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Anime Review of 'Fairy Tail' - Nyx - 03-26-2014
Welcome to my review of the anime, Fairy Tail. This anime is currently on hiatus, but will be returning on April 5th. Also, as with every review for just about anything, this is solely my thoughts on the series, yours may be a lot different. Now, let's hop into this review!
Synopsis
"Set in an imaginary world, the Earth Land, there exists a Mage Guild called "Fairy Tail." Fairy Tail is stationed in the town Magnolia, residing in the Kingdom of Fiore, and is currently governed by Makarov, Guild's master. Lucy Heartfilia, a 17-year-old girl, wishes to become a full-fledged mage and join one of the most prestigious Mage Guilds in the world, Fairy Tail. One day, out of pure coincidence, she meets Natsu Dragneel, a boy who is transportation-sick, but very cheerful in nature. However, the thing she does not know is that Natsu is the closest connection to Fairy Tail, as he is a Mage in Fairy Tail."
Source: http://myanimelist.net/anime/6702/Fairy_Tail/
Plot
The plot of the story is pretty much just following Fairy Tail around and watching them do their thing. At the beginning of the show, there really isn't any plot to it, just Fairy Tail running around causing a comotion everywhere they go, but as the story advances, the show gradually grows a plot more and more, until it reaches the point where it actually feels like there is a meaningful plot to the show and not just mindless fighting. Once the plot finally appears, it actually makes sense, and it feels like a proper plot to a show. There are a few twists here and there to spice it up a little bit, but overall it is straight forward. One thing I did notice was there are spots in the plot where the creator leaves it open to the imagination, leaving the viewers to formulate predictions as to what will happen next. Overall, I give the plot a 7/10. I docked 2 marks due to the non-exisistant plot at the start, and I docked another point because at some points the plot was a bit to straight forward and nothing was left to keep it interesting.
Characters
With Fairy Tail, almost all of the characters are impossible to fully hate (with the exception of Lucy). One problem I did have with the characters in this anime, is that quite often you will have characters that will appear for a few episodes, sometimes even one, and then disappear never to be heard of again. This kind of aggravated me because some of the characters you meet for a few episodes you start to like having around, but then poof they are gone. One of the best things about Fairy Tail is that there is a lot of character development that goes on throughout the series that you usually don't see in a lot of Shonen. As the series advances, you learn about the backgrounds of characters, where they come from and what kind of person they are. Someone who you always thought was cheerful might have a really sad back story which is something that really kept me addicted. Also, through out the series, another piece of characters development is that the characters gain new powers, so you aren't stuck seeing the same fights over and over again. Overall I give the character catagory an 8/10. I took 1 point for the loss of some good characters through out the show, and I took another point for my general disappointment in some characters.
Action
This section will be a bit short because I don't want to spoil anything, but this area is necessary for a Shonen anime. The fighting is pretty decent in this anime. I know I was turned off by the idea of magic, because most of the time magic in anime is really bad, but it turns out the magic in Fairy Tail is a lot different from 'normal' magic. The first few fights are a bit boring, though once you start getting into the really good stuff, you're going to be thanking yourself for watching this anime. So my final mark for the fighting is 9/10. I stole a single point because there are a few fights that didn't really live up to most of my expectations, but overall the fighting in Fairy Tail is very well done.
Audio
Now, right off the bat I am just going to say the audio for this is 10/10. Every single OST for Fairy Tail is on my phone and I jam out to Fairy Tail music all the time. The music to it is just so perfect. I honestly have never heard an anime with better music ever. As for the voices, they were very well done, and all the voices fit the characters perfectly. Some characters here and there have some annoying voices, but other than that it's great. As for the dubbed voices, I never watched the dubbed version of Fairy Tail, but from what I have read, Funimation did a really good job this time around with this dub.
Animation
At first glance, you may recognize the style of animation. The animation is almost the exact same as One Piece, which I didn't mind because I think the animation of One Piece was great. One problem I did have with the animation is that the animation of some of the characters was directly ripped from One Piece which really bugged me. In the end though, the animation of the anime was great and I did enjoy it, but for an example of character rips, here is a picture comparing two characters from One Piece and Fairy Tail.
Spoiler:
Left is Fairy Tail and the right is One Piece
![[Image: tumblr_lt4ac3eIv01qftanso1_1280.jpg]](http://i99.beon.ru/29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lt4ac3eIv01qftanso1_1280.jpg)
Final Thoughts
My final mark for Fairy Tail is a 9.5/10. The anime overall is great, but there are some very minor drawbacks from making it perfect. Hopefully you enjoyed this review, and hopefully you enjoy Fairy Tail if you end up watching it!
RE: Anime Review of 'Fairy Tail' - Losi - 05-26-2014
I definitely love Fairy Tail, it was one of the first animes i actually wanted to watch. Its definitely shounen and meant for lower range teenagers. But i still love it, the characters are essentially a family and work together. I'm super excited that Funimation is coming out with new episodes and i'm making sure to keep up to date. BTW great review @Atmosphere , very indepth and responsive!
