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Slayers (スレイヤーズ, Sureiyāzu) is an anime and manga series based on a series of light novels written by Hajime Kanzaka that parodies RPGs with the story of Lina Inverse and Gourry Gabriev. Some of the novels, of which there are fifteen in the series, have only recently been released in English in North America; the rest are scheduled to be released in the future.

The stories take place in a mostly medieval style world, with magic. The TV show is organized into cycles starting out humorous, then slowly working towards serious until at the end of the cycle the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Until the very end of each of these cycles though, even the most serious moments will usually have a few short comic relief moments.

Slayers ran for three seasons. The second season goes by the name Slayers Next, and the third season is called Slayers Try. There are also numerous OVAs and movies in which Lina is partnered with the obnoxious and pretentious sorceress Naga. These adventures take place before the events of the three television seasons. The anime Lost Universe takes place in another dimension of the Slayers universe. There are also a few manga series based on the Slayers universe.

The anime series was previously released on VHS and DVD in North America by Software Sculptors. In May 2005, at Anime Central in Chicago, FUNimation Entertainment announced they are obtaining the license for the TV series in Fall 2005 when the previous owners' license expires. The OVAs and movies were released in North America by ADV Films. Enoki Films held the license to The Slayers TV series.

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Characters

Lina Inverse

Lina appears in all incarnations of Slayers. She is a young but very powerful sorceress, who has a great love of money, food, and casting Fireball on people at very little provocation. She has an older sister, Luna, who is apparently even more powerful. Voices: Megumi Hayashibara (Jap), Lisa Ortiz (Eng; TV), Cynthia Martinez (Eng; Movies/OAV)

Lina Inverse, the heroine of the series, is a reckless young sorceress with an eye for treasure. Like Robin Hood, she steals from the rich (often bandits and robbers and such), but keeps it herself instead of giving it to the poor. Her reputation as a she-devil of nigh-unstoppable power has spread far and wide, leading Lina to believe wholeheartedly in it herself. If one thing disturbs her, however, it is her mysterious older sister Luna -- the very mention of whom terrifies Lina.

In the first episode, she introduces herself by destroying a gang of bandits known as the Dragon Fangs. She steals a large portion of their treasure, then sets off towards the nearest town to cash it in for a sizeable profit. On the way to the town she is ambushed by the remainder of the Dragon Fangs. Mere seconds before she would have blasted them to bits, Gourry Gabriev valiantly comes to her "rescue", beginning their adventures together. Though she is loath to admit it, Lina eventually falls in love with Gourry.

Lina has many different nick-names, one of them being 'Dragon Spooker', which she hates. (This isn't quite correct, but is how it is translated. The kanji stands for "Dragons step past out of sheer revulsion"; the /spoo/ syllable is correct, but /s*r/ was changed to /k*r/ to translate better into English), This is rumored to have appeared because of an incident in the first episode, in which the Leader of the Dragon Fangs's pet black dragon escapes. Just when it appears that the beast is going to crush Lina (and Gourry, who was knocked out on top of her in a... compromised position) it blanches in disgust and steps over her, a blush along it's snout, much to her shock, and thereafter rage.

Another nickname Lina encounters is the "Dragon Nester." This comes from a rhyme: "Little girl with little breasts, scares the dragon from its nest." This takes off from a running gag, in which characters constantly comment on the small size of Lina's breasts. She generally takes offense to these comments, and often responds with violence.

Gourry Gabriev

A wandering swordsman who meets up with Lina in the first episode of the television series and accompanies her from then on. Carries the fabled Sword of Light, originally known as Goru Nova before it came to the Slayers world. Voices: Yasunori Matsumoto (Jap), Eric Stuart (Eng), Christopher Patton (Slayers Premium movie)

Gourry Gabriev is somewhat less than scholarly, but his skills as a swordsman go nearly unrivalled throughout the series, making him something of an idiot savant. At first, he seems a shallow pretty-boy only willing to fight for his own gain -- which is why he "saved" Lina from the bandits, hoping for a damsel in distress. But when he insists on becoming Lina's unpaid bodyguard, and they slowly get to know one another, Gourry's kindness, loyalty and consideration for others becomes clear. He unknowingly annoys Lina when he calls her a little girl in mockery of her underdeveloped breasts, which becomes a running gag in the series.

