Battle Shōnen is the most popular anime series, withDragon Ballrevolutionizing the genre and shows likeOne PieceandNarutocontinuing to expand upon it. However, one anime that rivaled the Big Three and the rest of the most popular shōnen wasFairy Tail. This fantasy series was one grand adventure that saw the titular wizard guild, mainly Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Erza, cause chaos around Fiore.
While not forgotten,Fairy Tailisn’t nearly as popular as it used to be and is one of the most polarizing anime series. But some fans don’t remember how good this anime was, which is whythis list will rank the ten best arcs inFairy Tail. The ranking criteria include writing, moments, emotion, enjoyability, memorability, fan opinion, and how much it adds to the series. No filler arcs are eligible for this list, which will focus only on the main chapters in this fascinating story.
Fairy Tail
10Alvarez Empire
Episodes: 285-328
With over 20 anime arcs,Fairy Tailfans have a lot to choose from, but the Alvarez Empire arc barely cracks the list. With Zeref manipulating the events of the previous arcs, he plans one final push to achieve his grand dream by going to war with the world. Commanding an entire empire, the guilds of Fiore must band together to face their most formidable challenge yet.
There is a lot to say about the Alvarez arc, withmany strong and weak points. There are many great moments and phenomenal setups, but fans can feel the rushed nature of the arc, whichbreezed past fights and pushed important storylines to the side. DespiteAlvarez being a controversial arc, it still possesses many great qualities, which makes it one of the bestFairy Tailarcs and a decent conclusion to the original series.
Episodes: 76-95
Edolas is another polarizing arc inFairy Tail,but it has enough strengths to land it on the list. After seemingly having some time off, every member of the guild is sucked into a magic portal and thrown into a new world. However, they awaken to a magicless world with opposite versions of themselves involved in a plot involving the dragon slayers and exceeds.
Starting with the negatives, many fans didn’t like how this arc didn’t feature any plot relevant to the overall story and almost felt like a filler. Despite its lack of relevance,Edolas is a fun arc on its own that has aged gracefully. The character dynamics are intriguing, and the world-building is fascinating, making Edolas anunderrated anime arcinFairy Tailthat more fans need to appreciate.
8Oracion Seis
Episodes: 52-68
After a tiring ordeal, Fairy Tail learns of Oracion Seis, one of the dark wizard guilds part of the Balam Alliance that plans to destroy the world with its heinous schemes. The team must team up with neighboring guilds, including Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and Cait Shelter. However, these dangerous wizards are nothing like they’ve faced before in one of thelongest-running battle shōnen anime.
Oracion Seis is areasonably inoffensive arc with little issues, but nothing that makes it an all-time great. It is simply a good arc through and through, with enjoyable moments, interesting new characters, and a bunch of lore dropped. It also marked the time whenFairy Tailintroduced its core story with the Balam Alliance and Zeref.Oracian Seis is an important arc that changed the pacewhile keeping fans entertained.
7Phantom Lord
Episodes: 21-29
Fairy Tailcan take a bit to get really good, but Phantom Lord was the first arc that convinced fans this show could be great. After the main cast returns to their guild, they find it destroyed by their rivals, and diplomacy fails after they commit more despicable deeds. Enraged, the two guilds go to war in an epic battle, which will see only one guild standing.
As the oldest arc on this list, it suffers from its more archaic style but alsoprovides a unique charm absent in future arcs. Phantom Lord is a bit predictable and straightforward, but that is a strength that allows the arc to focus on fights, characters, and moments. Its simplicity adds enjoyability to create an entertaining arc whereFairy Tail’s remarkable musicis on full blast, and fans meet some new characters.
Episodes: 266-275
Flashbacks are an essential part of any anime, butFairy Tailtakes it to the next level by making the entire arc a backstory. Set in the past, this arc follows Mavis, her friends, and Zeref as it tells the story of the guild’s founding. They go through hardships together in their fight and friendship while learning a lot about the future antagonist of the series, one of thedarkest anime villains.
Backstories are always hit or miss, but the Zero arc was a home run. With perfect pacing, itdidn’t overstay its welcomebut had enough episodes to add something of value to the series. Getting to know the founding characters was a treat, and their dynamics were constant entertainment.The plot twist at the end was genuinely shockingand the perfectemotional cherry on top to conclude this beautiful arc.
