Like every shonen series, few characters in Fairy Tail started out strong. There are some exceptions like Gildarts, who's been strong even in the flashbacks he's shown in, or Zeref who was a genius mage even as a child. But the rest of them usually had to train in some way to reach the level they got to.
One of the best parts about Fairy Tail is even the characters a viewer might not think are that strong in one arc could easily become more powerful over time. Eventually, they can grow from being a nobody to a relevant member of the cast and one of Fairy Tail's most helpful allies.
10 Lucy Heartfilia Began As A Celestial Mage Who Avoided Battles
When Lucy was first introduced, she was far from one of the heavy hitters in the Fairy Tail group. Originally, she wanted to avoid combat altogether. She didn’t like fighting and would often find herself terrified at some of the enemies she was paired against. It wasn’t until several arcs in after training and fighting alongside the rest of Fairy Tail that she climbed her way up the ranks, gaining a bunch of powerful Celestial Spirits. By the time of the Tenrou Island arc, she’s even considering taking on the S-Class Trials.
9 Mirajane Strauss Had No Powers For A Long Time
This is an odd case, because Mirajane is inherently strong, but when the series begins, she's weak. At the beginning of Fairy Tail, Mirajane has happily settled into serving drinks to the rest of the members of Fairy Tail, operating as the friendly bartender for the group. For several arcs, she’s straight up helpless because she lost the ability to access her magic after a tragic incident involving her family. But when her brother's life is threatened, Mirajane regains access to her powers and once again becomes one of the most dangerous mages in Fairy Tail.
8 Natsu Dragneel Originally Needed Fire To Keep Going Or He Couldn't Fight
Natsu was weaker when he was first introduced, as he required fire just to keep his powers going. Though he appeared dangerous, if he was low on fire he was easily defeated, and he couldn’t simply generate his own. But several arcs later, Natsu’s abilities improved to the point that he didn’t need to constantly eat fire just to fight challenging enemies.
7 Wendy Marvell Was A Support Mage For Years Until She Learned To Control Her Attacks
When Wendy was introduced, it was definitely not with the intention that she was going to be a fighter. She was small and shy, and she didn’t seem eager to jump into the fighting like everyone else.
Eventually, it was explained that she was a Sky Dragon Slayer, but that didn’t mean she was much of a fighter either. She was more of a defensive mage, someone who could boost the power of other warriors. But once she unlocked her Dragon Force ability, she became someone who could fight on her own just as well as she could be a support mage.
6 Carla Eventually Learned How To Be More Than An Exceed
When Wendy made her first appearance, it was behind Carla. Though Carla was much smaller, she was far more outspoken and didn’t mind defending Wendy. That said, she was still like Happy without much in the way of powers. She could fly and had the ability to see the future, but that was about it. By the time of the last arc, she gained the ability to transform into a humanoid form and use magic to fight alongside Wendy if she had to.
5 Irene Belserion Went From Queen To The Creator Of Dragon Slayer Magic
Irene began as the Mother of Dragons, and in a position that didn’t involve her having to fight much at all. But as the war between humans and dragons began, she no longer had the ability to stay out of the fight. Over time, she gradually created what would become known as Dragon Slayer magic. Technically, Irene is one of the most powerful Dragon Slayers as she was successful enough that she eventually turned into a Dragon herself. She refused to use her powers for a time, but once she began tapping into them she became known as the most powerful wizard that ever lived.
4 Laxus Dreyar Didn't Have Much Power Until He Got The Lightning Dragon Slayer Lacrima
Laxus might not seem weak because he's one of the most powerful members of Fairy Tail, because by the time he’s introduced into the story he’s incredibly overpowered. That’s because, when he was a child, his dad Ivan Dreyar implanted a magic lacrima inside of him.
It’s this power that turned Laxus from being a weak boy into the powerful Lightning Dragon Slayer he is today. This change turned Laxus into someone who hated the weak because he couldn’t stand anything that reminded him of what he was like before he was strong.
3 Gray Fullbuster Was Distinctly Weaker Than His Rival Lyon Before Years Of Training
Gray Fullbuster became strong over time, but it’s known that he wasn’t always the powerhouse he is by the time Fairy Tail started. He goes to Ur to learn magic and learn how to defeat the monster that stole his family away from him. He’s initially Ur’s second strongest student, as his friend Lyon surpasses him by being able to use Living Ice Make magic. Of course, Gray trains and his time in Fairy Tail eventually makes him a stronger warrior than Lyon. Granted, he eventually falls behind Natsu in power until he becomes an Ice Devil Slayer courtesy of his father Silver.
2 Elfman Strauss Was A Nice Guy Who Became Strong To Protect His Family
Elfman as a child was pretty quiet and shy, much more reserved than the guy that appears in all of the major Fairy Tail arcs. He preferred cooking and actually looked after Happy before he hatched from his egg. But when he lost his sister Lisanna, Elfman went out of his way to train and become stronger.
He refused to not have the power to look after Mirajane, eventually mastering the power of the Take Over spell. Since then, his goal has been to become the epitome of a “man”--someone who protects the people he cares for. Interestingly, Elfman is not afraid to define women as “manly” so long as they have the spirit he admires.
1 Mavis Vermillion Only Did Illusions Until She Was Taught Magic Spells
When she was introduced, Mavis Vermillion actually didn’t know any particularly powerful magic. She was a slave that lived on Tenrou Island until it was destroyed. Even when she made it to the main continent, she wasn’t super powerful yet, and she had to train as a member of Fairy Tail for years. Eventually, she developed the Three Great Magics of Fairy Tail, and became one of the most powerful Guild Masters of that era.