Fairy Tail Manga Discussion

[RyougaZell]

hmmm... what?

awesome fights btw

[Archangel]

"Wat?" is pretty much all one can say about that last page

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.235

[Archangel]

Sooo... we're just gonna ignore the earlier chapter's last page?

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.236

[Kraco]

It would have been too anticlimactic if Erza had won just like that, so it's better this way. I wouldn't mind if Gerard actually broke out of the prison to teleport to the island. The council has never achieved anything but harm during this whole story, so it's such a waste to keep an interesting dude like him in their pesky cell.

[Archangel]

Lol, seduction armor... she should have used it, at least it would have made an opening for an attack

[Ryllharu]

He did pervertedly grab her with roots...so the seduction armor may have been just the trick Erza needed. Too bad she's so pure-hearted. If she was slutty like Lucy she might have won.

[Marik]

[MangaZone] Fairy Tail c.237

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.237:

[NeoCybercoin]

Kinda meh...

[Marik]

Love will conquer all, no matter how far away. Cheesy chapter.

[dragonrage]

Love will conquer all, no matter how far away. Cheesy chapter.

Not just love but the bonds that tie them together, the bonds that made them who they are and so on and so on.....

Meh, I am happy that all the FairyTail's most defining characters didn't bite the big one. It could have been done better but not bad at all. Also open the possibility to different things as well. What now? The tree is gone and so is the grave. The big cheese hasn't taken much action yet, is he going to turn tail and run or fight? Either way something significant should happen.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.238

[Kraco]

Fairy Tail has largely if not solely been an episodic and live in the moment kind of story, so unless something external is suddenly pulled into the story, there's little to do but a solution like this. There have hardly been long preparations for anything in this story (except for Gerard), except on the villains' side and even those we haven't seen; it has only been mentioned that they have been slowly executing their clandestine deeds for so many years. Generally speaking it's one of the characteristics of greater story writing skills that we see something unexplained or even irrelevant looking now, yet thirty chapters later it's suddenly brough back to play a significant role in solving a case.

But if Bakuman taught me anything, it's that the manga industry itself discourages anything like that, and so you need to be a rule breaker to even dream of writing such. Mashima Hiro hardly is, being a textbook kind of guy.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.239

[Kraco]

I don't think this surprised anybody. Although Ultear was even more of an evil bitch than I thought. It could have been better if she hadn't been, leaving Gray hanging in doubt more, even if he now said he didn't believe a single word out of her mouth - if he didn't, why did he wait until now to attack Ultear? Giving her a chance to prove her guilt is kind of childish considering she's still a part of a group that attacked and devastated the island. So, if he didn't believe her, he should have attacked the moment she turned her back to him. It's generally speaking evil to require somebody else to use a suicidal technique and simply walk away yourself, that couldn't be helped, but performing a stereotypical villain's speech and proceeding to execute Juvia was a bit much.

[RyougaZell]

I hope Meredy joins Fairy Tail after this. Of all Grimoire Heart's members... she is the only one that seems to have a chance of doing so after her fight with Juvia.

[Archangel]

I think this series has already enough Vegetas as it is

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.240

[Archangel]

Sort of asspullish with the whole blood thing, but i'll take it.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.241

[Kraco]

Fairy Tail certainly didn't fail to pick the most obvious background and thus the solution for this fight.

Oh, well, it's not like after 241 chapters I wouldn't be used to it.

[Archangel]

SO MISUNDERSTOOD!!

... fuck this, just let me see Natsu use Dragon Force again

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.242

[RyougaZell]

It was funny how Pantherlily suddenly is scared of lighting. I laughed when Happy teased him about it.

I didn't like how Lisanna told Lucy to stay besides Natsu though.

And now that Zancrow revealed that Ultear killed those that Meredy loved... Meredy needs to stick by Juvia in Fairy Tail (even if Archie thinks there are too many 'Vegetas')

[Kraco]

And now that Zancrow revealed that Ultear killed those that Meredy loved... Meredy needs to stick by Juvia in Fairy Tail (even if Archie thinks there are too many 'Vegetas')

Assuming there are enough missions for everybody, acquiring new mages that way is a jolly good method. It's not hit and miss like raising them from kids; you instantly get lots of firepower with no prior investments. It's also safer than simply accepting a stranger from the streets who could have whatever manner of underlying reasons.

[RyougaZell]

Well... the request board always seem to be full, even with so many background characters, so I think there are enough jobs for all.

One thing I've noticed too is that Fairy Tail's youngest member currently is Wendy... whereas flashbacks shows that most of the current 'young ones' joined as kids (Natsu, Gray, Erza, Mirajane, Elfman, Lisanna, Cana, Levy) younger than Wendy's current age.

[Kraco]

That's a very good point. Many of the current members are at an age where they could procreate at any moment, I believe. It's anybody's guess why they aren't. But one would still assume they soon will (although not necessarily during this manga unless there's a time skip).

[RyougaZell]

Hmmm... we know the age of very few characters actually... Lisanna's tombstone said she 'died' at 15 and two years have passed from that... so the ages of the rest are just approximates. I believe Natsu (and most of the young ones) would be older than her and younger than Mirajane (who would be the same age as Erza). Levy, for instance, I believe has the same age as Lisanna.

Thus... most of the young ones would be between 17 and 20. I think Natsu is 18~19 while Erza is 20.

Seeing as the only ones who are parents are Makarov, Gildartz and Macao... lets ignore Makarov. Gildartz is 45 and Macao is 36... if Cana is about 18~19 and Macao's son has less than 10... they had children at around 24~26

So yeah... I think none of the characters will have children of their own unless we do get a time skip. Plus none of the pairings (except Bisca and Alzark) seem to be officialized in any form (Natsu/Lucy, Natsu/Lisanna, Gray/Juvia, Gajeel/Levy)

I was thinking more about why aren't children (orphans like most of them) have joined lately.

And speaking of the 'Vegetas' as Archie calls them... the only one who would fit this role is Gajeel. Neither Juvia nor Wendy fill the category... and only those 3 have joined lately. Lucy doesn't count.

[Archangel]

We don't see any of the kids because they're not important to the plot

Anyway someone change the thread's title to Manga: Fairy Tail, why should this one be named differently from any of the other manga threads?

[Munsu]

Probably because it's not in the manga forum. Now stop waiting my time with your idiocy, the dumb stick couldn't have hit you that hard.

So, stop the trolling. Don't have much patience for it at the moment.

