...a great fantasy adventure series.
"Slayers NEXT" spans 4 DVDs for a total of 26 episodes and runs for 575 minutes. This is the same number of DVDs as the original set. Considering that the original set had a MSRP of $129.99 and this one is being offered for an MSRP of $39.95, this is a great deal. "Slayers NEXT" is a comedy classic and now there is no excuse not to check it out.
Video:
"Slayers NEXT" is presented in its original full-screen format. The cover of this set claims that the series has been digitally remastered, but after comparing it to the previous release, I don't see any noticeable difference in picture quality. Not that this is a bad thing. I think the series looks about as good as it can get. The picture is clear and free of artifacts for the most part, but the color quality sometimes wavers from washed-out under-saturation to a vibrant over-saturation with some minor bleeding edges. There are a few jagged edges as well. Overall, this is not the greatest looking set ever, but it is perfectly fine given the age of the series and the simplistic, low-budget animation style.
Audio:
Again, the age of this series shows in the quality of the two audio tracks on the set. We are given a Japanese 2.0 stereo track, and a mono English track. The dub is the same original dub from the CPM release. I am not a huge dub fan, but aside from Xelloss, the cast fits their roles reasonably well.
Extras:
This set contains fewer extras than the original box set (such as the cast interviews, character design galleries and all of the old DVD-ROM features), but considering that it is offered for a fraction of the price, it is a fair trade-off. There are still a few things to be found here. We are given some original TV commercials and promos, textless credits, and an "Otome no Inori" music video. The music video is very silly. It is a Lina-Amelia duet where they are dressed up like fluffy pop idols and sing about boys and love. The video makes no sense, but it is very amusing, and the song is cute. It is actually included FIVE times- first in the original format with an English translation, followed by an instrumental karaoke version, and then a half-vocal version with only Amelia's vocals playing, then a Lina-only version, and finally a full vocal version with the romanji and Japanese text lyrics on the screen. Wow.
Film Value:
"Slayers NEXT" is my favorite of the three Slayers TV series. The humor is fast-paced and unashamedly silly, the action is suitably exciting, and the moments of serious drama are handled with great skill. Even the romance is satisfying. The new characters are fun and blend well with the original cast. Younger fans who have only been exposed to new series filled with smooth computer animation may be turned off by the rough quality and silliness of "Slayers NEXT," but I really think everyone should give it a chance. "Slayers NEXT" really is a fantastic addition to any anime collection.
Video:
"Slayers NEXT" is presented in its original full-screen format. The cover of this set claims that the series has been digitally remastered, but after comparing it to the previous release, I don't see any noticeable difference in picture quality. Not that this is a bad thing. I think the series looks about as good as it can get. The picture is clear and free of artifacts for the most part, but the color quality sometimes wavers from washed-out under-saturation to a vibrant over-saturation with some minor bleeding edges. There are a few jagged edges as well. Overall, this is not the greatest looking set ever, but it is perfectly fine given the age of the series and the simplistic, low-budget animation style.
Audio:
Again, the age of this series shows in the quality of the two audio tracks on the set. We are given a Japanese 2.0 stereo track, and a mono English track. The dub is the same original dub from the CPM release. I am not a huge dub fan, but aside from Xelloss, the cast fits their roles reasonably well.
Extras:
This set contains fewer extras than the original box set (such as the cast interviews, character design galleries and all of the old DVD-ROM features), but considering that it is offered for a fraction of the price, it is a fair trade-off. There are still a few things to be found here. We are given some original TV commercials and promos, textless credits, and an "Otome no Inori" music video. The music video is very silly. It is a Lina-Amelia duet where they are dressed up like fluffy pop idols and sing about boys and love. The video makes no sense, but it is very amusing, and the song is cute. It is actually included FIVE times- first in the original format with an English translation, followed by an instrumental karaoke version, and then a half-vocal version with only Amelia's vocals playing, then a Lina-only version, and finally a full vocal version with the romanji and Japanese text lyrics on the screen. Wow.
Film Value:
"Slayers NEXT" is my favorite of the three Slayers TV series. The humor is fast-paced and unashamedly silly, the action is suitably exciting, and the moments of serious drama are handled with great skill. Even the romance is satisfying. The new characters are fun and blend well with the original cast. Younger fans who have only been exposed to new series filled with smooth computer animation may be turned off by the rough quality and silliness of "Slayers NEXT," but I really think everyone should give it a chance. "Slayers NEXT" really is a fantastic addition to any anime collection.
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[release]22961[/release]