I have mixed feelings about this chap.
Rustyrose as expected used fear to boost his Arc of Embodiment, showing Friend and Bixlow they are not that good (somehow I am not fond of Raijinshu, and while it's good that Mashima gives them some spotlight, they aren't interesting to me).
Bluenote vs Gildartz using bare fists (and bare foreheads :>) is not I thought I'd seen there. Theoretically nothing wrong, but some damage to environment as a side effect would be nice. Surely they are strong w/o magic, but I really doubt they would stop using magic power even for a moment during such crucial fight unless one of them is incapable of moving and repelling attacks.
Erza is agile as always. Venus Photon Slicer, WTF is this?! it doesn't look like attack suiting her at all (maybe it was used before, don't remember now, but even if, then I wouldn't change my opinion). Erza line would be pretty good if she wouldn't added this awfully boring "I'm... contradicting myself... aren't I...". Why Mashima is repeating this terrible mistake seen in a lot of mangas? Explaining obvious things is usually like insulting readers and/or spoiling the moments.
Azuma's Great Tree Arc seems pretty powerful, especially on this magic island. Destroying such huge tree definitely wasn't piece of cake, and Hades comment proves it. He deserves some respect then.
Ultear and Gray... stay longer in the place you are... After all there is no good reason to move for both or you... And have you noticed these trees, full of leaves, but somehow (magically!) not protecting them from rain...
So finally there is some magic used in Bluenote vs Gildartz, but hm... it's not epic at all... Bluenote winning part comes from Gildartz losing his power (with his great amazement), and it happens to all FT members.
Nice to hear confirmation that Gildartz is on par with (or better than) Bluenote, but we already suspected/expected it. Azuma's main mission is finally revealed by Hades - taking control of the magical power of Tenrou Island. OTOH Azuma acknowledges Hades wisdom - no surprise, he was FT master.
I am not sure though, who is explaining to us The Great Tenrou Tree thing. Using 1st person (we) means it can be Erza and her words are her thoughts actually. If it is true, then the conclusion is again lame, because if she knew it before, she should notice it long time ago. If it is Azuma's explanation, then 1st person suggest he was FT member (so other GH folks are too?, it would be going a bit too far, unless damn well explained later). Whoever talked/though here, it's kind of fail...
Another serious problem are Azuma's abilities. Is he capable not only of "grabbing" whole island magic, but really controlling it to the extent he can even also reverse it? It would be acceptable for Hades maybe, or if Azuma would only turned off this protection and magic enhancement (still it's a lot), but not reversing and draining power from Ft members.
And last page is even more scarier, because it looks that Azuma via island magic obtained access to FT members magic somehow (it's far more than draining, "With control of the island's magic, your power is at our disposal", which means he can freely, possibly to some extent, manage magic of FT users). It's ridiculous, because FT cannot do anything now if it is true (the problem is not FT's loss, but overpowered Azuma). Azuma's question is bothering me though ("Do you have the power necessary to save your comrades?"). So maybe he spared her to be able to fight longer with the strong opponent? It would be hilariously silly. But if he's draining power also from Titania, then there is no way she can win against whole island, which Azuma practically represents now.
Last thing, if Mavis is so protective, why he allowed Azuma to take control of the island? Even if he's dead, he still surely exists as a spirit/ghost/whatever on this island and at least this one thing he should be able to prevent. Please, only don't tell me he didn't do anything to make FT members stronger. Don't overuse this stupid talk, because there are limits...
I would be happy to see FT completely defeated once, but I doubt Mashima will go that far. I wish I am wrong.
2011-05-21, 00:35
If that is so, I will really expect to see the surviving members of Fairy Tail and their new character design considering the time skip. A lot of story to be told. I'm guessing that boy is Macao's son Romeo. Remember Natsu saved his dad? He must have idolise him enough to dress up like him.
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Graphic Designer