[Archangel]

Well it's good you're not around all that much then


And speaking of the 'Vegetas' as Archie calls them... the only one who would fit this role is Gajeel. Neither Juvia nor Wendy fill the category... and only those 3 have joined lately. Lucy doesn't count.

Gerard and the other Ice mage were also a Vegeta, Juvia could be considered a Vegeta and Ultear and what's her face are on their way to become Vegetas

[RyougaZell]

Lyon and Meredy. At least learn the names.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.243

[RyougaZell]

I await the inevitable Hades speech saying how he created Fairy Tail and the shock of everyone.

BTW... Archie is so gonna love this chapter :D

[Archangel]

BRB KILLING SPREE!

[Marik]

When Hades said "Katsu!," I thought he was gonna blow some shit up Deidara style. Oh, well... Sayonara, loli.

[Archangel]

You guys are assholes, she's not dead.

[Kraco]

It should still be shocking enough for the rest of them.

Nice action in this chapter, even if it proved fruitless.

[RyougaZell]

Yeah. Their combo was spectacular. Any other foe would have been obliterated.

[NeoCybercoin]

Awesome combo's but since no good people die Wendy is not dead. Also...next chapter...LAXUS. It has to be! I mean the title. "Thunder Crashes"

[RyougaZell]

Awesome combo's but since no good people die Wendy is not dead. Also...next chapter...LAXUS. It has to be! I mean the title. "Thunder Crashes"

Simon died.

[NeoCybercoin]

Nobody cares about Simon xD

[RyougaZell]

Nobody cares about Simon xD

Erza, Sho, Wally and Milliana do =P

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.244

[RyougaZell]

RIP Wendy. So I guess this is why Charle had that bad premonition huh?

What an ending as well :D

[Archangel]

Lucky motherfucking wooden clock...

It's funny how the author had Wendy go puff just so he could draw her in a new costume

[Kraco]

Horologium seems pretty useless in active use in combat, but I guess being a clock it's the fastest thing around and thus good for instant saves like this.

[NeoCybercoin]

Well wasn't too hard to predict Laxus like I did. Ahh well..lets see how he fares against Hades.

[RyougaZell]

While its awesome to see Laxus here, I was a bit dissapointed for him not having fallen unto Master Iwan's hands yet. Maybe this arc will tie up unto this somehow.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.245

[RyougaZell]

Say... what? o_O

[Marik]

It's the main character's time to shine. Looking forward to seeing this long arc end, finally.

[Archangel]

That be some major asspulling right there

Well if Natsu wins now it will at least make sense, we already know Dragon Force gave him enough power to deal with top tier mages and now he just added Laxus' lightning to all that

[RyougaZell]

No Fairy Tail this week according to a recent tweet by MangaStream :(

[Marik]

No Fairy Tail this week according to a recent tweet by MangaStream :(

Yeah, and there's no Shonen Sunday or Shonen Jump next week either.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.246

[NeoCybercoin]

Damn thought that was overkill but not surprised Hades lived. Would have been too easy. Now I (all of us ) wanna know what Happy and Co found. I'm guessing it's a dragon.

[Kraco]

An ancient archmage like Hades surely shouldn't be defeated in such a straightforward manner. It was an impressive show of power, but it really would have been surprising if it had worked.

I wonder if Hades's final defeat is tied to what Happy & Co found, whatever it is.

[Archangel]

Well it's not gonna be Natsu anymore that's for sure, i'm guessing the FT leader will come back without any guilt holding him back anymore

[RyougaZell]

That was epic. And I'm glad Hades wasn't defeated by that, even if the attack was epic as hell.

[-=DS=-S.W.A.T3]

still hasn't used dragon force yet

[NeoCybercoin]

I doubt he can use it right now since he is pretty much out of magic. Though they were also out of magic against Dora Anim or whatever that Edolas robot's name was.

[dragonrage]

somebody just needs to light the place a fire and Natsu will be as good as new once he eats. Pretty epic chapter though, can't really see how Hades will be defeated now.

[Archangel]

somebody just needs to light the place a fire and Natsu will be as good as new once he eats.
Yeah, and then Hades can kick his ass all over again.

[dragonrage]

Pretty epic chapter though, can't really see how Hades will be defeated now.

you forgot this part.

But you are right more than likely he is just going to get his ass kicked all over again. I think it would have to be some major team effort and what Happy and the gang discover is going to play some role. Also there is the ethos cannon thing to consider if that is still going to be activated

[Archangel]

Or the death mage is just gonna wake up from his slumber and kill everything... i dunno, there's a lot of shit going on in the island

[NeoCybercoin]

And we still don't know how he knows Natsu.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.247

[NeoCybercoin]

FUCK! I want the next chapter NOW!

[Archangel]

So i'm guessing that it's an actual heart pumping life into that ship?

[Kraco]

Was that last explosion caused by Happy & Co finally managing to break the ship, Natsu's attack, or Hades adding more unnecessary things to the mix in order to defeat already half-dead opponents?

[Archangel]

No self respecting villain would ever finish off their opponents without an excruciating amount of unnecessary power!

Whatever the reason is though, Natsu needs to get his ass next to the explosion and eat that mofo up

[RyougaZell]

Heh... loved how Lily now owns a Musica Sword. I love this references to Rave. And the guy that had Death tattoed on his forehead and had those screws besides it, he was also a minor villan character at Rave in Musica's arc.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.248

[toonice714]

Heh heh nice cover art for this chapter >:)
Good fight! Good night! I guess all those guys who weren't all bad can now join this guild like gajeels band of FT recruits.

[RyougaZell]

We still have Charle's vision to take into account. This shouldn't be over yet.

[NeoCybercoin]

After all...Zeref is still on the island.

[Kraco]

This was quite a nice conclusion to this fight. It's hard to judge how powerful Hades was in reality (without his external source). He had so many tough opponents fighting him that just about anybody would have been taken down. As it were now, the real fighters keeping Hades busy and in the mean time the little cats doing sappers' work in the background was quite a fair way of handling the fight.

But yeah, it's anybody's guess how things will end up with Zeref. He didn't seem as super evil as everybody would describe him. We shall see.

[NeoCybercoin]

Trained by a certain black dragon to wipe out humanity! A dark Dragon Slayer. We shall see what he really is. Also, Wendy was cute when copying Natsu move.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.249

[Archangel]

Motherfucker! How dare you to deny me Erza in a nurse uniform??!

