User blog:LastationLover5000/Fairy Tail Anime Corner Revised - Daphne Arc, Episode 69: Call of the Dragon

"Yes-yes. Lovely flames you have there. The Salamander indeed...Yes-yes, I've been waiting for a customer like you...a Dragon Slayer!"

- Daphne to Natsu

Note: As this episode contains material not seen in a manga chapter, if you want to watch it before reading the review, please go here. Welcome to the Chapter Review Corner



Every time I walk through that door...it feels like the first time. To those new to the blog, welcome, to my continued readership, all I have to say is thanks.



Let's get things started...with a bang.

You know what they say. It's really good to be back. Now for the moment you all have been waiting for, the Fairy Tail Anime Corner is back because we just don't give up, and we're mixing up the show just for you. We explained this in the promo, but the review will be split into four sections. The plot review, which will be done like any chapter review, the aesthetics review, which will work like any episode review prior to this, and then the Opinion Corner, which will contain the opinion of the reviewing trio member who didn't do the plot or aesthetics review, and finally, the scoring. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

It's good to be home.

Plot Review
So the episode itself carries over from the end of the Nirvana Arc, and therefore, is an adaption of chapter 165, up until page 16. So, let's review. Ul is currently meets up with Purehito (you want me to call him "Hades", show me the legal documents where he changed his name) and mentions a coming event that will set the world on it's head. You all see Zeref. I see Future!Rogue and his dragons.

Meanwhile, Natsu and company are heading back to Fairy Tail with Wendy, as she's decided she wants to join with them. Lucy, meanwhile, is reflecting on the new Celestial Spirits she gained, and they are quite surprised to see they don't simply think of her as tools. I like it, it goes to show Lucy is far more suited to wield the Celestial Spirits than other people. Then there's my Ahatake. To him....female Celestial spirits are not tools, they're wives. And during all of this...Natsu is vomiting.

Natsu's expression is like "WHY ARE YOU ALL LEAVING ME LIKE THIS!?"

A welcome party gets thrown for Wendy, to welcome her and Charla into the Fairy Tail Guild. Macao, stay away from Wendy or I will break your neck. She explains her magic to the guild, who gets very impressed that they now have a third Dragon Slayer in their guild. It's reactions like this in canon that make the fandom think Dragon Slayers are the Second Coming. Stop it. Really, we don't need that. Gajeel is looking over the festivities, and starts to wonder why he doesn't have a cat. I cannot stress how funny that is. After about a week, Wendy starts to look for a job, deciding it's about time she tries one. Before anything comes of this though, Gray enters the guild with news for Natsu. Totally not suspicious, no sir.

This excites both Natsu and Wendy, hoping that the Dragon might have been either Igneel or Grandeeney. Gajeel is a bit more realistic, thinking it is a sham, and so, the two leave the Guild with Happy and Carla to search for Daphne in an inn on the outskirts of town. Erza, meanwhile, is shopping at a bakery for cakes, and orders 49 for herself and one for Wendy. Poor Wendy. As she leaves the shop, she is then attacked by a hooded figure that utilises Requip. After a quick battle, it vanishes. Natsu, Wendy, and the cats arrive at the hotel, but don't see anyone. I'm curious, a Lacrima controlled check-in system? If Lacrima can do all this, I doubt there are many people working jobs in the Fairy Tail universe. Wonder what that does to the economy. Since they can't find anyone, they search each room individually...I don't get why, when this is right there. There's standing out like a sore thumb, then there's this.

The door opens after Natsu knocks and Daphne introduces herself. She then tries to advertise her diet food in what is possibly several annoying ways that should be rendered illegal. I will be the first to say, Daphne is annoying. Per and Hana will most likely say it in their sections, but she. is. annoying.

But, she's hot, so I'll let it pass

However, it quickly turns out something is wrong when Natsu tries to leave and the entire outside world is missing. Daphne's entire demeanor changes as she reveals she's been looking for someone like Natsu. A Dragon Slayer. Natsu pretty much decides he's not sticking around to see why her glasses have gone all scary and shiny, and proceeds to punch the barrier again, only to be deflected by ice this time. Daphne welcomes Gray, who appears to be on her side, and Gray tells Natsu it's about time they settle that rivalry of theirs we never see. Daphne states that she wants a Dragon Slayer and orders Gray to crush him. Gray says his farewell to Natsu and begins to use Ice-Make.

Ice Make: Kamehameha!

Aesthetics Review
Animation: Surprisingly for a filler episode, this episode's animation wasn't too bad. A few goofs here and there; but other than that, it's not that bad. I don't have much to say about it, really, since there was nothing really noteworthy. As usual, the transition from frame-to-frame was fluid; but there were a few slip-ups.

Effects: Not much of worth here, since there wasn't much use of magic in this episode. The magic seals looked cool, though.

Soundtrack: Soundtrack was really awesome; as usual. Dem celtic themes really help capture the mood. It blends into the background; and fits so damn well; they had a perfect mix of relaxing tunes and chaotic ones to complete the atmosphere.

Voice acting: ....ETCH MY EARS. Daphne gets on my nerves, like seriously. Every time she talks, a puppy dies. Every time she repeats "Yes", a baby seal colony dies. Other than that, it wasn't bad.

Hana's Opinion Corner
Not bad, this episode. It is here that we remember that Fairy Tail does have decent filler arcs; no matter how annoying Daphne is, she makes an okay-ish villain; at least better than Hiro's previous arcs. Animation was good, voice acting was nicely...done, but shut the fuck up Daphne, I want to punch you in the face. Story could be very good, which I look forward to seeing soon; and the music was good. I loved this episode~

Now, let's bring up the scoreboard.

Score
Since this was an older style of Fairy Tail art, it was always difficult to judge, but 7/10 seems about fair, it's done by the anime studio, they will have their slip ups. The voice acting...everyone except Daphne was alright, and she was a major detractor from the episode as she happened to take up about half of it. Why? WHY did she have to be so damn annoying? 4/10. The story, it's starting out alright, a bit slow, but not bad for a filler arc. I'm interested in seeing where this goes, as it features Gray, who rarely does anything. 6/10. The music...it's Fairy Tail people, 10/10. Overall, it's an alright episode.

Fairy Tail is all done for today, but it'll be back next week with Fairy Tail Episode 70, Natsu vs. Gray!. We're really enjoying being back in the saddle, and give a thanks to Per and Hana, who did the Aesthetics and Opinions section respectively. As a heads up, we'll be switching who does what every week, and, Fairy Tail Chapter reviews will return to me as of tomorrow. I hope you enjoyed this, and, we'll see you around!