GTX10's Review of Dragon Ball/Z/GT. JP & Uncut Funi Dubs

[GTx10]

Edit: Dragon Ball episodes 1-13 reviews can be found here:
http://www.kanzenshuu.com/forum/viewtop ... =6&t=31208

Episodes 14-etc will continue on page 2.
http://www.kanzenshuu.com/forum/viewtop ... 37#p996537

When we get to page 3, this line of text will be changed accordingly.

I recently collected all of Funimation's Blue, Orange, and Green Dragon Ball Bricks. (Alongside with the Movies and TV Specials) So I decided to watch the entire show from beginning to end. Starting with Dragon Ball and ending with Dragon Ball GT. With the Movies and TV Specials in between said episodes.
My plan is to first watch the Japanese version of a Episode, (with Steve and Clyde's Subs on) than immediately view the Uncut Funimation English dub of said episode. Now clearly, I'm more than aware of Dragon Ball's lore and characters, but I'm going to review these episodes as if I'd never seen the show before. Is Funimation's Uncut non-Kai Dub so bad? Is the Japanese dub truly brilliant like fans claim? Well before their was Super Saiya-Jins/Super Saiyans, before their was Beers-Sama/Lord Beerus, and before Trunks fudged up the Timeline, their was Son Goku and Bulma!



These images where captured from my own DVD viewings of Dragon Ball.

Dragon Ball Episode 1:
Japanese Version: --- Funimation Uncut English Dub:

1. Bulma and Son Goku --- 1. The Secret of the Dragon Balls

Son Goku - Goku

Bulma - Bulma

Pilaf-Sama - Emperor Pilaf

Nyoibou - Power Pole

Hoi Poi Capsule - Dyno Caps

So Dragon Ball starts off with the tiny monkey tailed boy Son Goku (simply Goku in the Dub), living his life in the Mountains. Miles away from the city. Despite claiming to be a human, Goku clearly has super human strength. Like Lifting tree stumps, and surviving being shot point blank with a gun!
Speaking of which, the person who shot Son Goku was Bulma! A cute blue haired girl, searching for the Seven Magical Dragon Balls. It seems these seven Dragon Balls when gathered unleashes the “lord of dragons” Shen Long! Who can grant anyone any single wish they want! Using a device called the Dragon radar, that Bulma invented, she has found one Dragon Ball so far. (Her first ball was found in her house’s storeroom. Now she has two!) Son Goku has one of these Dragon Balls, a memento of his dead Grandfather.
Bulma cons Son Goku into joining her on her quest to collect the balls by dangling adventure and fighting interesting people in front of his face. The two pair up and now with three Dragon Balls in their collection, the duo journey out to see the world and collect a dragon’s balls! Eh…I mean the Dragon Balls!

Son Goku is presented as a “Tarzon like” loner. Raised in the mountains, Goku is ignorant, not knowing what a motor bike looks like. Heck he had no idea Bulma was also human like him! (Thou I question how much of a human, Goku is…) His Grandfather told him about girls and the city, but it wasn’t unto Bulma showed up that Goku now, actually knows what these things are!
Son Goku doesn’t understand the difference between the female and male anatomy, and wonders why Bulma lacks a tail. Goku isn’t aware of Bulma using him to get her way and doesn’t seem to understand that the giant Pterodactyl (that tries to eat Bulma during the adventure) is lying upon his “friendship” relationship with Bulma. Goku has a red pole that expands and contracts depending on Goku’s needs. It’s called the Noyibou.

Bulma is presented as a blue haired “double-talker”. She tells Goku “you’ll see the world with me!” But merely wants to use the boy as a body guard. (Because of his super human strength) She is clearly intelligent, seeing as she created a device that can locate the mysterious Dragon Balls. Bulma lacks the super human strength that Goku has, opting to use typical items a human would use to defend themselves, like a gun.

The other characters introduced are Pilaf-Sama (Emperor Pilaf in the Dub) and his two minions. At this point, Pilaf is short, blue and wants to rule the world. (By using the Dragon Balls) I’m confident in saying that Pilaf is not a human like, say Bulma is. I assume?!

The world of Dragon Ball takes heavy inspiration from Chinese art, Son Goku’s house while merely a hunt in the middle of nowhere, contains lovely vases and paintings? I’m not sure. Anyway, I find myself liking the motor vehicles of the world. Bulma’s motor cycle has a nice oval shape to it that just looks great.

Overall a solid start to the franchise. Sadly the Brick sets lack a next episode preview so I can’t say what nonsense Son Goku and Bulma will get into. But I’m sure with Bulma’s snooty uptightness and Son’s Tarzon style way of life, the two will clash and bring laughs for me to enjoy! After all this whole World is one big treasure island, that’s right! Now’s the time for Adventure!

FUN FACTS:
Son Goku's first word(s) in the Japanese Version are "Hiya!" While in the Uncut Funi Dub is first words are "Hi! Just hanging around?"

Bulma said their was a rumor of someone who collected all seven Dragon Balls and “…became a king!” That was a long time ago.

