- 🧭 Start Here! The Best Watch Order for the Tales of Anime Series
- 🎬 Tales of Series Anime Watch Order & Timeline (2025 Edition)
- 🇯🇵 Tales of Series Anime – Streaming Availability in Japan (Major Platforms, 2025)
- 🌍 Heads-Up for Overseas Fans!
- 🌍 Tales of Anime – International Streaming Guide (2025 Edition)
- 🎬 Tales of Anime Highlights – What Makes Each Title Worth Watching?
- 📝 Tips to Enjoy Tales of Anime Without Getting Lost (Beginner-Friendly)
- 🎉 Final Thoughts: Your Tales of Anime Journey Starts Here!
- ✅ Before You Go…
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Tales of Anime Watch Guide
🧭 Start Here! The Best Watch Order for the Tales of Anime Series
Let’s cut to the chase — here’s the ideal watch order for beginners:
- Tales of the Abyss – Classic story, emotionally complete
- Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike – Easy-to-watch movie
- Tales of Zestiria the X – Stunning animation by ufotable
- Tales of Symphonia OVA Trilogy – For fans of epic adventures
“Wait… isn’t Tales a game series? Can I enjoy the anime without playing the games?”
“Which one should I watch first? The titles are confusing!”
If you’re asking yourself these questions — don’t worry. This guide is here to help you find the best Tales of anime experience, even if you’re totally new to the franchise.
In this article, you’ll find: ✅
- 🔢 The best watch order (recommended & chronological)
- 🎬 Highlights and what makes each series worth watching
- 🌍 Streaming availability both in Japan and internationally
- 📝 Tips to help first-time viewers enjoy the series without confusion
Each Tales anime has its own world, characters, and charm — that’s what makes the series so special.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly where to start, what to watch next, and how to make the most of your Tales anime journey.
So let’s dive into the world of Tales of anime together!
🎬 Tales of Series Anime Watch Order & Timeline (2025 Edition)
Beginner-Friendly Guide with Commentary
If you’re new to the Tales of universe and wondering where to begin, this guide is just for you.
Below is a curated list of all the anime adaptations (TV, OVA, movies, and specials) arranged by recommended viewing order and also noting their chronological order within their subseries.
I’ve included some personal notes and tips along the way to help you get the most out of your journey.
📺 Anime List – Watch Order & Timeline
| No. | Title (Year / Format) | Recommended Order | Chronological Order | Personal Notes & Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ① | Tales of the Abyss (2008 / TV, 26 eps) | ✅ Best Starting Point | – | A full, satisfying story from start to end. You’ll follow Luke’s transformation from brat to hero — frustrating at first, but deeply rewarding. You don’t need to play the game to enjoy it! |
| ② | Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike (2009 / Movie) | ✅ Easy to Jump In | – (Prequel to the game) | A beautifully animated prequel that’s great as a standalone. No prior knowledge required, and it’s only ~90 mins. Think of it as a warm-up for the series tone. |
| ③ | Tales of Zestiria the X (2014 TV Special + 2016–17 / TV, 26 eps) | ✅ Visual Spectacle | TV Special ➝ Season 1 ➝ Season 2 | One word: Ufotable. The animation is gorgeous. It’s a bit lore-heavy, but explanations are sprinkled in. Even better if you plan to play Berseria later — there’s a cameo arc! |
| ④ | Tales of Symphonia: The Animation (2007–2012 / OVA, 11 eps) | 👍 For Fans of Grand Adventures | Sylvarant ➝ Tethe’alla ➝ United World | An epic story squeezed into three OVA arcs. Pacing is fast, but you get the full narrative. Great after Abyss or Vesperia — this one deepens your feel for classic Tales themes. |
| ⑤ | Tales of Phantasia: The Animation (2004–06 / OVA, 4 eps) | 🤔 Very Compressed | – | Covers the main game in just 4 episodes. If you’re curious about where it all began, give it a go — but the pacing is a sprint. Knowing the game helps, but not essential. |
| ⑥ | Tales of Eternia: The Animation (2001 / TV, 13 eps) | 🤷♀️ Optional | – | An original side-story with characters from the game. A bit dated and not super friendly for first-timers. You can skip this unless you’re really into the Eternia world. |
| ⑦ | Tales of Gekijou (Theater) (2012 / Web, 5 eps) | 😂 Gag-Only | – | Chibi comedy skits. Great for fans, not for plot. Watch it for laughs after you’ve met the main characters elsewhere. |
| ⑧ | Tales of HR (Homeroom) (2018 / Web, 12 eps) | 😆 Inside Joke Heaven | – | A school parody where Tales characters go to class together. Pure fun if you’re already familiar with the cast. Totally skippable for newcomers. |
| ⑨ | Tales of the Rays (Shorts) (2018–19 / Web) | 🔒 For Mobile Game Fans | – | If you’ve played the mobile game Tales of the Rays, these are extra treats. If not, feel free to skip. They’re packed with inside references. |
| ⑩ | Crestoria: To Be the Truth Bearer (2020 / TV Special) | 🤷♂️ Optional | – | A 15-minute teaser of the mobile game’s story. Feels more like a trailer than a full experience. Nice visuals, but not much payoff without the game. |
| ⑪ | Luminaria: The Fateful Crossroad (2022 / Web, 2 eps) | ❌ Incomplete | – | Sadly, this one was canceled halfway. Watch only if you’re curious, but it won’t give you a full story. |
✅ Recommended Watch Order (If You’re New!)
