The final season of the TV anime "FAIRY TAIL," based on Hiro Mashima's fantasy manga, is scheduled to begin airing on six TV Tokyo affiliates from October. In this article, we'll introduce the members of the Spriggan 12, who will stand in the way of the final chapter.
What are the Spriggan 12?
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
The Twelve Shields are an elite unit that protects Emperor Spriggan (Zeref). God Serena, the most powerful of the Ten Wizarding Saints, is a member of the group, and the other eleven members are said to be wizards on par with him. Some members are interested in black magic (or dark arts) and the "demons of the Book of Zeref." It appears that he existed before God Serena joined Alvarez, but it is unclear whether he joined due to a vacancy or as a replacement.
Inbel
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
A member of the "Spriggan 12," he is the regent of the Alvarez Empire. He is also known as "General Winter." He has narrow eyes, glasses, a tie, and long silver hair in a ponytail. He serves as Zeref's advisor and even knows the name Zeref calls him in Ishgar. He is strict about discipline and rules, as seen in scolding Dimaria and Azeel for speaking disrespectfully of Zeref, and warning Yazeel that proper documentation is required when inviting foreign visitors to the palace. During the invasion of Ishgar, he served alongside Yazeel under Zeref, who was leading an army of one million. He learned of Natsu's relationship with Zeref when he attacked.
Abilities
He is a pure ice mage who freezes everything with ice rather than using it to shape things. Even Gray, who is resistant to cold, feels chilled by his magic. His magic affects not only matter but also the mind, sealing off the thoughts and ego of others, and can even create blizzards that cover the entire area.
Brandish
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
One of the "Spriggan 12." Also known as "Brandish the Nation Destroyer." Eight years ago, she was the same age as Lucy and had the nation's crest on her right thigh. She wore two cross-like ornaments on her head and a collar and bikini underneath her coat. He hates trouble and tends to go at his own pace. He often abandons assigned missions and acts carelessly, but he follows Zeref's orders regardless of his mood.
Abilities
He possesses such powerful magical power that Gray calls it "greater than Makarov's," and it's said that his power could destroy an entire country. He uses high-level magic to alter the mass of objects, both his own and others', enlarging or shrinking entire islands, and even shrinking internal tumors and wounds to the point of disappearing them (though damage will remain if the exact location is known).
Dimaria Yesta
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
One of the "Spriggan 12." A descendant of the ancient capital of Mildian. Also known as the "Valkyrie." She bears the country's crest on her left foot and right shoulder pad. A blonde female knight nicknamed after the goddess who swept across the battlefield. She wears armor on her right arm, a wing-like ornament on her left hand, a coat wrapped around her waist, and wears a full-body tights suit when the Spriggan 12 reunite. She and Brandish call each other "Randy" and "Marie," but they dislike each other because they "say what they think" and "are not cute."
Abilities
When she becomes one with the God of Time, Chronos, her hair stands on end, her body is dark, and yellow patterns appear. She possesses unimaginable magical power, capable of creating gigantic explosions and firing lasers from her fingertips. She can use this magic to seal time, allowing only herself to move within that frozen time. She describes it as "the strongest magic that will never be defeated," and it has previously appeared as lightning-fast swordplay.
Ajeel Ramuru
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
One of the "Spriggan 12." Yazeel's grandson. Also known as the "Desert King." He has his country's crest on his right shoulder. He is a dark-skinned man with a bandana, seaweed-like hairstyle, and a habit of squinting one eye. His catchphrase is "Nice (hey, hey)!!" and he sometimes emphasizes other words with "~!!". He is the most aggressive of the "Spriggan 12", and has a cruel personality that looks down on his opponents and takes pleasure in seeing them in horrible poses.
Abilities
As his nickname suggests, he is a sand-controlling magician with the ability to assimilate with sand. He can turn weapons he has been hit by back into sand, create various monsters of all sizes from sand, generate gigantic, tsunami-like sandstorms that eliminate all moisture in anyone he touches, and even absorb moisture from anyone he touches. He also has impressive abilities outside of magic, such as diffusing Jupiter bullets with his bare hands.