Bulma’s first wish was a unlimted supply of strawberries, than it turned into wanting a cute boyfriend. In the Dub Bulma wishes for a cute boyfriend, no mention of strawberries.

The Uncut Funi Dub mentions Shu's name. The Japanese Dub did not name him. Same goes for Goku's Grandfather. His name is Gohan. Finally the English Dub, mentions that Goku was orphaned, found, and raised by Gohan. The Japanese version did not imply all of this.

Bulma gets Son Goku to join her by saying "you'll see the world and fight strong people." Plus Goku's grandfather instructed him to be nice towards girls. Goku has to be nice towards Bulma by joining her. The English Dub implies that Gohan would be proud of Goku to journey the world.

Finally in the Japanese version Son Goku defeats the Pterodactyl with seemingly no moral complications. While the Dub implies that Goku doesn't like hurting folks, but had no choice.

[Valerius Dover]

I'm lovin' this thread so far! A full comparison of the series in Japanese and English. And you even made it fair by comparing the uncut versions!

I haven't seen it in Japanese yet, so the strawberries bit was something I didn't know about, XD.

One question. When you get to DBZ and DBGT, will you be selecting the JP or US music for the dub? Personally, I'd recommend the latter since it would allow interesting ways to compare the different takes on music of the two as well as the dialog.

But yeah, good luck on this ambitious project! 1 down and 507 episodes to go, not to mention Specials and Movies. I shall be tuning in intently!

[GTx10]

I'm lovin' this thread so far! A full comparison of the series in Japanese and English. And you even made it fair by comparing the uncut versions!

I haven't seen it in Japanese yet, so the strawberries bit was something I didn't know about, XD.

One question. When you get to DBZ and DBGT, will you be selecting the JP or US music for the dub? Personally, I'd recommend the latter since it would allow interesting ways to compare the different takes on music of the two as well as the dialog.

But yeah, good luck on this ambitious project! 1 down and 507 episodes to go, not to mention Specials and Movies. I shall be tuning in intently!

Thanks bro! Your feedback makes doing this feel meaningful! This is something I wanted to do for a long while and now after collecting every Funi Brick I can accomplish this task! My plan was to watch the English version with the "Original" Japanese music track on. Since Dragon Ball lacks a US score, it only makes sense to follow suit with Z and GT. I suppose for "Key scenes" like Son Goku becoming a SS1 for the first time I can have the US Broadcast Music on as a "third viewing" option. But right now, the intended Tracks I've chosen are Original Japanese and US Voices with "Original" Japanese music.

[Valerius Dover]

Ah, well I understand your idea there. By all means, proceed as planned since the script seems to be the primary focus. I don't think a third for key scenes would be necessary since we all know how they play out, pretty much.

Either way, still got a long way before you get there, anyway. This is going to be interesting for sure. I felt like the quality of threads was going down here for a while, but then this came along!

[GTx10]

Let the journey continue! Bring on episode 2!!!

Japanese Version ------ Uncut Funi Dub
2. “What the…?! No Balls!” ----- 2. “The Emperor’s Quest”

Names:

Mai - Mai

Not revealed yet - Shu/Shao

Ryugadani - Skull Valley

Kame (Turtle) - Not revealed. But is clearly a turtle

Not revealed yet - Grandpa Gohan

Bulma and Son Goku continue their journey to search for the Dragon Balls and decide to camp (in a house) for the night. As Bulma baths Goku, she freaks out over Son’s tail. It’s real! Bulma than baths and when Goku offers to help (in return for her kindness) she kicks him out because he’s 14 and she is 16.
Goku doesn’t like “normal people” food so he decides to go outside and hunt for food. Pilaf sends Mai (the girl minion) and the ninja dog (name not revealed) to Ryugadani, after Mai relays a report of a possible Dragon Ball being there. Ultimately Goku, Mai and the Ninja Dog end up in this valley. Goku mistakes their plane for a big bird.
It turns out the possible Dragon Ball there is in fact a pack of wild wolfs! (Their red eyes mistaken for a Dragon Ball’s glow) Son Goku beats up some wolfs and Pilaf’s crew flee for their lives. (Goku realizes that their plane is not a bird as well) Returning home, Goku eats his cached prey (a wolf and centipede). Son wants to sleep on Bulma’s lap and she refuses, in the moaning Son attempts to lay on the sleeping Bulma’s lap.
He pats her crotch and removes her under wear. She lacks balls… Goku’s panic only lasts for a moment as he instead decides to work out! Crushing small boulders is Goku’s workout regime. He mistakes a boulder for a turtle and after feeding the sea fairer, Goku and a grudge filled Bulma decide to help the turtle find his way back to the sea.

FUN FACTS:

Bulma went from Pink clothes to biker clothes.

First usage of the word Pichi-Pichi Gal.

Bulma is freaked by Goku’s tail. And she herself is not totally aware of the male anatomy. Goku’s grandpa did not have a tail.

Goku says he is 14. Bulma is 16.

Goku thinks bread and coffee do not taste good. A wolf is more to his liking.

Mai says Son must be from the “sticks” due to his outfit.

Son says Roasted Chicken is one of his favorite foods.

