Slayer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
A Slayer, in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel (both created by Joss Whedon), is a young woman bestowed (unwillingly) with mystical powers that originate from the heart, soul and spirit of a pure-demon, which gives her superhuman senses, strength, agility, resilience and speed in the fight against forces of darkness. She occasionally receives prophetic dreams in the few hours that she sleeps.
Slayer | |
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer race | |
First appearance | "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1992) (non-canon) "Welcome to the Hellmouth" (1997) |
Created by | Joss Whedon |
In-universe information | |
Other name(s) | Vampire Slayer, The Chosen One, Potentials |
Home world | Buffyverse |
Type | Female humans with powers |
Distinctions |
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Leader | Watchers' Council |
The opening narration in the Buffy series states "In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer."
While, in the series, they are commonly referred to as "Vampire Slayers", even by Watchers and vampires themselves, the Slayer may operate as a defender against any and all supernatural threats.
The reputation of the Slayer is well-known and revered, even throughout other dimensions. The notion of the Slayer has been compared to the equivalent of a Demonic "Boogey-Man", incredibly feared and considered by most to be essentially unconquerable.