God Serena
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
One of the "Spriggan 12" and one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Ishgar (ranked first). A bold warrior with a straight scar on the bridge of his nose and bud-like hair on top of his head, he is particularly eye-catching. He wears a halo-like ornament on his back. He's practically the strongest mage on the Ishgar continent, but he's often ignored whenever he strikes an exaggerated pose, and he uses his unique greeting of "God, bye-bye," making him what Makarov calls a "disappointing man."
Abilities
A second-generation dragon slayer mage with eight dragon slayer magic crystals embedded within him. He wields the most powerful dragon slayer magic of earth, fire, water, and wind, and his eye colors reverse during battle. August himself has described his abilities as "hybrid theory" and "a man beloved by the Dragon God."
August
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
President of the Spriggan 12. Also known as the "Sorcerer King." His cloak bears the nation's crest. He is an old man with a beard and a split-collar cloak. He carries a staff with a crystal at the end. He has a caring and gentle personality, such as when he saves Ajeel by creating a barrier when she is nearly hit by Laxus's lightning. He is said to be one of the most sympathetic members of the Spriggan 12, but he is deeply loyal to Zeref, to the point that he considers anyone who does not understand the meaning of his wars to be nothing but an enemy. He has been friends with Brandish since she was a child, and he sometimes calls her "Grandpa" fondly.
Abilities
He possesses great magical powers that Makarov considers in a league of his own compared to the other Spriggan 12. He can use all types of magic, past and present, from all over the world, surpassing even Zeref in terms of the variety of magic he uses. In terms of sheer combat prowess, he boasts unparalleled strength. During battle, his skin turns red and yellow patterns appear on his face. Because of his abilities, the month of August, named after him, is known in Arakitasia as the "Month of Terror," a time when calamities gather. To overcome August, people pray, live modestly, and honestly. Its true form is an instant copy of the opponent's magic, and it can also nullify the magic of any wizard standing in front of it.
War Eicht
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
One of the "Spriggan 12." Also known as the "Judge." He bears the nation's crest on both shoulders. A slender young Machine with sharp teeth and stubble-like spots on his chin. He usually has a playful personality, often laughing vulgarly, but this is a result of his own "setting" personality, and he can also override it to be ruthless.
Abilities
A Magic Barrier Canceller, he can neutralize magic barrier spells and magic particles. He calls himself an elite Machine alchemist, and can create weapons such as homing missiles, 9mm bullets made from copper and zinc extracted from the ground, and railguns. He has also mastered the art of overcoming lightning, a weakness of Machines, and in battle, he analyzes his opponents' weaknesses and exploits them.
Bloodman
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
One of the "Spriggan 12." Also known as the "Grim Reaper." An Etherious, a large man clad in black robes and armor, with red skin. His body is made of magic-impairing particles, capable of causing magicians to suffer a magic deficiency or instantly die. He can also turn his body into mist, nullifying opponents' attacks, and extend his arms to attack. Gajeel claims he "doesn't have much magical power," but that's because he uses incantations rather than magic, allowing him to use any incantation used by the "Nine Demon Gates."
Abilities
There are stages of abilities called "seals." "The first seal steals magical power with magic-impairing particles, the second seal opens the door to the underworld in the Corpse Field, and the third seal is the Grim Reaper's judgment of life." By unlocking the third seal, he transforms into a form in which magic-impairing particles erupt from his entire body, allowing him to control a large number of summoned skulls.
Neinhart
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
One of the "Spriggan 12." He bears the nation's crest on both shoulder pads. A slender, elegant man wearing green armor with two roses engraved on the chest. Dimaria called him "uncooperative," and Inbel criticized him for disobeying Zeref's orders when he attended the palace but did not show up. He was also criticized for "dishonoring the Spriggan 12." He had never met Makarov and only knew his name.
Abilities
He can see into people's hearts and recall memories of powerful enemies they have fought from their memories, materializing them. Since they are created from memories rather than illusions, they have personalities and can use magic. However, because their prototype is memories, they will disappear if fear of the memory's owner is reawakened. This magic can be used on both human and non-human targets, and can even materialize Etherious beings. Its range of effect extends to the entire Hargeon region.