Here’s the ideal order for newcomers that balances story, animation quality, and emotional impact:
- Tales of the Abyss – Best character development arc
- Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike – Smooth movie intro
- Tales of Zestiria the X – Gorgeous visuals and modern pacing
- Tales of Symphonia: The Animation – Deepens your love for the franchise
- Tales of Phantasia: The Animation – A quick historical taste of the series’ roots
- Tales of Eternia – Optional but nostalgic
💡 Why this order?
Starting with Abyss and Vesperia gives you two of the most emotionally complete arcs. Then Zestiria immerses you in the fantasy world. Symphonia and Phantasia build on that foundation with classic Tales themes like dual worlds, sacrifice, and bonds.
🎁 Bonus Viewing (for fun, not plot)
After watching the main stories, feel free to dive into the shorts and comedy bits like:
- Tales of Gekijou
- Tales of HR
- Tales of the Rays: Theater
- Crestoria Special
- Luminaria (only if you’re curious!)
🇯🇵 Tales of Series Anime – Streaming Availability in Japan (Major Platforms, 2025)
| Title (Year / Format) | Netflix | Amazon Prime | U-NEXT | d Anime Store | Hulu | ABEMA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eternia (2001, TV) | ❌ | ✅ Included | ❌ | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ❌ | Available on multiple platforms |
| Phantasia (2004–06, OVA) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ❌ | ❌ | Short OVA; understandable even without playing the game |
| Symphonia (2007–12, OVA) 3-part series | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ❌ | ❌ | Available in three arcs: Sylvarant, Tethe’alla, and United World |
| Abyss (2008, TV) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ❌ | Excellent for beginners; produced by ufotable |
| Vesperia: The First Strike (2009, Movie) | ❌ | ✅ Rental only | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | No subscription option; rental only on Amazon |
| Zestiria: Dawn of the Shepherd (2014, TV Special) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Not available on any major platform currently |
| Zestiria the X (2016–17, TV) | ❌ | ✅ Rental only | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Only available via Amazon rental; no subscription option |
| Crestoria (2020, Short Anime) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Not available; previously on YouTube Official Channel |
| Luminaria: The Fateful Crossroad (2022, Web, 2 eps) | ❌ | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ❌ | Available on most platforms, but remains incomplete |
✅ Summary & Viewing Tips
- Recommended titles currently streaming in Japan:
- Abyss → Available on d Anime Store and Hulu (subscription)
- Symphonia OVA series → Full trilogy available on U-NEXT and d Anime
- Phantasia & Eternia → Stable availability across platforms
- Titles with limited or no availability:
- Vesperia (movie) → Rental only on Amazon Prime Video (no included plans)
- Zestiria → The X is rental-only on Amazon; Dawn of the Shepherd not available anywhere
- Crestoria / Luminaria → Short/side stories; Luminaria is incomplete
🌍 Heads-Up for Overseas Fans!
Planning to watch Tales of anime via Japanese streaming services like U-NEXT or dアニメストア? Here are a few quick tips before you dive in:
- 🇯🇵 These platforms are region-locked to Japan.
