Fairy Tail

Today, I'll be reviewing Fairy Tail while neglecting my studies as per usual. So, I hope you enjoy this possibly good yet somewhat shoddy review.
This review contains slight spoilers, but they shouldn't significantly impact your experience with the series.
This will be a pros and cons type of review, but without much detail, so prepare yourself—it might give you a good reason NOT to read it.
Pros of this manga:
The art in the beginning somewhat mimics One Piece's unique style, but gradually develops its own distinct aesthetic which is actually quite good. This progression is something all mangaka should strive for.
The characters, I must say, are not that bad.
When you have a group of well-developed characters together, it naturally makes for an enjoyable read. We have our typical protagonist who would go through hell and back to protect his friends (a trope we've seen plenty of times), Erza—a strong woman who shows no weakness, Lucy—the fan service girl whose chest seems to make an appearance every chapter (or later on), and so on.
Cons:
Despite having good characters, they don't evolve. They remain static throughout the series.
Character development? Not really.
The main character is always overwhelmingly powerful and never loses a single battle. It's reminiscent of the cliché found in Yu-Gi-Oh where the hero always triumphs even under seemingly impossible conditions. And when he does lose (finally), even in situations where he shouldn't win, he still manages to pull through using the same abilities from earlier but somehow performing even less impressively.
The 'power of friendship' is heavily emphasized here, so fans of similar themes might appreciate this manga.
The plot: The plot? Are you kidding me? There isn't one.
A common flaw in shounen manga is that each arc tends to follow the same pattern without any overarching goal. Fairy Tail follows this formula: >bad guy appears>protagonist wins. Rinse and repeat.
He also mysteriously gains power-ups out of nowhere, sometimes even independently.
The arcs: This criticism targets the endings of them. Every single enemy turns into an ally by the end. Every.single.one. Even Gajeel—one of the most badass characters—ends up acting like a baby around almost anything.

This was definitely a shoddy review, but hopefully, it's good enough to convince you not to waste your time reading it when you could be focusing on your education or enjoying a better manga instead.

Fairy Tail is a series filled with events that ultimately lead to nowhere. If you're looking for a deep story with well-developed characters, memorable moments, thrilling battles, rich lore, exceptional writing, and great humor, this series might disappoint you.

However, if you're seeking some mindless entertainment with cool-looking characters doing impressive things against a backdrop of stunning artwork, Fairy Tail could be right up your alley. This series may appeal to those who don't take anime or manga too seriously, as it has been known to test the patience and intelligence of its fanbase.

The series is as generic as Shonen manga gets, but not in a positive way. The heroes enter a fight on equal footing, then power up and start winning. The villain counters by powering up, pushing the heroes to the brink of death, threatening Fairy Tail, followed by a Nakama speech, leading to the heroes one-shotting the villain, only to act like their previous injuries never happened. This pattern repeats in every single fight across every arc throughout the entire story.

--Minor vague spoilers ahead for plot points that were disrespectful to the readers--

The series repeatedly teases the deaths of two specific characters, yet they always come back. It toys with a significant change over four times, only to revert to the status quo. A particular character appears after a crucial moment in their life, gets defeated effortlessly, and inexplicably grants another character a random power-up that contradicts the established rules of the universe within the story.

At this stage, I wish I had never read the final arc of Fairy Tail. It was quite enjoyable with its highs and lows right before the second time skip; after that, everything went downhill really fast.

It's not really a spoiler since I'm not delving into the actual events, but let me just say this: the way this story ended is god-awful, and it would have been better for the entire series' reputation to remain in limbo forever, much like Highschool of the Dead. The mere fact that all the nonsense in the final arc is canon still amazes me. You truly have to try hard to mess up a popular series that badly.

Fairy Tail! A manga that receives so much hate but also so much love simultaneously, does it really deserve both? Absolutely!

Fairy Tail was one of my first anime/mangas, and I believe this makes me qualified to judge this series without being a complete hater or a complete fanboy. Let's dive into this review!

Story: 3/10

It started out very well but ended dreadfully. Fairy Tail had a magical world and story, nothing spectacular but appealing to fantasy and shounen fans. The initial arcs were well done, introducing great characters with thought-out and well-executed stories.

