Welcome to the World of Fairy Tail#
If you are looking for a world filled with magic, guilds, and unbreakable bonds, Fairy Tail is a journey worth taking. The story follows Lucy, a 17-year-old aspiring mage who dreams of joining a guild. Her life changes when she meets Natsu and his talking cat, Happy, in Harujion Town. Natsu is not only a powerful mage but a member of one of the most infamous and chaotic guilds in the world: Fairy Tail.
Whether you are looking to watch the anime on Prime Video or start your collection with the Fairy Tail manga, here is everything you need to know before diving in.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
Whether Fairy Tail is “finished” depends on how you define the end of the story. The original anime run provided a conclusion to the primary narrative arc that began in 2009. However, if you are looking for a complete conclusion to the characters’ journeys, the story continues.
A direct sequel, Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, has expanded the universe further, with both a manga and a more recent anime adaptation that debuted in 2024. For those who only watch the original series, you will get a satisfying end to that specific era, but you will miss the subsequent adventures detailed in the 100 Years Quest series. If you want the full experience, you should definitely continue into the sequel material.
Who Is Fairy Tail For?#
Fairy Tail is a high-energy mix of adventure, comedy, drama, and fantasy. It is best suited for viewers who enjoy:
- Themes of Friendship: The heart of the show is the bond between guild members.
- Power Progression: Much of the appeal lies in watching characters develop their superpowers and fight increasingly powerful foes.
- Lighthearted Fun: With plenty of comedy and fanservice (including ecchi elements), it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
- Epic World-Building: From spirits to diverse magical abilities, the fantasy setting is vast and colorful.
If you love these tropes, you might also want to pick up some Fairy Tail merchandise to celebrate your favorite guild members!
Navigating the Watch Order#
Because Fairy Tail has a variety of sequels, prequels, and side stories, the order can seem confusing. You can refer to the relationship tree on this page for a visual map of how these titles connect. Here are the best ways to approach it:
The Release Order#
For those who want to experience the series as the world did:
- Original anime series (2009–2013)
- Fairy Tail Side Story (2011)
- Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess (2012)
- Fairy Tail the Movie: Prologue - The First Morning (2013)
- Original anime series continuation (2014–2016)
- Original anime series final run (2018)
- Fairy Tail Zero (2016)
- Fairy Tail Side Story (2016)
- Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry (2017)
- Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest (2024)
The Completionist Order#
If you want every single piece of content, including the prequels and specials, we recommend starting with the 2009 series, but inserting Fairy Tail Zero (the prequel) before moving into the final arcs to better understand the guild’s origins. Ensure you include the Fairy Tail x Rave special and all movies (Phoenix Priestess, Prologue, and Dragon Cry) between the main series arcs.
The “Source Material” Path#
For those who don’t mind reading, the most streamlined way to experience the story is through the manga. Start with the original Fairy Tail manga (beginning in 2006) and transition directly into the Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest manga (beginning in 2018). This provides the most cohesive narrative flow without the pacing shifts of the anime.
If you find this guide helpful in planning your binge-watch, feel free to support our site on Ko-fi to help us investigate more series!
Final Tips#
Keep an eye out for anniversary news; for instance, Hiro Mashima has presented new manga miniseries for the 20th anniversary, proving that the world of Fairy Tail continues to grow long after the original series ended.
Fairy Tail • manga • 2006-08-23
└─(adaptation)→ Fairy Tail • anime • 2009-10-12 to 2013-03-30
└─(side story)→ Fairy Tail • anime • 2011-04-15
└─(sequel)→ Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess • anime • 2012-08-18
└─(prequel)→ Fairy Tail the Movie: Prologue - The First Morning • anime • 2013-02-15
└─(sequel)→ Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry • anime • 2017-05-06
└─(sequel)→ Fairy Tail • anime • 2014-04-05 to 2016-03-26
└─(sequel)→ Fairy Tail • anime • 2018-10-07
└─(sequel)→ Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest • anime • 2024-07-07
└─(side story)→ Fairy Tail • anime • 2016-05-17
└─(prequel)→ Fairy Tail Zero • anime • 2016-01-09
└─(related)→ Fairy Tail x Rave • manga • 2011-04-20 (1-shot manga published in Magazine Special)
└─(adaptation)→ Fairy Tail x Rave • anime • 2013-08-16
└─(spinoff)→ Fairy Tail: Blue Mistral • manga • 2014-08-02 (serialized in <cite>Nakayoshi</cite>)
└─(spinoff)→ Fairy Girls • manga • 2014-11-20 (serialized in Magazine Special)
└─(prequel)→ Fairy Tail Zero • manga • 2014-07 to 2015-07-17 (serialized in Monthly Fairy Tail)
└─(spinoff)→ Fairy Tail: Ice Trail • manga • 2014-07 to 2015-07-17 (serialized in Monthly Fairy Tail)
└─(spinoff)→ Fairy Tail: Twin Dragons of Sabertooth • manga • 2015-07 to 2015-11 (serialized on Magazine Pocket)
└─(spinoff)→ Fairy Tail: Lightning Gods • manga • 2016-05 to 2016-09
└─(sequel)→ Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest • manga • 2018-07-25 (serialized in <i>Magazine Pocket</i>)
└─(spinoff)→ Mashima HERO'S • manga • 2019-10-16 to 2019-12-25 (serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine)
└─(spinoff)→ Fairy Tail: Rhodonite • manga • 2015-11-18 to 2016-03-30 (serialized on Magazine Pocket)
└─(spinoff)→ Fairy Tail: City Hero • manga • 2018-10-26 to 2019-11-22 (serialized in Magazine Pocket)
└─(spinoff)→ Fairy Tail: Happy's Heroic Adventure • manga • 2018-07-26 to 2020-04-02 (serialized in Magazine Pocket)
└─(side story)→ Fairy Tail S • manga • 2016
