When time travel is involved, confusion isn't far behind. It's a complex topic that isn't easily explained due to the ripple effect each action has on the timeline. Steins;Gate isn't an exception to that rule as there are points in the series that won't make any sort of sense until a few episodes down the line, something that makes the series so great.
The confusion is taken to another level with Steins;Gate as it has two different series to delve into, on top of two OVAs, and a movie. In theory, fans could watch them all as they came out and still be able to follow the story well enough. If you're looking for a more chronological story, be prepared to do a little jumping around between series as we explore how to watch Steins;Gate.
Updated on March 21, 2022 by Scoot Allan: Steins;Gate's chronology is hard to follow to say the least, but it's not impossible with a bit of effort and a perceptive yee. Different timelines and multiple different series makes Steins;Gate seem overwhelming to newcomers, but the series flows well with a little guidance.
6 Steins;Gate Episodes 1-22 Set Up The Story & Characters Going Forward
The original series aged like a fine wine, being just as good, if not better, than when it first came out. It introduces the viewer to the core characters and explains what the story is about. Episodes 1 through 22 all build off each other, ramping up the tension bit by bit as more of the story gets revealed.
Some will say viewers should watch the entirety of the first series before moving on to something else, and as a first-time watcher, that's true. However, for a more straight and narrow path of the story, stopping at episode 22 is the best way to go as things begin to diverge in the Steins;Gate order.
5 Steins;Gate Open The Missing Link Is An Alternative Episode That Leads Into Steins;Gate 0
The Missing Link is an alternative episode to the 23rd one in the original series. Why is it important to watch it before fans see the original cut of the 23rd episode? The reason is that it helps set up Steins;Gate 0, which is a semi-sequel series.
Watching it straight after the original would only leave a viewer confused. As a standalone entity, Missing Link isn't anything that awe-inspiring as it's a bit shorter than a standard episode is, but its sole purpose is setup.
4 Steins;Gate 0 Helps Set the Stage For Parts Of Steins;Gate & Better Explains Events
The tone of Steins;Gate 0 is a little different from the original series as there is already an overwhelming sense of sadness permeating over Okabe by the start, and it does take a little longer to get going, but it's a solid addition to the series.
Unlike the first anime, it can be plowed through in its entirety without any need for stopping or worrying about which order to watch Steins;Gate. The story is rather self-contained until it gets towards the end, where things will start lining up with the final few episodes of Steins Gate.
3 Steins;Gate Episodes 23-24 Wrap Up The Story Of Both Series
The hopping around can end here as the story rounds itself back to the final two episodes of the series in the Steins;Gate watch order. No matter how they are watched, be it the chronological order or by release, these two episodes hit heavy and are part of why the series is so beloved.
There's tension throughout and plenty of emotional moments that draw viewers in. It perfectly settles the story that's been told thus far, even if the following OVA puts a bit of a neater bow on things.
2 Steins;Gate: Egoistic Poriomania Is A Nice Epilogue That Had A Focus On Okabe & Kurisu
While the original series is a near-perfect ending, Egoistic Poriomania manages to hit in the right ways. It's set a few months after the finale, all of the characters settling back into their lives. It also gives fans the moment they all wanted to see, and that's Okabe expressing his feelings to Kurisu in the proper timeline.
That scene at the end makes the entire OVA worth it because their relationship is one of the biggest driving forces in the entire series. How they develop around each other is nothing short of brilliant and makes a perfect ending for the Steins;Gate watch order.
1 Steins;Gate: The Movie – Load Region Of Deja Vu Is Superfluous To The Overall Story
The movie Steins;Gate: Load Region of Deja Vu is mostly superfluous and not necessary to watch anything else in the series. It's simply a more focused look at Kurisu and Okabe's relationship. They are the central force to the movie that serves as an epilogue to the story.
If fans can connect with their struggles, they are going to enjoy the film. If they prefer more of the other characters, it's going to be a bit of a letdown as they are just bit parts used to help reunite the two together.