Okay, let's get real for a sec. We're talking about Hiro Mashima, right? The guy behind Fairy Tail and Edens Zero.
He's got a style. And, let's be honest, a serious case of recycling. But is Edens Zero *actually* connected to Fairy Tail? Prepare for my slightly heretical opinion.
The Obvious Stuff (That Everyone Agrees On)
Yeah, yeah, character lookalikes. We see you, Erza Scarlet and Elsie Crimson. And Natsu Dragneel kind of lives on in Shiki Granbell.
It's like Mashima has a favorite character template. He just tweaks the hair color and backstory. Okay, and maybe their fighting style.
Plus, the whole guild/crew dynamic is super similar. Found family, adventure, beating up bad guys. It's all there.
But Here's Where It Gets Interesting (My Unpopular Opinion)
I think... I think they're softly connected. Not like a direct sequel or prequel. But more like...parallel universes.
Hear me out! Mashima loves his Easter eggs. He plants them everywhere.
Think about it: both worlds have magic (or ether gear). Both have powerful guilds/crews. Both have talking cats! (Plue, anyone?).
The Theory: Multiverse Mashima-Style
Maybe there's a multiverse thing going on. Perhaps Edens Zero is just a different timeline or dimension of Fairy Tail.
Like, a slightly altered version where spaceships are a thing. And instead of dragons, robots are running the show.
The characters aren't *exactly* the same. But they share a core essence. A heroic spirit. A love for nakama (friends).
Remember Plue? How does one explain Plue? It seems even Mashima forgot how that happend!
Evidence (Or Lack Thereof)
Okay, I admit. There's no concrete proof. Mashima hasn't officially said anything.
But there's a feeling. A vibe. A nagging sense of "I've seen this before...but different!"
Thematically, both series explore similar ideas. Friendship, overcoming adversity, the power of believing in yourself. It's all very Mashima.
Maybe Mashima is just playing with us. Teasing us with familiar faces and plot points.
Or maybe he's hinting at something bigger. Something he'll reveal later. (Probably not, but let's dream!).
The Verdict (My Totally Biased Conclusion)
Do I think Edens Zero is *officially* a Fairy Tail sequel/prequel? No.
Do I think they're spiritually connected? Absolutely. It's like Mashima brewed a pot of Fairy Tail tea, then added a dash of space dust and robots.
It's familiar, yet different. And that's why I love it (and why I'm sticking to my crazy theory).
So, what do you think? Am I totally off my rocker? Or is there a secret multiverse lurking beneath the surface of Hiro Mashima's work? Let me know!
Disclaimer: This is just my fun, speculative opinion. Don't @ me if I'm wrong.
