The chapters have been adapted into an anime series produced by A-1 Pictures and Satelight, which began broadcasting in Japan in 2009.[2] Since then, the still ongoing series has aired over 170 episodes. Additionally, A-1 Pictures and Satelight has developed four original video animations, an animated feature film, Fairy Tail the Movie: The Phoenix Priestess, and a fifth original video animation, which is the prequel to the movie. The series is scheduled to conclude on March 30, 2013.[3]
The series was originally licensed for an English language release in North America by Del Rey Manga, which began releasing the individual volumes on March 25, 2008 and ended its licensing with the 12th volume release in September 2010. In December 2010, Kodansha Comics USA licensed the series from Del Rey, and has since continued its North American release.[4] The Southeast Asian network Animax Asia aired an English-language version of the series for two seasons from 2010 to 2012.[5][6] The anime has been licensed by Funimation Entertainment for an English-language release in North