In this post, I’ll go over the very first episode of Fairy Tail. It was one of my first anime, and as such it will always hold a special place in my heart. If you haven’t seen it, or you’re interested in watching it again, you can pick up the first 24 episodes here (that’s my affiliate link, so you won’t pay more, but it’ll support what I do here.) The show can also be watched on services such as Netflix and Crunchyroll.

With that out of the way, let’s get to the main attraction!

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The adventure opens with an aerial view of a beautiful port town, as the narrator gives us the name, Hargeon. Then, the scenery shifts to that of a bustling train station, where one train has just arrived.

Conductor: Um, sir?

Suddenly, a vibrant blue cat pops up onto the screen as we get a first-person view of the inside of the train.

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This cat is, of course, Happy, one of our main characters! I won’t get into too much detail, but all you really need to know for now is that he’s a magical blue cat who can talk, fight (not very effectively) and even fly!

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Happy: Natsu, we’re here! Hargeon! Get up! Get up!

The oddly-colored feline is then seen shaking and trying to get the attention of his friend (and another very important character), Natsu Dragneel, who’s laying on the floor of the train

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Though you’re not meant to know it at this point, Natsu is a wizard from the magic guild Fairy Tail! Another thing you shouldn’t really know at this point is that he uses a special, rare kind of magic that allows him to eat fire to power up and use his own very powerful flame attacks. Basically, all you’re supposed to know right now is that he’s got pink hair, a talking cat, and a mad case of motion sickness.

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Conductor: Is he alright?

Happy: Aye! He always gets like this.

Natsu is seen with a pained expression on his face while he lays on the floor.

Natsu: I can’t handle it… I’ll never take the train again…

Then, his cheeks suddenly puff out, indicating that he’s ready to lose his lunch and any other contents of his stomach. Meanwhile, Happy has already started out the door.

Happy: If the info is correct, “Salamander” should be in this town. Let’s go.

Natsu is seen leaning out the window while his friend speaks.

Natsu: L-Let me rest for a bit…

But before the hero can have his rest, more coal is loaded into the train and it once again starts moving… With Natsu still inside! Happy turns around to see the train racing off while Natsu dangles out the window, crying.

Natsu: Save me!

The cat watches while his friend disappears into the distance.

Happy: It departed.

After a short title card, we find ourselves at a small magic store in Hargeon. Here, we’re introduced to yet another main character.

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Lucy Heartfilia is an ambitious girl whose dream is to join a guild and become a wizard. She especially wants to find her way into the famous Fairy Tail guild. She is a celestial wizard, meaning she uses magical keys to summon spirits from another world to aid her in battle.

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Lucy: What? There’s only one magic store in this entire town?

She is leaning on the counter in the small shop with a distressed expression.

Shop Owner: Yes. This town lives off the fishing business instead of magic. Not even a tenth of the people in this town use magic, so this store specializes in selling to traveling wizards.

Lucy sighs.

Lucy: I guess this was a total bust, then?

Shop Owner: Now, now, don’t say that. Please, have a look. I have a lot of new merchandise, you know. Girls just love this ColorS magic. You can switch the color of your clothes to whatever you feel like that day!

The man happily holds up a small magical device and fiddles with it, then suddenly his green shirt turns purple.

Shop Owner: Change! Like this!

Lucy isn’t even watching.

Lucy: I already have that one.

Shop Owner: Yeah!

Lucy: I’m shopping for some powerful gate keys.

Shop Owner: Gates, huh? Those are rare…

Meanwhile, Lucy seems to have noticed something.

Lucy: This is the white puppy, White Doggy!

She is happily examining a silver gate key.

Shop Owner: That one’s not powerful at all.

Lucy: So what? I was looking for it… How much?

Shop Owner: 20,000 jewel

Both Lucy and the owner take on dark expressions.

Lucy: How much might it be again?

Shop Owner: Like I said, 20,000 jewel.

Lucy sits herself on the counter in front of him.

