Slayers

mdchan Jan 9, 2015

10

The Slayers is one of the few anime I'll ever give a 10 out of 10 rating to, and there's a reason it's my number one all-time favorite anime.  Though a lot of it is generic fantasy and spellcasting, the characters bring the story to life. The anime itself was adapted from a light novel, and though it doesn't follow it to the letter, it's still interesting and entertaining. I will also say that this is one of the few anime where the English dub is just as good as the original Japanese cast.  I have seen both versions, and the voice actors really bring the characters to life. Story There are two major arcs in this season.  Both are fairly generic plot-wise for a fantasy story, though there are slight twists to them. Because the plot is slightly generic, I did dock points, but it gives off a tabletop RPG feel (in fact, that's what brought about the idea for the series).  However, that sort of plot makes it easy to dive right into the world and not be overwhelmed by terms, locations, and various species. The Rezo arc starts when the protagonist steals an item which is worth more to sorcerers than originally thought.  One of the great sages, Rezo the Red Priest, gets involved with the item and the protagonists, and there's something even darker behind his goal. The Copy arc contains a lot of the filler episodes, which have their own merit.  Someone has put out wanted posters for the protagonist and her party, which makes the protagonist seek out the person who did it.  A mercenary and a strange sorcerer with a red gem on his forehead show up to clash with them, and these meetings lead down the road of something much more dangerous. Characters If you're watching the Slayers, you're most likely watching it for its characters.  I don't think my descriptions can give them justice; they're just that charismatic. Lina Inverse isn't your typical teenaged protagonist; nope, she's a sorceress who falls into the chaotic good side of the scale, stealing from bandits and giving to...herself.  She's a sorcerary genius with a petite frame she's sensitive about, and a temper hotter than her fireballs. Gourry Gabriev is an extremely talented swordsman with a very unique weapon, which  makes up for his absolute lack of braincells.  Often referred to as "jellyfish brains" by Lina, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but is fiercely loyal and protective of Lina. Zelgadis Greywords is a mysterious sorcerer who has a variety of shamanistic spells in his arsenal.  His appearance is startling at first, as he's part rock golem, part brau demon, and part human; magically altered from being 100% human. Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun is a girl a little younger (but more developed) than Lina, who appears in the second arc and specializes in healing magic and astral attack spells...along with giving long winded speeches about the "hammer of justice".  Despite her good nature, she's perhaps just as hot-tempered as Lina. Sylphiel Nels Lahda is another female introduced in the second arc, and has an even greater ability with healing magic than even Amelia.  She's shy yet very down to earth, and has had a crush on Gourry since they met before the series started. Overall With excellent opening and ending songs, and fight scenes/animation quality which are considered at the top for a 90's anime, along with a cast of colorful characters who develop nicely and comedy in just the right places...it's a must-watch for all comedy-fantasy fans. The pacing is excellent, and even the filler episodes don't feel like fillers because of the sheer hilarity they introduce, as well as bringing to light some other sides of our beloved characters we might not have gotten to see in the story itself. I believe all plot points brought up in the story are completed and resolved within the arcs; I don't recall questioning anything for plot holes. I have shown this anime to everyone ever since I was shown it, and have even gotten a few non-anime fans hooked on it.  It's not well known, it has never aired on TV in the USA, but it deserves much more credit than it's often given. Certainly, it deserves a full 10 out of 10 rating.

angelsreviews Aug 7, 2013

6

This show doesn’t take itself too seriously and that’s what I love about this. It’s much like a dungeon and dragons game where you’re just with a group of friends who jokes around. Even Glass Reflection has said (want more of that, go to the other reviews) and each character has there own personality.We follow two characters most of the times, Lina who is a sorceress with a chip on her shoulder and Gaurry, a rather bumbling warrior. The two work rather well together from the moment they met and are the main reason why the show keeps going on. The two argue like an old married couple but its Gaurry’s heart and Lina’s knowledge that makes the dual work so well in every little case they go. Sure you have some of the stereotypes that happen once in a while, like the ‘stupid’ blond haired Gourry and the little loud mouth girl Lina, but I never found them predictable. I believe one of the reasons why they made him like that is because then we have a sort of open book to help us get into the world. Since he doesn’t know the world (or plays dumb) we get a reason for Lina to explain the things we won’t understand. Zelgadis is a rather interesting character as he is half stone in his whole body (immature jokes aside fokes). (Kurai: “Ha! Hard as a rock even in bed!” Angel: *smacks him hard on the head* “What did I just say?”) He is also a sorcerer and in the first half, we see him as a protagonist. Now, I don’t think I’m spoiling anything when I say he ends up turning around and teaming with the other characters. Amilia was more annoying then the others but her character sort of grew on me. Lets see, I believe Zelgadis is Chaotic good and Amilia is really Lawful good if you want to get into D&D. The storyline isn’t really a one directional storyline but it actually changes halfway through. It’s not that it goes into a completely different storyline but it does throw a couple twists and turns. Sadly though, we never get a full sense of the world they are in. They throw things in on last second and then take a little bit of time trying to rectify the change of the world. Now, they have really good luck though in this because most of the explanations actually seem to work but that’s because they didn’t put a standard to the world in the first place. The artwork does show its age but this was made on cells. Even though its classic, it’s rather clean and when they do stray away from the artwork, its mostly to show a gag rather then just a whim. We do get some still images and overused footage but I never was bothered by this. I have to say their costumes are really ridicules though but that’s a norm for any fantasy style show. The whole magical jewels on magical jewels for a sorcerer, the armor that actually doen’t look like it would protect him to well on his legs, it’s just one of those things. IT is like they made this a stereotypical fantasy but then joke about that same thing at times. Lina’s English voice was one that I had to actually grow to like, hers and Amilia. They were a little too high but not as high as the Japanese version. I couldn’t get into the Japanese version sadly because of Lina’s voice but the English is another matter. I think some of the jokes also work better in the English but again, it might be regional for this. They talk about lots of items that really aren’t in there time frame like cheeseburgers and such. It gives another layer to the show.

pinkarray Mar 9, 2017

4

I saw the first episode of this and I thought it was quite one of the most mediocre anime I've seen next to Serial Experiments Lain. The character of Lina had such a bad temper that I couldn't stand her. Which is unfortunate because she seems to have a hidden heart but there is not enough moments for her to show her sweet side in order for me to care. She seems to have no hidden backstory to explain her behavior, she just seems to be the opposite of my much sweeter friend of the same age, Amy. Lina is just not likable!Lina curses, shows aggressive and combative behavior which I would never have been fond of, not even as a child. I don't know if this is true, but I've never even seen her show redemption nor consequences for her behavior. If I was with her, I would slap some sense into her."But she's a teenager!" No. Do not make that excuse! I know some much sweeter teenagers around her age that has never shown such aggressive behavior nor say bad words. They are very sweet and laid-back! If you think Lina's likable, look at characters such as Cecily King from Avonlea, I swear to God, they are easier to care for!