There is no official cross-franchise ranking of anime prequels. This editorial list compares stories set before an already established anime or franchise narrative, weighing standalone storytelling, production craft, emotional impact, and how much each work adds to its parent story. A prequel is not automatically the best place to begin: knowing the original can change what its revelations mean.
1. Fate/Zero
Fate/Zero is the strongest pick here for viewers who want a self-contained dramatic arc that also deepens a larger franchise. It follows Kiritsugu Emiya during the Fourth Holy Grail War, set ten years before Fate/stay night, and its anime aired across 2011–2012, according to the series reference.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Pok#mon: The Movies 1-3 Collection (Blu-ray) | $14.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Sailor Moon Three-Film Collection (Blu-ray) | $19.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Elfen Lied Complete Collection [Blu-Ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sYmcL3fgL._SL160_.jpg)
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Elfen Lied Complete Collection [Blu-Ray] | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
![Digimon the Movies 4-6 Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BavV0Z0TL._SL160_.jpg)
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Digimon the Movies 4-6 Collection [Blu-ray] | $23.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![Digimon The Movies 1-3 Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51A6WUi9P+L._SL160_.jpg)
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Digimon The Movies 1-3 Collection [Blu-ray] | $24.59 | Buy on Amazon |
Its position before Fate/stay night gives the conflict added context, while the war provides a clear narrative frame in its own right. That combination makes it a compelling prequel rather than merely a collection of background explanations. Viewers who know the parent story may recognize more of the connective tissue; the timeline alone, however, does not establish that it is the ideal first watch for every viewer.
Why it ranks first: It balances an accessible central conflict with meaningful franchise context, scoring well across all four editorial criteria. The ranking is a critical judgment, not an official or consensus result.
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For physical-format details, the official Fate/Zero site lists Blu-ray box set and rental DVD sections. Availability may vary by region and date.
2. Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku
This Bardock-centered television special is a notable classic prequel pick for Dragon Ball viewers interested in the story preceding Goku’s established saga. It is important not to confuse it with Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock: Toei’s catalog identifies that separate work as a 20-minute OVA dated December 2011, not the earlier television special. See Toei Animation’s catalog for its listing, and the official Dragon Ball chronology for franchise broadcast milestones.
Rank #2
The special’s appeal is its focused, character-led look at a corner of the franchise’s past. Compared with Fate/Zero, it is a narrower companion story: its strongest value is what it adds to an existing Dragon Ball viewing experience, rather than serving as an equally broad standalone drama. Familiarity with the franchise helps situate its significance.
Toei’s catalog lists the original Dragon Ball TV series as 153 episodes, dated 1986, and Dragon Ball Z as 291 episodes, dated 1989; it also notes two TV specials in its 1990/1993 listing. The official chronology says the original manga serialization began in 1984, the first TV broadcast in 1986, and Dragon Ball Z in 1989. Those are release-history facts, not by themselves proof of a universal canon or viewing order. In particular, a later franchise release such as Dragon Ball DAIMA beginning broadcast in 2024 does not become a prequel solely because of its place in the release timeline.
Rank #3
- Elfen Lied Complete Collection [Blu-Ray]
Why some related anime are not ranked here
Kizumonogatari: relationship needs title-specific confirmation
Kizumonogatari is sometimes raised as a possible Monogatari prequel, but the available Aniplex page for Bakemonogatari describes the novel sequence and lists editions of Bakemonogatari; it does not establish Kizumonogatari’s release details or settle a viewing-order recommendation. Without that title-specific support, it is better treated as a candidate for separate verification than assigned a confident rank here.
Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul is a sequel
Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul belongs outside a strict prequel list. Sentai’s film page describes Riko and Reg continuing their story into the fifth layer, placing it as a sequel film between the first and second seasons—not a story set before the established narrative. It may suit a separate list of related anime films, but it does not meet this ranking’s inclusion rule.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- English dubbed, Japanese language, English subtitles
Rank #4
How to use this ranking
- Choose Fate/Zero for a substantial prequel arc that works as a focused drama while expanding a larger franchise.
- Choose Bardock – The Father of Goku for a shorter, character-centered companion to Dragon Ball; do not mistake it for the 2011 Episode of Bardock OVA.
- Check whether a work is actually set before an established narrative. Release order, franchise association, and sequel status are not interchangeable with prequel status.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
