Fairy Tail

Some spoilers below.

Although I gave this manga a relatively high score, I was ultimately quite disappointed by the ending. (I'll try to keep this concise).

I was genuinely enjoying this series. I stumbled upon the anime randomly and watched it all the way through Season 2 or the 2014 version. I was so engrossed that I wanted to continue with the manga. I kept reading and reading, and for a while, I found it somewhat enjoyable.

The expansion of the world with the Guild members' new powers and the introduction of some pretty cool characters wasn't too bad. But then I reached a point where I realized, this really sucks. I enjoyed the series so much in the beginning, especially with arcs that delved into the main crew's backstory, like Gray and Erza's. Even after that, the plot was getting good. Then came the end, which was honestly very poor. So many elements were introduced towards the finale, and I felt like the series could have gone on for a while longer, but instead, it just ended abruptly. They beat Acnologia so easily, and by "they," I mean Natsu.

I loved the series, but the ending was definitely rushed and horrible. I do look forward to Hiro Mashima's future work and hope not to be as disappointed again.

*Review contains minor spoilers*

Fairy Tail is like the Titanic of manga – it begins on a grand journey but ultimately sinks. That’s how I would describe it.

Honestly, when Fairy Tail started, it had enormous potential, but somewhere along the line, it became tedious to keep reading. As you waited for each new release, the thought that crossed your mind was, "Can't this manga end soon?"

The story itself is genuinely good. It's an intriguing concept about mages traveling the world to complete quests for rewards, and as the guild members complete more quests, the guild becomes more prestigious. However, things start to go downhill with the characters.

The source of the characters' power essentially comes from their nakama (companions). If they're on the brink of defeat and one of their nakama shouts their name, it gives them the ultimate boost to take down the enemy. This trope can be found in most shounen manga.

After a few hundred chapters, you start noticing an abundance of fanservice. There are hot spring scenes where accidental groping occurs, buttocks get spanked, and there are even naked (but not really naked; nipples and genitalia are hidden by hair, objects, etc.) scenes during what should be life-or-death battles. It almost felt like the author added this because they were losing readers.

I mentioned "battle to the death" earlier, but there are no actual deaths… at least not during any battles. One thing that frustrated me was when a significant good guy used a spell that would kill him but save his nakama, and he did it wholeheartedly. If that had been the end of it, it might have been fine, but no, a few chapters later, he miraculously comes back to life. The author seems to want a happily-ever-after ending.

All of these elements are basically the core ingredients of a shounen manga, so it's not a huge surprise. But while it has its flaws, it also has some positive aspects, particularly its humor. While the fight scenes can be cringe-worthy at times, Fairy Tail has a great sense of humor that makes it stand out from other shounen manga.

The biggest reason you may want or may not want to read this manga is the ending. It leaves some plot holes, but honestly, it's just purely unsatisfying to read 545 chapters and then get such a plain, happy-ever-after ending. But I will say, I do not regret reading this manga. It has some great moments and has brought me many laughs; however, it's not worth a re-read.

From the brilliant mind of Hiro Mashima, creator of Groove Adventure Rave [known in the U.S. as Rave Master, which indeed sounds cooler][Review to be posted in the coming weeks; I'm only halfway through it], comes Fairy Tail [No, that's not a typo]—a tale centered around a guild of magic users.

Title: Fairy Tail
Mangaka: Hiro Mashima
Length: As of this post, 98 chapters spanning 11 volumes.
Rating: 8/10

Summary: Welcome to a world where mages thrive. To be recognized as a mage, one must join a mage guild, all overseen by the Mages Council.

One of the most formidable guilds is Fairy Tail, notorious for causing significant destruction during missions. It boasts several powerful mages, including our protagonist, Natsu Dragonil.

Natsu wields dragon slayer magic, taught by a dragon who raised him from childhood. His fire-based magic allows him to regain strength and heal wounds by consuming flames. He can generate fire anywhere on his body, combining hand-to-hand combat with magic, earning him the nickname Salamander. However, his mentor dragon vanished without a trace on the seventh day of the seventh month in year X777.

