<snip>
> > Not to mention the rep got carried over to some of his other famous
> > characters. Xelloss from Slayers, while quite playful, isn't effeminate
> > but a lot of people  seem to describe him that way.
>
> Yeah...

I guess it's also possible people identify a darkish, overly playful,
not-quite-villianous character with some of the cheesier yaoi sterotypes out
there.

> I also don't get the "pain slut" thing (ie, claims that he's a
> masochist)...  Xelloss seems no more or less pleased about getting hurt
> than anyone else in anime.
>

That whole thing I think comes from a bizzare misinterpretation of how
Makozu get their power: from suffering. Problem is it'ss from the suffering
of others, not their own. And while the idea of a masochistic demon might be
cool, Slayers never presents us with that IIRC.

Some people point to how he doesn't seem to mind when Lina beats on him, but
1) that's usually comedic 2) Xellos KNOWS he's fairly invulnerable and
figures it's worth getting a few punches if he can have fun teasing her
(which no one else usually gets away with).