The Internet May Have Saved Hiro Mashima From Making Fairy Tail One of the Most Problematic Anime Ever
- Fairy Tail shines with its strong storytelling and compelling character dynamics.
- In today’s internet culture, the show would face backlash over toxic relationships and fanservice.
- The over-s*xualization of female characters would likely face more scrutiny in today’s era.
Fairy Tail stands as one of the most notable shōnen series of the past decade. With its captivating storytelling and compelling characters, Hiro Mashima’s creation has secured its place among the most popular long-running anime series.
With its vibrant characters and epic storylines, Fairy Tail remains an iconic and timeless classic in the world of shōnen anime. Nevertheless, the series has had its fair share of controversy over the years, particularly due to excessive fanservice and its divisive ending.
While the internet loves to hate certain anime for various reasons, that does not always mean criticism is justified. Fairy Tail avoided the backlash most series face these days, steering clear of internet toxicity that would have backfired on the creator.
If the anime had come out in a different era, it probably would not have enjoyed the massive popularity it enjoys today.
Did Fairy Tail escape the backlash of Today’s Internet culture?
From splendid storytelling to compelling characters, Hiro Mashima’s Fairy Tail has earned its place among other massively popular long-running anime series. On top of that, Fairy Tail‘s highly awaited sequel, 100 Years Quest, is making waves online, solidifying and carrying forward the franchise’s legacy.
Fairy Tail may not boast the largest fan base, but it certainly has a significant group of critics who frequently criticize the anime for one reason that many viewers find minor or unimportant.
The anime is constantly harangued for its poor character development, excessive fanservice, and too much reliance on the power of friendship.
a little reminder that everyone in Fairy Tail would be dead if Lucy didn’t make sacrifices to save them… she saved the ENTIRE guild all by herself :(( 💖 pic.twitter.com/y5uufpnRjF
— Rosie 💖 (@TheLovelyyLucy) January 23, 2025
Fairy Tail rose to massive popularity, but Hiro Mashima may have narrowly avoided the backlash of today’s internet culture. If the series aired in this era, it would likely face heavy criticism and controversy, especially regarding toxic character relationships, the over-s*xualization of female characters, and more.
The show had a solid plotline, but its execution fell short, mostly due to the series’ incessant fanservice and predictable storyline. Moreover, Fairy Tail feels incredibly low-key.
Indeed, Fairy Tail is seen by many as everything that’s wrong with shonen anime. The stakes are rarely high, which is evident in the show’s generic and formulaic battles.
The major issues Fairy Tail would face in Today’s Era
Gajeel and Levy did not have a proper redemption arc—he did all this stuff to her, and she fell for him; it’s like Stockholm syndrome. Gray and Juvia were pretty much on the same page as that one. She’s just a creepy stalker, and a ‘love rival’ fixation.
Had Fairy Tail emerged today, Mashima would almost certainly be criticized for idealizing these unhealthy relationships. The lack of social media scrutiny at the time enabled these pairings to become canon, allowing Fairy Tail to grow without potentially redefining the focus of its narrative.
Fan service is not necessarily bad, since several anime do contain subtle forms of entertainment for their fans. However, Fairy Tail takes it a bit too literally, showing over-the-top character designs and revealing outfits.
The “power of friendship” is a common theme in many anime, where protagonists often turn the tide in losing battles by recalling their bonds with friends and family. While this idea isn’t too far-fetched, and its inclusion doesn’t inherently detract from the story, Fairy Tail relies on it as a form of plot armor repeatedly, making the series feel quite predictable.
The power of friendship is a double-edged sword as some will love it and others will absolutely despise the trope, but the anime is the perfect interpretation of the trope within the lens of a battle shōnen.
Fairy Tail and Fairy Tail’s 100-Year Quest are both available to stream on Crunchyroll.
