I know this is something that gets brought up every now and then in the Slayers fandom, but I always wonder why so many people think Zelgadis or Gourry are a lot older than the rest of the four main characters? I can sort of understand it with Gourry, but still
Now, keep in mind that I've only watched the anime series in its entirety, so I can't really say anything based on the light novels or mangas (and they're a slightly different canon anyway) so take what I say with a grain of salt.
I always assumed the four main characters were around the same age and interpreted the series as progressing from them as teenagers to loser (I love these characters, loser is said affectionately) young adults lol
Besides Lina and I think Amelia iirc, in the anime, the characters' ages aren't disclosed. They're left ambiguous, which I guess leaves it up to interpretation
Like there's definitely character growth in the main four characters that suggest maturing (to different degrees) but since the time between seasons is left ambiguous too, it also is left up to interpretation.
Like Lina matures a bit over time, but it's like going from a chaotic teen just learning about life to a university student who attends classes hungover. She learns her capabilities, learns more about the world, becomes more intelligent as well as kinder to her friends and appears to be more open to being vulnerable with others, but she is still chaotic and makes lots of reckless decisions for fun, out of impulse, etc
Gourry, while there is growth, is the character that I think remains the most unchanged in the anime as the series progresses. His growth and maturation mainly come from learning from Lina and finding his purpose in being her self titled protector
Amelia starts in the anime series as a naive and childish teen but by the end, while still staying optimistic and a lover of justice, is far, far more grounded, responsible, and mature and seems to have a far better grasp of what she's doing with her life. She does not attend college lectures hungover
There is no way in hell that Zelgadis could debut in the anime series as a young man. I interpret him being introduced in the series as an angsty teen in the beginning, slowly becoming more open to being vulnerable, a bit more emotionally mature and becoming well, a sort of more well-rounded young adult that still needs to get his underlying mental health issues dealt with properly
But yes, these are my interpretations, do with them as you will, and take them with a grain of salt, discuss your opinions, etc etc
