After a near ten year run, the Fairy Tail manga franchise comes to a close with series climax film “Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry”.  While the film is said to be the canon ending to the series, it actually takes place around the ending of the manga’s final arc.

Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry is a 2017 shounen anime film, it is produced by A1-Pictures, and licensed by Funimation Entertainment. The film is set for a subbed & dubbed theatrical run from August 14-19 in the US and Canada.

The epic climax to Fairy Tail begins.

Editor’s Note: This review contains near complete to complete spoilers for Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry, a screener was provided by Funimation Entertainment for review purposes, see our review policy here. This review is for the English dubbed version of the film.

Beginning in August 2006, Fairy Tail quickly gained popularity in Japan and overseas. Created by mangaka Hiro Mashima. who was coming off the heels of previous popular work Rave (or Rave Master overseas), Fairy Tail featured the mages of the titular guild going on quests, adventures, and gaining new friendships & family bonds. The anime adaptation is widely regarded as a rare case of being highly superior to it’s source material.

Typical Mashima ecchi.

THE GOOD: Dragon Cry acts as a precursor to the final arcs of the manga, which is set to be animated next year. While not as heavy hitting as previous canon arcs, Dragon Cry did feel like a good prequel to the upcoming Zeref arc, of whom has an appearance in the film alongside Brandish & Invel Yura. The basic anime action sequences & OST are presence for the film, so fans of the series will feel right at home watching. The story itself is an original arc written by mangaka Mashima, and it gave off vibes of the first few arcs (which are great). Natsu’s half-draconic form was cool to see, but a better explanation of it during the closing moments of the film would have been appreciated, however, manga readers are well aware.

Ninja Natsu & Wendy!

THE BAD: Zash who was built up as the main antagonist during the film’s run felt like an afterthought to Sonya & dragon Animus. Natsu’s character development could have been handled a little better than it was, it felt like it was too little, too fast. The film isn’t very anime only friendly. so anime only viewers will be a bit lost by the recent developments for certain characters present in the film.

E.N.D. unleashed.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry is the first stop to the end of the road for the franchise, the manga has been completed, and the final season of the anime will premiere next year. The film itself while fun does suffer from character development issues, and anime only watchers may be confused over certain goings on present. Otaku Dome gives Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry a 85 out of 100.