Fate/Strange Fake anime debuts in January 2026 from Solo Leveling studio A-1 Pictures

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Fans have been waiting for an anime version of this popular spin-off, and it’s now confirmed to be coming to Crunchyroll as part of the Winter 2026 season. The animation will be done by A-1 Pictures, the studio known for hits like Solo Leveling, making this one of the most exciting fantasy anime releases in a long time.

The spin-off series, first hinted at in a 2023 anime special called Whispers of Dawn, quickly gained a lot of attention. Production of Fate/Strange Fake was slowed down by delays, mainly because the animation studio, A-1 Pictures, was busy with other big projects like Solo Leveling. Despite these hurdles, Fate/Strange Fake is shaping up to be a must-watch anime for both new fans and those already familiar with the Fate series.

Fate/Strange Fake Is an Alternate Universe To Fate/Stay Night

The Fate series is famous for its intricate backstory, but the idea behind Fate/Strange Fake is actually quite simple. It’s a continuation of Fate/Stay Night, imagining a world where the events of Unlimited Blade Works happen closer in time to those of the original Fate/Stay Night. The story takes place in Snowfield, Nevada, after the Fifth Grail War, and centers around a fake Holy Grail War organized by a group of mages in the United States.

This imitation of the Holy Grail War aims to replicate the original conflict in Fuyuki, but falls short. Despite trying to follow the same summoning rituals, significant differences are causing unusual and unexpected events. Classes are incomplete, and Masters are using entirely new ways to summon their Servants. To make matters worse, a genuine Holy Grail War is happening concurrently. The changes in Fate/Strange Fake deliberately create a more unpredictable and chaotic situation than anything seen in the original Fate storylines.

Gilgamesh, also known as the King of Heroes, is a popular character from the Fate series, and fans were especially excited to see him in Fate/Strange Fake. He first appeared in Fate/Zero as a servant to Tokiomi and later Kirei, and has been featured in other Fate titles like Fate/Stay Night. In Fate/Strange Fake, his arrogant personality—often displayed by looking down on others—is played for laughs, much like his habit of calling everyone “extras.”

Fans were excited to see Flat Escardos play a major role in Fate/Strange Fake, especially after his appearance in Fate/Apocrypha. Another key figure is Richard I, a powerful Saber in Fate/Strange Fake. He lived during a time when magic wasn’t a secret, and he’s known for freely using it, sometimes without much regard for others.

Fate/Strange Fake Is Accessible For First-Time Fate Viewers

The Fate series has a lot of content, which can be overwhelming for new fans. With visual novels, anime, and light novels, it’s hard to know where to begin. However, Fate/Strange Fake is a good place to start because it’s mostly self-contained and a strong fantasy anime on its own. Watching Whispers of Dawn first is especially helpful, as it acts as an introduction to the story and characters, making the beginning of Fate/Strange Fake much easier to understand and enjoy.

The director of Fate/Strange Fake, Takahito Sakazume, has said that you don’t need to have seen any other Fate series to enjoy it. Co-director Enokido hopes the anime will encourage viewers to explore other works by TYPE-MOON. These comments suggest Fate/Strange Fake is designed as an introduction to the larger Fate universe. If you’re new to the franchise, the upcoming anime in Winter 2026 is a great place to start.

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2026-01-04 22:38