The wait is almost over for fans of the chaotic Holy Grail War. The next chapter of the false Holy Grail War is arriving right on schedule. Fate/strange Fake Episode 9 release date is officially set for Saturday, February 28, 2026. The episode will drop globally on Crunchyroll, continuing the weekly broadcast that began in January.
The anime, produced by A-1 Pictures with music by Hiroyuki Sawano, has been steadily building tension in the American city of Snowfield. With Masters and Servants clashing in unpredictable ways, the story is now moving toward the middle of its 13-episode run. Episode 9 promises to deliver more of the high-stakes battles and intricate plotting that light novel fans have come to expect from author Ryohgo Narita.
When and Where to Watch Episode 9 Worldwide
Crunchyroll is handling the international streaming for the series. New episodes arrive every Saturday at the same time globally. For viewers in different regions, here is when Fate/strange Fake Episode 9 becomes available:
- United States (West Coast): 8:00 am Pacific Time on Saturday, February 28
- United States (East Coast): 11:00 am Eastern Time on Saturday, February 28
- United Kingdom: 4:00 pm Greenwich Mean Time on Saturday, February 28
- Canada: Same times as US (8:00 am PT / 11:00 am ET)
- Australia (Sydney): 3:00 am Australian Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday, March 1 (late Saturday night/early Sunday)
- India: 9:30 pm India Standard Time on Saturday, February 28
- Philippines: 12:00 am Philippine Time on Sunday, March 1 (late Saturday night)
The series streams with the original Japanese audio and subtitles in multiple languages. An English dub is also available on Crunchyroll for those who prefer dubbed versions.
What Happened in Episode 8: A Quick Recap
Before diving into the new episode, it helps to remember where things stood at the end of Episode 8. The previous installment, which aired on February 21, moved several pieces on the board.
The battle in Snowfield continued to escalate. The irregular nature of this false Holy Grail War became more obvious as Servants with twisted summoning conditions showed their true power. Viewers saw more of the conflict between the different factions, with the police force led by Orlando Reeve (voiced by Wataru Hatano) struggling to contain the chaos.
The episode also focused on Tsubaki Kuruoka (voiced by Aoi Koga), the young Master of the False Rider, who remains unaware of the true horror surrounding her. Her situation grows more dangerous as others take notice. Meanwhile, Ayaka Sajyou (voiced by Kana Hanazawa) and her Saber (voiced by Yuki Ono) continue their uneasy participation in the war, trying to survive while uncovering the truth behind this abnormal ritual.
Episode 8 ended with tensions reaching a breaking point, setting the stage for the confrontation coming in Episode 9.
What to Expect in Fate/strange Fake Episode 9
Promotional materials and previews for the upcoming episode suggest the action is not slowing down. The episode will likely adapt more content from the popular light novel series, which recently released its ninth volume in Taiwan through Taiwan Kadokawa in October 2024 .
The false Holy Grail War features Servants from different classes, including Saber, Archer (voiced by Tomokazu Seki), Lancer (voiced by Yu Kobayashi), and others. Each has their own agenda and wish for the Grail. What makes this war different from previous Holy Grail Wars is the lack of proper rules. The summonings were not done correctly, leading to Servants who are far from traditional heroic spirits.
Flat Escardos (voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka), the Master of the False Berserker, remains a wild card. His incredible talent and unpredictable nature make him dangerous to everyone, including his allies. The character is a fan favorite, and viewers can expect more of his unusual approach to magecraft in the coming episodes.
The soundtrack, composed by Hiroyuki Sawano, continues to be a highlight of the series. His music adds weight to the battles and emotion to the quieter moments. The opening theme “Provant” by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk] fits the chaotic and grand scale of the story.
The Voice Cast Bringing the Characters to Life
Fate/strange Fake features an impressive lineup of voice talent. The Japanese cast includes some of the most recognized names in the industry. Kana Hanazawa brings depth to Ayaka Sajyou, a Master who initially wanted nothing to do with the war. Yuki Ono voices Saber, the heroic spirit bound to Ayaka.
