[[quoteright:314:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Ruin_Explorers_829.jpg]]
'''a.k.a.''' ''Ruin Explorers Fam & Ihrlie''

''Ruin Explorers'' is a manga written by Kunihiko Tanaka, who also made character designs for VideoGame/{{Xenogears}} and VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}} Episode 1; it was made into a 4 episode OVA by ANIMATE and Ajia-do. It covers the exploits of Fam and Ihrie as [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin they explore ruins]] and search for the [[MacGuffin Ultimate Power.]]

Compare with ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'' and to a less degree with ''Anime/QueensBlade,'' arguably a SpiritualSuccessor of sorts, since both titles were published by Hobby Japan.
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!!''Ruin Explorers'' provides examples of:

* ActionGirl: Ihrie, Fam, and Rasha are all adventurers, who make their living by exploring ancient ruins in search of treasure and relics they can either use, or sell. Though the series begins with them seeking the fabled [[MacGuffin "Ultimate Power."]]
* AerithAndBob: Miguel and Lyle the only members of the main cast with normal names.
* AlmostDeadGuy: A slightly disturbing example when Lyle [[spoiler:returns to his DoomedHometown: a man is kept alive by Ruguduroll's sorcery just long enough to tell Lyle what happened, and then falls apart into dust.]]
* AnimatedAdaptation: Started as a manga.
* BadassBoast: "Mighty Miguel has slain a hundred swordsman! [[HotBlooded NOT ONE OF THEM COULD TOUCH ME!!]]"
* BerserkButton: If you value your life, don't ever make the mistake of telling Ihrie she looks like a guy.
* BigDamnHeroes: When the party defeats [[EvilSorcerer Ruguduroll.]]
* BoxingLessonsForSuperman: In the 3rd episode, Ihrie and Lyle ask Miguel to give them lessons in swordsmanship in preparation for their showdown with Ruguduroll. [[TookALevelInBadass They both improve]] by the end of the episode.
* {{Catgirl}}: Fam. Although the manga suggests Fam is a were-''squirrel''.
* [[CelibateHero Celibate Heroine]]: Irhie doesn't seem interested in romance of any kind, including where [[{{Bishounen}} Lyle]] is concerned. Whereas Fam and Rasha [[LoveAtFirstSight are gaga over him.]]
%% * ChekhovsSkill: See the UselessUsefulSpell entry.
%%* CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Ihrie
%%* CuteLittleFang: Fam
%%* TheDitz: Fam
* DemonicPossession: The final episode reveals [[spoiler: this is what happened to Ruguduroll when he accessed the Forbidden Power and it's why he went AxCrazy.]]
* DisproportionateRetribution: Ihrie ends up on the receiving end of this twice:
** The first is shown, during a flashback, where she accidentally blew up her spell master's laboratory by mishandling one of his forbidden spells. So he put a curse on her that causes her to change into a mouse anytime she uses magic.
** Fam does this to her, at the end of the first episode, after they have an argument (see NeverMyFault further down). She runs off with all their gear - including Ihrie's coin purse, leaving her penniless.
* DungeonBasedEconomy: The manga derives its name from the concept. Local villages thrive off the exploits of brave adventurers, who sell them the relics, tomes, and treasure looted from ancient ruins. Merchants then sell those goods to scholars, collectors, or other adventurers.
* EasilyForgiven: Ihrie starts to [[WhatTheHellHero chew Fam out]], when she finally catches up to her, but she ultimately decides that it isn't worth making a fuss over and makes up with her instead.
* EvilIsNotAToy: [[spoiler: Ruguduroll ''really'' should've paid attention to why the magic he was trying to access in violation of a Royal order was called the ''Forbidden'' Power.]]
* FallenHero: The final episode reveals [[spoiler: Rugudurull was actually one. Despite the prosperity of the kingdom, the Archbishop genuinely despaired at the poverty and suffering of the common people (and which was ignored by the nobility). Seeking to set things right, he unsealed the Forbidden Power against the King's orders... only to end up being corrupted by it.]]
** However, this revelation also realistically doesn't earn much sympathy from Lyle. [[spoiler: While he concedes Rugudurull's initial intentions of helping the people ''were'' noble, it doesn't change that he's guilty of slaughtering them and visiting horrors upon the land.]]
* TheFellowshipHasEnded: [[spoiler: Following Rugudurull's defeat and death in the final episode, everyone goes their separate ways.]]
* FightingFromTheInside: [[spoiler: Following the Demonic Possession reveal in the final episode, Ruguduroll briefly resurfaces during the final battle. He despairs at what he's become since unlocking the Forbidden Power and how his intentions and his soul were corrupted. However, the demon quickly regains control and he doesn't resurface again.]]
%%* FantasyKitchenSink
* ForcedTransformation: Ihrie turns into a mouse if she uses magic.
%%* FunctionalMagic
* GreenEyedMonster: This applies to both [[ClingyJealousGirl Rasha and Fam]], who take turns sabotaging one another's attempts to get closer to Lyle. They even become jealous of [[CelibateHero Ihrie]] for simply having [[NotWhatItLooksLike a private conversation with him.]]
* HiddenBuxom: Ihrie usually wears an oversized breastplate and shoulder armor, so Miguel mistakes her for a boy when he first sees her. But when he splits her armor ([[ClothingDamage and her shirt]]), he gets an eyeful of cleavage as her breasts nearly slip out.
* [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes "I Hate Mice!"]]: Wanna see how fast Rasha can run? Put a mouse in front of her, then stand clear.
%%* ImpossiblyCoolClothes
