How is the Slayers dub?

[I.R Joey]

I saw the 1st season at a local video store and was thinking that it might be pretty cool to watch it. Only problem is that the tapes are dub only, and I don't know how good the dub is. And besides after hearing bits of the Japanesse I don't know if the English is as good. Last thing I want it to have to destroy my ears at the cost of 20 bucks.

[Roman Legion]

If you don't already have one, you really need a DVD player. =x

Most of Slayer's internet fandom seems to love the dub, some even proclaiming it to be better than the original, but I can't understand why. All the voices seem quite grating, and often not even in line with the character's original personality. I hate the dub, my siblings hate the dub, my former roommate hates the dub, other random people I know hate the dub...

--Romey

[Infinity Blade]

The quality of the dub will depend on who you ask.
Some love it, while other's think it came from the pits of hell.

You would have to make your own decision on it's quality, really. ^^;

[I.R Joey]

Well here I am left right back where I started. Anyone else who can feel free to chime in.

P.S I do have a DVD player.

[Zero Angel]

personally i thought the dub was pretty good. i felt that the characters werent changed completely, though there are some differences. Lisa Ortiz as Lina was quite good though Megumi was better in the role, and Crispen Freeman's potrayal of Xelgaduis was great. David Mu wasnt my first choice for Xellos in Next, but he did an ok job as well.

[StrangerAtaru]

Considering I have only seen the first season dubbed (and it has been a long time since then), I consider it pretty good. There really isn't much of a difference between the two Linas (Ortiz and Hayashibara) and personally, I think that hearing the voice of Brock (Eric Stuart) play Gourry is a riot! Can't remember the others to well though.

[DianaGohan]

I don't know what everyone's harking on. I saw the dub and though it was actually a very good represnenation of what the series is. Then again, it was on DVD. It was probably worse off the one time it was on T.V (which I heard was years ago).

[MrBananagrabber]

I don't know what everyone's harking on. I saw the dub and though it was actually a very good represnenation of what the series is. Then again, it was on DVD. It was probably worse off the one time it was on T.V (which I heard was years ago).

Slayers was never on TV in America.

THe dub is really good, especially after the first 3 tapes. Up until then, they cast these horrible VA's for Zel and Amelia. Especially Amelia's. But after that, Crispin Freem and Veronica Taylor took over and are amazing. The only voices I don't love are Xellos and Valgaav's. But the dub really is very good, IMO. Lisa Ortiz is great as Lina. Give it a watch, especially because you can rent it!

[Conekiller]

I've onlyu seen the first six eps or so, dubbed as wel, and the voices weren't that bad. Romey's a dub hater :p :D BUt I have yet to hear Zel and Amelia in english , so I really can't offer a complete opinion

[lostrune]

The main reason most fandom likes the Slayers dub is because of Lina: the dub portrayal being the closest to Megumi Hayashibara in voice and acting. In fact, that's the role that popularized Lisa Ortiz in the industry. (Kinda like how Megumi got her big break from Ranma 1/2).

[Roman Legion]

Romey's a dub hater :p :D

Am not. :p

There are actually a number of dubs I like... it's true. =x


The main reason most fandom likes the Slayers dub is because of Lina: the dub portrayal being the closest to Megumi Hayashibara in voice and acting. In fact, that's the role that popularized Lisa Ortiz in the industry. (Kinda like how Megumi got her big break from Ranma 1/2).

Lisa Ortiz's rendition of Lina is also the #1 reason I -- and several other people I know -- hate the Slayers dub. I can't tell how anyone can think it's even remotely close to the original. Seriously. Heck, Slayers was the show I used to introduce my sister to anime, and after she heard Lisa Ortiz for the first time, she was sold on subbing. =x

--Romey

[Mackenzie Rainelle]

The ONLY reason I can't stand the dub is David Moo. After hearing Akira Ishida voice Xelloss, it makes his english voice even more painful. The nasal almost-whine to it, the hugely condescending tone....Ugh, the voice clashes completely with Xelloss' personality, and it's not even decent to listen to. Hearing it for too long makes me want to bang my head against a wall.

For an example, observe:

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Harbor/2612/namagomi.wav Xelloss and Filia's first meeting in Japanese.

http://www.geocities.com/patches365/creep.wav Now, Xelloss and Filia's first meeting in English.

The big difference between the two (Filia's essentially the same, if a little more threatening in the English version) is Xelloss' tone. In the original, he's incredibly polite, even to a gold dragon, and seems stunned when Filia calls him 'namagomi' (kitchen sewage). In the english version, he's condescending from the beginning and reacts with obvious sarcasm to her insults. That and, again, the painfully nasal english voice. >_<;;;;;

[The Drizzle]

I happen to like the Slayers dub. It's not the greatest thing you'll ever hear, but it's pretty good. You should definitely check it out. :anime:

[Peter Puppy]

Speaking of Slayers, I have not been able to find the series at a reasonable price on DVD. I have, however, been able to find Slayers: The Motion Picture for under $30. Does it compare well enough to the series itself to be worth the money?