You’ll likely need a VPN set to Japan to access them from abroad. - 🈚️ Most content is in Japanese only.
Subtitles are usually Japanese-only, and English subs/dubs are not provided. - 💳 A Japanese payment method may be required.
Many services require a Japanese credit card or local account. Prepaid cards or Apple ID (Japan region) sometimes help! - 💡 Easiest solution?
If you’re not fluent in Japanese, it’s often better to use international platforms like Crunchyroll or Amazon Prime Video US, where Tales titles come with English subs (and sometimes dubs).
🌍 Tales of Anime – International Streaming Guide (2025 Edition)
| Platform | Available Titles | Regions Available | Subtitles / Dubs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | Tales of the Abyss, Tales of Symphonia (OVA trilogy) | North America, UK, parts of Europe | Japanese audio, English subs | Best option for most international fans. No dubs, but good subtitles. |
| Amazon Prime Video | Tales of Zestiria the X | USA, possibly other regions | English dub & subs | Not all regions have access. Check local Prime catalog. |
| Netflix | ❌ None | – | – | No Tales titles currently available. |
| Hulu (Global) | ❌ None | – | – | Not available on Hulu internationally. |
| HIDIVE | ❌ None | – | – | No Tales anime on HIDIVE as of 2025. |
| Blu-ray / DVD | Tales of Vesperia, Phantasia, Eternia, Crestoria, Luminaria | Global (import required) | English dubs & subs (varies) | Often the only way to watch these titles. Sub/dub availability depends on region. |
✅ Summary & Viewing Tips
- Best overall streaming choice:
➤ Crunchyroll — for Abyss and Symphonia, available with English subs. - If you prefer dubbed content:
➤ Amazon Prime Video (USA) — Zestiria the X is available with English dub. - Unavailable via streaming:
➤ Vesperia movie, Phantasia, Eternia, Crestoria, and Luminaria — best accessed through physical media (some Blu-rays include English options). - Region restrictions:
➤ Crunchyroll availability varies by country — best in the US, UK, Canada, and parts of Europe.
➤ Amazon Prime region-locks Zestiria, so availability outside the US may be limited.
🎬 Tales of Anime Highlights – What Makes Each Title Worth Watching?
| Title | Highlight Points | Why You’ll Love It 💖 |
|---|---|---|
| Tales of the Abyss (2008 / TV series) | 🌱 Emotional character growth 🗡️ Epic battles & lore 🎭 From brat to hero! | Luke’s personal journey hits hard. If you love watching characters change and grow (and cry a little along the way), this one’s your soul food. |
| Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike (2009 / Movie) | 🎥 Short & stunning 🛡️ Yuri & Flynn bromance ⚔️ Cool knight backstory | Just 90 minutes, but packed with action and heart. Great for first-time viewers or anyone who wants a quick hit of Tales energy. |
| Tales of Zestiria the X (2016 / TV series) | ✨ Ufotable’s god-tier visuals 🐉 Dragons & ancient legends 🌍 Fantasy world immersion | Like a Ghibli-meets-Fate hybrid! Even if you don’t catch every detail, it’s gorgeous and emotionally rich. Bonus: Velvet from Berseria shows up! |
| Tales of Symphonia: The Animation (2007–2012 / OVA trilogy) | 🌍 Dual-world drama ⛓️ Big moral themes (betrayal, sacrifice) 👫 Strong friendships | A classic Tales story packed into OVAs. Fast-paced but full of emotion. Ideal for fans of layered worldbuilding and complex choices. |
| Tales of Phantasia: The Animation (2004–06 / OVA) | 🕰️ Time travel plot 🌌 The origin of the Tales legacy ⚔️ Retro charm | It’s short, old-school, and bold. A love letter to longtime fans — or a fast-track intro to the original Tales universe. |
| Tales of Eternia: The Animation (2001 / TV series) | 🧭 Side-story adventure 🌀 Unique setting 🎒 Light, episodic pacing | Not directly tied to the game’s main plot, but fun for fans who want a chill ride with nostalgic vibes. A bit of a hidden gem! |
🌟 Oshi Point!
