by “Slayers” was a rare light novel-based work at the time and has been adapted into an anime.
The three anime works that began broadcasting in April 1995, 30 years ago, were all essential works that created trends that led to various modern trends.
“Slayers,” which aired 26 episodes on TV Tokyo from April 7, 1995, was produced as an anime based on a light novel (written by Kamisaka Hajime and illustrated by Araizumi Rui), which was rare then and gained great popularity.
The voice actors were Megumi Hayashibara as the heroine, Lina Inverse, and Yasunori Matsumoto as her partner, Gourry Gabriel. The dialogue between Hikaru Midorikawa as Zelgadis Greywords and Manami Suzuki as Amelia Will Tesla Seyrun was irreplaceable for voice actor fans then.
Due to its popularity, the series continues to this day. By 2024, five TV anime and movie versions had been produced, and six OVAs had been released. It can be said to be one of the origins of the many original anime series that are now being created, and the latest collection of short stories, “Slayers Spirit: The Prince, the Princess, and the Dragon,” will be released on March 19, 2025, for the first time in 13 years, so it is still an active series.
The first Gundam film to be released in North America: Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, which began airing on April 7, 1995, was produced as a Gundam work that was far removed from the Universal Century, just like Mobile Fighter G Gundam, which aired the previous year. The five Gundam pilots with unique personalities, including the protagonist Heero Yuy and his rival Zechs Marquis, are very popular among women, and this work contributed significantly to expanding the fan base.
The dialogue is also memorable, and the impact of Heero’s words on the heroine Relena Dorian (Peacecraft) in the first episode, “I’m going to kill you,” is well known. Bandai Namco Holdings is focusing on overseas expansion, especially in the United States, and the fact that Gundam Wing gained such popularity as the first Gundam work to air in the United States must have had a significant impact.
The series, which was aired in the United States and many other countries, still has a considerable presence as a bridge connecting Japan with the world.
