Discussion What is Japan response to Fairy Tail and Hiro Mashima in general (Including notable authors and artists of their own respective series reactions)?

[King Moe]

This thread is basically know more deep of Hiro Mashima and how people feel about his works (More so about Fairy Tail, but we can talk about Rave Master and Eden's Zero if you all like to) on their general response. We all know how it's mixed here and there international around where those love and hate the series and himself through it, but do Japan like that too or something they understand that some don't seem to get? Please tell us what you know and share important information revolving this discussion on how they feel about his works and himself.

 

[Otaku shrink]

The series are liked well-enough here, but it’s not aggressively merchandised or wildly popular in mainstream culture (compared to say, One Piece, SAO, BnHA, etc). There’s very little overt “hate” towards particular mangas; the Japanese fandom really puts their energy into what they enjoy and pay little attention to stuff they don’t like. I’d say, overall, they are equally (or more) dedicated to things they love/enjoy, but remain quiet when they dislike something. It’s generally more positivity-based than the international fandom.

The age range of readers tends to be more broad, too (even my late 50’s ramen guy subscribes to Weekly Shounen), people of all ages are checking out their favorite mangas at the convenience store, and you’ll even see businessmen flying in First Class on planes reading manga. I think that might contribute somewhat to the more balanced response to manga as a whole.

I think it’s also that the Japanese manga reader is more familiar with Japanese culture, expectations, etc, so they often *get* things a little better than the average international reader. I’ve certainly come to understand a lot more after living here in Japan for more than a year and a half.

 

[natsu x777]

I think that Hiro Mashima is a highly respected author in the weekly shounen magazine, if my memory does not fail me when he published FT he was one of the 10 most popular mangakas in Japan, internationally nor say, I believe that is the mangaka with the most followers on Twitter for quite a lot with 2 million followers.

What the authors highlight the most (by interviews and videos) is the speed with which he draws, and of course the love he has for his fans by putting them above even what he wants for his story (FT is his best example) and then one sees when he went to big events like the new york comic con or in Spain and in its best market as it is in France, has enough followers.

In the area where I live, (Latin America) in its years of publication was very popular, even was the closest to the holy trinity (Naruto, One Piece and Bleach), obviously especially in the games and Alvarez was a great criticism that it alienated many followers and disappointed those who love the work (like me)

Rave is his best story and almost always one will read very good things, like monster hunter Orage.

Right now with EZ there are many doubts, it is normal FT did not finish in the best way, but I think he is doing well and at least on my part he will have a faithful follower.

 

[King Moe]

I think that Hiro Mashima is a highly respected author in the weekly shounen magazine, if my memory does not fail me when he published FT he was one of the 10 most popular mangakas in Japan, internationally nor say, I believe that is the mangaka with the most followers on Twitter for quite a lot with 2 million followers.

What the authors highlight the most (by interviews and videos) is the speed with which he draws, and of course the love he has for his fans by putting them above even what he wants for his story (FT is his best example) and then one sees when he went to big events like the new york comic con or in Spain and in its best market as it is in France, has enough followers.

In the area where I live, (Latin America) in its years of publication was very popular, even was the closest to the holy trinity (Naruto, One Piece and Bleach), obviously especially in the games and Alvarez was a great criticism that it alienated many followers and disappointed those who love the work (like me)

Rave is his best story and almost always one will read very good things, like monster hunter Orage.

Right now with EZ there are many doubts, it is normal FT did not finish in the best way, but I think he is doing well and at least on my part he will have a faithful follower.

I see, but disagree on EZ though as it turning out better than FT on how it handle things even more so feeling realistic on scenes and handling things too.

 

[natsu x777]

I see, but disagree on EZ though as it turning out better than FT on how it handle things even more so feeling realistic on scenes and handling things too.

is true, but I still consider very soon that it is better than a series finished when it has not reached 50 chapters, EZ has done things right, but we must also take into account that this space series has the mission to change the image that Mashima left with the end of FT, only time will tell, for now we can say that Hiro is doing very well.

 

[immblueversion]

The moment I saw this topic I decided to keep it in mind, now that I was about to meet with my japnese (and 2 korean) friends in person ( a.k.a work partners) and ask them about it ( after work ). So please notice this post is the opinion of few of them and their point of view.

Note: our "group" contained FT absolute lovers, and those who know FT but aren't necessary fans, yet still know what's going on.

Here we go: According to them FT is very loved in Japan but they can also see the flaws and holes. They seem to be not quite happy about everything in the series, yet the "critics" still seems smaller then Western one. Example: not everyone were happy with conclusion for Zeref. Since it was a very beloved character(!) (in Japan). It can't be said what they have wished for him (since every human can imagine his own conclusion just like us), yet they really wanted to "keep him" - let's call it this way. Some assume that the way Hiro showed him (and Mavis) in very last chapter means that perhaps he brings him (and maby her) back, since the audience wasn't happy with his and Mavis conclussion few chapter prior. Of course that time no one knew that 100YQ would follow up for 100%.( Btw. Right now theres another "action" in JP with FT goods and beside Team Natsu they can get once again Zeref & Mavis stuff)

Even if main FT "officialy" ended and we have the 100YQ now the main series is still more "hype".

