When the show aired on Fox Kids 26 episodes were ordered, but the network only aired 11.
Fox Kids started with the second episode ("The Girl from the Mystic Moon"), as the first one had been deemed too violent for the age group they were aiming for. Instead the first episode ("Fateful Confession") was spliced with other episodes to create the new opening sequence with the new theme song.
The three swordsmen of Gaea, Balgus Ganesha, Rig Vieta, and Adama Eshe, have their names taken from mythological stories.
[Repeated line]
Hitomi Kanzaki:
Was it all just a dream? Or maybe a vision? No, it was real...
Folken:
Van, you are my brother; we share the same blood. This world is difficult for a... gentle soul such as yours to bear. This world, where man fights against man - no, where every living thing fights to take the life of another! We kill beasts, we kill dragons, we even kill men! Fighting begets fighting, and the slaughter begins anew - such is the way of the world.
[Merle is looking at Hitomi's pendant after going through her duffel bag.]
Merle:
That's a pretty stone... I think I'll keep it!
[After Escaflowne transforms into its dragon mode]
Dilandau Albantau:
I haven't hunted dragons in a long time. This is going to be such fun!
[Hitomi is teaching Van how to dowse by searching for Merle.]
Hitomi Kanzaki:
Wait until you see her. Those long, pointy ears... the tail... that curly hair, those really big eyes... that obnoxious personality... that big mouth... and what's with that nose?
Merle:
That's it! I'm going to use her as a scratching post!
[After Van can't find Merle with Hitomi's dowsing technique, Hitomi finds Merle and points at the bush where she's hiding.]
Hitomi Kanzaki:
There!
Merle:
Yeah, like I'm gonna stand up!
Van Fanel:
Merle!
[Merle gasps and jumps up into sight]
Merle:
Here I am, Lord Van! You found me!
Allen Schezar:
What's the matter? It's all right, little princess, you can tell me. I am a knight of Asturia, Allen Schezar. And you're a guest in this castle. As its commander, I will protect you. It is my duty as a knight, no, as a man, to make sure you are safe.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
Allen, I -
Ort:
Man, how can he spout all that with a straight face?
Teo:
The boss has a knack for it.
The Mole Man:
What a magnificent guymelf! That's an Ispano design, isn't it?
The Mole Man:
I'm just a poor thief, really. I made the mistake a while back and ended up getting stuck under the castle. Not too smart, I must admit.
Allen Schezar:
So tell me, Van Fanel, are you ready to fight?
Van Fanel:
You bet!
Allen Schezar:
You're gonna regret this.
Pyle:
Hey, somebody oughta bet on the kid.
Reeden:
No way! I ain't that stupid!
Ort:
Rumor has it she's from the Mystic Moon and everybody knows that place is cursed.
The Mole Man:
For a kid, you got a lot of attitude.
Allen Schezar:
What worries me is the madness in Dilandau's eyes. His thirst for blood is reflected in them.
Merle:
Why the heck did I get stuck with the bench?
Reeden:
Holy moley! It's the curse of the Mystic Moon!
Gaddes:
It's Zaibach you idiot!
Allen Schezar:
There is nothing brave about rashly choosing to die. Van, you are Fanelia's king! As long as she has a king and a people, Fanelia has a future. Bearing indignity such as this is the mark of true courage. A samurai's life is meant to save others. Don't forget that.
Dilandau Albantau:
Burn . . . burn . . . burn!
Folken:
Never throw your life away so easily.
Merle:
That is one weird girl.
Dilandau Albantau:
My face!
Dilandau Albantau:
You'll pay! You damaged my beautiful face. . . .
Reeden:
I'm gonna live it up tonight!
Princess Milerna:
I can't ride a horse in a dress, now can I?
Hitomi Kanzaki:
A knight and a princess. The perfect couple.
Van Fanel:
She's not a handmaiden. She's with me.
Princess Milerna:
Oh?
Merle:
Ohhh! No! She's with Allen!
Princess Milerna:
She's with Allen?
Hitomi Kanzaki:
No! I'm not! I mean . . .
Princess Milerna:
Oh, dear! I saw you wearing those strange clothes and I just assumed that, well . . . you know.
Merle:
That's an insult to handmaidens.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
Bad kitty!
King Aston, Jajuka:
Chivalry alone cannot protect a country, Allen Schezar.
Princess Milerna:
That dress looks great!
Merle:
You look good enough to be a handmaiden.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
Are you trying to pick a fight?
Merle:
Fighting's not very lady like.
Princess Milerna:
Men! Why is it they can't ever manage to keep their word?
Dilandau Albantau:
Cheek, cheek, cheek, cheek . . .
Folken:
Folken of Fanelia is dead.
Van Fanel:
You mean fighting to bring an end to fighting? I think you'll find there's no such thing!
Folken:
I'm a man who destroyed his homeland.
Van Fanel:
I owe Hitomi. I've got to save her.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
Com down here, you cat burglar!
Van Fanel:
Yeah, well, she seems to have followed me home.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
Great, first a wolf man, now a little cat girl.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
Little cat burglar! I'll teach you not to mess with an athlete.
Balgus:
Your Majesty, take the Escaflowne and flee and one day return and rebuild our native home. My Lord, reunite the people of Fanelia.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
Yeah, it's my good luck charm. It used to be my grandma's. It's kind of neat, actually. When you swing it back and forth, it keeps perfect time, always completing one cycle a second, never slowing down.
Van Fanel:
Look, I don't need any woman to worry about me. I guess you want a reward then. Fine! Come to my castle, just don't get cocky. I apologize for involving you and your friends in my dragon slaying. Oh, and by the way, you didn't help me slay the dragon, you know.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
[speechless for a second before she slaps him hard across the face] What is your problem? Are you always this pig-headed? I didn't help you for a reward, I , uh, just, well, I thought you were going to die and I was scared, really scared! The *least* you could do is say "thank you." You know, I shouldn't have even saved you. I should have let that stupid dragon eat you!
Hitomi Kanzaki:
They're the wings of an angel.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
This feather. There's something very, very sad about this feather.
Allen Schezar:
Van, you're coming too, aren't you? We'll meet again in Freid.
Elysse Aston:
Royalty should use its position for the sake of the people. Don't you understand, Milerna? Such egotism is an insult to your people.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
And about your wings? Don't worry, Van, because honestly, I think they're beautiful.
Van Fanel:
You and Merle are about the only ones who'd say that.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
What? Do you're putting me and Merle on the same level? Very funny.
Reeden:
If the commander dies, you're a dead man, pond scum.
Van Fanel:
Prince Chid, Allen left his own country, but he also sacrificed his own honor to warn you. What your mother told you was no lie. He's a true knight.
Hitomi Kanzaki:
You are a murderer. You are a doppleganger. You have countless faces, but none of them are your own.
Allen Schezar:
Sometimes it takes more courage to believe in someone, than to fight and dismiss them so easily.
Van Fanel:
Those invisible morons again.
Emperor Dornkirk:
Ah, the planet earth. I remember it from so long ago.
Merle:
Mrow. I never get bored of watching you. You're crazy.
Reeden:
Now you're just being snarky, your majesty.
Kio:
That little lady will be like a goddess of victory.
Alternate language version of
"Tenkû no Esukafurône" (1996)