Makarov

Biodata

Background / History

Welcoming New Members

Makarov had spent years searching for his old friend Rob before Xi Feng, Erza, Wendy, and Kinana arrived at Fairy Tail on Rob’s recommendation. After learning of Rob’s death, he mourned with the older members, then instructed Cana to give the newcomers their guild marks 5.

He later welcomed Mirajane, Lisanna, and Elfman, restoring Mirajane’s altered right hand after Xi Feng explained her circumstances. When another Lisanna arrived from Edolas, he offered her a place in Fairy Tail while she could not return home and organized a celebration of her membership 8 18 19.

Assessing Xi Feng and the S-Class Exam

Makarov initially refused Xi Feng permission to undertake an A-rank mission. During a personal test, he recognized the boy’s unusually mature combat judgment and suspected that his weapons were being created rather than retrieved through Requip Magic. Xi Feng’s projected Excalibur forced him to defend with Three God Pillars; afterward, he checked the exhausted boy and carried him away 5.

For the annual S-Class exam, Makarov selected Laxus and Xi Feng and accompanied them to Tenrou Island with Gildarts. The candidates had to locate an examiner and earn approval before the day ended. Makarov fought Laxus while Gildarts tested Xi Feng, and both candidates ultimately received S-Class status 11 12 13.

After learning that Cana was Gildarts’s daughter, Makarov urged Gildarts to stay longer and speak with her, acknowledging how difficult the preceding years had been for Cana 13.

Eisenwald and Galuna Island

While attending a guild masters’ meeting, Makarov received Mirajane’s report that Erza, Xi Feng, Lucy, Wendy, Natsu, and Gray had formed a team. Rather than celebrating, he feared they might destroy an entire city 22.

Kageyama subsequently approached him with Lullaby, intending to play its lethal song. Makarov persuaded him to surrender by explaining that weakness was not inherently sinful and that comrades could help people live with strength. He proudly watched Fairy Tail defeat the awakened demon, only to discover that their attack had also destroyed the meeting villa 24.

When Natsu and Happy stole an S-Class request for Galuna Island, Makarov reprimanded Laxus for witnessing the theft without intervening. He authorized Xi Feng to retrieve them, with Gray and Wendy joining the mission, and punished Natsu, Happy, and Lucy after their return 27 33.

War with Phantom Lord

Makarov initially refused to retaliate when Phantom Lord damaged Fairy Tail’s empty guildhall. The Magic Council prohibited armed conflict between guilds, and no members had been injured. His restraint ended when Gajeel attacked Jade and Troy: he declared war and personally led the assault on Phantom Lord 33.

Inside the enemy guildhall, he confronted Jose’s thought body and was nearly ambushed by Aria while distracted by Lucy’s captivity. Xi Feng interrupted the attack, rescued Lucy through a brief time stop, and withdrew with Makarov 34.

When Phantom Lord brought its moving guildhall to Fairy Tail, Makarov blocked Jupiter with Three God Pillars and refused to surrender Lucy. During his next confrontation with Jose, Aria’s ambush stripped him of his magic power and blasted him out of the building. Wendy began treating him while the guild continued fighting 34 35.

Makarov awoke a week after the battle, distressed by the ruined guildhall but relieved that his family had survived. The Council cleared Fairy Tail of wrongdoing, disbanded Phantom Lord, and removed Jose from the Ten Wizard Saints 39.

Resurrection Inquiry and Laxus’s Rebellion

At the Council hearing, Jellal—addressed as Councilor Siegrain—presented evidence that Ur was alive and pressed Makarov to share Fairy Tail’s apparent resurrection magic. Makarov avoided identifying Xi Feng publicly, while Yajima defended magic as private property. Makarov later told Yajima the truth and received a warning about the dangerous attention resurrection could attract 39.

Laxus’s hostility toward the guild increasingly troubled Makarov. He confronted his grandson after Laxus attacked Gajeel and threatened Juvia, but hoped the approaching Harvest Season would remain peaceful 46.

During the festival, Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe took guild members hostage and forced Fairy Tail into a battle royale. Freed’s Magic Formula prevented Makarov from leaving the guildhall until Xi Feng destroyed it with Rule Breaker. After Xi Feng also reversed the hostages’ petrification, Laxus activated the Thunder Palace over Magnolia. Makarov’s furious protest was interrupted by severe chest pain, leaving him on his knees as the others rushed to help 47 48.

