Lina Inverse and Naga the White Serpent return to the screen in Slayers Return, a 1996 anime film that follows the duo as they chase a treasure and stumble into a scheme that threatens the world. The film runs 60 minutes and carries a score of 6.5 out of 10.
Trailer, via Doctor P.
The Setup
Lina and Naga are hired to rescue a village girl from an evil wizard. His goal is a legendary treasure that could become an invincible magical weapon. Lina hears of an ancient elven treasure made of orichalcum, a nearly indestructible metal, and wants it for herself. Naga, ever greedy, decides to follow her.
Biaz and the Bracelet
Once in Biaz, the village chief and Saleena’s father cannot pay a proper reward. Naga takes an orichalcum bracelet instead. Later, Lina and Naga face the wizard’s leader, Galev, and his follower Zahhard. The chase ends with a massive golem made of orichalcum, and Naga’s bracelet controls it.
The Chase
The golem attacks everyone. Lina and Naga flee while the girls try to stop Galev from taking the weapon. He plans to use it to conquer the world.
Cast Voices
Megumi Hayashibara voices Lina Inverse. Maria Kawamura voices Naga the Serpent. Akiko Hiramatsu voices Selena Biatz. Chafurin voices Becker. Minoru Inaba voices the Elderly Sorcerer. Maya Okamoto voices the Female Martial Arts Master. Kenji Utsumi voices Galev. Kazuki Yao voices Zahhard. Daisuke Gori voices the Warrior.
Reception
The film was met with a positive response. It was adapted into a manga by Hajime Kanzaka and Shoko Yoshinaka.
What Works
The humor between Lina and Naga remains sharp. Their bickering carries the film’s tone. The golem chase offers spectacle without losing pace.
What Falls Short
The villain’s plan feels thin. Galev’s powers are mostly a bluff, and his organization consists of just himself and Zahhard. This undercuts the stakes early on.
Verdict
Slayers Return is a solid, if slight, entry in the series. It moves fast and knows what it wants to be: a comedy-adventure with two strong leads chasing a treasure that becomes a threat to the world.
Key Facts
– Title: Slayers Return (Sureiyāzu Ritān)
– Year: 1996
– Runtime: 60 minutes
– Score: 6.5/10
| Element | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Humor | Sharp banter between Lina and Naga | None |
| Stakes | A world-threatening weapon | Thin villain plan |
| Pacing | Fast, 60 minutes | Undercut by weak villain |
The film earns its 6.5 out of 10.
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