Fairy Tail

I must admit, I was REALLY skeptical about Fairy Tail at first (fans may forgive me!). I thought, "Oh great... Another boring, ugly-drawn 'action' anime/manga -.-" But boy, was I completely wrong!

Fairy Tail ended up being one of my favorite anime/manga of all time! Between laughing at crazy situations, loving the idiotic but nevertheless adorable characters, and enjoying fights in the best guild on earth, heart-wrenching tragedies took place that made me cry more than once. It's true; everyone has a sad secret in their life, and never have I had a better chance to experience that than in Fairy Tail. Even the bad guys can't be labeled as purely evil (most of them... exceptions prove the rule!), since their backgrounds make you empathize with them. That doesn’t mean Fairy Tail is depressing—hell no!—but it’s a good mix of action, drama, comedy, and maybe romance.

Yeah, that "maybe" before romance makes me sick -.- Maybe I'm too romantic, but I just can't stand that there are nearly no "clear" couples. Almost every couple combination is possible, and well... I just need some canon couples I can cheer for ^____^

So! Great storyline that surprises you every time you think you've finally figured everything out, adorable (and also handsome :DDD) characters, the importance of "nakama," and fantastic artwork make Fairy Tail one of the best manga I've read so far. So get reading the darn thing already! :D

Oh! A minor warning! If you read it, you might have trouble spelling "fairytale" right xD But hey! For the best guild in the country, you can cope with that, right?

Fairy Tail isn't groundbreaking or original, but it's undeniably exciting to an extent. It has numerous flaws that other reviews have already highlighted, most of which are common issues within the shonen genre rather than exclusive to Fairy Tail. Thus, it wouldn't be fair to reiterate those here. However, Fairy Tail's biggest flaw might be its overuse of the friendship trope, weak villain motivations, and an excessively large cast with many forgettable characters. Yet, there are more memorable characters than people often credit, and some character relationships are genuinely heartwarming, especially one near the end involving a dark wizard and his lover.

The author excels at writing character backstories, making the flashbacks among the series' best parts, along with the mentioned relationships and female characters who outshine their male counterparts by a considerable margin. While the main character Lucy isn't anything special, she isn't annoying either. Erza Scarlet is arguably the coolest and most likable badass female character in manga, and other notable characters like Juvia and Mirajane are both funny and interesting.

The ideal time to read Fairy Tail would be during your early teens or when you're craving a lengthy story that doesn't demand too much intellectual engagement but offers plenty of fun, action, comedy, and fanservice. Still, it's best to set aside your plot-hole-searching glasses for this one because, despite all its flaws, it's a thrilling ride.

I started reading Fairy Tail before the Big 3, and it was among the first long-running shonen manga I delved into, both in reading and watching. Initially mediocre, the series really found its stride starting with the Phantom Arc and beyond. From that point on, I was thoroughly captivated.

However, as I continued reading, my enjoyment began to wane. The plot of each arc lacked uniqueness, forming a repetitive pattern where Fairy Tail faced a formidable enemy, only to be soundly defeated initially. Yet, without any training or significant preparation, they would somehow perform remarkably better in subsequent one-on-one battles, culminating in Natsu triumphing over the antagonist with some variation of "the power of friendship."

If this occurred once or even twice, I might have dismissed it as a creative hiccup for the mangaka. Unfortunately, in Fairy Tail, this seems to be the foundation for almost every story arc. Notably, Natsu has never lost a decisive battle, no matter how powerful his opponent is supposed to be. Worse still, he doesn't train for these encounters, and his only significant power-up comes from external sources magically enhancing him.

Recently, things reached a breaking point. The highly anticipated battle during the Grand Magic Games ended in an anticlimactic surrender. Soon after, the mangaka dedicated at least ten pages to unnecessary fanservice, depicting our main character naked for no discernible reason other than to titillate. At this juncture, I can't say I hold any expectations for Fairy Tail anymore.

I'm fully aware of its countless flaws, but I still love it. So yeah, this manga has an excessive amount of unnecessary fan service, cheap writing, and at some point, you can just feel that Mashima lost his passion for the story. But I still can't help loving it. Fairy Tail isn't a story about Natsu wanting to find his dad; it's a story about a group of misfits and weirdos who have bonds like family. If anything, I would say the guild is the main character.

However, there is one glaring issue. Natsu is too inspired by Goku. Mashima openly admits to being a huge Dragon Ball fan, but having characters like Goku these days is pretty outdated. Both like food, are stupid when it comes to anything that isn't battle, and both always come in at the end to defeat the bad guy. The last part is the biggest bummer in Fairy Tail. Sometimes a character who should take the win somehow loses or whatever—and then Natsu shows up and blows the bad guy up.

