Fairy Tail

Astner
I can't get into it. I've tried for hours but it doesn't work. What do you people see in this series?

I mean. Naruto was amazing in the beginning. It got bad, but when it did it still had established a pretty interesting world. Bleach was amazing around the Soul society arc as well, and it established a number of interesting characters with interesting abilities and battle strategies.

But what does Fairy tail have?

It has a true ensemble cast instead of just a main-and-accompanying characters. It has female characters who matter and play a large role in combat. It has consistently enjoyable storyarcs once it hits it's stride, it has no low-points like Fishman island, and it doesn't drag it's story arcs out nearly as long (you could fit any two of it's big story arcs into the length of Skypeia).

Also I will note the anime started with a pretty low budget.

Originally posted by wakkawakkawakka

Spoiler:
I only really had a problem with Natsu beating up Hades. Though if the eye wasn't a reset button then I guess that would make all of the above make sense: mortal and wounded master mage is more plausable than just mortal mage w/o an amp.

Would've honestly though that Makarov would've had something to match the lightning/dragon blast other than "Fairy Law" but that has yet to be seen.

Spoiler:
Yea, it's not a reset button, it's basically ... extra armor and extra spells, so to speak.

Hm, I guess Makarov does have his giant mode, which took a magic cannon shot (less powerful than the combined blast I'd say), but I don't think he can maintain that too long, he spends a lot of time fighting at normal size.

Oh and I'm on the Grand Magic Tournament now. Only 20 chaptes to go before I'm caught up.

Edit I also have another question:

Spoiler:
Did I miss something or was the Gajeel double-agent thing just glossed over? Unless something happened in the Nirvana arc or the Edoas arc I can't remember Gajeel's double agent thing going any further than when Makarov mentioned it. Though I don't really think it's important but I just wanted that issue cleared up.

Spoiler:
Well, Gajeel provided Makarov the information about their HQ and such.... then Gajeel got skipped 7 years forward which made it hard to do any double-agenting, really. It will be brought up again in this arc, but I'd say the time skip really threw off that plan.

Originally posted by Q99

Spoiler:
Yea, it's not a reset button, it's basically ... extra armor and extra spells, so to speak.

Hm, I guess Makarov does have his giant mode, which took a magic cannon shot (less powerful than the combined blast I'd say), but I don't think he can maintain that too long, he spends a lot of time fighting at normal size.

[/B]

Spoiler:
Well I'm glad that's cleared up. Still didn't like Natsu beating up Hades but at least I know why now

Originally posted by Q99

Spoiler:
Well, Gajeel provided Makarov the information about their HQ and such.... then Gajeel got skipped 7 years forward which made it hard to do any double-agenting, really. It will be brought up again in this arc, but I'd say the time skip really threw off that plan.

Spoiler:
I'm finally caught up and got to that point where the double agent thing was addressed. Who would've though that Ravane Claw would be full of glass cannons: Laxus' dad turning out to be a chump was unexpected to

Oh and the new Fairy Tale chapter is out.

Spoiler:
So Wendy's fighting a wind magic version of the Grimore Heart dude Natsu fought. Those two are so cute that I don't want either one to loose and I will mention it's nice to see Wendy have more offensive tech to use.

Originally posted by wakkawakkawakka

Spoiler:
I'm finally caught up and got to that point where the double agent thing was addressed. Who would've though that Ravane Claw would be full of glass cannons: Laxus' dad turning out to be a chump was unexpected to

Yea, that caught me off guard too. Things could've gotten nasty if Obra had more opportunity.

Oh and the new Fairy Tale chapter is out.

Spoiler:
So Wendy's fighting a wind magic version of the Grimore Heart dude Natsu fought. Those two are so cute that I don't want either one to loose and I will mention it's nice to see Wendy have more offensive tech to use.

Quite. I wonder what the other spells she learned- and the one she didn't- are.

Originally posted by Q99
it has no low-points like Fishman island

What are you talking about? One Piece has never had a low point in it's entirety! Never, not once, ever!

Originally posted by TheAuraAngel
What are you talking about? One Piece has never had a low point in it's entirety! Never, not once, ever!

Skypeia went on waaay too long (and IMO even Alabasta could've stood to be shortened). Fishman island was super-weak. Drum Drum island wasn't very dramatic either since Wapol was pretty weak. Oda's a strong writer but if it has any problems, it's spending too much time on stuff that doesn't need a lot of time, and dragging plots out by adding purely make-time obstacles to prevent the heroes and villains from meeting (like Luffy having to spend several chapters trying to get to Enel... twice).

I still loved Skypeia and you guys are lame for not. Really, its just the very start and Fishman island that was weak imo. Everything else was at least entertaining.

Originally posted by Q99
Skypeia went on waaay too long (and IMO even Alabasta could've stood to be shortened). Fishman island was super-weak. Drum Drum island wasn't very dramatic either since Wapol was pretty weak. Oda's a strong writer but if it has any problems, it's spending too much time on stuff that doesn't need a lot of time, and dragging plots out by adding purely make-time obstacles to prevent the heroes and villains from meeting (like Luffy having to spend several chapters trying to get to Enel... twice).

