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[R1 DVD art]
AKA: N/A
Genre: Fantasy comedy
Length: Television series, 26 episodes, 23 minutes each
Distributor: Licensed by FUNimation; R1 DVD from Central Park Media out of print
Content Rating: 13+ (violence, profanity)
Related Series: Slayers Next, Slayers TRY, Slayers (movies)
Also Recommended:
Notes: Based on the novels by Kanzaka Hajime.
Rating:

The Slayers

Synopsis

It's a time and place far and long ago, where swords and sorcery are commonplace. Where kings and princes rule the land, and trolls and bandits lurk in every wood to terrorize the hapless traveller. Where magic is as pervasive as the air itself. Such a place needs heroes, willing to stand up for justice and face the deadly foe, no matter how strong or how ugly he may be. Who might be willing to take up this dangerous quest?

Well, there's the treasure hunting, bandit-killing, cute-as-a-button and oh-so-powerful sorceress Lina Inverse, whose bravery is only surpassed by her appetite for good food. And there's the gallant, sword-wielding, strong-as-an-ox-and-just-about-as-smart Gourry whose name would surely be included among the lists of great swordsmen in the world ... if only he could remember how to spell it. Together, there's no obstacle they can't tackle (or simply demolish). Look out dragon, golem, berserker, fishman, or what have you -- Lina and Gourry are on their way!


Review

I'm rather fond of this series.

The Slayers is another series that requires that you check your sense of dignity at the door. No totem of medieval fantasy is safe as Lina and her friends poke fun at anything and everything in hilarious, madcap fashion. If you were one of those people who the DM periodically made you roll for a "humor check," you'd probably better put this one aside and dig out Lodoss Wars instead. Harumph.

If you're like everyone else, though, you'll enjoy this gem of a comedy series. The art itself is rather well-done: heroes have never looked more heroic and cute li'l sorceresses have never looked cuter. The animation tends to become a bit crude and choppy at times (particularly during the Very Funny Bits), but you'll find that while you're laughing, you really won't care. The soundtrack job is done well, too, balancing the fast action (and yes, there's plenty) with the kneeslappers (plenty of those, too).

Surprisingly enough, the storylines are quite good, and would probably fit right in with any other "serious" fantasy series. Rather than make the plot silly as all get out (a la Dragon Half), the writers decided to do a respectable job and simply overlay the comedy right on top of it. In parts (particularly Volume 2), Slayers is nearly indistinguishable from its more somber siblings. So, if you like fantasy and you like to laugh, Slayers is probably the series for you. And now, for something completely different ...!

Raphael See

Recommended Audience: Some minor profanity and lots of cartoon-style slapstick violence. Lots of trolls and monsters get killed, and the occasional bandit, too. Okay for the Jackie Chan crowd.



Version(s) Viewed: VHS, Japanese with English subtitles
Review Status: Partial (13/26)
The Slayers © 1995 TV Tokyo / Softx
 
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