Slayers

For other uses, see Slayer (disambiguation).

Slayers
File:Slayers-anime-logo.jpg Major characters of Slayers. From left to right: Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun, Gourry Gabriev, Xellos (top), Lina Inverse (bottom) and Zelgadis Greywords.
Genre	Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy
Manga
Written by	Hajime Kanzaka
Published by	Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	1995 – 2005
Volumes	8
Anime
Directed by	Takashi Watanabe
Studio	E.G. Films
Released	April 7 1995 – September 29 1995
Anime
Slayers Next
Directed by	Takashi Watanabe
Studio	E.G. Films
Released	April 5 1996 – September 27 1996
Anime
Slayers Try
Directed by	Takashi Watanabe
Studio	E.G. Films
Released	April 4 1997 – September 26 1997
Anime
Slayers Revolution
Directed by	Takashi Watanabe
Studio	J.C.STAFF
Released	July 2, 2008 – present
Related works
Slayers Special (OVA) Slayers Excellent (OVA) Slayers Movie : Slayers The Motion Picture Slayers Movie 2: Slayers Return Slayers Movie 3: Slayers Great Slayers Movie 4: Slayers Gorgeous Slayers Movie 5: Slayers Premium

Slayers (スレイヤーズ, Sureiyāzu) is a series of over 50 light novels written by Hajime Kanzaka. It was later developed into several manga titles, four televised anime series, two three-episode original video animations (OVAs), and five movies. It also spanned three console role-playing games for the Sony PlayStation, as well as one for the Nintendo Super Famicom (known internationally as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Slayers is a Dungeons & Dragons inspired narrative that follows the adventures of the young sorceress Lina Inverse and her companions as they journey through their world. Using powerful magic and swordsmanship they battle overreaching wizards, demons seeking to destroy the world, dark lords, and the occasional hapless gang of bandits.

Characters

Lina Inverse (リナ・インバース, Rina Inbāsu)

Lina is the primary protagonist and the only character that appears in all incarnations of Slayers. She is an adolescent but very powerful sorceress, with a great love of money, treasure (especially the magical sort) and food. In the anime and manga (but not the light novel) Lina uses overly destructive magic recklessly (but comically), often with little provocation. She is reputed to be an evil, powerful, destructive, diminutive sorceress (the evil part isn't true). She has an older sister, Luna, who is a powerful swordswoman. Although Lina has faced down dragons, monsters, and even Dark Lords with little fear, the mere mention of Luna's name sends her into terrified hysterics. She also suffers from a fear of slugs.

In the first episode of the TV series, 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 sizable profit. On the way to the town she is ambushed by the remainder of the Dragon Fangs. However, mere seconds before she would have blasted them to bits, Gourry Gabriev valiantly comes to her "rescue" and they begin their adventures together. In manga, anime and novels, Lina and Gourry do fall in love, but acting on these feelings is an entirely different story.

Lina has many different nicknames, one of them being "Dragon Spooker", a name that she isn't too fond of. (This is in the English translation. In Japanese, 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’ 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 compromising position), it blanches in disgust and steps over her, a blush along its snout, much to her shock, and thereafter rage. However, the nickname was mentioned before the black dragon met her, thus leading to a possible earlier incident.

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. This nickname only appears in the English dub but small breast jokes are a staple of the franchise.

In Slayers TRY, Gourry, Amelia and Zelgadis find out that Lina has an elder sister named Luna. Luna is a skilled and powerful warrior, who later retired and became a waitress in Lina's hometown . When Lina refused to accompany Filia on her quest, Filia handed Lina a letter from Luna that said, "Shut up and do it!", prompting Lina to cower in fear.

Ages (Rough estimates,Lina is short for her age):

• OVAs and Movies: 13 to 14, 16 (In Premium only)
• First Series: 15 (Lina directly states her age as 15 in episode 15)
• Second Series: 16
• Third Series: 17

Voices: Megumi Hayashibara (Japanese), Lisa Ortiz (T.V series), Cynthia Martinez (Movies / OVAs) (English)

Gourry Gabriev (ガウリイ・ガブリエフ, Gaurī Gaburiefu)

Gourry is a wandering swordsman who meets up with Lina in the first episode of the television series. He accompanies her from then on. He carries the fabled Sword of Light, originally known as Gorun Nova before it came to the Slayers world.

