First Impressions / Goblin Slayer

「囁きと祈りと詠唱」 (Sasayaki to inori to eishou)
“Whispers and Prayers and Chants”

Alright be honest, who didn’t see this coming? Goblin Slayer staying dead? Please. Although to be fair having him emerge from the grave barely seconds into this week’s episode certainly was speeding things along, especially when paired with the choice imagery accompanying such feats of resurrection. Goblin Slayer may have its emphasis on all manner of bloody and destructive, but never say this show doesn’t know how to liven things up—just ask anvil Elf .

While Goblin Slayer’s return from the dead needs little discussion, it is interesting noting the slow fleshing out of his backstory. As known for a while for example Goblin Slayer’s family is central to his reasons for the greenskin hate, particularly one sister who seems to have found out the hard way what happens when making friendly with the monster folk. That event more or less drives our crusading badass, although having what definitely looks like an old and wizened goblin as his teacher/master definitely screams more yet to be revealed. Just who the hell is this guy, how did Goblin Slayer end up meeting him, and why did he exactly teach the kid? Your guess is as good as mine at this point, but the featuring of it does show a lot left for this story to cover before we finally know it all. It’s only a question of whether we get it before the show concludes.

The real fun for me, however, continues to rest in the interactions and actions of our main party. Priestess of course wins this week in sheer affection and caring for Goblin Slayer (among other things), but Mr. Terminator himself still winds up impressing me with the little things. Your tagalong companion is angry you’re not being open our elaborative enough? Well why not indulge her a bit and hey, even acknowledge the importance of her help. It’s a small thing, but scenes like this really endear me to Goblin Slayer’s development overall, showing him to be a guy who may be transfixed to his mission, but also one capable of seeing the importance of things beyond it. Did I also mention the concern for the canary? Oh yeah that kicked my animal loving spirit into high gear. And I haven’t even touched on the guy’s attention to all manner of random detail (my work life inner engineer is in love). While I definitely harped on about all of this before, Goblin Slayer’s willingness to go beyond its single minded focus is what keeps this show interesting and a blast to watch. The enemies may stay the same (more or less), the party and its banter may not change, but damn is it fun seeing all the new and crafty ways to overcome situations so inherently different from the goal of slaying goblins. And the best part? We haven’t even hit the best stuff just yet.

After all there’s a well-known goblin ringleader hiding and licking his wounds away, and it would be entirely remiss for the greenskin slayer to let him live. Well, once a mysterious mirror is figured out mind you. Get that popcorn ready boys and girls, the final stretch is going to get crazy.

 

Preview

64 Comments

  3. One minor thing the show omitted from the source was that despite the name, the Resurrection miracle only heals critical wounds to bring a person back from the brink. Sword Maiden herself mentions that there are no spells that can truly revive a dead person, not even among necromancers.

    AshScar
    Reply

    1. I missed this, yes. I fear some viewers might get the feeling that this spell is some kind of Dragonball-esque “Death is Cheap” solution. It isn’t.

      But I understand why they wanted to give more screentime and importance to Sword Maiden’s thoughts and fears. Yeah, it’s certainly ironic: a legendary adventurer who helped defeat the demon lord is forever traumatized by creatures that are considered laughable by most.

      Mistic
      Reply

    2. If we were to get another major death (or close to it) before the end of the show I imagine they’d highlight that limitation then. Writers probably thought the impact of the moment was more valuable than explaining all the mechanics behind it.

      Pancakes
      Reply

    2. As I said elsewhere, SM was pretty sensual in her own right in that beginning scene. Someone was making a joke about her “wanting the D”, but it did feel like she was attracted to him on a deeper level(and her ‘gestures’ helped accentuate that feeling). Perhaps it was because of her fear of goblins and GS instilled a sense of protection for her; or perhaps she could see how he was scarred(not necessarily physically) by them and felt a sort of kindred spirit in him. Regardless, I did get the impression that she was willing to give herself to him physically(although it looked like he shied away from her).

      frubam
      Reply

      1. An second scene, where she grab with her own hand between the breasts and try to pull of the Top..

        Nothing happens

        1) TV Airing Rules
        2) It was an symbolic gesture of “it tears my heart out!”

        But as she saw that he did not have this in his mind, she grow even more close to him. Someone that likes her because not of her Status and Body.