Other dragon slayers exist, each associated with different elements, and their dragons have also disappeared.

Natsu undertakes missions with his team: Lucy Heartfilia, a stellar spirit mage; Gray Fullbuster, an ice user with peculiar habits; Erza Scarlet, an ex-quipping fighter; and Happy, a talking, flying blue cat.

Hints at a broader plot are emerging, but currently, the arcs are mostly standalone.

Analysis: It's an entertaining manga. The fights are good, though initially short. The magic system is the highlight, constantly innovating in its usage.

The manga is humorous, featuring a diverse cast. Scenes inside the guild—a massive bar with a bulletin board—are always enjoyable.

I have two main criticisms: First, nearly every arc focuses on a character's background, with only 34 exceptions so far. While exploring characters' pasts is valuable, more should be done to advance the overarching plot. However, the excellent fights in these arcs compensate for it.

Secondly, the magic system feels loosely defined. Discussions about magic power abound, yet we're never fully explained what it is. Stellar spirits receive the closest explanation, but gaps remain.

Characters:

Natsu Dragonil: Nicknamed Salamander, he fights with fire, generating it from any part of his body and eating it to replenish himself. Fun-loving and carefree, he seeks clues about his missing dragon, Igneel. His fatal weakness is motion sickness—he gets very ill on moving vehicles.

Lucy Heartfilia: Natsu's first teammate. She joined Fairy Tail at the start of the series and gradually adapts to its madness. She uses stellar spirits, summonable via keys after creating contracts. Her spirits have distinct personalities, sometimes making them hard to control. One makes a cameo from Groove Adventure Rave—a cookie to whoever spots it.

Gray Fullbuster: Initially Natsu's rival, they argue whenever they meet, only silenced by Lucy or Erza. A compulsive undresser due to his ice alchemy training, he joins the team later under Erza's coercion and remains a full-time member.

Erza Scarlet: One of Fairy Tail's strongest, she practices ex-quip magic, equipping and dequipping armor and weapons swiftly. Always in armor, she switches frequently to suit needs—from flame-resistant armor against Natsu to fancy dresses for casinos. Rarely using magic in her attacks, she commands respect through both fear and power.

Happy: Natsu's constant companion, a talking blue cat that can grow wings.

Makarov: Fairy Tail's master and one of the Ten Great Holy Mages, he uses his magic to expand body parts for fighting—making his arm super long to stop someone or growing giant-sized for general smashing.

More characters exist, but naming them all isn't necessary now.

Fairy Tail is a good manga with frequent releases. My rating of 8 stems from wanting more focus on the overall plot beyond just character backgrounds.

Review adapted from animeruwelz; check my profile for more details.

How can I describe Fairy Tail? To me, this manga is like a mountain: with ups and downs.

I started reading FT right after finishing Rave, so it has been quite some time. Initially, the story seemed promising: Natsu was foolish, as many shonen heroes are, but not overly annoying; Lucy was cute yet not entirely helpless (and she was a beginner). The plot hinted at quests and mysteries, but looking back a few years later, I can't help but feel that I wasted my time on this story.

Firstly, there is NO PLOT! The author himself admits in his manga that he's been improvising since volume 8 or 10. How can there be a coherent plot, let alone a good one? I understand that many shonens have somewhat random plots, but take Naruto for example: Kishimoto may improvise a lot, but we always know where the story is heading. In FT, there is no such direction.

Secondly, the characters. Natsu becomes increasingly irritating with each passing chapter (and believe me, it pains me to write that, since I genuinely liked him initially). He wins almost all his battles without any logical explanation (except for the first ones).

And Lucy... Lucy, after a few chapters, turned into a "helpless princess waiting for her prince in shining armor (aka Natsu)" and "miss fanservice." Why did she have to become a weak girl? She was a good character at the start. And I won't even mention Erza, Gray, Laxus... They were interesting initially too, but now...

In any case, this manga disappoints me, and I strongly object to those who say FT is "like One Piece." You can't compare One Piece, which had a solid plot and well-developed characters, to this disappointment.