While Gourry is deadly with plain steel, he becomes the stuff of legends when armed with his family's magic blade. He is the keeper of the Sword of Light, a mystic weapon whose steel blade can be detached allowing the use of an alternate blade made of pure, destructive light at the incantation, "Light, come forth!". Gourry takes great care of the Sword of Light, and watches it especially carefully to protect the valuable relic from the thieving hands of Lina herself. She often tries to trick him into giving it to her, but he never caves in. He is introduced in episode 1. Considering the trials and tribulation the two brave together, it is little surprise that Gourry eventually falls in love with Lina. He is, however, less averse to the notion than the young sorceress.

Naga the White Serpent

A buxom sorceress with an obnoxious laugh (similar to Ayeka's in Tenchi Muyo! and Kodachi's in Ranma ½) who is Lina's partner in the movies and OVAs. It is often implied that she is Amelia's long lost older sister. Voices: Maria Kawamura (Jap), Kelly Manison (Eng)

Naga was often found hanging around Lina Inverse during Lina's earlier adventures, but the two had later parted company under unknown circumstances. During the time that they were together, whenever Naga was around, she was either working together with Lina or against her, all the while irritating the red-headed sorceress to no end.

Naga, claims she is Lina's only serious rival. Lina calls her 'goldfish faeces' - as in, she trails after Lina. Like Lina, she has a massive appetite in addition to being excessively alcoholic. She is extremely well-endowed, much to Lina's disgust and jealousy, and wears very little.

It is rumored and hinted at through out the different Slayers series that Naga is really the daughter of Prince Philionel El Di Saillune, and the oldest sister to Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune.

Zelgadis Greywords

A sorcerer who begins the TV series as a mercenary, opposed to Lina, but ends up in Lina and Gourry's group. A Chimera of golem, brow demon, and human. Voices: Hikaru Midorikawa (Jap), Crispin Freeman (Eng)

Zelgadis Graywords tends to become something of an enigma to his comrades, due to his quiet and asocial nature. As a boy, he was transformed by Rezo, the red priest -- who is both Zel's grandfather and great grandfather -- into a three-part chimera. One third is golem, one third is human, and the last third is brau-demon (a being neither demon nor mazoku). The golem third turned him into stone, and no sword but the Sword of Light can hurt him, making Zelgadis nearly unstoppable in a physical fight. The demon third enables him run faster than the eye can see, and granted him great power in Shamanist magic. The human third was simply a remnant of the old Zelgadis, before Rezo changed him.

Zelgadis specializes in Shamanistic magic, which pulls it's power from the Astral, or spiritual, Plane. His elemental spells are formidable, and include Stone Spiker, a modified version of Ray Wing, and his trump card, the mighty Ra-Tilt. Though he is not as learned in the art as Lina, Zelgadis's even combination of physical brunt and magical finesse render him among the most fearsome of mortal warriors.

Zelgadis travels with Lina because he wants to find a spell that can change him back into a human. Despite the incredible abilities bestowed upon him by Rezo in the transformation, he always views the change as a curse, and wishes more than anything to be rid of it and return to a normal life. His unofficial alias is "The heartless sorcerer swordsman", to which he accepts with a smirk. Amelia seems to have a crush on him, and he seems feel the same way about her, though he refuses to admit it, even to himself.

Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune

A young cleric and the princess of Saillune with an unwavering belief in justice, who joins Lina's group during the first TV series. Voices: Masami Suzuki (Jap), Veronica Taylor (Eng), Joani Baker (Eng; eps. 11-13), Luci Christian (Slayers Premium movie)

Where ever there's a crime, you'll find Amelia tripping close behind. A helpful little princess thats always either in the way or flat on her face (or in a headlock from Lina). She initially comes across as a very dense little kid who really can't tell the good guys from the bad guys. Lina often gets annoyed with Amelia for her wide eyed naivete, and was excessively annoyed by Amelia wanting to learn the Dragon Slave, and extremely annoyed with the fact that Amelia's bust size is more developed at her younger age, but eventually comes to accept her as a friend. Most of Amelia's lessons in justice came from her father Prince Philionel of Seyruun, the "ultimate pacifist" armed with a variety of oxymoronic but very effective attacks, whom Lina once mistook for a bandit. It is rumored that Naga the White Serpent might be Amelia's long lost older sister, the crown princess Gracia. After the murder of her mother, Amelia has vowed never to use blades, but once used the Sword of Light to channel the Ra Tilt. Amelia also seems to have a crush on Zelgadis.