Gourry is somewhat less than scholarly and appears to have serious memory deficit along with ADD, but his skills as a swordsman are unmatched throughout the franchise. A characterization of Gourry from his manga profile is "as loyal as man's best friend but not quite as smart." After he meets Lina he decides to become the "little girl's" unpaid bodyguard (despite his disappointment at his charge's lack of development), and they slowly get to know one another. Gourry's kindness (he spares the life of his rival Zangulus on several occasions), loyalty (absolute to Lina) and consideration for others is clear throughout the franchise, but is not as quixotic as that of the Seyruuns'.

While Gourry is deadly with plain steel, he is incredibly powerful 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 powered by force of will. The sword can fell lower-ranked demons on its own and absorbs magic. If magic is cast directly on the sword of the light, the swords power becomes combined with that of the spell. Gourry takes great care of the Sword of Light, and watches it especially carefully to protect the valuable relic from thieving hands, especially those of Lina herself. Lina often tries to trick him into giving it to her by claiming he already promised it to her, but these are one of the few times where Gourry's less than astute (incredibly unreliable) memory is crystal clear. Gourry does allow Lina to borrow the sword in certain extreme circumstances.

At the end of the third series, Gourry gives up the Sword of Light so that it and the other light weapons can be protected. In the following book series, he acquires the legendary Blast Sword. Manipulating the magical energies around it, the Blast Sword creates an extremely sharp blade. If not treated with care, it can slice through its sheath, and will sink up to its hilt into the ground below. An enchantment placed on it by the party allows them to change its sharpness to be useful again.

Gourry eventually falls in love with Lina. Though he is not as shy towards the notion as the young sorceress, he apparently does not know (yet another thing Gourry doesn't know) how to make a romantic advance.

Ages (Rough estimates):

• Premium: 23
• First Series: 22
• Second Series: 23
• Third Series: 24

Voices: Yasunori Matsumoto (Japanese), Eric Stuart (T.V Series) & Christopher Patton (Slayers Premium movie) (English)

Naga the White Serpent

Naga is a buxom sorceress with an obnoxious laugh (similar to Ayeka Masaki Jurai's in Tenchi Muyo! and Kodachi Kuno's in Ranma ½) who is Lina's partner in the movies and OVAs.

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 feces" — as in, she trails after Lina. Like Lina, she has a massive appetite and is an excessive alcoholic. She is extremely well-endowed, much to Lina's disgust and jealousy, and wears very little clothing (it is characterized in the OVA as the "evil sorcerer look" and as an even less respectable sort of look).

It is rumored and hinted at throughout 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. However, despite the hinting, it was never confirmed until the creator, Hajime Kanzaka, revealed in an interview that Naga is indeed the lost heir of the Saillune family.

Naga appeared specifically in the OAV’s and movies, however there is a debatable cameo appearance by her in the first season of the TV series midway through (during a crowd scene, several people walked in from of the 'camera' including a shapely lower torso that bore an uncanny resemblance to Naga's design, though the long trailing hair was red so it may have been an homage, or potentially Serena from the second OVA series who became a follower of Naga's. Amelia notices the character during the brief scene.

Ages (Rough estimates):

• OVA's and Movies: 19 to 20, 22 (In Premium)

Voices: Maria Kawamura (Japanese), Kelly Manison (English)

Crown Prince Philionel El Di Seyruun (フィリオネル＝エル＝ディ＝セイルーン, Firioneru Eru Di Seirūn)

Philionel El Di Seyruun is the crown prince of Seyruun. He has two daughters: Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun and Gracia Ul Naga Seyruun (who now calls herself "Naga the White Serpent"). However, Gracia left after Phil's unnamed wife was killed by an assassin. Phil also has two brothers, Christopher Wil Brogg Seyruun and Randionel Seyruun, and a nephew, Alfed Seyruun. Sadly, both Randy and Alfred were killed in separate attempts to seize the throne for themselves. Though Phil's father Eldoran Seyruun is technically still the king, he is old, sickly, and bed ridden, so Phil now more or less runs the country.