Goku would sleep in his Grandpa’s lap…

Goku says he was abandoned in the mountains when he was a baby. But than “Grandpa” found him and took him in. Bulma thinks Son was abandoned because of his tail…


Goku pats Bulma’s crotch. Goku freaks over Bulma’s lack of male genitals lol.

Bulma wants Goku to call her Bulma-San because he is addressing her to formally. (I'm under the impression that the lack of "San" means said people are close.)

First appearance of “Kame.” (Turtle) He went picking for mushrooms and got lost. It’s been a year since than.

US Version FUN FACTS:

Goku doesn’t like the Dyno Caps and claims that his Grandpa told him to only use Magic if its to help someone.

In The Jap Version Bulma kicks Goku out of the bathroom for being 14, in the Dub it’s simply a matter of “Goku, I don’t want your help to bath, get out!”

First mention of Mai’s name. "Agent Mai".

Mai calls Shu, “Shao” during the valley scene.

Gohan found Goku on a “little bed of moss…”

The Opening and Ending Theme Songs:

I like the Japanese opening "Mystical Adventure" But I'd be remiss if I also didn't say I like the Funi English version more. Don't get me wrong, both versions capture the feel of the show, the epic journey for the Dragon Balls! However the Funi version has a bit more "Pop" to it! The high pitch male voice just works for me.
The same can be said for my like of the Japanese and Funi Ending themes. "I'll give you Romance." The Japanese version is a bit too 80's soft, while the Funi version is a bit more romantic? Honestly it comes down to personal taste.
Honestly my favorite version of I'll Give you Romance is the Toonami "short version" that aired back in the day. It was simply edited as "Be as free as you can be A childlike love of fantasy...Make your dreams come true, you’ll see fantasy Magic can happen to you!" It was short and sweet.
It's also my understanding that Funimation did not include the First version of the ending credits. (Which features different still scenes) But rather the ending credits in the Blue Brick are the Second set of stills. (Featuring Kuririn and such)

[Valerius Dover]

Huh, I guess there's no way I would've remembered, but the name "Shao" was dropped once in the dub?

Funny thing is, I've been hearing people say the name's been thrown around again in the dub of Resurrection F.

[GTx10]

Huh, I guess there's no way I would've remembered, but the name "Shao" was dropped once in the dub?

Funny thing is, I've been hearing people say the name's been thrown around again in the dub of Resurrection F.

Ya it is strange. Because before the scene (in the dark valley) Pilaf calls Shu; "Shu" multiple times. (In the Uncut Funi Dub) than this scene occurs and Mai calls him "Shao". I'm sure it was a carry over from a older Dub. (Since the Uncut Funi Dub, still contains some of its "colorful edited" dubbed lines here and there) It seems Funi simply went back and changed lines from "I'll destroy you" to "I'll Kill you" for the Uncut Dub. Expect in some cases like the beginning episodes of Dragon Ball and Z where they redubbed the scenes to match the Uncut footage.



This is a comparison between the Manga and its TV version. I LOVE how in the Manga Mr. Toriyama added a little alien ship to the scene. Little touches like that are awesome. Sadly the TV scene just gets falling comets...Lame!

[UltimateHammerBro]

Keep up with your project, it's good to see an in-depth comparison! I'd recommend you to add a bit of formatting and make the "US version Fun Facts" stand out a bit more, since the regular episode review is something we know more about.

My plan was to watch the English version with the "Original" Japanese music track on. Since Dragon Ball lacks a US score, it only makes sense to follow suit with Z and GT. I suppose for "Key scenes" like Son Goku becoming a SS1 for the first time I can have the US Broadcast Music on as a "third viewing" option. But right now, the intended Tracks I've chosen are Original Japanese and US Voices with "Original" Japanese music.

I'd advise you to do it the other way round: watch the English dub with the replacement score when possible, since that's what they had in mind when dubbing it. That way, you could compare it "as it was originally conceived" and "as it was originally intended for the US version", except for censorship of course. It's also interesting to see things such as "the original Japanese score makes this scene tragic while the US score uses action music". Some dubbed scenes, at least in my opinion, feel a bit flat when they're seen with the original score.

[GTx10]

Episode 3 of Dragon Ball:

Japanese Version:
The Turtle Hermit’s Kinto Un

FUN FACTS:

First time Bulma calls Son Goku “Son Kun”

First usage of Rock, Paper, Scissors Attack.

“Tori Bot” Says “Penguin Village…this is not.”

The First appearance of Turtle Hermit

Immortal Phoenix, died of food poisoning last year.

Kinto Un, the flying cloud.

Hermit says there is only the one Kinto Un

Kame House first appears

Three Star Ball first appears

Turtle Hermit found the Three Star Ball at the bottom of the ocean about a 100 years ago.

_________________________________________________________________________________

US Uncut Funi Dub Version:

The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi

FUN FACTS:

Goku does not say "Rock, Paper, Scissors." But rather, “1...2...3...” Than attacks

First appearance of “Master Roshi, the Turtle Hermit” Mention is made of Roshi being a master and training.

