Move Over, Lucy. Fairy Tail Has Some Great Heroines, And Its Time We Recognized Its Best Girl

Fairy Tail features a large cast of strong female characters who capture the audience's attention. While many believe that Lucy Heartfilia and Erza Scarlet, as the two main characters, deserve the title of "best girl," that isn’t always the case, especially when considering Juvia Lockser. The elite water user might not have been featured as prominently as Lucy and Erza, but in the few moments she appeared, she proved that the main characters aren’t always the best girls.

Juvia’s transformation from a villain to a loyal ally, combined with her unwavering love for Gray and her willingness to risk everything for him, makes her stand out. Her growth and devotion show that being the best girl isn’t about screen time. Sometimes it is also about unforgettable impressions throughout the series.

Juvia's Villain Arc Made Her Character Even Better

Juvia Was a Prominent Member of a Guild Once Feared

Before becoming the Juvia that everyone eventually came to love, Juvia’s villain arc showed a completely different side. She was cold and emotionless. Her early personality made it nearly impossible to approach her. Juvia’s transformation into one of the kindest characters and a loyal member of the Fairy Tail guild was one of the series’ most unexpected twists. While her initial reason for joining the guild might have been based on her love for Gray, Juvia didn’t limit herself to that. She grew to value the strong camaraderie within Fairy Tail and cherished every member who accepted her wholeheartedly.

Juvia Lockser has one of the most interesting stories in Fairy Tail because she wasn’t part of the guild from the start. Initially, Juvia was an obstacle for Fairy Tail, serving as an S-Class mage of the now-disbanded Phantom Lord guild. Known as one of the strongest guilds in Earth Land, the Phantom Lord guild’s reputation highlighted Juvia’s power and authority as one of their elite members. Her early villain arc didn’t just make her powerful—it gave her depth. It made her eventual development from a cold enemy to a devoted friend and ally even more compelling, proving that her strength wasn’t just in her magic but in her ability to change, grow, and connect with others.

Juvia's Exaggerate Love for Gray May Be Controversial but Fairy Tail Pulls It Off

Based on the Manga by Hiro Mashima; Anime Produced by A-1 Pictures

The idea of Juvia falling in love or even expressing genuine emotions seemed unimaginable in the earlier parts of Fairy Tail. As an S-Class Mage of the Phantom Guild, Juvia was introduced not only as a formidable opponent but also as someone who lacked emotion. While Fairy Tail isn’t centered around romantic love stories, it’s hard not to admire Juvia’s unconditional devotion to Gray Fullbuster.

Everything changed for Juvia after the Phantom Lord guild’s defeat and her fateful meeting with Gray. It was as if all her bottled-up emotions were poured out at once, manifesting in her feelings for him. Despite her exaggerated and possessive displays of affection, this love defined her growth as a character. While Gray didn’t reciprocate her feelings for most of the series, Juvia’s love showcased her strength and sincerity, especially in moments when she risked everything to protect him.

One of the most notable examples of Juvia’s dedication is her mastery of the Water-Make: Blood spell, a technique she perfected in secret for Gray’s sake. This extraordinary spell allowed her to manipulate and transfer her blood into another person’s body, specifically for Gray, replenishing his life force and saving him from the brink of death. The moment Juvia used this ability to save Gray was a testament to her selflessness and willingness to sacrifice herself for love. Juvia’s character arc highlights her transformation from a cold and distant mage to someone capable of profound love and sacrifice.

Juvia Doesn’t Fall Behind in Terms of Strength Either

Not a Main Character, But Still a Standout Mage

Juvia is an exceptionally skilled water mage whose abilities go far beyond simply manipulating water. As gentle as water can seem, Juvia transforms it into a deadly force. She can unleash waves of multiple blades capable of slicing through anything in front of her or trap and suffocate opponents within a circular mass of water without any source of oxygen. On the flip side, her mastery also allows her to protect those she cares about by creating a water dome to shield an entire group or using water as camouflage in the ocean for a perfect escape.

While Erza and Lucy are undeniably talented and powerful characters, Juvia’s strength and abilities as a mage deserve just as much recognition. The spotlight often centers too heavily on the main characters, leading some fans to believe they are the only strong female protagonists. However, Juvia’s character adds depth and cohesiveness to the Fairy Tail narrative, proving that strength lies beyond the leading roles.