Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest – A Nostalgic Yet Divisive Return to Fiore

If you grew up screaming “Fire Dragon Slayer Magic!” at your TV or crying when Natsu and Lucy hugged after a big battle, Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest feels like sliding into an old hoodie—warm, familiar, and a little frayed around the edges. The sequel to Hiro Mashima’s beloved shonen series, which ran from 2009 to 2019, premiered in July 2024 under J.C.Staff (replacing original studio A-1 Pictures) and adapts the “Moon Dragon God Arc” across its first 25 episodes. For fans who’ve waited five years to rejoin Natsu, Lucy, Erza, Gray, Happy, Wendy, and Carla, it’s a homecoming—but one that’s sparking as many debates as it is cheers.

The Good: Miracles, Nostalgia, and That Classic Fairy Tail Heart

Let’s start with the stuff that makes fans pump their fists. The Moon Dragon God Arc throws our guildmates into a quest so dangerous it’s been untouched for a century: defeating five Dragon Gods who guard the elusive “Dragon Cry.” Early episodes lean into what Fairy Tail does best—found family chaos. Lucy’s celestial spirit antics still land (her panic when Taurus breaks another shirt is so Lucy), Gray and Juvia’s will-they-won’t-they banter feels like checking in with old friends, and Happy’s obsession with fish? Unchanged.

But the real standout? Mirajane Strauss. Fans lost their minds when she unleashed her Alegria form in Episode 12, a callback to her iconic battle against Seilah in the original series. “MIRA WON!!!!!!!!!!!!” one MyAnimeList user gushed, and honestly? Same. Watching her shift from her sweet barmaid self to a demon-slaying powerhouse—complete with that menacing smile—reminded us why she’s one of the guild’s unsung heroes. Elfman gets his moment too, flexing his Beast Soul magic to take down a giant golem, and their sibling bond? Chef’s kiss. It’s the kind of character beat that makes Fairy Tail more than just fights—it’s about people who’d burn the world for each other.

Nostalgia is this season’s secret weapon. When the original Fairy Tail theme song kicked in during the first episode’s guild hall montage, fans on forums lost it. “That OST hit me right in the feels,” one user wrote. J.C.Staff smartly leans into this—shots of the guild’s wooden tables covered in beer mugs, Natsu’s signature scarf flapping in the wind, even Happy’s “Aye sir!”—it’s all there. For anyone who grew up with the series, it’s like visiting your childhood bedroom: everything’s where you left it, and it feels right.

The Bad: Art Style Backlash and Animation Blips

But not everyone’s loving the reunion. The biggest controversy? J.C.Staff’s new art style. Natsu’s once-vibrant pink hair is paler, Lucy’s eyes lack the original’s spark, and some fans think the colors feel “faded”—like someone turned down the saturation on their TV. “Natsu looks so good in season 1, season 2 onward…” one MyAnimeList user trailed off, disappointed. Another compared it to the “Sun Village arc” of 2014, where colors felt washed out: “I hope the actual series has darker, richer tones,” they begged.

Then there’s the animation. J.C.Staff has a mixed track record—they nailed A Certain Scientific Railgun and Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, but One-Punch Man Season 2 and Date A Live III left fans underwhelmed. For 100 Years Quest, the worry is real. “Just animate the fight scenes at their best,” a fan pleaded. Early episodes have their rough spots: a few static shots during Gray’s ice battles, Erza’s sword swings lacking the fluidity of the original. And don’t get fans started on 3D dragons—“hopefully no 3D Dragons!” one user begged, flashbacks to clunky CGI in other adaptations fresh in their minds.

The pacing is another gripe. The first 10 episodes spend a lot of time setting up the Dragon Gods, which means less of the guild’s chaotic daily life fans crave. “Where’s the silly stuff?” one user asked. “I miss Natsu and Gray fighting over who’s stronger for no reason.” It’s a balance issue—J.C.Staff wants to build stakes, but they risk losing the whimsy that made Fairy Tail feel like a party.

The Verdict: Worth the Wait (But Manage Your Expectations)

Here’s the thing: 100 Years Quest isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s a love letter to fans who stuck around through every guild war, every dragon transformation, every tearful “I’m not alone!” speech. The Moon Dragon God Arc has big, bombastic fights (Natsu’s Dragon Force vs. Selene, the Moon Dragon God, is insane), heartwarming moments (Wendy healing Carla after a battle), and enough callbacks to make you grin like an idiot.

But it’s not perfect. The art style takes getting used to, the animation has blips, and the pacing can drag. If you’re a diehard fan who just wants to see Natsu punch something and Lucy laugh, you’ll have a blast. If you’re expecting the polished perfection of the original’s peak seasons? You might be let down.

At the end of the day, Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest is like a guild meeting—messy, loud, and full of people you love. It’s not the best Fairy Tail has ever been, but it’s ours. And in a world where so many sequels forget their roots? That’s more than enough.

So grab your guild mark tattoo (or just a snack), sit back, and let Natsu yell “I’m gonna eat you!” at a dragon. It’s good to be home.

Final Score: 7/10 – Nostalgic fun with a few kinks, but still Fairy Tail through and through.

P.S. If J.C.Staff brings back the “Dragon Force” OST for the final battle? 10/10, no notes.