Lina Inverse
Encyclopedia
is a fictional sorceress
and the primary protagonist
from the light novel
, manga
, and anime
series Slayers
.
to hide from a letter sent by Luna.) While attending a magic academy, Lina was completely embarrassed by the color she was awarded, and attempts to keep it a closely guarded secret that her entire title is actually "Lina the Pink" Lina meets a woman named Naga the Serpent
, whom she travels with. During that time, Lina earns her reputation and nicknames such as "Bandit Killer" and "Dragon Spooker"; someone who tracks bandits and thieves and steals their ill-gotten gains for their own use. In the beginning of the series, Lina meets a swordsman named Gourry Gabriev
and a chimera named Zelgadis Greywords. Lina encounters and destroys a part of the Mazoku
Lord Shabranigdu with her Giga Slave technique. She later befriends a princess named Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun and the priestess Sylphiel Nels Lahda. She later meets Xellos
, who is looking for the Claire Bible (Japanese: 異界黙示録クレア・バイブル Kanji translation: Spirit World Book of Revelations Romaji: kurea baiburu), but gets caught between Chaos Dragon Gaav and Hellmaster Phibrizzo. In the anime-exclusive series Slayers Try, she is recruited by the dragoness Filia Ul Copt to save the world. In Slayers Revolution Lina gets arrested on false pretense which later comes leading her on a journey against another incarnation of the Demon Beast Zannafar. She also meets an odd little creature named Pokota, who also has the ability to use the Dragon Slave.
In one story in the manga, Lina and Naga are exposed to a mirror that creates an exact opposite of whoever looks in it. The user expects this to produce an evil and violent version of the two that would be only too happy to work for him and destroy the originals. However, what comes out of the mirror are a Lina and Naga that are sweet, kind, generous, and extremely concerned about the feelings of each other and everyone around them. Lina and Naga state that the mirror's true power must be to dissuade people "with sheer disgust". In their attempts to break the spell (and the mirror), the two actually wind up creating dozens of similar copies of themselves, which go on to found an entire village full of philanthropic Lina and Naga doppelgänger
s. A slightly adapted version of this story, which resulted in the mirror being destroyed without creating more than the initial doppelgängers, was used for one of the Slayers OVAs, commonly titled "Explosion Array" (after one translation of a spell in Lina's arsenal.)
In the Slayers TV series, Gourry and Lina are both the subject of an attempt at cloning, which spawns a number of miniature, super deformed versions of them both. The super deformed clones fight to humorous effect, and after the mini Linas win, they all disintegrate.
Even more, in this case mostly lifelike clones of Lina were created by Xellos
' master, Zellas Metallium in the Slayers RPG made for the Super Famicom console.
. In the English version of the TV series produced by Central Park Media
and Funimation Entertainment
, Lina has been consistently voiced by Lisa Ortiz
. In the English version of the films and OVAs produced by ADV Films, Lina has been voiced by Cynthia Martinez
.
Magician (fantasy)
A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, enchanter, enchantress, thaumaturge or a person known under one of many other possible terms is someone who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources...
and the primary protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
from the light novel
Light novel
A is a style of Japanese novel primarily targeting junior high and high school students . The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called or for short...
, manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
, and anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series Slayers
Slayers
is a series of over 52 light novels written by Hajime Kanzaka and illustrated by Rui Araizumi. It was later developed into several manga titles, five televised anime series, two three-episode original video animations , and five movies. It also spawned several console role-playing games for the...
.
Plot overview
Lina was born in the fictional village of Zephillia. Her older sister, Luna Inverse, was the darling of both her parents and the town, excelling in martial studies and quickly beginning to make a name for herself. However, Lina set up a magical device that projected an image over the entire town of her sister while she was in the bath. Lina quickly left from the town and has been terrified of even the mention of her sister ever since. (In an episode of Slayers Try, Lina built an entire pyramid complete with tunnels and a sarcophagusSarcophagus
A sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the Greek σαρξ sarx meaning "flesh", and φαγειν phagein meaning "to eat", hence sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos...
to hide from a letter sent by Luna.) While attending a magic academy, Lina was completely embarrassed by the color she was awarded, and attempts to keep it a closely guarded secret that her entire title is actually "Lina the Pink" Lina meets a woman named Naga the Serpent
Naga the Serpent
is a fictional character in the novel, movie, OVA and manga versions of Slayers. Her Japanese voice actress is Maria Kawamura, and her English voice actress is Kelly Manison in the OVAs and movies, and Eva Kaminsky in Slayers Evolution-R....