Small facts:

• END form - it seems 50/50 Some were disapointed, some wanted an awesome dragon form, some a demon straight outta legends, some stated it wasn't that important to them, some (like one of the present ones that day) simply shrug it off.
• Humor - yes they love the "funny" sense of the show
• Dragons - yes, JP-se love the dragon motive
• Fanservice - well... i don't need to write about that right?
• Diffrent types of magic in one - each of those I talked to is amazed by the fact there is a warrior with swords / celestial/ star mage / dragon mage (dragon slayer) etc in one and it's mixed so well acording to them
• Gruvia - probably the most shipped
• art style/ art line - great
• Natsu - main chara + rocking pink hair + dragon power + fire (element of power in JP culture) + =
  • - Oh how can someone not love him? (My firend Yuzu)
  • - Well he's kinda dense to me (Me)
  • - But still how not to love him (Yuzu) - //// in other words tipical anime / manga hero, doesn't have to have brain if he has cool looks and powers.

A fun fact (or perhaps it was only me who didn't know that ):
The "fan service" audience demaned a naked Zeref from Mashima () Mashima wasn't sure where to "show" him like that, and that how he got the idea of him and Mavis meeting.

Now that was long, I hope I wrote everything or most of it. Once again please note, I only spoke to few people about that.

Cheers

That is particularly telling. But as long as we're on the subject of Mashima, how do they like his other works like Rave Master and Edens Zero?

 

[immblueversion]

Rave -not everyone in our group know Rave in sense of Manga or Plot. They are aware of this work, but somehow didn't catch up. (Someone told me that he dind't like the "One piece" art line.) So we kinda skipped the topic (sorry)

EZ - this might be a shocker.

While FT hast "stuff" that makes the West criticise it and love it in Japan. EZ is the opposite. Stuff we love about it (like less nakama-power) makes it lame to them. In other words EZ is considered as BORING so far. Apparently Nakama bullshit sells better. And not even Fan service helps here. More over they don't think the fan serice is really funny or cool. We can see the reflection of this in sales. They are not bad but as we all know it could go better and that was also the group conclusion. Especially that Mashima isn't a newbe. He's well known. Speaking about sales I was told that the very 1st volume special edition didn't sold as it was expected. Yes there was a reprint but only to normal edition. The special edition that came out last year still lies in the same spot in books stores. Now, I spoke to them about afterwords of volumes (3,4) and Mashima writting there about introducing chacters faster & changing plans. Acording to them - he tries to safe EZ this way. Or better said he tries to find a way to attract readers. They assume volume 5 won't sell better. Another thing is the lack of promotion in Japan. In France EZ is constantly promoted, while in JP.... as my friend Makoto said: Colour spreads alone from time to time won't do the trick. In general the JP audience sees EZ as manga written more for the western Fans als them. And it's still in Fairy tail's shadow. Mashima has a hard a hard nut to crack.


Cons:
* introducing to much planets and to fast with no deeper meaning
* digitalis was dissapointing as f*** - and how is that possible when Mashima is a game lover and should make this awesome (their words not mine)
* Shiki's powers are childish to them he should use gravity to throw commets or something (aaah.... ok)
* the concept of magic and space doen't sell
* dragons yes - but dragons in space - no
* mother concept - boring
* Xiao mei should stay a surprise for longer
* B cubers concept - childish

Pros:
* While the West sees EZ characters as FT copys JP. doesn't mind.
* it still has a chance to glow
* Of course it has it's fans too - the sales aren't thata bad at all (at least to me)

Well that's disheartening, especially as someone who prefers Edens Zero over Fairy Tail's last couple of years. And as I understand it, international sales don't exactly matter to a series' overall success. Do you think this is going to be a problem if sales continue to drop?

 

[Arjuna]

I am not surprised about this different reaction towards FT and EZ.

FT with all its faults is still a pretty interesting story to follow.

On the other hand EZ is "boring" subjectively.


Note I don't ever mean EZ is a bad story but it lacks something to hook the fans for long.


Either you become tired after some time (I very recently became so and dropped it) or a devout fan to continue it.


The sales in Japan also reflects it, slowly each volume is losing sales.


Mashima should do something drastic in EZ to boost it's sales.


But FT is something that keeps you hooked for long.


Japanese people are most sensitive,FT still has a devout fanbase in Japan so it will be more successful there,at least for now.

 

[immblueversion]

So far I know we're (me and the co. workers) gonna get in touch in the end of the month/ beginn of the next agian, so I will be able to ask them (or at least few of them) about reaction to volume 5 and so on.

Well, thank you for taking the time to do this. This has been more informative than anything we've known.

 

[immblueversion]

Well since I have the opurtininty then why not? That's what's the community is for right?

In that case, I hope you won't mind answering one more question:

How's 100 Years Quest doing over there?

 

[Arjuna]

In that case, I hope you won't mind answering one more question:

How's 100 Years Quest doing over there?

If you look by Sales records FT 100 Years Sequel is doing better than EZ.


Around 118188-111463 copies both volumes of FT 100 Years sold.


