Slayers Return

Legend tells of an ancient treasure buried by a tribe of Elves, one of unimaginable wealth.  It also happens to be hidden in a village under siege by an evil organization.  Their only salvation may end up being their destruction as a young girl recruits the destructive duo of Lina Inverse and Naga the Serpent to save the day.  But when a simple job spirals out of control really fast, The Slayers find themselves in over their heads once more and even their magic might not be enough to save the day.

Man, oh man.  It is good to be back in the world of Slayers.  Specifically, it’s good to be back in the pre series days with Lina and Naga again.  I’ve been waiting to watch and review the rest of the Slayers Movies and OVAs for a really long time and I have to say, Slayers Return might have just set the bar for the other features to follow.  What starts off kind of simple more than improves on everything from Slayers: The Motion Picture in just about every way (which despite its flaws I still love a great deal).  So, is the titular Return of Lina Inverse and Naga the Serpent really that awesome?
 

FIF#253-Gachiakuta

In a world where a wall separates the wealthy from the degenerates, there’s a punishment for those who even the dirtiest fear to live alongside: the Pit.  No one knows what it is, only that’s its where human are discarded with all the worlds trash.  When he’s wrongfully accused of a crime, Rudo Surebrec is sent to this Hell.  Once there he learns the Pit isnt all that it seems, a realm where Monsters made of pure trash roam and the only force against them is the mysteriously powered Cleaners.  Despite this, Rudo only has one single goal in mind: return to the society that wronged him and bring all the trash they fear back with him.

 
When I first saw the trailer for Gachiakuta earlier this year, I assumed we might be looking at another Chainsaw Man, another high octane, uber violent dystopian Anime that excites the senses and pulverizes the soul at the same time.  Wouldn’t you know it, the first couple of episodes proved me wrong in a couple of ways, good ways.  Not only do we have a very proven Anime studio handling another Shonen Anime adaptation in Studio Bones (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), but the premise of a vengeful boy seeing only red…well by the end of the first episode I kinda sympathize with Rudo and man do I want to see his vengeance come to fruition…oh and the rest of what I saw is cool too.
 

Slayers 30th Anniversary Celebration Announcement

Way back in 2019 (well starting with Season 1 in mid 2018), I took on the epic challenge of reviewing every season of the legendary Fantasy Action Comedy: Slayers.  Back then, I only had the entire series plus the very first movie to look at and I’d hoped beyond hope I’d find the remainder of the films and OVAs in time to make it for the year long project.  Obviously, that didn’t happen.  However, this year, I finally found them.  Thanks to a dearly departed friend which this upcoming event is partly dedicated to, I managed to do something I thought impossible years ago.  And after accomplishing that…the inevitable was set in motion.

 
That’s right folks, LINA INVERSE AND NAGA THE SERPENT ARE BACK BABY!!!!
 

T5W#537-Top 6 Millenium Era Godzilla Movies

Been doing Godzilla Month events for the last couple of years now, they’ve become sort of an annual Anime Corner tradition since I revived it back in 2023 for the arrival of the franchises 70^th Anniversary.   Well Godzilla Month IV has just concluded on a major milestone.  With the review of Godzilla vs. Megagirus, I’ve finally reviewed all six movies in the Godzilla Millenium Era Series.  That’s one series down, two to go (the Reiwa Era that began with 2016’s Shin Godzilla is still ongoing so I don’t count that yet…even though I am technically caught up on that one too).  Anyway, what better time to do a ranking than now at the conclusion of Godzilla Month IV.  So, onto today’s Special Top 6 list for Top 5 Wendesday, the Top 6 Millenium Era Godzilla Movies.

 

Godzilla vs. Megagirus

In order to stop Godzilla’s recurring rampages, the Godzilla Defense Force, G Grasper, develops an experimental and dangerous Black Hole Cannon.  However, a test firing of this weapon opens a dimensional hole that unleashes a new kind of enemy on Japan: the Meganula.  As the G Graspers scramble to deal with both threats, Godzilla soon comes face to face with the Meganula Queen, Megagirus, and only one of these royal titans will be left standing when the dust settles.

With Godzilla 2000 kicking off a brand new era for the franchise in 1999, Godzilla vs. Megagirus at first looks to emulate the creative strategies of Hesei Era, at least when it comes to inventing an original new foe for Godzilla to face (granted Orga also filled that role in Godzilla 2000).  But while Godzilla vs. Biollante had the advantages of continuity and a thought provoking central plot, GvM doesn’t have nearly as much going for it from a lack luster monster to one note humans to the plain simple fact that its just boring.