And lol, BDSM Juvia

[RyougaZell]

I can't stop laughing at Freed, Bixlow and Evergreen's reactions upon seeing Laxus.
Gildartz mocking Laxus was also amazing.

And it seems Zeref finally did awaken...

What the hell happened to Meredy and Ultear anyway?

Lisanna manhandling sleeping Natsu... TOT

A chapter full of win.

[Kraco]

Indeed it was a chapter full of win. Gray being worried about Juvia, Laxus's old team happy to see him, Gildartz being... Gildartz. It's still hard to say what Zeref is all about, but I hope it's complicated and Jellal will come back in that arc at the very latest (assuming it's not already the next arc). Preferably sooner, because he's one of the very few characters who really faze Erza.

[Marik]

Chapter 250 - MangaZone

Chapter 250 - MangaStream & Binktopia

[Archangel]

Is MangaZone the new sleepyfans?

[RyougaZell]

I never expected a chapter devoted to the Grimoire Heart remains. And it kinda sucks Ultear and Meredy left on their own... I would have like them on Fairy Tail. At least Meredy since Ultear is a wanted woman due to the Jellal business anyways.

So Hades' ambition comes to an end after all.

[Archangel]

The first part was bloody difficult to understand, even in the binktopia version.

So basically Zeref was awake this whole time and only lost to Ultear because he was feeling nice? And apparently this acnologia thing is what's gonna fulfill the prophecy

[Kraco]

Yeah, like Archie said, it was pretty hard to understand Zeref's ramblings. There seemed to be a fundamental contradiction there, as well.

1) He said that if he values human life, he will claim more of them.
2) So, he needs to forget the weight of life. (If that works both ways, it makes sense he then can't use his magic much as well.)
3) He lost to Ultear because he had self-limited magic power. This also makes sense, because forgetting the weight of life also means he doesn't value his own life.
4) To beat Hades, he says that his power is back to normal if he forgets the weight of life. <- This is where at least MangaStream & Binktopia stops making sense.

To explain the fourth point, his magic power isn't actually dependent on how much he values life. It only works in one direction. The more he values life, the more he will end lives, but that has got nothing to do with his level of power as such. The only thing left unexplained will thus be why he lost to Ultear. I guess he just couldn't handle himself and losing was the easy way out.

[Dark Dragon]

Maybe it's similar to Dragon Force. Natsu magic grow more powerful depending on how powerful his emotions are. It's possible that this is some twisted version of that where his "death" magic manifest base on his emotions of valuing life.

[NeoCybercoin]

If that is the case then he really could be a dragon slayer himself. Dragon Slayer of Death. His dragon would be the one that attack Gildartz. Pure speculation but hey...would be awesome if it were true.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.251

[Archangel]

I laughed, and then i fapped, and then i cried.

Well not really but my point is that this was one roller coaster of a chapter

[Kraco]

Good fanservice, yes. Although what I actually missed was the scene of Wendy meeting Laxus. I would have rather seen that than Lucy in a bath episode #355.

But more importantly was that finally a real dragon?

[dragonrage]

It could have been the Black Dragon Gildarts faced. But if it was awake all this time and bringer of destruction, kinda makes you wonder why no one has seen it.

[RyougaZell]

Probably Zeref's dragon... making him a Dark Dragon Slayer or something like that :p

Loved the interaction of the Rainjinshuu and Laxus with Lisanna. Seems she even got close to them before her dissapearance.

Couldn't help but laugh at Gildartz reactions mentioning all the women he had been with. Though it felt very cheesy when he said Cana's mother was the only one he'd ever loved.

[Archangel]

Well we already know that Zeref is related to the missing dragons, maybe this is why. "Awakening" Zeref ( still not quite sure if he was ever asleep or not ) lead to the awakening of this evil dragon who's purpose is to bring devastation to the world. The dragons couldn't allow this and so are meeting up to discuss how to stop him, maybe there's some bureaucracy involved as well.

One thing is almost certain though, someone's gonna get killed.

[RyougaZell]

Yeah... we still haven't really seen Charle's premonition have we?

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.252:

[NeoCybercoin]

Oh fuck that was awesome!

EDIT: So if that Dragon really is with Zeref he could very well be a Dragon Slayer himself.

[Archangel]

Maybe this is why the dragons trained Dragon Slayers in the first place?

[NeoCybercoin]

I'm pretty sure it is. But if this is why some/all dragons trained Dragon Slayers.....then that single dragon must be pretty damn strong. Wonder why the other dragons haven't fought it. Unless there is some kind of rule that a dragon can't fight another due to the sheer amount of destruction it would cause. I want the next chapter now...

[Archangel]

Maybe the Dragon King doesn't allow internal struggles and that's why they're meeting him. The Dragon Slayers are the B plan.

[RyougaZell]

Holy shit... with this Charle's prediction comes true... Makarov is definitely a gonner. Heck... for a moment I expected him to shout at Laxus to take care of them.

If Makarov dies... it would be the best opportunity for Iwan to make his move... and with Makarov dead... no one will know Gajeel was a double-agent when Iwan calls him forward.

[Kraco]

If Makarov dies... it would be the best opportunity for Iwan to make his move... and with Makarov dead... no one will know Gajeel was a double-agent when Iwan calls him forward.

It'd surely be the most opportune moment, but it's not like it alone would matter decisively. Fairy Tail is strong even without Makarov. Now they'd even have Laxus present. Who knows, an external attack of a more manageable size than a fricking dragon could be just the thing to unite them and get them out of the confusion Makarov's death will create. It's hard to say whether Makarov left any sort of will behind, with Laxus still officially exiled and everything, so I expect some chaos.

[Archangel]

Oh it would matter immensely, i for one like to judge an author's writing skills by how they have their characters cope with highly emotional events and a major death is one of my personal favorites. If the author weasels his way out of this again... well i'd be very disappointed.

I agree it won't mess up their team dynamics that much but everything else should go to hell.

[RyougaZell]

My point wasn't about the Guild being strong Kraco... but rather about Gajeel's position. No one else in Fairy Tail knows about his secret mission (don't know if he told Lily). If Iwan calls him forward in the middle of the war... things can get ugly for him. Some of the members trust him already... but I dare say many still distrust him. If Iwan reveals he 'works' for him...

