Steins;Gate is a popular science fiction anime series that deals with the concepts of time travel, parallel worlds, and the consequences of changing the past. It is based on a visual novel of the same name, which is part of the Science Adventure series of games and novels. The anime adaptation consists of two seasons, an OVA, a movie, and several spin-offs.
In this article, I will explain the best way to watch Steins;Gate in order, including all the relevant media and their chronological order. I will also provide some background information on the story and the characters, as well as some tips and recommendations for enjoying the series. Let’s get started!
What is Steins;Gate about?
Steins;Gate follows the adventures of Rintaro Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist who runs a makeshift laboratory in Akihabara, Tokyo, along with his friends Mayuri Shiina and Itaru Hashida. They are interested in developing futuristic gadgets, such as a microwave oven that can send text messages to the past, which they call the Phone Microwave (name subject to change).
One day, Okabe attends a conference on time travel, where he meets Kurisu Makise, a brilliant young scientist who claims to have met him before. Shortly after, he finds her stabbed to death in a secluded room. He sends a text message about it to Hashida, only to discover that he has somehow leaped back in time by a few hours, and that Kurisu is alive and well.
Okabe soon realizes that he has the ability to retain his memories across different timelines, which he calls Reading Steiner. He also learns that his text messages, or D-mails, can alter the course of history and shift him to different world lines, which are parallel versions of reality.
He becomes involved in a conspiracy involving SERN, a secretive organization that is researching time travel for nefarious purposes. He also encounters John Titor, a mysterious online persona who claims to be a time traveler from the future.
Okabe and his friends decide to use their Phone Microwave to experiment with time travel and try to prevent a dystopian future from happening. However, they soon face the consequences of their actions, as they realize that changing the past can have unforeseen and tragic effects on their present and future.
Steins;Gate is a complex and thrilling story that explores the themes of fate, free will, causality, and morality. It combines scientific theories with fictional elements to create a realistic and immersive setting.
It also features a diverse and memorable cast of characters, each with their own personality, backstory, and development. The anime is praised for its excellent animation, music, voice acting, and direction. It is widely considered to be one of the best anime series of all time.
How to watch Steins;Gate in order?
Steins;Gate has multiple media adaptations and spin-offs that expand on the original story and its world. However, not all of them are essential or canonical to the main plot. Therefore, it can be confusing for newcomers or casual fans to decide how to watch Steins;Gate in order.
To help you out, I have compiled a list of all the relevant media and their chronological order. I have also divided them into three categories: main series, side stories, and extras.
Main series
The main series consists of the core media that follow the main plot and timeline of Steins;Gate. They are:
Steins;Gate (anime season 1): This is the first season of the anime adaptation of the original story. It covers the main events and endings of the story and has 24 episodes. It follows Okabe’s journey from discovering time travel to reaching the true ending of the story. It is recommended to watch this season first before moving on to other media.
Steins;Gate: Egoistic Poriomania: This is an OVA episode that serves as an epilogue to season 1. It takes place six months after the events of season 1 and shows how Okabe and his friends travel to America to visit Kurisu. It is recommended to watch this episode after season 1.
Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vu: This is an anime movie that serves as a sequel to season 1 and the OVA episode. It takes place one year after the events of season 1 and focuses on Kurisu’s perspective as she tries to save Okabe from disappearing due to his frequent time leaps. It is recommended to watch this movie after season 1 and the OVA episode.
Steins;Gate: Open The Missing Link: This is an alternative version of episode 23 of season 1. It shows what would have happened if Okabe had failed to save Kurisu in his first attempt and had given up on trying again. It leads into the plot of Steins;Gate 0.
Steins;Gate 0 (anime season 2): This is the second season of the anime adaptation of the alternative story. It covers the events and endings of the alternative story and has 23 episodes. It follows Okabe’s journey in a different world line where he lives in despair after failing to save Kurisu and faces a new threat from World War III. It is recommended to watch this season after Open The Missing Link.