, whom she travels with. During that time, Lina earns her reputation and nicknames such as "Bandit Killer" and "Dragon Spooker"; someone who tracks bandits and thieves and steals their ill-gotten gains for their own use. In the beginning of the series, Lina meets a swordsman named Gourry Gabriev
Gourry Gabriev
is a fictional character from the Japanese anime and light novels Slayers. He is the tallest of the main cast and the oldest of the party, muscular like an acrobat, possesses long blonde hair and blue eyes, and notorious of his poor memory.-Background:Very little is known about Gourry's immediate...
and a chimera named Zelgadis Greywords. Lina encounters and destroys a part of the Mazoku
Mazoku
is a common concept in Japanese fantasy referring to a race of beings born with supernatural and paranormal powers.- Mazoku :The very name Ma suggests that they are meant to threaten human existence or defy the gods, while -zoku indicates that they are a family...
Lord Shabranigdu with her Giga Slave technique. She later befriends a princess named Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun and the priestess Sylphiel Nels Lahda. She later meets Xellos
Xellos
is a fictional character and prevalent figure in the Slayers fantasy manga, light novels, and anime. He is a powerful Mazoku , who is both a help and a hindrance to protagonist Lina Inverse and her friends....
, who is looking for the Claire Bible (Japanese: 異界黙示録クレア・バイブル Kanji translation: Spirit World Book of Revelations Romaji: kurea baiburu), but gets caught between Chaos Dragon Gaav and Hellmaster Phibrizzo. In the anime-exclusive series Slayers Try, she is recruited by the dragoness Filia Ul Copt to save the world. In Slayers Revolution Lina gets arrested on false pretense which later comes leading her on a journey against another incarnation of the Demon Beast Zannafar. She also meets an odd little creature named Pokota, who also has the ability to use the Dragon Slave.
Other stories
Several different versions of Lina populate the Slayers world itself, due to various plots.In one story in the manga, Lina and Naga are exposed to a mirror that creates an exact opposite of whoever looks in it. The user expects this to produce an evil and violent version of the two that would be only too happy to work for him and destroy the originals. However, what comes out of the mirror are a Lina and Naga that are sweet, kind, generous, and extremely concerned about the feelings of each other and everyone around them. Lina and Naga state that the mirror's true power must be to dissuade people "with sheer disgust". In their attempts to break the spell (and the mirror), the two actually wind up creating dozens of similar copies of themselves, which go on to found an entire village full of philanthropic Lina and Naga doppelgänger
Doppelgänger
In fiction and folklore, a doppelgänger is a paranormal double of a living person, typically representing evil or misfortune...
s. A slightly adapted version of this story, which resulted in the mirror being destroyed without creating more than the initial doppelgängers, was used for one of the Slayers OVAs, commonly titled "Explosion Array" (after one translation of a spell in Lina's arsenal.)
In the Slayers TV series, Gourry and Lina are both the subject of an attempt at cloning, which spawns a number of miniature, super deformed versions of them both. The super deformed clones fight to humorous effect, and after the mini Linas win, they all disintegrate.
Even more, in this case mostly lifelike clones of Lina were created by Xellos
Xellos
is a fictional character and prevalent figure in the Slayers fantasy manga, light novels, and anime. He is a powerful Mazoku , who is both a help and a hindrance to protagonist Lina Inverse and her friends....
' master, Zellas Metallium in the Slayers RPG made for the Super Famicom console.
