mistessofdarkness

[mistessofdarkness]

Gruvia, Gray, and the Love Language, Acts of Service

As a bilingual East-Asian-but-fluent-in-English fan, I’ve been extremely fascinated and confused by how ill-received Gruvia is on Tumblr and the Western fandom, yet it is such a popular ship in the Japanese and Chinese fandom. For the latter two fandoms, there is no qualms or cases of “feeling offended/sickened/disgusted” by Gray or Juvia’s actions.

And I think I’ve found the answer in this - Western fans placing Western standards and expectations on two very Japanese characters.

As briefly mentioned by @chsabina, it is not right to assume FT - a manga written by a Japanese man - would align to any sort of Hollywood or Western structure of storytelling or ways of expressing love.

(There is also this forum post on Western and Japanese differences in values and morals. Do note that the post is over 10 years old, and things have probably changed.)

Sure, you can argue that the characters have Western names, they live in a place familiar to most people in the West, dress similarly, etc. But that’s the easy part of building a fictional world. The personalities, quirks, and romantic development of the characters in Fairy Tail still come from Japanese culture.

How? Gray Fullbuster is a prime example. He is a tsundere, and fans have struggled to emphasize - and repeatedly said - that Gray’s actions are those of a resident tsun.

Gray and the Five Love Languages

@chsabina mentioned that Gray is a Japanese man. I’d like to introduce everyone to the five languages of love, and draw your attention to acts of service and words of affirmation. If I were to simplify the struggles Western fans have in understanding Gray, then it will be words of affirmation against acts of service.

Words of affirmation is, as it says, showing your love by words and things you say. Like “I love you” or how important you are to someone every day if not once in a while. From what I’ve experienced of Western culture, words of affirmation is definitely something that is very common (alongside receiving gifts, and physical touch). In the case of Gruvia, Juvia is very much someone that embodies this, and I guess the reason why she is adored (or hated, whatever floats your boat) by many.

Acts of service, however, means loving by doing. Whether that is in your partner washing the dishes when you’re tired, or them doing something for you. Japan (and a lot of East Asian countries in general) define and show love by acts of service. (For extended reading, this video might help). Born and raised in a family and culture like this, I can definitely say that this is very, very true.

Gray is a Japanese man. He is smart, blunt, and practical, but not very good at expressing his “feelings”. Because Gray isn’t a sweet talker, he shows his feelings by doing. In short, actions. Thus, the love language, acts of service.

I love you vs. Suki and Daisuki and Aishiteru

If you are familiar with Asia, or come from a second-third generation Asian-American family, you’ll know that “I love you” is rarely, if at all, uttered between family members. And if it does occur, awkwardness ensues. It’s not a “problem” (it’s never been the case for me), it only becomes so when Western standards and expectations are placed.

This relates to manga and anime too, because a common mistake I see so often - and I believe that is where the misunderstanding starts - is translating manga/anime’s dialogue of “好きです” (suki desu) to “I love you”.

NO.

Suki is an entirely different level to “I love you”, if you’re translating “大好きです” (daisuki desu) to “I love you” I’d be 50/50 about it, but I’d argue it’s still not the Western equivalent.

“愛している” (aishiteru) is Japan’s equivalent of the West’s “I love you”.

BUT EVEN THEN. Japanese husbands and wives don’t say that to each other. If you watch the video I linked, the Japanese husband actually says “aishiteru” is something he would say on his deathbed.

Aishiteru is a loaded word/phrase that conveys emotion/thoughts/feelings far beyond the simple utterance of it, and whom you say it to.

It is why manga and anime stick to “suki desu” or “daisuki desu” for confessions, because the characters are teenagers, and the manga/anime audience are directed to a younger age group.

Gruvia and Acts of Service

How is all of this related to Gruvia you may ask?

First, a lot of expectations and hopes were had for Gray to say something that is akin to “I love you, Juvia” in the most recent chapter, but all we got was “I will be more honest/serious with you”, and “I wanted to protect you”. That fell short of what people expected. Because it wasn’t a confession. Or, it means less because it seems like he is doing/saying it out of guilt.