The Immortal Phoenix becomes a Magic Carpet in the Dub.

Said carpet is at the Cleaners.

Kinto Un is called the Flying Nimbus in the Dub.

The Three Star Ball Washed up on Roshi’s island


_______________________________________________

Episode Review:

Continuing on from episode 2, Son Goku and Bulma escort the sea turtle to the ocean. After a rumble with a giant bear, the three arrive at the ocean! The sea turtle wants to present a gift to the pair. Leaving, the turtle later returns with a old man!
The Turtle Hermit is his name, and after a failed attempt to call a immortal phoenix, the old man calls upon the Kinto Un! A flying cloud that only Son can ride, because he is pure of heart. Something the old man and Bulma lack! Bulma wants her gift too!
The old fart will only give up a gift after Bulma shows off her panties! With only a moments hesitation, Bulma flashes her bare crotch at the Turtle Hermit! (Recall that Goku removed her underwear in the last episode) The Turtle Hermit has a nose bleed and gives up his 3 Star Drgon Ball! Everybody parts ways, Goku and Bulma continue their search as the Turtle Hermit has a humorous run in with Pilaf and his gang.

Son Goku is still portrayed as a naïve, care free young boy, while Bulma continues to do whatever under handed deed needed to get the Dragon Balls. Even going as far as to flash her under garments! The Turtle Hermit is presented as...well just that! A old man with a decent house mind you, who doesn't mind asking lady ladies for a little skin! Ultimately harmless, but is clearly strong. (As seen by his ability to bust a hole in a metal plane using his walking stick!) Now with four Dragon Balls in tow, Bulma and Son-Kun continue their journey, and word has it that a Village is being tormented by someone named after Asian Tea!

[GTx10]

Dragon Ball Episode 4:

While on the hunt for the fifth Dragon Ball, Son Goku and Bulma wind up in a village. The villagers live in terror, a shape shifting Youkai known as Oolong has kidnapped three of their young girls! But Bulma cares little for that! “Hey do ya folks have a ball that looks like this Dragon Ball?” She asks.
“I have a similar ball!” A old woman replies. By Joe it is a Dragon Ball! The Six Star Ball too!
Bulma wants it. But the old lady won’t hand it over. So Bulma thinks of a plan! “Son-Kun will beat up Oolong, save your missing girls and than the Dragon Ball is ours!” The plan is under way and Son Goku has to dress like a girl to fool Oolong! Right on time, Oolong shows up and notices Son-Kun’s Nyoibou! But not his clearly visible tail…
Anyway, Oolong thinks the disguised Goku is shaking in terror over his appearance. (Goku really just has to pee)
So Oolong changes into a handsome man. “Hey sexy! Check out my 85 size bust!” Bulma declares, memorized at Oolong’s beautiful face. Oolong can’t decide! Bulma or Son Goku?! (Which he thinks is a village girl)
Well Oolong doesn’t have to think to hard over this question, Goku blows the whole operation by peeing!
Oolong hates men and changes into a giant cow, hoping to scare Son-Kun off. It doesn’t work, so Oolong runs away. Goku chases after the giant pig, only to find a tiny pig dressed in Communist clothes!
In turns out that the little pig man is Oolong! But nobody knows this! His 5 minute transformation time limit was up and he reverted to his normal look. Goku pays no mind to this tiny pig and after a minute, Oolong changes into a giant mecha man!
“I’ll dump you into my soup kid! Beat it now or else!” Goku ain’t worried about nothing! Goku is clearly stronger than Oolong, so the transformed pig flees the scene!
Son Goku chases after him and captures him!
It’s revealed that the tree girls Oolong kidnapped live the High Life in his home! Oolong wanted a humble quiet village girl because, the three he stole in the past, are all snooty! With the girls saved, Bulma is given the Six Star Dragon Ball!
With the closing credits, sung and done, I now ponder the Next Episode!… The Lack of Episode Preview really is a downer…
So our two protagonists so far. Bulma and Son Goku, what do we know about them?

Son Goku: 14 years old

Orphaned as a child and found by a man, he calls his Grandpa. His Grandfather taught him Kung Fu and gave him general knowledge on things like people and civilization. Manly that these things exist! Other than that Son-Kun is ignorant of pretty much everything. Only fighting, and hunting come naturally to him.
That’s all we know about Son Goku! Bulma implies that perhaps Son’s tail, a odd trait to be sure is the reason his parents abandoned him! (She is cruel!) One has to wonder, is Son Goku so super human strong because of his Grandfather’s Kung Fu upbringing? What kind of Martial Arts training allows someone to survive gun fire and a Ax to the head?! Goku says he’s a human, but I question this. So that begs the question, what the hell is Son Goku?!

Bulma: 16 years old

A normal girl who wants a boyfriend. She is intelligent, evidenced by creating a handheld device that can locate these mysterious Dragon Balls. She’s conniving, using Son-Kun as a body guard. She’ll reveal her undergarments to get a Dragon Ball if need be!
So it’s safe to say she’s pretty selfish. Selfish, petty, and spoiled. She is from the city and…that’s it!

