

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