Like his youngest daughter, Phil has a strong belief in justice, and he is also (by self-declaration) a pacifist. However, in spite of this claim, if Phil sees something he believes to be unjust, he will not hesitate to use force.

Unlike most of the Seyruun royal family, Phil has no magical powers, but he does have a lot of brute strength. He uses this mostly in the form of oxymoronic, justice-themed physical attacks, such as Pacifist Crush, Kindness to All Creatures Kick, Benevolent Giant Swing, and Goodwill Towards Man Smash. His sheer brute strength is even enough to destroy lesser demons.

Voices: Masahiro Anzai (Japanese), Matt Black (episodes 11-13), and Jimmy Zoppi (episodes 25-53) (English)

Zelgadis Greywords (ゼルガディス・グレイワーズ, Zerugadisu Gureiwāzu)

Zelgadis is a sorcerer who begins the various incarnations of the franchise as a retainer for his ancestor Rezo, opposed to Lina, but ends up in Lina and Gourry's group. He is a chimera made of rock golem, brau (English trans. brass) demon, and human.

Zelgadis Greywords tends to become something of an enigma to his comrades, due to his quiet and antisocial nature. As a boy, he was transformed by Rezo, the red priest — who is either or both his grandfather and great-grandfather (the translation is unclear and differs) — 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 ordinary weapons can't hurt him (unless wielded with Gav-like strength), making Zelgadis nearly unstoppable in a physical fight. The demon third enables him to run faster than the eye can see, and grants 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 its 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 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 dislikes his change in appearance (his skin is tinged blue-grey with lots of rocks sticking out) and wishes more than anything to regain human form. However, Zelgadis likes to consider himself evil, but not too evil. In one episode Zelgadis (and the others) are described in insulting terms. Zelgadis is called "the heartless mystical swordsman" an epithet he actually likes (Lina and Gourry are called "Some smartass sorceress and an idiot swordsman" while Amelia is called "a crazy girl,"). Amelia (who thinks Zelgadis' form is actually cool-looking) seems to have a crush on him, and he seems to feel the same way about her, though he refuses to admit it, even to himself.

Ages (Rough estimates):

• Premium: 18
• First Series: 17
• Second Series: 18
• Third Series: 19

Voices: Hikaru Midorikawa (Japanese), Daniel Cronin (episodes 2-10) & Crispin Freeman (Episodes 18-78 and Premium film) (English)

Dilgear

Dilgear was a half-wolf, half-troll and was a henchman of Zelgadis Greywords and his great-grandfather; Rezo the Red Priest.

Unlike Zolf, Rodimus, and Noonsa, Dilgear was actually quite violent during battles and would even go as far as to kill his foes. He first appeared in episode 4 of the anime. Despite Dilgear was placed under Zelgadis' rule, his ultimate loyalty was to Rezo, so it came as no surprise to Zelgadis when the half-breed turned against the chimera. During the battle, when Zolf and Rodimus arrived, Dilgear thought that he had been saved, however, Rodimus said that their loyalty was to Zelgadis, not Rezo. Dilgear was seriously wounded by Zolf shortly afterwards, his final words being: "Just wait until I come back to life!". Thanks to his half-troll regenerative abilities, he actually did, but instead of seeking revenge, he ended up as Luna Inverse's pet, who calls him Spot. The exact circumstances of this radical change in Dilgear's life are unknown.

In the manga, Dilgear appeared differently compared to the novels or the anime. He was a bounty hunter sent along with Rahanimu and Vrumugun to eliminate Gourry Gabriev and Lina Inverse by Eris. Strangely, Dilgear vanished shortly after his introduction. It is possible that he either fled or was simply killed off-screen.

