TV-Series
Description
Gildarts Clive is a pivotal supporting character known as the most powerful S-Class mage of the Fairy Tail guild, widely regarded as its ace. He is also the father of fellow guild member Cana Alberona. For a brief period, he held the title of the Fifth Guild Master, though he relinquished the position almost immediately.
In terms of background, Gildarts is a tall and muscular man with orange hair he keeps slicked back, a stubbly beard, and black eyes. His body bears the marks of a catastrophic past; he is missing his left arm and left leg, losses sustained during a failed 100-year quest. He initially used rudimentary wooden prosthetics before upgrading to more functional, armor-like limbs. His torso is covered in bandages and scars, with the black stamp of the Fairy Tail guild located on his left pectoral. Years before the main story, Gildarts married a woman named Cornelia, but his obsession with work led to their separation. He remained completely unaware that Cornelia was pregnant with his daughter, Cana, at the time.
Gildarts has a laid-back, kind, and easygoing personality. He places great interest and trust in the new generation of Fairy Tail wizards. He is known for being somewhat oblivious to his surroundings, to the point of failing to recognize the guild building or his comrade Mirajane upon his return. This absent-mindedness extends to his habit of using his magic to break through walls rather than using doors. The citizens of Magnolia have such a high regard for him that they devised a special procedure to rearrange the town's layout when he arrives, creating a clear path to prevent accidental destruction. Despite being a self-proclaimed womanizer, he is deeply respectful of his opponents and dislikes holding back in a fight, though he always fights in a way that avoids human casualties.
Gildarts' primary motivation is his pursuit of powerful quests, which often keeps him away from the guild for years at a time. He is driven by a challenge, famously undertaking a 100-year quest. While he values his freedom as a lone wolf and appears uncomfortable with leadership or excessive responsibility, he has a profound desire to nurture the next generation. He believes that true strength comes from understanding one's weaknesses and fears, a lesson he imparts to Natsu Dragneel.
His role in the story is that of an iconic powerhouse and a mentor figure. He serves as a benchmark for ultimate strength within the guild, with other powerful mages like Laxus and Mystogan acknowledging his supremacy. He becomes a key examiner during the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial on Tenrou Island, where he tests Natsu not just by fighting, but by teaching him a critical lesson about fear. In a major turn of events, he discovers that Cana is his daughter and accepts his role as her father. He later confronts and defeats the powerful Bluenote Stinger from the Grimoire Heart guild. He also provides crucial testimony about the immense power of the Black Dragon Acnologia, the creature that caused his devastating injuries.
Key relationships define much of his development. His bond with Natsu is central; he sees his own fighting spirit and tenacity in the young Dragon Slayer. By pushing Natsu to his limits and refusing to go easy on him, he earns Natsu's ultimate respect and becomes an aspirational figure. The most significant relationship is with his daughter, Cana. Unaware of her existence for many years, his reaction upon learning the truth is one of immediate and overwhelming paternal acceptance and love, overcoming his initial shock. His respect for Makarov is clear, even though he refuses to accept the burden of being guild master. He also enjoys a competitive camaraderie with other S-Class mages like Erza and Laxus.
Gildarts' development sees him transition from a largely absent, legendary figure to a more present and emotionally invested one. Initially a near-mythical ace who is rarely seen, discovering Cana is his daughter grounds him emotionally and gives him a personal stake in the guild beyond its reputation. His experience of utter defeat against Acnologia humbled him, shaping his philosophy that knowing fear is essential for growth. While he begins as a lone wanderer, his actions on Tenrou Island and his acceptance of Cana show a man choosing connection and legacy over isolation.
As for notable abilities, Gildarts wields a unique and devastating form of magic known as Crash Magic, which allows him to physically disassemble anything he touches, including inanimate objects, other spells, and even living beings. When used on a person like Natsu, it splits them into numerous miniature, harmless copies instead of causing injury. He can apply this ability in direct combat to shatter an opponent's attack or to enhance his physical strikes with tremendous destructive power. Among his signature techniques are "Crushing Evil, Spreading the Truth: Empyrean," a powerful punch that sends the target flying, and the stronger "Absolute Heaven." He has also demonstrated the ability to destroy a black hole created by his opponent. His raw magical power is so immense that simply releasing it can overwhelm a seasoned mage with sheer dread.