For anyone on the lookout for a delightful, long-running fantasy manga, I'd certainly point them towards Fairy Tail. Despite its imperfections, Fairy Tail is a manga that I find myself revisiting during idle moments, re-reading old chapters just for the fun of it.

The story unfolds in the fictional country of Fiore, centering around our four main characters: Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Erza. However, Natsu and Lucy receive the most attention. Regarding the plot, the initial arcs do an admirable job of unveiling the backstories of the principal characters when their pasts intertwine with the current adversaries they face. An exception to this is Natsu, whose backstory before joining the guild remains largely a mystery, save for his abandonment by the dragon who acted as his guardian and taught him magic. As the arcs extend, opinions about the series start to diverge, mainly because many battles are won through the power of friendship, where characters, predominantly Natsu or Erza, gain strength from their intense desire to protect their friends, leading to what's known as "nakama power-ups." That said, the story remains enjoyable and relaxing to read, though if you're seeking something more intense, you might need to look elsewhere.

In terms of character development, there isn't much at the beginning beyond their introductory backstories. For those who argue that Fairy Tail lacks character growth, I suggest checking out recently released chapters, such as 377-386. In these arcs, some characters have shown significant improvement in their abilities compared to earlier depictions, making the current arc one of the most enjoyable thus far. I hope Hiro Mashima continues this trend for future arcs.

The art in this manga is spectacular. The early chapters' art style may resemble works like One Piece or Hiro Mashima's previous creation, Rave Master, but the quality has dramatically improved since then, rendering every scene beautifully drawn. This adds immensely to my overall enjoyment of the manga, which was already highly pleasing. Overall, I give this manga a 9/10. It's not perfect, as it does have its share of flaws, but it still offers a fantastic manga experience that I would recommend to anyone interested in the fantasy genre.

What can I say about this manga... IT'S FRICKING AWESOME...
Now that I got that out of my system, I'll review it.
From what I have seen/read among manga, this story stands out with its originality and the imaginative skills displayed by the characters, which is a huge plus for me. Essentially, the story centers around a guild named "Fairy Tail." At the beginning, you meet the main characters: Natsu, Lucy, and a few others whose names I'm too lazy to mention.

This manga offers both comedy and action, sprinkled with some emotional moments here and there. And let's not forget the hot girls. In my opinion, this manga is a fantastic read for any manga fan. I must admit, I cannot wait for the anime adaptation of this manga.

~Soul Weaver~

Hope you enjoyed my review (^-^)V

I think you must have heard about the "similarity between One Piece and Fairy Tail." I only say this: Yes, both stories are similar because they feature unbreakable bonds between friends who would do anything for each other. There's nothing more to it.

Let's try to compare Luffy and Natsu. People say they "seem alike," but the only similarity is that both mangaka draw "mostly" the same eyes for these characters. When you look at Natsu's personality, he is a carefree person always seeking enjoyment. Until he gets punched and knocked down, he doesn't care about any other fight. It always develops this way.

Anyway, the story isn't that outstanding because whenever they complete a job, they return to one place, and that's the main thing of our story: Fairy Tail. They do everything in the same circle, making it easy to guess what they'll do next. Most of their jobs end the same way. The characters don't develop themselves much. I didn't see significant development in their powers. It's always the same thing, over and over again. This can be bothersome. But aside from the lack of development, I think this story has unique characters. It may seem like any other shounen style, but once you start reading and get to know the characters, you'll surely change your mind!

Beyond the story itself, I admire how good Hiro Mashima's art style is. Every page I look at with excitement due to the panels. It's really outstanding. The perspective of the fighting scenes is another reason why I can't drop this manga.

I must apologize to every hardcore fan of Fairy Tail for what I am about to write, but I feel compelled to express my thoughts. In my opinion, Fairy Tail is a boring, uninteresting, and weird manga.

Here are the reasons why I consider Fairy Tail as such:

1. Fairy Tail is a very repetitive manga. There's little difference between one arc and another. Typically, an arc starts with some story or an opening narrative, followed by a scenario where the main characters (MC) and their friends battle a villain. In the first confrontation, the MC and friends are defeated by the bad guy. Then they challenge the villain again and succeed in defeating them this time. Although not every arc follows this exact storyline, it happens frequently. Examples include the Lullaby arc, Galuna Island arc, Phantom arc, and others.