Voices: Hirohiko Kakegawa (Japanese) and Jimmy Zoppi (English)

Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun (アメリア・ウィル・テスラ・セイルーン, Ameria Wiru Tesura Seirūn)

Amelia is a young miko (shrine-maiden, sometimes translated as priestess) and the princess of Saillune with an unwavering (quixotic) belief in justice. She joins Lina's group during the first TV series. Amelia longs to be a "hero of justice" and quixoticly pursues her quest by following Lina and fighting (what appears to her as) villains. Amelia's naive tendency to believe whatever she is told sometimes leads her to mistake friend and foe. In the novels, Amelia is older and taller than Lina, but in the Animanga franchise Amelia appears to be both younger and smaller (though very busty, much to Lina's annoyance). In all incarnations of the franchise Amelia's manner is that of a little girl playing crusader.

Wherever there's a crime, you'll find Amelia tripping close behind. She’s a helpful little princess who's 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. Although Lina was often annoyed with Amelia for her wide-eyed naiveté, desire to learn the Dragon Slave, and larger bust size, eventually Lina comes to accept her as a friend. Most of Amelia's lessons in justice and heroism 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 king (TV series). It is rumored that Naga the White Serpent might be Amelia's long-lost older sister, the crown princess Gracia (this rumor was later confirmed by Hajime Kanzaka during an interview). 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 seems to eventually develop a crush on Zelgadis.

Ages (Rough estimates):

• Premium: 15
• First Series: 14
• Second Series: 15
• Third Series: 16
• Novels: 17-18

Voices: Masami Suzuki (Japanese), Joani Baker (episodes 11-13), Veronica Taylor (episodes 14-78), and Luci Christian (Slayers Premium film) (English)

Sylphiel Nels Lahda (シルフィール・ネルス・ラーダ, Shirufīru Nerusu Rāda)

Sylphiel is a lovely young cleric who knew Gourry before she met Lina and the others. She became infatuated with Gourry to the point where, in the English translation for the anime, she refers to him as "Dear Gourry" or "Gourry Dear". Gourry only remembers her for her good cooking. While she is weak in shamanism and black magic her skills in white magic (healing and protection) are impressive. This is mainly due to her profession as a Shrine Maiden. Surprisingly, in Slayers Next she manages to get the hang of Lina's signature spell, the Dragon Slave. Her only other offensive spell, Flare Arrow, is comically pathetic: slow, weak and shaped like a carrot or beet. In the T.V series, she joins the group for the end of the first series and again near the end of the second series. She does not appear in Slayers TRY (her position being somewhat usurped by Filia) except for a brief mention by Zelgadis in episode 5, in an eyecatch in the 24th episode, and in a flashback in episode 26. It is unknown if she will appear in Slayers Revolution.

Ages (Rough estimates):

• First Series: 19
• Second Series: 20

Voices: Yumi Tōma (Japanese), Stacia Crawford (English)

Rezo the Red Priest (赤法師レゾ, Aka Hōshi Rezo)

Rezo is one of the "Five Wisemen of the Age", a world-famous priest and healer. It is never said exactly how old Rezo is, but according to Zelgadis, he is over a century old. However, he does not look his age (in the first novel, Lina describes him as looking "both young and old" at the same time.) Rezo's only known relative is Zelgadis Greywords, who is his great grandson.

Rezo was born with one of the seven pieces of Ruby Eye Shabranigdo sealed within his soul, which somehow affected his eyes, and he was blind as a result. He also possessed an immense capacity for magic, and took up studying white magic in an effort to cure his blindness, not realizing what the true cause of his blindness was. Once he mastered white magic, he traveled the land healing the sick and blind, performing "miracles." Sadly, although he was able to cure the blindness of others, he could not cure his own. Thus he studied shamanistic magic and black magic, hoping in vain that one of the two fields might provide him with a cure.

Slowly Rezo's desire to find a cure turned into an obsession, and the fragment of Shabranigdo within him began to corrupt his soul and take over. Rezo eventually decided that resurrecting Shabranigdo was the only way to cure his blindness. He hoped that in exchange for reviving him, the Demon King would grant him sight.

He began searching for the Philosopher's Stone, believing that it was the key to the Demon King's revival. He eventually obtained the stone, and resurrected Shabranigdo from within himself. In the end, Lina Inverse was able to defeat the Demon King using the Giga Slave and the Sword of Light, with help from Rezo's soul, killing the priest in the process.

Age: 100 years old.

