#ep76

One intriguing thing about this chapter is that Natsu doesn’t actually cry in the manga. I love the scene in the anime, with the heartbreaking voice acting... but here, he’s resigned. Here, he holds back. We can’t see his eyes, but neither he nor Mashima allows us to see his eyes. In the anime, he’s clearly crying, but here, it’s left to interpretation.

Natsu doesn’t cry, because he sees it as weakness. It’s not until he fights Gildarts on Tenrou that he learns it’s alright and breaks down in tears. The only other time he’s cried is in Chapter 100, with Erza. 

And I think this is so important. At this point in the story Natsu cries for other people, but never for himself. He’s so clearly upset, but he doesn’t let anyone see anything other than cold anger and frustration. 

I think it’s a great detail that every time in this chapter it seems he’s close to talking about something that upsets him, he turns away, and we’re not allowed to see his face. He immediately turns after Lisanna is mentioned, hiding his face away just like the paneling does when Igneel is remembered. 

It’s not until Gildarts brings up Acnologia that we see his face again, because that sadness has changed into shock and confusion. 

I know what it’s like to be in love. It actually happens to me fairly often … This one guy that I was like really in love with he like fell off an island and I didn’t really care if he lived or died. Um… and…

I just don’t feel that way about you and we’re just both gonna have to deal with that.”

Fjord: yes absolutely.

Beau: do you want it?