So apparently in this book (looks to be a Slayers databook with additional information and stats. Them in character with the little bubble text for Valgaav and Xellos. Think Valgaav is annoyed Xellos took his spot for the last page of the book. Interestingly enough Filia had the first page.
My little backstory for the scanned picture on the front and back cover with them looks like they were hanging out together and Filia had to spin around to take the sudden picture. Xellos being all chill, off to the side~ As the original poster mentioned, book is even in xellos' color with Filia on the cover. Kind of reminds me of the packaging for their couple-ish figure that was released.
Original poster of the scans is linked here on X~
https://x.com/byeolnoon/status/1659554225628811264
So, I was feeling depressed over Xelfi/ ゼロフィリ. It's rough when your otp ship only had one season and not present in the official work with lessening popularity. But as I scrolled twitter, comments reminded me that the Slayers creator did support the xelfi pairing from the anime in an old interview.
Granted...it was to lessen the popularity of a certain other Xellos ship if he was being paired up with Filia. Since he put much work into developing gourry/Lina. Then someone else mentioned that he likes the rivalry between Xellos-filia. Not sure if he meant the relationship with the bantering and rivalry still present or just the rivalry.
Well, in any case seems like Mr. Kanzaka does like them together even if not for pure romantic shipping reasons.
Then the director of the TRY seasons/animators did produce numerous merchandise that put them together. That helped.
(If anyone has the old interviews, please send them to me ♥ Heard it referenced from 15 years ago to now so know it's legit. Just would be nice to see the original one.)
This is the korean translation of this scene. used google translate so not sure how accurate it is. I know it's only one line that's different, but I couldn't help but laugh. Something about Xellos being dumbfounded and frustrated over not understanding women is hilarious. Mazoku version of praise and flirting doesn't work for all races I guess 😂
Think poor Xellos in this instance was trying to be sincere in helping out. Sure, it resulted in chaos with the town being destroyed but Filia was in chains and slayers crew weren't doing well. Was to bring out her full power while giving him amusement.
Xellos is one of those characters that is classified as evil but isn't as evil as other Mazoku. Such as the actions of say, Hellmaster Phibrizzo. He even mentions how he's "not as bad as all that" when Amelia goes on a tangent about how evil Mazoku are. Yet has his own set of rules and etiquettes. More open minded and vastly more complicated than the average demon.
It's been hinted at and outright stated his views on the Gods and dragons but with a deep dive into his journey with being capable of feeling camaraderie and fondness for one...the groundwork was set from Slayers NEXT.
Towards the end of that season, 'Auntie Aqua' saved not only the slayers crew but also Xellos.
"Thank you! I owe you for this one Water Dragon King."
Remember; This was a being that was attacked by Xellos's superiors during the war. Whose worshippers he personally almost wiped out single handedly - saving his life when she/he could have just whisked lina and her friends away.
Xellos even thanked his enemy despite what transpired in their past. With a debt to be repaid.
Which brings me to TRY. Filia no doubt infuriates Xellos but during the Hostage scene he could have had many reasons for not making good on his threats. Personally think it was due to the grudging affection he grew to feel for her. Also, his debt to the water dragon king. She is one of the Golden Dragons. Even though she didn't worship the water dragon king, she is still part of the same race. So that could have led to Xellos being protective over her and showing mercy. Add to the fact Filia helped him while he rescued her from the falling rocks before the hostage altercation. Reciprocity has been part of their dynamic.
Xellos experiencing kindness from another of the dragon race would cause one to rethink the meaning of it all or at least possibilities to work together to a certain extent.
The struggle to respect and cooperate with the gods has been present in Xellos. He has seen first-hand that not all dragons are narrow sighted and bigoted. In the Alto and Baritone episodes he even acknowledged that the traits that resonate with the mazoku race and dragon/God race weren't right on its own. That 'Reality demands a mixture of the two."
Even with thinking this way, speaking with the Overworlders (Gods from another world) His stance might have taken a couple steps back. This scene suggests that he has debated or at least discussed the matter of trying to work with their enemies. Having a different opinion than his Lord Beastmaster when the gods showed they wouldn't get an edge on victory in the mission at a prime opportunity. With having honor. Xellos has some to a certain extent but not at the risk of failing the goal of the mission.
Xellos is fluctuating between wanting to work with the Gods. Having seen some were capable of breaking out of the roles placed on them and being unpredictable in their actions.
And giving up on the notion that Beastmaster probably felt was a fool's errand with putting forth that effort.
While Xellos views on their enemies are complicated he also has a yoke around his neck over what thoughts and actions are allowed. Gaav was hunted for being a traitor to the mazoku race because he was corrupted with feelings and humanity while going against them. It's a fine line Xellos must walk with contemplating things that would be considered blasphemy to their race.
This could mean that Xellos perhaps felt shame for the actions he took towards both Lina and Filia. Knocking Lina out and threatening Filia and using her for leverage against the Supreme Elder. Needed to do whatever was necessary to complete the mission despite his own feelings. He has been able to color outside the lines but even though he saved the world at the end of the series, it's highly probable he got in trouble for doing fusion with Filia. He worked with Lina often since their aims align with his often, but Filia was a dragon so that seems like the likely option. He did act on his own fairly often actually.