The story was never too dark; it maintained a positive vibe throughout. But what went wrong? The story direction and writing. Hiro Mashima had some great ideas for each arc, but the execution was messy. Characters faced opponents beyond their capabilities, and the solution was always the same old speech about the importance of friends (the infamous Nakama) giving them strength. This is how every villain fell from a certain point onward in the manga. It was clear Mashima didn't know where to go, which was sad considering the wonderful start.

Art: 9/10

No questions asked, the art is beautiful. Some panels left me staring because they seemed alive. The world was blooming with wonders, and character expressions were crystal clear. Mashima's art is simply beautiful. If you're an anime watcher who doesn't often read manga, it will be easy for you to switch to this manga as the art is welcoming and similar to the actual anime.

Characters: 5/10

All Fairy Tail characters are unique and memorable, which is impressive given the large cast. Many backstories are tear-jerking and well-written. So, what's the problem? Again, the direction. Take Natsu Dragneel, for example. He's your typical fiery shounen MC. At one point, he faces Gildarts, the strongest mage in the guild. Gildarts uses his raw power to teach Natsu about knowing his limits. Natsu starts crying and seems to understand, but this lesson never crosses his mind again as he continues jumping into fights recklessly.

Erza, whom I loved, became predictable, repeating the same "Nakama" lesson in every fight. The only character who truly changed and gets a lot of hate is the main MC, Lucy. She starts weak and fragile, running from her problems, but ends up facing her fears head-on, standing on her own two feet. She even saved the whole guild during the Tartaros arc by sacrificing her first zodiac key.

They all have solid designs and are good at the beginning, but their progression is boring and bad. Lucy was good, though, and she gets unnecessary hate.

Enjoyment: 7/10 Overall: 6/10

Despite the problems, the manga was enjoyable at times. The first season of the anime is something I can rewatch many times because it's so enjoyable. It turns bad later on, especially the last arc, which is pure garbage.

But it's still a manga that brought me joy and brought joy to millions worldwide. Fairy Tail has something that unifies its fans in a strange way, which is awesome to be a part of. Unless you're a shipper, cause the shipping wars can get ugly!

Overall, a manga I used to say was one of my favorites and had a lot of potential, but like many other "BIG" mangas these past years, it turned bad at the end.

Sad end to a manga I will always remember! Sayonara, Fairy Tail!

Ahh, Fairy Tail—probably one of the most unfairly criticized series in manga.

Enough with the negativity; let's dive into what makes Fairy Tail great.

First off, if you're looking for a manga packed with action, fan-service, and filled with memorable characters and emotional moments, this is your go-to read. It's essentially a fun, positive series that can lift your spirits when you're feeling down.

Mashima has mentioned this before, and it’s evident in his work: he lets the action speak louder than words. So, if you expect detailed explanations or repetitive clarifications about certain events or the power system, which is actually quite straightforward, you might find reading Fairy Tail a bit challenging.

Art - At the beginning, Fairy Tail's art was good, carrying that classic manga feel. As the series progressed, Hiro found his unique style, and now his artwork is truly awesome. Most characters look incredibly beautiful, the enemies have cool designs, and he occasionally throws in some stunning landscape shots.

Characters - This is Fairy Tail's strongest suit for me. The series boasts a diverse cast of characters, some following typical tropes but never feeling like carbon copies. They are all unique in their own way, especially the members of the Fairy Tail Guild. They form a family-like unit with distinct traits, making it impossible not to root for them. Some characters undergo significant development (like Natsu—I know some won't agree), Jellal, Gray, Gajeel, and Laxus. Since the series focuses heavily on the FT members, be prepared for that. No character feels useless, particularly the strong female characters. Fairy Tail excels at giving females the spotlight they deserve.

Story - One of Fairy Tail's most underrated aspects. Let's get this out of the way—if you're seeking a complex, dark story, this isn't it. Fairy Tail is a simple adventure tale mainly following a select few from the Fairy Tail Guild. It shines in delivering emotional moments between characters, often through fights. The story remains interesting enough to avoid boredom or cliché (to a degree). Mashima is a master at building hype, sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn’t. The story leans more on emotions than logic, if you catch my drift.

