On October 19, publisher Fujimi Shobo announced that they will host a 30th anniversary event for The Slayers. The event, named “Slayers 30 Shūnenkinen Ibento ~ Atsumatte Kun’nai to Abarechauzo!~” (“Slayers 30th Anniversary Event ~If we don’t come together, you’ll go wild!~”), will be held on March 29, 2020 at the Tokyo Dome City Hall.
The event will feature Megumi Hayashibara, who plays leading lady Lina Inverse, as a guest. Yasunori Matsumoto, who plays Gourry Gabriev, and Maria Kawamura, who plays Naga the Serpent, will also attend.
A visual for the event was revealed, which depicts Lina Inverse in an idol costume. You can check it out below.
Two shows are planned: one in the day, one at night. Ticket presales will open at the Fantasia Bunko dai Kansha-sai 2019 fan event, which will be held on October 20.
Hajime Kanzaka and illustrator Rui Araizumi’s The Slayers made its début in the pages of Fujimi Shobo’s Dragon Magazine in 1989. Western publisher TOKYOPOP released the first eight volumes in English in North America. The title made its return earlier today, when Volume 16, the first book since 2001, shipped to stores.
The series has led to a TV adaptation from J.C. Staff, which aired in Spring 1995. Takashi Watanabe (Shakugan no Shana, Space Pirate Mito) directed the project, which featured character designs by Naomi Miyata (Lost Universe, Master of Martial Hearts). Takao Koyama (Dragon Ball Z, Saint Seiya) took charge of series composition.
The Slayers anime received four sequel TV series as well as a side-story OVA:
- The Slayers NEXT
- The Slayers TRY
- The Slayers Premium
- The Slayers Revolution
- The Slayers Evolution-R
The main Slayers franchise also received several OVAs and films, and four manga adaptations. Central Park Media originally released the first three Slayers TV series, as well as several manga volumes. ADV Films handled the OVA and movie adaptations.
Funimation currently holds the domestic rights to The Slayers anime and released all five core TV series on home video. They describe the title as:
In a land of fantasy and magic, fiery sorceress Lina Inverse and her band of misfits travel from adventure to adventure—and occasionally save the world! With dim-witted swordsman Gourry, idealistic Amelia, and stoic Zelgadis at her side, Lina leads the charge against the forces of evil. If fame, fortune, and food should fall their way, even better!
Source: Comic Natalie
The Slayers Gets 30th Anniversary Project in March 2020 – Samantha Ferreira
