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From Anime News Network:
The North American distributor FUNimation Entertainment has announced on Monday that it has licensed the Slayers Revolution fantasy comedy anime series from Enoki Films. This 2008 anime is the fourth television series based on Hajime Kanzaka and Rui Araizumi's novel series, after the first Slayers series, Slayers Next, and Slayers Try. The first three Slayers television series were previously licensed by Central Park Media, and then FUNimation picked up their licenses in 2005.
Like the previous Slayers projects, Slayers Revolution follows the comic misadventures of the sorceress Lina Inverse (Megumi Hayashibara) and the swordsman Gourry Gabriev (Yasunori Matsumoto) in a fantasy land. Several other familiar characters in the franchise make appearances during the series, and Takashi Watanabe (Boogiepop Phantom, Ikki Tousen, Lost Universe) directed all four series. The 13 Slayers Revolution episodes aired in Japan from July to September, and a fifth series, Slayers Evolution-R, will continue the story in January.
Update: According to FUNimation's press release, the company will release the complete series on DVD in 2010. However, the website lists a 2009 date.
Update 2: FUNimation has confirmed with ANN that 2009 is the scheduled date for the digital release.This literally came out just 30 minutes ago!
Update 3: FUNimation lists its Slayers Revolution license as a 26-episode series. Hajime Kanzaka, the author of the original Slayers light novels, had indicated that Slayers Revolution and Slayers Evolution-R were originally planned as one 26-episode series with a production break in between the two halves. Update 4: FUNimation has confirmed that it has licensed both Slayers Revolution and its follow-up, Slayers Evolution-R.
In this episode, while chasing Pokota, Lina and the gang come across a strange village where almost everything is round. The name of the village is Gongoro, and an old man begs them to help in a special festival involving rolling a ball as an offering to the mountain for good prosperity. When he promises food and money as a reward, how can a girl resist?What I liked:-While this is an obvious and rather stupid filler episode, it's not all that bad-Gourry's triumphant "BARBARA!" call-Prince Phil's shoutout, however disturbing
What I didn't:-It felt like a shortened OVA where Lina (with no Naga) gets pulled into some story that starts out serious sounding before it takes a turn for the pointless and weird. It even has the part where Lina is stuck between two or more fighting men (and not in the romantic sense)-Too many over-muscled, shiny men in barely there underwear. For Zel or Gourry (or even Xellos), sure, but not them
In this episode, we learn of a lost country called Taforashia, which appears once every few months during a misty fog. Pokota holds a strong link to this place, and Lina learns who was originally responsible for linking her to the mage tanks.What I liked:-Xellos is in this one!-Starting to get intense and just the way I like my Slayers-It looks like Zuuma, the incredibly deadly and skilled assassin from the novel series, will be making an appearance soon!
What I didn't like:-Not much. Pokota is starting to grow on me now that I know who he is (he's probably human under a spell).
In this episode, Lina and the Gourry literally scoure the forest looking for any signs of Pokota. So far unsuccessful (and injuring several forest animals in the process), Lina prods Zel into putting effort into the cause by telling him Pokota may hold the key to his chimera cure, and after that he becomes crazily determined in locating the little weirdo. We also learn that Pokota has a mission to destroy all mage-tanks, but won't give the real reason why.What I liked:-Amelia and her constant beating on/grabbing Zel-I couldn't stop laughing-No Wiser-Just letting the characters run around, being themselves, with no "Lina! You're under arrest!" nonsense
What I didn't:-There isn't really anything. Maybe the almost instant Amelia/Pokota friendship? Poor Zel has a rival now?
In this episode, Lina is automatically blamed for the mysterious disappearance of several pets of the wealthy. So, she drags inspector Wizer and her friends to an island almost impossible to reach, to once again claim her innocence.
What I liked about this episode:
-Gourry making friends with that giant, mutant jellyfish. For some reason, Gourry was almost at maximum adorable this episode
-Amelia and Zelgadis being "eaten" and later licked by the jellyfish
-Lina kicking Wizer, but forgetting she'll fly through the sky as well (being attached to him through the handcuffs)
-Lack of Pokota
What I didn't like:
-No Xellos yet
-Wizer. He's just... I don't know, he gets on my nerves. Could we please have one episode that he isn't in?
WARNING - SPOILERS BELOW!In this episode, Lina demands that Wizer give her a good, solid reason why she should be arrested, Amelia and Zel reveal just why they were all searching for her, and we finally get to meet the strange little creature that conjured up the Dragon Slave.What I liked about the episode:-We learn that Zel was asked by Prince Phil to watch over Amelia during their journey to locate Lina and Gourry. The subs say "Deputy King" but I think it's more like "King's deputy." You see him in a knighthood-like ceremony, so if he wasn't knighted I don't know what else it could be!-You also learn that there was an official request from one kingdom to Seiruun to locate Lina, so something bigger must be involved, Wizer just being the annoying detective sent to arrest her for supposedly doing damage to several mage-tanks. -Pokota made a replica Sword of Light! And he claims that the tanks originally belonged to him!-Lina's amplified Dragon Slave to teach the little plushie a lesson for calling her boobless.
What I didn't like:-Pokota. I still don't like him - I guess I'm still weirded out by the little "mascot." Well, hopefully that'll change soon.-That "Miss Mermaid" eyecatch. Oh lordie.
After 11 years, Slayers is back and as wonderful as ever! In this first episode, Lina destroys a pirate ship, brings to our attention that she and Gourry are on the hunt for a replacement of the Sword of Light, and Lina is arrested under the charge of being Lina Inverse. But she won't go without a fight!
What I liked:
-It was so great to see them all again. Like old friends who haven't really changed. I was grinning like crazy through the whole thing.
-Nice, vivid colors. The modern animation only makes Lina's spells more awesome.
-Lina was her usual, sarcastic and violent self. Gourry was pea-brained, Amelia still loves justice, and Zel was... well, Zel.
-The ironic twist at the end, despelling the opening episode tradition of Lina blowing something up with a Dragon Slave was great.
What I didn't like:
-That fish woman. She was way over-the-top with a shrilly, whiney voice. I've never been a fan of the fish creatures, and she was really pushing it.
-That plushie, digimon-like animal at the end. I hope he (she?) will be of some importance and not another annoying Martina-like character that makes herself known from the very beginning and causes trouble throughout the series. If they insist on adding it, don't overdo it, please.
I have to wonder who the villian will be this time, and when Xellos will show up. 'Til next episode!