Voices: Takehito Koyasu (Japanese), Charles Rolfe (English)

Filia Ul Copt (フィリア・ウル・コプト, Firia Uru Koputo)

Filia made her first appearance in Slayers TRY. She is a Priestess of the Fire Dragon King. Being a Golden Dragon, she has a huge sense of honor and is dedicated to "fulfilling her duties to the temple." She is annoyed to great extents by any monster that crosses her path. She carries a large mace (affectionately dubbed Mace-sama) in her garter, and uses it to end many of her arguments. Filia originally wanted Lina's big sister Luna to accompany her on her quest, but Luna refused and suggested Lina as a replacement.

Filia, at the end of Slayers TRY, accepts the egg of the reborn Valgaav in repentance of what her ancestors 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. Her role in the series also seems to usurp Sylphiel's, who does not appear in TRY at all (except for in flashbacks and in an eyecatch).

Age (Rough estimates):

• Third Series: Unknown (Presumed to be a few hundred years). In her human form, she appears to be in her early 20s.

Voices: Houko Kuwashima (Japanese), Tara Sands (English)

Rodimus (ロディマス, Rodimasu)

Rodimus was an elderly man who was loyal to Zelgadis Greywords. Despite his apparent age, Rodimus appears to be a skilled fighter and manages to hold his own (with the help of Dilgear) against much younger fighters like Gourry Gabriev.

Despite Zelgadis turning against Rezo, Rodimus chose to remain under the chimera's command, as he stated that their loyalty lied with Zelgadis, not Rezo. After which, Zolf and Rodimus both joined the Slayers along with their master. They didn't remain on the team long, however, as soon afterwards, Rezo resurrected a fragment of the Demon King. Zolf mistakenly cast a Dragon Slave on Shabranidgo, hoping it would be destroyed. However, the ma-ō reflected the spell which killed Rodimus and Zolf.

Voices: Katsuhisa Hōki (Japanese) and Junior Ringenbach (English)

Vrumugun (ヴルムグン, Vurumugun)

Vrumugun is the name given to a group of copy men created by Eris, who serve as antagonists during the first season of Slayers and the third novel.

In the novels, Eris used the Vrumuguns to try and capture Lina Inverse, Gourry Gabriev, and Zelgadis Greywords and bring them to Sairaag. However, she only sent one Vrumugun after them at a time, sending a new copy every time one was killed. This greatly confused Lina and co. at first, because no matter how many times they killed Vrumugun, he kept re-appearing (they had thought that Vrumugun was a single person, not a group of copies). The Vrumugun copies disappeared once their controller died. In the anime, he was grouped with Zangulus as they tried to capture Gourry and Lina. However, while Zangulus was short-tempered and arrogant, Vrumugun was quiet, collected, and took everything seriously. Strangely in episode 18, after Zelgadis kills a group of clones, Vrumugun vanishes and is never seen again for the remainder of season 1.

There is much ambiguity as to who the original Vrumugun is, since they never say specifically in any of the Slayers mediums. In the novels, there is evidence to suggest that Eris is the original. She (and possibly the original Rezo) created them, and her last name is also Vrumugun. In the anime, on the other hand, Eris' last name is never mentioned, nor is it ever hinted that she is the original. Furthermore, at the end of Slayers NEXT, we see, albeit only briefly, a person very much resembling Vrumugun at Zangulus and Martina's wedding. It is implied that this person is the original Vrumugun.

Voices: Hiroshi Yanaka (Japanese), Carter Cathcart (episode 13), and Jimmy Zoppi (episodes 14-18, 52) (English)

Xellos (ゼロス, Zerosu)