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

      2. Our GS is an “passive” Rape Victim, because he saw her Sister turned into their plaything. So i assume he has also this kind of Trauma, because it was his Sister and now he see them different.. “Cow Girl” is somehow still part of the Family, that’s why he still care for them.. And seems like his “party friends” will expand his world, too

        But i would prefer not to talk this deeper or the experience of GS will become blurry

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

      3. Shield Maiden is psychologically broken, and Goblin Slayer as an emotional protection against her fears.

        One thing I’ve noticed is that most of the “harem” in Goblin Slayer are not motivated by love or lust, but by emotional need. Goblin Slayer is an emotional rock upon which quite many people depend, even if they don’t fully realize it.

        LoliHat
        Reply

      4. @LoliHat: honestly, in a crap-sack world like this one, I think that’s true for most relationships. The world is horrible, so they’re with or they focus on someone that helps make it a little more sane.

        Priestess and Cow Girl have survivor’s guilt. GS helps Priestess strike back at the things she couldn’t save her first party from, and Cow Girl feels like she’s atoning for escaping the destruction of her first home by making another one for GS.

        Guild Girl feels powerless and responsible for all the rookies and poor villages, so she loves how GS gives them both more hope of surviving while other adventures just pass them off as too much trouble.

        High Elf doesn’t want to hate the world, even after seeing how ugly it can be, so she’s determined to both keep him alive and prove to GS that there is a point to being an Adventurer other than drowning in blood.

        Sword Maiden is the worst/most desperate. While the others like/need GS for how he is, they also know he needs help unless they want him to die in a ditch someday. I think she’d be fine just keeping him next to her forever exactly how he is, though. He’s probably the first person in a long time that’s not only known what she experienced but also made her feel safe, so we’ll see how this sweet yet twisted relationship she’s trying to build with him ends up.

        Aex
        Reply

      5. @Aex
        That’s a beautiful way to put it. I agree with all your points, especially the one about Sword Maiden.

        I’ve always felt that there’s something off, disturbing even, in their relationship. Both are deeply traumatized by the goblins, and neither of them are addressing it in a healthy way. Sowrd Maiden seems to cling to him with desperation, while Goblins Slayer is… Goblin Slayer. While the others have their own issues, they’re not as broken as those two.

        Mistic
        Reply

      6. @Alex
        Beautifully said.Each of the girls also represent a facet of the humanity that GS has lost: innocence, a home to return to, recognition, optimism, and people sharing similar experience.

        SMinstrel
        Reply

    3. Despite the fact that Sword Maiden’s nipples are catching everyone’s eye, it might be the work of a perverted tailor or a priest/ess that commissioned it to be made for her. I doubt she knows of it with being blind and all. I think the faithful also wouldn’t doubt that a high ranking adventurer and religious figure like her had chosen to look like that herself so they’d just shut their mouths and keep it to themselves (or their pants).

      Skyfish
      Reply

  5. Goblin Slayer going around in his normal undershirt and pants with that helmet on while the armor is being fixed is… dedicated, alright.

    As for the mentor… he looks more like some kind of horrible rat hybrid than goblinoid. Imma call him ‘Splinter.’

    Guile
    Reply

  6. The way they display Goblin Slayer armor like a plate mail irks me. it is made of layer after layer of armor. Linen armor > Chainmail jerkin > Leather armor(White)> metal plating. not a single plate mail.

    Cant win them all i guess

    FVA
    Reply

    1. Well in the artist/ Animator’s defense it does look lighter if you compare it with Lancer and Heavy Swordman’s armor (IMO GS armor basically an up-scaled ver. of Newbie swordsman’s armor back in ep 1)

      Devastator001
      Reply

    2. https://randomc.net/image/Goblin%20Slayer/Goblin%20Slayer%20-%2008%20-%2012.jpg
      You beat me to it. The characters keep saying over and over again “leather armor” (+2 armor class in Pathfinder), but the visual is clearly half-plate with gauntlets and helmet, which is a much better class (+8 in AC, but includes chainmail too). The buckler would be a +1 to armor class. Either the colorizers need to tone down Goblin Slayer’s armor to a more leather-looking color, or the voice actors need to say “really worthless half-plate”, which could lower the AC class to +4.

