Fairy Tail is a classic shounen with some great additions to already known formula. Like any watcher of shounen anime, we're all quite annoyed with sudden stop in action and some five minutes long talk that we don't want. That's the first thing I liked about Fairy Tail; when there's an action, it's only action. When it stops, then it's talk and then even more action. The second thing I liked is the comedy aspect; it takes light tone and makes it overall funny. Now, onto the main review.
STORY:
Since I'm one of those guys that really want a good story in anime, I was displeased with Fairy Tail. I don't mind not having main plot and that all the arcs are driven to it, but most of the arcs are just random and pop out of nowhere. Of course, there are quite some shocking moments you just couldn't see coming, but out of that, the story is not very good. Despite being typical shounen, I think the story had amazing potential and it simply failed to deliver.
Grade: 6
ART:
I've seen my share of anime with AMAZING art and Fairy Tail is simply not one of them. I'm not talking about the quality of picture but about enjoyment while watching it. It tends to get repetitive, a bit boring and usually, when there's no fight (even in fights) characters are just standing there with their mouth opening and closing in the same aspect without any other animation. However, Fairy Tail has one of the greatest animated fights I've seen so far and that's the only reason I've given it the grade I had. Also, I like the flourishes of the characters and that they are quite different. However, the thing I don't like is the lack of blood; yes, I'm a bit nutty-driven-blood-fan but that doesn't really matter here. Guys and girls are getting beaten to the point where their bones should be going "FU**" but there's 0% blood. If it had that, I'd given it an even greater grade.
Grade: 7
SOUND:
I rarely pay attention to the sound score but Fairy Tail made me do it. From the voice acting to the amazing background music, you are simply forced to like it. Every time main fight theme is played, I instantly get chills down my spine because it's really that great. Voices are believable and they apply to the characteristics of one character. Opening and ending songs are quite satisfying (well ... most of them at least) and I especially liked those "sad moment songs".
Grade: 9
CHARACTERS:
With the variety of characters, you probably think you'll get lost - trust me, that's not the case here. I couldn't help but admit to myself that Fairy Tail has the best characters (overall, to be clear) out there at the moment. I don't really like the villains but they're there for just a short period of time so I overlooked that fact. However, aside from that, each character in Fairy Tail is absolutely different than the others; each has its own motives, its own charisma and things that distinguish them from the others. Natsu is probably my favorite shounen main character ever there to be simply because he's ... just likeable. You can't help but to like him; his transportation sickness and then suddenly change to this badass Dragon Slayer and then back to his lame phase ... it's just funny and enjoyable. Another thing I like in the Fairy Tail is that female characters actually AREN'T completely useless. You can even say that they're superior to the male cast most of the times. However, when it comes to dealing with a main villanvillan, chance is given (obviously) to the main character but that is given. Even Lucy, young, overly-big-boobed girl with the lack of anything can still put up a good fight and isn't "OH, MAIN CHARACTER, SAVE ME, I DON'T DARE TO LOOK AT THAT UGLY FACE".
Grade:10
ENJOYMENT:
Even without being shounen fan, you'll enjoy this anime. It has comedy, a bunch of amazing action, loveable characters and so on. The only reason I didn't give 10 to enjoyment is because of the lack of a good story to follow everything else. Who knows though; maybe, in the future, it'll get far better but we'll see. What I like about this anime is that it doesn't take itself too seriously (Soul Eater is the example of an anime that went from great to the garbage) even though having few serious moments (Tower of Haven is my favorite arc simply because it has the greatest story of all other arcs and because it has amazing balance of comedy and seriousness...ness?). You will be surprised.
Grade:8
OVERALL:
Fairy Tail is above decent anime; however, it isn't great. It lacks story, the animation is not that great and it lacks blood (jk). I will probably watch the series until the end (unless it drags out like most of the shounen manga/anime) because it's funny, it's loveable and it isn't your typical shounen. The fights are actually fights that are not interupted with meaningless talk, characters don't explain bullcrap about their uber-mega attacks, females aren't there just for looks (but you'll see a lot of looks ... Which I don't like really; those outfits ... I don't even know how can they stay put on the girls with boobs as big as theirs) and the anime is actually fairly decent for a shounen anime.
Overall grade: 7
Conclusion: Shounen fan or not, I recommend this anime. My grade probably doesn't say that, but I followed my formula of what anime should had and it turned out to be like this. If you don't particulary care for a mind-blowing story, you'll 100% love this anime.
Cheers.