Lucy: Come on, how much is it, really, you wonderful old man you…

Then, she winks (with a little heart coming out, how sweet). The scene then cuts to her walking angrily down the street.

Lucy: He only knocked off 1,000 jewel? So my looks are worth only 1,000 jewel? That’s nothing! It pisses me off… If that’s about all I can get, then…

Lucy turns at the sound of a crowd of girls squealing in the distance. She looks over a railing where the crowd had gathered on the street below.

Girl1: You said that a famous wizard’s come to town?

Girl2: It’s Salamander-sama!

The girls run past Lucy, excited.

Lucy: Salamander?

She smiles widely.

Lucy: The one they say can use fire magic you can’t buy in a store? He’s in this town?

We then cut to Natsu as he stomps down the street with Happy in tow.

Natsu: Damn, I ended up taking the train again.

Happy: And you’re no good at riding things, Natsu.

Natsu: Not to mention I’m starving…

Happy: And we don’t have any money.

Natsu: Say, Happy… This “salamander” is Igneel, right?

Happy: Yeah! I doubt a fire dragon would be anyone but Igneel, right?

Natsu: Yeah, that’s right.

They stop when they see a large crowd in front of them and hear a girl shouting.

Girls: Salamander-sama! You’re so wonderful! Burn me!

Happy and Natsu turn to each other excitedly.

Natsu/Happy: Salamander!

They both take off running toward the crowd.

Natsu: See? Talk about somebody, and they show up!

Happy: Aye!

In the crowd, a confident-looking man with deep blue hair and two rings on his right hand is posing and gesturing to the girls around him. This is the supposed “Salamander”

Salamander: Lovely!

The girls all squeal with hearts in their eyes. Lucy is seen blushing toward the back of the crowd.

Lucy: Why is my heart beating this fast? Hey, what’s gotten into me?

Salamander: Captivated, aren’t you?

He smiles toward the crowd, then turns his head to glance in Lucy’s general direction.

Lucy: He looked at me!

She clutches her chest with a deep blush on her face.

Lucy: Am I this excited because he’s a famous wizard?

She then blinks and hearts appear in her eyes as well.

Lucy: Could it be? Is he the one…

Natsu suddenly breaks through the crowd with a smile on his face.

Natsu: Igneel!

When she looks at him, the hearts in Lucy’s eyes shatter into pieces and she gasps in shock.

Natsu: Who the heck are you?

Salamander jumps back, shocked.

Salamander: If I said Salamander, would that ring a bell?

But Natsu was walking away without even looking.

Salamander: He’s already gone!

Bad choice, Natsu. He’s suddenly attacked by multiple girls.

Girls: How rude of you! Yeah! Salamander-sama is an amazing wizard! Apologize to him!

Natsu: What’s wrong with you people?

Salamander: Now, now… Just leave it at that. It’s not like he meant any harm by it.

The girls all shift from angry to heart-eyed once again. Meanwhile, Lucy’s eyes narrow in suspicion.

Girls: He’s so kind!

Salamander writes his name stylized on a board and tries to hand it to Natsu.

Salamander: Here is my autograph. Feel free to show it off to your friends.

Natsu: No thanks.

The girls are once again infuriated, and in an instant Natsu is laying on the ground, twitching.

Happy: I guess we got the wrong person.

Salamander: Now then, I have some business at the next port, so if you’ll excuse me…

Girls: What? You’re leaving already?

Salamander: Red Carpet!

He snaps his fingers and a glyph appears in front of him, producing a spiral of purple flames to carry him into the air.

Salamander: I’m having a party on my ship this evening! Everyone, please attend!

He then uses his magic to blast into the distance, while the girls scream with excitement.

Girls: Of course!

Natsu: Who the heck was that guy?

Lucy: What a scumbag. Thanks a lot.

She waves to Natsu cheerfully.

Natsu: Huh?

After an intermission card, we see the outside of a restaurant.

Lucy: I’m Lucy. Nice to meet you!

Happy: Aye!

Natsu is too busy eating to respond. Lucy looks dejectedly while he continues to stuff his face with food.