5Battle of Fairy Tail
Episodes: 41-51
In a show with some of thebest dragons in anime, one of the main plot points is the dragon slayers. The Battle of Fairy Tail pits three of them against each other in a battle royale. Laxus is one of the strongest wizards in the guild, but when he becomes unhappy with its leadership, he sets in motion a city-wide battle where the entire guild bands together to stop him and his lackeys.
Fairy Tailfound its stride around here, delivering back-to-back-to-back phenomenal arcs. The best part of this arc was the fights, and while there were plenty of dull moments, the great ones made up for it. From Natsu teaming up with a villain to defeat a new threat to Mystogan’s identity to the heartwarming parade,the Battle of Fairy Tail had so many great moments.
4Tower of Heaven
Episodes: 33-40
Right before the Battle of Fairy Tail, the guild stopped by a resort to unwind after the fight against Phantom Lord. However, they never expected to encounter Erza’s old friends, who brought her to the Tower of Heaven, which she helped build as a child slave. Now, as a sacrifice to revive Zeref, Natsu and the guild must stop Jellal and his friends in order to save Erza.
Fairy Tail’s biggest strength is its emotional moments, and this arc waschock-full of tearjerker scenesthat are still ingrained in fans' memories. Jellal proves to be one of thestrongest villains inFairy Tailand a memorable antagonist. The backstory is the best part of the Tower of Heaven, but the actual stakes and deaths add even more riveting content.
3Tenrou Island
Episodes: 96-122
The greatest stretch ofFairy Tailis from Tenrou Island to Tartaros, and while this list will get into the latter later, Tenrou Island isthe beginning of a magical run. The guild is holding its annual S-Class Promotion Trial, allowing one of the candidates to rise to the ranks. However, during the trial, the appearances of the dark guild Grimoire Heart and a mysterious person wreak havoc on the island.
Tenrou Island gives fans the best of both worlds, from the enjoyable side battles without any stakes to dramatic death-defying fights that determine the fate of the guild. This mix of entertainment and plot creates one of the most essential arcs inFairy Tail. Major villains are at play, andthe plot twist redefines the show, cementingFairy Tailas one of themost entertaining anime serieswith plenty of dramatic moments.
Episodes: 234-265
While things went downhill after Tartaros, this arc still stands out asa defining experience inFairy Tail. This storyline sees the final dark guild of the Balam Alliance make its movie by attempting to activate face, a weapon that will eradicate magic from the world. The elimination of the magic council kicks off the series of events where Fairy Tail holds the fate of the world in their hands.
Fairy Taildoesn’t deserve the hate, and while there will always be doubters, some of the arcs are too good to give them any credence. Tartaros is one of the more serious arcs, but it still manages to deliver funny and wholesome moments to lighten the mood. These are some of the best villains who all have incredible storylines, mixing with the plot to create an unforgettable and essential arc with some of the best moments in anime, such as Lucy and Aquarius.
1Grand Magic Games
Episodes: 151-203
Finally, earning the top spot on this list is also the longest arc inFairy Tail: the Grand Magic Games. After the missing members finally return, they find their guild in shambles, and the best way to get their reputation back is to be in the Grand Magic Games. This epic tournament blends fights, battle royales, mini-games, contests, and everything in between. Split into two sections, the first is Fairy Tail battling it out with other guilds, mainly Sabertooth, and the second part is everyone teaming up to stop the Dragon Festival.
While some fans split the tournament and the dragon festival into two, they are technically one story, making it one of thebest arcs in anime, not to mentionFairy Tail. This arc has fun with its battles, plenty of new characters, and wholesome downtime, but it also deliversepic action, riveting battles, and a captivating plotunfolding in the background. The Grand Magic Games ticks every box, from emotional moments, intriguing characters, fascinating plot developments, entertaining action, and an unforgettable impact on the series and viewers, making it one of thebest fantasy anime shows. No matter if there’s excessive fan service, a lack of plot, or the overuse of the power of friendship,the Grand Magic Games prove there is a lot to love inFairy Tail,and plenty more adventures await in the100 Years Quest!