[Kraco]

Gajeel kicks Iwan's ass or some of his underling's ass? I really don't see your point. Just like nobody knows Gajeel is a double-agent, they know no better of him supposedly officially being a member of Raven's Tail. You think Iwan will roll out a member roster and the folks of Fairy Tail will pore over it, aghast how Gajeel is listed within? Though naturally it's up to Gajeel to decide which side to support, but I see slim chances of him siding with Iwan if it comes down to the final clash. Anything less than a final clash and he would need to be able to make decisions. Like if Iwan commands him to undermine Fairy Tail's defences before the main attack.

[RyougaZell]

In order to fool Iwan unto beleiving his on his side, Gajeel may have passed information on Makarov's order. So Iwan revealing he got it from Gajeel would earn distrust from the Fairy Tail members. He's just starting to win over some of them after what he did... this could hurt his chances for a while until he redeems himself. A point was made about only Makarov knowing this... so it would be foolish of the author not exploring this whenever Iwan makes his move.

Unless Makarov told the S-rank Mages (Erza, Gildartz and Mirajane) about his plans... everybody will believe Gajeel to be a traitor. And I don't see them looking well on traitors.

[Archangel]

I see your point Zell, but honestly i'm thinking they'll just go with "we'll trust our nakama regardless of all contradicting evidence because shounen!!!"

[Splash!]

Unless Makarov told the S-rank Mages (Erza, Gildartz and Mirajane) about his plans... everybody will believe Gajeel to be a traitor. And I don't see them looking well on traitors.

Wouldn't Gajeel be obligated to inform the new guild master about the mission? So unless he decides to forego that or there isn't a new guildmaster by the time Iwan makes contact, I don't see it as a problem

[Kraco]

If Iwan is to use this opportunity, he would need to attack while there's still little order and much sorrow among Fairy Tail.

Anyway, while logic dictates I'd still need to completely disagree with Ryouga's point - simply because nobody should listen to the enemy's ramblings in the middle of a fight - the amount of shounen shows where the good guys do take to heart the words of their worst enemy is so high that I suppose there does exist such a danger for Gajeel. However, even if such a thing did happen, I think it would go down the way Archie predicted. When Erza, the other two Dragon Slayers, Levy, Gray and some others vouch for Gajeel, I believe it will shut up the rest. I'm not sure even Laxus would protest, after everything he has gone through.

[RyougaZell]

That last post you made Kraco is the way I view it happening. Those that have fought and hang around Gajeel would vouch for him and things would be patched... but a little drama should and would be welcomed. If not, then the subplot of being a double agent would have been for nothing.

The Fairy Tail members that I would see more vocal, on Gajeels behalf, would be indeed Natsu, Wendy, Levy, Erza, Gray, Juvia and even Lucy.

Heck... I don't expect a long breakup or nothing of the sort. Just, as you put it, the good guys listening to Iwan for a moment. Iwan could even use this distraction to recover Laxus. I remember that was his objective after all.

But yes... this subplot should happen next, while there's confusion on Fairy Tail. It would give Zeref time to plan his next move (if he has any that is)

[Splash!]

Anyway, while logic dictates I'd still need to completely disagree with Ryouga's point - simply because nobody should listen to the enemy's ramblings in the middle of a fight.

It doesn't have to go down that way. Iwan could try to make contact with Gajeel to get an update and get him caught.

[Kraco]

Gajeel doesn't have any more brains than Natsu, so with Makarov gone, I'm not sure how much help Gajeel could be. Does he have the wits to play a double-agent all by himself? He might simply opt not to if Iwan approaches him secretly. Even if he does meet with Iwan, and gets caught, it's back to what I said earlier: He only needs to fight on Fairy Tail's side and I doubt anybody would be overly suspicious anymore. At most he would need to tell he spied on Iwan under Makarov's orders - if he bothers to say anything. Fairy Tail is a fighting guild and fists seem to be more effective doing the talking than a mouth.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.253

[Archangel]

Wait...wat? Time skip out of fucking nowhere???

[Kraco]

Haha...

What?

I don't know what to think of this. My initial thought was trolling by the scanlators, but I guess it can't be that. At least this gave an impression of the real power of a dragon, but story wise this certainly was the most surprising time skip I've ever seen in manga. The Fairy Tail people left back home and not involved must have been feeling like shit (to make an understatement). With all the prominent mages gone, I imagine the guild's prestige must have collapsed as well.

[Archangel]

By the way, they presented that kid a while ago and we didn't have any idea then either

[RyougaZell]

wait... what the fuck?

that came out of nowhere!!! holy... I need next week chapter now...

Isn't that kid Macao's son? http://fairytail.wikia.com/wiki/Romeo

[Splash!]

Isn't that just Macao's son?

7 years is a PRETTY LONG timeskip. Unless Natsu and Co. survived through some kind of time freezing magic, things are going to change drastically...

[Archangel]

Time freeze/warp magic would be some bulshit... you'd basically be robbing the audience of new designs, abilities, motives, etc.

But then again, how else would you explain the whole guild being missing for so damn long?

[Splash!]

Since nobody really cares about any of the characters in the guild other than those that got blown away by acnologia, the only purpose the timeskip would have served is to age Zeref.

Edit: Either that or it's just like Edolas where they warp into the future to get a sneak peak at what the future would be like if Zeref isn't stopped and then return back. I sincerely hope neither is the case

[RyougaZell]

Well... we do have that unknown girl-angel-whatever at the end. She probably saved them. How is the question.

[Archangel]

Whatever it is it's probably related to that mystery girl that turned up out of nowhere

And i'm still waiting on the vision and how Zeref knows Natsu

[NeoCybercoin]

Yeah I think it was his son. But man...way to end the chapter.

[Ryllharu]

Well... we do have that unknown girl-angel-whatever at the end. She probably saved them. How is the question.I would guess she is Fairy Tail's founder. The same who is buried on the island and granted Cana Fairy Glitter.

[dragonrage]

wow, that came out of nowhere. I am both intrigued and confused. Some major changes are coming up. Can't hardly wait.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.254:

[Archangel]

Downloading like the motherfucking fist of the north star!

[RyougaZell]

We already had an alternate dimension arc... my guess is that this is going to be a time travelling arc. Everyone will have been transported that angel unto the future, retaining their youth, and after solving some mystery they will return to their time.

[Archangel]

Oh wow... this is what happens when all the members left are complete bitches. They should have merged with some other guild.

But yeah... i don't see this lasting permanently, Hiro just isn't a good enough writer for such a thing.

[Kraco]

We already had an alternate dimension arc... my guess is that this is going to be a time travelling arc.

