While Fairy Tail may be criticized for its generic nature and fan service, to those who actually requite the series the time of day (for several days), the world of wizards and dragons is one of the most consistent and endearing out in that location. Though the story's engagement has never ceased since its debut, that doesn't mean that some criticisms aren't warranted.

Look no farther than the series' backup for Bardock, Minato Namikaze, and Monkey D. Dragon, i.e. the legendary father figure. "The Fire Dragon King" Igneel is Natsu Dragneel's adopted father and ane of the virtually hyped figures in the serial' history. While 1 can never exist disappointed with a large, burn down-breathing dragon, a lot of Igneel's arc left a lot to the imagination...and not in a creative way. Though his run was brusque and sparing, Igneel's legacy left a lot more than questions than answers.

ten Hiding Within Natsu

I of the most glaring issues with Igneel and possibly almost of Fairy Tail's tardily game is the infamous "400 Year Program." This refers to the remaining dragons hiding away for a few millennia so that they can hide from Acnologia and heal. The self-proclaimed "Dragon King" did requite them a run for their money during their get-go see, and it only makes sense that they'd desire to heal a little.

What doesn't make sense, however, is the exact places they decided to take refuge. Much like the other dragons, Igneel decided that the safest place to exist was inside the bodies of their Dragon Slayer students. Dragons could take hidden anywhere else on the planet and still survived Acnologia'southward wrath, yet Igneel had to hibernate behind (or within) his own son.

9 Creating Dragon Antibodies

Hiding and healing, however, weren't the only reasons why Igneel and co. chose to hide within their students, and they certainly weren't the worst. In addition to mooching off their students' body cavities, the dragons chose to hide inside them so that they could also prevent them from corrupting and turning into demented dragons like Acnologia.

To exercise so, they apparently produced "antibodies" that prevented the kids from becoming dragons. For those who didn't read that correctly, Igneel produced dragon antibodies, because that's a common power inside dragon lore. It'south well-nigh every bit reasonable as Midichlorians.

8 Fourth dimension Traveling For Ethernano

Stepping away from the applesauce of dragon science, let'south look at a much easier and less controversial topic within fiction: time travel. In improver to hiding within their students, the dragons of erstwhile decided to hop into a DeLorean and travel to a far off twelvemonth. They did this to make their healing and power-ups easier. Their original time was apparently low on ethernano, Fairy Tail's equivalent to chakra, nen, and batteries.

In order to stand a chance against Acnologia, Igneel needed to travel to a future plentiful in ethernano so that he could heal up and be prepared for his revenge. The hole in this logic, however, is the fact that Acnologia himself would besides have admission to more ethernano. There is no advantage here that outweighs Acnologia'due south. It's merely a lateral motion.

vii Dragon Soul Technique

For those who were a little confused as to how Igneel managed to hibernate within his ward, hither'due south the logic behind it. In addition to existence big and breathing elements, Igneel and the other dragons as well take something chosen "Dragon Soul Technique," a unique and really specific ability that lets them hide within the soul of some other person.

Besides being way too situational (this power is never explained or used for any other purpose), it also shouldn't exist possible inside the context of the story. Using the Dragon Soul Technique requires the dragons themselves using their souls, simply Acnologia earlier supposedly reaped their souls. While the pregnant of a soul is a fickle affair, one can assume that Igneel shouldn't be able to utilize a "Soul Technique" without a soul.

6 Loving Humans

The other dragons have described Igneel as having loved humans more than anyone else. While Igneel has certainly shared some solidarity with humans and fought alongside them, there really isn't a lot of evidence to suggest that Igneel actually loves humans, at to the lowest degree, more than so than the other dragons.

Igneel definitely had a "warm" affection for Natsu, simply that'south it. He didn't really accept a kind word or opinion on humans besides that. Considering how nice Grandeeney turned out to be, Igneel probably shouldn't rank that loftier on the human marry listing.

