When people hear about the Fate series, chances are they immediately remember the iconic Fate/stay night erotic visual novel that started everything, or even the hit gacha title Fate/Grand Order that expanded the franchise heavily. But despite the multiple games, series, films, and expanded media under its belt, fans and newcomers can always go back to the original 2006 Fate/stay night anime adaptation from Studio DEEN to get a summary of the hit visual novel.

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Of course, compared to the likes of Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works produced by Ufotable in 2014, the 2006 anime definitely has its faults. However, despite its mixed reception, the 2006 anime does have high points that proved it has its merits, even compared to the more recent entry.

7 Divide The Fanbase

Shiro with his Command Seals in Fate Stay Night

While such a notion might be considered as more of a gag than an actual observation, it’s important to note that the 2006 Studio DEEN adaptation of Fate/stay night did divide the fanbase in regard to its importance to the overall experience. This is quite unlike the usual reception to other adaptations of the Fate series (in particular Ufotable’s take on Fate/Zero, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven’s Feel) which were considered must-watches for fans.

Regardless, one must acknowledge that this is an impressive feat that the 2006 adaptation achieved. There's not a lot of media releases within a franchise that fans can equally admire and detest. Some might consider the Studio DEEN anime a must-watch if only for the completionist experience. On the other hand, others consider the adaptation completely skippable in the context of the shows.

6 Anime-Wise, It Cannot Be Skipped For The Story

Saber meeting Shiro in Fate Stay Night

Despite the negative reception from viewers, fans of the Fate series would have to admit that anyone who wants to check out the franchise from the anime perspective would have to at least try and watch the Studio DEEN version. This is due to the fact that the 2006 anime pursues the “Fate” route, the first and arguably closest to the canon ending the original game could have.

This places fans in a peculiar position, especially when it comes to whether or not they choose to skip this anime. Fans can skip Unlimited Blade Works if they don’t prefer Shiro ending up with Rin, and the same with Sakura in the context of Heaven’s Feel. However, those who want a faithful take on the Fate experience in the context of anime cannot skip the “Fate” route of Studio DEEN — unless Ufotable decides to make its own take of the route.

5 Pursues The Fate Route

Shiro carrying Saber in Fate Stay Night

Fans of Fate/stay night can simply look at the Studio DEEN adaptation as superior for one reason alone: it pursues the “Fate” route. Unlike the other routes that desperately try to jolt Shiro into a reality outside his ideals as a person, the “Fate” route consistently helps Shiro fulfill his vision of an ideal self. Philosophy-wise, fans who prefer Shiro as a dreamer instead of a more bleak protagonist may choose the Studio DEEN adaptation over other takes on the story.

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In the “Fate” route, either Saber or Artoria is positioned as the main heroine for Shirou to pursue. This means a lot of the focus is put on Saber and the general worldbuilding of the series, with the overarching theme of “oneself as an ideal.” The anime depicts the 20-ish days surrounding the Fourth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City, and Shiro being dragged in it.

4 Saber Is The Main Heroine

Saber of Fate Stay Night

One of the key differences between the 2006 and the 2014 anime adaptations is its central heroine. Unlimited Blade Works is positioned around Rin Tohsaka, while the “Fate” route of the 2006 version focuses on Saber. This has key differences, especially when it comes to the various ways Shiro gets to interact and develop relationships between the two protagonists.

In Unlimited Blade Works, Shiro will inevitably get closer with Rin as they study the Servants that they have to face in their temporary alliance in the Holy Grail War. Meanwhile, in the “Fate” route, Shiro slowly develops feelings for Saber, while the latter struggles to protect the naive Shiro against fierce opponents.

3 Tries To Combine The Other Routes

The main cast of Fate Stay Night 2006

One of the biggest strengths of the Studio DEEN adaptation inevitably became its greatest weakness, and that was its attempt to combine the original “Fate” route of the story with the two other routes of the visual novel, “Unlimited Blade Works” and “Heaven’s Feel.” Heroines change in these routes of the visual novel, with “UBW” focusing on Rin while “HF” focuses on Sakura Matou. However, the Studio DEEN adaptation still focuses on Saber during these routes.

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As a result, some minor plot elements from the two other routes were integrated into the plot of the main “Fate” route. While some fans argue that this spoiled some aspects of the routes without proper closure, the addition of these elements did add better exposition into the overall lore of the story.

2 Combined Elements Become Their Own Original Plot Lines

Saber fighting Assassin in Fate Stay Night

As mentioned above, some fans who want to indoctrinate new fans into the Fate fandom might suggest against watching the Studio DEEN adaptation, precisely because its effort to combine elements from all three routes resulted in a radically different take on the “Fate” route. However, it’s precisely this new take on the “Fate” route that makes the show worth watching anyway.

Fans who want to eventually play the visual novel might want to give the Studio DEEN anime a shot, especially when it comes to trying to get a sense of the overall plot. Conversely, fans might want to play through the VN first, and then watch the Studio DEEN adaptation to judge its approach towards combining elements from the route. Fans of Fate/Grand Order may remember this being a usual strategy of the game to ensure its timelines are also cohesive.

1 Comedic Scenes Reduce The Weight

Shiro and Saber in Fate Stay Night

Despite the nature of Fate/stay night as an erotic visual novel mature themes, its original story still had its light-hearted moments. These are apparent with Shiro’s naivete and Saber’s unfamiliarity with the modern, which Rin and Sakura have to deal with.

Unfortunately in Unlimited Blade Works, Rin's more serious nature does overtake Shiro's potential to become comic relief. Thankfully, the “Fate” route of the 2006 adaptation, as well as its animation style, did give room for a bit of wackiness that reduces the weight of the mature story, transforming the 2006 adaptation into a decent shonen experience.

Fate/Grand Order was released in 2015 and is playable for iOS and Android.

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