Slayers Revolution: The Complete Fourth Season [Blu-ray] Review
It's been over a decade since there was a new season of "Slayers," but better late than never. "Slayers Revolution" is a solid first half to the long-awaited fourth season, although it suffers from some wobbles in execution -- not only is it fun to revisit Lina, Gourry and their colorful unruly world, but the writers introduce some clever twists and concepts along the way.
Lina and Gourry have been busy nabbing pirates on the high seas, but they're unexpectedly interrupted by Amelia, Zelgadis, and the Ruvinagald Inspector Wizer, who promptly arrests Lina for "the crime of being Lina Inverse"... and for blowing up some magic tanks with the Dragonslave.
The actual culprit is actually a sort of... flying stuffed bunny thing called Pokota, who can cast almost every spell Lina knows AND has a Sword of Light replica. The gang ends up on the road again, pursuing Pokota and being dogged by Wizer. Of course, they come across new problems on the way -- kidnapped pets, a golem festival, assassins on a ship, and Wizer's attempts to trap Lina in a building full of booby-traps (such as "do not push" buttons).
Pokota also leads the gang into the presumed-lost Taforashia, a ruined city shrouded in mist whose inhabitants are locked in a magical suspended animation... courtesy of the infamous Red Priest Rezo. Unfortunately, a corrupt Ruvinagald marquess and her servants (a ninja, a clockwork robot, and a beastman) are using Taforashia's magical technology to gain power -- and when Lina and her friends try to stop the marquess, a devastating evil is unleashed that could destroy the entire world.
It's a pretty awesome feeling to see the "Slayers" cast in action again, like revisiting old friends whom you haven't seen for a long time. The first few episodes of "Slayers Revolution" are rather weak (seriously, a stuffed toy that can cast the Dragonslave?), only to gain their footing when the Taforashia storyline is woven in. You know what to expect: lots of explosions, arguments, Lina and Gourry gobbling down feasts, and Amelia attacking in the name of justice.
As usual, there's a string of standalone stories interwoven with a solid plot arc, which harkens back to the first season of "Slayers", involving a kingdom locked in a magical barrier, and an elaborate web of lies that lead to a monster being unleashed on the world. There's plenty of hilarious dialogue ("I think it might be edible!"), a hearty dose of comic relief (Gourry's special bond with a jellyfish chimera), and lots of explosive action. The finale is utterly thrilling -- a dramatic three-episode eruption of smashing stones, Dragonslaves, energy blasts, and a giant silver dragon-dog-thing that craves destruction.
Lina is still flat-chested, assertive, hypersensitive and wonderfully bombastic -- and in this one, she encounters someone as crazy and magically-skilled as she is. Gourry is struggling to fight bad guys without a sword that can withstand his strength, Zelgadis has mellowed out somewhat, and Amelia has to grapple with a shocking discovery about her kingdom. And Xellos.... is Xellos. As usual, he's got secrets.And it's worth noting that Funimation (bless 'em) is reuniting almost the entire cast -- Lisa Ortiz, Eric Stuart, Veronica Taylor, and Crispin Freeman. The one change is Michael Sinterklaas as Xellos.
Additionally, Pokota is kind of annoying but gradually becomes likable as we see what drives him, and the tragic past he's trying to correct, while Duclis is the figure of a noble man corrupted by hatred. Wizer seems like an idiot who constantly tries to arrest Lina and impress the ladies, but soon you find that he's almost scarily clever and manipulative. Flan and Zollan are pretty boring, though.
It's not quite revolutionary, but after a bumpy first few episodes "Slayers Revolution" charges along like a runaway magical tank -- and of course, it leaves plot threads dangling for the next half of the season.
Slayers Revolution: The Complete Fourth Season [Blu-ray] Overview
The original cast of Slayers is reunited for the first time in over a decade in Slayers Revolution – a totally new season full of the magical mayhem that can only happen when Lina Inverse and her crew pull into town.
Lina’s on the run from a government inspector who’s ready to put her away for good. Her crime? Just being herself! The guy’s hot on her tail, but a tiny creature that actually has a tail might be Lina’s biggest problem. Pokota’s a powerful little furball, and his path of destruction is getting pinned on Lina. With so much explosive magic between them, you know things will go boom when they face off. But there’s more to Pokota than anyone knows, and if Lina’s gang can get to the bottom of his habit of blowing stuff up, they could end up with an awesome new ally.
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