5 Leaving Humans Solitary

Despite the statement above, Igneel certainly couldn't go along his hands off of human affairs. This is despite earlier claims in the series, in which, Igneel proclaimed that the dragons shouldn't get involved with the humans.

While his actions mostly hold upward with this, Igneel has clearly shown some flexibility towards Natsu. During times of crisis, Igneel risks his anonymity a chip to requite Natsu some encouraging words and communication. Though minimal, this is arguably interfering with humans.

4 Never Saving Fairy Tail

With that existence said, why didn't Igneel interfere just a fiddling more? While information technology's encouraging to see a proud begetter trust in his son'due south abilities, Igneel's help would've been very much warranted during several of Fairy Tail's key crises. Natsu and his friends have been at death's door multiple times against the likes of rogue wizards, giant demons, and interdimensional cat people.

Assuming that he cares about Natsu or, at least, needs him to survive/hide, Igneel could have saved a lot of heartache and offered a helping dragon claw on multiple occasions. That would exist loving humans more than anyone else.

iii Using "Dragon Slayer Magic"

Dragon Slayer Magic was invented as a means of counteracting the dragons during a time of hostility. It came from some of the more than charitable dragons who shared their secrets to benefit humans. While this is certainly a pivotal move, one has to wonder why the dragons themselves telephone call their own magic "Dragon Slayer Magic."

It makes sense when another species uses it to impale dragons. It doesn't make equally much sense when used past the dragons themselves. Wouldn't it only be elemental magic or, well, only magic to them? Why is Igneel a primary of "Fire Dragon Slayer Magic" and non but fire magic?

ii Telepathy

While on the note of powers that dragons don't typically have, Igneel is besides an affluent user of telepathy. This is how Igneel has been able to communicate with Natsu throughout the story too as how he presumably talked with the other dragons. If not, his first appearance alongside Grandeeney sparks so many more questions.

Assuming that using this ability doesn't give away his own location, Igneel probably could've used this more oft to communicate with the rest of Fairy, offering them helpful communication, insight, and other news. At the very least, it's foreign that he never taught this to Natsu. Things would've been much easier if Natsu was more than than just a pyro.

1 Never Mentioning Ignia

Last but not least, let's touch on the unexpected plot twist that Hiro Mashima totally didn't make up for a sequel. In improver to being an astonishing adoptive father towards Natsu, Igneel was too manifestly an absentee begetter towards his own, biological son, Ignia. This isn't to say that Igneel's circumstances weren't trying, but he never once idea to mention his other son, non fifty-fifty to his clearly favorite son.

Given that Natsu'south arc early was to find Igneel, the story would have been a lot spicier if he was besides looking for his adopted brother. Igneel as well clearly had a telepathic connexion with the other dragons, begging the question as to why he didn't at least endeavor to contact or sense Ignia. Because how powerful Ignia became, he probably could've been a huge help in the fight.

NEXT: Fairy Tail: 10 Characters With The Most Fights, Ranked

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Well-nigh The Author

Sean Cubillas (549 Manufactures Published)

Every bit a writer, auteur, and innovator, I seek to expand human potential through the creative medium, intellectually and emotionally challenging the mass audition. I seek to work in visual and written media, whether it be in motion-picture show, video games, or publishing, using a variety of mediums to limited the full spectrum of art. Over the years, I've familiarized myself and worked with picture show organizations and workshops, such every bit the Austin Pic Society, Austin Picture show Festival, and Austin Moving picture Meet, to grow my understanding of the industry and strop my craft equally a author. My interaction and networking with the Austin moving-picture show customs as well every bit my interests and studies as a Writing & Rhetoric major have contributed to a fundamental and growing understanding of trends and changes within the fine art and media industries. In this instance, my noesis and research could exist cardinal in creating and editing effective cloth. Equally a whole, I'm a valuable asset to any organization seeking experience and knowledge of the media industry every bit well as any grouping seeking ambitious storytelling and content creation.

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