Honestly not much character for these two. A wild mountain boy, and a self indulged teen girl. No doubt their differences lead to hilarious situations but here is what I wanna know:

1. What is Son Goku? He can’t be human…Cough

2. This Grandpa of Goku’s sounds interesting. Who is this mysterious man who raised his monkey boy.

3. Any back story on Bulma.

Japanese Version: / US Uncut Funi Dub:

"Oolong, the Kidnapping Monster" / "Oolong the Terrible"

Son Goku can "sense" people / Goku can "feel" that people are there

Old village woman says her Grandma
found the Dragon Ball a long time ago / The Old village woman says the Dragon Ball has been in her family for generations

The Village girls kidnapped by Oolong are named:

Hog-Chan / Alexy
Lee / Little Flower
Hedge / Sarah

Goku was taught "Kung Fu" / Goku was taught "Karate"

Episode notes:

Oolong's first appearance: He has a 5 minute transformation limit. After this time limit, he must wait 1 minute before changing again. Oolong can transform into anything he desires within that 5 minute time period.

The Dub says Oolong went to shape shifting school. No mention of such place in the Japanese version, yet.

Oolong says Bulma is older than him. (Japanese dub only)

Bulma's bust size is 85. (Jap Dub)

First appearance of the Six Star Dragon Ball.

The Dub explains that the villagers have a Legend of a Boy who will topple a giant and ride the clouds. (The Japanese version has none of this)

Edit: As of right now Six of the Seven Dragon Balls have been found. Here is the list:

1. Two Star Ball found in Bulma’s storeroom in her house. Bulma has it

2. Four Star Ball is with Goku

3. Five Star Ball found in a valley to the North. Bulma has it.

4. One Star Ball found in a creepy castle. Pilaf now has it.

5. Six Star Ball found by village old lady’s grandma a long time ago. Now in Bulma's hands.

6. Three Star Ball found by Roshi 100 years ago. Now in Bulma's hands.

7. Unknown at this time.

[Valerius Dover]

Really interesting stuff!

Oolong is younger than Bulma in the Japanese version? Hmm, his dub voice and mannerisms would have us believe otherwise.

[ShadowBardock89]

So, is this your first time watching the ENTIRE franchise all the way through?

[huzaifa_ahmed]

So, is this your first time watching the ENTIRE franchise all the way through?

I think many folk have also had this. Watching out of order, I mean. As for myself...

1. Kuririn, Piccolo, and Gohan vs. Vegeta. Kuririn uses Kienzan (as he said, "DESTRUCTO DISC!!" lol) friend's house Toonami 2001
2. The Golden Warrior gets a commercial, and a purple-haired swordsman comes in the papers (Legacy of Goku - I purchased, Spring 2002)
2."Violence is not the answer!" Golden-haired warrior versus "Cooler" Toonami 2002
3. What is this? A bubble-gum monster transforms! -Toonami, late 2002
4. Second Budokai commences! This "Bardock" is Goku's father?! - May 2003 on my cousin's PS2
5. History of Trunks (commercial) A green horror named Cell! Bruce Faulconer terrifies a young home-alone boy! (Library dub VHS, January 2004)
6. "Lord Slug" friend of Piccolo? August 2004
7. "Step in tudduh *GRAND TOUR*! Baby approaches!"- ~2004, finally got cable
8. A grand journey begins! Jump super Dragon Ball blowout! - (Borders, Shonen Jump, September 2007)
9."Bye-bye, Dragon World!"- (Library, May 2008)
10.A long lost brother returns! A curious Saturday morning (Kai, January 2014)
11. Return to the motherland! The music is Japanese?! (Joining Kanzenshuu and the DBZ sub-reddit, Spring 2015, in hype for RoF and Super, and discovering a ton of stuff on the Net, clearing any misconceptions I had on this story)


Not once is there a full run-through of the anime. Just the manga. With Viz mistakes, as well.

[GTx10]

So, is this your first time watching the ENTIRE franchise all the way through?

Yup! Like everyone else I've seen certain sagas like the Demon King Piccolo Saga or the Namek Saga for example, but not everything. Speaking of which episode 5 should be up today after work.

[GTx10]

New Review! Bring on episode 5!!!