Don’t be disappointed and don’t be angry. In all romantic developments of Gruvia - their actions have always - ALWAYS - spoken louder than words, particularly anything Gray initiates.

He wanted to protect her? Great! I am actually happy that he was able to say this, and Juvia was able to hear it. To tell someone you wanted to (or will) protect him/her is akin to confessing feeling something more than friendship for that person. In anime/manga at least, because significant time is always pinned to the character that says it.

This chapter makes it the second time Gray has died for Juvia. Dying for somebody in anime/manga, heck in Japan - is something very significant. 

Back to my point. Because Japan don’t say “I love you”. Because Gray shows love by doing - the action itself is all the more meaningful.

Yes, no words of affection or love were uttered, but I would argue that both times that Gray “died”… It was for Juvia, the character whom Gray has become close with and opened up to.

Mashima even escalated it this time to Gray AND Juvia dying for each other - a double suicide. And had them pierce themselves in the stomach. In an all-too familiar position (if you watch enough Japanese drama, movies, and animes ), known as 切腹 (seppuku). This is the act of suicide by cutting through the stomach performed by samurais back in Edo period. It is an act of honour - to die in one’s own hands rather than fall in the hands of the enemy. (The act can be punishment too, but I won’t get into that here).

I am not saying all this to beautify suicide (cuz you know that’s exactly what some people will think). It’s about the fact that Gray and Juvia feel an x amount of feelings for each other, that they’d rather hurt themselves than harm the other.

For Juvia, we know it’s been her trait, and what she would do because she’s a selfless, precious darling. But Gray? This speaks VOLUMES.

What is in store for Gruvia?

Gray practically sobbed in devastation, realising that Juvia is no longer “alive”. He asked Juvia to wake up, as if this is all a bad dream. Crawling over to her “dead” body and holding her. This tells me more than what he’s actually said in the chapter.

It is why I am so sure Juvia will be back alive. In Tartarus, Juvia desperately wanted to tell Gray what happened with Silver… This time, it’s Gray’s turn. He needs to tell Juvia his answer, and she will get it - alive and well - smiling at her lovely Gray-sama.

TL;DR, look forward to their reunion because I promise you - Gray will definitely “do” something. He is a man of action, after all. ^____^

[mistessofdarkness]

I am loving Mirajane and Gajeel's new character outfits however Juvia's outfit is perfect just for her because it is simple and elegant but also you can feel how powerful she is now than at the start of Fairy tail. However I am not a big fan of the huge butterfly on her hat.

I can't wait for Juvia and Gray to reunite. Also I want to know what Gray thinks of Juvia's outfit.

[mistessofdarkness]

juvia is literally perfect and i’ll always be mad at mashima for making her into a living schtick

like this woman is a S-ranked mage who literally fought entire guilds alongside 4 other people, and not even halfway into the series she becomes this obsessive crazy person - and why you ask? oh, it’s so that we can make fun of her emotions. like, every moment we get of her nowadays that isn’t all about gray is worth it’s weight in gold. i love gray and gruvia, don’t misunderstand, but it’s sad how gray became her entire life. mashima just isn’t always good at portraying women. and that makes me sad. juvia my darling i miss you with all your potential

[mistessofdarkness]

Fairy Tail is so fucking funny to me, because the main characters are literally this:

Gray: Seems like a normal guy, but then you notice he strips constantly, without even realizing it. Has attempted to kill himself multiple times.

Lucy: Ex-heiress who was surprising well adjusted to spending, just trying to not be homeless, is so done with everybody's shit. Doesn't even have the energy to hide it anymore.

Erza: Also seems normal, but just hides it better, murdered people for strawberry cake, actually an idiot around her peers.

Wendy: She's 12 but she's unironically the most emotionally and academically intelligent, and normal.

Natsu: Freak of nature, and in general.

