Yuki Tabata had already foreshadowed Mereoleona's new ability in Black Clover

Modified Apr 27, 2024 10:16 GMT

Yuki Tabata had already foreshadowed Mereoleona — Mereoleona as seen in the Black Clover anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Black Clover chapters 370 and 371 are set to be released on Monday, April 29, 2024. However, days before their official release, the manga chapters' spoilers were leaked online, through which fans learned about the plot developments.

In the upcoming manga chapter, Mereoleona Vermillion will learn a new spell from her grimoire that will turn her into flames after she appears to have transformed into mana itself, devoid of any physical body. While fans loved the new spell, it was seemingly foreshadowed by manga creator Yuki Tabata nearly four months ago through a lead-color page illustration.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Black Clover manga.

Black Clover manga creator Yuki Tabata foreshadowed Mereoleona's new technique months ago

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The alleged Black Clover chapter 371 spoilers saw Mereoleona getting a new spell in her grimoire called Ultimate Flame Magic: Excelitius Leonum. This ability allowed her to contact the spirits of her fallen subordinates and have them rejoin the fight momentarily.

Fans loved this ability because it was perfect for Mereoleona, who has had good control over her mana since her first appearance in the series. Moreover, her subordinates are very loyal to her, willing to follow her to the depths of hell and sacrifice themselves if need be.

Mereoleona Vermillion as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Therefore, Mereoleona turning into mana itself and being able to command her fallen subordinates made sense.

Surprisingly, Black Clover chapter 371 wouldn't be the first time fans catch a glimpse of Mereoleona's Ultimate Flame Magic: Excelitius Leonum. Manga creator Yuki Tabata had already foreshadowed the new ability in December 2023 through a Lead Color Page illustration in the Winter 2024 Jump GIGA magazine.

Mereoleona Vermillion as seen in the Black Clover manga (Image via Shueisha)

The color page featured several characters, including the antagonist Lucius Zogratis and his Paladins. While fans were mostly drawn toward the colored illustrations of Noelle Silva's new form and the Paladins, the illustration also saw Mereoleona using her new ability.

This was evident through her eyes, which featured red flame-like patterns emerging from their sides. If fans compare the colored illustrations to the ones in the upcoming manga chapter, it is clear that manga creator Yuki Tabata foreshadowed the new spell months before it debuted in the manga series.

Salamander as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Surprisingly, the red flame-like patterns weren't first seen on Mereoleona. The manga and anime initially featured the pattern on the spirit of fire, Salamander. Ever since the beast was first introduced in the series, fans believed that Salamander would eventually end up with Mereoleona. However, Salamander still serves her younger brother, Crimson Lions Captain Fuegeleon Vermillion.

Given that Salamander also has similar patterns around her eye, there is a good chance that the manga creator wished to foreshadow a future where Salamander would serve Mereoleona. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until the manga series either confirms or denies this possibility. Until then, Mereoleona fans can only theorize about such possibilities.