What's Makao's son's relevance? If this is a time travelling arc, perhaps that kid is in fact Zeref whose been time travelling and trying to achieve something, creating himself a horrible reputation on the side as an accident. That would explain why we have now got twice Romeo staring at the horizon and Zeref mysteriously missing Natsu a lot. Plus they don't look that different. Quite a stretch of a prediction, but it just visited my mind when I tried to ponder those two details.

Fairy Tail faring miserably was a nobrainer. All the significant mages gone it had little future.

[Splash!]

But yeah... i don't see this lasting permanently, Hiro just isn't a good enough writer for such a thing.

Yeah this could be something very similar to Edolas, although I expect it to last much longer. Unlike Edolas, the mangaka made sure that everyone who was anyone in the guild stayed together.

[Archangel]

I hereby formally accuse you of thinking too hard Kraco

[Kraco]

Haha, yeah. But it was hard not to think other things during this chapter because absolutely nothing worth of deeper interest happened in it.

[Archangel]

Yeah i have to admit that it was a little lackluster. After pulling that timeskip out of his ass i was really in the edge of my seat waiting for the author's next chapter but this was a total boner killer.

Edit: Fun fact, i just noticed that Lucy's mom died in the 777th year as well


Must have been one hell of a year

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.255:

[NeoCybercoin]

Well..that chapter went a little fast to read. Ryllharu was right. It was the first master.

[Archangel]

Oh wow... what a shitty and predictable development, not looking forward to the next chapter at all.

[Kraco]

It's pretty hard to see the meaningfulness of a time jump like this. It means they are all the same, but the world around them is seven years more advanced. Aside from Zeref and Iwan, does that even mean anything, because Fairy Tail members are pretty much the only consistent characters we deal with. And Lucy's old man, haha. I wonder if he managed to pull it off during these seven years. Maybe he's rich again! Zeref, however, has been around since times immemorial, so seven years mean absolutely nothing to him. Oh, well, maybe the next chapters will reveal if the time jump just had to happen to signify how much ass a dragon kicks or if it had a deeper meaning after all.

[RyougaZell]

Meh... there goes my theory of they somehow returning to their timeline. Only good thing about this is that Zeref probably made Grimoire Heart grow... or made his own Dark Guild. This time skip kills all significance of Iwan's subplot as well... having both Laxus and Gajeel among the 'lost'.

At least we know the leftover members won't ever have even a tiny chapter devoted to them... if they've been relegated to the background bunch that aged.

Levy hugging Lily looked cute. I loled when Droy and Jet got scared of Laxus.

I noticed that all the fairy tail members of the young generation we kept seeing on the flashbacks were among the 'lost'. Sure... Jet, Droy, Alzac and Bizka seem to be of the age of Natsu & co... but we've never seen their young selves on flashnacks... like all the others (Natsu, Gray, Erza, Mirajane, Lisanna, Elfman, Levy and Cana)

[Archangel]

Who's to say they joined Fairy Tail as young as the others?

[RyougaZell]

Who's to say they joined Fairy Tail as young as the others?

That was my point exactly. Those that were together back then are among those that time travelled. So its probably safe to assume that, aside from new characters, this time travelling bunch will be the 'main group'. That is... we won't see Bizca, Droy or Macao getting the spotlight in the future. Maybe Romeo... but thats it.

[Archangel]

I think that was safe to assume even before the timeskip

[toonice714]

Well that was pointless. Was the last two chapters a giant cock stroke for acnologia and the power of friendship?! Give it a rest! We are ANIME/MANGA readers/watchers we have long since had the importance of friendship beaten into our brains by far worse explinations.

Anyways, so now after that time skip I guess the only character that will probably get some burn will be this new kid romeo who seems to wield flame magic of some sort. Oh and the chick with the cowboy hat and huge tits for some good ol' fan serivce.

[Archangel]

Well that was pointless. Was the last two chapters a giant cock stroke for acnologia and the power of friendship?! Give it a rest! We are ANIME/MANGA readers/watchers we have long since had the importance of friendship beaten into our brains by far worse explinations.

Anyways, so now after that time skip I guess the only character that will probably get some burn will be this new kid romeo who seems to wield flame magic of some sort. Oh and the chick with the cowboy hat and huge tits for some good ol' fan serivce.

He's most likely a fire mage like his father seeking to imitate Natsu's fighting style.

[Splash!]

So the the guild had outgrown the world of magic from 7 years ago (apart from Zeref) and the only way to keep it challenging for them was to age the rest of the world around them? It's like the author got 2/3 of the Baram alliance (with Grimoire Heart supposedly being the strongest) annihilated way too quickly and realized he was running out enemies.

I don't necessarily think Alzack and Bizca have to get sidelined. Those two just got a slight appearance overhaul and got married. It doesn't matter if they aged by 7 years since we didn't know their ages or anything about them to begin with. Also, amongst all the mages left, the author seems to have preserved them somewhat. They seem to be going out and performing real missions unlike the other losers who just sit there and get bullied.

[NeoCybercoin]

And this series really loves the number 7. Lucy's mom dying and the disappearance of the dragons are both in the year 777. And now 7 year time skip. Hiro really loves that number doesn't he?

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.256:

[Archangel]

I really don't care about any of this... and honestly I'm still annoyed that we got a time skip with no power ups.

[RyougaZell]

I really don't care about any of this... and honestly I'm still annoyed that we got a time skip with no power ups.

Ah shut up already. Not all time skips have to be about power ups. This time skip brought a bit of drama and changed the world completely. Personally I find this time skip refreshing.

- Something big happened with Jellal
- Lucy's dad passed away
- Meredy and Ultear probably did something big
- Zeref
- The unknown #1 guild

[Archangel]

Ah shut up already. Not all time skips have to be about power ups. This time skip brought a bit of drama and changed the world completely. Personally I find this time skip refreshing.

- Something big happened with Jellal
- Lucy's dad passed away
- Meredy and Ultear probably did something big
- Zeref
- The unknown #1 guild

... yes they have to, power ups are awesome >_>

[Kraco]

While I'm not as negative as Archie, I feel like this empty aftermath of the time skip is stretched already. It's too melancholic for Fairy Tail. If there were the power-ups Archie misses, this all would likely feel completely different. But now we have the feeling that these folks were left behind and don't belong anymore. They only find additional troubles brought by the missed years. The weak, ramshackle guild as well might be more like a shackle. Without it, they might be better able to concentrate on figuring out, as a time jump group only, what to do next. But now they are diluted by the others.