The devout fan base of FT in Japan helped it reach there.

 

[VG1989]

So far I know we're (me and the co. workers) gonna get in touch in the end of the month/ beginn of the next agian, so I will be able to ask them (or at least few of them) about reaction to volume 5 and so on.

Well since I have the opurtininty then why not? That's what's the community is for right?

If it's not to much trouble, to ask what were Japanese audience thoughts on Spriggan 12, Mainly August and Irene (Since you said Zeref was/is beloved character there what were peoples thoughts on his son and Irene being Erzas mom and a Dragon Queen). Irene got a lot IMHO undeserving hate (like for being Erzas mom) in West. so I'm curious how was she received in Japan (Since you said they liked Dragons my interest picked).

 

[immblueversion]

If it's not to much trouble, to ask what were Japanese audience thoughts on Spriggan 12, Mainly August and Irene (Since you said Zeref was/is beloved character there what were peoples thoughts on his son and Irene being Erzas mom and a Dragon Queen). Irene got a lot IMHO undeserving hate (like for being Erzas mom) in West. so I'm curious how was she received in Japan (Since you said they liked Dragons my interest picked).

All we know for sure is that according to Mashima (Vol. 60), the ladies are particularly popular, Brandish most of all, but didn't go into specifics. God Serena is the most popular male in Japan, for similarly vague reasons.

 

[King Moe]

So basically it's like he either please his homeland fanbase or pissed off international for some or he pleases the international ones, but pissed off his own country in his work.

That's a shame. So guess it can't be help on his case on doing what he need to please the Japanese fanbase cause if he doesn't, it hurt his series to get out there. Not surprising as a lot of author do that in the end.

Also disagree on the arcs and characters, everything been done good so far, but true we need an actual big moment for the series to boom. It still early so there is a chance for to pop more. Probably planning something with Joe and his group as to help with that. Don't think we should see it being at it's worse as it is still doing good in sales for a new series. Keep in mind it has no anime yet. Like they said they Magazine has issues on promoting, so when it does, it boost in sells a lot more.

 

[Gabo]

At least what I see, FT and EZ do not do anything wrong in their country, in the case of EZ we see that it is still very initial, I also see that it is slightly linear in its plot which indicates that at least we are still the initial development, while FT to be less linear is more suited to the tastes.

In Mexico FT is doing very well, according to the sales lists of the Panini publishing house for its official stores, FT has always been in the sales leads.

 

[natsu x777]

At least what I see, FT and EZ do not do anything wrong in their country, in the case of EZ we see that it is still very initial, I also see that it is slightly linear in its plot which indicates that at least we are still the initial development, while FT to be less linear is more suited to the tastes.

In Mexico FT is doing very well, according to the sales lists of the Panini publishing house for its official stores, FT has always been in the sales leads.

From what you've seen and if you could make a top, how would Panini's sales ranking be and where would FT be?

 

[King Moe]

Another question to the topic? Have any other famous authors and artists spoke their thoughts on Mashima and his works like Oda, Kishimoto, Kubo, etc.. Might be interesting how other authors and artists feel about it. Though looks authors and artists are naturally friendly and understanding of each other which make sense as know each other issues perhaps.

 

[Arjuna]

Another question to the topic? Have any other famous authors and artists spoke their thoughts on Mashima and his works like Oda, Kishimoto, Kubo, etc.. Might be interesting how other authors and artists feel about it. Though looks authors and artists are naturally friendly and understanding of each other which make sense as know each other issues perhaps.

Doubtful about the 3 you mentioned will comment on Mashima because all of them write in Shueisha and Mashima in Kodansha.

--- Double Post Merged, Jun 29, 2019, Original Post Date: Jun 29, 2019 ---

Hajime Isayama (the author of Attack on Titan) praised Fairy Tail once,he is from Kodansha too.

Redirect Notice

 

[King Moe]

Doubtful about the 3 you mentioned will comment on Mashima because all of them write in Shueisha and Mashima in Kodansha.

--- Double Post Merged, Jun 29, 2019, Original Post Date: Jun 29, 2019 ---

Hajime Isayama (the author of Attack on Titan) praised Fairy Tail once,he is from Kodansha too.

Redirect Notice

Just because they from different companies, doesn't mean you don't respect and comment on other series. Togashi got Tokyo Ghoul creator to help his work and they aren't on the same format. Just asking if any authors commented around. Know Mashima is in good terms those in Kodanasha especially Nabaka and Hajime and Soul Eater/Fire Force creator too.

He really said that? AOT creator?

 

[Arjuna]

Just because they from different companies, doesn't mean you don't respect and comment on other series. Togashi got Tokyo Ghoul creator to help his work and they aren't on the same format. Just asking if any authors commented around. Know Mashima is in good terms those in Kodanasha especially Nabaka and Hajime and Soul Eater/Fire Force creator too.

He really said that? AOT creator?

You might not know Tokyo Ghoul is also published in Shueisha like Hunter x Hunter,one in WSJ and another in Weekly Young Jump.


There is hardly a chance that an author will comment on another mangaka from a completely different company.


And yeah Isayama said so,i posted that link for it.