Fairy Tail came out the year 2006. At that stage in my life I was 11 years old. I remember back in the days I would sneak on the computer to read the HST. Looking back at it Fairy Tail was a series that was also popular around this time. I just could never get into the series, as I dropped it twice in my weekly reading of it. Now ten years later, I am now going back to the series. To see it towards its end, to see if my feelings have changed on the series.

The first arc of Fairy Tail is what the wiki calls the Macao arc. Like most shounen mangaka, it introduces us the the basic plot, main characters, and their abilities. We open up to the council talking about Fairy Tail, and how much problems they cause through the lands. This tells us the reader that Fairy Tail is a place where the protagonist are disruptive, and destructive. However, we are left wondering as the main reader about the redeeming qualities about Fairy Tail is.

In this land we are given a simple descriptive. The land is run by wizards. We are told that not everyone can use magic, but those that do form and join guilds. They even have laws that protect common ordinary people, and over wizards. This too me is great basic world building. As it lays basic foundations on how the universe functions in this manga. It also intices us as the reader to want to engage more with the world. As this basic information is easy to digest, as its simple enough to comprehend, but leaves room for more complex info in the future.

The titular Fairy Tail is something that is still mystery to us, but we know Lucy’s primary goal now is to join Lucy. Lucy so far is your basic shounen female protagonist, but the one thing that I noticed about Lucy that keeps me intrigued, is her ignorance. I think flaws about the character, and how they develop from them, make them unique. She knew the faux Salamander was getting women by using outlawed magic, but she was willing to let that go as long as he got her into Fairy Tail. I also liked how she was flabbergasted by a Salamander using outlawed charm magic, also being a slave trader. These traits will be interesting to see Lucy grow as a character. A character thats easily fooled, and cave to her morals for a goal. I call it youth.

Natsu at this point is fairly common stereotype. Likes to eat, doesn’t have the brightest brain when it comes to logical things, like not knowing Dragons probably would not settle in a human city. However, what I like about him is his tenacity. I do like he burns with flaming passion. Something I do like to see in my shounen main characters. His speech about always protecting his friends when he was fighting the Vulcan. Also wanting to save Macao so he can be reunited with his son was very heart warming. I wondered who are Natsu’s real parents, as I don’t see how Igneel can really be his actual father. Only time will tell.

There were things I did not like, like the Taurus summon wanting Lucy’s “udders”. I get that this is a shounen, and these types of jokes are in all the manga, but I just felt it disturbing in places I felt like didn’t need to be there. Maybe in my old age I have became a little prudish, but the jokes just don’t hit the same for me.

The parts I did like were obviously Natsu telling Macao son he was going to help. Aquarimus and her boyfriend line. (YOU DON’T HAVE TO SAY IT TWICE). I like the double panel of Elfman, Loke, Natsu, Gray, and Cana preparing for battle. Natsu speech was great as well. Overall my favorite chapter this arc was chapter 2, where we see the guild Fairy Tail, looks like a good time. While my least favorite chapter was the first one. Not as iconic as Naruto’s or One Piece’s main chapters, but still a good set up.

I give this arc a rating of 6/10