History Manga / RuinExplorers

''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 OAV 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 in less degree, with ''Anime/QueensBlade,'' being the SpiritualSuccessor of sorts, since both titles were published by Hobby Japan.

* ChekhovsSkill: See the UselessUsefulSpell entry.

* SamusIsAGirl: Miguel fails to realize he's fighting a girl, until he splits Ihrie's chesplate vertically in half. It exposes her cleavage, as her breasts almost slip completely out of her torn clothing.
-->'''Miguel: (in surprise)''' "OH MAMA! [[LampshadeHanging THE BOY's]] '''[[HiddenBuxom A GIRL!!"]]'''

* TalkingWeapon: The Sword of Sargus

* 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]].

* WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue:The ending credits of the final episode reveals what becomes of the surviving characters following [[spoiler: Rugudurull's defeat]].

*** The ADV Dub also gives Gil a wheezing snicker that it'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.

* NoblewomansLaugh: Rasha has the haughty attitude and the pose down pat, but her laugh has got nothing [[LightNovel/{{Slayers}} on Naga's.]]

Compare with LightNovel/{{Slayers}} and in less degree, with ''Anime/QueensBlade,'' being the SpiritualSuccessor of sorts, since both titles were published by Hobby Japan.

* MedievalEuropeanFantasy: The art style and setting of ''Ruin Explorers'' is much like that of ''[[Anime/TheSlayers Slayers.]]''

* BalefulPolymorph: Ihrie turns into a mouse if she uses magic.

* 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 it'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.

** The ADV Dub also gives Gil a wheezing snicker that it's reminiscent of ''another'' [[WesternAnimation/DastardlyAndMuttleyInTheirFlyingMachines dastardly, mustachioed criminal and his canine companion]].

* 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.]]

* ShapeshiftingDoesNotExcludeClothing: Ihrie any time the Curse kicks in and she transforms into a mouse.

* DemonicPossession: The final episode reveals {{spoiler: this is what happened to Ruguduroll when he accessed the Forbidden Power and why he went AxCrazy.]]

* 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 and how his intentions and his soul were corrupted. The demon quickly regains control.]]

** However, this revelation also realistically doesn't earn much sympathy from Lyle. [[spoiler: While he concedes Rugudurull's initial intentions ''were'' noble, it doesn't change that he's guilty of slaughtering his countrymen and visiting horrors upon the land.]]

* DemonicPossession: The final episode reveals {{spoiler: This is what happened to

** However, this revelation also doesn't earn much sympathy from Lyle. [[spoiler: While he concedes Rugudurull's intentions ''were'' noble, it doesn't change that he's guilty of slaughtering his countrymen and visiting horrors upon the land.]]

* 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.
* 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). He unsealed the Forbidden Power to try and set these injustices right, only to be corrupted by the arcane energies.]]

* SamusIsAGirl: Miguel fails to realize he's fighting a girl, until he vertically splits Ihrie's chesplate and her shirt underneath it. Which reveals her cleavage, as her breasts almost slip out.

* 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 beasts nearly slip out.

* CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Ihrie
* CuteLittleFang: Fam
* TheDitz: Fam

* DungeonBasedEconomy: The manga derives its name from that 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.
* FantasyKitchenSink
* FunctionalMagic

* ImpossiblyCoolClothes

* {{OVA}}

* TheWisePrince/ WarriorPrince: Prince Lyle