Bulma and Son Goku continue on their travels, while bringing along Oolong! Bulma feels his transforming ability could come in handy! Upon hearing that the duo our heading to Mt. Frypan, Oolong panics! The Demon Ox King lives there and he kills folks who get to close to his mountain!
Oolong makes a break for it, but Bulma lures the pig with her panties! Classy. Bulma feeds Oolong a candy ball, it turns out to be a candy she made to keep him from running away again. It’s called the P P Candy and whenever anyone yells Pee Pee, Oolong is struck with epic diarrhea! Cruel. Bulma’s Hoi Poi Capsules go missing, she thinks she dropped them, and the trio have to traverse the land on foot.
In the desert, lives a bandit named Yamucha, he lives with his side kick Pu-erh. They notice the trio and proceed to steal their money and Hoi Poi Capsules! Yamucha demands their goods, but Oolong says “Goku can beat you up!” and so Son Goku and Yamucha battle.
They are even, until Son-Kun attacks Yamucha with the Nyoibou! Yamucha notes the pole, only one man owned said pole. In turns out Goku’s grandpa is Son Gohan! A Martial Artist of great skill and unparalleled fighting ability!
Yamucha has finally found a worthwhile opponent! Time to bust out the Wolf Fang Gale Fist! Yamucha’s personal attack. With powerful strikes Yamucha blows Goku into nearby stone pillars and wins.
Oolong tries to escape by transforming into a fly. But Pu-erh who went to the same transforming school as him, changes into a fly swatter and smacks Oolong! Goku emerges from the rubble, mad and hungry. Son-Kun attacks Yamucha with his Rock, Paper, Scissors attack and wins! Yamucha is pissed off now! Rushing at Son-Kun in fury, Yamucha is blindsided by the awakened Bulma! (Who was sleeping during this battle) She is beautiful and Yamucha is super nervous around women. Retreating, Yamucha swears to steal their Capsules eventually! While Bulma wants to know who the cute guy was!

Japanese Version FUN FACTS:

Episode Title: “Yamucha, the Strong Yet Cruel Desert Bandit”

Bulma thinks Oolong’s transforming ability will come in handy. She uses her sexual tactics to get him to play along.

The trio are heading to Mt. Frypan. The terrifying "Gyumao" lives there.

Bulma made "P P Candy" and whoever eats it gets diarrhea when somebody yells "Pee Pee." The effects of said Candy last one month.

First appearance of Pu-erh and Yamucha.

Pu-erh and Oolong went to the Sourthern Transformation School back when they were small. Oolong was a bully to Pu-erh. Oolong was kicked out for stealing a female teacher’s panties.

Goku’s Grandpa is named Son Gohan. Yamucha is aware of the Nyoibou’s power. Yamucha claims that “Son Gohan is such an expert that for every martial art there is, he has no equel!”

Oolong has heard of Son Gohan as well.

Yamucha's special attack is the Roga Fufu-Ken (Wolf Fang Gale Fist)

Pu-erh can transform too.

M Sized capsules sell for good money.

Yamucha is super nervous around girls.


_______________________


US Version FUN FACTS:

The Episode title is "Yamcha the Desert Bandit"

The terrifying Ox King lives on Fire Mountain. A mountain that is always on fire!

Bulma's vitamin causes Oolong to have epic diarrhea whenever someone yells "Piggy Piggy."

First appearance of Puar and Yamcha

Yamcha's special attack is Dubbed the Wolf Fang Fist.

[GTx10]

Sorry for the long wait! Now bring on Episode 6 and 7!

Episode 6 of Dragon Ball:

It turns out Oolong’s M Capsule was a mobile home! So our heroes live in the well prepared mobile home. Mai and Shu attempt to place on a bomb on mobile car, however it gets stuck to Shu’s hand! What now?! They run off in a panic.
Yamucha wants their capsule still so he decides to sneek around their mobile car. Peering into one of the mobile home’s windows, Yamucha sees Bulma bathing! He panics! It doesn’t last long because he over hears Son-Kun talking to Oolong about the Dragon Balls.
“I’ll get those Dragon Balls and wish for confidence around woman!“ He declares. Meanwhile Bulma complains that she has no clean clothes to sleep in. “Sleep in the nude.” Retorts Oolong, but not before you drink my orange juice!
Goku and Bulma drink said juice and pass out! Oolong drugged them! He plans to feel Bulma up. As Oolong sneeks upstairs to grope Bulma, Yamucha and Pu-erh break into the mobile home!
Pu-erh changes into Son-Kun and heads to the higher floor of the home. “Crap! I’ll be caught!” Oolong changes into Bulma and gets lured outside by Pu-erh.
Yamucha thinks he found the trio’s Dragon Balls, but it turns out to be a naked Bulma! Hearing Yamucha’s panic filled cry, Pu-erh flies over to Yamucha and takes the boob eyed bandit home. Oolong stays up all night to watch for Yamucha and Goku and Bulma finally awake. It turns out Oolong does have a outfit for Bulma!
It’s a Play Boy Play Mate style bunny costume! No time to complain thou because Yamucha attacks again! He fires a rocket at the mobile home, and BOOM its down! He and Goku fight again, and Son knocks Yamucha’s tooth out!
“My face! You punk!” Yamucha flees. Not soon after Yamucha returns, this time giving the trio a new capsule. It’s a car!
Yamucha has a tracking device on the car, he plans to have the trio gather the balls. Once they do, he’ll snatch them up! Shuu and Mai finally get to place the bomb properly onto the trio’s mobile home. But because of Yamucha’s rocket launcher attack, the two think it went off before its dead line.
They were wrong and the bomb blows up on them! With Bulma knocked out due to Yamucha’s rocket attack, Goku and Oolong continue down the path to Mt. Frypan!

Japanese Version: Episode Title:
"Midnight Callers"

US Funi Uncut Dub: Episode Title:
Keep an Eye on the Dragon Balls

Episode Fun Facts:

In the Japanese Dub Pu-erh has known Yamucha for "2 years come next month." In the Uncut Funi Dub, the pair have known each other for "2 years, 1 month, and 3 days".