Lucy: Natsu and Happy, was it?

Natsu: You’re really nice.

Lucy: Thanks, sure… Just take your time and…

Food is flying past her and bouncing off her seat.

Lucy: I’m kind of in the splash zone here…

She looks angry as some orange substance drips down her forehead.

Lucy: …and there goes that 1,000 jewel I saved with my looks… See, that Salamander guy was using a Charm spell, a type of hypnosis spell. That kind of magic can make people attracted to you, but its sale was banned years ago. He’d go that far just to be popular? What a creepy jerk. But thanks to you barging in the Charm was lifted, so this is my way of saying thanks.

Natsu: I see.

Lucy: I know I don’t seem like it, but I’m actually a wizard myself! I haven’t joined a guild yet, though. Oh yeah, guilds are places where wizards gather to share information and take on jobs. You can’t be said to be a full-fledged wizard unless you’ve joined a guild. But, but… There are guilds all over the world, and it’s really difficult to get into the popular ones, see! The one I want to get into, see, has like a ton of amazing wizards, and… Oh, what am I to do? I want to join up, but I bet it’s really tough…

Natsu: Uh…

Lucy: Oh, I’m sorry! I’m just blabbing on about the world of wizards and stuff… This is all gibberish to you, isn’t it? But I’m totally going to join that guild. I bet I could get a bunch of big jobs with them.

Natsu: Y-You think?

Happy: You sure talk a lot.

Lucy: Oh yeah… It looked like you guys were searching for someone.

Happy: Aye! Igneel!

Natsu: I’d heard that a salamander had come to this town, so it’s good we checked it out. But I guess it was someone else.

Happy: He didn’t look like a salamander.

Natsu: They’re fire dragons, so I really thought it would be Igneel.

Lucy: What kind of human looks like a fire dragon?

Natsu and Happy look at her confused.

Natsu: He’s not human. Igneel’s an actual dragon.

The image of a giant, fire breathing dragon appear’s in Lucy’s thoughts.

Happy: Aye! He’s a real dragon.

Lucy gasps.

Narrator: Even in this world of magic, dragons are extremely rare creatures that are hardly ever seen.

Lucy: Something like that wouldn’t be in the middle of a town!

Both Natsu and Happy look like they’re about to respond, but end up just freezing with nothing to say.

Lucy: You just realized this, now?!

Lucy places money on the table and starts to walk away.

Lucy: Anyway, I have to get going, so take your time.

Waitress: Thank you, come again.

The waitress freezes with shock, and Lucy turns to find both Happy and Natsu bowed with their heads to the floor in front of her.

Natsu: We appreciate your kindness!

Happy: Kindness!

Lucy: Stop it already! You’re embarrassing me! It’s fine, okay? You saved me back there, so we’re even now, ‘kay?

Natsu: But we weren’t trying to save you or anything…

Happy: Aye. No payment needed.

Lucy sighs, but then Natsu has an idea.

Natsu: That’s it! You can have this!

He hold’s out Salamander’s autograph.

Lucy: Who’d want that?!

Later, Lucy is seen reading a magazine while a ship pulls into the port.

Narrator: The magic magazine, Weekly Sorcerer.

Lucy: Oh my, Fairy Tail’s caused trouble again? The Devon thieves gang wiped out along with 7 residences… Man, they just go overboard!

She lays down on a bench, kicking her feet in excitement. She then turns the page to find a beautiful white-haired girl in a bikini.

Lucy: Ooh, a photo spread of Mirajane! But how exactly does one join Fairy Tail? I wonder if they have an interview or something. The wizard’s guild, Fairy Tail… They’re just the coolest!

Salamander: So you want to join Fairy Tail?

He pops out of a nearby bush, where he had obviously been stalking Lucy.

Lucy: S-Salamander!

Salamander: I was looking for you. I wanted to invite you personally to the party on my ship.

Lucy points a finger at him.

Lucy: Your Charm won’t work on me! That magic’s weak point is awareness! It doesn’t work on people who know it’s being used!

