NoaIzumiEpisode Spotlight: Slayers: Question, he's proposing to that girl?
February 16th 2009 20:11
With a price on their heads (undeserved this time), Lina, Gourry, and Amelia are making their way to the city of Siaraag to sort things out. But bounty hunters are hard on their trail, so they don disguises to fool the mercenaries. With Lina and Amelia’s help, Gourry manages to pass as a girl. But when one of the mercenaries falls in love and proposes to Gourry, things get a lot more complicated. And what are they going to do about the sea dragon?
Quite possibly the funniest episode ever of one of the most fun anime series ever, “Question” is known for two things: Swordsman Gourry in a dress, and the (possible) sole appearance in the TV series of the buxom Naga the Serpent, Lina’s partner in the OVAs and movies. It’s the perfect cap to a trio of humor-centered episodes, in the middle of the first season.
Gourry as a demure bride is the big draw of this one. There is something about tough guys dressed up as women that just never gets old. Especially when Gourry winds up being more feminine than Lina and Amelia combined (Pink is definitely his color, and the long blonde hair doesn’t hurt). To make the gag complete, the show includes Moran, a big, none-too-bright warrior who falls head over heels for she-Gourry and wants to spend the rest of his life with her/him.
Moran is a great bonus for the episode. The puffed up, clueless, macho guy who gets his comeuppance also never gets old.
Juxtaposed with Gourry is the the metrosexual sea dragon. Unlike our blonde warrior, he likes going over to the other side, although that doesn’t make him any less fearsome. Ironically, it’s Gourry’s turn as a lady that gives him the insight to formulate a strategy to take the dragon down.
The appearance of Naga the Serpent is a matter of debate. During a street scene when the trio are talking about the plan, several people walk in front of them, one of whom is a well-endowed woman in a skimpy outfit, just like the one Naga always wears in her other appearances. The viewer never sees her face, and the woman has flowing red hair (Naga’s is black), so it’s more likely a sly homage for the fans, but I gotta wonder, who else could possibly have the nerve to go out in public in a get-up like that? (If you’re unfamiliar with Naga’s style, she wears a dark cape, shoulder guards, boots, and a black bikini so skimpy that it would make a Playboy centerfold blush.) Too bad we never hear the woman speak. One laugh would have clinched it.
As good as “Question” is, it could have been better. Zelgadis, the half-golem swordsman/sorcerer who’s an ally of Lina’s, is not present aside from a very brief, tongue-in-cheek, non-speaking cameo, and I would have loved to have seen his reaction to this situation. And, when the dragon attacks the town, it’s never explained why Lina doesn’t just use the Dragon Slave spell to destroy it. Of course, the magical blast would have destroyed most of the town too, but that never stopped her before.
Even with a few flaws of omission, it’s still easily the most memorable ep of the first season, and a welcome jaunt before the beginning of the rather dark third act.
Things go smoothly at first.
Gourry as a demure bride is the big draw of this one. There is something about tough guys dressed up as women that just never gets old. Especially when Gourry winds up being more feminine than Lina and Amelia combined (Pink is definitely his color, and the long blonde hair doesn’t hurt). To make the gag complete, the show includes Moran, a big, none-too-bright warrior who falls head over heels for she-Gourry and wants to spend the rest of his life with her/him.
Then it gets complicated
Juxtaposed with Gourry is the the metrosexual sea dragon. Unlike our blonde warrior, he likes going over to the other side, although that doesn’t make him any less fearsome. Ironically, it’s Gourry’s turn as a lady that gives him the insight to formulate a strategy to take the dragon down.
Then it gets REALLY complicated.
The appearance of Naga the Serpent is a matter of debate. During a street scene when the trio are talking about the plan, several people walk in front of them, one of whom is a well-endowed woman in a skimpy outfit, just like the one Naga always wears in her other appearances. The viewer never sees her face, and the woman has flowing red hair (Naga’s is black), so it’s more likely a sly homage for the fans, but I gotta wonder, who else could possibly have the nerve to go out in public in a get-up like that? (If you’re unfamiliar with Naga’s style, she wears a dark cape, shoulder guards, boots, and a black bikini so skimpy that it would make a Playboy centerfold blush.) Too bad we never hear the woman speak. One laugh would have clinched it.
As good as “Question” is, it could have been better. Zelgadis, the half-golem swordsman/sorcerer who’s an ally of Lina’s, is not present aside from a very brief, tongue-in-cheek, non-speaking cameo, and I would have loved to have seen his reaction to this situation. And, when the dragon attacks the town, it’s never explained why Lina doesn’t just use the Dragon Slave spell to destroy it. Of course, the magical blast would have destroyed most of the town too, but that never stopped her before.
Of course, that's no reason not to have some fun at your friend's expense!
Even with a few flaws of omission, it’s still easily the most memorable ep of the first season, and a welcome jaunt before the beginning of the rather dark third act.
| 43 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