Relationships
It is heavily implied to the point of outright statement that Lina and Gourry fall in love in Slayers Next, and in the original novel series. Other characters like Zelgadis and Amelia even take this for granted beforehand, and seem surprised by Lina's bad reaction when the notion is alluded to. There is a distinct lack of romantic development in the series, even after it is affirmed that Lina and Gourry love each other. In the Japanese publication Dragon magazine, The creator of the original novels addressed this by jokingly stating that he isn't adept in writing romantic scenes. The final climax of Slayers Next, the second season of the Slayers TV series, the two characters share a kiss, though they cannot later recall the incident. However, both Gourry and Lina remember that something important had happened between them. Gourry seems to fully intend to keep traveling with Lina anywhere she goes. A "hint" about how Lina loves/likes Gourry is in Slayers Evolution R. A fish woman (also referred to as mermaid lady) tells Gourry that he is her so called husband. When Lina hears this she gets ticked off. Later a fish man talks to Lina and says that the mermaid lady was his ex and he wants her back. Soon Lina and fish man talk to mermaid lady. Eventually the fish man gets angry at his ex and questions to Gourry that if he likes it with mermaid lady. After that that he also says that Gourry traveled with Lina for a while and says that they love each other. Lina tries to say that she doesn't. She then looks at Gourry and sees that he is now serious. She can tell by his face that Gourry is tired of the lies. In any media taking place after the two met, they have been featured together and should they ever get separated, are never apart for too long.Voice actors
In the original Japanese version of the series, Lina has been consistently voiced by Megumi HayashibaraMegumi Hayashibara
is a Japanese voice actress, singer, radio personality, and lyricist from Tokyo. She is currently affiliated with Aksent. Her nicknames include: Megu-san, Megu-nee, Bara-san, Kakka, and Daijin...
. In the English version of the TV series produced by Central Park Media
Central Park Media
Central Park Media was an American multimedia entertainment company based in New York City, New York, that was active in the distribution of East Asian cinema, television series, anime, manga and manhwa titles in North America prior to its bankruptcy in 2009...
and Funimation Entertainment
Funimation Entertainment
Funimation is an American entertainment company. Originally founded in 1994 by Gen Fukunaga, the company became a subsidiary of Navarre Corporation on May 11, 2005...
, Lina has been consistently voiced by Lisa Ortiz
Lisa Ortiz
Lisa Ortiz is an American theatre and voice actress, best known for her roles in English anime adaptations. She is perhaps best known for the roles of the high-elf Deedlit in Record of Lodoss War, Lina Inverse in Slayers, and Tony Tony Chopper in One Piece...
. In the English version of the films and OVAs produced by ADV Films, Lina has been voiced by Cynthia Martinez
Cynthia Martinez
Cynthia M. Martinez is an American voice actress who works for ADV Films and Seraphim Digital. Her first role was that of Lina Inverse in the Slayers movies and OVAs.-Anime roles:*Air - Kanna...
.
In popular culture
- A Slayers-inspired hero character is part of the Dota franchise. In the Warcraft IIIWarcraft III: The Frozen ThroneWarcraft III: The Frozen Throne is a real-time strategy computer game developed for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and Mac OS X by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the official expansion pack to Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, requiring Reign of Chaos to play...
mod Defense of the AncientsDefense of the AncientsDefense of the Ancients is a custom scenario for the real-time strategy game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, based on the "Aeon of Strife" map for StarCraft...
, she shares the name of "Lina Inverse", while simply going by "Lina" in Dota 2Dota 2Dota 2 is an upcoming action fantasy strategy video game being developed by Valve Corporation. The stand-alone sequel to the popular Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and The Frozen Throne mod Defense of the Ancients, it was formally announced on October 13, 2010 via the website of magazine Game Informer...
. - Lina Inverse makes a cameo in the first episode of the anime series Full Metal Panic!Full Metal Panic!is an ongoing series of light novels written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shiki Douji. The series follows Sousuke Sagara, a member of the covert anti-terrorist private military organization known as Mithril, tasked with protecting Kaname Chidori, a spirited Japanese high school girl.Individual...
, on the cover of "Dragons Magazine."
External links
- Lina Inverse at KanzakaDex, a Slayers/Lost Universe Wiki
- Slayers at the Anime Web Turnpike
- Inverse Lina Inverse character website