The essential episodes of Steins;Gate

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Steins;Gate — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · April 6, 2011 · 25m

   Turning Point7.7

   At a time travel conference, scientist Rintarō Okabe encounters a mysterious woman who claims they met 15 minutes before and is then brutally stabbed.

2. 02

   S01E05 · Top rated · May 4, 2011 · 25m

   Starmine Rendezvous8.5

   Okabe uncovers the gruesome details of SERN's time travel experiments and gets a warning from Suzuha about Kurisu.

3. 03

   S01E07 · Top rated · May 18, 2011 · 25m

   Divergence Singularity8.3

   When Okabe successfully alters time with a D-Mail, the effects lead Titor to believe that Okabe may save the world from its dystopian future.

4. 04

   S01E11 · Top rated · June 15, 2011 · 25m

   Dogma in Event Horizon8.7

   When Okabe learns that a TV in the repair shop is linked to the ability to send D-Mail, Kurisu believes it can be used to send emotions through time.

5. 05

   S01E12 · Top rated · June 22, 2011 · 25m

   Dogma in Ergosphere9.1

   Kurisu completes her new time machine, which can transmit emotions back in time, and Suzuha fears that she's fated to become a spy for SERN.

6. 06

   S01E13 · Top rated · June 29, 2011 · 25m

   Metaphysics Necrosis9.0

   Okabe uses the time leap machine to attempt to prevent Mayuri from being killed, but he quickly learns that the mission isn't as simple as he thought.

7. 07

   S01E14 · Top rated · July 6, 2011 · 25m

   Physically Necrosis9.0

   While Okabe is devastated by his failure to save Mayuri, Kurisu explains it may not be possible, and Suzuha makes a startling revelation.

8. 08

   S01E16 · Top rated · July 20, 2011 · 25m

   Sacrificial Necrosis8.9

   Okabe finds Suzuha's father, but his attempt to reunite them results in tragedy that he sets out to correct with the time leap machine.

9. 09

   S01E17 · Top rated · July 27, 2011 · 25m

   Made in Complex8.4

   When he discovers that Mayuri is still fated to die, Okabe works with Kurisu to reverse the effects of D-Mails that have irreversibly changed time.

10. 10

    S01E19 · Top rated · August 10, 2011 · 25m

    Endless Apoptosis8.7

    When Okabe discovers that Moeka has committed suicide, he attempts to undo the act through D-Mails, leaving Moeka feeling betrayed.

11. 11

    S01E20 · Top rated · August 17, 2011 · 25m

    Finalize Apoptosis9.2

    Okabe locates the missing IBN 5100 and uncovers the identity of the mysterious "FB" but realizes that getting the computer back means losing Kurisu.

12. 12

    S01E21 · Top rated · August 24, 2011 · 25m

    Paradox Meltdown8.8

    Okabu hopes to keep Kurisu alive by not hacking with the IBN 5100, but he soon realizes that either she or Mayuri must die in the beta world line.

13. 13

    S01E22 · Season 1 peak · August 31, 2011 · 25m

    Being Meltdown9.4

    Kurisu persuades Okabe to let her die and Mayuri live. As Okabe destroys the phone microwave, he gets a critical message from Suzuha.

14. 14

    S01E23 · Top rated · September 7, 2011 · 25m

    Open the Steins Gate9.2

    Okabe travels back in time with Suzuha to just before Kurisu's death to witness the dawn of the time machine arms race and the spark of World War III.

15. 15

    S01E24 · Series finale · September 14, 2011 · 25m

    Achievement Point9.3

    Okabe undergoes a personal sacrifice in an attempt to bring the world lines back into order and save the lives of his partners.