Sylphiel Nels Rada

A lovely young cleric who, upon meeting Lina and friends, becomes infatuated with Gourry, who remains oblivious. She is weak in most magical areas aside from healing (her attack spells are especially unimpressive), but due to her profession she has studied extensively in white magic and can cast a ludicrously powerful version of Recovery. Surprisingly, she also manages to get the hang of Lina's signature spell, the Dragon Slave. She joins the group for the end of the first series and again near the end of the second series.

Filia Ul Copt

A Priestess of the Fire Dragon King. Being a Golden Dragon, she has a huge sense of honor and "fulfulling her duties to the temple." She is annoyed to great extents by any monster who crosses her path. She carries a large mace, affectionately dubbed Mace-sama, in her garter and uses it to end many of her arguments. First appears in Slayers Try. Voices: Houko Kuwashima (Jap), Tara Jayne (Eng)

Filia, at the end of Try, accepts the egg of the reborn Valgaav in repentance to what her ansestors did to his kind. In the ending credits, you see the glowing see-through egg nestled in a warm basket with Filia yelling something at Gravos and Jillas while they are polishing her pottery.

Xellos

A high level Mazoku who assisted Hellmaster Phibrizzo. His true master is Beastmaster Zelas-Metallium, one of the 5 highest ranking Mazoku who were created by Shabranigdu. One reason Xellos is so powerful, even amongst the Mazoku, is that while the other 4 highest ranking Mazoku created by Shabranigdu have a general and a priest, Zelas has only Xellos as her general-priest, makeing him likely to be the 6th most powerful Mazoku. Contrary to what some say, Xellos does not use the "last name" of his master. He is simply Xellos. Called "the trickster priest" by many (including himself) and "namagomi" (raw garbage) by Filia, he is a hindrance as much as a help to Lina and her friends. He gets what he wants in the easiest way; even if it means tricking his friends. His trademark response to any important question is, "that is a secret." A constant duel goes on between fans whether there is a love or hate, or even a love-hate relationship between Xellos and Filia. First appears in Slayers Next. Voices: Akira Ishida (Jap), David Moo (Eng), Kurt Stoll (Slayers Premium movie)

Name Discrepancies

Different translators have rendered character names differently. These are all valid transliterations of the original Japanese names.

• Naga, Nahga
• Amelia, Ameria
• Filia, Firia, Philia, Fillia
• Sylphiel, Sylpheel
• Xellos, Xelloss
• Zelgadis, Zelgadiss
• Zelas (Metallium), Zellas, Xelas, Xellas

The Universe

In the universe of Slayers, there is a supreme being, neither good nor evil, called Lord of Nightmares, L-sama or Sea of Chaos, who created everything. Four known pillars rise out of the Sea of Chaos, each supporting one of the four worlds. On each world, there are gods (shinzoku) and demons (Mazoku), fighting without end. Should the gods win the war in a world, that world will be at peace. Should the demons win, it will be destroyed and returned to Chaos.

In Lina's world, the supreme god is Ceiphied, and the supreme demon is Shabranigdo (Ruby-Eye). Long ago, Ceiphied won the war, and split Shabranigdo's body in seven to prevent him from coming back to life. However, Ceiphied was so exhausted that he sank into the Sea of Chaos, leaving four parts of himself and his soul in the world.

A millennium before the events in Slayers, one of Ruby-Eye's parts (which was sealed in the body of Lei Magnus, a very powerful sorcerer) revived and started the Resurrection War against one of the parts of Ceiphied, the Dragon King of Water (Aqua Lord). Ultimately, the piece of Shabranigdo won, but the Aqua Lord, using the last remnants of her power, froze and sealed him within the Kataart mountains.

More to be added

Spells

There are a wide variety of magical spells in the world of Slayers, categorized by the origin of their power. Following are some of the more important ones:

Black Magic

These spells borrow their power from the Mazoku. If the particular Mazoku lending power to the spell is killed, the spell becomes unusable. The exception is Dragon Slave, because fragments of Ruby Eye, its source, still remain.

• Dragon Slave: Lina's favourite high-profile spell. It creates an enormous blast that consumes everything in its range, often used by Lina to destroy enemies, monsters, and the occasional building or two. As its original name, Dragon Slayer, suggests, it is an excellent choice for killing dragons. The name became corrupted over time to its more commonly-used modern name, Dragon Slave. Its power comes from Shabranigdo.

"Power beyond the twilight, crimson blood that flows, buried in the stream of time is were your power grows, I pledge my self to conquer all foes who stand against the mighty gift bestowed in my unworthy hands- Dragon Slave!"

