 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 4:3 FULL SCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH MONO AND JAPANESE DD 2.0 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 575 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | TV PG | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 08/21/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 10/13/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
SYNOPSIS:
In a land of fantasy and fairytale, magic rules and one can prosper by the point of a sword. But somewhere between the realms of good and evil, a band of misfits stumble upon an artifact which could prove the undoing of all...
Meet Lina Inverse, a spunky sorceress with a penchant for fire who enjoys nothing more than liberating the unearned from those less deserving. Teamed up with Gourry, a dashing swordsman of unrivaled skill - and stupidity - they must take on the forces of the demon lord and his countless servants, seeking to save the world and hoping for fame and fortune along the way. REVIEW:
Fantasy adventure has never been so much fun or so funny! Lina Inverse is one of the mightiest sorceress’ of the ages. If only she weren’t so short and quick tempered, people might take her a little more seriously! On a quest for fortune and fame, she decimates bandits, takes their loot and continues on her way. Not exactly the ideal heroine, nevertheless she’s the land’s best hope when evil starts to take monstrous shape and the end of humankind is at hand! Based on the hit manga and novels, Slayers is a beloved fantasy series that is as affectionately rendered as it is farcical. The first season of the anime series introduces viewers to the flawed but courageous Lina and show how she first meets her traveling companions. There’s the strong and brave knight Gourry who’s not so smart but shares Lina’s love for a good meal. He also may be something of a comedic love interest for the heroine. There’s also the broody and mysterious Zelgadis – is he friend or foe? And later in the first season, the group hooks up with Amelia, a girl with a lot of silly ideas in her head, an insane desire to smite justice on all those who are unrighteous, and yet still holds some magical abilities of her own. This sword and sorcery anime is filled with one adventure after another. Heavily comedic, the show is action packed. Whether they’re fighting mummy men, bandits, or having Gourry cross-dress to avoid trouble, its mayhem and chaos (Gourry is mayhem, Lina is chaos). There is however a dramatic story line throughout the first season that travels nearly the entire 26 episodes. Rezo the Red Priest has evil up his sleeve and it’s up to Lina and company to stop him from calling forth the Dark Lord Shabranigdo. Before the first half of the season is hit, Lina already goes up against this great evil in a momentous magical battle. But that’s only the beginning of the story! By the end of the first season, it’s an all or nothing battle between the Dark Lord and Lina standing alone. To defeat him, the Dragon Slave (her most famous and most devastating spell) doesn’t work. To win the day and save everyone, she’ll have to call on a magic even darker than Shabranigdo’s, the Giga Slave that calls upon the Lord of Nightmares – a Demon Lord even more terrifying than Shabranigdo! The animation style is fun 2D animation with lots of energy and vibrant colors. This new release of the hit show has been digitally remastered by FUNimation for wonderfully clear frames with only a few mosquitoes. The sound is crisp and clear and features the entire original voice cast, and now can be heard better than ever. Slayers holds some of the most addictive and fun J-pop theme songs ever and the first season is no exception. EXTRAS:
Bonus features include trailers of other FUNimation titles, clean opening and ending animation, and episode 1 offered in alternate languages including English, Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish and Italian. IN SUMMARY:
Slayers is high fantasy, lots of action and more mayhem that you can shake a magical wand at! It’s big laughs and a great ride! |