Salamander: As I thought. I realized the moment I saw you that you were a wizard. No matter. As long as you come to the party.

Lucy turns away and crosses her arms angrily.

Lucy: There’s no way I’d go! Not to a party thrown by a scumbag like you!

Salamander: I’m a scumbag?

Lucy: You’d go so far as to use a Charm to be popular.

Salamander: It’s part of the ceremony, see. I just wanted the party to have a celebrity as a host, see…

Lucy: I can’t believe a famous wizard is such an idiot.

Salamander: You wanted to join Fairy Tail, yes?

Lucy jumps, surprised.

Salamander: Haven’t you heard of Fairy Tail’s Salamander?

Lucy: I have! You’re one of Fairy Tail’s wizards?

Salamander: That’s right. If you want to join, I’ll put in a word with the Guild Master.

Lucy suddenly has hearts in her eyes once again.

Lucy: The party sounds like it’ll be wonderful, doesn’t it?

Salamander: You’re easy to figure out, you know that?

Lucy: Hey, do you really think I can get into Fairy Tail?

Salamander: Of course. But in return, keep quiet about the Charm, okay?

Lucy: Sure thing!

Salamander: We shall meet again at the party, then!

He once again uses flames to blast off out of sight.

Lucy: Yes sir!

As soon as he’s out of sight, the hearts disappear from her eyes and she looks disgusted.

Lucy: He used a pseudo-charm. But… All right! I can join Fairy Tail! Until then, I’ve got to play nice with that dumb oaf!

She giggles to herself. Another transition later and it’s already night. Natsu and Happy seem to have only just finished eating.

Natsu: What a meal!

Happy: Aye! Oh yeah… Is that the ship Salamander’s party is at?

Natsu immediately starts to get sick. What a shame, he only just ate!

Natsu: Gonna hurl…

Happy: Stop getting queasy just from thinking about it.

Happy looks over at a small gathering of girls nearby.

Girl1: Look at that! That’s Salamander-sama’s ship! I wish I had gone!

Girl2: Salamander?

Girl1: You don’t know him? He’s the famous Fairy Tail wizard that came to town!

Natsu and Happy both react to that, then Natsu’s eyes narrow.

Natsu: Fairy Tail?

He looks over at the ship with concern, but turns away again when he starts to get sick.

Natsu: Fairy Tail…

Meanwhile, on the ship, Lucy is having a private dinner with Salamander. They both have drinks in front of them.

Salamander: Lucy-wucy, was it? What a pretty name.

Lucy: Thanks…

Salamander: Let’s start off with a toast.

He snaps his fingers and small drops of her drink start floating in the air in front of her, as Lucy seems to be entranced by them.

Salamander: Now, open wide, and savor the fruit flavored gems as they enter your mouth…

Lucy: I’ve got to deal with it! Gotta hang in there!

She closes her eyes tightly and opens her mouth as the drops float closer. But then, at the last moment, her eyes open and she slaps the drink out of the air.

Lucy: What’s the meaning of this? That’s magic to knock people out, Sleep.

Salamander chuckles.

Salamander: You’re pretty sharp.

Lucy: Don’t get any ideas. I want to join Fairy Tail, but I have no intention of being your woman.

He laughs again.

Salamander: What a handful you are, girly!

Curtains around the room pull back to reveal the crew of the ship, carrying the other party guests asleep in their arms.

Lucy: What the heck is this?

Salamander: Welcome to my ship. Please be good until we reach Bosco, missy!

Lucy: Bosco?! What about Fairy Tail?

Salamander: Give it up! You’re our merchandise now.

Lucy: That’s… Then, the other girls…

Crew Member: That’s our Salamander-san! We’ve got ourselves quite a haul this time!

Lucy: Why, you…

Lucy reaches behind her and pulls out a loop with six keys, three gold and three silver. Salamander reacts quickly by using his fire magic to blast them out of her hand and into his own.

Salamander: Gate Keys? So you’re a Celestial Wizard? This magic can only be used by the contract holders. In other words, these are useless to me.

