Summary Key Points:

[spoiler]

• Most of the battles come to a conclusion in this episode
• Visitar and Nab battle, with Nab as the victor
• Evergreeen and Elfman face off, but ever green comes off victorious
• Max and Warren also face off, with Max as the winner
• Back inside, Natus is trying to get out and join the fighting. He comments that Laxus’s threat to destroy the stone girls is a bluff, and that Laxus wouldn’t go as far
• Laxus comes in via thought projection, and comments that he isn’t bluffing. He also demands that the Guild master give up his title to him.
• Gray faces off against Bicslow and loses
• Reedus is unable to escape the city, and has to square off against Freed. Freed is victorious
• Several other fights happen as well, and the overall count is left to just 2, the 2 being Natsu and Gajeel who are trapped in the hall with the Guild Master Macarof
• Erza is able to return back to normal because of her Magical eye
• Mystogan also appears in the town, ready to join
• With the Top 3 strongest of Fairy Tail present, Laxus comments that the real battle is about to start
• Erza heads out, and encounters Evergreen, the next battle about to begin as the episode ends

[/spoiler]

Opinions: (B+)

Not a bad episode! There were quite a few battles in this episode, but most of them were short and quick. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Fairy Tail needs to slow down a bit and take its time on the fights it goes for. The Elfman and Evergreen fight was rather quick, and even Gray’s battle didn’t last very long. In just an episode, we were stripped down to just Natsu, Gajeel, Erza, Mystogan versus Laxus and his Rajin tribe.

I kinda feel bad for Gray. He was definitely skilled enough to win the battle between him and Bicslow, but decided to protect the little girl and take the brunt of Bicslow’s attack. I see that Gray is sidelined rather often, and I really can’t see why he couldn’t have just taken down Bicslow. Its not like Mystogan or Erza even need him as a worthy opponent, and we all know that Natsu and Gajeel are going to take on Laxus.

That said, I was wrong about Elfman beating Evergreen, and it seems that Erza will be one to do it. That said, Mystogan is also coming into play. I have a suspicion that Mystogan is actually Jellal from the previous arc (because of what we see in the intro). I could be horribly wrong though (manga readers please don’t spoil!). Either way, I’m looking forward to things really kicking off next week.

There’s been too many “lets get through the intial build up stuff” fast episodes, and I’m looking for some serious, entertaining battles now.

Preview:

Erza on the offensive, and the Guild master Macarov is pissed off? Oh and is Lucy finally joining the show? All that will be known.. Next week!