Goblin Slayer anime review

Brief review of anime first season of Goblin Slayer show with a first episode that made viewers in a controversial state.

A young priestess of the Temple of the Earth Mother—known simply as Priestess—registers as an adventurer at the city's Adventurers' Guild. Although somewhat inexperienced, she is delighted and eager to join a group. Thus, a small party of rookie adventurers invites her to join them on a goblin hunt—an apparently simple mission.

Now deep into their mission—inside a cave—things take a turn for the worse when the group of adventurers is caught off guard and attacked by a horde of goblins. The entire group's lack of experience becomes painfully apparent, as they were ill-prepared for close-quarters combat or the use of magic within the confines of a cave. Terror seizes them, and it appears to be the tragic end of the adventurers' existence. But then, out of nowhere—emerging from the darkness—a warrior clad in armor appears and begins slaughtering the goblins.

Goblins are creatures that harbor a grudge against humans. They are not very intelligent, but they quickly learn to use human weapons and tools. They always have a leader—either a Shaman or an Orc—and typically live hidden in caves. They abduct and rape human women, as this is the only way they can reproduce.

The Goblin Slayer is a seasoned adventurer of Silver rank who focuses exclusively on undertaking quests that involve hunting and eliminating goblins. He never reveals his face; while his armor and appearance are far from gleaming, his combat style relies on the use of traps, weapons, potions, spears, rocks—or even the very weapons of the slain goblins themselves.

In his youth, his village was attacked by goblins, and he witnessed his sister die while saving him; consequently, he carries a heavy burden of guilt and harbors an intense loathing for anything related to goblins.

The exploits of the "Goblin Slayer" have traveled across the entire world. Dwarves know him as "Beard-Cutter," and elves as "Orcbolg." Consequently, a small group—comprising a dwarf, an elf, and a Lizardman with a particular fondness for cheese—have joined forces to seek out the legendary Goblin Slayer, as they require his aid and expertise regarding goblins for a mission.

When not on a mission, Goblin Slayer lives as a guest on a farm—where the farmer's niece is a childhood friend—and performs inspection duties to keep the farm safe from goblin attacks.

Other adventurers—also members of the guild—grow curious about the character of Goblin Slayer; eventually, they all join forces when the goblins take the initiative to attack the farm and village where Goblin Slayer lives.

Personal comment:

The core idea and concept of the anime—while not entirely new—are quite well-developed. I have read the manga, and although the sequencing differs slightly, the adaptation remains very faithful to the original story. As a curious side note, the characters' actual names are never mentioned. The anime features a significant amount of gore and is highly explicit during the fight scenes involving the goblins—a characteristic evident right from the very first episode—meaning it may not be suitable for all audiences. Aside from all that, the first season of the anime is really good.