Anime Series Reviews - Slayers (1st Season)

An Otaku's Guide to Anime & Manga

Anime Series Review:
Slayers (1st Season)

Titles

English & Japanese: Slayers

Rating

PG-13

Total Number of Episodes

Episodes Seen

1-26

Version

Japanese subtitled version and English dubbed version

Voice Acting

Both the Japanese and English voice casts are talented and they fit their roles nicely. The Japanese cast sports two of my favorite seiyuu, Hayashibara Megumi (as Lina) and Midorikawa Hikaru (as Zel). Interestingly enough, two of my favorite English VAs also belong to Lina and Zel, Lisa Ortiz and Crispin Freeman respectively. I am also very fond of Gourry's VA, Eric Stuart...I actually prefer his portrayal of Gourry to that of Yasunori Matsumoto, Gourry's Japanese seiyuu.

Music

The music in Slayers is very good. The opening theme, "Get Along", is considered by many fans to be one of the catchiest, most kick-ass anime songs out there. And the ending, "Kujikenaikara!" is also upbeat and fun. Plus, there are a number of character image songs, where the Japanese cast gets to show off their vocal skills.

Animation

The animation in Slayers is fairly new looking. Bright colors, flowing hair and pretty eyes follow the traditional anime style of animation.

Plot Summary
(May contain spoilers. You've been warned!)

Slayers begins by introducing the main character, a Fireball-throwing sorceress named Lina Inverse. She soon meets up with a dumb-as-a-rock swordsman, Gourry Gabriev. The two quickly become entangled with Zelgadis Greywords and Rezo, the Red Priest. Rezo is trying to resurrect the Dark Lord Shabranigdo, in order to cure his blindness. However, Zelgadis joins Lina and Gourry to oppose him. Rezo succeeds in resurrecting the Dark Lord, but is shocked to learn that the Mazoku is reborn in his own body! Lina, Gourry and Zelgadis then fight and defeat him. Once this ordeal is over, Zelgadis goes his own way, while Lina and Gourry head off together. The two later meet Amelia and her father Phil, of the Royal Family of Sairuun. Because of a service Lina did for the Prince, he promises her a reward as soon as they return to Sairuun. By the time they arrive, someone has put up wanted posters for Lina, Gourry, and Zelgadis. The two have a brief encounter with the men responsible, then head off for Sairaag. When they arrive, they meet up with Sylphiel and learn that a Copy exists of Rezo. They then have to fight it, as it is obsessed with killing them in order to surpass the original Rezo. By using the Bless Blade, and the Holy tree Flagoon, they are able to defeat him.

Objectionable Material

Violence - Mostly in the form of explosions, there is little serious violence in Slayers. There are a couple of instances, though. Some blood is seen, and there are a few deaths. Also, Lina has a tendency to beat on people who annoy her.
Nudity - None
Sexual Situations - There are occasional jokes about the size of Lina's breasts, and one about "that time of the month", but that's about it.
Profanity - There is occasional use of profanity, but nothing too serious
Mature Ideas/Issues - The Slayers world deals with numerous Gods and Demon Lords. This might bother some people, and smaller children might not understand it.

Kat's Rating

I've been a big fan of Slayers from the first time I saw it. A great mix of comedy and action, Slayers is a classic. Plus, I love the whole swords and sorcery fantasy genre.

Dub vs. Sub

See my review.

Manga vs. Anime

I have not read the manga (novel?) equivalent of Slayers yet.