Goblin Slayer is a 12 episode anime series based on the “a Japanese dark fantasy light novel series written by Kumo Kagyu and illustrated by Noboru Kannatuki.” It was also adapted to a manga series of the same name by Kosuke Kurose. To say this series is a “dark” fantasy is an understatement. The horrifying elements of this series (mainly the Goblin rape) but also the bloody violence can certainly be off putting.
We are first introduced to a young priestess as she signs up for adventures. We quickly learn that there are ten ranks of adventurers, that ends with the rank of platinum. Her rank starts at porcelain and is given a tag that can double as a identity tag. She is quickly invited to join a group of rookie adventurers. The quest is to slay some goblins. Without any preparation they head off .
After they enter the cave their collective inexperience leads to disaster. Our priestess is practically scared of her own shadow. Making matters even worst she and the mage get separated from the rest of the group. I will admit that I found her helplessness to be irritating. However, considering her age and life experience this reaction was the most realistic. The mage is stabbed in the stomach by a goblin as the swordsmen arrives.
He was quickly overwhelmed and brutally stabbed to death by a horde of goblins. The monk is next, she fare far worst. She faces off against a large hobgoblin and is quickly subdued before being sexually assaulted by one of the smaller goblins. The priestess flees with the mage. They’re quickly caught by some goblins, who prepare to rape the mage. However, the iron clad “Goblin Slayer (GS)” arrives as he keeps count of his kills.
The goblin slayer informs the priestess that the mage was poisoned and he death is guaranteed. A dying naked mage asks to be put out of her misery, the goblin slayer obliges. The priestess and the goblin slayer team up with our priestess revealing that she can only use “holy light,” and “heal” three times. GS explains how the goblins got the drop on them. He the proceeds to systematic slaughter them including the children, killing 22 goblin in all.
This episode was a . . . well effective. This world is unforgiving. The initial presentation of the series reminded me of many RPG anime. I kept hoping that when they were killed that they simply left the game. This series is certainly difficult to watch at times, yet I find myself wanting to watch the next episode.
I was quickly reminded of Game of Thrones, mainly due to the violence, rape and dark tone. What is noticeable is that none of the characters so far have names. Is this so that we don’t become to attach, see ourselves in these characters? Maybe their names will be revealed later as we go further in the series. The animation wasn’t spectacular but I find that it was good enough. I’m into this series, hopefully every episode doesn’t involve rape. It can be too much to handle for some, but I might like it.
I have to agree with you. I really knew nothing about this series at all (like literally nothing). And I was kind of shocked too when the series took such a dark turn. But…it wasn’t enough for me to quit watching it, and I enjoyed it as well so far. This is one that I will continue to watch until the end 😊
The darkness of the series is what makes it hard too watch but intriguing as well.
I found the priestess helplessness annoying as well. Ugh but it’s so funny you said you thought of game of thrones. I was just telling another blogger that games of thrones has dark subjects like rape, murder and more in their shows. Everyone still watches that. I’m still going to watch this series. It interesting to me.
Game of thrones has tone down the more shocking aspects like rape. I wonder if this series will too. I’m looking forward to watching the rest of this series.
Same. I guess we will see.
I wasn’t too shocked by the first episode, but then again I have dabbled with hentai which is more hardcore than this. The first episode would have been less distressing if the party who suffered the goblin’s wrath would have been veteran adventurers.
What made the scenes so upsetting Is that they were naïve newbies who didn’t know what they were getting into. Reminds me a bit of the Madoka girls making a wish without knowing the consequences. I think the priestess will become less annoying, as the series chugs along. The writer probably made her overly innocent so she can grow in strength as events unfold.
The Priestess has already gotten more mature in the last few episodes. I think the first episode was used to show that the world in this series must be taken seriously.