NaLu Analysis: How they affect one another

Original post: January, 2018

Being honest I wasn’t planning to write this post. But I found the need to come back to the subject of the NaLu bonding

A constant in potent relationships is how each of the characters is able to leave an impact on one another

One example would be how Gray found emotional closure thanks to a difficult decision Juvia made, which turned out to be a moment that brought them closer and strengthened their relationship. Something that would eventually lead to Gray making to choice to respond to her feelings, or as he said to Juvia when he thought she was dead: “take her feelings seriously”

But why do I mention such pairing when this is a NaLu analysis? Because the aftermath mirrored a NaLu scene from the GMG arc. The moment Gray takes revenge on the guy who made Juvia sacrifice herself for her beloved (spoiler: she’s later revealed to be alive), mirrors the moment Natsu started his counterattack on Future Rouge after he killed Future Lucy

A similar feeling it’s what led to Natsu and Gray to fight each other during the final arc. While the reveal of Natsu being END makes Gray place the blame, of all the misfortune his loved ones went through (which includes Juvia’s apparent death), on the Dragon Slayer; Natsu entered in berserk mode when he thought one of Zeref’s lackeys killed Lucy, placing the blame for Lucy’s death on his evil brother. Demolishing the person who apparently killed Lucy was no longer enough, he was destroying everything and everyone on his path with the only goal of killing Zeref 

Those who read the manga know that Natsu and Gray stopped fighting when Erza reminded them that they’re family. And as soon as the fight ends, both are relieved as their respective girls (Lucy and Juvia) make it to the place alive and well 

Still we saw something interesting about Natsu. He first went END on Dimaria driven by his desire to protect Lucy, and later went on a rampage driven by the pain and sorrow he felt from believing he lost her 

Lucy affects Natsu by driving him in several ways. And the story (as well as the last FT movie) highlights that fact a couple of times. Some of those examples being the moments already described in this post. But there’s one moment that doesn’t get that much attention

One year after Fairy Tail disbanded, Natsu and Happy reunited with Lucy. What drove Natsu to get the guild back together?

The moment when he saw the length Lucy went to track every one of their guildmates.Natsu was driven by her desire to get Fairy Tail back. Here we have another overlooked factor in emotional chemistry, the way characters can deeply affect one another

During this new journey, Natsu reassured Lucy that they were going to get their family back together, once again doing an earnest effort to personally provide her with hope and comfort. In fact, a perceptive reader concluded that Natsu’s efforts to get Fairy Tail back on track were tied to his newfound desire to restore Lucy’s happiness

Another little instance is seen in the Dragon Cry movie. At the beginning of the story we get Natsu asking Lucy in a curious manner “What do I look like?”. It might seem inconsequential at first, but at the climax of the movie it’s featured as a meaningful call back. After Natsu beats the bad guy with a new transformation (which made him look more like a dragon and less like a person for a while), he asked Lucy that very same question

This shows how much Natsu values the way Lucy sees him, the perspective Lucy holds on his person. And Lucy’s answer was somewhat obvious but sweet nonetheless. He’ll always be Natsu to her no matter what

That leads me to adress the other side of the coin: the impact Natsu had on Lucy

The base of the premise on her side is plain simple, he introduced her to a world filled with excitement and adventure, and took her to the place where she found a home and a family. The rest capitalize on how Natsu offered emotional comfort whenever he could. Something that was already explained in a previous analysis

This part of their relationship is even highlighted through both movies, as Lucy seeks comfort in Natsu or finds herself being relieved and encouraged by the some gestures from him

Most of the moments they shared not only built-up a mutual trust along a deep affection for one another, they also strengthened her attachment to Natsu to the point many could easily and logically conclude Lucy is head over heels for him. Hispanic NaLu fans often discussed how this trait of her was far more obvious when she was drunk

This happened for a first time in the 4th Fairy Tail OVA. But Mashima later integrated this trait in Lucy’s personality, adding up to her relationship with Natsu. She gets frisky with the Dragon Slayer when she’s drunk

Sometimes it gets hard to see the real strength of their bond because of the overused fanservice featured in the story. Of course, it doesn’t help many shippers (which includes self-proclaimed NaLu “lovers”) often portray the characters in ways that distort and defile their bond, actively endorsing Lucy getting married to (and/or getting porked by) the likes of Gray (or Laxus), Natsu becoming a manwhore, etc.

No matter how hard such shippers try to embellish or romanticize such premises, they’re still corrupting what makes the emotional connection between Natsu and Lucy something so beautiful and impactful; ultimately twisting a dynamic and compelling relationship that’s built upon so many meaningful moments, into something that doesn’t even reflect what made it strong and consistent in the first place

In fact it not only conflicts with NaLu, it conflicts with love itself. As people who engage into a deeper connection subconsciously seek a bond that based on faithfulness; a silent promise based on loyalty. Such scenarios take away what makes intimacy in a romantic bond something special

The NaLu bond goes beyond the highly visible physical chemistry most people notice. Its foundation is based on a solid emotional chemistry that nourished their connection and helped them to grow closer and closer. They’re able to affect one another because of the remarkable trust they have on one another; because of how they mutually support one another; because of the deep and sincere affection they have for one another; because of how emotionally attached they steadily became to one another

The manga might repeat several times they’re the most compatible team of Fairy Tail; but that’s not just because of their skills and capabilities. The connection they share, that potent relationship, is what makes them such a great team. And that’s a big part of NaLu’s true beauty