Some of the other characters, on the other hand, are really amazing. Gajeel isn't just a Vegeta clone but a genuine improvement on the trope of the edgy rival that turns good. Erza is a friggin' queen, and old man Makarov is just the best Grandpa ever. It is a real bummer when a story with such good and likable characters resorts to cheap tropes and predictable outcomes. Seriously, no important character ever dies, even when it would have been appropriate to let them.

Fairy Tail's weakest aspect is the romance. Mashima is a big fan of "the girl and boy that meet in the beginning become a couple" thing, but as it stands, Mashima is just not willing to commit to any romances he has built up, with only two exceptions, and one of these exceptions developed off-screen. It is really sad how much potential was wasted in this manga that I hold so dear to my heart.

Would I recommend it? I guess so, but you gotta be quite the shonen enthusiast or come from the Dragon Ball Z era to enjoy this.

Okay, first things first, I love this manga.

Reasons why I like this manga:

It's full of heartwarming moments, along with tear-jerking ones that just tug at your heartstrings. The story is mysterious and leaves you wondering countless things about what might happen next. The art is spot-on; Hiro Mashima really nailed the curves! Even if it has a bit of an ecchi vibe. The characters develop throughout the series, learning and mastering techniques and making new friends. Each character is unique and possesses traits that anyone can relate to. I truly enjoy reading this manga and hope it continues for a long time. Additionally, there are parts that have a mysterious aura, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Some faults that I'd like to point out:

Throughout the series, I've noticed that Fairy Tail wins many fights. While I don't have a problem with this, it would be more realistic if they lost some battles and had to work their way up to defeat their opponents. Of course, the art is fantastic, and I have no complaints about that. (I mean, who doesn't appreciate well-drawn anatomy?) Personally, I think there are too many characters in this manga, which could either positively or negatively impact the storyline.

Overall, I really enjoyed this manga, and I'd rate it an 8.5/10.

When I first began this series, I was head over heels in love. It was one of the earliest series I ever read or watched, and I cherished every moment of it. My affection for this manga persisted until it reached its final arc. Up until that point, the series was fantastic; afterwards, it became riddled with too many tiresome clichés. Although the story had always featured camaraderie-induced power-ups, none felt as off-putting as what came later.

Regardless, this series remains enjoyable to read or watch. It certainly isn't the worst out there. I would still recommend it to anyone who appreciates emotional depth and a good laugh.

The beginning of the story is quite promising and enjoyable, but after a certain point, it becomes unbearable to read due to how shallow and senseless both the characters and the plot become. It just gets bad. At least the art is nice; poor design since most characters look the same, but it's drawn well, I suppose.

It is enjoyable if you can turn off your brain. Watching the anime might be better because at least the openings are good. The usage of romance is very poor, as is the handling of conflicts. Everything is resolved with the power of friendship, simply because the main character is the protagonist. But this only happens some of the time; most of the time, he is as weak as a bug.

No Spoilers

If you've been involved in the anime and manga community for about a week, you've likely heard the name Fairy Tail at least once or twice. One of the most polarizing series in the medium, Fairy Tail has amassed a huge fan base that staunchly defends it while an equally large group of detractors seeks to see it burn in the fiery pits of hell. This ridiculous conflict between fans and haters has created an extremely toxic environment around the series, discouraging newcomers from understanding why this has escalated to such a degree. Personally, I find myself somewhere in the middle. As a series, I appreciate what it does well but can't ignore its flaws.

Fairy Tail is known for its awkward mix of childish storytelling and adult fanservice, which is one of the biggest points of contention. However, this was heavily exaggerated by the first anime adaptation, which censored violent scenes and made the fanservice more overt. The manga gives readers a greater sense of gravity, especially in the second half. Conversely, the anime lacks a specific story arc covering important material related to events in the second half. While not a dealbreaker, it's certainly debilitating.

The story is a major dividing point among fans. It moves quickly at first before slowing down around the halfway mark. Most arcs in the first half are disconnected, often introducing new characters or plot elements. Hiro Mashima wrote Fairy Tail on a weekly basis, getting ideas from nights out with friends and incorporating them into the story. Only Natsu's backstory was preplanned; everything else was added as the series progressed. Fairy Tail wasn't meant to run as long as it did, leading to odd pacing and inconsistent storytelling, with some plot points fading away or being barely foreshadowed.