Villains - Almost all villains look amazing, have intriguing backstories, and are generally powerful and compelling. Some are more complex than others, but most do an excellent job as antagonists. There are some hyped-up villains whose potential was wasted, I'll admit. But overall, these are overshadowed by stronger and more intricate villains.

Overall, Fairy Tail is a series meant for enjoyment rather than serious analysis. It has its flaws, sure, but those are subjective and vary from person to person. It's a series where family and friends mean everything, emotions fuel power, and character moments and relationships drive the narrative.

Fairy Tail is a thrilling manga to dive into, and it's excellent overall. I joined the Fairy Tail fan club later on and ended up reading numerous chapters in rapid succession at the start; now, I read a new chapter as soon as it’s released. Initially, I was totally engrossed and couldn't stop turning pages (which is how I caught up). However, although it remains pretty awesome, I find that the story has started to drag a bit and becomes harder to follow. Nonetheless, Fairy Tail comes highly recommended if you're looking for some EPIC BATTLES.

I don't hate it... The first time reading it was good. A nice story... the way its story develops is just great.

But then the pacing got too quick. No character development. Suddenly getting a new power while fighting an enemy who was winning...

The plot has so many holes. The guild master loses to an enemy, but suddenly the main character comes and defeats it. I thought the status was that the guild master was stronger??

It was all over the place for me. The plot armor was nonsense, and the story escalated too fast.

From a fun, enjoyable manga with lots of emotion, it suddenly turned into a manga that was not planned well.

It seemed like the author was in a hurry with the story, like he wanted to finish the story quickly. Why??

After reviewing the Fairy Tail anime, I realized how poorly my initial critique came across. Here I am on the manga page to correct that.

STORY - 6/10

The overall story is quite repetitive and somewhat lacking. The pattern goes like this: the guild faces enemies, those enemies overpower them initially, the guild delivers a motivational speech about trust and friendship, then they return stronger and defeat the foes. This became the series' template after the Laxus Arc. Before that, there was some variety and intriguing plot elements that made me fall in love with the series, encouraging me to endure its shortcomings up to the current chapter. The Tartarus Arc did have some interesting moments, but everything else feels rather disappointing. The reliance on convenient plot devices and plot armor was notable, as was the overemphasis on good versus evil, which was further aggravated by former villains becoming supporting characters for the protagonists.

ART - 8/10

Mashima is an excellent artist, and I had no significant issues with the art aside from the fan service, which I can overlook.

CHARACTER - 5/10

The characters receive random power-ups without much development or distinctive traits contributing to the plot, except for the villains and some side characters. Loke and Jellal are two of my favorites due to their mysterious and badass natures, plus some twists that add depth to their arcs. However, some other characters are just plain annoying, with villains who are evil for the sake of it and others existing merely for comic relief.

ENJOYMENT - 7/10

The first few arcs were genuinely captivating and sparked my interest in reading the rest of the series. Noting that this was the first manga series I ever read, at the time, I thought it was amazing writing. So, it was decent, I suppose.

OVERALL - 7/10

Fairy Tail is your typical shounen manga, featuring a fair amount of repetition. It's recommended for casual readers.

Last year, I began reading it but didn't make it past the 10th chapter. I felt insulted that my favorite manga/anime (One Piece) was being copied. However, I couldn't have been more mistaken.

Two weeks ago, I picked up Fairy Tail again and found myself completely engrossed. Although there are similarities to One Piece, they're not identical. True, the art style is quite similar, you hear the word "nakama" in every chapter, and the unique laughs are present. But now, I see it as Hiro Mashima's admiration for Eiichiro Oda.

The characters each have their own distinct personalities, quirks, and humor. You can't help but love the protagonists and despise the villains. Moreover, you get insights into why the characters made their choices. Alongside the main cast, you also delve into the backstories of supporting characters.

All in all, I believe it's a fantastic manga. If you enjoy One Piece, you'll surely appreciate this masterpiece too. Even if you're just a fan of adventure-comedy manga, this one's for you.

(P.S. - The importance of friendship can never be overstated, right?)

This is probably the only anime that had me hooked so intensely. I love it beyond words. I've been captivated since episode one, and no other anime has affected me this way. Sure, there are animes and mangas you enjoy, but trust me, you'll adore this one to bits. The plot? Don't even get me started on the plot. It's incredibly cool, highly addictive, and filled with major twists. How does Hiro Mashima manage to do this? You'll cherish this journey of friendship, joy, laughter, and plenty of tears.

