Ok, so splitting into groups makes sense. Some of the groups do not.
(random babbling ahead)
#1 - Natsu, Happy, Lucy, Michelle, and Romeo.
Romeo is a little random, but it’s not that out of the question. Michelle is the random filler character who is going to tag along despite having no skills at all (and being dressed in the most ridiculous outfit for travelling/fighting/moving in general). And Romeo is there so he can be Natsu’s fire support most likely. I’m just hoping Lucy get’s to do something. Anything, really.
#2 - Gray and Juvia. With Lyon tagging along.
I get that they want to play up the Lyon -> Juvia -> Gray thing, but to have Gray annoyed before Lyon even arrives and having Juvia dissolve into a lovesick puddle is just overkill. Yes, she’s got her lovesick moments, but she’s come quite far and Gray is fairly used to her by now.
#3 - Elfma, Lisanna, and Mirajane.
Totally normal. Except for the whole eating lunch on the very edge of a cliff part…
#4 - Levy, Jet, Droy, and Pantherlily.
I get that Pantherlily is there as an excuse to get Gajeel to join, but I’m pretty sure Gajeel wouldn’t have been all that impressed to return from training to find out that Erza told his cat to go on a mission.
#5 - Erza, Wendy, Charle, and Cana.
By far the most random team up. Not that I truly mind because I do love Erza and Cana and I’m happy to see Cana isn’t being shoved into the background. But it’s just weird. And they’re flanderizing Erza something fierce. Yes she is random but to want a fricking picnic in the middle of a mission? WTH.
FAIRY TAIL FILLER. I DON’T KNOW IF I CAN TAKE A WHOLE YEAR OF THIS.