Fairy Tail Seasons 1-3 Review

Fairy Tail came at the recommendation of Curtis, a security guard I befriended at work.  He was so obsessed with the show that he got a tattoo of the Fairy Tail stamp, so I thought I would give it a try despite the series' length.

Well, I've been through about 3 seasons of the anime so far, and my verdict is:  it is enjoyable.  Just to be clear, that does not mean it is good by any means.  In fact, I can't count how many times I have said, "Wow, this is terrible" while watching.  But I recognize that despite the show's many failings, it is good entertainment.  And I like it!

Here are some thoughts on why the show is so awful:

1. Formulaic / no consequences / low stakes.  This is an arc-based show.  In each arc, new baddies/villains appear.  Each one has to get hyped up more than the previous one.  The bad guys initially get the upper hand and beat down the good guys.  (But, of course, none of the good guys ever truly gets hurt.  They are drawn with scuff marks and bandages, but no one ever dies.)  Then the good guys draw on the Power of Friendship, What It Means To Be A Fairy Tail Wizard, and Other Such Platitudes and somehow defeat the baddies.  Everyone goes home and parties and drinks and gets into Fairy Tail hijinks.  There are no consequences, there is no tension, and even the headlined "big fights" are pretty much lame because the result is preordained.  The only difference from arc to arc is that sometimes the baddies -- usually the good-looking ones -- have a mini-redemption.  And because the stakes are so low, any Grand Gestures of Sacrifice by the good guys are meaningless because even if they are "hurt," they get a new set of clothes, some bandages, and then they go on their way.  It's extremely formulaic and dumb.  
2. It makes no sense whatsoever.  This is self-explanatory, but the show makes no sense.  It is a magical world, I know, but the way the world operates seems to be completely random/boundless.  There are no rules.  Magic can seemingly do whatever The Plot requires it to do.  And what magical attack beats the other also seems to follow only what The Plot requires.  And Dragon Slayers?  So far I have no idea why Dragon Slayers have so much more magical power than anybody else, other than that they 'learned from a dragon' -- whatever that means.  Nor do I get why they all have cats/exedes.  But whatever.  The cats are cute!  



We're Dragon Slayers!  We're super overpowered!  And we each have an adorable cat!  Not sure why!  Whatever, who cares?!

3. Fan service.  The show has some strong female characters (e.g., Erza, Lucy . . . occasionally, Juvia), but it can't resist giving them enormous breasts and degrading them by putting them in skimpy outfits.  Sigh.

And here is why I enjoy Fairy Tail despite the above and am continuing to binge-watch it:

Fire v. Ice

1. The cast is likable.  The characters are not particularly original.  Nor do they really develop in any significant way.  But both the main and minor characters are likeable and really fun to watch.  With anime, I am usually immediately aggravated by a Simpering Anime Woman, but luckily, the Fairy Tail women do not fall into that mold.  The show does a good job of showing the long history between some of the characters, and excels when it is drawing connections between the guild members.  Because the characters are so likeable, you kind of just want to keep watching them do stuff and kick ass (after getting beat down initially, of course, see supra No. 1) and interact with each other.  Even the stupid running character gags (e.g., Natsu's motion sickness, Gray's penchant to take off his shirt) grew on me over time.  

   

   One of my favorite characters:  the besotted Juvia.

2. Humor.  The show definitely does not take itself too seriously, which I think may be the show's saving grace.  From the over-the-top narration to seriously bizarre/weird characters to sight gags in the middle of big fights, the show executes everything with a big tongue in its cheek.  It knows what it is, and never tries to be anything else.  That self-aware humor keeps the mood/tone light and fun, allowing the audience to enjoy the show for what it is.  

   

   I iz so happy I finally have a cat!!  Lulz.

3. Equal opportunity fan service.  As much as the male-oriented fan service drives me crazy, I appreciate that the show also doses out female-oriented fan service for the XXs among us.   There are some good-lookin' [animated] guys on this show (my personal favorites are Gray and Loke/Leo)!  :-) 

   

   Leo getting ready to kick some ass.

4. Opening/Ending Music.  The opening and ending musical sequences of this show are really fun to listen to.  I particularly enjoyed "The Rock City Boy" from the Edolas arc.  The music during the show is also fun, if very repetitive.  (The show always plays the same overwrought dramatic music whenever a Good Guy is drawing power from What It Means To Be A Fairy Tail Wizard and Other Such Platitudes.)

Erza and . . . Jellal?  Or Mystogan?  Whatever.  Someone good-looking.

BOTTOM LINE:  So basically, the show is pretty bad (though the animation is decent).  But it's so fun that it doesn't matter.  I kind of just want to keep watching these hooligans hang out and kick badguy butt.