- Want a deep, emotional ride? → Start with Abyss
- Short on time but want quality? → Watch Vesperia the movie
- Here for the visuals? → You’ll love Zestiria the X
- Love classic JRPG drama? → Try Symphonia OVAs
- Curious about where it all began? → Give Phantasia a try
- Just want something comfy & old-school? → Explore Eternia
📝 Tips to Enjoy Tales of Anime Without Getting Lost (Beginner-Friendly)
| Tip 💡 | What It Means | Why It Helps 💖 |
|---|---|---|
| You don’t need to play the games! | Most Tales anime are self-contained stories. | Perfect if you’re new to the series — just press play and enjoy the ride! |
| Start with “Abyss” or “Vesperia” | These are emotionally rich and easy to follow. | Great character arcs + full stories = satisfying watch for first-timers. |
| It’s okay to skip the short/gag series | Stuff like Tales Gekijou or HR are more for longtime fans. | No pressure! Focus on the main stories first — you can loop back for fun later. |
| Look out for OVAs split into parts | Symphonia and others are in multiple arcs (e.g. 3 parts). | Watching in order (Sylvarant → Tethe’alla → United World) helps the story flow. |
| Sub or Dub? Go with your comfort zone! | Some shows have great English dubs (like Zestiria the X). | Whatever helps you connect with the story and characters more easily! |
| Use Crunchyroll or Amazon Prime for easiest access | Most major titles are here internationally. | Saves you time hunting around — and they have proper subtitles. |
| Don’t worry about timeline connections | Each Tales anime has its own world & cast (mostly). | No need to memorize a timeline — watch what interests you most! |
💬 Bonus Oshi-Katsu Advice:
- Got a favorite character? Look up their game too! Many anime versions only scratch the surface.
- Want more after watching? Fanart, drama CDs, and fan translations can expand the world for you!
- Confused by terms like “mana” or “blastia”? Don’t stress — most are explained naturally in-story.
🎉 Final Thoughts: Your Tales of Anime Journey Starts Here!
Whether you’re a long-time JRPG fan or totally new to the Tales of universe, there’s something magical waiting for you in every anime title.
From the emotional depth of Abyss, to the cinematic brilliance of Vesperia, and the stunning visuals of Zestiria the X — this series has heart, action, and stories that stay with you.
Start where it feels right for you — there’s no wrong way to begin as long as you’re enjoying yourself. And if you ever get confused? Just come back to this guide anytime!
🚀 Quick Recap:
✅ Best watch order for beginners
✅ Highlight points for each anime
✅ Where to stream internationally
✅ Tips to enjoy the series with zero stress
If this guide helped you, feel free to share it with your fellow anime lovers or Tales fans in your community! 💬
Have a favorite Tales character or anime moment? Drop it in the comments — let’s talk oshi! ✨
Thanks for reading, and happy watching! 🎬💖
See you in the world of Tales!
✅ Before You Go…
📌 Looking for more watch order guides?
Check out our latest articles on:
- 🕵️♂️ Durarara!! – Complete Watch Order Guide (2025)
- 🌌 Fafner in the Azure – How to Watch the Anime in Order (2025)
- 🩸 Kara no Kyoukai – The Garden of Sinners Watch Order Guide
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Tales of Anime Watch Guide
1. Do I need to play the games to enjoy the Tales of anime?
Nope! Most Tales anime are made to stand on their own. While fans of the games might catch extra details or references, newcomers can fully enjoy the stories without any prior gameplay experience.
2. What’s the best Tales anime to start with?
We recommend starting with Tales of the Abyss for a full-length, emotionally rich experience, or Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike if you prefer a shorter movie format. Both are beginner-friendly and don’t require game knowledge.
3. Are the Tales anime connected? Do I need to watch them in a specific order?
Each anime is usually based on a separate game with its own world and characters, so you can watch them in any order.
However, we’ve included a recommended watch order in this guide to help you get the best viewing experience.
4. Where can I stream the Tales anime internationally?
- Crunchyroll: Tales of the Abyss, Tales of Symphonia (subs)
- Amazon Prime Video (USA): Tales of Zestiria the X (dub & sub)
Other titles like Vesperia or Phantasia are only available via Blu-ray/DVD.
5. Is there an official timeline for the Tales anime?
There’s no unified timeline — each anime tells its own standalone story, with a unique setting and cast. You don’t need to watch them in release order or follow a timeline. Think of it like Final Fantasy: same vibes, different worlds.
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