User blog:Ash9876/Fairy Tail 394 - Juvia vs Keith

'Ello, everyone. Ash is reviewing once again. Let's get going.

"We are aware that Silver was acting against us. The reason he went through all the trouble of learning Ice Devil Slayer Magic was also to exact revenge on us. Even still, that benefited us. We recognized that his anger and burning desire for revenge are what allowed him to extend his life for so long. Truly fascinating...such a wonderful puppet."

- Keith.

"You cannot sever the bonds between humans! Gray-sama's feelings...Father's feelings...They'll surely reach other...Even if they change form...feelings always remain in the heart! Because that's what I believe to be the strength of human love!"

- Juvia Lockser.

"As an Ice Devil Slayer...I'm gonna crush E.N.D."

- Gray Fullbuster.



So the chapter begins...differently than expected. It strikes us in the face - literally - but Natsu and Tempesta are once again duking it out, with Tempesta maintaining the upper hand it appears. Furthermore, Gajeel and Torafusa also comment on one another's abilities, while Lucy shows immense concern over Juvia's wellbeing considering the amount of struggle Natsu and Gajeel are going through. Good work for being perceptive, Lucy.

And bulls-eye! Juvia is evidently struggling against Keith while trying to communicate with Silver, who she refers to as her own Father; a nice way to indicate Juvia's devotion to Gray. Juvia, evidently going through a huge dilemma within her head, questions whether this whole development will really benefit Gray: Trust me girl, it'll benefit him in more ways than one.

I'd like to point out here that, either a translation error occurred, or Juvia referred to Gray without the honorific she puts on him all the time, "-sama." While a relatively minor point, it means that she is approaching this less from her own opinion, but from Gray's opinion - she's treating him as a friend. I think this really does signify the growth in Gray and Juvia's relationship, despite the whole thing being subtle.

Nevertheless, we have the "revelation" from Keith that Tartarus knew Silver was acting against them. And, like the group of Aizen they are, they manipulated this for their own benefit. Juvia, enraged by this development, attempts to strike a blow against Keith once more before he wraps her in his unnamed magic, replicating the lovely tentacle rape that I'd rather not post on this review. Juvia, struggling against Keith, has Lucy voice her concern before she is restrained by a skeleton of some sorts. Torafusa then states that this is the City of the Dead - an arsenal of weapons for Keith. Keith, provoking Juvia to kill him, has Juvia respond with a tearful cry:

I don't really have a caption for this because...really, there is no need for it. Hiro clearly demonstrates the human weakness that Juvia has gained because of the love and trust she has learned from Gray and others. Keith, apparently blowing her up and absorbing her following a lecture about human weakness and their ego, leaves the other members of Fairy Tail shocked beyond belief. However, Juvia is then shown to have been voluntarily absorbed by Keith by turning into water beforehand. It honestly reminds me of the thing in the Tower of Heaven Arc with Gray. Anyways, Juvia manages to rip Keith from the inside out with a bold declaration: Keith: "She was inside me...totally worth it."

I really couldn't think of much else, sorry~ Moving along now; Juvia, in tears, apologizes to Gray within her head as Silver contacts her once again. Remarking that, because of Juvia, Silver's soul has found peace, Juvia tries to apologize but Silver doesn't let her finish her sentence. All he then says is to take care of Gray, before Juvia solemnly says yes. Gray, with his head down, converses with his father one last time before a tattoo appears on his hand. With the revelation that E.N.D is a Flame Demon, Gray clenches his fist, and with his new power he boldly declares:

Scores
I have to give credit to Hiro on this one. The sheer emotion that he placed within Juvia's tears is something that I have to give a 10 on, in terms of his art. As well, the tattoo admittedly looks rather cool, so that adds to it. In terms of the story, Hiro progressed a little bit from before and gave a proper conclusion to the ordeals behind Gray's past. Being able to move on with a new goal gives him a fresh perspective and therefore, I'm going to give it a 6. The fight, while not too drawn out, had its moments, so I'll give it a 6 as well. Overall, the chapter was Good. I won't comment too much on the development of Gray with the Ice Devil Slayer, because I find it rather tedious to comment on. All I'd like to say on that regard is that, while it wasn't the best decision Hiro has made, it allows for the plot to move forward somewhat. So, for story-telling purposes, it wasn't a bad decision.

I hope this review was somewhat enjoyable despite being rather dull. Up next we have Chapter 395 - Tartaros Arc, Part 5: Ultimate Pain. So let's see whether Hiro really does have sadism within him, shall we?