@city_lights31:
So…is this worth the time to try to catch up and read? I've finished Toriko recently and it has showed me the joy of following multiple ongoing series at once and waiting eagerly for multiple chapters instead of just One Piece (though OP is still king). The only other weekly series I have ever been current with is Bakuman and while I did and still do like the series it is one that I have a difficult time keeping up with on a weekly basis.
I have read a lot of mixed things about Fairy Tail and people on this site especially seem to be harsh on it (likely because of the amount of FT-OP comparisons that were floating around when it came out a few years back.) In your most objective manner possible can you tell me if you think FT is worth the time?
I should add that I own the first volume and that I read it a long time back - I enjoyed it and thought it was fun but I never cared enough to read on. It definitely has some aspects that can be compared to One Piece but if the plot and the world building is not strong enough I don't think I care to read on (OP and Toriko have great world building.) So, does FT get better and better after the first volume or does it stagnate? Should I spend my time trying to catch up to FT or would my time be better spent on Beelzebub?
EDIT: hmm…just flipped through the new chapter on Mangastream...it looks like the rumors of fanservice were no exaggeration. Still, I like the style of art even if it does lack One Piece's level of boisterousness and imagination.
Stick with Beelzebub, I've only read 25 chapters and I can already tell that it's more fulfilling, some people even think that Beel is the 2nd best manga in Shonen Jump right now after One Piece (HxH doesn't count because Togashi won't get off his lazy ass). I probably wouldn't go that far, I would stick with Toriko (though admittedly I need to read more of Beel).
As for Fairy Tail itself it isn't as bad as some people will tell you, I can think of worse manga, but there are definitely so many series that would be a better use of your time. The cast is nothing to write home about, there are a few characters that are alright (Erza and Gazile most notably) and while sometimes the fights can be entertaining (Natsu vs Gazile), they often feel very cheap. A good mangaka can make a high level character lose to a not particularly high level character and have it make sense, but Mashima isn't one of them. Honestly after a while I just didn't care and I haven't been reading it for nearly a year, I just didn't care anymore, just like Bleach. Say what you will about Naruto, Part one was good enough that I've chosen to stick with it through the long run, I still have the slightest sliver of interest that Rock Lee will kick some zombie ass (yes there are zombies in current Naruto chapters… it makes sense in context... kinda) or Naruto will finally remember there is a white-eyed girl who confessed her love to him and almost died to save his ass (still bitter).
But anyway, the point is the best I can say for Fairy Tail is that it's not one of the worst manga ever. That's all I can say for it, it isn't terrible, just very, very mediocre and there are so many series that would be better uses of your time. I don't really get why it's so popular, I guess the fanservice, which I guess proves that the age-old concept of sex sells was right. Anyway I wouldn't recommend it is what I was trying to say with this essay. Read Beelzebub instead.