Ever dreamed of joining a boisterous guild of magic-wielding misfits? Then buckle up, because the Fairy Tail anime is calling your name.

But before you dive headfirst into this magical world, you must first find out the best Fairy Tail watch order for optimal viewing.

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This guide takes you from wide-eyed newbie to seasoned Fairy Tail veteran, ready to cheer on Natsu, Lucy, and the whole gang as they conquer quests, defy dark forces, and forge unbreakable bonds of friendship.

We’ll cover the main series, standalone movies, and Original Video Animations (OVAs) to ensure you you experience the magic in the perfect sequence.

What is Fairy Tail about?

Fairy Tail is a fantasy adventure manga written and illustrated by Hiro Mashima. It was serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine from August 2006 to July 2017 and has since become a worldwide phenomenon.

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Fairy Tail takes place on the fictional continent of Earth Land, where magic is commonplace and wizards band together in guilds for work and camaraderie.

The story centers around Natsu Dragneel, a fiery Dragon Slayer on a quest to find his missing adoptive dragon father, Igneel. Along the way, he meets Lucy Heartfilia, a celestial mage yearning to join a prestigious guild. Natsu convinces her to join Fairy Tail, a boisterous and powerful guild.

Natsu, Lucy, and their ever-growing team go on exciting adventures, taking on jobs for wealth while facing off against dark guilds, ancient demons, and powerful rivals. Through these challenges, the importance of friendship, perseverance, and the bonds of the Fairy Tail family are constantly emphasized.

Fairy Tail 100 Years Quest characters Natsu Dragneel, Erza Scarlet, Lucy Heartfilia, Gray Fullbuster, Happy, Wendy Marvell, and Charles
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The creator, Hiro Mashima, is the mind behind other popular manga like Rave Master and Eden’s Zero. Fairy Tail’s manga chapters were initially published from August 2006 to July 2017, with individual chapters bundled into 63 volumes.

The anime adaptation debuted in October 2009 and ran until September 2019. Its sequel series, Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, premiered in July 2024.

Complete Fairy Tail watch order

There are two main ways to watch Fairy Tail: by release order, or with OVAs and movies slotted in at specific points.

Fairy Tail watch order by release

  1. Fairy Tail (2009) – Episodes 1 to 175
  2. Fairy Tail (2014) – Episodes 176 to 328
  3. Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest
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Fairy Tail watch order with OVAs and movies

  1. Fairy Tail (2009) – Episodes 1 to 68
  2. Fairy Tail OVAs 1 to 3
    • Welcome to Fairy Hills
    • Fairy Academy
    • Memory Days
  3. Fairy Tail (2009) – Episodes 69 to 124
  4. Movie 1: Phoenix Priestess
  5. Fairy Tail (2009) – Episodes 125 to 150
  6. OVA 6: Fairy Tail x Rave (Crossover episode)
  7. Fairy Tail (2009) – Episodes 151 to 154
  8. OVA 4: Fairies’ Training Camp
  9. Fairy Tail (2009) – Episodes 155 to 170
  10. OVA 5: The Exciting Ryuzetsu Land
  11. Fairy Tail (2009) – Episodes 171 to 175
  12. Fairy Tail (2014) – Episodes 176 to 203
  13. OVA 7: Fairies’ Penalty Game
  14. Fairy Tail (2014) – Episodes 204 to 233
  15. OVA 8: Natsu vs. Mavis
  16. Fairy Tail (2014) – Episodes 234 to 277
  17. OVA 9: Fairies’ Christmas
  18. Movie 2: Dragon Cry
  19. Fairy Tail (2014) – Episodes 278 to 328
  20. Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest (2024)

READ MORE: All Fairy Tail 100 Years Quest episodes and where to watch them