Xellos is a high level Mazoku (see Universe section below), who is thousands of years old. Xellos is the Priest and General of "Greater Beast Zelas-Metalium." Great Beast is described as one of the five demon lords "given birth to" by Shabranigdo. The remaining 3 of the 5 demons lords each has a Priest and a General imbued wtih tremendous power, although Greyschwaller has 2 of each. In Xellos' case, he serves as both Priest and General to Zelas, making him the most powerful being in the world outside of the Mazoku and Dragon gods. Xellos served Hellmaster Phibrizzo (another of the five demons) in his attempt to destroy Gaav the Demon Dragon King. Gaav stated that Xellos was given power beyond any Mazoku created by Shabranigdo, outside the five demon lords. Dragons fear Xellos and see him as their mortal enemy after he killed half the population during The War of Monster Fall. In the 6th Slayers novel (Vezendi's Shadow), Xellos says his real name is simply Xellos the Priest. He is also known as Beastmaster Xellos (dub only), "trickster priest" (by many, including himself) and "namagomi" ("raw garbage" by Filia) or simply Xellos. Xellos is sometimes a hindrance, sometimes helpful to Lina and her friends. He claims to serve to goals of Phibrizzo, and in season three that of the Monster race, but his actions do not always appear consistent. His trademark response to any important question is, "Sore wa himitsu desu!" (Literally: "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. He first appears in the second episode Slayers NEXT.

Age: Over 1000

Voices: Akira Ishida (Japanese), David Moo (T.V Series) & Kurt Stoll (Slayers Premium movie) (English)

Zolf

Zolf (also referred to as "Mummy Man") is a warrior loyal to Zelgadis Greywords.

While under the command of Zelgadis and the Red Priest Rezo, Zolf infiltrated the Dragon Fangs gang in order to steal the Orihalcon Statue and the Philosopher's Stone it contained. Unfortunately for him, he joined the gang just in time to be blown up by Lina Inverse who robbed the gang for their ill gotten goods. Due to being caught up in the attack he wears bandages all over his body, hence the nickname Mummy Man. After Zelgadis' break with Rezo, Zolf chose to follow Zelgadis and remain under his command, also removing his bandages.

Zolf dies at the hand of Ruby Eye Shabranigdo (who was summoned into the body of Rezo) after mistakingly thinking that casting a Dragon Slave at it would finish it off. Shabranigdo reflected the spell, killing Zolf as well as Rodimus.

Voices: Masato Hirano (Japanese) and Stan Hart (English)

Martina Zoana Mel Navratilova (マルチナ・ゾアナ・メル・ナブラチョア, Maruchina Zoana Meru Naburachoa)

Martina, along with her father, plotted to capture Amelia. Lina, along with Gourry and Zelgadis, saved Amelia then used the Dragon Slave to destroy Martina's castle and the surrounding town. Enraged, Martina ran off and learned magic so that she could take revenge on Lina. Later, Martina joins forces with Lina and company. Martina is fickle in her love affairs, obsessed with whatever man she happens to see first that day. At the beginning of the series she is hung up on Zelgadis, but her interests switch to Gourry and even Xellos as the series progresses, before settling on Zangulus. She is obsessed with her Lord Zoamelgustar, a monster (demon) god she made up. Martina specializes in curses.

She is usually a comic foil for the other characters, but when Hellmaster Phibrizo "kills" her during the final battle, Martina uses her last moments to encourage Lina to keep fighting and save Gourry. She eventually marries Zangulus in a fake backdrop church, as her hometown is still rebuilding after Lina's Dragon Slave. She is a character that is exclusive to the T.V series, as she dosn't appear in the original light novels or the manga.

Voices: Tomoko Ishimura (Japanese), Rachael Lillis (English)

Zangulus (ザングルス, Zangurusu)

Zangulus is a mercenary, and he is a swordsman of considerable skill. Although he cannot use magic, Zangulus carries a weapon called the Howling Sword, a magical sword created by Rezo that can shoot great gusts of wind. Zangulus had originally been hired, along with the sorcerer Vrumugun, as a bounty hunter by Eris and Copy Rezo to capture Lina Inverse, Gourry Gabriev, and Zelgadis Greywords, and bring them to Sairaag. He soon became obsessed with fighting Gourry, to see who was the better swordsman. He and Gourry did finally duel in Rezo's lab, but Gourry won in the end, and Zangulus then left. He later re-appeared towards the end of Slayers NEXT, looking for a rematch. However, Gourry was being held prisoner by Hellmaster Fibrizo at the time, so Zangulus did not get a chance to duel him a second time. He did, however, help Lina and the others fight Hellmaster.

It was during this time that Zangulus met and fell in love with Martina Zoana Mel Navratilova, whom he married after the battle with Hellmaster.

