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Slayers Try

» written by hinatasou [Discuss]

Synopsis
A thousand years have passed since the battle with the Demon Lord Shabranigdo. At his final moments, Shabranigdo, using the powers of darkness, erected a magical barrier to curse the inhabitants, entrapping them. Thus, it was made impossible for anyone to get into and out of the country. That was until a very beautiful, powerful sorcerer genius otherwise known as Lina Inverse defeated both the Dragon King Gaav and Hellmaster Phibrizzo, retainers to Shabranigdo. A pillar of light shines from a distant land beckoning them…

Review
The final installment of the Slayers series, this three-letter word Try is the third season of quite possibly the greatest of all fantasy anime. There are three races: the gods, demons, and human beings that serve as a catalyst combining the powers of the other two. The final line of Season 1’s opening Get along, Try again! represents Lina’s determination never to give up against the forces of evil, even one as great as the prince of darkness Dark Star - a creature as powerful as Shabranigdo. Try extends the storyline from Slayers Next setting months after Amelia, Lina and Gouury, and Zelgadis have separated. Zelgadis still hopes to find a spell to reverse the chimera process by journeying to the unknown lands beyond the barrier. Xellos and Amelia are there for official business. Two new characters are introduced. In place of Sylphiel is Filia, the strong yet easily tempered shrine maiden from the Golden Dragon clan who solicits the help of Lina. The second is Valgaav, belonging to the black Ancient Dragons reborn as a demon through the powers of Gaav. He seeks to avenge Gaav’s death by disposing of Lina permanently.

The Breakdown
Slightly behind Season 1 and Next, but the Slayers series is one of the best!

» The Pros

Slayers Try comes off as more serious than humorous. Battles are everything, fighting Valgaav in episodes 3-4, again with Alumace in episode 8. In episode 13 we really get to see the malevolent side of Beast Master Xellos as he taunts and tortures Valgaav. In Next Xellos was more of a spectator although he did battle Saygram and was beaten by Gaav, but in Try he is one of the primary participants. The humor no longer serves as a plot twist as it was originally designed and seems forced. Still, Try does have its moments particularly the gags between Xellos and Filia, two polar opposites. Slayers Try has one of the most weirdest episodes of all Slayers, episode 15, that as quack and twisted as Excel Saga and Furi Kuri. For all you Sonic lovers and furry artists, you'll like Jiras the fox especially episode 19.

» The Cons

To fully appreciate Slayers Try I recommend having seen at least Slayers Next. Season 1 is not all that necessary for Try. There is a minor reference to Rezo in episode 2 when Zelgadis explains how Rezo experimented with bombs but proved to be a poor substitute against magical explosions. Try shows us the other side of Gaav, the red haired Demon Dragon King from Next, Valgaav's mentor who seems admirable in his effort to stay alive. Lina's Ragna Blade makes its return as one of her most powerful of spells.

» Animation

8.0

There's a general consensus that the animation in Slayers Try slipped in comparison to Slayers Next, almost downgraded. Too many still frames although there were no problems in the opening and ending sequences. The opening plays off of Slayers Next when Lina special summons a dove against Mazenda. In between commercials are character portraits then a chibified version of them. Battles were more Dragon Ball Z-ish, with fast teleporting effects and energy attacks from spells and the light weapons. Gouury once again dresses up as a girl but this time as a mermaid princess, lol.

» Sound

9.0

Opening to Slayers Try Breeze, sung by Megumi Hayashibara, is flavored by a harpsichord and tambourine. It feels like you're in the ruins of an ancient Greco-roman sanctuary stepping into the broken foregrounds of Zeus. Like before, keep away from the dub and stick to the Japanese voice cast. The end of the final episode of Try is a beautiful, heartwarming song in english - Somewhere in the world, somewhere in the dark. I can hear the voice that calls my name.

» Story

8.5

Unlike the plotline of Season 1 and Next, Slayers Try has a single storyline carried through 26 episodes. There is a brief recess in the temporary halt of Dark Star's summoning in episode 14. But overall Lina's quest is to collect the five light weapons and decipher the meaning of the sacred words: The one who controls the evil stars shall be lead by the lighted ones, and over the world in darkness. To be covered in dragon's blood, show the power between light and dark, to reveal the stars. Ones who are darker than twilight The ones who are brighter than the sun shall rise, shall take the lead, and be given the holy arrow. For that they first travel to King Karyu's castle, the sanctuary of the Golden Dragons. Enemies become friends, and friends become enemies. Valgaav, Jiras, Alumace, Selius, Ellobos, even Xellos pose as potential threats. The series concludes with a miraculous defeat of Dark Star. **Spoilers** Filia opens her own shop and becomes the caretaker of baby Valgaav, Gouury returns the sword of light to Selius, and the Slayers gang goes home supposedly. Amelia goes back to her duties as princess of Seyruun. Zelgadis still a chimera is never lonely with a memento of Amelia (awww how sweet!). Xellos flirting with an Egyptian Queen??? You'd think Lina and Gouury would have gotten married by now, but they are still enjoying the many pleasures of good food.

» Recommend

9.0

The phrase third time's a charm doesn't quite describe Slayers Try. One can say try again but it seems the developers tried too hard to no avail. Still for completions sake Try is worth every penny. What's next you might ask? The movies and OVA Book of Spells that take place prior to Season 1 with Nahga, Amelia's older sister, and Slayers Premium that takes place sometime between Next and Try.

» Other Information

Language: English or Japanese with optional English Subtitles

Extras: Behind the scenes footage of the making of the dub, interviews with U.S. Voice Actors, character sketches, comics, sneak peeks

Package: The heroes of Slayers and one baddie, Lina, Amelia, Gouury, Zelgadis and his sword of light, Xellos, Filia, and Valgaav. Sorry no Sylphiel.