As an expert, I can provide you with a detailed answer to the question of whether you should watch Steins;Gate or Steins;Gate 0 first. Both series are intertwined and complement each other, so it’s important to understand the proper viewing order to fully appreciate the story.
First and foremost, I highly recommend starting with the original Steins;Gate series. This is where the story begins and introduces the characters, setting, and the concept of time travel. By watching Steins;Gate first, you can fully immerse yourself in the world and understand the events that lead to the development of Steins;Gate 0.
The original series, Steins;Gate, explores the journey of Rintarou Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist, and his friends as they accidentally stumble upon a way to send messages to the past, altering the present. The series delves into the consequences and complexities of time travel, as Okabe learns the true cost of tampering with the timeline. It’s a thrilling and thought-provoking experience that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Once you have completed Steins;Gate, I recommend watching the Steins;Gate OVA and the Steins;Gate movie. The OVA, titled “Egoistic Poriomania,” provides additional closure and character development, while the movie, “Load Region of Déjà Vu,” serves as an epilogue to the original series, tying up loose ends and providing a satisfying conclusion to the story.
After finishing the original series and its supplementary content, you can proceed to Steins;Gate 0. It is important to note that Steins;Gate 0 is not a direct sequel but rather a midquel or an alternate timeline. It explores a world where Okabe failed to save his loved one, leading to a darker and more despair-filled narrative.
Steins;Gate 0 serves as a prologue to the Beta worldline divergence and provides crucial context to events that occur in the original series. It delves into Okabe’s struggle to find purpose in a timeline where all hope seems lost. By watching it after the original series, you gain a deeper understanding of Okabe’s character and the significance of his actions in Steins;Gate.
To summarize the recommended viewing order:
1. Steins;Gate (season 1)
2. Steins;Gate OVA
3. Steins;Gate movie
4. Beta worldline divergence (prologue to Steins;Gate 0)
5. Steins;Gate 0
By following this order, you will have a comprehensive and immersive experience of the Steins;Gate series. Each installment builds upon the previous one, expanding the story and characters in a meaningful way.
Personally, I can attest to the impact of watching Steins;Gate before Steins;Gate 0. The original series captured my attention with its unique blend of suspense, humor, and emotional depth. It set the stage for Steins;Gate 0, allowing me to fully appreciate the character growth and the significance of the events unfolding in the alternate timeline.
I highly recommend watching Steins;Gate first, followed by its supplementary content, and then diving into Steins;Gate 0. This viewing order will provide you with a comprehensive and rewarding experience, allowing you to fully understand and appreciate the intricate narrative and character development of the Steins;Gate series.