Episode 288

The Land the Gods Abandoned
Japanese Title	神に見捨てられた地へ
Rōmaji Title	Kami ni Misuterareta Chi e
FUNimation Title	To the God-Forsaken Land
Information
Japan Air Date	December 16, 2018
Adapted from	Chapter 446 Chapter 447 Chapter 448
Episode	288
Arc	Alvarez Empire arc
Opening Song	Power of the Dream
Ending Song	Endless Harmony
Episode Guide
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Next Episode 289 →

The Land the Gods Abandoned is the 288th episode of the Fairy Tail anime, and the 11th episode of the 2018 series.

After reuniting with Makarov, Team Natsu attempts to escape the Alvarez Empire. The Desert King Ajeel is in hot pursuit however, easily overwhelming the Fairy Tail squad until Laxus comes to their rescue. Days later at the guild, Mavis prepares to reveal the guild's secrets before the war.

Summary

Natsu invites Makarov back

After Mest safely reunites Makarov with Team Natsu, the Ten Wizard Saint reveals the identity of Emperor Spriggan as non-other than the Black Mage, Zeref himself, much to the Mages' surprise. Wendy then states her relief about the Master's well being, just for the latter to regretfully break into tears, claiming that all what he did was for naught, adding that he also sabotaged the Guild's history by disbanding it. However, the Fairy Tail Mages comfort their Master, insisting that whatever is done for others is never useless, before Natsu stretches his hand at his Master, inviting him back once again, to their guild, much to Makarov's gratitude.

Deciding to hurry their departure, Mest reveals that his Magic Power will allow only one more Direct Line, stating that it will be to get them to Sorano's Olympia. Suddenly, the Shield of Spriggan and Desert King, Ajeel Raml appears before the group, stating that they shouldn't be leaving so early. On Makarov's orders to avoid direct conflict with the Spriggan 12 member, the group quickly ride a Magic Four Wheel Vehicle and begin their escape, just for Ajeel to catch up with them on a Sand Golem. This prompts Gray and Lucy to take action and fight Ajeel's sand creations from the roof of the car, much to Ajeel's amusement. Suddenly the latter disappears, much to Lucy's shock, before Makarov calls for them that he merely merged with the sand underneath them. This is then proven correct when a huge sand pit manifests under the vehicle.

	Sands of Death

As the Fairy Tail Mages begin to sink, Ajeel boasts about the sheer destructive power of his Ant Lion Pit and the entire Alvarez Empire, stating that they have no chances left. This , however, proves wrong when Natsu unleashes his fire, easily dissipates the sand, before delivering a punch to Ajeel, forcing him back, once again much to the Desert king's excitement. The Alvarez Mage continue to overpower the Ishagar Mages with his sand, promoting Makarov to shield his guildmates with his Giant form, expressing his resolve to protect them no matter what and ignoring their pleas for him to escape, as Ajeel summons the Sands of Death, said to be capable to entirely dehydrating anything they touch. Just as the sandstorm engulfs the giant Makarov, a bolt of lighting strikes the ground, disintegrating the sand, signalling Laxus's arrival to the Mages' aid on board of the Magic Bomber: Christina.

Cana, who is present on the Magic Bomber alongside the rest of Team B, the Thunder God Tribe and Ichiya, calls for Mest to teleport everyone on board the ship. As Ajeel tries to prevent their escape, Laxus strikes the area with his lightning, causing a massive explosion. However, Ajeel appears unharmed, although still amazed at their power, due to a Magic Barrier that shielded him from the attack, conjured by the Wizard King, August. Back at the capital, Zeref looks into the distance, stating that the battle has already begun.

Makarov reveals the guild's circumstances

After reuniting at the guild hall, the Mages continue to celebrate and catch up with each other, finally bringing the joy back to the Fairy Tail Guild. During the party, Makarov steps up to offer his apology and reveal the danger of the impending invasion of the Empire, causing Natsu to shout out his resolve to continue fighting as they always did, not to win, but to live, much to the agreement of the rest of the guild and the Master himself, officially declaring war on Alvarez. Out of the blue, Mavis appears before the guild, deciding to reveal everything about Fairy Heart, Zeref's objective by obtaining it and her past sin with him.

Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Makarov Dreyar
2. Natsu Dragneel
3. Lucy Heartfilia
4. Erza Scarlet
5. Gray Fullbuster
6. Wendy Marvell
7. Happy
8. Carla
9. Mest Gryder
10. Ajeel Raml
11. Laxus Dreyar
12. Panther Lily
13. Gajeel Redfox
14. Levy McGarden
15. Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki
16. Bickslow
17. Freed Justine
18. Evergreen
19. Cana Alberona
20. August
21. Zeref Dragneel
22. Elfman Strauss
23. Juvia Lockser
24. Lisanna Strauss
25. Mirajane Strauss
26. Bisca Connell
27. Asuka Connell
28. Alzack Connell
29. Sorano (flashback)
30. Reedus Jonah
31. Plue
32. Brandish μ (flashback)
33. Droy
34. Jet
35. Nab Lasaro
36. Minerva (flashback)
37. Laki Olietta
38. Mavis Vermillion

Battles & Events

• Makarov Rescue Operation (concluded)
• Team Natsu & Makarov Dreyar vs. Ajeel Raml (started and concluded)

Magic, Spells, and Abilities used

Magic used

• Transformation Magic (変身魔法 Henshin Mahō)
• Aera (翼(エーラ) Ēra)
• Sand Magic (砂の魔法 Suna no Mahō)
• Spatial Magic (空間魔法 Kūkan Mahō)
  • Requip (換装魔法 Kansō Mahō)
    • The Knight (騎士(ザ・ナイト) Za Naito)
  • Celestial Spirit Magic (星霊魔法 Seirei Mahō)
    • Summoned the Canis Minor, Plue
  • Teleportation Magic (瞬間移動の魔法 Shunkanidō no Mahō)
• Devil Slayer Magic (滅悪魔法 Metsuaku Mahō)
  • Ice Devil Slayer Magic ((氷の滅悪魔法 Kōri no Metsuaku Mahō)
• Molding Magic (造形魔法 Zōkei Mahō)
  • Ice-Make (氷の造形魔法(アイスメイク) Aisu Meiku)
• Dragon Slayer Magic (滅竜魔法 Metsuryū Mahō)
  • Fire Dragon Slayer Magic (炎の滅竜魔法 Honō no Metsuryū Mahō)
  • Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic (雷の滅竜魔法 Kaminari no Metsuryū Mahō)
• Giant (巨人(ジヤイアント) Jiyaianto)
• Light Magic (光魔法 Hikari Mahō)
• Thought Projection (思念体 Shinentai)

Spells used

• Sand Golem
• Ice-Make: Silver (銀世界(シルバー) Shirubā)
• Sand Monsters
• Star Dress (星霊衣(スタードレス) Sutā Doresu)
  • Sagittarius Form (サジタリウスフォーム Sajitariusu Fōmu)
• Star Shot (スターショット Sutā Shotto)
• Sand Body
• Ant Lion Pit (蟻地獄 Arijigoku)
• Fire Dragon's Iron Fist (火竜の鉄拳 Karyū no Tekken)
• Sands of Death (死の砂 Shi no Suna)

Abilities used

• Flight
• Marksmanship
• Hand-to-Hand Combat

Armors used

• Heart Kreuz Armor (ハートクロス 鎧 Hāto Kurosu Yoroi)

Weapons used

• Sword
• Bow and arrows
• Staff

Items used

• Magic Four Wheel Vehicle (魔導四輪 Madō Yonrin)
• Celestial Spirit Gate Keys
  • Gate of the Archer Key
  • Gate of the Canis Minor Key
• Magic Bomber: Christina (魔導爆撃艇 クリスティーナ Madō Bakugekitei Kurisutīna)

Manga & Anime Differences

• Lucy's Star Dress: Sagittarius Form differs in two media.
• Some lines were omitted such as Sorano's words to Mest, Ichiya's dialogue about Fairy Tail, etc.
• In the manga, it is Levy who takes to the loudspeaker to have Team Natsu to get aboard and mentions everything is back to normal. In the anime, the lines are given to Cana and Gajeel respectively.
• In the manga Laki and others discuss the master's hierarchy while in the anime background Fairy Tail members speak on it.
• Lucy's drink that Cana gives her in the anime is an ice cream float, while in the manga it's a regular drink.
• Lucy waves her hands from the alcoholic beverage intake in the manga, while in the anime she doesn't.
• Flashbacks during Natsu's speech from Tartaros arc are added in this episode.

Navigation

Avatar arc

Alvarez Empire arc

Water Dragon God arc