Quote: Matrix Dragon wrote:
Try had some weak moments, but one advantage it had over Next was one heck of a final battle, as opposed to the Deus Ex Nightmare (Which was very cool, but
still).
Pros for NEXT:
- Tighter overall plotting. The series has a definite beginning, middle, and end to its primary plot, all of which segue from one
threat(the various mazoku assassins, Gaav, Fibrizzo) with definable changes and foreshadowing(we hear about Gaav before we see him, and Fibrizzo's hiding
among the cast before he reveals himself).
- The Gourry/Lina relationship arc is well put together and progresses quite well, especially Lina's grief after he's kidnapped.
Cons:
- Only one particularly clever battle scene, against the two Mazoku manipulating Seyruun. Gaav, while scary and invulnerable, simply can't be fought and
thus can be a little boring. Fibrizzo is terrifying in his omnipotence, and requires a literal deus ex machina to bring down.
- The Gourry/Lina relationship arc is completely dumped after its climax, to bring everything back to status quo.
Pros for TRY:
- Filia's an interesting new addition to the cast(and a welcome relief from making Sylphiel's life absolute hell again), and her playing off of Xellos is just downright funny. Her character arc is also downright compelling, particularly at the
crypt of the Black Dragons.
- Valgaav, similarly, is a compelling villain and has the first downright sympathetic motivations of a Slayers villain(let's face it. Copy Rezo? Kind of a
nutcase to begin with). Similarly, the Outerworld Darkstar and his former servants provide an interesting look at the cosmology of the universe.
- Valgaav's thugs are dangerous and smart, but also have their own reasons for following him which are sympathetic.
- One *kickass* final battle that, while it requires a little DEM, is actually solved by the characters parsing out how to defeat Darkstar on their own.
Cons for TRY:
- While they certainly tease enough of a Xellos/Filia relationship, Gourry and Lina get absolutely no screentime. However, given the situation at the end of
NEXT, this is hardly TRY's fault alone.
- The series builds some serious momentum up until the "summoning Darkstar" sequence, which then causes the series to screech to a halt for the
pre-requisite dedicated comedy eps. However, it recovers quickly.
Anyway, looking forward to this because modern examples of Slayers animation(the recent music video and OVAs) have been amazing in quality, and seeing a full
length series would warm my fanboy heart a good deal. Also hoping some hanging plot points (the teases at at least three relationships, the other Mazoku lords,
and Amelia and Naga's relationship) will be addressed. Bring it on, I say.
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"Oh, silver blade, forged in the depths of the beyond. Heed my summons and purge those who stand in my way. Lay
waste."