I was mocking the fact that One Piece fans tend to not care for the flaws.

I disagree with Alabasta, which is my favorite of the arcs. The length added to the feeling of resolution by the arcs end. The Straw Hats had just dealt with the biggest foe they ever had and the situation never looked good for them. But by the end they won and it was awesome. I can see the argument for Drum Island but at the time of reading I was still fresh off of reading the early arcs, where even serious villains weren't a threat really. By the standard, it's merely average. Helps that I like Chopper.

The rest I'll agree with. And you might be glad to know that Erza's fighting style is easily my favorite of the main cast. 😛

The length added to the feeling of resolution by the arcs end. The Straw Hats had just dealt with the biggest foe they ever had and the situation never looked good for them. But by the end they won and it was awesome. I can see the argument for Drum Island but at the time of reading I was still fresh off of reading the early arcs, where even serious villains weren't a threat really. By the standard, it's merely average. Helps that I like Chopper.

The actual end of Alabasta I liked a lot, I just felt they could've gotten their faster... the insertion of Drum Drum island in the middle is probably the big culprit of that, come to think of it.

I like Chopper too, I just don't think Wapol and his two henchpeople (only 2!) worked as a villain.

The rest I'll agree with. And you might be glad to know that Erza's fighting style is easily my favorite of the main cast.

Yea, me too.

Swords + adjustable specialization.

Originally posted by Q99
The actual end of Alabasta I liked a lot, I just felt they could've gotten their faster... the insertion of Drum Drum island in the middle is probably the big culprit of that, come to think of it.

I like Chopper too, I just don't think Wapol and his two henchpeople (only 2!) worked as a villain.

Indeed, that probably is what slowed it down. Along with Giant Island. Lot of distractions come to think of it.

Well I mean for the heroes no. But Oda establishes that early on when Luffy pwned Wapol with ease. It's more appropriate to think of them as punks/bullies than real threats. And if he had more, the arc would have gone on longer. 😛

Originally posted by Q99
Yea, me too.

Swords + adjustable specialization.

That and yeah she is probably my favorite of the main cast(excluding Happy for being so awesome).

I did really like the Wind guys style of fighting though.

Originally posted by TheAuraAngel

Well I mean for the heroes no. But Oda establishes that early on when Luffy pwned Wapol with ease. It's more appropriate to think of them as punks/bullies than real threats. And if he had more, the arc would have gone on longer. 😛

Honestly I think that's part of the problem- Oda gives pretty significant time to punks/bullies (Bellamy excepted. That's how you handle a punk/bully fight), and fights with strong people have to take a very long time.

Consider Kuro. The actual Luffy vs Kuro fight didn't take long, even though Kuro still came across as a dangerous guy. And fights with anyone strong take progressively longer. A fight can be relatively quick and still have the loser get in some licks to give a feeling of danger, or at least potentially so. Long drawn-out slug fests are not required for tension.

That and yeah she is probably my favorite of the main cast(excluding Happy for being so awesome).

That tends to be the case ^^

I did really like the Wind guys style of fighting though.

Indeed, the wind-body shield is a neat trick.

Originally posted by TheAuraAngel
What are you talking about? One Piece has never had a low point in it's entirety! Never, not once, ever!

Aren't you the one that said Skypea was terrible.

Well at least Cana has proven herself to be up to snuff and not another set of boobs.

Yeah that girl should be second strongest in Lamina Scales...I think.

Originally posted by wakkawakkawakka
Yeah that girl should be second strongest in Lamina Scales...I think.

Gonna wait before calling it between her and ice-boy, personally.

Much stronger than her cousin, though 🙂

(And seriously, why is Tobi on the team??)

I almost forgot that he was there. Well he's yet to be seen so I guess I can wait to make final judgements.

It's almost pitiful really

Maybe Lamina Scale doesn't have alot of people?

Originally posted by Q99
Honestly I think that's part of the problem- Oda gives pretty significant time to punks/bullies (Bellamy excepted. That's how you handle a punk/bully fight), and fights with strong people have to take a very long time.

Consider Kuro. The actual Luffy vs Kuro fight didn't take long, even though Kuro still came across as a dangerous guy. And fights with anyone strong take progressively longer. A fight can be relatively quick and still have the loser get in some licks to give a feeling of danger, or at least potentially so. Long drawn-out slug fests are not required for tension.

I don't think it's that. Rather, I think Oda likes to give time to the characters he finds funny. Bellamy wasn't funny so that's why he was one shotted. 😛

Eh, not to me. Mostly because Luffy was in his unstoppable East Blue phase where no one presented a decent challenge to him.

Originally posted by Q99
That tends to be the case ^^

Indeed, the wind-body shield is a neat trick.

