I feel so bad for Haru... So mikey never really considered him as one of his greatest friends just because he is weak? The fact that they are childhood friends but Mikey didn't even invite him to be a founding member hurts me😭 Does Mikey even cared about Him? Seems like Mucho and Senju are the only one who genuinely cares for him, Poor boy😭💔
Haru is Like that friend who is no one's favorite. He's a friend but never the best friend. He was just an option, can be a choice but never chosen. When Baji met Kazutora and Mikey met Draken seems like they go on with their life and Haru was there left alone💔
Gray and Juvia both waking up from each other’s kiss 😭. Oh I love my canon couple so much. I think it’s safe for us to say they are officially canon at this point.
100YQ Chapters 208 & 209 — Gray’s Inner Thoughts, Love, and the Kiss
Hi everyone! I've finally had time to sit down and gather my thoughts on the recent chapters and wanted to get this posted before the new chapter releases in a few days. It’s been a while since my last meta/chapter review, but don’t worry—I’m still very much a huge Gruvia fan. This account is still your go to / number one source for everything Gruvia, even if Tumblr isn’t as active as it once was. I’ll keep doing my best to stay on top of all the latest moments and updates, so stick with me. Please note, I am not going to reiterate every part of the chapters. This meta is specifically focused on Gray's love, thoughts, and the kiss.
With that said, let’s dive into the recent chapters.
What a lovely chapter title and cover!
Chapter 208 is one of the most important Gruvia chapters because it is built entirely around Gray's internal reflection. Not comedy, not implication, and not outside commentary. This is Gray’s own point of view, which is rare, and that’s exactly why it matters so much. A lot of the confusion around this chapter comes from how it’s structured. Gray is not suddenly realizing he loves Juvia just because she’s in danger. From the very beginning, he’s already in the middle of a thought, reflecting on the people who have always been by his side, and that reflection specifically ends with Juvia. The final pages simply complete that same thought as everything unfolds, so this isn’t a brand-new realization... it’s a continuation. I will get more into this below, but feel free to read about the Japanese text and raw breakdown here.
Referencing the picture above, Juvia is not treated as some random afterthought or gag attachment here. She’s grouped alongside the people most deeply interlaced in his life and identity, but more than that, she is actually singled out. Juvia doesn’t just belong in that group—she stands apart within it. That says everything about where she already exists in his heart. Speaking of which...
This is not the first time Juvia has been singled out. We have seen Gray think of her separately from his friends in the original series, as well as being the only woman in his heart via Hakune. She has become something natural, stable, and essential to him, someone whose presence he unconsciously depends on. That is exactly why the next realization hits as hard as it does, because Gray is forced to confront the fact that what felt “normal” was actually something precious.
That’s where the line “I took it for granted that she was always by my side…” comes in. This doesn’t mean he didn’t care about her before; it means the opposite. Juvia had become so constant and emotionally reliable that he never stopped to fully process how much she mattered to him. He didn’t notice, because she was always there. That’s what makes this moment feel so raw. Gray isn’t discovering new feelings... he’s recognizing the depth of something that has been there for a long time. And that’s why the wording matters so much. It's not that he suddenly loves her, not that he might love her, but that he realizes how much he loves her. The feelings already existed (we knew this); here is full awareness.
That emotional clarity is immediately reinforced when Juvia’s magic is sealed. Gray completely loses his composure. He is not calm or strategic. He panics. He shouts her name, rushes toward her, and when he thinks he’s lost her, he breaks down completely. He’s crying hard, openly, holding her, just like we’ve seen in his most traumatic moments. That level of emotion says everything. His first thought is not the battle as a whole. It’s her.