Despite this, Fairy Tail has fantastic highlights that carve out an interesting identity. The first half focuses on adventure, while the second half takes a more focused approach to the evolving narrative. Some parts are predictable, but sharp turns add flair and interest. The middle section brings all the moving parts together smoothly, though momentum drops in the final stretch. Still, the upswings are entertaining.

A common complaint is the lack of character development, which is false. Most characters develop substantially, but Mashima’s fear of killing off the wrong character and reliance on the 'power of friendship' archetype sometimes undermine the execution. Characters have varied designs reflecting their personalities well. Natsu serves as the protagonist, not my favorite but serviceable. Lucy starts as a damsel in distress but grows more competent. Gray is my personal favorite with his interesting story and hilarious dynamic with Natsu. Erza is called the queen for good reason, and Wendy is precious.

The supporting cast is divided into major and minor characters. Most get strong development, but their stories become more disconnected after the halfway point. Despite this, they remain heavily involved in most arcs. Each major character feels more than just a side character, enhancing emotional highlights. Emotions are the focus here, and despite occasional disconnects, each personal journey resonates. The scarcity of character deaths enhances those few instances when it happens, benefiting or detracting depending on the scene.

The antagonists are a mixed bag. The main antagonist is well-executed throughout, impacting every major arc and arguably standing as one of the best villains in shonen. Other antagonists are introduced early and become significant players, but one overarching villain feels one-dimensional. Some villains feel like they could be major players but end up less impactful. Another complaint is many villains turning over a new leaf, diminishing their gravity. However, these changes are usually justified, and there are still plenty of villains who remain evil. The second half contrasts these villains against our heroes’ values.

The action is consistently strong in the manga, complemented by Mashima’s fantastic art skills. The fights are presented beautifully, showcasing gore and spectacular art. The magic system and individual powers are considered in most battles, especially those focusing on tactics. Despite consistent serialization, the art quality remains high, making it one of Fairy Tail’s best aspects. However, some controversial fight endings may divide readers.

This review is fairly mixed, reflecting how individuals perceive the series. Fairy Tail's highs are immensely high, but its lows are some of the lowest in the shonen genre. It's a mix of good and bad, leaving much up to the reader. My personal rating is an 8, acknowledging bias and controversy. Instead, I give it a relatively positive middle-ground rating due to its excellent antagonist, lovable characters, and standout story arcs and action scenes despite the series' problems. Your conclusion is your own.

Fairy Tail is, in my opinion, the worst battle shounen I've encountered so far. Initially, it sparked high hopes within me, but as I continued reading, my disappointment gradually escalated.

The story's structure is what frustrated me the most. Each arc starts off promisingly and often progresses well, but the endings consistently fall flat. Regardless of the circumstances or the adversary, no one ever dies (save for a few characters whose fates were sealed from the outset). Even if a character is vastly weaker than their enemy or has been nearly beaten to death, they always triumph thanks to "the power of friendship." Every single arc raises expectations for an amazing story, only to conclude with something utterly nonsensical that ensures the good guys win.

Despite this, the overall lore is fairly decent, which was one reason I persisted with Fairy Tail. The characters are generally amusing and receive good development. Many start as villains and eventually turn into heroes, while others inexplicably become incredibly powerful without much effort. Both male and female characters are equally subjected to fanservice.

In terms of art, I find the drawings to be excellent. They have been good from the beginning and continue to improve as the story unfolds. There's nothing negative I can say about the artwork.

Overall, there are numerous positive aspects to Fairy Tail. It could have been a fantastic manga if not for the logic that "no matter who you are, as long as you believe in friendship, you can defeat any opponent—even if you're a cockroach facing a god." I recommend this manga to those who enjoy humorous characters, fanservice, scenarios where the good guys never lose, magic, and plenty of battle scenes. However, if you value a logical progression of events, you might end up disappointed.

Seriously, I don't hate it—in fact, I really, really like his other manga, Rave Master... But why did he create such a dreadful series like this...

One manga, despite its flaws and clichés, is one of the best shonen manga out there with Yu Yu Hakusho and One Piece, while the other is... well, the worst shonen manga out there that's only famous because of fanservice...

Well, let's start the review then.

Fairy Tail's biggest flaw first is Natsu Dragneel himself. So apparently, his first objective is to meet his father-dragon, but why the heck didn't he do anything! I mean, Haru did a great job finding all the Raves, so why the hell didn't this guy even attempt to find his father and just kept doing silly jobs in his Guild! I know, I know that with a manga like One Piece, you can't make something like this easily, but hey! Magico is doing that, and it's pretty well done. So it's not a silly reason to not do that, right?

