Fairy Tail story is all about friendship, spiced with good comedy and action fights that are often based on opposing ideologies or different ways to achieve the same outcome, which is often contrasted as they fight to find the better path, but nothing too philosophical in that regard, the message is simple and as easy going as the series itself. The reasons for the antagonists to act like that are well explored, so they are not 2 dimensional and some bring complex issues to discuss. Forgiveness & atonement also play a big role throughout the show. It has many likable characters and even secondary characters get their moment to shine, which is a testament to the friendship theme as not many series can keep a balance with 15-20+ characters that feel as relevant to the series to the main cast, really bringing the Fairy Tail Family into fruition. That is its mastery!

The story grows increasingly complex as it elaborates around the theme of light & darkness and the need to find the balance for the opposing forces.

I read some bad reviews from people that don't seem to like shounen but still want to see a shounen anime...? So, stating the obvious, if you don't like shounen then this series is probably not for you. Like most shows, it has its flaws, but the good parts make you forget them right away. Do yourself a favor and give it a chance!

Also, like most long shows it has a slow start and the first episodes are not a good representation of the show, but necessary for introductions, I recommend you watch at least to the end of the first arc (to Episode 18) to get a better sense of the show, each subsequent arc afterwards gets steadily better in my opinion.

Definitely watch the Sub! The dub is ok, but the JP version is way superior, especially in the voices of Lucy & Happy. Some parts are not translated correctly either, for example, in the sub they congratulate someone for their wisdom and in the dub, they congratulate them for their guts. There are other concepts that are not translated accurately in the dub failing to convey the meaning of Fairy Tail Philosophy. The Latin dub is not good either.

I recommend you to watch the show without fillers for a better experience and pacing: http://www.animefillerlist.com/shows/fairy-tail

• Watch Episodes 1-8 - Intros
• Skip Filler Episode 9
• Watch Episodes 10-18 - Galuna Island
• Skip Filler Episode 19
• Watch Episodes 20-30 - Phantom Lord
• Watch Episodes 31-41 - The Tower of Heaven
• Watch Episodes 42-48 - Battle of Fairy Tail
• Skip Filler Episodes 49-50
• Watch Episodes 51-68 - Oración Seis
• Watch Filler Episode 69 Up to 8:20
• Skip Filler Episodes 70-75
• Watch Episodes 76-95 - Edolas
• Watch Episodes 96-124 - Sirius Island (also known as Tenrou Island or Grimoire Heart Arc)
• Skip Filler Episodes 125-150 - Key of the Starry Heavens
• Watch Episode 151 from 14:35. The first part is still the ending of the filler arc. The only important part from the beginning is that Doranbolt finds out what happened to Fairy Tail after Tenrou Island.
• Watch Episodes 152-175 - Grand Magic Games

Continuation of the story.

• Watch Episodes 176-200 (S2 1-25) - Grand Magic Games - Eclipse Project
• Watch Episode 201 (S2 26) up to 6:10, then skip to 20:28 and watch to the end (in-between is just a bad filler adventure). 
• Skip Filler Episodes 202-226 (S2 26-51) - Eclipse Celestial Spirits
• Watch Episodes 227-233 (S2 52-58) - Sun Village
• Watch Episodes 234-245 (S2 59-70) - Tartaros
• Watch Filler Episodes 246 (S2 71) - Although is marked as filler, it is necessary for the continuation of the story.
• Watch Episodes 247-255 (S2 72-80) - Tartaros
• Watch Filler Episodes 256 (S2 81) - Although is marked as filler, it is necessary for the continuation of the story and is a good fight.
• Watch Episodes 257-265 (S2 82-90) - Tartaros
• Watch Episodes 266-275 (S2 91-100) - Fairy Tail Zero: This is a prequel that focuses on the adventures of the guild's first master, Mavis Vermillion. Watch Filler Episodes 268 - Although it is marked as filler, it is a good episode that helps to get to know the prequel characters.

Continuation of the story.

• Watch Episodes 276-284 - Avatar
• Watch Episodes 285-328 - Alvarez Empire

Skip. It's mostly fan-service filler content and the comedy is not on par with the rest of the series.

Skip. It's mostly fan-service filler content and the comedy is not on par with the rest of the series.

Optional. Rave Master is Hiro Mashima's previous work. This is a cross-over episode between both series. This can be an interesting watch if you have seen both series, as it serves to compare the characters that share similar characteristics, both physically and in their personalities.

"In both Rave Master and his other manga Fairy Tail, Mashima wants to make justice prevail but also make readers understand the villains' reasons to fight the main character in order to make them more complex characters. In some cases, Mashima admitted having writer's block as he did not plan the abilities of certain characters with some readers referring to the Dark Brings as "too convenient." The protagonist, Haru, was designed prior to developing the story as he was a male character Mashima always wanted to draw. His sidekick, Plue, was also designed much earlier when he was in high school. Plue was given his own sidestory much to Mashima's surprise because of the funny looking characters designed for a shonen magazine." -Wikipedia

Watch. This is a prequel story for the Fairy Tail Movie 1: Phoenix Priestess that introduces the characters of the movie.

Watch.

This is an Extra Mission but like most anime movies, chronologically, it doesn't quite fit in the canon due to some inconsistencies, so it's probably best to watch at the end of the main story. Chronologically is best placed between episodes 201 and 202 (26-27 of the second season) or between 233 and 234 (58-59 of the second season), but it can be watched at any time after episode 125. It's a good story with excellent animation so it's definitely worth watching if you enjoy the main series.

The dub is ok.

Watch.

This is an Extra Mission but like most anime movies, chronologically, it doesn't quite fit in the canon due to some inconsistencies, so it's probably best to watch at the end of the main story. Same as the first movie chronologically is best placed between episodes 201 and 202 (26-27 of the second season) or between 233 and 234 (58-59 of the second season). The story is not as good as the first movie, but it does have good action.

The dub is ok.