Oh, well, by the looks of it we might get more melancholy by individuals (or small teams) going out and finding out likely sad things about the state of the world and the people they once knew.

[RyougaZell]

I wonder what Droy and Jet meant when they said they 'can't go out with Levy anymore'

[Archangel]

I wonder what Droy and Jet meant when they said they 'can't go out with Levy anymore'
Because then they'd be pedos?

[NeoCybercoin]

You mean they weren't before?

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.257

[Archangel]

WHAT A TWIST!

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.258:

[NeoCybercoin]

Well it shouldn't be a surprise actually to find out that there are other Dragon Slayers. So this Sting was an apprentice of Gajeel? And if that Rogue dude used to look up to Natsu and is a Fire Dragon Slayer as well then does that mean that he was trained by Igneel to be the second Dragon Slayer when the dragons discovered that 3 Dragon Slayers vanished?

[RyougaZell]

All the chapter I thought the Rogue dude was Zeref.

And how could Gajeel have had an apprentice? During his time at Phantom Lord or what?

[Archangel]

All of my wat all over this chapter.

[Kraco]

I'm liking less and less the development of this story. I seriously hope I will be surprised like never before.

[toonice714]

I thought dragonslayer magic had to be taught by a dragon. I hope they're not lacyrima dragon slayers....it just seemed like a cop out since you never got any moore fragments of the story about why all the dragons left during that year 777

[dragonrage]

Most likely they are gen two Dragon slayers like Laxus. A new Master is chosen he certainly is powerful enough. After the time skip things seems to be slow but promising.

[Marik]

Dragonflyscans c259 or mangahere c259

[NeoCybercoin]

Well that figures. Although it is strange to see one of the previous weakest mages of Fairy Tail overpower Natsu. Makes it a bit more realistic that everybody has grown stronger while they were ( literally ) stuck in time. But looks like only Natsu has a permanent powerup thanks to Laxus.

Also..maybe that old hag really is Grandine. Nobody said that dragons cannot take on human form. Would explain why no-one has seen them anymore because they look human and act like it.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.259

[toonice714]

Grandine is the sky dragon right? This should be very interesting. Natsu's power up was so random but that might allow him to recall other hybrid dragon techs. There might be a chance gajeel can do the same thing. That would make their team really jump in power

[Splash!]

Gajeel should try eating some of Natsu's fire and then be able to use molten metal techniques. Makes more sense than combining fire and lightning anyways.

[Ryllharu]

Also..maybe that old hag really is Grandine. Nobody said that dragons cannot take on human form. Would explain why no-one has seen them anymore because they look human and act like it.The other strange thing they hadn't resolved about dragons and dragonslayers is that dragonslayers (true ones, not lacryima powered ones) are all somehow older than 80 years or whatever it was. When Laxus revolted, Natsu and Gajeel were both trapped in the barrier, along with Makarov.

Certainly not suggesting that Natsu or Gajeel are dragons themselves, as we have seen Igneel once. Grandine was depicted as a ball of light, and the old hag is a supremely powerful healer.

[NeoCybercoin]

Well it has been said that a persons magic is their life force. Makarov being over 80 means his magic is also over 80 years. Or his magic essence to put it more simple. Since Dragon Slayer Magic comes from Dragons, could it be that the Dragons transferred a tiny bit of their own magic/life force into a human so that it can use Dragon Slayer Magic? If they did then it could explain why they couldn't get through the barrier.

Also that old hag keeps on shouting that she hates Humans.

[Archangel]

Not only didn't they get a power up... they got a power down...

Fuck this gay earth

[RyougaZell]

I'm more interested on the lack of Gajeel this chapter.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.260

[Kraco]

Looks like Mashima realised this far into the "story" that he forgot to have a tournament, and now we get it out of nowhere. This series really is in shambles. Let's forget Zeref, the big bad dragon of destruction, the lost 7 years... and have a tournament instead.

Gotta give kudos to the country, though, for being able to construct such a huge and ornate amphitheater so quickly - for obviously the tournaments have already been around for a number of years so the construction work didn't take even all those seven years. Unless it was already around from earlier times for who knows what bloody purposes and is now only being borrowed by the magic guilds.

[NeoCybercoin]

Well guess that solves the Grandine question.

[Archangel]

Yes, why take your time building a reputation when you can just have a tournament and kill all the fucking tension you've accumulated in earlier chapters?

I always thought FT was average at best but i was pleasantly surprised when Mashima pulled that time skip out of nowhere. He's handling it so badly though that now i wish he never did.

Edit: Oh and where the fuck did Gajeel and his cat go?

[RyougaZell]

Edit: Oh and where the fuck did Gajeel and his cat go?

Probably reporting to Iwan

[toonice714]

when mangakas get bored and they have no way to build their characters is there just a bulletin board or proverb that says: Fuck it have a tournament....

[Marik]

Chapter 261 is out!

[Archangel]

Dem shitsubs.

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.262

[Kraco]

It would be an understatement to say I was highly skeptical about the upcoming tournament, yet now that they began to train for it, I again get the old Fairy Tail vibes from the story and presentation. I guess just losing the melancholy and the lingering feeling the core characters would have accepted they were left behind by the times did the trick. They are looking forward again, intending to let none stand in their way. And of course providing plenty of fanservice. Too bad the other girls didn't warm up to Erza's suggestion...

Edit: Hah. Somehow I'm not surprised they got cheated out of the training time, either. Typical Fairy Tail. Typical also in the sense not so much readily apparent and systematic power up happens in this series at all.

[Archangel]

GOD DAMMIT HIRO! DID YOU JUST SKIP ON POWER UPS AGAIN YOU LAZY FUCK?!

[RyougaZell]

Hahaha... I can't stop laughing at the absurdity of this chapter. Loved it.

[toonice714]

Lmao!! Way to not so subtly flame hyperbolic time chambers

[Marik]

[MangaStream & Binktopia] Fairy Tail c.263:

Pretty sweet color page at the start.

[Archangel]

Recent studies have found a second bla bla yada yada

Good Lord, how can you be this bad a writer Mashima??

Whatever though, Meredy and Ultear got upgraded so I'm good.

[Kraco]

None of them is going to ask what's the catch in this too good to be true deal? Although, like Archie said, Mashima could have simply written such an unlikely element without realising there must be a catch. It's not like generations of natural mages would live and die only using half of their potential, unless using it all was a huge risk or detrimental.

