If you can recommend just one of the seasons

[Keroppilee]

which would it be. Those box sets of full seasons are expensive. Also are the series very much different from the movie besides the lack of naga.

[Ronin Aquila]

As every true Slayers Fan would tell you, "Next" is the pinnacle of the series. Funny yet poignant, romantic yet action packed, touching yet silly, it is not just a series, it is an EVENT.

Find a free Saturday or Sunday, get all your friends to come over, heat the popcorn, draw the curtains, lock the doors (except the toilet ones) and sit down for TEN OF THE BEST HOURS YOU'LL EVER SPEND WATCHIN ANIME EVER!!

[Mikomi]

I would also go with Next. It's the best of all three series and a must see for all real Slayers fans. ;)

[Keroppilee]

i asked this before about the movies, but i think it applies here also, are the 3 seasons also independent enough of each other to make sense on their own?

[Torkm]

Since I have only seen most of the OVA series and only a few episodes from Next, I would have say that getting the OVA would be best.

It explains stuff that will confuse you when something is mentioned in the other series.

[cpt._saddam]

I would also say Slayers Next, but if possible, watch the first season before it, because you will understand Next better, then. But this isn't absolutely necessary.

[MANTA]

I think Next or Try are a good choice. The first season wasn't up to par to the next two. Although I would recommend watching the first season only if you plan to continue on with next and try.

[Ronin Aquila]

Watch the 1st season for the sake of understanding the continuity. Watch "Slayers Next" because YOU MUST WATCH THIS WONDEFUL SERIES. Avoid "Slayers" Try for the pretentious "Schindler's List with Dragons" tripe that it is.

[Amelia]

I would also suggest Slayers Next, just because by then the characters are well adjusted with the story, you get a better impression of Amelia because she has matured, and it's just so damn funny! Also Martina is in it and that's always a bonus. So go buy Next.

[Ronin Aquila]

I agree. Slayers Next was a balanced series that knew what it wanted with its cast members, and it allowed EVERY ONE OF THEM TO GROW AS INDIVIDUALS.

Lina became more sensitive and responsible
Gourry's love and loyalty to Lina grows stronger
Amelia became more realistic (somewhat)
Zelgadis is less and less bitter

Most of All, Martina steadily grows from a self centered and spoilt brat into a caring young woman of indominatable faith and ideals. And she is a SIDE character, for crying out loud.

Slayers Try, However, FORCED CHARACTERS WHO ARE DESIGNED FOR A TOUCHING ROMANTIC COMEDY INTO A BITTER AND BLEAK STORY OF MORAL AMBLIVIANCE AND GENOCIDE. AVOID IT LIKE SYPHILLIS AT ALL COSTS.