The original Japanese incantation is:

黄昏よりも昏きもの 血の流れより紅きもの 時の流れに埋もれし偉大なる汝の名において 我ここに、闇に誓わん 我等が前に立ち塞がりし 全ての愚かなる者に 我と汝が力もて 等しく滅びを与えんことを！！ ドラグ・・・スレ～～～イブ！！

which reads as: tasogare yori mo kuraki mono, chi no nagare yori akakimono, toki no nagare ni umoreshi idai naru nanji no na ni oite, ware koko ni yami ni chikawan, warera ga mae ni tachifusagarishi subete no oroka naru mono ni ware to nanji ga chikara mote hitoshiku horobi wo ataen koto wo! doragu... sure---ibu!!

The translation used in Slayers: The Motion Picture, however is as follows.

"Heed me thou who is darker than dusk, he who is more red than blood. In the name of that which has been buried in the bottomless abyss of time eternal, I summon thee, Master of the Ultimate Darkness. Infuse me with power, let your strength become mine to wipe these fools who stand before us from the face of this earth, and deliver unto them the ultimate doom! Dragon Slave!"

Although if you look in a Japanese dictionary the spell is actually a combo of the two and you actually get a very close translation.

"Darkness beyond the twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows. Buried in the flow of time, in your great name here I make a vow to darkness. To the fools who stand before us, merge thine strength and mine to deliver destruction to all equally!! DRAGON SLAVE!!"

• Gaav Flare: A very powerful, piercing fireball. Its power is borrowed from Gaav, the Demon-Dragon King.

Chaos Magic

These spells borrow their power from the Lord of Nightmares herself. They are so exhausting that only can be cast by very powerful humans (i.e. Lina), and can be cataclysmic if misused.

• Giga Slave: Lina Inverse's original spell. It is so powerful that the Dragon Slave cannot even be compared to it. If the caster loses control, the spell may return the world to the Sea of Chaos. It does more than calling upon the power of the Lord of Nightmares; it is said that the Giga Slave is actually the Lord of Nightmares itself.

Darkness beyond blackest pitch, deeper than the deepest night. King of Darkness who shines like gold upon the Sea of Chaos; I call upon thee, swear myself to thee. Let the fools who stand before me be destroyed by the power you and I possess...GIGA SLAVE!

• Ragna Blade: Creates a sword made of pure chaos that can cut through to the alternate dimensions used by Mazoku. Drains an incredible amount of the caster's power to use.

Lord of the dreams that terrify. Sword of cold and darkness, free yourself from the heaven's bonds! Become one with my power, one with my body, and let us walk the path of destruction together! Sword that can smash even the souls of the Gods! Ragna Blade!

Divine Magic

These spells would borrow their power from Shinzoku, but the divine magic was lost during the Resurrection war, a thousand years ago. However, some priests can use a bit of that lost power.

• Ray Freeze: An ancient holy spell, it paralyzes the body of targets so the caster can escape or keep the victim in place.
• Chaotic Disintegrate: Filia uses this spell against Valgaav in hopes of destroying him before Dark Star possessed the power of the Ancient Dragons. She was too late however, and though the spell caused an enormous show of power on Filia's part, it all came to nothing. At one point of time, she attempted to use it against Xellos, but he actually absorbed the magic (much to her shock), combining it with his own, and succeeded in destroying the powerful Anchent Dragon's shield around the Galvayra, or Bow of Light.
• Teleport: It is unclear whether it's a real spell or not. Filia uses this to teleport the group to the location of the final battle. It exhausts her, just like other spells, but she never says the name of the spell, nor any Chaos Words.

Shamanistic Magic

Shamanistic spells are spells whose power comes from the sorcerer: they don't borrow power from any god/demon. They are the every-day spells, and their power depends on the sorcerer's conditions (e.g. a sorceress can't cast powerful spells in her menstruation). Shamanistic magic is divided into various types, which are given in parentheses next to each spell's name.