But whatever. Erza finally met Gerard again. That's enough for now.

[Marik]

Weekly Shonen Magazine is on a break this week. That means no Fairy Tail, Kimi no Iru Machi, Negima, GE Good Ending, or Ippo.

[Archangel]

Meh, and not a single fuck was given on that day.

[Marik]

[MangaStream] Fairy Tail c.264:

[NeoCybercoin]

I laughed so hard when Gerard confessed that part.

[Archangel]

Why didn't Gerard leave them with the flame of Rebuke as well?

[Marik]

[MangaStream] Fairy Tail c.265:

[Archangel]

That explanation made no sense

[dragonrage]

It certainly doesn't. Something smells fishy. Didn't all the dragons disappeared 7 (14) years ago. I'm guessing this has something to do with the Guild Master. It has been slow for quite a while now, hope it picks up.

[Marik]

[MangaStream] Fairy Tail c.266:

[Kraco]

I wonder how long it'll take me to get back into a good feeling about this. After the time jump it took a while, and then Mashima had to make a special point of no romance by crashing the chapter between Erza and Gerard so lamely. Even these two phony new generation dragon slayers have to be archetype arrogant foolish villains. Hard to get excited about anything. I pray to whatever deities Fiore worships that Wendy didn't get kidnapped. A damsel in distrest subplot is the last thing we need here. If she had to be kidnapped, I hope it's for really nefarious and unforeseen reasons that have got nothing directly to do with this tournament.

[dragonrage]

I've been thinking about the time skip, maybe it is a way for them to fit in an filler Arc, since the manga and anime are pretty close. One that explains how the world has change and have the other members take the spot light for a bit.

[NeoCybercoin]

Well did not see that one coming. Oh and Elfman got buffed up.

[Marik]

[MangaStream] Fairy Tail c.267

[NeoCybercoin]

So Raven Tail appeared at last! Bout time! Also I think their main guy could be Gajeel since he is clad completely in iron. Also I wouldn't be surprised if that hooded girl from Mermaid Heel were that catgirl from the Tower of Heaven arc. Same 'whiskers' as say. Looking forward to this arc now.

[Kraco]

Also I think their main guy could be Gajeel since he is clad completely in iron.

Could be indeed. It seems unlikely Iwan would anymore fully trust Gajeel (not that a villain of his caliber would ever fully trust anybody, but anyway) after all that has happened, but I suppose he could give Gajeel chances like this to prove his worth again. Considering how little of the current affairs the core of Fairy Tail now knows, it might be very wise of Gajeel to try to find something out through Iwan. Plus a tournament allows him to fight, which is what matters the most to Gajeel, in any case.

But we will see.

[Marik]

[MangaStream] Fairy Tail c.268:

[Kraco]

Alright, I'll be the first to admit this surprised me. Fairy Tail having another team, that is. I was expecting Jellal to make a significant second appearance one way or another during this arc, so being included in the second team wasn't anymore a surprise per se.

I'm again getting back to being excited about this. It was faster than I thought.

Gajeel's comment to Juvia was exceedingly appropriate yet still funny.

[Archangel]

I'm not a fan of these last minute reveals, makes it sound like the author just pulled it out of his ass.

[Marik]

[MangaStream] Fairy Tail c.269:

[toonice714]

o.O this manga aims to please with its fan service! Best color panel yet!
~ahem~ so yeah...this is gonna be an awesome twist on an already classic game.....HIDE AND SEEK! WHAT?! lol I bet that raven tail guy marked grays magical energy or something. Sucks to be gray cuz now he's gonna get spawn trapped. he better use ice clones

[Kraco]

The Raven Tail guy looks too stupid to be this intelligent. Juvia's first action was hardly surprising, though. Quite a classic plot otherwise, to make the heroes suffer a handicap from the beginning.

[Marik]

Chapter 270 is out.

[NeoCybercoin]

Juvia fanservice ( Well kinda ) and next chapter its "Tits vs Tits" . Nice.

[Kraco]

Fairy Tail certainly underperformed. Although I don't really expect much from them in anything but straight fights. Although Gerard should fare well also in other kinds of situations, but he's not Fairy Tail, after all.

[toonice714]

I'm not a gray fan-boy but I really hate watching decent characters lose to losers and arrogant pretty boys. I hope he puts both those losers through a wall by their faces.
I think i watched too much Chappelle's show b/c the first thing i was thinkin about this match up was "....cmon titty.....COME OOOOOONNNNN TITTY!!" lol
I hope team A wins so Natsu makes luxus and gajeel act like happy

[Marik]

Chapter 271 is out.

[Archangel]

They have 2 fairy tail master next to that kid, what the hell is Lucy worried about?

[Kraco]

They have 2 fairy tail master next to that kid, what the hell is Lucy worried about?

My exact thought as well. Let's hope it goes down that road and she has nothing to worry about. Makarov should tie the end of the hair to some chair or column so that the bitch would get stuck.

[bigmarkg2]

as far as I know, Mashima Hiro had drew another manga before, the manga name is Rave Master. this manga get sucess but the manga is more suitable to people who less than 14 years. Though Fairy tail gets more change, and the style is more suitable to shounen. but I think it still has some not mature place.Any way, hope Faiy tail (http://www.mangahere.com/manga/fairy_tail/) get better.

[Marik]

Chapter 272 is out.

[NeoCybercoin]

I was always hoping she would use that magic again. Too bad it got canceled by that guy from Raven Tail. Still pretty good though.

[Archangel]

Dat fail!

[Kraco]

At least they now know it's allowed to affect the duels from the outside, at least if not too visibly. Not that I'd expect Fairy Tail to ever employ a simple winning strategy like that.

[toonice714]

Crazy....I thought this chapter was about to have some borderline tentacle rape via hair. Anyways I hope raven tail gets raped worse than caska from berserk. Those cheating bastards need to taste defeat

[dragonrage]

The administrations of these games are either total morons or don't really care about the rules that they set in the first place and are just obsessed with getting whatever goal they had in mind accomplished. I think Raven Tail is connected to all this as well, why else would they be there and be allowed in the games in the first place, they are after all a notorious dark guild.

The pace is good, storyline is a bit weak, I mean the First master being there and all, I would have thought someone would have sensed the magical presences of the hair or be by her side in the first place; her still being a baby and all.

