One of the most popular anime TV series of the 1990s, Slayers, will not debut on ABC's Family Channel cable network on either July 6 or 7.  The 78-episode Slayers TV series was based on Hajime Kanzaka's short stories (illustrated by Rui Araizumi) that first appeared in the Japanese Dragon magazine in 1989.  Slayers differs from other more serious D&D-influenced anime titles like Record of the Lodoss War in its irreverent self-reflexive humor that makes light of the property's role-playing game origins.

 

Much of the charm of the Slayers series comes from its heroine, the pert and sassy Lina Inverse (voiced by American anime pro, Lisa Ortiz) and from her relationship with her sword-wielding sidekick Gourry, who is quite strong, but also dumb as a post.  A huge hit in Japan, this property has been available for some time in U.S. through Central Park Media.  All 78 episodes of the TV series are available on DVD and Central Park Media has also published translated versions of the Japanese Slayers manga.  Television exposure can only help win new fans for this delightful fantasy series.