User blog comment:IamJakuhoRaikoben/Chapter 497: The Winter Mage, Review./@comment-24039234-20160808223513

I'm 50-50 about this chapter.

On the bad side, the new matchups between the already beaten spriggan and the FT members are pure bullshit and I couldn't care less. I see absolutely no way how they could result in satisfying fights. I'm not even excited for a Mira battle, which is a hitherto unimaginable new low-point in FT history.

On the plus side, the heartwarming Zervis scenes at the beginning were a good start. After that, I'm in the minority who actually likes Gray, so I'm not so dead set on burying Gray Vs Invel just yet. Of cource, it was predictable as hell and I hoped for something different, but at least there is something interesting about the battle I can look forward to. For one thing, we still don't know the full extend of Invels powers: he seems to be a bit above your average Spriggan to me, he may be in his own class somewhere between those we have seen so far and the August-Irene duo. On the other hand, there is some immediate weight to it, with the mind of Mavis hanging in the balance. I just hope Gray will not be able to beat him alone, and Juvia is kept away from the whole thing as far as possible. If I'm mistaken and this will be their big moment with Gray accepting her feelings, I'm going to scream.

I'm ready, Mashima. Bring the pain. >_<