[Roman Legion]

Speaking of Slayers, I have not been able to find the series at a reasonable price on DVD. I have, however, been able to find Slayers: The Motion Picture for under $30. Does it compare well enough to the series itself to be worth the money?

At about $120 on Amazon, it's about average box-set price.

It should be noted, however, that the Slayers movies and OVA's take place prior to the series, involve a completely different cast other than Lina, and feature an annoyingly large-breasted sidekick (aka Naga) with questionable tastes in fashion... It's almost like a different continuity altogether.

--Romey

[Tea]

I thought the English dub of the Slayers was great. In fact, I liked Lisa's portrayal of Lina better than Megumi's. (sacrilege?) The only VAs I can't stand in the dub are David Moo and Amelia's first VA... ugh... But I guess in the end, you'll either love it or hate it.

[VinceA]

At about $120 on Amazon, it's about average box-set price.

RightStuf.COM is having a CPM sale right now where you can get all the Slayers stuff (amongst other things) for 40% off the MSRP.

[pabcool]

Not that good, from the very little I've heard. (But my opinion doesn't count, it really IS very sad how little I've heard)

[Conekiller]

At about $120 on Amazon, it's about average box-set price.

It should be noted, however, that the Slayers movies and OVA's take place prior to the series, involve a completely different cast other than Lina, and feature an annoyingly large-breasted sidekick (aka Naga) with questionable tastes in fashion... It's almost like a different continuity altogether.

--Romey

If that's so, howcome Lina looks younger when she's with Gourry and crew than with Naga? in what I've seen of those eps (thru images and AMVs) she looks like a WOMAN . in the slayers TV show she looks ....late teens.

[MrBananagrabber]

If that's so, howcome Lina looks younger when she's with Gourry and crew than with Naga? in what I've seen of those eps (thru images and AMVs) she looks like a WOMAN . in the slayers TV show she looks ....late teens.

Different art style/animators, I guess. The stories with Naga absolutely happen before the TV series, though. The only exception is the 5th movie, Slayers Premium, which happens after the TV series.

[Roman Legion]

If that's so, howcome Lina looks younger when she's with Gourry and crew than with Naga? in what I've seen of those eps (thru images and AMVs) she looks like a WOMAN . in the slayers TV show she looks ....late teens.


Different art style/animators, I guess. The stories with Naga absolutely happen before the TV series, though. The only exception is the 5th movie, Slayers Premium, which happens after the TV series.

In the tv series, Lina's somewhere between 15 / 16. Probably much closer to an early 15 in Slayers, slowly moving towards late 16 by Slayers TRY.

Ryoga's right, though. There's absolutely no question whatsoever that the stories with Naga take place before the ones with Gourry and the rest of the crew. Lina's probably about 14 when she's with Naga, despite how she's drawn. The different art style explanation seems about right... heck, when she's drawn alongside the annoyingly large-breasted Naga, it shouldn't be surprising. =x

Should also be noted that Slayers Premium isn't currently available in the US... ::sigh::

--Romey

[MrBananagrabber]

Should also be noted that Slayers Premium isn't currently available in the US... ::sigh::

How many years has ADV been sitting on the rights to the rest of the Slayers movies and OVAs? What's taking them so long to release them? The soundtracks were already released in America, for God' sake.

[oranthal]

I saw the 1st season at a local video store and was thinking that it might be pretty cool to watch it. Only problem is that the tapes are dub only, and I don't know how good the dub is. And besides after hearing bits of the Japanesse I don't know if the English is as good. Last thing I want it to have to destroy my ears at the cost of 20 bucks.

You just missed the entire series that just aired on the International Channel. They aired 4 subbed episodes every Thursday night/Friday morning and have started on Slayers NEXT.

[Elven Moon]

The dub, to me, is fine, with the exception of Xellos and Zel and Amelia's new voices. I have only seen the dub for the first two seasons, however, and cannot comment on the third.

[raykremer]

International Channel is also in the middle of Try on the Friday/Sunday airings. Oddly enough, Slayers is the only anime IC shows subbed. The rest are shown dubbed, except for Dragonball Z and GT, which is shown raw.

Someday I'll get those DVDs and I'll finally get to hear the Slayers dub.

[Mackenzie Rainelle]

There was only one character out of all three series whose voice I liked better in the dub, and that was Phibrizo. Kazue Ikura has THE most ear-bleeding death scream I've ever heard in my life. The hell child kinda surprised me though, I expected someone as girlish looking as him to have a female english actor, but he had a guy whose name escapes me...Vinnie something or other....

Gourry had a pretty damn good voice, as Eric Stuart came REALLY close to matching Yasunori Matsumoto's delivery.

Zelgadis and Amelia.....Oy. Hikaru Midorikawa is one of my favorite actors, and Crispin Freeman just couldn't do the deadpan quite as well, although he gave it a good shot. Suzuki Masami manages to make Amelia cute (while she's still a little irritating, she's cute), while Veronica Taylor made me want to kill the little justice-loving princess.

