Zeref is considered the strongest and most evil Mage in all of history, who possesses very dangerous and powerful Magic. He currently appears as a self-hating, reclusive youth who cannot control his powers.
Zeref takes the appearance of a young man despite being hundreds of years old. He wears red (black in the anime) and tan robes with golden trimmings and an open collar, along with a large, white, flowing toga draped around his main body and across his chest. He has black hair that sticks upwards at the top, dark eyes and an unusual set of sharp canines. He also wears a circle-shaped necklace.
When enraged his eyes change to a reddish color, with a black ring around his pupils, giving him a much more menacing appearance.