• Astral Vine (Spirit): A spell which enchants a sword, axe, or other weapon with magic. A weapon enchanted in this way makes it possible to deal damage to Mazoku and becomes as powerful as the Sword of Light. However, this enchantment is only temporary.
• Balus Wall (Air): Also known as: Valis Wall, this spell is effective against flaming attacks (fire-shamanism, dragon's breath, and normal fire). Flames heading towards the caster would, instead of striking, would be diverted to the left and right of the spellcaster.
• Bephis Bring (Earth): Causes the ground under the caster to riot and break (i.e. allowing to access an underground passage).
• Bram Blazer (Spirit)
• Burst Rondo (Fire): Causes an explosion originating from the caster without injuring him/her.
• Dill Brand (Earth): Causes the ground under a target to erupt, usually launching anyone in the affected area.
• Elmekia Flame (Spirit): A more powerful version of the Elmekia Lance.
• Elmekia Lance (Spirit): Creates a light lance that damages the target's spirit. Causes great damage to Mazoku.
• Fireball (Fire): Lina's favourite low-profile spell. Creates a ball of flames that explodes in contact with anything. It can cause a lot of havoc, especially when cast by Lina.
• Flare Arrow (Fire): Forms a series of arrows made of fire, to be thrown or shot from a temporary magical bow.
• Freeze Arrow (Water): The ice equivalent of the Flare Arrow spell. Creates a magical arrow made of ice that can freeze targets.
• Freeze Britz (Water): The ice equivalent of the Fireball spell. Instantly encloses a victim in ice, or creates ice rocks or icicles when casted towards the sky.
• Levitation (Air): Allows flight.
• Ra Tilt (Spirit): The most powerful spell of Shamanistic magic. Can even destroy a pure Mazoku. Only affects those who have astral bodies. Those are probably Mazoku, but it's possible to kill some of the party just entering/exiting the Astral Plane.
• Raywing (Air): Also allows flight. Much faster, but also more energy-draining. Also provides an air bubble when used under water. In addition, Raywing can carry about three passengers.
• Visfan Rank (Spirit): Concentrates spiritual power into the fists of the user, allowing them to box with evil spirits. A specialty of Amelia's.

White Magic

These spells are intended to cure and purify people. They are similar to Spirit Shamanism in that all of them draw upon the power of the caster. They aren't related to gods in the same way that Black Magic is related to demons - see Divine Magic above.

• Recovery: Boosts the target's regeneration abilities. It's useful to cure little wounds, but it must not be used to cure big wounds because the target could die of exhaustion. Furthermore, if the target is infected with any kind of bacteria, those bacteria would also receive the regenerative boost and multiply rapidly, killing the target.
• Resurrection: Takes the vital energy from nearby life forms to cure the target. It is a lot harder than Recovery, and usually only priests can cast it.

List of Slayers Anime

• Slayers (TV series, 26 episodes)
• Slayers Next (TV series, 26 episodes)
• Slayers Try (TV series, 26 episodes)
• Slayers The Motion Picture (Movie) (also known as Slayers Perfect, although this is just a fan-made name)
• Slayers Return (Movie)
• Slayers Great (Movie)
• Slayers Gorgeous (Movie)
• Slayers Premium (Short movie)
• Slayers: The Book of Spells (OVA, 3 episodes)
• Slayers Excellent (OVA, 3 episodes)

List of Slayers Light Novels

• Slayers (15 Volumes, 1990-2000)
• Slayers Special (24 Volumes, prequel to Slayers series, on going)
• Slayers Delicious (4 Volumes, prequel to Slayers series, 1997-1999)
• Slayers VS Orphen (1 Volume, crossover between Slayers and Majutsushi Orphen, 2005)

List of Slayers Manga (comic)

• Slayers (1 Volume, 1995, reedited in 2001)
• Chou-baku Madou-den Slayers (8 Volumes, adapted from Slayers main novels 1-8, 1995-2001)
• Slayers Special (4 Volumes, 2000-2001)
• Slayers Knight of AquaLord (6 Volumes, 2003-2005)
• Slayers Premium (1 Volume, adapted from Slayers Premium movie, 2002)

List of Slayers Radio-Drama

• Slayers Extra (4 episodes, adapted from Slayers Special novels, 1995-1996)
• Slayers N'extra (4 episodes, adapted from Slayers Special novels, 1997)
• Slayers Premium (1 episode, extra story to Slayers Premium movie, 2002)
• Slayers VS Orphen (1 episode, adapted from Slayers VS Orphen novel, 2005)

List of Slayers Video-Games

• Slayers Royal (PSX & Sega Saturn)
• Slayers Royal 2 (PSX & Sega Saturn)
• Slayers Wonderful (PSX)
• Slayers (SFC)
• Slayers (PC98)

External links

• Enoki Films' Slayers website
• Slayers Universe
• Mazoku.org
• QP's Slayers Page
• Slayers Uncensored
• Slayersfan.com
• KanzakaDex
• Lost Slayers
• Eterno Poder

Character Links

• Chimera Kage Zelgadiss Greywords
• Let's Fight! Valgarv
• Mysterious Ways Xelloss

• Anime
• Manga
• Light novels