Steins;Gate 0: Kesshou Takei no Valentine - Bittersweet Intermedio: This is an OVA episode that serves as an epilogue to season 2. It takes place in February 2024 and shows how Okabe and his friends celebrate Valentine’s Day in their respective world lines. It is recommended to watch this episode after season 2.
Side stories
The side stories consist of the media that explore different aspects or scenarios of Steins;Gate. They are not essential to the main plot, but they can provide some additional information or entertainment. They are:
Steins;Gate: Sōmei Eichi no Cognitive Computing: This is a series of four short anime episodes that were produced in collaboration with IBM. They show some humorous and cute situations involving Okabe and his friends using cognitive computing technology. They are not canon to the main story, but they can be watched for fun at any time.
Extras
The extras consist of the media that are not directly related to Steins;Gate, but are part of the same franchise or universe. They are:
Chaos;Head: This is a story that is the first installment of the Science Adventure series, which includes Steins;Gate. It follows Takumi Nishijo, a high school student who suffers from delusions and gets involved in a series of mysterious murders related to a phenomenon called Gigalomaniacs. It has some connections and references to Steins;Gate, but it is not necessary to watch it before watching Steins;Gate.
Robotics;Notes: This is a story that is the third installment of the Science Adventure series, which includes Steins;Gate. It follows Kaito Yashio and Akiho Senomiya, two high school students who are members of a robotics club and try to build a giant robot. It has some connections and references to Steins;Gate, but it is not necessary to watch it before watching Steins;Gate.
Chaos;Child: This is a story that is the sequel to Chaos;Head and the fourth installment of the Science Adventure series, which includes Steins;Gate. It follows Takuru Miyashiro, a high school student who investigates a series of mysterious deaths related to a phenomenon called Gigalomaniacs. It has some connections and references to Steins;Gate, but it is not necessary to watch it before watching Steins;Gate.
Tips and recommendations for watching Steins;Gate
Now that you know how to watch Steins;Gate in order, here are some tips and recommendations for enjoying the series:
Pay attention to the details: Steins;Gate is a complex and intricate story that requires careful attention and analysis. There are many clues, foreshadowing, references, and twists that can be easily missed or misunderstood if you don’t pay attention. Try to keep track of the events, characters, world lines, and terminology as you watch or play.
Be patient with the pacing: Steins;Gate has a slow start that may seem boring or confusing at first. However, this is intentional, as it sets up the characters, setting, and tone for the later developments. The story gradually builds up tension and suspense until it reaches its climax and resolution. Don’t give up on the series too soon, as it will reward you with an amazing experience.
Be prepared for emotional impact: Steins;Gate is a story that deals with serious and dark themes, such as death, trauma, guilt, sacrifice, and morality. It also features many scenes that are emotional, shocking, or heartbreaking. Be prepared for some tears, laughter, anger, or awe as you watch or play.
Conclusion
Steins;Gate is a masterpiece of science fiction that deserves to be watched by anyone who loves anime, time travel, or stories that make you think and feel. It is a complex and thrilling story that combines scientific theories with fictional elements to create a realistic and immersive setting.
It also features a diverse and memorable cast of characters, each with their own personality, backstory, and development. It has multiple media and routes that expand on the original story and its world. It also has many moments of humor and fun, as well as references to other media. It is a story that will make you laugh, cry, angry, or amazed as you watch or play.
If you want to watch Steins;Gate in order, you should follow this list:
- Steins;Gate (anime season 1)
- Steins;Gate: Egoistic Poriomania
- Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vu
- Steins;Gate: Open The Missing Link
- Steins;Gate 0 (anime season 2)
- Steins;Gate 0: Kesshou Takei no Valentine - Bittersweet Intermedio
You can also watch or play these side stories for more information or entertainment:
- Steins;Gate: Sōmei Eichi no Cognitive Computing
I hope this article has helped you understand how to watch Steins;Gate in order. I hope you enjoy the series as much as I did. Thank you for reading!