Many major anime franchises have multiple seasons, movies, prequels, sequels, OVAs, spin-offs and alternate timelines. That can make a simple question — “What order should I watch anime?” — surprisingly difficult.
The simplest rule is also the most useful: start with the strongest core entry and generally follow release order unless there is a clear reason to do otherwise.
This guide focuses on practical beginner watch orders rather than forcing every optional piece of franchise material into one enormous timeline.
Quick rule: If you are watching a franchise for the first time, prioritize the main storyline, avoid unnecessary side material, and worry about chronological order only when it genuinely improves the experience.
How Should You Use an Anime Watch Order?
There are three common ways to approach an anime viewing order:
- Release order: Watch entries in the order audiences originally received them.
- Chronological order: Watch according to the events’ position in the fictional timeline.
- Beginner order: Choose the clearest entry point and avoid optional material until you understand the core series.
For most newcomers, beginner order and release order are the safest choices.
Chronological viewing can sometimes put a prequel ahead of the story that originally introduced its characters, themes or mysteries. Release order often preserves reveals and lets the franchise develop naturally.
That does not mean chronological order is always wrong. Some franchises deliberately play with timelines, while others have standalone entries that can be watched independently.
sourecs: themodernobserver.com
Release Order vs. Chronological Order: Which Is Better?
For a first viewing, release order is usually the easier default.
Release order gives you the same broad progression experienced by the original audience. It can also prevent accidental spoilers from prequels, recap films or later-produced material.
Chronological order becomes more useful when:
- You have already watched the franchise.
- You want to revisit the story.
- The narrative is explicitly built around a timeline.
- A prequel is designed to be understood independently.
- You are trying to understand franchise continuity rather than discover it naturally.
The important distinction is between “chronologically correct” and “best first experience.” They are not always the same thing.
1. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Watch Order
Start with Part 1 and continue through the parts in release order.
The main route is:
- Phantom Blood
- Battle Tendency
- Stardust Crusaders
- Diamond Is Unbreakable
- Golden Wind
- Stone Ocean
- Steel Ball Run as its anime adaptation becomes available
The official JoJo anime portal identifies Phantom Blood/Battle Tendency as the first animated season, followed by Stardust Crusaders, Diamond Is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, Stone Ocean and Steel Ball Run. 「
As of September 2026, Steel Ball Run has already begun its Netflix release, with additional stages scheduled during 2026.
For a first-time viewer, there is little reason to complicate the JoJo series order. Follow the parts from the beginning.
2. Fate Watch Order for Beginners
A practical beginner route is Fate/Zero → Unlimited Blade Works → Heaven’s Feel.
The Fate universe is one of the franchises most likely to create unnecessary research before you even watch an episode. It contains multiple routes, adaptations and related stories.
A straightforward starting path is:
- Fate/Zero
- Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
- Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel trilogy
- Explore other Fate entries afterward
There is genuine debate over whether a different release-oriented route is preferable. The important point for newcomers is not to begin with a random spin-off simply because it is popular.
Treat the first three entries as a foundation, then explore the wider Fate anime universe if you want more.
3. Neon Genesis Evangelion Watch Order
Start with the original TV series.
A simple route is:
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- The End of Evangelion
- Rebuild of Evangelion films
The Rebuild movies are best approached as a separate experience rather than simply replacing the original series.
This is an example of why release order can be useful. Watching the original series first gives you the context needed to appreciate what the later films are doing differently.
4. Gundam Watch Order: Where Should You Start?
Gundam does not have one universal watch order.
Unlike a straightforward sequel chain, Mobile Suit Gundam is a large franchise containing different timelines and standalone stories.
If you want the historical Universal Century route, begin with:
Mobile Suit Gundam
If you want a lower-commitment introduction, a standalone series such as Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans or Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury can be easier starting points.
This is one case where trying to construct one giant chronological anime timeline is unnecessary. Choose the timeline that matches the kind of story you want.
5. Monogatari Watch Order: Where Should You Begin?
Start with Bakemonogatari.
A simple beginner route begins with:
- Bakemonogatari
- Kizumonogatari
- Nisemonogatari
- Continue through the wider Monogatari series
Monogatari is intentionally unconventional, so there are different approaches to its viewing order. For newcomers, the most important thing is to establish the franchise’s style and characters before attempting to optimize every chronological detail.
Do not treat every optional story as mandatory homework.
6. Dragon Ball Watch Order
Start with the original Dragon Ball if you want the fullest character progression.
A straightforward route is:
Dragon Ball → Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Kai → Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Kai provides a more streamlined alternative to Dragon Ball Z, making it useful for viewers who want the central story with less padding.
Starting with the original Dragon Ball also gives you important character and relationship development before the story expands into the larger battles associated with Z.
7. Naruto Watch Order
Watch Naruto first, followed by Naruto: Shippuden.
The basic anime series order is:
- Naruto
- Naruto: Shippuden
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations if you want to continue the universe
The main difficulty is not determining the order; it is deciding what to do with filler episodes.
A filler guide can help if the pacing becomes frustrating. You do not have to treat every non-essential episode as mandatory to understand the main storyline.