2. Fairy Tail is very weird. There are many instances of oddity within the manga:

First Weirdness: Whenever the MC and friends are overwhelmed by a villain’s great power and subsequently defeated, they later challenge the villain again without preparation, training, or strategy, relying solely on what many readers describe as "nakama power-up." Suddenly, the MC and friends become powerful enough to beat the villain who was initially portrayed as incredibly strong. Examples include Erza and Azuma's battle, Zancrow vs Natsu, Shadow Rogue vs Natsu, etc.

Second Weirdness: In the prologue of the Oración Seis arc, the mangaka portrays the Balam Alliance as a very powerful dark guild composed of three of the strongest dark guilds in the Fairy Tail world. Logically, all members should have equal power, so Natsu, having already defeated Cobra and the guild master of Oración Seis Zero, should be able to face Zancrow, Ultear, or other members of the Balam Alliance one-on-one. However, the reality in the manga differs; each MC faces new enemies from the Balam Alliance and always loses at first, which is very strange.

Third Weirdness: Why does Tartarus need to form an alliance with organizations weaker than themselves? If logically all members of the Balam Alliance should have equal power under a non-aggression pact, then based on the manga's story, we can conclude that Tartarus is stronger because Fairy Tail needed all its members plus those from other guilds to defeat them. Grimoire Heart is weaker than Tartarus since Fairy Tail only needed 16 members to defeat them, and Oración Seis is weaker than Grimoire Heart as it took just 16 members from an alliance guild (7 from Fairy Tail, 7 from other guilds, 1 prisoner, and 1 defected member of Oración Seis) to beat them. So, what's the point of the Balam Alliance if Tartarus could easily destroy or force the other two members to work for them?

4. The main character of Fairy Tail is uninteresting, annoying, and undeveloped. Personally, I find the MC very irritating. He acts recklessly, never seems to think before acting, and always believes he is the strongest man in the world. He thinks he can do everything alone. When fighting someone stronger and losing, the MC realizes he cannot win alone. However, after the battle ends, he reverts to his previous personality. To me, the MC doesn't learn from his mistakes and keeps repeating them.

Despite these criticisms, I still hold high hopes for this manga. I hope Hiro Mashima, as the mangaka, listens to the criticism from all manga fans online and uses it as a reference to improve and make Fairy Tail a better manga.

Fairy Tail is a manga with numerous shortcomings, and it's disheartening because it had the potential to be much better. It's a fairly generic series filled with typical FRIENDSHIP speeches and character resolve moments, but those are just surface-level issues with this flawed manga.

-------THIS REVIEW HAS SPOILERS--------------------------------------------

Story: Fairy Tail’s story is unique compared to other shonen titles, which I appreciate. However, the way the story progresses is problematic. Most arcs barely connect to the main plot—concerning dragons, Zeref, and the "one magic"—and only offer minor hints towards these central themes. This storytelling approach resembles One Piece, where Luffy's adventures on various islands seem unrelated until Oda drops subtle clues. Unfortunately, this method can make many arcs feel like filler despite being canon.

Art: The art in Fairy Tail initially wasn't great but improved significantly from chapters 70-90 onwards. Currently, the art is excellent for a weekly series. The character designs are among the best I've seen in manga, and the fanservice is enjoyable too. The background art also deserves praise.

Character: Characters in Fairy Tail are inconsistent. Some, like Erza and Juvia, are well-developed, but most of the cast feels generic and one-dimensional. Many characters receive little development, making them indistinguishable from those in other shonen manga.

Pacing: Although the overall pacing is slow, Fairy Tail rushes through its major arcs faster than other mangas, typically resolving them within a year. This rapid progression often leads to rushed arcs and underdeveloped villains, diminishing their threat level.

Suspense: This is Fairy Tail’s weakest aspect. There’s no real suspense since we know Fairy Tail will always win. Non-guild members are portrayed as weak, and even formidable foes succumb to a surprise friendship punch.

