Natsu Dragneel is one of the main protagonists in the popular anime/manga series Fairy Tail. He is a Fire Dragon Slayer and uses fire magic taught to him by his foster dragon father, Igneel. Throughout the series, Natsu searches for Igneel who mysteriously disappeared on July 7, X777. Igneel’s identity and whereabouts remain a mystery for much of the story, making readers wonder – who exactly is Natsu’s dragon?
Who raised Natsu?
Natsu was raised by the Fire Dragon King, Igneel. Igneel found Natsu as an orphaned child and took him under his wing, teaching Natsu Fire Dragon Slayer Magic. Igneel trained Natsu in the magical arts and the skills he would need to survive on his own. The two formed a close bond, with Igneel acting as a father figure to the young Natsu. Though circumstances forced them apart, Natsu retains a deep love and respect for the dragon that raised him.
When did Igneel disappear?
On July 7 in the year X777, Igneel mysteriously vanished along with the other dragons from Earth Land. This event is known as the Dragon King Festival. Igneel’s disappearance left the young Natsu heartbroken and alone. He joined the Fairy Tail guild in hopes of finding clues about Igneel’s whereabouts. To this day, Natsu does not know why Igneel chose to leave him. Finding out the truth about July 7, X777 and Igneel’s reasons for disappearing drives much of Natsu’s actions throughout the Fairy Tail series.
What clues exist about Igneel’s identity?
Though much remains unknown about Igneel, some clues exist about the Fire Dragon King’s identity:
He is the king of fire dragons
As a Fire Dragon Slayer, Natsu’s magic allows him to take on the characteristics of a fire dragon. The fact that his fire magic is so powerful hints that his teacher was not just any dragon, but the most powerful fire dragon.
He was kind and protective towards Natsu
Though dragons are typically viewed as ferocious beasts, Igneel exhibited kindness and caring when raising the orphaned Natsu. Their relationship was akin to a parent and child. Igneel taught Natsu out of love, not mere duty.
He had some connection to other human-raised dragons
Natsu is not the only dragon slayer raised by a dragon. Fellow Fairy Tail members Gajeel and Wendy also learned their magic from dragon parents who disappeared on July 7, X777. The fact that all three dragons chose to raise human children hints at a deeper connection between Igneel and the other dragons.
He was able to travel between Earth Land and the dragon realm
When Igneel reappears in the Tartaros arc, viewers learn that he had been trapped in the dragon realm along with the other dragons. Their disappearance in X777 was not intentional – rather they became stuck in the dragon realm and could not return to Earth Land for many years. The fact that Igneel was originally able to go between realms provides a clue about his power and connection to the dragon realm.
When does Igneel reappear?
| Arc | Details |
| Tartaros arc | Igneel is revealed to have been sealed within Natsu’s body, which allowed him to raise and protect Natsu over the years. He emerges to help Natsu defeat the demon E.N.D. |
| Alvarez Empire arc | In a flashback, it’s revealed that Igneel and the other dragon parents were pulled through the Eclipse Gate by Zeref to be turned into dragons capable of dragon slaying magic. |
Igneel only directly appears in Fairy Tail on two occasions:
The first is during the Tartaros arc when Natsu discovers that Igneel has been inside him all along. Igneel reveals that he was not strong enough to kill the demon E.N.D. back in X777. So instead, he chose to seal himself within Natsu, protecting and empowering his son from within. He emerges from Natsu’s body to battle the Tartaros demon and their attempt to activate the deadly magic Face. This act costs Igneel his life, but allows Natsu to gain the strength to defeat E.N.D.
Igneel briefly reappears later in the Alvarez Empire arc in a flashback. It is revealed that Igneel, along with four other dragons, were summoned through the Eclipse Gate by Zeref 400 years prior. Zeref converted them into dragons capable of dragon slaying magic in the hopes they could one day kill him and end his curse of immortality. While initially hostile towards Zeref, Igneel chose to raise Natsu after realizing Zeref’s intentions and desire for death.
What is Igneel’s connection to E.N.D.?
The demon E.N.D. (Etherious Natsu Dragneel) plays a major antagonistic role in Fairy Tail, being the strongest of Zeref’s demons. Igneel has a mysterious connection to E.N.D. that influences many of his actions:
He could not kill E.N.D. in X777
On July 7, X777, Igneel battled the released E.N.D. but could not kill the demon, only managing to seal him. This failure is likely why he disappeared along with the other dragons – to find a way to gain more power to destroy E.N.D.
He sealed himself in Natsu partially to empower him against E.N.D.
By sealing himself in Natsu, Igneel hoped to not only protect his son but turn him into a vessel capable of one day destroying E.N.D. This actlinked Natsu’s fate with the powerful demon’s.
He emerges in the Tartaros arc specifically to fight E.N.D.
When Tartaros succeeds in releasing E.N.D., Igneel leaves Natsu’s body knowing that this is his last chance to destroy the demon. His desperation highlights Igneel’s long-standing grudge with E.N.D. and burning desire to eliminate the threat he poses.
He knows a secret about Natsu’s connection to E.N.D.
As Natsu’s foster father, Igneel is one of the few who knows Natsu’s true identity as Etherious Natsu Dragneel – Zeref’s dead brother resurrected as a demon. This revelation comes as a shock to Natsu, highlighting how many secrets Igneel chose to keep, even from his own son.
Conclusion
Natsu’s dragon Igneel remains a figure shrouded in mystery for much of the Fairy Tail series. As the Fire Dragon King, he is immensely powerful and knowledgeable, willing even to sacrifice himself to destroy E.N.D. His past actions reveal deep care for Natsu along with a fervent desire to slay the demon E.N.D. And though many of Igneel’s secrets die with him, he leaves behind a strong legacy through the dragon slayer magic he taught Natsu. Igneel’s guidance allows Natsu to grow into a formidable wizard, capable of protecting Fairy Tail and the entire kingdom of Fiore from Zeref’s demons. So while much remains unknown about this dragon parent, viewers can find comfort in knowing Igneel’s wisdom lives on through Natsu, allowing him to reach heights as a powerful Fire Dragon Slayer.