RE: Anime Review of 'Fairy Tail' - Nyx - 05-27-2014
(05-26-2014, 06:08 AM)Losimantom Wrote: I definitely love Fairy Tail, it was one of the first animes i actually wanted to watch. Its definitely shounen and meant for lower range teenagers. But i still love it, the characters are essentially a family and work together. I'm super excited that Funimation is coming out with new episodes and i'm making sure to keep up to date. BTW great review @Atmosphere , very indepth and responsive!
Yeah, Fairy Tail is probably my all time favorite Anime, and there were very few scenes that actually made me bored!
RE: Anime Review of 'Fairy Tail' - cZarKastic - 05-28-2014
Just getting into the dubbed version right now but so far I'm digging it
RE: Anime Review of 'Fairy Tail' - cr33pyguy - 05-28-2014
I find fairy Tail very addicting. (I've read everything until the latest release on MangaFox.
However, I've only watched a bunch of episodes, have you read the manga? How is the anime compared to that if you have?
Spoiler:
You have some minor tag errors in your post
RE: Anime Review of 'Fairy Tail' - MiS - 05-30-2014
I've read the manga of Fairy Tail, and I really think it was a fun read. However, I really can't get into the anime mostly because of the One Piece similarities in art, like you've mentioned. Though it's quite a different story, every time I glance at the characters, I can't help but be reminded of it. I have been getting recommendations from my friends to watch it though, and your rating of Fairy Tail as pretty high up there can't help but make me have to at least give it a try over the summer.
RE: Anime Review of 'Fairy Tail' - Nyx - 05-31-2014
(05-30-2014, 05:57 PM)MiS Wrote: I've read the manga of Fairy Tail, and I really think it was a fun read. However, I really can't get into the anime mostly because of the One Piece similarities in art, like you've mentioned. Though it's quite a different story, every time I glance at the characters, I can't help but be reminded of it. I have been getting recommendations from my friends to watch it though, and your rating of Fairy Tail as pretty high up there can't help but make me have to at least give it a try over the summer.
I recently got two more of my buddies into it and they so far have been loving it, so I highly suggest it.
RE: Anime Review of 'Fairy Tail' - Alexandre456 - 07-29-2024
Overview: "Fairy Tail," created by Hiro Mashima, is a shonen anime that originally aired from 2009 to 2019, based on the manga of the same name. The series follows the adventures of Natsu Dragneel, a dragon slayer who is on a quest to find the dragon Igneel, alongside his friends from the Fairy Tail guild, a group known for their strong bonds, unique magic, and fierce battles.
Story and Themes: At its core, "Fairy Tail" is about friendship, camaraderie, and the importance of family—chosen or otherwise. The narrative weaves together various arcs that spotlights different guilds, powerful foes, and the journey of its characters. The story can feel predictable at times, with classic shonen tropes of training arcs, power-ups, and intense fights against formidable villains. However, the emotional depth and bond among the characters often elevate these familiar elements, making the journey enjoyable.
Characters: One of the series' standout features is its diverse and memorable cast. Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Erza, and others each have distinct personalities and magical abilities that contribute to the group's dynamic. Natsu’s relentless determination and fiery spirit, coupled with Lucy’s warmth and ambition, create a balance that appeals to viewers. Additionally, the development of side characters and their backstories adds layers to the overall narrative, making them more relatable and engaging.
Animation and Art Style: "Fairy Tail" employs vibrant and colorful animation that brings its magical world to life. The visual style is dynamic, capturing the intensity of battles and the whimsical nature of its magical elements. While the animation quality can vary, especially in later episodes, the character designs remain iconic and memorable. The action sequences are often fluid and creatively choreographed, showcasing a wide range of magical abilities.
Music: The soundtrack of "Fairy Tail" significantly enhances the viewing experience. Composed by Yasuharu Takanashi, the music effectively captures the emotional undertones of scenes and the excitement of battles. The opening and ending themes are catchy and often resonate with fans, perfectly embodying the spirit of the show.
Critiques: While "Fairy Tail" has garnered a massive following, it's not without its criticisms. Some viewers point out that certain story arcs can drag on and feel repetitive. Additionally, the series sometimes relies heavily on fan service and over-the-top battles, which may not appeal to everyone. The ending, particularly in the final arc, has also drawn mixed reactions from fans regarding its resolution and pacing.
Conclusion: "Fairy Tail" is a beloved series for many within the otaku community. Its themes of friendship, adventure, and the importance of bonds resonate deeply with audiences. Despite some flaws in pacing and storytelling, its vibrant characters, engaging battles, and heartfelt moments make it a captivating watch. Whether you’re a long-time shonen fan or new to the genre, "Fairy Tail" offers an immersive experience filled with magic, laughter, and the power of friendship.
Rating: 8/10 - A magical journey worth taking!