Even in an injured state, Juvia apologizes. She isn’t blaming him or expressing fear for herself, she’s reaching out to him in the most Juvia way possible. The scene is undeniably romantic. The trigger isn’t abstract loss or general comradeship—it’s Juvia. Now, everyone already knew Gray loves Juvia. The manga has confirmed it multiple times and his love has been developing gradually throughout the entire story, right from when they first met in the original. But when Gray says he never noticed how he felt and that he loves her this much, it stands as one of his clearest confirmations of love because it comes from internal monologue. There’s no performance, no embarrassment, no deflection... just honesty. The scene isn’t framed as a joke or brushed aside. It’s treated as a serious emotional climax, and that’s exactly how it should be read. Again, this chapter is not introducing feelings; it is confirming and defining them. Tsundere Gray has finally acknowledged the debth of his feelings.
Take a moment to compare the scenes above.
After failing to protect Juvia in chapter 499 during the battle against Invel, Gray makes a vow in the 100 Years Quest to become strong enough to truly protect her. Once he feels worthy enough, he says he’ll “make her his.” Unfortunately, during the fight against Anchor, Gray believes he has failed her once again. Mashima-sensei intentionally parallels these two moments. In both scenes, Gray is devastated, crying over Juvia’s body in despair. But this time, the outcome is different…
Chapter 209 picks up immediately from that point and shows what happens when that realization turns into action. Once Gray has fully acknowledged how much Juvia means to him, everything he does carries that weight. Juvia manages to survive through her own strength, but she’s quickly placed in danger again, trapped in poisonous water and visibly fading. Gray’s response is immediate. There is no hesitation, no overthinking, no emotional retreat. Juvia is his priority.
When Gray says, “This time… I swear… I'm gonna protect you!!” it’s not just another line—it’s the culmination of his entire arc in 100 Years Quest. He is acting on the emotional truth he just admitted to himself, and his vow to become a man strong enough to protect Juvia that he declared long ago.
And then comes the kiss. CPR on its own isn’t inherently romantic, but in this case, the context makes it so. Gray had just admitted he loves Juvia in the previous chapter, and then he gives her mouth-to-mouth while reaffirming his vow to protect her no matter what. That promise is rooted in love, so this isn’t just random CPR. It comes directly after him realizing he took her for granted, admitting his feelings, panicking over losing her, and blaming himself for not protecting her. So when he pulls her close and kisses her, it’s loaded with everything he has just gone through. For so long, Juvia was the one openly expressing her love, but here, Gray is the one who closes the distance. His internal feelings and external actions are finally aligned.
These two chapters work so well together because they complete a full emotional progression for Gray. He reflects, realizes, fears losing her, and openly acknowledges his love in Chapter 208, and then immediately acts on that love in Chapter 209. More than anything, they show that Gray didn’t suddenly start loving Juvia—he finally stopped denying what was already true. Once he understands that she is essential to him, everything that follows, including the kiss, feels natural.
Gray is protecting Juvia. The next step.... is to officially make her his.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes next for these two. ♡
Unpopular opinion on tokyorev which is probably gonna make me dig my own grave .....
TW: Gonna be my own headcanon or own interpretation) I love all characters in the show, I just need to yap idc if you guys feel offended. I apologise in advance ( why would you take someone like me seriously lol anyway it's midnight thoughts) spoiler alert: many of the characters or stuff haven't been animated yet
1. Forced hatred toward Karen: Like I get it she wasn't saint, but her hatred toward her is so forced. She was the one who got cheated on by her husband with some Filipino woman then raised his bastard with her own daughter. Also it's hypocrisy of herself she did the same thing. However, I still doubt what if Makato (Shin/Mikey's father) maybe he manipulated or lied to her, either way they both were in a problematic. She had two children maybe she used their father to secure money after he died she send them safest places possible as she knew she isn't the best person to raise her childrens at least in orphange Izana will get decent education food shalter same with emma at in sano family they treat her nicely all I blame their father more, like wdym he have a beautiful wife with two sons still cheated on them ?.
2. Hypocrisy of fandom...: many people in this fandom hate like really hate female characters for lame ass reasons. Like they aren't well written or extremely sexualized, but the same thing can be said for male characters as well, still we praised them for the same thing *cough* Haitani brothers *cough* Hanma.... (I love them still they barely had any point in the story apart from face card) still we all enjoy them but hate Hina and Emma for the same reason. This reminds me of Yuzu kicking Inui's ass for protecting her younger bro some people hating her for that like what she's supposed to do ?? but praised Ran being overprotective bro for showcasing one reaction.