In terms of background, Gildarts is a tall and muscular man with orange hair he keeps slicked back, a stubbly beard, and black eyes. His body bears the marks of a catastrophic past; he is missing his left arm and left leg, losses sustained during a failed 100-year quest. He initially used rudimentary wooden prosthetics before upgrading to more functional, armor-like limbs. His torso is covered in bandages and scars, with the black stamp of the Fairy Tail guild located on his left pectoral. Years before the main story, Gildarts married a woman named Cornelia, but his obsession with work led to their separation. He remained completely unaware that Cornelia was pregnant with his daughter, Cana, at the time.
Gildarts has a laid-back, kind, and easygoing personality. He places great interest and trust in the new generation of Fairy Tail wizards. He is known for being somewhat oblivious to his surroundings, to the point of failing to recognize the guild building or his comrade Mirajane upon his return. This absent-mindedness extends to his habit of using his magic to break through walls rather than using doors. The citizens of Magnolia have such a high regard for him that they devised a special procedure to rearrange the town's layout when he arrives, creating a clear path to prevent accidental destruction. Despite being a self-proclaimed womanizer, he is deeply respectful of his opponents and dislikes holding back in a fight, though he always fights in a way that avoids human casualties.
Gildarts' primary motivation is his pursuit of powerful quests, which often keeps him away from the guild for years at a time. He is driven by a challenge, famously undertaking a 100-year quest. While he values his freedom as a lone wolf and appears uncomfortable with leadership or excessive responsibility, he has a profound desire to nurture the next generation. He believes that true strength comes from understanding one's weaknesses and fears, a lesson he imparts to Natsu Dragneel.
His role in the story is that of an iconic powerhouse and a mentor figure. He serves as a benchmark for ultimate strength within the guild, with other powerful mages like Laxus and Mystogan acknowledging his supremacy. He becomes a key examiner during the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial on Tenrou Island, where he tests Natsu not just by fighting, but by teaching him a critical lesson about fear. In a major turn of events, he discovers that Cana is his daughter and accepts his role as her father. He later confronts and defeats the powerful Bluenote Stinger from the Grimoire Heart guild. He also provides crucial testimony about the immense power of the Black Dragon Acnologia, the creature that caused his devastating injuries.
Key relationships define much of his development. His bond with Natsu is central; he sees his own fighting spirit and tenacity in the young Dragon Slayer. By pushing Natsu to his limits and refusing to go easy on him, he earns Natsu's ultimate respect and becomes an aspirational figure. The most significant relationship is with his daughter, Cana. Unaware of her existence for many years, his reaction upon learning the truth is one of immediate and overwhelming paternal acceptance and love, overcoming his initial shock. His respect for Makarov is clear, even though he refuses to accept the burden of being guild master. He also enjoys a competitive camaraderie with other S-Class mages like Erza and Laxus.
Gildarts' development sees him transition from a largely absent, legendary figure to a more present and emotionally invested one. Initially a near-mythical ace who is rarely seen, discovering Cana is his daughter grounds him emotionally and gives him a personal stake in the guild beyond its reputation. His experience of utter defeat against Acnologia humbled him, shaping his philosophy that knowing fear is essential for growth. While he begins as a lone wanderer, his actions on Tenrou Island and his acceptance of Cana show a man choosing connection and legacy over isolation.
As for notable abilities, Gildarts wields a unique and devastating form of magic known as Crash Magic, which allows him to physically disassemble anything he touches, including inanimate objects, other spells, and even living beings. When used on a person like Natsu, it splits them into numerous miniature, harmless copies instead of causing injury. He can apply this ability in direct combat to shatter an opponent's attack or to enhance his physical strikes with tremendous destructive power. Among his signature techniques are "Crushing Evil, Spreading the Truth: Empyrean," a powerful punch that sends the target flying, and the stronger "Absolute Heaven." He has also demonstrated the ability to destroy a black hole created by his opponent. His raw magical power is so immense that simply releasing it can overwhelm a seasoned mage with sheer dread.