#ft 537

Wow this chapter...

Okay the cover is edolas which is honestly an arc I enjoy, but here’s my only problem, where the hell is Mystogan? I know that’s the joke but come on!

We open on the defeated Zeref. Mavis talks about what the guild is founded on and Zeref admits defeat.

Mavis brings up that she is going to do to Zeref what he did to her using her contradiction curse, put him into an eternal sleep. Which is honestly an incredibly easy answer to a problem that people have been speculating for years on how it be solved.

And now we get what I think is the best part of the chapter. The idea and struggle of contradiction that affects how Mavis feels about Zeref.

Now as much as I like this there is a one major problem with this and I’ll get into it soon.

I’ll just let these scenes speak for themselves. Honestly this is really effective. I mean writing the contradiction is very interesting given the already confused emotions you probably are going through, given fighting a war against this person who you do care about.

And this causes the beginning of their death. Also Zeref is now going to kill Natsu because he’s going to die too. Yeah I’m sure that’ll be solved next chapter.

So by both giving each other love at the same time they kill each other. I’m guessing they kissed again

Okay the one magic being love was already introduced and honestly, I don’t have a problem with that. Like if all magic originated from the one magic and that magic itself is something effected by emotions and Mard geer stated END discovered curse by basing it off negative emotions, it actually makes sense that love could be the origin of it. Love makes you do stupid things, love can make you act like an idiot, love can also compel you to do wrong like become obsessed, but love can also be used to better yourself, love can be used to make you motivated. So the idea that magic and curse all spawning from the power of “love” kinda make sense. It’s still hammy, I mean, the power of love is goofy, but it actually make sense in the context of the series.

But now time for the crap. We cut to the FT guild members and...

Yup. Makarov’s back! Bullshit. Complete bullshit. Can this war have at least some SOME consequence for Fairy Tail! Like I had problems with how forced Makarov’s death was and I’ve believed he should’ve died a while ago but even so, you STILL can’t have him actually die? The hell!

And It looks like Zeref and Mavis can live happily ever after... Okay.now before I get into my post chapter follow up, I need to address the biggest problem with this chapter and that’s everything that came before this. I believe that this chapter could’ve been amazing if it weren’t for the fact Hiro had given us no reason to route for Zervis. Yes, he made them canon but the arc has never focused on said relationship in a way that makes it seem like they should get together at the end of this. In fact, just before this we had Zeref screwing over Mavis and her feelings for his own and stealing fairy heart, and while you could make the argument he’s doing this while having her future in mind he’s still disregarding her feelings about wanting to be with him. Moments that you could claim as subtle love like him not wanting to watch Irene take Fairy Heart doesn’t work because he’s still making her suffer. This would’ve been effective more with pre Alvarez Zeref but as it stands, you’ve not presented us with a reason to route for this relationship.

This feels like the opposite of the usual Hiro Mashima problems this arc, the build up for this was poorly handled but this pay off is amazing, whereas it’s been more common Hiro gives really good build up but poor pay off. Well we’ll see where this goes next chapter.

Post chapter follow up: Wow. This could’ve been, in my opinion, a terrific chapter. Like lets hit the positives first, this focuses mainly on Zeref and Mavis and by god it’s good to have a meaningful conversation. This talk about contradiction vs actual love is very engaging, and really feels like a good conclusion for the character of Zeref.

Another thing that I like, is this isn’t full redemption. Like, he still gets a happy ending but he’s not really “turned” but then again Zeref has walked that gray area for a long time (till Alvarez) so this feels more natural then say Minerva and her magical heel turn.

Also points for freaking remembering that this curse can do this Hiro. Though I still don’t understand why Mavis got insppired from the fight with Jacob to do this, oh wait let me guess, is it Natsu and Lucy are in love? Yeah, even if that was the case, that still doesn’t equate to how she came out with this answer.

Now the negatives, the build up is very bad. It doesn’t make me want them to get together so it weighs down what could honestly be a very good.

Another con is that Makarov is back, cheating death for a 5th time now. God damnit, look Rave revived characters who died that last arc, but they were main characters who’ve been constantly doing stuff. While Makarov has been here since the beginning, he hasn’t done much in years along with the fact that now there is no consequence for fairy tail. This war meant nothing. And even though Makarov’s death was rushed and flawed, there’s still no reason to bring him back other than “everyone has to have a happy ending”.

Final Verdict: 6/10

This on it’s own was very good

It in context however is weighed down

Another consequence undone

This is so painful…. Thanks to you….

Zervis –> FT Chapter 537

Kubo: Mine was even worse.

Mashima: ...