3. This remind me of Takeomi: the amount of mischaracterization this guy had is insane lile you guys forgive izana and taiju for being so young or have troublesome background but when it comes to him everyone makes him sound like predator/abuser, etc.... refuse to acknowledge all character development. At least he tries to be nice to Senju maybe try to be good with Sanzu but we didn't get any single panel of them together as much the one we saw their interaction itself was weird (Takeomi wasn't mad only with Sanzu and Senju he was also scolding Mikey for ruining Shin's sleep maybe he was in bad mood like what do you expect 16 yo ). We saw Sanzu with Senju at the end they get along . Also, Sanzu never looked up to Takeomi, nor did he hold anything against him either. Also, Senju never tell Takeomi the truth till very end before that Omi thought Sanzu was crazy and ran away like always (Sanzu stabbed Omi before trying to run away, so I think he used it) but after knowing everything he might try to act better. Guess what we never get a single panel of Takeomi in the last arc.
4. The main villain of this show was Sano Men: agree with me or not they were the main cause of everything. Imagine if Gramps Sano were a little bit strict on his grandson (mikey) to disband his stupid gang and help in the dojo instead of letting him go unruly with stupid gang shit. Like this old man, who lost not only his son, but also his daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, still learn no lessons. Still, he was old and the only man who was supposed to be the breadwinner.
The makato (mikey/shin father): This pomeranian ass man smashs two prettiest women in the show like how ??!!!. Even tho he had the least screen time, he was a decent father at least to Mikey and Shin. Still, I think I blame him for ruining both sons' emotional health. He was emotionally repressed and loser like we see in Mikey's mom telling mikey how his father never cries or shows any bad emotions there are chance both parents often fight shout and scream in private kid Shin was around they cover up act nice parents for his sake but this only ruines his emotional ablity as he thought it okay to surpressed emotion outburst or these feelings only exist for private this explain why in original timeline when Mikey was dying Shin act decent around childrens or friends in private he was lossing himself mentally and physically. Same thing we saw with Mikey, who refused to show all negative emotions in front of others, believing he was the strongest even tho it was just ruining his own mental and emotional self.
Now we're talking about Shin so focus on him: Shin was the biggest idiot and saddest character in the show. Most of the time he digs his own grave. He literally suffers from "Older sibling syndrome". He thinks he is doing right but he often ends up doing worse, you know what I mean if you guys read 270 chp. I will get so much hate for this. Shin somehow ruined the life of Takeomi, Izana, Mikey, and Sanzu. (I'll write some other day about this in details)
At first, Takeomi never wanted to be delinquent. He was an average kid with an average life. Chase Shin has always had this weird, godly charisma, and without Shin Takeomi is nothing. Both know that, however, Shin never tries to help out or fix Takeomi. Mind you, Takeomi was younger than Shin, and didn't have as privileged of good parents as Shin had. Takeomi was a perfect example of forced parenting or what happens when you force a 14-year-old to be a parent of a toddler of course, he had a different view compared to Shin, who had decent parents who taught him to be kind or "nice guy."
I know a lot of people romantice and love Shin this side honestly its fucked up if you actually be with someone who is people pleaser as these people never be honest people pleaser they just love the idea of people being happy it doesnt matter if it actually good or bad like he went manila to find Izana bio mom we have no idea what exactly happend out there still we can assume Shin is aware that Izana is half Filipino, but he never tell that to Izana because shin already expected Izana's reaction, Same with Mikey even as kid Mikey had this weird obession over beating people (which literally lead as far as almost killing someone like Sanzu) considering everything Shin never tries to be strict or taught Mikey instead tell Sanzu to continue befriend with Mikey ?!.. (Like Mikey could kill Sanzu ).. Still, Sanzu always admires Shin more than anyone, that's why he may forgive Mikey, also kids often forget stuff like that or act cool in front of adults. Still, if it were the opposite case Idks Shin would act the same.
