The Fate series, created by Type-Moon under the guidance of Kinoko Nasu and art direction by Takashi Takeuchi, revolves around the Holy Grail War—battles between Masters (experienced mages) and Servants (manifestation of summoned heroic spirits) to win the Holy Grail. Originating from the visual novel Fate/Stay Night, the series includes prequels, sequels, parodies, and adaptations, all connected by the prefix Fate. The Holy Grail War takes center stage, with the last surviving couple receiving the Holy Grail. The franchise was very successful, expanding into profitable video games and inspiring many 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) launching in 2022 that uses the NerveGear to stimulate the user’s senses directly through the brain. Players are unable to log out and find themselves trapped in the game by creator Akihiko Kayaba. To regain their freedom, they must reach and conquer the final level on the 100th floor of Aincrad’s floating castle, confronting the final boss. Failure to remove or attempting to remove the NerveGear will result in cerebral coma due to electric shock.
2. Re:Zero − Start life in another world
Thrown into a fantasy world, Subaru Natsuki is saved from bandits by Emilia, a silver-haired half-elf aiming to become the next queen of Lugunica. Grateful, Subaru offers to help find the thief who stole from her. Unfortunately, they faced dire consequences and died during their mission. Strangely, Subaru awakens at the moment of his first summoning, realizing he has the power to return to life after death, retaining his memories. Armed with this ability, Subaru embarks on a dangerous journey to save Emilia and the others, overcoming the challenges of his newfound powers.
3. Mirai Nikki
Yukiteru Amano, an isolated and unsociable boy, always writes a diary on his phone. He believes he has an imaginary friend named Deus Ex Machina, the lord of time. Deus organizes a game, modifying Yukiteru’s phone to predict the future. Yukiteru discovers the diary now records events before they happen, making him realize his phone’s newfound ability to see the future.
4. Crime cutting edge
Original: April 4, 2013 – June 27, 2013
Episodes: 13
The story is about Kiri Haimura, a guy who likes to style and cut girls’ hair. He meets Iwai Mushanokōji, known as the “hair queen,” whose hair is cursed and cannot be cut. With the special scissors Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge, Kiri has the mystical ability to cut Iwai’s cursed hair and protect her from the vengeful and bloodthirsty “Killing Goods”.
5. Darwin’s Game
Kaname Sudou, an ordinary 17-year-old man, receives a mysterious invitation to play “Darwin’s Game” from his friend Kyoda. Expecting a simple game, Kaname is thrust into a deadly reality. After a fierce battle with Banda-Kun, he meets the formidable player Shuka, leading to an alliance. Together with other players, including Ryuuji, Rain, and Sui, they join forces to face the challenge and confront One, the leader of the most brutal clan in D-Game, in the “Treasure Hunt” event. Shibuya treasure”.
6. Digimon Universe: App Monsters
In the year 2045, the world prospers thanks to advanced technology, while the World Wide Web creates sentient creatures called Appli Monsters or Appmon. Haru Shinkai, a high school student, meets an Appmon named Gatchmon, who is seeking refuge on Earth from a pursuing evil entity. They discover that the supercomputer Leviathan has gone rogue, creating a virus to turn Appmon evil. Haru and Gatchmon work together to restore balance between the two worlds and stop 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 protects LINK VRAINS from the terrorist group Knights of Hanoi. The Knights aim to gain control of Ignis, an artificial intelligence, to locate the cyber-hidden world of Cyberse and destroy it. Yusaku becomes a target of both the Knights of Hanoi and SOL Technologies, the company behind LINK VRAINS, as he attempts to protect Ignis and stop their malicious plans.
8. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Code Geass is set in a world where the Holy Kingdom conquered Japan, renamed “Area 11”, the story follows Lelouch Lamperouge. Lelouch, determined to destroy Britannia for its oppression, received the mysterious power of Geass from a girl named CC. This power allows him to control others with his eyes. Lelouch, along with his childhood friend Suzaku Kururugi, who serves in the Britannian army, embarks on a journey to take revenge on Britannia for the crimes committed in the Shinjuku slums. The story explores their complicated relationship and the impact of Geass on Lelouch’s journey.
9. Re: CREATORS
In Anime World, high school student Sōta Mizushino is brought into the mecha anime “Vogelchevalier” during a battle. After his tablet crashes, he accidentally brings anime character Celejia Upitiria into the real world. They discovered that characters in various stories were similarly transported, befitting a girl in military uniform. This girl promises them a way to return home by ending the conflict in their respective worlds, without knowing their true intentions. To prevent dire consequences, Sōta and Celejia embark on a mission to bring these characters to their senses.
10. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! 5D
In Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D, we are introduced to motorcycle duel discs called “D-Wheels” or “Duel Runners”. Set in the future of New Domino Town, the city is divided into Satellite, a poor area, and Neo Domino City, a wealthy area. Yusei Fudo, the protagonist of Satellite, aims to seek freedom for his people and search for Jack Atlas, the Turbo Duel King. The story revolves around Yusei’s quest for justice as he faces old friends, betrayal, and the mysteries surrounding the collapse 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 consequences of the Virus Apocalypse, a pandemic that occurred on Christmas Eve 2029, leading to the intervention of the international organization GHQ. When Japan was under martial law, the GHQ exercised its rule and often used brutal tactics. Ouma Shu, a seventeen-year-old student, accidentally joins the rebellion against GHQ after encountering Inori Yuzuriha, a member of the terrorist group Undertaker. Led by Tsutsugami Gai, Undertaker seeks Japanese independence and challenges the oppressive regime of GHQ.”
12. BTOOOM!
Ryōta Sakamoto, an unemployed 22-year-old man, lives 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 BTOOOM! video game in which players fight using bombs. In this dangerous situation, Ryōta must learn to survive, cope with the game’s challenges, and undergo a journey of transformation from insecurity and isolation to newfound courage and confidence.
13. Ga-Rei: Zero
Kensuke Nimura, a high school student with the ability to see spirits, encounters Kagura Tsuchimiya while being chased by evil spirits. Their accidental kiss leads to the destruction of the energy that attracts these souls. Soon after, Kagura transfers to Kensuke’s class, revealing herself to be a member of a government agency that fights supernatural threats. Kensuke’s unique skills and connection to Kagura draw him into the agency, where he becomes a new recruit in the fight against evil spirits.
14. [C] – Money of the soul and control
“Kimimaro, a scholarship student with two jobs, dreams of a stable life. One evening, a mysterious figure offers him the chance to win a significant amount of money on the condition that he repays his debt. Reluctantly, Kimimaro is drawn into the Financial District, a strange world. Partnering with Mashu, His Asset, he participates in battles to avoid bankruptcy and overcome the complexities of this unusual financial sector.
15. Claymore
Original: April 4, 2007 – September 26, 2007
Episodes: 26
The Claymores, fearsome warriors and half-demons, are enlisted by villagers to protect against demonic threats. Distinguished by their silver eyes and large swords, they are known as ‘silver-eyed witches’. Claire, a Claymore, is tasked with exterminating demons in a village. Raki, the sole survivor, joins her on her journey, unraveling the secrets and tragic fates of these unique women as they confront terrible threats together.
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