Oolong had a Mobile Home Capsule. Presumably it was the M Capsule that Yamucha tried to steal in the previous episode.

Yamucha's wish is to "not lose his cool around girls". The Bandit actually yearns to get married! Pu-erh makes a comment to the effect "So (Yamucha) you do like girls..."

Episode 7 of Dragon Ball:

As the trio head to Mt. Frypan, Bulma notes that it is hotter outside. Oolong explains that its because of Mt. Frypan. The trio come face to face with the mountain, and it is on fire! Meanwhile Yamucha follows the tree and runs into a little girl!
She is being chased by a dinosaur, she is scared and crying, duh! But in her panic she whips her tomahawk like knife from her helmet and cuts the dino’s head off! Still flustered, she blasts the beheaded creature with a beam from her helmet! Yamuaha is shocked, but says hello to her.
She thinks he is a threat and shoots Yamucha with the same beam! He dodges the beam and knocks her out! Meanwhile Son Goku can’t reach the castle on Frypan because of its flames; that’s when Bulma and Oolong meet the Ox Demon King! He believes they are treasure hunters and wants them gone!
Him and Goku battle! “Hey is the Nyoiboi and Kinto Un?” Do you know Mutin Roshi and Son Gohan?” “I do!” replies Goku.
Over joyed the Demon Emperor is now asking Son-Kun to locate the Turtle Hermit and ask him for the “Basho Fan.” A fan that can quell the flames on Frypan. Goku will do it, in exchange for the Ox King’s Dragon Ball. “Oh by the way, look out for my daughter Chi-Chi!” Says the Ox Demon King.
It turns out that the girl Yamucha knocked out earlier was the Ox King’s only child! “Crap!” Yamucha says as he heads back to awaken the knocked out girl. He claims he knocked her out cuz he loves her. Goku appears and Yamucha flees. Goku and Chi-Chi meet and the little girl hops onto Kinto Un to aid Son in looking for Mutin Roshi. Goku pats Chi-Chi’s groin and she feels they must be together now because of it! The duo find the Hermit’s island home and greet the Old Man!
Meanwhile Pilaf tortures Mai and Shuu over their failure to collect the Dragon Balls. (P.S. Goku’s weakness is his tail and Yamucha is only afraid of women his age)

Japanese Version: Episode Title:
"Mt. Frypan's Gyumao"

US Funi Uncut Dub: Episode Title:
"The Ox King of Fire Mountain"

Episode Fun Facts:

In the Japanese Dub, Mt. Frypan was once called Chilly Mountain. But a fire spirit came from the sky and lit it on fire ten years ago. In the Uncut Funi Dub: Oolong explains that Ox King gave money to a wizard to create a wall of flames around his castle. To protect it. It went out of control and backfired.

In the Japanese version The Narrator says the ninja dog’s name! It’s “Shuu.”

Gyuman is called the “Demon Emperor”. (Japanese Version)

First Appearance of Gyumao and Chi-Chi.

The name “Roshi” is first said in the Japanese dub.

Gyumao knows Roshi and Gohan. Son Gohan was Roshi’s 1# pupil while Gyumao was Pupil #2.

The "Basho Fan", it can put out Frypan’s flames. Pronounced "Bansho" Fan in the Dub.

Son-Kun’s weakness is his tail being pulled.

In the Japanese version Oolong knows so much about the Ox Demon King because he learned of him in school. In the Uncut Dub Oolong was a Tour guide for the local chamber of commerce.

Only girls within Yamucha’s age scare him. Little girls do not. According to both the Japanese and Uncut Dub Versions:


My thoughts so far about Dragon Ball:

With five main characters I can’t help but draw parallels to another of Toei’s popular programs; the Super Sentai Franchise. Known in the Western world as the Power Rangers Franchise, these various installments involve five characters battling evil monsters. Often times not all five characters are freshed out. Dragon Ball suffers from that issue too.
The best examples being everyone but Son Goku. Son Goku believes he was abandoned in the mountains and Son Gohan raised him. He’s ignorant, naïve, and well versed in combat because of his upbringing. It makes sense!
Bulma is from the city and can create useful items, but how? We know nothing of her past, or why she is so smart. She’s on Vacation from school, yet traveling the world at 16?! Where are her parents, and why is Yamucha living in the dessert with a cat?! Why is Oolong so perverse?
I could go on and on. Seven episodes in and the most interesting character is Son Gohan! By virtue of all the mysterious surrounding him. Everyone knows him and speaks highly of him, but what killed such a renowned Martial Arts Master?! Or was it old age?
The characters look great however and the locations invoke a great sense of mystical Chinese fantasy-ism. Dragon Ball blends modern 80’s technology and Chinese fantasy look surprisingly well! I still feel Chi-Chi’s look is revealing for her age. I’m guessing she is around Son-Kun’s age (cough!) but even as a kid, I thought her outfit was too much. It made my child mind think…things…(cough!)
The Ox Demon King looks so goofy compared to his “Demon Emperor” persona and backstory. But I like it. Son Goku is plain, I like the color of his Gi but yeah plain. Oolong’s outfit is great satire but admitting plain.
Bulma is there for the fans to “fap” over honestly. That Bunny costume, man… I think that’s self explanatory… Well with the first Disc of Dragon Ball Season 1 finished, it’s time to move on to Disc Two and continue our adventures through the World of Dragon Ball!