* IneptMage: Fam's magic tends to be unreliable because she doesn't study her incantations, no matter how many times Ihrie chews her out for it. Even so, her magic has saved them a few times... when she finally gets them ''right''.
* InvincibleVillain: No matter how powerful the attack, or spell used against him, Rugudurull is impervious to all harm, thanks to an enchantment he cast upon himself to prolong his life. [[spoiler: However, Ihrie knows [[UselessUsefulSpell the one spell that can bypass it]], making it possible to hurt him]].
* LittleBitBeastly: Aside from [[CuteLittleFangs her fangs]], her tail, and fur color, Fam doesn't look much different than a human girl.
* MacGuffin: The Ultimate Power, the [[spoiler: Sword of Sargus]].
* MedievalEuropeanFantasy: The art style and setting of ''Ruin Explorers'' is much like that of ''Literature/{{Slayers}}''
* NeverMyFault: Yes, Ihrie's pretty hard on Fam, but it's far from unwarranted given the number of times Fam's carelessness and her inability to remember incantations has nearly gotten them killed. But, as far as Fam's concerned, Ihrie's an unreasonable jerk who's always yelling at her for nothing. So she decides to [[DisproportionateRetribution "get even" with her]] by running off with all of their gear, including Ihrie's coin purse.
* NoblewomansLaugh: Rasha has the haughty attitude and the pose down pat, but her laugh has got nothing [[Literature/{{Slayers}} on Naga's.]]
%%* {{OVA}}
* OnlyThePureOfHeart: Required to wield the Sword of Sargus. [[spoiler:But it doesn't have to be a ''[[PureIsNotGood good ]]''[[PureIsNotGood heart]]...]]
* OurWerebeastsAreDifferent: Per [[AllThereInTheManual supplementary materials]], Fam is actually a were-''squirrel''.
* PlatonicLifePartners: Miguel and Rasha's partnership is based [[StrictlyProfessionalRelationship strictly on business only.]] Though they ''do'' seem to care about each other, as friends.
* ReluctantFanserviceGirl: Ihrie gets stuck being a barmaid, thanks to Fam running off with her coin purse. The barkeeper tells her to ShowSomeLeg and wiggle her butt to entice the customers.
* {{Revenge}}: Lyle seeks vengence against Ruguduroll for decimating his kingdom and its subjects; including [[TheLostLenore his betrothed.]]
* RhymesOnADime: Fam, Rasha and, to a lesser extent, Ihrie (due to her curse). In their world, all spells require an incantation that's spoken in rhyme.
* TheRival: Fam and Rasha both fall for Lyle and compete for his affections. Except neither has a chance with him since he's [[spoiler: faithful to his deceased fiance]].
* RivalsTeamUp: The two treasure hunter groups eventually agree to set aside their differences and join forces long enough to find the Ultimate Power, as it's their only hope of defeating Rugudurull.
* SamusIsAGirl: Miguel fails to realize he's fighting a girl, until he splits Ihrie's chestplate vertically in half. It exposes her cleavage, as her breasts almost slip completely out of her torn clothing.
-->'''Miguel: (in surprise)''' "OH MAMA! THE BOY'S '''A GIRL!!"'''
* SealedGoodInACan: [[spoiler: Sargus]].
* ShapeshiftingExcludesClothing: Ihrie any time her curse kicks in and she transforms into a mouse.
* ShoutOut:
** There's a man named '''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyV Galuf]]f''' whose dog is named '''[[Franchise/FinalFantasy Gil]]l'''. On their own, it would draw no attention, but together...
*** The ADV Dub also gives Gil a wheezing snicker that's reminiscent of a certain [[WesternAnimation/DastardlyAndMuttleyInTheirFlyingMachines dastardly, mustachioed criminal and his canine companion]]. And even without the English Dub, it ''does'' seem like Galuf and Gil are meant to be Japanese homages to Dick Dastardly and Muttley.
** Additionally, when Miguel accidentally reveals Ihrie's female attributes, he shouts the catchphrase of [[WesternAnimation/JohnnyBravo a certain other muscle-bound boaster]].
* {{Stripperiffic}}: Apparently, Fam doesn't believe she needs pants (or shoes, for that matter) since she has fur. Not that anyone [[UnusuallyUninterestingSight seems to care]] that she runs around in nothing but a {{loincloth}} and a thong - likely because she's underaged[[note]]Fam is only 14[[/note]].
* SupportingProtagonist: Fam & Ihrie, who wind up tagging alongside Lyle, given that the story mostly focuses on his quest.
* SwordAndSorcerer: Both adventurer teams have a swordsman (Ihrie/Miguel) and a spellcaster (Fam/Rasha).
%% * TalkingWeapon: The Sword of Sargus
* [[TimeCompressionMontage Time Passage]][=/=]TrainingMontage: Seen in episode three, where it takes them weeks to sail to Rugudurull's island. During that time, we see Ihrie and Lyle [[BoxingLessonsForSuperman taking swordsmanship lessons]] from Miguel. While Rasha puts Fam to work in the ship's galley, where she's shown teaching her how to cook.
* ToThePain: PlayedForLaughs in the second episode, when Miguel ends up in a fist fight with the barkeep Ihrie was working for. By the time it's over, they've beaten each other to a pulp and can barely stand.
* UselessUsefulSpell: An early flashback reveals that Ihrie studied one of her master's forbidden spells behind his back. The spell itself is useless in most cases, since all it's good for is [[spoiler: temporarily lifting magic barriers, regardless how strong the enchantment]]. However, it eventually proves to be invaluable [[InvincibleVillain against Rugudurull.]]
%%* TheWisePrince: Prince Lyle
* UsefulNotes/{{Wicca}}n: Fam is referred to as one and can talk to spirits.
* WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue: The ending credits of the final episode reveals what becomes of the characters following [[spoiler: Rugudurull's defeat and everyone going their separate ways]].
* XMarksTheHero: Irhie has an X-shaped scar on her left cheek, though it's never said how she got it.

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