Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest Volume 3 Review

Last year saw shonen favourite Fairy Tail make a return with sequel series Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest. Now we’re into 2020 and the series is still going strong, but our heroes face their toughest challenge yet in the third volume of this beloved series. Let’s find out what’s happening! 

As we reunite with our cast, Natsu and co are facing off against the Water Dragon God (known in human form as Mercphobia) who has lost control of his powers. With the town in danger of being destroyed by the fierce battle, Natsu must bring the dragon down quickly, which is easier said than done when he fights with fire!

With Lucy, Erza, Gray and Wendy’s attacks doing no damage their fate is left in the hands of Natsu, who stubbornly refuses to back down. Just as things take a turn for the worst a fire dragon looking just like Igneel turns up to save the day…

This new dragon isn’t Igneel, but he is related to him. The newcomer introduces himself as Ignia, one of the Five Dragon Gods that Fairy Tail is hunting and the son of Igneel. Ignia was drawn here by Natsu’s scent, hoping to battle the one raised by Igneel but determines that Natsu isn’t powerful enough yet. Instead, Igna grants Natsu some of his magic and urges him to grow stronger.

Ultimately this volume brings an end to the Water Dragon God arc we’ve been in since Volume 1. This instalment doesn’t spend much time with characters besides the main crew, but that works in its favour when so much is happening around Natsu. 

The idea that Igneel had a biological son is possibly going to rub some readers the wrong way, as it does seem quite spontaneous and plot-convenient. Mashima does go to the effort of having Ignia explain that dragons are normally raised by their mothers, so Natsu wouldn’t have known otherwise but it still doesn’t quite add up that Igneel would never have told Natsu about him. 

Regardless of that, Ignia does promise to be a worthy rival for Natsu. Ignia had been training to defeat Acnologia, so knowing Natsu was responsible for his downfall leaves Ignia hoping to take down Natsu instead. Being one of the Five Dragon Gods I’m sure we’ll have an interesting confrontation with Ignia later in the series (perhaps he’ll be the last boss?) but for now, he works as a suitable hook to keep us reading further. 

Now that we’ve concluded an arc I have to say I’m having a great time reading 100 Years Quest. When the series first started I was concerned that the manga would feel like a cash-in, something to take advantage of the popularity but not capture the joy of the original. 

Thankfully, this hasn’t come to pass and this feels like a faithful and worthwhile continuation of the series. Hiro Mashima is crafting an interesting plot with high stakes for all involved, while artist Atsuo Ueda is living up to Mashima’s tremendous sense of direction and flow when it comes to action scenes. 

Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest Volume 3 comes to the West thanks to Kodansha Comics and has been translated by Kevin Steinbach. The translation reads well with no issues to note. Kodansha currently has Volume 4 scheduled for release digitally in May, with a print release following in August.

Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest Volume 3 brings a conclusion to the series first major arc. With the introduction of a new character and rival for Natsu, we begin moving into the second (equally compelling) storyline. This continues to be a must-read for Fairy Tail fans.