Any new information about Funimation’s Slayers release?

[BrendaBat]

Does anyone here have any official information regarding Funimation’s release of Slayers (like when its coming out, what changes they plan to make, etc.)? I heard that Funi was going to restore some cut scenes from season one and have Veronica Taylor and Crispin Freeman re-dub Amelia and Zel’s voices in the early episodes. But it’s hard to find any information on the new release that isn’t pure fan speculation (and it doesn’t help that Funimation’s website has absolutely NO information about this).

And, just for fun, add some of your own fan speculation/wish lists for the new release while you’re here! Here’s mine:


1) English versions of the theme songs:
Funi is really good at adapting theme songs into English. I’d love to hear English versions of the opening and ending theme songs (if only to erase the god-awful “Engrish” versions from my memory).

2) I hope they fix this one scene in NEXT (the second season) that has always bugged me:
It was in the episode where Lina and Amelia are forced to sing (and wear hideous Sailor Moon outfits) in order to activate a spell. In the dub, instead of making the English VA’s sing, they just cut to the Japanese version! It distracted from the episode and, in my opinion, made it less funny. So I hope Lisa Ortiz and Veronica Taylor are called in to dub the song. It would fix the sole flaw in an otherwise perfect episode.

3) A lot of Slayers fans are hoping and/or predicting that Xellos will get a new VA. Personally, I’d MUCH rather see Sylphiel get a new VA. Xellos’ dub voice just sounded really goofy. Sylphiel’s dub actress was so bad that she sucked all the drama out of every scene she was in (especially that big event in season one).

4) Merchandise:
I can’t walk into Borders without seeing Fruits Basket and Full Metal Alchemist stuff. I’m hoping it will be the same with Slayers in the near future.

5) American releases of the Slayers PS1 RPGs:
I know there’s a snowball’s chance of that ever happening. But I can dream, can’t I?

[AstroNerdBoy]

Not being an English dub person, I'm not so interested in that stuff (though I obviously hope FUNi does it right, and I'm sure they will). For me, I like the Japanese versions of the songs. Hayashibara Megumi singing the [b]Slayers Next[b] OP theme "Give A Reason" is awesome (IMO). It is my favorite of the Slayers themes. That said, FUNi doing the English for ANY of the songs depends on licensing.

FUNimation seems fairly clever about merchandise, so they could do some stuff. I can see them possibly going in with TokyoPop on the novels (though it is a shame that TP didn't do them right). BUT with an anime title as old as Slayers is, will audiences be as hyped to get this kind of merchandise?

As for me, I'm just looking forward to FUNimation's superior subtitles and I hope they do the 4-disc release per series.

[Duke]

1) English versions of the theme songs:
Funi is really good at adapting theme songs into English. I’d love to hear English versions of the opening and ending theme songs (if only to erase the god-awful “Engrish” versions from my memory).

I don't think FUNi does that anymore except maybe with Case Closed. They didn't with Baki, nor Spiral, nor Gunslinger Girl (even if GSG's opening is in English, the ending isn't). A shame too, as I liked FUNi's openings.

2) I hope they fix this one scene in NEXT (the second season) that has always bugged me:
It was in the episode where Lina and Amelia are forced to sing (and wear hideous Sailor Moon outfits) in order to activate a spell. In the dub, instead of making the English VA’s sing, they just cut to the Japanese version! It distracted from the episode and, in my opinion, made it less funny. So I hope Lisa Ortiz and Veronica Taylor are called in to dub the song. It would fix the sole flaw in an otherwise perfect episode.

I don't think any of FUNi's other dubs have had the characters singing in Japanese. Kodocha has all the insert songs dubbed, as was the girls' singing at the end of Gunslinger Girl.

[Conekiller]

They re-did Burst Angel's ending in english also

[BrendaBat]

Originally posted by AstroNerdBoy
For me, I like the Japanese versions of the songs. Hayashibara Megumi singing the Slayers Next OP theme "Give A Reason" is awesome (IMO). It is my favorite of the Slayers themes. That said, FUNi doing the English for ANY of the songs depends on licensing.

I love “Give A Reason”, too. But it would be nice to hear a version of that song with lyrics I can actually understand. And, after listening to the Japanese version countless times, a well-done English version would be a fun change of pace.

Originally posted by AstroNerdBoy
I can see them possibly going in with TokyoPop on the novels (though it is a shame that TP didn't do them right).

I think that the TokyoPop translation of the novels has been fantastic so far. What do you mean by “didn’t do them right”?

Originally posted by AstroNerdBoy
BUT with an anime title as old as Slayers is, will audiences be as hyped to get this kind of merchandise?

If Funi promotes it right. A TV run would probably help, too.

Funi is usually really good at promoting it’s shows. But the fact that they haven’t put out any information about this release since they announced it at Anime Expo does worry me a little bit.

[Duke]

They probably won't until they're ready to release it (aka 2006).

[AnimatedSnow47]

Hmm...I've been wanting to try The Slayers after being recommended to me by a friend because of the characters, comedy and numerous Pokemon voice actors appearing in it. Should I wait?

[BrendaBat]

Hmm...I've been wanting to try The Slayers after being recommended to me by a friend because of the characters, comedy and numerous Pokemon voice actors appearing in it. Should I wait?

You might as well. The CPM boxsets are out of print and there were some major problems with the first season boxset (some scenes were cut out and the Japanese audio was messed up).
Though I reccommend tracking down the original season 2 and 3 sets for the cool, "behind the scenes" features.

[Daizaburo Estes]

As for me, I'm just looking forward to FUNimation's superior subtitles

Hold on...are you dissing Neal Nadelman's subtitles? I mean, I love Steve and Clyde's work, but Neil's stuff is really good too! They could just use those!

[Roman Legion]

Just give me a cleaner transfer, no camera shake, correct audio, improved subs, and a reasonable price. Then I'll be happy.

As for me, I'm just looking forward to FUNimation's superior subtitles

At the very least, I'm hoping for "Mazoku" to not be translated as "monster"... since, within the context of the show, monsters are completely different things. Translating it to "demon" wouldn't work either, since demons are also different things within the show. It's potentially confusing in the existing subs.

--Romey