For a first watch, finish Steins;Gate episodes 1–24 before starting Steins;Gate 0. Then watch the alternate episode 23β as the bridge into Zero, followed by Zero’s 23 television episodes.
This is our recommended viewing order, chosen to preserve the original series as a complete experience. It is not a claim that the franchise has a single uncomplicated chronological timeline. The guide avoids plot outcomes, although identifying an alternate episode necessarily reveals that a branching version exists.
The straightforward first-watch order
Steins;Gate (2011), episodes 1–24. Finish the original television series, including its normal episode 23.
Optional: Egoistic Poriomania. The original series’ bonus episode is often listed as episode 25.
Optional: Load Region of Déjà Vu. Save the movie until after the original series; watching the bonus episode first is a convenient route.
Steins;Gate episode 23β. Watch the alternate version before beginning Zero.
Steins;Gate 0, episodes 1–23. Watch the television run in order, with its bonus OVA afterward if desired.
The original series’ release record distinguishes the 24-episode television run, bonus episode and alternate episode 23. The Zero series reference lists its 23 episodes plus OVA.
Why finish the original before watching Zero?
On a first viewing, your job is to follow the story as it unfolds, not to reconstruct its architecture before it has explained itself. Finishing the original keeps one sustained viewing experience intact. Zero can then add context without becoming a long interruption just before your first series ends.
Some fan orders insert Zero into the original run. That can be an interesting experiment for a rewatch. It also creates more decisions for a newcomer: which episode to pause at, which version to select and when to return. We recommend making those comparisons after you have a complete first viewing behind you.
Episode 23 and episode 23β are not duplicates
The beta symbol matters. The alternate episode is a different version of episode 23, released later as a lead-in to the Zero story. Do not replace the original’s normal episode 23 on your first pass through episodes 1–24.
Listings may use “23β,” “23 beta” or a descriptive subtitle. Check the title and description instead of assuming that any item numbered 23 is the one you need. Also avoid reading a detailed synopsis while checking: you only need to identify the edition, not learn its outcome.
Are the movie and bonus episodes mandatory?
You can follow our core route without interrupting it for optional extras: original series, alternate 23β, then Zero. The movie and bonus episodes can be saved for later. “Optional” here means they are outside that recommended core route, not that viewers should dismiss them.
If you enjoy finishing every release before moving on, use the expanded list above. If you are trying to keep your watchlist manageable, start with the original’s 24 episodes and decide about the rest after finishing them.
Check the listing, not just the season number
A streaming service may group specials with a season or separate them into another listing. Confirm the full title, episode count and language options available in your region. The official Steins;Gate 0 site provides franchise release information, but its story material may reveal more than a first-time viewer wants to know.
For help choosing your first series by genre, see our anime beginner’s guide. The anime catalogue is the next stop when you are ready to explore beyond this series.
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