How to Watch Steins;Gate in Order: Complete First-Time Guide
Steins;Gate can be confusing for new viewers because the anime includes an alternate episode, a follow-up series, an OVA, a movie, and bonus shorts. The good news is that you do not need to watch everything to enjoy the main story.
For the best first-time experience, do not try to watch the franchise in strict chronological order. Start with the original anime, finish its ending, and then move to the alternate route that leads into Steins;Gate 0.
Steins;Gate Watch Order for First-Time Viewers
Follow this order for the essential anime story:
- Steins;Gate — Episodes 1 to 24
- Steins;Gate Episode 23β: Open the Missing Link
- Steins;Gate 0 — Episodes 1 to 23
This is the best spoiler-safe order. The original anime gives you the intended first ending, while Episode 23β opens an alternate route that continues in Steins;Gate 0.
Complete Steins;Gate Watch Order
Watch this version if you want to include every major anime entry and bonus episode:
- Steins;Gate — Episodes 1 to 24
- Steins;Gate: Egoistic Poriomania — optional OVA
- Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vu — optional movie
- Steins;Gate Episode 23β: Open the Missing Link
- Steins;Gate 0 — Episodes 1 to 23
- Valentine’s of Crystal Polymorphism — optional Steins;Gate 0 bonus special
1. Start With Steins;Gate Episodes 1–24
Begin with the original Steins;Gate anime and watch all 24 episodes in order. This is the core story and the right introduction to Okabe Rintarou, Kurisu Makise, Mayuri Shiina, and the Future Gadget Laboratory.
The series starts as a character-driven science-fiction mystery before its time-travel story becomes more intense. Some viewers find the opening episodes slow, but the early details, jokes, and character moments become important later.
Most importantly, finish the standard Episode 23 and Episode 24 before watching any alternate episode. Do not replace the original Episode 23 with Episode 23β on your first watch.
2. Watch Episode 23β: Open the Missing Link
Episode 23β is an alternate version of Episode 23. It shows a different outcome and serves as the setup for Steins;Gate 0.
Watch it only after you complete the original 24-episode series. It is best understood as a branch from the main story, not a replacement for the original ending.
3. Continue With Steins;Gate 0
Steins;Gate 0 follows the alternate route introduced in Episode 23β. It is not a regular second season that takes place after Episode 24. Instead, it explores a different outcome and expands the wider Steins;Gate story.
Watch all 23 episodes after Episode 23β. The tone is heavier and more emotional, so it has a stronger impact when you already know the original series.
Optional Steins;Gate Anime Entries
Steins;Gate: Egoistic Poriomania
Egoistic Poriomania is a lighter OVA episode, sometimes listed as Episode 25. It works as an epilogue for the original anime and gives fans more time with the main cast.
It is optional, but it is a good choice after the original 24 episodes if you want a calmer story before continuing to the movie or Steins;Gate 0.
Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vu
The movie is another optional follow-up to the original anime. It focuses on the central cast and works best after the original series and its OVA.
You can watch it before Episode 23β in release-style order, or save it until after Steins;Gate 0 as an extra story. It is not required to understand the main alternate-route plot.
Valentine’s of Crystal Polymorphism
This is a bonus Steins;Gate 0 special, sometimes listed differently across streaming services. It is not part of the essential story, so watch it after all 23 episodes of Steins;Gate 0.
Can You Skip Cognitive Computing?
Yes. Steins;Gate: Sōmei Eichi no Cognitive Computing is a set of promotional short episodes made in collaboration with IBM. They are fun bonus content, but they are not required for the main anime story.
Do You Need to Watch Other Science Adventure Anime?
No. You do not need to watch Chaos;Head, Robotics;Notes, Chaos;Child, or other Science Adventure titles before starting Steins;Gate.
These series share wider franchise connections, references, and ideas, but the Steins;Gate anime tells a complete story on its own.
Tips for Watching Steins;Gate
Pay attention to small details. The show uses clues, foreshadowing, repeated events, and technical terms throughout its story. You do not need to understand every detail immediately, but keeping track of the characters and events makes later episodes more rewarding.
Be patient with the opening episodes. The first part of the anime spends time building its cast, setting, and mystery. The payoff becomes much stronger because the show takes time to establish those details.
Avoid spoilers. Steins;Gate is best experienced without knowing its major turns. Avoid episode summaries, character searches, and comment sections until you finish the original 24 episodes.
Final Steins;Gate Watch Order
For most first-time viewers, use this order:
Steins;Gate Episodes 1–24 → Episode 23β: Open the Missing Link → Steins;Gate 0 Episodes 1–23
Watch the OVA, movie, and Valentine special only if you want extra time with the characters. They are enjoyable additions, but they are not required for the main story.