Incoming ramble about Zeref. You have been warned!
I have seen complaints levied against the curse of contradiction being an annoying plot device because it strips Zeref of his own agency and makes his decisions not his own.
I do not share these criticisms.
The fact that it strips Zeref of his agency and makes his decisions not his own is the whole point of the curse of contradiction!
Bad thing that happens because of/ gets blamed on Zeref? Alright… how much of it is actually because of Zeref? How much of it is literally the curse acting against Zeref’s will? How much of it is Zeref not in his right mind because of the curse?
Zeref isn’t evil and all of his evil acts (all that I can recall) are born from how the curse of contradiction has twisted his mind after 400 + years of being able to form zero meaningful relationships and keep everyone away from himself for their own safety. I’m sure the many heinous acts done in the name of Zeref as if he were some sort of dark god didn’t help either.
Honestly, the fact it took Zeref that long to become determined the world had to be reset is astounding and a testament to what a kind person he is at heart. If I had been in his shoes, I honestly doubt I would have made it ten years before I decided humanity was due for a reset 🤣
The fact the curse makes things difficult to truly and justly pin the blame on Zeref himself is uncomfortable and provocative, sure. But that’s what makes it so convicting and unique.
Further, my opinion is thus- almost every single attempt I have seen in fanfics to make the curse AND Zeref the problem… well bluntly, they just suck. It’s BORING. Making Zeref more ‘villainous’ makes me feel like I am no longer reading Zeref Dragneel, but a generic eevvvillll villain wrapped in a Zeref skin. At that point, why even bother?
There are plenty of pure evil villains who have done everything of their own volition. If I want that, there are many other series I can watch for that. Hell, there’s many other villains in Fairy Tail who do just that! Taking Zeref’s helplessness at himself losing his mind and forcibly becoming the world’s most hated man is just dull for his character, in my opinion.
In conclusion, Zeref’s lack of agency and control over his actions and his mind is what makes him such an intriguing antagonist.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk. There might be a part two of this, at some point. 😁
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