Current watch-order references likewise place Naruto before Naruto: Shippuden, while treating the films and later Boruto material as additional branches rather than prerequisites for the main route. G
8. One Piece Watch Order
Start with Episode 1 and continue through the main series.
One Piece is unusual because the viewing problem is primarily its length rather than its continuity.
For most viewers:
One Piece → continue through the main arcs → explore movies and specials later
You can use arc breaks as natural anime binge-watch checkpoints.
Movies, recap material and specials do not need to become a research project before you start the core series. The simplest approach is to follow the main storyline at your own pace.
Current watch-order resources similarly describe the TV series as the primary route while keeping films and recaps as additional material.
9. A Certain Magical Index and Railgun Watch Order
The Toaru universe is more complicated because its stories overlap.
The major anime branches include:
- A Certain Magical Index
- A Certain Scientific Railgun
- A Certain Scientific Accelerator
For viewers who prefer character-focused storytelling, Railgun can be an approachable entry point. If you want the broader franchise structure, starting with Index gives you the nominal central series before exploring its connected branches.
There is no need to memorize the entire timeline before watching. Start with one core entry and expand once the shared universe becomes interesting to you.
Current watch-order guides treat Index, Railgun and Accelerator as interconnected branches rather than one simple linear series
Which Anime Franchises Are Easiest for Beginners?
The easiest franchises are generally those where the main storyline moves forward in a clear sequence.
Easier starting points
- Dragon Ball: straightforward progression between major series.
- Naruto: clear main series followed by Shippuden.
- JoJo: separate parts that can be followed sequentially.
- One Piece: simple order despite its enormous length.
More complicated starting points
- Fate: multiple routes and adaptations.
- Gundam: numerous timelines and standalone universes.
- Monogatari: unusual narrative and viewing-order questions.
- Toaru: overlapping Index, Railgun and Accelerator stories.
The important distinction is that complicated does not mean bad. It simply means the franchise benefits more from choosing an entry point before you start.
How Do You Avoid Filler and Unnecessary Side Material?
You do not need to watch every piece of franchise content immediately.
For a first viewing:
- Start with the core series.
- Continue through the main storyline.
- Use a filler guide when a long-running series begins to drag.
- Watch important movies when they contribute directly to continuity.
- Save OVAs, specials and side stories for later.
- Explore alternate timelines after you understand the main universe.
This approach lets you spend more time actually watching anime instead of researching what to watch.
What Is the Best Anime Watch Order for Beginners?
There is no single best order for every franchise.
A useful beginner rule is:
Main series first → direct sequels next → important movies → optional prequels and side stories → alternate timelines and spin-offs.
That sequence keeps the core experience intact while leaving room to explore.
If a franchise has an obvious standalone starting point, use it. If it has a linear main story, follow release order. If it has multiple timelines, choose one clear route rather than trying to consume everything simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I watch anime?
For most franchises, start with the main series and follow release order. Add movies, OVAs and spin-offs after you understand the core story.
Should I watch anime in release order or chronological order?
Release order is usually the safer choice for a first viewing because it preserves the way the franchise originally introduced its characters and reveals. Chronological order can be useful for rewatches.
What is the easiest anime watch order for beginners?
Dragon Ball, Naruto and JoJo have relatively straightforward main routes. Their franchises become more complicated only when you start adding filler, movies and optional material.
What is the best Fate watch order for beginners?
A practical beginner route is Fate/Zero, followed by Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works and the Heaven’s Feel films. Fate has multiple legitimate viewing approaches, so this should be treated as a practical route rather than the only possible order.
Should I watch anime movies before the main series?
Usually, no. Start with the main series unless the movie is explicitly a required continuation or a direct part of the story you are following.
Do I need to watch anime spin-offs?
Usually not. Spin-offs are best treated as optional unless a particular franchise makes them part of the core storyline.
How can I watch a long-running anime without getting overwhelmed?
Use story arcs as checkpoints, watch at your own pace, and use a reliable filler guide when necessary. You do not need to finish hundreds of episodes quickly to enjoy a franchise.
Final Takeaway
The best anime viewing experience is usually the simplest one.
Start with a strong anime entry point, follow the core series, and resist the temptation to research every movie and side story before watching your first episode. Release order is a reliable default, while chronological order is better reserved for franchises where the timeline genuinely improves the experience.
For complex anime franchises, think in layers:
Core series → sequels → essential movies → optional prequels → side stories → alternate timelines and spin-offs.
That approach makes it easier to navigate popular anime franchises without turning watching anime into homework.
For 2026, this remains especially useful as major franchises continue expanding with new adaptations and sequels. For example, the JoJo anime lineup now includes Steel Ball Run, whose 2026 release has added another major entry to an already extensive franchise.Important Entities Mentioned
- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
- Steel Ball Run
- Fate
- Fate/Zero
- Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury
- Monogatari
- Dragon Ball
- Dragon Ball Z
- Dragon Ball Kai
- Dragon Ball Super
- Naruto
- Naruto: Shippuden
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- One Piece
- A Certain Magical Index
- A Certain Scientific Railgun
- A Certain Scientific Accelerator
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