Payback is guaranteed, Natsu seems to be gearing up to lead the pack as always. I didn't really expect them to be any good at the beginning. After all Fairy Tail was pretty famous and their abilities pretty much known, which puts them at a major disadvantage.

I look forward to the development.

[bigmarkg2]

Raven tail is so insidious!!!! Can not accept it, how I hope I can change the plots of fariy tail (http://www.mangahere.com/manga/fairy_tail/)! Poor Lucy, I hope you can win the fight. Don't sad, Natsu, and others can save the fight!

[Marik]

Chapter 273 is out.

[Archangel]

Won't they know something's up when Gerard starts using meteor magic?

[Kraco]

Won't they know something's up when Gerard starts using meteor magic?

Maybe, maybe not. Nobody knew much of Mystogan back before the Edolas arch, and now seven years later when nobody even wants to remember Fairy Tail, the laughing stock guild, I don't think the majority are expecting anything specific from him. A few old-timers might have their ideas, but they would likely first doubt their own memory or think the years changed Mystogan's tactics.

This fight should be interesting. Jellal was already seven years earlier powerful enough to gain a seat in the council despite having split himself in two. Unlike the Fairy Tailers, he hasn't been sleeping the past years; on the contrary, he has been fighting and getting even stronger. Jura should also be stronger, but he has been sitting in the comfort of an established guild.

[Marik]

Chapter 274 is out.

[Kraco]

Yes, they shouldn't have even bothered to participate if they only intend to be in charge of the gags... It's not like they couldn't have observed the magic anomaly Jellal was worried about from the audience. In fact it should have been even easier from there.

Man, I was really looking forward to Jellal winning with high magic. Now I can only hope this whole game will be stopped by whatever Zeref is cooking up in that city by collecting stray magic (if that's what he's doing).

[Marik]

Chapter 275 is out.

[Marik]

Chapter 276 is out.

[Archangel]

Why would they retcon the car sickness...? What a stupid retcon.

[Dark Dragon]

This entire Arc is just difficult to read in general, and it just seems like the author is purposely making everyone looks pathetic just so they don't win too fast.

[Kraco]

This entire Arc is just difficult to read in general, and it just seems like the author is purposely making everyone looks pathetic just so they don't win too fast.

I wouldn't count on us seeing an official end to the tournament. The background stuff might be finished sooner ending the games prematurely. After all, we didn't see an end to the S-class exam either. So, these pathetic performances might be all we will see...

[Marik]

Chapter 277 is out.

[dragonrage]

I feel sorry for Elfman, no matter how you look at it he is in serious shit. Win (highly unlike, almost impossible) or lose (everyone senses it) Elfman is going to be injured beyond help so wendy can come back in.

[Kraco]

This tournament isn't going to do much to raise people's respect for Fairy Tail, no matter how it all ends anymore. All things considered, including the prophecy, I'm inclined to think this can't progress till the end normally but whatever Zeref is cooking up will launch first. So, people will remember Fairy Tail was losing to everybody else as long as the tournament continued.

Unless they, surprisingly, start to win every match from now on.

[dragonrage]

I agree with the general consensus that the fights so far are lame, pointless and counter-productive. But there are a lot of angles here and a lot of loose ends. Yes this tournament will end before it's completion but for some reason I think it will happen closer to the end. There is no team eliminations so from what I gather it's point base, strongest to weakest.

I don't think Zeref is directly involve but someone that is acting on his behalf.

Raven tail has been a thorn in my side since they were revealed, I mean they are a freaking dark guild.

Sabertooth is a bunch of hot heads but they seem to have the fire power to back it up, and there is the clash of the Dragonslayers to consider.

I don't think the arc is going to end anytime soon and it is just the beginning of something a lot bigger, something that will impact the story greatly in the future. But there are a lot of major gaps since the seven year time skip and I think some of that will be filled in before Zeref's plan is completed.

[Marik]

Chapter 278 is out.

[Archangel]

Why would they need Lucy? She's been missing for 7 years, how can there even be a plan revolving around her assistance?

[dragonrage]

They probably need her stella spirits, she does have most of them in her possession. It kind of explains why they entered the tournment in the first place.

[NeoCybercoin]

I was expecting another loss for Fairy Tail but Elfman was pretty awesome actually.

[dragonrage]

I don't know, I mean how the hell do they explain Elerza fighting this guy to a draw in the past. He seems extremely weak now and they just gave him a major flaw. Two words "spiked armor".

[toonice714]

I don't know, I mean how the hell do they explain Elerza fighting this guy to a draw in the past. He seems extremely weak now and they just gave him a major flaw. Two words "spiked armor".

Arrogance has a tendency to weaken judgement and lead to ruin. It's very possible this guy would wipe the floor with elfman but he was just goaded into a war of attrition that he didn't think he would lose. Honestly he clearly showed his capability to win he just decided to embarass him as well as defeat him and it led to his downfall.

This whole secret business with the tournament counsel is more annoying than interesting. Whatever their plan is, I bet the goal is soo lack luster in terms of their plan having a large scale effect on the fairy tale universe as it stands. I mean acnologia is still running around! Unless this plan guarantees it's capture or something along those lines what is the point.....
Clearly there are much more pressing issues now that such a thing exists

[Kraco]

I hope the reason they want Lucy isn't directly one of the stellar spirits she possesses but rather something related. Like the grand magic she attempted but that was blocked by the Raven Tail dude or how they visited, and wasted all of their time, in the spirit world. That would open or widen the road to something more interesting than simply summoning spirits. Though with Fairy Tail being as it is, with little character development, I guess that'd be a long stretch.

[dragonrage]

Raven Tail participation kind of fits with Lucy (Stella spirits) being there. She disappears for seven years and then again immediately for a month after they all came back. But that might be a stretch, who know with how everything has been going, it might just be that hair lady trying to exact revenge ( i don't think it is likely). So far the plot has been sketch and in disarray, coupled with the fact a lot of things seem to being going on but it all seems to be moving really slowly, can make anyone confused.

So far this is what I gather.

Some idiot is gather a massive amount of magic energy for some plan on Zeref's behalf.

Raven Tail is evil and is after Lucy.

For a competition to determine that strongest guild, all the challenges and execution of challenges is foolhardy at best.

Anyways, there seems to be some kind of build up to something or the other but you can't really get excited or even feel it.

Fights so far are lame, I think the mangaka is rushing them so he can get to the primary motive of everything sooner rather than later. Setup is poor though.

[Marik]

Chapter 279 is out