He throws them out the window and they fall into the ocean.

Lucy: What’s the matter with this guy? What a horrible thing to do… So this… So this is what it means to be a Fairy Tail wizard? Using magic for evil and tricking people… That’s the worst kind of wizard there is!

Suddenly, Natsu drops from the sky and smashes through the roof of the ship, pulling a textbook superhero landing behind Salamander (it’s really not great for your knees). Lucy looks happy to see him.

Lucy: Natsu!

But, as the boat shifts, his motion sickness kicks in and he falls to the ground, trying not to barf while everyone stares in shock. Way to ruin the heroic rescue.

Natsu: As I thought, it’s no use…

Lucy: Lame!

Happy: Lucy, what are you doing?

The little blue cat is hovering above the hole Natsu had made, white wings having appeared on his back.

Lucy: Happy! I was tricked. He said he’d help me join Fairy Tail. Wait, since when did you have wings?

Happy: Leave that for later! Run away!

He takes off, his tail wrapped around Lucy to bring her with him.

Salamander: After her! It’ll be trouble if the council gets wind of this!

Lucy: Hey, what about Natsu?

Happy: I can’t carry two people.

Salamander: You think you can escape? Prominence Whip!

He sends multiple streams of purple fire at the two flying above him, but Happy dodges each one and they eventually collide, causing a firework-like explosion while the crew cheers.

Salamander: That cat’s damn quick.

Natsu: Hey…

Lucy: I’ve got to save Natsu and the other girls!

Happy: Lucy, listen up.

Lucy: What is it now?

Happy: My transformation ran out.

Happy’s wings disappear and they both plummet toward the water.

Lucy: You damned cat!

Once underwater, Lucy swims util she spots something shining. Her keys!

Lucy: There they are!

Meanwhile, on the ship, Natsu is being kicked by the crew while he lays motionless on the deck.

Salamander: Ah, well… First we hurry to Bosco…

Suddenly, Natsu catches the leg of one of the crew members before he can be kicked again.

Natsu: Fairy… Tail… You?!

Happy and Lucy resurface nearby.

Lucy: Here I go! Gate of the water bearer, I open thee! Aquarius!

She swings one of her golden keys around, then dips the end into the water as a magic circle appears and creates a swirl of water. From it emerges a mermaid with a jug in her hands.

Happy: A fish!

Lucy: Um, no…

Happy: Wow.

Lucy: I’m a celestial wizard, see. I use gate keys to call celestial spirits from an alternate dimension. Aquarius! Use your power and sweep that ship up onto the shore!

Aquarius is beyond annoyed.

Aquarius: Tch

Lucy: Did you, perhaps, just say “tch” to me?!

Happy: You really shouldn’t complain like that.

Aquarius: What an annoying girl you are. Let me tell you something. The next time you drop my key, I’ll kill you.

Lucy/Happy: S-Sorry!

Aquarius gathers water in her jar, then sends it flying in a wave toward shore, sweeping the ship along with it. Lucy and Happy are caught in a whirlpool.

Lucy: Don’t sweep me away too!

The wave collides with the beach, wrecking the ship.

Lucy: What were you thinking? You think it’s normal to sweep me up too?

Aquarius: Alas, I failed. I ended up sweeping the ship as well.

Lucy: You were aiming for me?!

Aquarius: Do not call me for a while. I will be on vacation for a week with my boyfriend. With my boyfriend.

Lucy: Don’t rub it in!

Happy: Hey, Lucy! Maybe I shouldn’t have apologized back then?

Lucy: This cat’s so oblivious, I don’t even know where to start…

Meanwhile, a number of onlookers have gathered near the shipwreck.

Onlookers: What is this? A ship was thrown into the port!

Salamander: Damn it! What the…

Natsu stands and looks down from the top (i guess it’s actually the side cause it’s flopped over) of the ship.

Lucy: Natsu!

Natsu: You, a Fairy Tail wizard?

