User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 314: Erza vs. Kagura, Review./@comment-99.226.148.82-20130112031949

This was a good chapter. The story of Erza now getting beaten in two consecutive fights by her own merits alone (Azuma beat Erza, and Fairy Tail beat Azuma. Key difference.) is at least interesting to see, if not for the outcome being clear. Even in the worst-case scenario (Erza getting all stabbed up), I imagine the time shift will undo it anyway.

As far as the fight itself goes, it was a good brawl. There's enough super-kaplowey magic going around, and an emotion-filled battle of swords is a nice change. It's by far the 'dirtiest', in terms of injury fight going, and I love every second of it. Kagura's backstory, while eyerollingly cliche, was effective. Kagura's reason for her vengeance had to be deep, otherwise her rage would seem altogether silly.

I'm also glad to see that they kept Kagura's integrity as a strong character intact. I was concerned that she was going to be shafted in lieu of a Minerva/Erza clash. While that might still be undone through Minerva 'porting Milly in to take the strike for Erza, it's promising. Even if Erza wins on her own merits, Kagura's proven enough to be known as a true ace. Which is a rarity, given Mashima's love for feeding the new characters to the team FT meatgrinder.

Everything around the fight was pretty okay as well. CS doing their 'stuff doesn't seem right' adds a further layer of intrigue to all this, and the shots of the crowd, Jellal, and Makarov were nicely done. By the looks on their faces, something unexpected has happened, but it's not Erza's death. Maybe Kagura stabbed herself, maybe Archenemy killed her, maybe Minerva teleported Milly in to take the strike, or maybe Sting cheapshotted Kagura as a part of his master plan. It's all good, interesting intrigue.

Which, in the end, is a far better alternative than Erza beating Kagura like a rented mule.

And, re: Kagura needs to chill out. By all means, please tell me how chill you would be after coming face to face with your beloved brother's killer. On top of which, tell me just how collected you would be when you find out that his biggest protector suffered heavily at his hands. Kagura is a being ruled by the hole in her heart. It's a path of hatred, self-destruction, and probable death. But it is the only path she knows, and she'll die hard in service of it.