      But armor that has to be repaired after practically every adventure is the type of iron used to make manhole covers, not layered stainless steel. Either Goblin Slayer is going ultra-cheap (possible, in order to not give the goblins good armor after his death), or just has gold pieces to burn after every adventure. Either way, it’s bad strategy.

      jhpace1
      Reply

      1. The way I see it, it’s pretty much his weapons that are constantly repaired/replaced after each quest and those hardly set him back.

        As for his armor, since his usual quests involve a bunch of typical goblin grunts, he probably doesn’t really take much damage if any considering his experience and familiarity with goblins. It’s only recently that he’s been involved with more dangerous threats than usual, which necessitates more repairs as well.

        AshScar
        Reply

      1. The Eye of the Beholder computer game references are strong. The game had a beholder in the sewers of Waterdeep; the anime says “Behold… a creature of chaos” and it’s a beholder. In the sewers. of “Water Town.”

        I really don’t like the Goblin Slayer anime/novel/manga calling everyone by character class titles (“Priestess” or whatever). It seems distancing (not to mention there should be more than one Knight in the world or whatever.). But after this episode, I found a head-canon that works for me: this is the perspective of Goblin Slayer himself, who is so closed-in and distanced that he sees everyone by their function relative to him rather than their name.

        Lawrence
        Reply

    2. Inevitable. Our modern-day society has little regard for women who never marry after a brutalization or death of a spouse, when remarrying has more benefits than staying single. In ancient times virginity and purity was held in highest regard, by men and women both, and financial security was more important than emotional happiness. Thus Sword Maiden is practically the ruler of a city, but would be considered undesirable “damaged goods” by any prospective consort.

      jhpace1
      Reply

  11. Fun fact: The Rhea training young Goblin Slayer is a walking shout-out to Bilbo Baggins. (The Hobbit!)

    Flag #1: He’s a Rhea, which in this universe is for all intents and purposes, halflings, or hobbits.

    Flag #2: He is asking Goblin Slayers three riddles in the dark, an allusion to that famous scene with Bilbo and Gollum.

    Flag #3: The third and last question is: “What have I got in my pocket?” In case you still think the resemblance is coincidence.

    Flag#4: It is revealed in side materials that he does have a magic item. A ring that turns him invisible. Thankfully not one that acts as a beacon for the dark lord as well.

    In case you missed it, the LN author is a huge fantasy geek. The previous episode with the battle in the crypt and the dead adventurer and the goblin champion is a huge shout-out the Fellowship of the Ring’s battle in Moria. (They have a cave troll.)

    kageKun
    Reply

    2. alone the Elf and Dwarf quarrel….

      “It only count as One!”…”Do not tell this the Elf!” and so on
      Seeing an High-Elf is an Rare site for Humans or Peoples living in the Cities and so on

      We see the connection with Lord of the Rings

      Worldwidedepp
      Reply

      1. I give you Hints:

        – You need an Virgin for the Spell to work
        – She reveals of not being an Virgin anymore.. It happend 10 Years ago
        – She took off her Blindfold

        But then, she saw how “pure” he is and put back he Blindfold. She even trust him deeper now

        Well, thats my guess of her “Body talk”… i do not know if i am right. Perhaps even the Director did not had this in mind…

        Worldwidedepp
        Reply

  13. Am I the only one bothered by the fact that they only show both moons as full moons? Realistically there ought to be some resonance of two moons, which even if they sync up from time to time will not be a 1:1 resonance…

    LoliHat
    Reply

    1. Common fantasy trope, before orbital mechanics mathematics made people realize just how impossible two moons in tidal lock with each other as well as the mother planet would be. Either moon would have reached the limit by now and broken up to form a ring around the mother planet, or crashed into one another.

      jhpace1
      Reply

    3. I will just point out that those 2 moons are shout-out to Warhammer Fantasy where there are 2 moons and one of them is made of pure, solidified Chaos (Warpstone)… That would be the source of goblins according to GS…

      ewok40k
      Reply

  14. I did expect some sort of high level resurrection miracle.
    I did not expect the way it was conducted.
    The flour explosion reminded me of Touma versus Accelerator fight of course, but I have seen it coming ever since the mystery package GS ordered was to be very fine unlike made in this town (and rough flour was mentioned earlier episode as specialty of the town).
    Beholder was another classic D&D critter having brief spotlight.
    And I love the tsundere relationship between dwarf and elf… Anvil!