The arcs follow a predictable pattern:

1. Fairy Tail members act foolishly or get caught off-guard and lose.
2. They regroup and start fighting back.
3. They win some battles while losing others to create false suspense.
4. They gain momentum and start winning consistently.
5. An unexpected event occurs, briefly putting them in danger, but it's resolved quickly.
6. The lead-up to the boss fight ends with Natsu defeating the villain using the power of friendship.

This lack of suspense is further exacerbated by the minimal character deaths. For instance, Makarov has faced near-death situations multiple times, yet he always survives unscathed. Even when Charle predicted his death during the Tenrou Island arc, Makarov remained safe despite severe injuries.

While Fairy Tail is still an enjoyable read, it has many flaws. Changing its formula occasionally and allowing Fairy Tail to genuinely fail against opponents could enhance its appeal.

YES.
Reading this is definitely worth your time.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't comprehend the excessive and uncalled-for criticism Fairy Tail seems to receive everywhere, but I found it delightful. That's essentially all I have to say on the matter.
Yes, this anime might not appeal to everyone, but what anime does? While I acknowledge there are flaws in Fairy Tail, it was still a manga I could savor with a cup of coffee at 2 a.m.
No spoilers here.
This manga was an exhilarating ride. I became deeply attached to the characters, the art style, and the story.

For the past two decades, shounen manga and anime centered around fighting have dominated the medium. These series are synonymous with manga and anime, often criticized as mere imitations of Dragon Ball. Fairy Tail stands out as a prime example of a generic, long-running shounen series, largely due to its fan service, reactive protagonists, and lack of meaningful conflict leading to minimal tension. However, despite these criticisms, there are several positive aspects to this series.

The story unfolds in a medieval-like fantasy world where some characters wield unpredictable magic while others serve merely as background elements. Similar to One Piece, this setting offers potential for creative antagonists with unique abilities, resulting in unexpected battle scenes. Yet, because our hero Natsu's powers are so variable—capable of incinerating an entire city one moment and losing to a child the next—the stakes rarely feel high. The supporting cast, however, engages in more intriguing battles, especially in the early arcs which feature innovative fight sequences and surprising twists. Unfortunately, this inventiveness diminishes over time as both the creator Hiro Mashima and the audience grow weary of the narrative's repetitive nature. It's regrettable that the series is as lengthy as it is, given its promising start.

Natsu is a weak protagonist, displaying negligible character development and promoting impulsive, sometimes sadistic behavior. Characters like Gray and Erza offer more depth, with their motivations and attitudes clearly established early on. However, many other characters seem underdeveloped, their backstories introduced abruptly without any foreshadowing. Fan service is pervasive, often undermining intense moments through poor visual angles and absurd designs. While not as egregious as some One Piece characters, they come close at times. Lucy, a central character, has become somewhat of a joke within the anime community, though her portrayal isn't entirely unjustified. Despite being simplistic, she exhibits compassion and support (aside from fan service) and is generally likable. She demonstrates admirable traits suitable for the young audience and grows stronger over time, unlike Natsu.

The art style of Fairy Tail is clean and consistent, a notable achievement for a weekly shounen publication. Regrettably, numerous panels suffer from excessive blank space, indicating a lack of effort in character design that worsens as the series progresses. The main characters' proportions took time to stabilize, but eventually, Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Erza were depicted satisfactorily. The action sequences, crucial for a fighting shounen, are well-executed, featuring crisp, detailed illustrations that make combat easy to follow and impactful visually, even if the outcomes aren't always consequential. The frequent use of two-page spreads can be distracting, but this issue is minor overall.

In summary, despite its flaws, Fairy Tail remains entertaining by embracing its light-hearted nature rather than attempting a forced dark tone. With interesting characters, above-average artwork, and broad appeal to younger audiences, it delivers entertainment value as long as expectations are appropriately set.

