Ruin Explorers (Fam to Ihrie)

(OVA Series 1995 - 4 episodes)

5 reviews - 16.5 total score (Explanation of the rating system)
avg. score: (3.3)

5. Iodine

The lively adventures of cat-girl Fam and the cursed sorceress, Ihrie, probably could have made a decent full-scale series, but this four-episode highlight reel of their journeys with a group of adventurers has some pretty severe problems. Most important of these is the plot, which is barely has the time to make introductions and set up a quest. Too much exposition is missing, and the story moves at far too fast a pace to be particularly involving. The characters are all interesting and have their own moments to shine, but without building up any strong relationships, it's all naggingly familiar. We're left with the dialogue and humor to win through, but the writing is pretty mundane and gets in only a few good gags.

The series looks great and every visual is well taken care of, but everything feels like it's come from somewhere else. The characters act like extras from Slayers and have designs that echo the Lodoss heroes. The setting is a pastiche of every other sword and sorcery quasi-medieval fantasy world ever made. Plenty of good ideas emerge, but there simply isn't enough time for the series to develop itself, as longer shows have had the luxury of doing. Run Explorers is meant to be a teaser, but ultimately isn't anything to get excited about.

4. The Boss

In a world where magic is common we meet Fam and Ihrie, two Ruin Explorers who searches for ancient treasures from the past. They seek the Ultimate Power which is said to give you powers beyond your imagination. Along their way comes a prince and a merchant who ends up giving them vital information and other characters who all have their different ambitions for wanting the Ultimate Power. Ruin Explorers is an enjoyable anime. I guess the best way of describing it is to basically say its a slowed down version of The Slayers.

3. Tempy

Fam and Ihrie are two female adventurers who must team up with a prince, two other adventurers, a shady merchant and his dog, to fight some bad guy while searching for The Ultimate Power. Ruin Explorers is a pure fantasy title, featuring decent animation, good artwork, and enjoyable characters. The story however is pretty straightforward and not too exciting. There are some close shaves with booby traps, and the animation isn't bad, but action-wise it just disappoints.

2. weasl

I seem to have a large list of anime that fall under the "guilty pleasure" category, Ruin Explorers is another such title. Ruin Explorers is a quick 4 episode comedy fantasy OVA, that in my opinion is what Slayers SHOULD have been. The story moves along at a brisk pace, and the characters, while shallow, are at the same time extremely cast well. A short and sweet OVA series that fans of the fantasy comedy genre should take a look into.

1. hakootoko

Fam and Ihrie, sword and sorcery adventurers, are on the trail of the Ultimate Power, but they must team up with other unscrupulous characters to get it. The animation and art are good where they need to be, there are sword and spell fights between the characters and the villain (and sometimes among the characters). But there's just something missing in this show, probably due to brevity. There's only so much you can do in two hours.