Other notable cast members include Sumire Morohoshi as Tiné Chelc, the young leader of the local tribe who becomes Archer’s Master, and Aoi Koga as the tragic Tsubaki Kuruoka. Tomokazu Seki, known for his iconic roles in other Fate series, voices Archer with his signature energy.
The English dub cast, also available on Crunchyroll, features Anjali Kunapaneni as Ayaka, Ben Balmaceda as Saber, and Dani Chambers as Tiné Chelc. Both language options allow viewers to enjoy the series in their preferred format .
The Story So Far: Understanding the False Holy Grail War
For viewers who joined late or need a refresher, the story takes place years after the Fifth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki, Japan. In the American city of Snowfield, a group of mages who broke away from the London-based Mages‘ Association decided to create their own Holy Grail War. They based it on the third war, but something went wrong.
The Saber class was missing at first. Other Servants were summoned under strange circumstances. These are not the typical heroes one expects in a Holy Grail War. They are distorted, some are monsters, and all have their own dangerous desires.
The city of Snowfield itself was built as a battleground. The local tribe, including Tiné Chelc, had their land taken decades ago to prepare for this war. Now Tiné fights to reclaim her homeland, using magic connected directly to the land’s leylines.
Meanwhile, figures from the Clock Tower in London have taken interest. Lord El-Melloi II (voiced by Daisuke Namikawa) appears, adding a connection to the wider Fate universe. His presence suggests the false war in America cannot be ignored by the established mage society.
Production Quality and Animation Studio
A-1 Pictures, the studio behind many successful anime series, is handling the animation. The directors Shun Enokido and Takahito Sakazume have created a visual style that captures the dark and chaotic tone of the original novels. Character designer Yukei Yamada has brought Shizuki Morii’s original illustrations to life with detail and care .
The action scenes are fluid and impactful. The use of CGI blends well with traditional animation, especially during Servant battles. The monster designs and tool designs show the effort put into making this world feel real and dangerous.
How to Watch Previous Episodes
If you missed earlier episodes or want to rewatch before Episode 9, several options are available. In Japan, the series airs on Tokyo MX, BS11, and other channels every Saturday at 11:30 pm JST .
For international viewers, Crunchyroll has all previous episodes available. The service offers both subbed and dubbed versions. In regions like Japan, additional streaming options include ABEMA (which offers simultaneous free streaming), U-NEXT, d Anime Store, and Amazon Prime Video .
ABEMA provides a free simulcast, meaning viewers can watch at the same time as the TV broadcast without a subscription. However, the free viewing period usually lasts only one week after broadcast .
The Future Beyond Episode 9
The anime is scheduled for 13 episodes total, running through March 2026 . With Episode 9 arriving on February 28, fans can look forward to four more episodes after this one. The final episode is currently scheduled for March 28, 2026.
Given the amount of source material available—the light novel series is still ongoing with nine volumes released in Japan and Taiwan —there is potential for more adaptations in the future. The story has not ended in the novels, so anime viewers should expect a conclusion to this season that may leave doors open for continuation.
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Final Things to Know Before Watching
Fate/strange Fake works as a standalone story, but fans of the broader Fate series will catch more references and connections. Characters like Gilgamesh and Enkidu appear, and their history adds layers to the conflict. The false nature of this war means even veteran Fate viewers cannot predict what happens next.
The series is rated for older teens and adults due to violence and dark themes. This is not a typical heroic story. The heroes here are flawed, the villains are complex, and the lines between right and wrong blur with each episode.
Make sure to check your local streaming time. With the Saturday morning release in the US, it is easy to watch same-day. For viewers in Asia and Australia, the episode arrives late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, so planning ahead helps avoid spoilers.
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Stay with VvipTimes for more updates on Fate/strange Fake and all your favorite anime series as the false Holy Grail War reaches its climax.