For those who criticize Fairy Tail for being too much about 'nakama stuff,' consider this: these characters have lost their families, and friendship becomes their lifeline. What else would you expect? I also adore the art style. Comparing chapter one to the recent ones always leaves me amazed.

In conclusion, it's a fantastic anime and manga. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for idiocy, heart-wrenching feels, adventure, and oh yes, some fanservice (but only in the manga).

At first glance, Fairy Tail (FT) seems like your average shounen manga with the classic hot-headed protagonist. I'm not against Shounen manga/anime and I've even enjoyed some like Bleach, Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, etc. But thinking that Fairy Tail would be as good as any of those was a major mistake on my part.

To start with, there's nothing inherently wrong with the concept of a guild of mages, but it's how this idea is executed that ruins everything. Initially, I found FT intriguing, but soon after, I lost interest. Why? Because of the repetitive storyline and arcs. It's always about a random villain showing up to mess with Fairy Tail in one way or another, and the characters defeating said villain not through their own strength, but because of the power of friendship. When the same thing happens over and over, the show becomes predictable and loses its appeal.

Hiro Mashima also fails to provide proper character development. It feels like everyone in the guild is essentially the same person since they all act similarly. Different people think differently, but he has generalized the characters' thought processes too much. Sure, there are some unique personalities like Gajeel and Laxus, but he never capitalized on these traits and let them blend into the crowd. Gray was the only one who seemed to have significant character development, but the ending ruined that since he reverted to his old self.

Another issue with FT is the fanservice. Where do I begin? Lucy, in particular, exists for fanservice. You rarely find chapters that don't include Gray unintentionally losing his clothes, Lucy wearing something skimpy, or random guildmates walking around barely dressed.

Then, there's the Bad-guy-turns-good trope that you have to watch out for. Jellal, Gajeel, Laxus, Ultear, Lyon, Juvia, Meredy, etc., were all once villains but turned out as heroes instead. There's nothing wrong with this trope when used sparingly, but Mashima overused it so much that I started expecting every villain, including Zeref, to reform and become best friends with the heroes. Zeref is one of the most interesting characters precisely because this trope doesn't apply to him. Personally, he was one of the few characters I was rooting for.

The characters weren't great, as I mentioned, and the romantic pairings were worse. I was particularly against Gruvia, and you can guess why. The romance between Gray and Juvia was poorly handled since it remained one-sided for a long time and felt forced even afterward. It might have been acceptable if Juvia did something other than obsessing over Gray occasionally. Yes, she's a decent fighter and had potential for an interesting personality, but her infatuation made her talk about nothing else, which was irritating. As for Gajeel and Levy, I wasn't a fan either. Levy's attitude changed drastically after meeting Gajeel, ignoring her best friends Jet and Droy to chase after him. This wasn't at Juvia level obsession, so I wasn't too against it.

In other words, FT was predictable because the story arcs were too similar, and the characters were boring. It had the potential to be a worthwhile manga, but that didn't happen due to Mashima's storytelling approach.

It's not all bad, though. The art was decent and improved as the series progressed. Despite all the faults in FT, the fight scenes were good, even though the outcomes were usually predictable.

You should consider reading FT if you enjoy fanservice, the bad-guy-turns-good trope, one-dimensional characters, fights where the heroes win because of the power of friendship, and a story where no protagonist dies regardless of the situation. If you don't like any of these, don't bother reading FT.

Fairy Tail is the greatest manga I have ever come across. The artwork is exceptional, and the music in the anime is simply brilliant. The character designs are epic, though there are a few minor issues, but they don't deter me from enjoying the wonderful story.

I adore the characteristics of all the main characters, as their traits and personalities perfectly match their styles. The characters are unforgettable and endearing. My favorite characters are Natsu, Erza, Zeref, Lucy, and then Gray.

Hiro Mashima did an outstanding job, and I also love his other manga, Rave Master. I have completed watching the anime, and out of all the dragons, Igneel is my favorite. Igneel's death brought tears to my eyes, but the show was excellent and well-crafted. I basically loved all the openings.

I believe this manga will appeal to anyone who enjoys fantasy. 10/10