Salamander: And what’s it to you? Get ‘im, boys!

Crew: Right!

Natsu: Take a good look at this face.

He removes his jacket, revealing a very muscular build.

Lucy: Natsu!

Happy: Don’t worry. I should have told you sooner, but Natsu is also a wizard.

With a single punch, Natsu knocks away multiple crew members attacking him, and turns his arm to show his Fairy Tail guild mark.

Natsu: I’m Natsu of Fairy Tail! And I ain’t never seen you before!

Lucy: Fairy Tail? Natsu is a Fairy Tail wizard?

Crew Member: That mark… He’s the real deal, Bora-san!

Bora (Salamander): Idiot! Don’t call me by that name!

Happy: Bora… Bora the Prominence. He was thrown out of the Titan Nose guild some years back.

Natsu: I dunno whether you’re a bad guy or a good guy… But I ain’t gonna let you get away with pretending to be from Fairy Tail!

Bora: And what do you plan to do about it, boy?! Prominence Typhoon!

He sends a huge blast of fire at Natsu, creating a massive explosion.

Lucy: Natsu!

Bora: I take no pleasure in defeating big-mouths like you.

He turns with a smile, but freezes when he hears a voice behind him.

Natsu: Gross! Are you really a fire wizard? I can’t believe how gross this fire tastes!

While he speaks, Natsu is chomping down on the flames around him, shocking everyone around. He continues slurping them up until none are left.

Natsu: Thanks for the meal.

Crew member: W-W-W-W-What the heck is he?

Happy: Fire isn’t going to work on Natsu.

Lucy: I’ve never seen magic like that.

Natsu: Now that I’ve eaten, I’m all revved up.

He punches his fists together, creating a magic circle and coating himself in flames.

Natsu: Here I go! Roar of the Fire Dragon!

He brings his hands up to his mouth and breathes out a stream of fire that causes a huge explosion and defeats Bora’s crew.

Crew Memer: Bora-san. I’ve seen that guy before. With the pink hair, and the scarf that looks like scales… It’s got to be him! He’s the real…

Lucy: Salamander!

Natsu: Remember it well… This is what a real Fairy Tail wizard is!

He covers his hands in fire and dashes toward Bora, dodging his attacks before finally planting a fist in his face.

Lucy: He eats fire, and punches with fire? Is that really magic?

Happy: A dragon’s lungs to breath flames… A dragon’s scales to dissolve flames… A dragon’s claws to wrap in flames… It’s magic that transforms your own body parts into those of a dragon’s. An ancient spell.

Lucy: What’s that?

Happy: It was originally magic used to deal with dragons.

Lucy: My…

Bora: Hell Prominence!

He sends a beam of flames, destroying an entire line of buildings.

Happy: Dragon Slayer magic! Igneel taught it to Natsu.

Bora: Damn you!

Natsu catches and eats a large fireball that Bora launched at him.

Natsu: I’m getting a pretty good meal here! Listen up, jerk. I’m gonna smoke you to a smoldering crisp!

Bora: Smoke me?

Natsu: Take this! Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon!

He once again, punches his fists together, covering his fist in fire and punching Bora with enough force to send him flying, with a trail of destroyed buildings behind him.

Happy: Natsu, you don’t smoke things using flames…

Lucy: Wow… Just, wow… But… Isn’t this going a bit overboard?

She looks in awe at the destruction in front of her.

Happy: Aye!

Lucy: “Aye” nothing!

A large group of soldiers is then seen marching toward them.

Lucy: The military?

She’s suddenly yanked away by Natsu as he runs down the street.

Natsu: Crap, let’s get outta here!

Lucy: Why are you taking me with you?

Natsu: Well, you wanted to join our guild, right? Come with me!

Lucy: Sure!

The end of the episode shows Lucy, Natsu and Happy rushing to escape while a horde of soldiers chases after them and buildings burn in the background.

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Well, that’s that. Lucy’s rant about guilds mid-way through was such a pain, but I got it done. I don’t really know how to close this, so… It’s over! Bye!