Zangulus is yet another character created by the anime staff, as he does not appear in the original novels or the manga. He can still be considered a canon character, as the series' plot and cast was supervised and approved by Hajime Kanzaka.

Voices: Bin Shimada (Japanese), Liam O'Malley (episode 13) and Ted Lewis (episodes 14-21, 52) (English)

Name discrepancies

Different translators have rendered character names differently. These are all valid transliterations of the original Japanese names (Note: the 'L' and 'R' sound is interchangeable in Japanese, which uses an intermediate sound; Alternate spelling are mostly homonymous).

• Lina, Rina, Reena
• Gourry, Gaudi, Gauri
• Naga, Nahga, Nagha, Naaga
• Amelia, Ameria
• Filia, Firia, Philia, Fillia
• Sylphiel, Sylpheel
• Valgaav, Valgarv
• Xellos, Xelloss, Zeross
• Zelgadis, Zelgadiss
• Zelas (Metallium), Zellas, Xelas, Xellas

Setting and magic

Further information: [[:List of Spells in Slayers]]

In the universe of Slayers, the supreme being is neither good nor evil, but is called the Lord of Nightmares, who created everything, and who is said to "shine like gold on the Sea of Chaos." Later, it is revealed that the Lord of Nightmares is in fact the Sea of Chaos itself. Four pillars rise out of the Sea of Chaos, and each supports its own world. Since the Sea of Chaos comprises the Lord of Nightmares' body, the worlds likewise spring from her. In Slayers Next, the Claire Bible confides that if the worlds are destroyed and returned to chaos, the Lord of Nightmares can return to her true form (although why she created the four worlds in the first place has not been revealed, either by the novels or the author himself).

On each of these worlds are gods (shinzoku, lit. "godly race") and demons (Mazoku, lit. "evil race"), fighting without end. Should the gods win the war in a world, that world will be at peace. Should the demons win, the world will be destroyed and returned to Chaos. In Lina's world, the supreme god is the Red Dragon God "Flare Dragon" Ceiphied, and the supreme demon is the Dark Lord "Ruby-Eye" Shabranigdo. Long ago, the war ended more or less in a stalemate, when Ceiphied was able to split Shabranigdo's existence into seven pieces in order to prevent him from coming back to life, then sealing them within human souls. As the souls are reincarnated, the individual fragments would therefore be worn down until Shabranigdo himself would be destroyed. However, Ceiphied was so exhausted by this that he himself 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 fragments (which was sealed in the body of Lei Magnus, a very powerful sorcerer) revived and began the Resurrection War (降魔戦争, Kōma-sensō, lit. "War of Light and Evil", also known as the War of the Monsters' Fall) against one of the parts of Ceiphied, the Water Dragon King (Aqualord). Ultimately, the piece of Shabranigdo won, but Aqualord, using the last remnants of her power, froze and sealed him within the Kataart mountains. Nevertheless, Shabranigdo's lieutenants escaped and remained at liberty, sealing a part of the world within a magical barrier, through which only Mazoku could pass (most of the series takes place within this barrier, shown in the beginning of season three as the limits of the map shown in the first two season). These leaders and their servants are among the principal antagonists throughout the three Slayers TV seasons. They are intelligent, cunning creatures, often indulging in intrigue amongst themselves, and they feed upon negative human emotion, especially fear and pain.

To increase the amount of pain and terror they cause, the most powerful Mazoku lend their power to humans in the form of Black Magic spells that call directly on their powers. Such spells include the Gaav Flare (no longer functional after the events of Slayers Next) and Dragon Slave, and are capable of causing enormous damage and suffering to all things and beings, except the Mazoku whose power is invoked for that spell and higher-ranking Mazoku who can protect themselves.

In contrast to the destructive power of Black Magic are the healing abilities of White Magic, drawn from the caster's own life force. Striking a balance between healing and attack is the rare Divine Magic, which only the dragon servants of the Shinzoku have been shown to channel; it is suggested that the barrier erected by the generals of Shabranigdo blocked the power of Ceiphied and his fragments, and thus those people within the barrier had no access to the power to develop spells based around it. Whether people outside the barrier could channel Divine Magic is suspect, as in Slayers Try people outside the barrier are in awe at a simple light spell--confided by the author to be accessible to anyone regardless of magical potential, with rote study.