Jacob Lessio
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
One of the "Spriggan 12." He is characterized by dark circles under his eyes and a blue beard. He has a skull mark on his forehead and wears gloves. He possesses a ruthless nature, willing to kill anyone in front of him without hesitation, and a short temper that makes him angry when attacked. However, he also possesses such an innocent personality that he cannot look directly at a naked woman (his face becomes very unique when he does so). Unlike the other Spriggan 12, he has no subordinates, but this allows him to move freely and nimbly.
Abilities
He is known as a genius in assassination magic and has also mastered martial arts. While a typical assassin operates stealthily to avoid attracting attention, in his hands, his targets and witnesses are hidden (or disappear), allowing him to openly reveal his presence. He uses knives and whips as weapons.
Larkade Dragneel
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
One of the "Spriggan 12." He has the nation's crest on his left shoulder. A blonde young man with a similar appearance to Zeref, he is always seen with his hands clasped together and a smile on his face. He has a white cross on his forehead, a giant cross-like object on his back, and a rosary on his bare left arm. He always refuses to meet with the Spriggan 12, leading to August's cold attitude.
Abilities
He has the ability to stimulate three human desires: sexual desire, appetite, and sleep. When it comes to sexual desire, he emits an intense halo, bringing intense pleasure to the target and causing their soul to ascend. While the effect varies between those who know this pleasure and those who don't, even those who are immune to it can be inflicted with pleasure by binding them with multiple tentacles of light. He also possesses high physical abilities, capable of launching numerous blades of light, catching swords with his bare hands, and slicing through opponents' bodies with his hands. He can also throw and freely manipulate the cross on his back. Zeref calls it his "secret weapon," and Mavis describes it as "unique," stating that it has the potential to even defeat Acnologia. He calls himself, along with August and Irene, a special member of the Spriggan 12.
True Identity
His true identity is an Etherious. He was created as one of the test subjects to create Natsu (END) (Sting says he smells the same as Natsu), and as the best, he was given the name "Dragneel," the same name as Natsu and Zeref. He feels jealous of Natsu, who is also an Etherious (officially his uncle), because Zeref values him more than he does, and he is determined to kill him in the battle against Fairy Tail.
Irene Belserion
Source: Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima, Kodansha / Fairy Tail Production Committee, TV Tokyo
One of the "Spriggan 12." Also known as "Scarlet Despair." She has the nation's crest on her clothing. Along with August, she is said to be the strongest of the "Spriggan 12." She shares Erza's scarlet hair with two large braids and a scar on her abdomen. She wears a black, four-pronged hat, revealing clothing, and carries a leopard-print staff resembling reindeer antlers. As a native of Ishgar, she also knows the ancient tales surrounding the sacred mountain Zonia. While her personality is elusive, often acting against Zeref's wishes, she also has a cruel side, such as transforming jade into a mouse and toying with Toma.
Abilities
A High Enchanter, she bestows magical effects on everything, imbuing the air and ground with magical effects. She can also transform her opponents' appearances and project a giant eye into the sky to survey her surroundings. Even Acnologia, who fought her, praised her abilities as "interesting," and Zeref called her a "genius at enchanting and unenchanting."
True Identity
Elsa's biological mother and creator of dragon slayer magic. She was the queen of the Dragunov Kingdom, which existed in Ishgar until 400 years ago. In order to win the Dragon King Festival, she invented dragon slayer magic using annexation techniques. She inherited the power and name of the wise dragon Belserion and became the first dragon slayer to avenge his death. As her dragon transformation progressed, she was treated like a monster by her husband and the people, and suffered the torture of imprisonment and persecution. She successfully returned to human form, but after suffering from the senses and physical characteristics of her dragon form, she came to the twisted conclusion that "I can obtain a human body by annexing my child's personality," and gave birth to Erza. However, seeing her daughter's smile, she was unable to annex her personality, and before her resolve had wavered, she abandoned the newborn Erza in Rosemary Village.
Summary
The Spriggan 12 are each considered to be the most powerful beings, and stand in the way of our protagonist, Natsu and his companions. They are also important characters who have connections with Fairy Tail members such as Larcade Dragneel and Irene Belserion. Be sure to check out the exploits of the Spriggan 12 in the original manga and anime.