Ah, it's always fascinating to observe the masses and their fondness for mediocrity. Fairy Tail (FT) from its very first chapter or episode emerges as an average shonen series, yet it garners love from many simply for being just that. It seems that recycling concepts from Naruto or One Piece can turn anything into a hit. Much like those shonens, FT features superpowers, adventures, and a vast array of colorful and eccentric characters who occasionally receive focus and development. Nothing groundbreaking, but if it worked before, why wouldn't it work again?

It’s challenging to analyze or criticize this show without feeling like I'm merely stating the obvious or describing another shonen. To be honest, there is virtually no innovation in this work; it merely follows paths laid by others. While it can be okay, it will never stand out on its own; it will forever be a rehash of established formulas attributed to others at least a decade earlier. Oh well, let’s dive into some further analysis just for the sake of it.

- The art is decent for its genre, but the setting lacks distinctiveness. It doesn’t stand out from the crowd like other works do, making it hard to remember in the long run. There is no unique theme in the FT world, and it comes across as a generic fantasy realm. The character designs are equally unmemorable; most resemble counterparts from other shonens, leading to a lack of individuality.

- Another annoyance is the cameo appearance of Plue, a creature from the same mangaka’s earlier work titled Rave Master. What does that accomplish besides annoying the average fan? Rave Master was a completely generic, aimless, boring, and incomplete series, and you can see they are reusing the same character archetypes. Is this their way of telling us even more clearly that they are rehashing other works, including their own? That feels really tasteless to me. I hear he was placed there to please fans of Rave Master, but I don’t buy that. Who still likes that borefest?

The story is entirely generic and easily the weakest part of the show. It plays out like an MMO game where you join a guild and take seemingly unrelated missions while leaving room for character development and world-building. It all feels quite childish, and there isn’t any clear objective for anyone in this show; they just take missions hoping to find something interesting along the way. For example, we know Natsu is looking for a dragon, but does he actually search for him? No, he just fools around in his guild and takes whatever mission comes along.

The scenario drives the characters rather than the other way around, and even that happens poorly since the heroes aren’t actively doing anything. They just fool around until a villain or a mission appears out of nowhere (with no foreshadowing), and they decide to participate for money or to save someone. This makes the protagonist and his gang utterly boring since they have no life goals beyond facing world threats. Heck, they would probably sleep all day if they had no obstacles.

Although many story elements lead to character immersion, that still makes the plot predictable early on, with no interesting twists or memorable events. A character’s past is revealed, old enemies appear, a sinister plan unfolds, and then the heroes storm in and win with the power of friendship. Thank you very much; I've seen it all before and done better.

The cast is ultimately the meat of the show, as the plot revolves around somebody’s past causing present problems. This way, everything feels centered around them, connecting them to the main issue of each arc. Some characters are cool and developed enough to pay attention to, but don’t expect originality; you’ll be disappointed. They follow typical patterns but mostly do it right. There’s variety in personalities and powers, and most have a basic but sufficient backstory. Don’t expect drastic character development either; what they learn and seem to gain wisdom from in one arc is immediately forgotten in the next. It’s always about the power of friendship. To hell with strategy, planning ahead, or even paying attention to injuries. Just storm in and win against all odds with the almighty POWER OF FRIENDSHIP! I MUST PROTECT MY FRIENDS! FRIENDSHIP MAGICALLY HEALS MY GRAVE WOUNDS! FRIENDSHIP BRINGS EVEN THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE!

So let me make it clear: the series targets younger teens, even younger than the audiences for Naruto or Bleach. There’s a lot of silliness (more than usual) and the violence is basic and mostly bloodless. Plus, no show aiming to be serious would feature a mascot like a cheerful blue flying cat named Happy. Be warned that it’s hard to get excited when everything looks so easygoing and silly; the boldest element is the fan service around the girls, and even that is completely basic.

So is it a good show? No, but it’s a decent time-killer if your expectations are low and you’re not older than 15 with prior experience with famous shonen. I doubt it will leave any mark in anime history or be remembered as anything more than a rehash of other works. It does things right but simultaneously lacks the unique charm every beloved show needs. It is indeed nothing but a fairy tale—shallow and for little kids who still think the power of friendship is the most awesome thing ever. But it can be enjoyable just for that.