#defining redemption

This is a topic I don’t see discussed much in the community, and I’ve had a lot of thoughts on it for a while. I wasn’t sure how to put them all together, but at this point, I’d rather just lay it all out and see where it leads.

So, Jellal.

Let’s talk about him.

I’m going in—no holds barred.

A controversial but valid take : Jellal Fernandes’s redemption arc in Fairy Tail is a mess—not because he doesn’t deserve redemption, but because the execution constantly undermines itself. His atonement is passive, his agency is stripped away, and worst of all, the narrative can’t even decide what his sins actually are.

The result? A redemption arc that feels hollow, repetitive, and ultimately wasted.

And no, this has nothing to do with Erza’s perspective. The flaws in Jellal’s redemption exist entirely within his story.

Let’s break it down.

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1. Jellal’s Redemption Feels Passive, Not Active

A real redemption arc requires action. The character has to do something to prove their growth and atonement. But Jellal’s entire post-redemption existence is spent wallowing in guilt rather than taking meaningful steps toward redemption.

• He constantly isolates himself.

• He avoids forming real relationships.

• He treats suffering as the only way to atone.

That’s not atonement. That’s self-flagellation. The fact that he feels bad doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t help anyone. Redemption should be about making things right, not just feeling sorry.

What Should’ve Happened Instead :

Instead of self-imposed exile and moping, Jellal should have been actively working to undo the damage he caused. He should have been using his skills to actually help those he harmed rather than just punishing himself in silence.

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2. His Redemption Feels Hollow Because the Narrative Keeps Changing His Crimes

The biggest problem with Jellal’s redemption arc is that we’re never given a clear, consistent answer about what he’s actually atoning for.

• If Jellal was brainwashed, why is he acting like he committed those crimes with full agency?

• If he did have some control, why isn’t that explored in more depth?

• Why does the story fluctuate between “he was a helpless victim” and “he must punish himself forever”?

His guilt is inconsistent. One moment, he’s written as a victim of Ultear’s manipulation, completely absolved of responsibility. The next, he’s treating himself as irredeemable, despite the fact that he wasn’t even in control of his actions.

So which is it? Is he responsible, or isn’t he? The narrative refuses to commit, and that’s what makes his redemption feel hollow. You can’t have a compelling redemption arc if the story won’t even define what he’s being redeemed for.

What Should’ve Happened Instead :

Pick a lane. If Jellal is a victim, then his arc should be about reclaiming his agency, not punishing himself. If he did have some control over his actions, then the story should explore that moral conflict rather than sweeping it under the rug.

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3. Crime Sorcière Was a Step in the Right Direction… Until It Wasn’t

For a while, it seemed like Fairy Tail was actually setting Jellal up for a solid redemption arc. Crime Sorcière was the perfect solution—it allowed him to work from the shadows, dismantling dark guilds and actually making a difference.

And then… that got taken away from him.

Why? Because the story decided that Jellal’s entire character should revolve around guilt and self-sabotage. Instead of allowing him to build something meaningful, Fairy Tail yanks away his purpose and throws him right back into exile.

It’s frustrating because this was the perfect setup for his redemption. Crime Sorcière gave him agency, direction, and a reason to move forward. But the story took that from him, just so he could keep playing the role of the miserable sinner.

What Should’ve Happened Instead :

Let Jellal actually stay with Crime Sorcière. Let him commit to the cause instead of running in circles with his guilt. The idea of a rogue mage dismantling dark guilds from within had so much potential, but Fairy Tail threw it away.

Or, if Crime Sorcière’s dissolution was inevitable, then give him something of a similar accord—something that keeps his efforts alive and shows that, even with the odds against him, he continues striving to change for the better.

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4. The Hypocrisy of Recruiting Oración Seis

Let’s talk about the biggest contradiction in Jellal’s so-called redemption: Crime Sorcière inducting Oración Seis.

• If Jellal is so consumed by guilt, why does he think he has the right to recruit criminals who actually chose to do evil?

• If he truly believes he’s irredeemable, then why does he get to decide that they are worthy of redemption?

• Unlike him, Oración Seis were not brainwashed. They acted on their own free will. How does he see himself as worse than them?

It makes no sense. If Jellal truly believes he’s the “sinless sinner” who can never be redeemed, then his logic falls apart when he extends redemption to others who were far more culpable.

It’s hypocritical, and it completely undermines his whole self-imposed guilt complex.

What Should’ve Happened Instead :

Either Jellal accepts that redemption is possible for himself or he doesn’t try to force it on others. You can’t have it both ways.

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5. Wasted Potential for a Post-Redemption Role

Jellal is one of the most intelligent and powerful mages in the series. He has tactical knowledge, combat prowess, and leadership skills. He should have been a key figure in the battle against dark forces.

Instead, he’s reduced to a wandering tragic figure with no real direction.

• He could have been an informant or strategist.

• He could have helped dismantle corrupt systems within the Magic Council.

• He could have worked from the shadows to prevent future Towers of Heaven.

But instead of actually doing something with his redemption, Jellal is left with nothing. He has no agency, no drive, and no lasting impact. Fairy Tail strips him of every opportunity to turn his past into something meaningful.

What Should’ve Happened Instead :

Let Jellal use his past experiences to actively prevent future disasters. Let him be a force in reshaping the magical world instead of keeping him stuck in a loop of self-hatred.

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Final Thoughts: Why Jellal’s Redemption Arc Really Fails

A strong redemption arc should :

• Clearly define the character’s sins.

• Show them taking active steps toward atonement.

• Give them a meaningful post-redemption role.

Jellal’s arc fails on all three counts.

• His crimes are inconsistent—sometimes he’s guilty, sometimes he’s a victim.

• His atonement is passive rather than active.

• His redemption arc strips him of agency instead of giving him purpose.

And none of these flaws have anything to do with Erza.

Jellal’s redemption should have been about Jellal. Not Erza’s perspective. Not Fairy Tail’s approval. Him. But the story refused to commit, leaving his arc feeling hollow and wasted.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions—no, this isn’t an anti-Erza take. The flaws in Jellal’s redemption have nothing to do with her. My issue is with how the narrative fails him as a character, independent of her presence.

And with that, I’ve said my piece. Jellal’s redemption had the potential to be something compelling, but instead, it was a fragmented mess that robbed him of his agency and clarity. He deserved better writing, plain and simple.

Jellal Fernandes had all the makings of a phenomenal redemption story. The series just didn’t follow through.

What do you think? Would you have wanted to see a stronger, more active redemption arc for Jellal? What changes would you have made?

Let me know what your thoughts are 💭

Edit: Below is an elaborative long post that continues the conversation started here and goes in depth with this presented argument and so much more in regards to Jellal, his writing, Erza, Jerza’s dynamic and beyond.

If you were interested in this current post, I hope that if you do check out the beneath master post, that it’s also something interesting to digest and that it can keep your attention.