Appearance

• Normal form: A short, elderly man with a deep voice 5.
• Giant form: Can enlarge his entire body into an enormous figure or expand individual body parts 20 33 34 45.
• Magical display: Golden light shines from his eyes during his giant transformation, and powerful golden magic surrounds him when confronting Jose 33 34.

Personality

Makarov treats Fairy Tail’s members as his children. He can tolerate damage to the guild’s property but regards attacks on its people as unforgivable. His refusal to hand Lucy over to Phantom Lord makes this distinction explicit: membership means family, not a bargaining chip 33 35.

His permissiveness has limits. He encourages members to follow their convictions rather than fear Council complaints, yet restricts dangerous missions according to ability and punishes unauthorized S-Class work. He is also attentive to personal hardships, including Cana’s estrangement from Gildarts and Edolas Lisanna’s displacement 11 13 18 20 33.

He often shifts between stern authority and comic exasperation. He complains about Gildarts damaging entrances, panics over his members’ destructive teamwork, and falls asleep during a Council hearing. He also enjoys gravure publications and eagerly anticipates the Fairy Tail Miss contest 10 22 24 39 46.

Abilities & Skills

Size Manipulation

Makarov enlarges his body for combat, intimidation, and discipline.

• Transforms into a giant and clears a surrounding group of Phantom Lord mages with one sweeping kick 33.
• Enlarges a hand to strike Jose’s thought body 34.
• Stretches his arm to discipline Natsu and Happy and enlarges his head while scolding Xi Feng 33 45.

Three God Pillars

A defensive spell that produces three pillars arranged in a triangle, supported by a magic circle beneath Makarov 34.

• Withstands Xi Feng’s projected Excalibur attack during his strength assessment 5.
• Blocks a direct shot from Phantom Lord’s Jupiter cannon 34.
• Makarov judges that Excalibur might have cut through the defense if Xi Feng had possessed more magic power 5.

Magical Power and Perception

• Releases an aura powerful enough to wipe out half of an attacking wave of Phantom Soldiers 35.
• Senses the immense magic released by Xi Feng and Gildarts elsewhere on Tenrou Island 12.
• Recognizes Excalibur’s power as comparable to an S-Class spell and notices inconsistencies between Projection and Requip Magic 5.

Magical Instruction and Restoration

• Helps Xi Feng unlock his Second Origin alongside Gildarts, greatly increasing Xi Feng’s magical reserves 30.
• Restores Mirajane’s right hand; the method is not specified 8.
• Evaluates mission readiness and serves as an examiner for S-Class promotion 5 11 12.

Persuasion

• Convinces Kageyama to abandon Lullaby without fighting him, using a compassionate explanation of weakness, companionship, and hope 24.
• Inspires Fairy Tail to pursue magic with conviction despite the Council’s complaints 20.

Relationships

• Laxus — Grandson and S-Class examinee. Makarov remembers him as a well-behaved child and struggles with his growing cruelty, culminating in the festival rebellion 12 27 46 47 48.
• Xi Feng — Guild member and protégé. Makarov assesses his strength, approves his promotion, helps develop his magic reserves, and protects the secret of his resurrection ability 5 12 30 39.
• Rob — Old friend whom Makarov searched for over many years; news of his death deeply saddens him 5.
• Gildarts — Fellow S-Class examiner. Makarov scolds his destructive entrances and encourages him to reconnect with Cana 10 11 13.
• Yajima — Old friend and Council ally who shields him from demands concerning resurrection magic 39.
• Lucy Heartfilia — Guild member whom he explicitly claims as family and refuses to surrender to Jose 35.
• Edolas Lisanna — Displaced newcomer offered shelter and membership until she can return to her world 18 19.
• Jose — Rival Wizard Saint and enemy guild master whose attacks on Fairy Tail provoke Makarov’s retaliation 33 34 35.
• Kageyama — Would-be attacker whom Makarov persuades to surrender 24.

Notable Quotes

“Don't fear those fools on the council. Follow the path you believe in! That's what it means to be a Fairy Tail Mage!” 20

“The weak remain weak, no matter when. But weakness isn't always a sin.” 24

“I could tolerate them destroying our guildhall. But daring to hurt my children? That, I cannot forgive...” 33