Sylphiel's Japanese actress wins with no contest, even though I don't remember her name right off the bat. As soon as I heard Sylphiel's image song, "Alone", I was sold. I don't have a problem with her english actress, I just like the Japanese one a lot more. ^^

You've already heard my rant about David Moo and Akira Ishida, no need to go into that anymore, yes? ~_^

Mifuyu Hiiragi had a cool Martina voice. She was irritating, but at the same time, when she got upset, you kinda pitied her. Rachael Lillis plays her in 'Jessie' mode, so she's annoying ALL the time. But that was actually a good thing, since Martina's supposed to be a complete pain in the ass. ^^

I can't remember the names of Filia's Japanese OR English actresses either, but I liked them both equally. They could do polite, but they could both do her temper explosions particularly well.

Valgaav....This was hard....He has a decent english voice, but Wataru Takagi was just better. When he screamed in pain, you cringed, 'cause just from the agony in the voice, you knew the injury had to hurt like HELL. Valgaav's english actor just didn't do that for me. Even more on the plus side, Wataru Takagi had this almost feral growl in Valgaav's tone that was just so incredibly cool, and the english VA didn't do that.

[Sir Lucius]

I've watched all the DVDs subbed, and I tried watching the dub track, but I just couldn't take it. Also I hate re-casts.

[DarthNuriko]

Lisa Ortiz's rendition of Lina is also the #1 reason I -- and several other people I know -- hate the Slayers dub. I can't tell how anyone can think it's even remotely close to the original. Seriously. Heck, Slayers was the show I used to introduce my sister to anime, and after she heard Lisa Ortiz for the first time, she was sold on subbing. =x I'll second that. I so SO agree. It's cringtastical, I can't stand her Lina. It's nasally, half-hearted, and the acting... just ugh... If I thought her rendition of Lina had been any good at all, maybe I'd have a far better opinion on the dub as a whole. Being the star of the series and thusly the most important performance, it just brings it all down for me.

I also agree with Mackenzie's opinon on Zelgadis and Amelia. I really, really like Crispin Freeman, but he just doesn't match Hikaru Midorikawa. After that one encounter with the dub, I just avoided the rest of the series dub so I have no opinons on anyone else. (I don't think the series was out on DVD yet when I first got into it. I have it on subbed VHS so I can't just compare it to an English track. I only saw some of the dub because I liked the show so much I wanted to hear what it sounded like in English, so I bought one tape of it.)

To answer the initial question.... if you haven't seen this series, you want to see it, and your video store has it, rent it. Is the dub just as good as the sub though..., no. But the series itself is worth the rental. Maybe it'll hurt less if you've only seen very little of it subbed. :sweat:

[joerammstein]

Slayers and Slayers Next were pretty much the first anime series I ever collected. I had never heard the original Japanese dialogue, so the English dub didn't really bother me at the time. Then again, I haven't watched it in years, so perhaps if I were to go back to it now I'd have a different opinion.

[Solitude1]

I've seen all of the Slayers seasons dub wise and it dosen't bother me that much.

However, I have heard several complains on David Moo voicing Xellos, so I saw a few eps with Xellos in their original Japanese format.

David Moo DOES NOT need to be Xellos. Xellos is such a bad ass character, yet when you hear his voice he sounds like a nerd who just got kicked in the jimmy. Yeah, I'd rather hear the japanese dub anyday than someone that whiny.

Everyone else is fine by me. I didn't think Lina's voice was that bad. Lisa really hit it for me when it came to the parts with Lina being angry. One of my fav parts takes place in Slayers Try when Lina finally defeats Jiras.

Jiras: Ms. Lina, I'm so sorry. Please don't hurt me!

Lina: Since you've caused me all this trouble in the first place....I'm going to kick your lily ass!

Ah, good stuff.

Later.

[Mackenzie Rainelle]

However, I have heard several complains on David Moo voicing Xellos, so I saw a few eps with Xellos in their original Japanese format.

David Moo DOES NOT need to be Xellos. Xellos is such a bad ass character, yet when you hear his voice he sounds like a nerd who just got kicked in the jimmy. Yeah, I'd rather hear the japanese dub anyday than someone that whiny.

Thank you. ^^

[Duke]

All I have of Slayers are five random VHS tapes. Two from the first series, two from Next, and one from Try. Except for one Next tape, all my tapes have the episodes where Lina & co. get to some really big plot point. That really sucks when you have no idea who various characters are.

Oddly enough, I was drawn to Slayers because of a Mr. T vs. Slayers online comic I read, which was funny as hell.

[lostrune]

How many years has ADV been sitting on the rights to the rest of the Slayers movies and OVAs? What's taking them so long to release them? The soundtracks were already released in America, for God' sake.

According to ADV, they don't receive the materials from the Japanese in a timely manner. Believe what you wish.

[Gary L Thompson]

Slayers was never on TV in America.


Actually, it's been airing on TV in America for well over a year, on the International Channel (it's finishing up the third season at 11 p.m. Fridays and Sundays, and currently rerunning the first season in the overnight Thursday/Friday hours). Unfortunately, you won't learn anything about the quality of the dub voices because it's subtitled! It's the only anime IC is running now that isn't dubbed.