While not as popular as other long-running shonen anime, Fairy Tail remains a fan favorite in its own right. Fans usually cite the jolly cast of characters, the widely convenient magic system, and the impressive soundtrack as reasons why the series is worth watching.
But one strong testament to Fairy Tail's musical direction is the various openings the series has to offer. Regardless of how dire the series' events may be, these openings never fail to get fans excited about the events to come. Each opening is quite memorable, but these stand out as the true essence of Fairy Tail.
10 Break Through (Opening 13)
The Grand Magic Games proved to be one of the most significant turning points in the series, mainly due to the final act of the tournament, the time travel debacle, and the ensuing fight against the seven dragons. As a result, it can be easy to forget that the arc was a bit lighthearted at the beginning, as demonstrated by "Break Through," performed by the group GOING UNDER GROUND.
As if to give viewers a reason to celebrate, the opening even starts with a festive aerial shot of the Domus Flau, followed by the introduction of the other participating guilds and a short montage of the important fights to come. There are some apprehensive moments to this opening, namely the menacing shots of the Raven Tail guild and the Holy Knight Arcadios, but "Break Through" makes fans eager for one of the best arcs in Fairy Tail.
9 R.P.G ~ Rockin' Playing Game (Opening 4)
Much like "Break Through," "Rockin' Playing Game" also starts with a festive air about it, which is in reference to the in-universe Magnolia Harvest Festival that took place at the time. In this case, however, this opening is far more menacing and pulls no punches when it comes to presenting the main conflict: the forced internal conflict between the members of Fairy Tail.
From the suspenseful shots of a power-hungry Laxus Dreyar and the Thunder God Tribe to the climactic scene of Natsu and Gajeel fighting Laxus himself, if the intent was to show the dark times looming over the Harvest Festival, then this "Rockin' Playing Game" gets the job done. But the most impactful reveal is of Mirajane's true power, as up until then, she was only a small player in the battles thus far.
8 Towa no Kizuna (Opening 9)
As the last arc before the seven-year timeskip, the Tenrou Island arc proves to be just as emotionally packed as the arc that follows it. Naturally, "Towa no Kizuna," or "Everlasting Bond" in English, conveys this through its trilling and solemn piano and the impactful shots of a melancholy Cana Alberona.
In fact, melancholy seems to dominate the opening, as shown by the inclusion of Natsu's emotional loss against Gildarts and Zeref's solitude on Tenrou Island. Compared to the other eight openings before it, "Towa no Kizuna" can be seen as Fairy Tail's first step into a dark time for the titular guild members.
7 DOWN BY LAW (Opening 24)
The Alvarez Empire arc had a mixed reception from fans, with many citing the overuse of the power of friendship and the misplaced use of fan service during a war as reasons the arc did poorly. However, the same cannot be said for the "DOWN BY LAW" opening, which remains a fan favorite for a myriad of reasons.
The biggest reason "DOWN BY LAW" achieved its popularity is its smooth animation, especially during its brief fight scenes. In conjunction with seamless transitions and a beat that is sure to remain in the heads of fans for a while, courtesy of the group The Rampage from Exile Tribe, "DOWN BY LAW" brings some much-needed spice into an otherwise lackluster final arc.
6 Sense of Wonder (Opening 2)
As the second opening in the overall series, "Sense of Wonder" had some large shoes to fill after the success of the first opening. At first glance, this opening does not do anything original. But halfway through the opening, viewers see something new.
The best aspect of the opening, however, is the jovial tone. Though there are shots of more serious moments, such as Lucy's past and the introduction of the Phantom Lord guild, "Sense of Wonder" captures the adventurous spirit present within the Fairy Tail guild, which defined the series at the time this opening was introduced.
5 Egao no Mahou (Opening 5)
Easily the best thing "Egao no Mahou," known as "Magic of Smiles" in English, has going for it is the introduction of the Sky Dragon Slayer Wendy Marvell. This character is cherished by fans for her growth from timid and weak-willed to a fierce fighter. This introduction, coupled with the unity of the Allied Forces immediately afterward, proves that in order to stand up to Oracion Seis, these guilds must stand together.
The fights shown throughout the opening, namely Lucy vs. Angel and Natsu vs. Cobra, also have sentimental value that matches the tune of the song itself. Overall, the opening is a strong, emotional work of art that encompasses the essence of the Oracion Seis story arc.
4 The Rock City Boy (Opening 8)
Following a rather emotional first opening to the Edolas arc, "The Rock City Boy" is another fan favorite opening that is revered for numerous reasons. Be it the song itself or the numerous action shots within the opening, "The Rock City Boy" serves as a perfect match to the action-packed second half of the Edolas arc.
This opening is also home to some noteworthy fan favorite fights, namely the battles between Erza Scarlet and Erza Knightwalker and Gajeel and Pantherlily. Ultimately, "The Rock City Boy" cements itself as a breathtaking opening that is completed with an infectious performance by the rapper JAMIL.
3 Snow Fairy (Opening 1)
As the debut opening of the series, "Snow Fairy" laid the foundation for all of Fairy Tail's subsequent openings, from its effects to its character shots. Unlike the openings that come after it, however, "Snow Fairy" instead is very close-knit, only displaying the camaraderie among the Fairy Tail guild members.
A unique effect present throughout the opening is the fairy flying through the air in multiple scenes, as if uniting the central characters of the series. Combined with the numerous other shots of the characters partaking in quests and friendly fights, to say that "Snow Fairy" succeeds in setting the series' tone would be the understatement of the century.
2 Masayume Chasing (Opening 15)
If "Break Through" was what the Grand Magic Games were supposed to be, then "Masayume Chasing" is the stark reality that seemingly awaits each mage after the tournament. In fact, as shown during the multiple shots of the actual tournament, the conflicts among the guilds have already reached their boiling point.
From the melancholic vocals provided by artist BoA to the shots of the apocalypse that is seemingly imminent, "Masayume Chasing" goes hard on the emotional angle, making no attempt to hide the sense of urgency during the arc. The only sense of hope viewers may get would be in the final shot of Natsu comforting a crying Lucy, as if to give her and the viewers a sense of hope.
1 Ft. (Opening 3)
Made by the group Funkist, who was also responsible for making "Snow Fairy," "Ft" may be described as a perfect blend between "Snow Fairy" and "Masayume Chasing." The opening provides a good dose of conflict interspersed with the showcase of camaraderie among Team Natsu.
With the inclusion of both Loke and Arie's harrowing past, as well as chilling shots of a then-possessed Jellal Fernandes, "Ft" is a prime example of the series' successful foreshadowing. Viewers going into this opening best prepare for their favorite characters' backstories, which this opening wastes no time establishing, as well as an intense performance by Funkist that surpasses the likes of "Snow Fairy."