Then at the end he clearly shows fear over the concept that the hate and warring with the Gods is a premade game. Not their choice but an endless wheel of destiny that Valgaav wanted to break.
Mazoku are prideful creatures. Wanting to seek out their desires and end everything on their own terms. So, to have this realization would uproot Xellos existence in a way. If I remember right, in the novels it states that a mazoku's power comes from their pride in their own abilities. In addition to doing what they feel is their purpose.
Being scared of thinking this way and possibly taking a similar action as Volpheed and Darkstar to rebel against LoN. Dismantling all he knows...like a wolf when threatened he basically bared his teeth and lashed out. Attacking Valgaav for this madness.
Filia goes through her journey of self-discovery and gaining independence, being humbled and maturing. Thanks to Xellos and lina's influence respectively but likewise Xellos went through the same. Given the existential crisis he was faced with towards the end and his feelings regarding Filia and the gods in general.
While rome cannot be built in a day, the anime definitely laid the groundwork for continued growth with these characters. After everything Xellos does respect Filia and appears to be pleased to know (love) her.
I'm rewatching the TRY episodes and noticed that a couple minutes into episode 5. The argument between Xellos and filia persists in the background as Amelia makes the commentary on the dragon and mazoku race being enemies. Xellos sounds to be losing his shit with his temper (only comes out with Filia lol) Yelling at Filia over why she keeps calling him namagomi. Or that's what it sounds like...not fluent in Japanese but if anyone is and can make out the couple sentences of fighting in the background - please let me know~
It's around 2:27-2:44 of ep 5.
Just ironic how Xellos, a demon, is the character that manages to say the four-letter word to his possible pairing partner. (Thank you western translation ♥) Yet the other couples hadn't officially said the word.
Appreciate his expression here. One of his eyes are open it's gentler and more mischievous versus the usual expression of evil and smugness. No shadows on the face either. Can't help loving this moment since it seemed he was his more genuine self with Filia. Giving just a soft tease.
Filia likewise was keeping up appearances with her old self-righteous behavior toward him. I think Xellos knew her heart wasn't in it. But Filia will never want to be outdone by him - think that fire, stubbornness and lack of fear and possibly sense (despite the revelations she endured and seeing his darker side) is what had inspired 'that's the dragon I know/love'.
Both of them have changed in varying degrees from the outcome of this season's events. Regardless of shipping preferences. They did grow to respect and tolerate each other...scenes like this show a bond.
Filia's smile seems unsure with some confusion about Xellos more kind comment - signifying familiarity and warmth. She still smiles at his words. My take is she doesn't know if he means it or is this Mazoku flirting? Why did he say this? Is this him just teasing me.... what?!
Thing with Xellos/filia moments like this...the tragedy is they should sit down and talk about the moments. Yet, they are always in high stakes situations when they unfold. This moment then this other moment was the roles being reversed with Xellos being confused (something that doesn't often happen to a 1000-year-old demon that can predict people's nature) at Filia helping him in this weakened state. He even mentioned how he never thought she would help him. (Especially since out of all the characters she is the only one to witness his demonic side that relished the sadism as he tortured his prey Valgaav. Still cared about his well-being.
We need the scene where they DO discuss it 😭
Holding Xellos and helping him before Lina told her to get him to safety~
Someone on twitter/x caught this smirk and well, looks like a wicked grin and devilish glint to the eye.
This may have been a nice xelfi easter egg with the animation staff. My take on it is this is the side of Filia that Xellos has seen. Her possibilities. Ironic that filia has a smirk that would fit on Xellos and he is less intimidating with a warmer expression while having an eye open and smile. Like they reversed their smiles/smirks.
If the fusion already happened, I would theorize they took a part of the other inside but on the surface anyway, seemed that happened already.
She has displayed...darker impulses in terms of destruction and causing chaos (even when she doesn't intend to). A draconic temper that spurs it. Doesn't mind the killing but rather the embarrassment of being naked when the town was destroyed. Used leverage to get Lina to help her complete her mission. (A very Xellos like strategy) Did white lies to even TRY to trick Xellos to reach the destination first. So Filia is still the equal representation to light to Xellos darkness but just as Xellos has moments of being more of a antihero and doing what could be perceived as good acts even if serving multiple purposes...Filia also has similar traits to Xellos.
When you take away the racism, their personalities do mesh well together. Just as there are differences there are also similarities. Much like lina/gourry.
(I always type way more than I intended. Was meant to be a short post gaaah! 😑)
Official art from the 'Slayers Digital Collection Series'.
Love how in the first picture it seems to a parody of the sentai genre. Power Rangers for western fans. Find it interesting how Filia and Xellos are on the same side versus the heroes~ Godzilla filia and evil dark ranger Xellos. I'm sure series and novel Xellos would have enjoyed an active partner in chaos like what is shown here.
Ah for those AU story ideas~ ♥
Then with the 2nd image - how all the traditional pairings are standing close together and of course the Modern day setup with them 💗
Another thing to note is Xellos initiating contact with Filia. Whether to grope her or drape his arm around her - xellos seems bothered she isn't making it easy for him lol
Then their is Valgaav with his gang but hey, still mourning the 'boss' Gaav.