For art, it's really good. It's like a better version of Rave, although I noticed that the backgrounds sometimes become really lazy. But hey! Compared to Kubo's backgrounds, it's nothing.

For characters, it's easily one of the worst, with the most decent ones being Acnologia and Makarov. All the rest are nothing. Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Happy, and Erza can't hold a candle to Haru and co. The antagonists also can't pull off badass moments like Doryu or King. Main characters aside, but come on! Rave's main selling point was its villains, and I don't understand. Mashima-sensei could make good villains in Rave, so why the heck can't he now?

Last, but not least... It's the Power of Friendship/Love that Mashima took from Rave's most badass battle, Haru vs Shiba. He really ruined it into crap.

So, to put it simply, Fairy Tail is not that good, and I don't understand why Hiro Mashima, the creator of Rave, could make this crap.

A replica of One Piece? It seems so.
Worth reading? Absolutely.

Fairy Tail introduces another fantasy setting. I've always been skeptical about fantasy anime, as many tend to become obscure and uninteresting as the story progresses. However, Hiro Mashima avoids this pitfall in Fairy Tail by skillfully creating his own fantasy world out of thin air.

In this manga, various mages roam the world. Some even form guilds that take requests from people in exchange for money. There are even "dark" guilds that operate outside the law. Fairy Tail is one of the many guilds out there, but unlike others, they follow their master's motto: "Do what you think is right." Whether it's wrecking a house or turning an entire town into a scrapyard, Fairy Tail gets the job done, no matter the cost.

The story follows Dragonil Natsu, a Fire Mage raised by an ancient fire-breathing dragon, and his newfound friend Lucy, a Spirit Mage new to the world of guilds. Together with the rest of the Fairy Tail guild members, they embark on countless adventures.

At first glance, it may seem cliché due to its monster-of-the-week formula. And yes, it does follow a shounen formula. But don't let that deter you. To my surprise, the plot twists were unpredictable. The arcs start off as cliché but turn into something unexpected. Each character is interconnected, and their pasts play significant roles in progressing the story. Every character contributes meaningfully to the narrative.

The art during action scenes is impressive and comprehensive. You can easily understand what's happening to the characters and their surroundings. At some climactic moments, I even played One Piece soundtracks on my iPod while reading. Surprisingly, the music enhanced the atmosphere and invigorated me. Another plus is that the panels aren't cluttered with unnecessary captions, yet they never fail to show each character's reactions. Many of these reactions are just plain humorous. Additionally, every character design is likable, with males showing off their six-packs and females flaunting their cleavage.

Fairy Tail delivers action-packed, slapstick comedy to its readers. If that sounds appealing, then don't miss out on Fairy Tail.

So another long-running shounen series comes to an end.

"The power of friendship rules all" - Mashima seems to have taken this line quite seriously. When I first watched the Fairy Tail anime, I found it very enjoyable. This was among my first 5-10 anime, so I might be a little biased about it, which is why I didn't get all the hate against FT. So what if characters don't die, and so what if they use a little "Nakama power"? For me, it was really fun to watch.

Up until the Tartaros arc, it was brilliant. Characters may have seemed to always win, but it wasn't too ridiculous. The buildup and mysteries regarding the dragons, Zeref, and Acnologia were really good, and to me, it was second only to One Piece in that aspect.

(The next part contains some spoilers)

I started reading the manga after the 2014 anime finished, i.e., after the Tartaros arc. For me, Fairy Tail started going downhill from there. The buildups to the fights were awesome as always, and they introduced some really overpowered characters that had us wondering how Natsu and Co. would defeat these guys. But when the fights started, I thought, "Why, Mashima? Why are you ruining such a good buildup?" All that buildup about E.N.D., whose appearance was not even for a single chapter, those overpowering Spriggans just to be defeated by the likes of Wendy and Cana, characters dying and then coming back in the next few chapters, and especially the endings of my two most favorite characters, Zeref and Acnologia. I mean, come on man, it would have been acceptable if Natsu got a new dragon or demon transformation to defeat those two, but man...

Okay, enough complaints. I had originally rated this a 9 and had planned to drop it to 5 or something, but the last chapter... it made me remember why I like Fairy Tail. So I just dropped it to a 7. It really was an enjoyable watch/read. Even though I know the last arc is bad, I am still excited about the 2018 anime.