[mistessofdarkness]

This is what Juvia has been through and she deserves better

Juvia being herself in spite of it all.

Like? She’s born and shunned for her entire life for making it rain constantly. She’s scouted by some horrible bad guys that at least tolerate being around her, but absolutely doesn’t like her still. Everyone she dates tells her she’s gloomy. She doesn’t know happiness, because no one gave her a reason to be happy. And then, when she finally gets treated with respect by some good looking half naked guy (Gray) she gets to see the sun for the first fucking time in HER LIFE. Obviously she falls for him, love @ first sight and all that. And then, even when she’s finally not gloomy or sad all of the time, she STILL gets shunned for wanting to change herself. People in the guild that she wants to join, don’t want her there because of her messed up past (she was a victim of her circumstances). Her newfound crush is a major tsundere and treats her like she’s a bother (which is better than any other guy has treated her). Her only friend from Phantom insists on calling her rain woman, despite her hard work to get them into the guild in the first place. She constantly gets tested on her loyalty - people think she’s only in the guild for Gray and still has violent tendencies. She has to shoot herself up in the sky and explode herself in order to be taken seriously.

And during all this? Her cheerful self shines through. She’s determined to get rid of that rain, so she paints a dreamworld where she can be as silly as she wants - all to embrace this second chance she got in life. But things still aren’t easy - she’s constantly left out, her crush keeps her on at arms length at all times (never close enough to accept her, never far away for her to be able to let him go) and eventually, when things are finally looking up for her, she has to kill his father. Like hello? Give her a break. But she does and she regrets it, and she starts hating herself for it and she’s this 🤏🏻 close to giving up on him because she doesn’t deserve to love him, but thankfully he forgives her. Actually, he thanks her. So as the guild (that’s finally accepted her for her - all of her silliness, her happiness, sadness, craziness) disbands the two of them get their own safe haven where they train and get closer - except once again Gray keeps her at arms length, and one day he just ups and leaves. And it’s hell for her, because she can’t just cheerily create delusions that keep the rain away - she’s heartbroken! The sun has been taken away from her. And even when she gets reunited she’s just supposed to be happy again, which, don’t get her wrong, she is! But she still feels betrayed, and that feeling lingers.

Then there’s the whole suicide thing as well - she would rather die than harm Gray in any way. Hell, she even taught herself dark magic because she knew that one day she would have to make her water into blood, because Gray being Gray, he would eventually sacrifice himself for something stupid.

Things end up well somehow, but oops, nevermind, Gray still can’t get over his inferiority complex so he goes to a whole other continent with his team. All she can do is wait at home. Except this time he low-key confesses and stuff when he sees her again? But yeah, no, they can’t get together until he’s solved the mission that’s been unsolved for over a hundred years.

But you know. Somehow she’s still happy. She’s pretty and she’s funny and she keeps going. Life has never been in her favour but she’s persevered. So yeah I love her and she’s my soul.

[mistessofdarkness]

I love this so much, it has given me a story Ideas

I missed drawing them so much, but following my idea of AU Gods

[mistessofdarkness]

I love this Idea and I wish it happened in Fairy Tail. I hope to read this very soon. The idea for the title for this amazing is She is more than She seems. I hope this helps you

I have a new fanfic in mind (new in the sense of writing, because I've pinned it for a long time) and a fic that I had already thought about writing a long time ago, then a comment on a chapter of my fic "Team B (For Badass )" convinced me even more. Thanks anon!

The plot is this: Jellal speaks seriously and scolds Gray and Erza for what happened with Avatar and for not trusting Juvia and her abilities as a sorceress. A kind of AU, then I'll explain everything in the author's notes when I write it.

My problem and what do I want from you? Simple! I can't find a title! No ideas! Please help me! I'm going crazy! It's really bad when you have a complete story but you miss the title which is one of the most important things!

[mistessofdarkness]

1000 likes!

Wow something is wrong with me 🤣🤣🤣😂