    ewok40k
    Reply

  15. https://randomc.net/image/Goblin%20Slayer/Goblin%20Slayer%20-%2008%20-%20Large%2008.jpg
    For all intents and purposes, it looks like Goblin Slayer just had a threesome with Priestess and Sword Maiden while he was unconscious… ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

    https://randomc.net/image/Goblin%20Slayer/Goblin%20Slayer%20-%2008%20-%20Large%2009.jpg
    I know Sword Maiden’s eyes have been burned blind (hence the blindfold–pun unintended), but they’re still hauntingly beautiful to look at.

    https://randomc.net/image/Goblin%20Slayer/Goblin%20Slayer%20-%2008%20-%20Large%2033.jpg
    Ah, triggering a “dust explosion” and using Protection to contain it (and that eyeball thing)…

    Other comments:
    – I could have sworn that “eyeball thing” was spawned by an eldritch abomination of old. Heck, perhaps the gods of chaos referred to by the Dwarf Shaman are actually eldritch abominations (or rather, lawyer-friendly expies of eldritch abominations from the Cthulhu Mythos).
    – How tough were the Goblin Champion’s teeth to chomp through Priestess’ chain mail so easily? (Or perhaps Priestess’ chain mail was made of lower-quality iron and not steel?)
    – I wonder if the anime will one-up the manga/LN with Goblin Slayer getting an actual face reveal in the season finale? Probably asking for too much, but still…

    Looking forward to Goblin Slayer’s rematch with the Goblin Champion next week.

    Incognito
    Reply

  16. https://randomc.net/image/Goblin%20Slayer/Goblin%20Slayer%20-%2008%20-%2033.jpg

    Funny thing about combustible dust explosions. There are several conditions for it to happen

    1. The fuel has to be consistency of fine dust. In this case fine wheat flour. He couldn’t get it from Water Town since it only produces coarse flour.

    2. It has to be within an enclosed space.

    3. The dust concentration has to be with in a certain range. Too low or too high a concentration and the explosion won’t happen.

    4. Also you need a high energy source to ignite the fuel. An electric spark, open flame or a hot surface would do.

    Too many variable to consistently reproduce. That’s why GS said it won’t work against goblins.

    Ordnance11
    Reply

    1. Caves can be too damp for flour explosions to work. Both Priestess and HEA have said goblin caves are typically too fragile for explosions to kill the goblins without also bringing down the hillside/mountains on top of everybody else as well.

      jhpace1
      Reply

    1. Literally “sharing a bed with a pure maiden”, so no, Priestess is still a virgin. That’s the point. It’s something about how the prayers of a maiden willing to devote that much of herself will guide the hero back to life(even though it can’t actually bring back the dead). So while Sword Maiden needed to participate(think she needed to get naked too) to use the actual miracle, Priestess had to take the pure maiden role or nothing would’ve happened.

      Weird miracle, not many even know it’s real, and it’s very expensive so that Adventurers don’t start looking at priestesses as just shy of being prostitutes.

      Aex
      Reply

      1. That’s pretty much all of it. Resurrection is a high level miracle that must be performed in a temple requiring both an advanced priestess and a pure virgin. These can be one and the same but in this case the Sword Maiden cast the spell and the Priestess was the virgin.

        A couple of extra credit questions: The Priestess had a huge wound on her shoulder but it was cured without even leaving a scar. Did the resurrection work both ways since Goblin Slayer is also a virgin? How aware were Priestess and GS of what was happening? I would have thought that GS would have been unconscious for the whole thing but when the SM asked him how it was sleeping with the two of them he replies “Not bad”. On the other hand Priestess wakes up shocked to be naked in bed with GS.

        Kling Klang
        Reply

  19. That was a wholesome episode, thought I’m really not into the Sword Maiden and fanservice, nice to see some skin from Goblin Slayer LOL. Makes him feel a bit more relatable and dimensional in character. The points you made about him and details are really true.

    Bambi
    Reply

  20. So, since it calmed a bit down.. Time to ask the right and important question about “Sword Maiden” no more the “Archbishop” the Guardian of this City

    Do they know that Sword Maiden is not “pure” anymore or is this handle as Nation Secret?

    What will happen if the City or believers of her, find out the Truth?

    Worldwidedepp
    Reply

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