Shamanistic Magic is focused on manipulation and alteration of the natural world such as Raywing and Fireball, as well as the Astral Plane including Elmekia Lance. The greatest Astral spell is the Ra-Tilt, a spell of devastating power when used against a spiritual being, such as a Mazoku, and equal in power to the Dragon Slave (explained by Lina to Gourry in season one).

Above all other magic, however, and of its nature used purely for destruction, are spells drawing power from the Lord of Nightmares. Two spells of this class are the Ragna Blade, capable of "cutting through anything", and the Giga Slave, capable of felling any opponent, but which could destroy the world if the spell is miscast (as explained in great detail in Slayers Next).

Media

Further information: [[:List of Slayers media]]

The first of the three seasons of the anime bore the franchise's title and established Lina's three principal companions:

• Gourry (The swordsman)
• Zelgadis (The chimera shaman-rogue)
• Amelia (A young princess and warrior of justice)

The second season was titled Slayers NEXT, and the third season was titled Slayers TRY. A fourth season, Slayers AGAIN, was rumored following the success of TRY, but early scheduling conflicts caused interest in the project to dissipate. Each anime series begins humorously but builds slowly until the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Throughout each series, Slayers maintains its comedic nature, frequently displaying Lina's ill temper or abuse of her comrades or lesser opponents, using these events as comic relief in later episodes. Use of extremely destructive spells in inappropriate settings, especially the powerful "Dragon Slave" spell, is another frequent gag.

Although released after the anime series aired, the two OVAs and the first four movies depict events that occurred early in Lina's career as a bandit-hunting and dragon-spooking adventuress. These installments show her first encounter and subsequent exploits with her first partner, Naga the White Serpent. Naga, while not a great intellect, is a formidable sorceress in her own right, and views herself as Lina's strongest and foremost rival; these adventures take place before the events of the three television seasons.

Volumes one through eight of the light novels have been translated into English and released in North America by Tokyopop. The anime aired on TV Tokyo from April 7, 1995 through September 26, 1997, totalling 78 half-hour episodes, and was released on VHS and DVD in North America by Software Sculptors. In May 2005, at Anime Central in Chicago, FUNimation Entertainment announced they obtained the license for the TV series, since the previous owner's license expired in Fall 2005. It currently airs as part of the FUNimation programming block on CoLours TV, and the first DVD box set was released on August 27 2007. The OVAs and movies were released in Japan between 1996 and 2001, later released in North America and dubbed into English by ADV Films. Enoki Films holds the license to the Slayers television franchise as a middle man.

A role-playing game called The Slayers d20 was published by Guardians of Order.

Latest in the franchise

Meet Again

In the March '07 issue of the Japanese Monthly Dragon Magazine, it states that if customers buy all three Slayers series in Japan, they will receive a new Slayers film with them. It supposedly focuses on the romance between Lina and Gourry. This new film has two parts. First part is 25 minutes of scenes from all three Slayers series. The second part is a two minute feature "Meet Again, sung by Megumi Hayashibara" with Lina and Gourry running on the beach. Zelgadis, Amelia, Xellos are there too.

Slayers Revolution

Slayers Revolution started airing in Japan on July 2, 2008 and Megumi Hayashibara performed both the opening and ending theme songs. Revolution is a 26-episode series that follows an original storyline, with series director Takashi Watanabe and production studio J.C. Staff, reprising their duties from the three original TV series. It picks up from the point of Slayers Try after Gourry gave up the Sword of Light and will follow Lina and Gourry as they attempt to find a weapon to replace it. Amelia and Zelgadis join them once again along with a new character in the series named Weiser, an inspector of the Special Investigative Unit for the kingdom of Luvinagard. Other confirmed characters in Slayers Revolution are the returning Xellos, and two characters named Kuppy and Pokota.

External links

• FUNimation's Official Slayers Website
• Enoki Films' Slayers website
• Slayers ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Slayers Universe Resource website