This make me think this guy is ENFJ which makes sense why he was manipulative and a loser without even trying to be...
Mikey even in canon is said to be a villain. Even though he had sob ass backstory, he never learns to hold accountability. He either ignores the sulk or just dies, tries to run away. Except for the final timeline, he in always be in control of someone, that someone will always be his own loyal man ( Sanzu, Kisaki, Izana? ). None of them really wants the best for Mikey, they all just want to ruin him. He knew that he still let these folks be with him. Honest I like hdc of him being Audhd which explains half of his shitty behavior at the end of the show, even though everyone had character development, he stays the same as a man-child.
For this I blame his family they never hold him accountable. They always encourage his stupid behavior. Like I get it he was the youngest spoiled still Shin knew gang life is dangerous considering he was the leader of big bosozoku around the 1990s. (I don't need to explain why they were worse). He kept on encouraging Mikey and Izana in gang life tries to influence them, at least Shin Takeomi is better he tries to keep his siblings away as much as he can. No doubt Izana and Mikey both idolized Shinichiro and decided to be gang leaders even tho no one can achieve Shin's level of leadership all failed.
Sanzu's blind loyalty to Mikey ?: I Doubt Sanzu was loyal to Mikey blindly as everyone in fandom or show seems like... No doubt Sanzu had a yangire tendency still he barely respects Mikey's choices despite being a childhood friend somewhere till now ( ktm arc). Sanzu still views Mikey as a fragile sick boy from the Og timeline. Like I get it, Sanzu himself was traumatized witnessing his only friend in such a state, family issues, then time-leap stuff... Finally, he talks about everything to a trusted adult like Shin who justifies killing "as long as Mikey is alive."
Somehow, Sanzu himself is a victim of forced parenting like Omi. or maybe generation truama? .. He may see Mikey as a weak kid who acts superior. Sanzu had to take care of him, as Shinichiro sacrificed himself for this. Also Sanzu only had a genuine connection from Shin as he was the only guy who treated him nicely unlike the rest of the people around him who barely cared. If that guy sacrificed himself then it must be protected. Many times we have seen Sanzu make plans by himself without telling anyone else he didn't even care about Mikey's choice or decisions.
I believe in Bonten; he would make all decisions on behalf of Mikey. Only in extremely rare cases would he go to Mikey; otherwise, he would rarely let Mikey know half of the things going on in the criminal organisation. Maybe the same reason why Sanzu hates Kakucho as Mikey might start trusting Kakucho more and giving him more privileges, and Sanzu can't go against Mikey hence he hates Kakucho.. (lowkey give me vibe of those Chinese consort drama). This also explains why he tries to avoid connection from his siblings or muto as they might distract him (honest I'll write about this later as it totally diff topic I'll like to yap about)
By end I'm happy for Sanzu ending he wants to be like Baji and Mikey the guys who talk with everyone and enjoy everything he able to do in the final timeline as an influencer/YouTuber. with his siblings, he's able to heal his inner child. Honest I wonder how final timeline Sanzu will react to Bonten Sanzu they are both the same person but different personalities. (although I think it's trauma that changes Sanzu Bonten's personality)
it cracks me up that people are mad about juvias powers “not making sense” in this last chapter
bc mind u, fairy tail’s magic system has not made sense since the GMG arc really……. so we’re gonna draw the line now…?
dont get me wrong i totally agree but shes beautiful and perfect and shes my goat so i rly dont gaf like she could become a water dragon god herself next chap and id go 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
thats my girl LET HER HAVE HER MOMENT! who CARES IF IT DOESNT MAKE SENSE! fairy tail magic NEVER MAKES SENSE!
In my eyes, the best gruvia moment was at the beginning of the Tartaros arc when Juvia told Gray how scared she was and he put his hand over hers and reassured her that they would win. It wasn’t forced or used as comic relief, and it’s one of the few moments that does their characters justice
– submitted by anonymous
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