Hush your mouth with telling me that is conventional. :T

No but yeah Erza is cool. And hawter than Lucy.

I tend to like Wind fighters. Granted if we're to go by TLA, I'd want to be a Firebender.

Originally posted by wakkawakkawakka
I almost forgot that he was there. Well he's yet to be seen so I guess I can wait to make final judgements.

It's almost pitiful really

Maybe Lamina Scale doesn't have alot of people?

They do have Sherry at the least, and she's stronger than Tobi.

Part of it may just be who wants to fight- Quattro Cerberus's team is mostly made up of newer members, Bacchus aside, for example. And Lamia's always been in but Jura's never participated before, so Lyon and Yuka were likely the ones getting them to second place each time.

So they probably have a couple more mid-level members (meaning, members of around Cherry's level) who simply didn't want to participate, much like most of Fairy Tail's home crew didn't want to get involved even though some of them are pretty darn strong.

And/or maybe they thought Tobi's abilities would be useful in the skill challenges? Maybe?

Originally posted by TheAuraAngel
I don't think it's that. Rather, I think Oda likes to give time to the characters he finds funny. Bellamy wasn't funny so that's why he was one shotted. 😛

Eh, not to me. Mostly because Luffy was in his unstoppable East Blue phase where no one presented a decent challenge to him.

I'd say Krieg and Arlong both posed a challenge. Partially due to environmental advantages, but still, he ended both pretty beat up.

And until Luffy managed it, it wasn't clear how he'd handle Kuro's speeds, and he was taking some good hits. So he didn't feel as un-threatening as Wapol or fishman-island villain did to me. Luffy had to think of something to handle Kuro, at least (Ditto Mr. 3. Even as a sub-villain he was more threatening than Wapol and... Hodi. It actually took me a minute to remember Hodi's name).

Wonder why Sherry's on the side lines in this. Fingernails of fury can't do that much can they?

I would think that teams would try to cram as many of their uber people as possible. Groups like Sabertooth might have a problem with this but the Mermaid guild was able to get that uber chick in.

At least by having more mid-tier people we would have better chances of avoiding the joke fights like Mira's.

That aside, I don't think I properly addressed my new found appreciation of Erza's Pandemonium feat. It's in an even better light now that I'm caught up on the manga. I also didn't realize how close the anime was to the current storyline.

Originally posted by Q99
I'd say Krieg and Arlong both posed a challenge. Partially due to environmental advantages, but still, he ended both pretty beat up.

And until Luffy managed it, it wasn't clear how he'd handle Kuro's speeds, and he was taking some good hits. So he didn't feel as un-threatening as Wapol or fishman-island villain did to me. Luffy had to think of something to handle Kuro, at least (Ditto Mr. 3. Even as a sub-villain he was more threatening than Wapol and... Hodi. It actually took me a minute to remember Hodi's name).

Well...if we're being technical, had Sanji not been there Luffy would have drowned, since he was caught in a net. But they didn't do much to him in the grand scheme of things. Arlong's first interaction with Luffy was getting his jaw pushed in after all. Afterwards there was Smoker, Miss Goldenweek, and Crocodile, none of whom Luffy could really touch.

I honestly forgot most of the fight lol. And Mr. 3 was awesome. I hate that he's become such a comic relief character. He's actually a pretty good fighter in the sense that he has good support skills. And how can you forget Hodi. He's like, One Piece's worst villain. And give Wapol credit, he didn't have like 8 henchmen that you have to watch the Straw Hats take their sweet little time beating up.

Originally posted by wakkawakkawakka
Wonder why Sherry's on the side lines in this. Fingernails of fury can't do that much can they?

I would think that teams would try to cram as many of their uber people as possible. Groups like Sabertooth might have a problem with this but the Mermaid guild was able to get that uber chick in.

I think how they stack the team depends on how serious they are. Lamia probably figured with Jura and Lyon and Shelia and Yuka, they could afford to let Tobi in. And Tobi seems to be friends with Lyon, Yuka, etc..

At least by having more mid-tier people we would have better chances of avoiding the joke fights like Mira's.

Eh, I bet she was reasonably powerful, it's just... Mira's not ^^

That aside, I don't think I properly addressed my new found appreciation of Erza's Pandemonium feat. It's in an even better light now that I'm caught up on the manga. I also didn't realize how close the anime was to the current storyline.

Yea on both counts. FT anime keeps surprisingly close, and Pandemonium... dropped everyone's jaw.

Originally posted by Q99
I think how they stack the team depends on how serious they are. Lamia probably figured with Jura and Lyon and Shelia and Yuka, they could afford to let Tobi in. And Tobi seems to be friends with Lyon, Yuka, etc..

Well I guess that's a factor too. Jura could probably pick up for any mishaps Lamina Scales have.

Originally posted by Q99

Eh, I bet she was reasonably powerful, it's just... Mira's not ^^

Originally posted by Q99
Yea on both counts. FT anime keeps surprisingly close, and Pandemonium... dropped everyone's jaw.