[GTx10]

I'm back with two episodes of Dragon Ball! Let's waste no more time and jump in!

Episode 8:

Son Goku and Chi-Chi find Mutin Roshi’s Island thanks to a talking Dolphin. The old man is happy to see Son-Kun and is glad that Kinto Un is working out so well for him. The Turtle Hermit says God himself gave him the flying cloud! Chi-Chi tests the old man to see if he really is the Legendary Mutin Roshi. She tosses her detachable blade and BAM, hits Roshi!
It’s not until the old man reveals his Driver License that Chi-Chi believes that he is indeed Mutin Roshi. Goku needs the Basho fan, because it can remove the flames from Mt. Frypan with its various swings. But the Turtle Hermit dropped soup on it, so he threw it out! But no worries he’ll go to Mt. Frypan and put the flames out himself!
Flying to the Mountain on Baby Gamera, Roshi prepares to put the flames out, but with a catch! He wants to poke Bulma’s breasts! (Take a romantic walk with her around his island in the Uncut Dub) “Fine! But only if you get rid of the flames!” Says Bulma. It’s a Pinky swear!
Roshi bulks up and unleashes a giant energy beam upon Mt. Frypan, called the Kamehame-Ha! Roshi put out the flames, but annihilated the Demon Ox King’s Castle! Bulma and Oolong search the castle remains for the 7th Star Dragon Ball. Son Goku wants to learn the Kamehame-Ha but the Turtle Hermit claims it took him 50 years to master the technique. Goku tries it out and fires a mini Kamehame-Ha at Bulma’s car, destroying it.
“I would expect nothing less from Son Gohan’s grandson!” Says the Demon Ox King. “What?! That’s Gohan’s grandson!” Asks Roshi.
Roshi is shocked, but asks Son-Kun about Gohan. Hearing that Son Gohan is dead saddens the Turtle Hermit, but he’s interested in training Goku. Goku will take the offer after he has gathered all the Dragon Balls.
Bulma and Oolong find the 7th Sta Dragon Ball and the Demon Ox King gives the trio a old hover car.
But Roshi wants his boob poke! Bulma makes Oolong transform into her and do the deed. Oolong gets back at Bulma by flashing the old man and motor boating him. (The Uncut Dub follows suit) Bulma is pissed!
Son Goku, Oolong, and Bulma drive off into the sunset, heading for the final Dragon Ball. But before they leave Chi-Chi asks Goku that when they are older will Son-Kun come back to make her his bride? Goku is confused, but says that if that is what she wants, OK he’ll do it! With Yamucha and Pu-erh following the trio from afar, the search for the Dragon Balls continue! Oh, and Mutin Roshi drank a potion that gave him eternal life!

Episode FUN FACTS:

The Japanese episode title is: "The Turtle Hermit's Kamehameha"

The Uncut Funi Dub title is: "The Kamehameha Wave"

“Kami-Sama” (aka God) himself gave Roshi the Kinto Un.

Roshi has a Driver’s License.

Basho Fan: “One swing will bring about a heavy wind, two swings will summon the clouds, and a third swing will bring down a tremendous torrent of rain.”

In the Japanese Version Roshi drank a potion that gives him eternal life. In the Uncut Dub Roshi drank from the Fountain of Youth.

Roshi can summon Baby Gamera. While in the Uncut Dub it is said as "Gamela." (Perhaps to avoid legal issues, or they didn't realize it was a Gamera parody, so they Romanized it...? Who knows!)

The KaMeHaMeHa is “one of Muten Roshi’s special techniques, in which all of the latent energy within the user’s body is concentrated and then released at once!” It took 50 long years to master the technique.

Yamucha has a Silver Star Capsule. It is a hover car and it is faster than a four wheeled car.


Episode 9:

Traveling west Son Goku, Bulma, and Oolong drive into a mushroom filled town to refuel on gas. But the residents are terrified of Bulma! Grabbing a change of clothes, Bulma notices she is still wearing the bunny ears item on her head. She removes it and now everyone is cool around her.
Meanwhile the residents are harassed by two men in uniform, wearing bunny ears! They take a internet in Bulma, but when she insults them its up to Goku to fight them! Goku beats them and the two thugs call their boss, Rabbit Carrot Transformer!
The boss shows up and wants to shake Bulma’s hand, is he nice? Nope! As soon as Bulma slaps his hand away, she turns into a carrot! Son-Kun can use the Nyoiboi to battle the boss rabbit, but he threatens to eat carrot Bulma!
Goku backs down and gets beat up by the grunts he previously beat up. Yamucha has Pu-erh change into a bird and steal the carrot. It works and the heroes now have Bulma carrot! Transformer reverts Bulma to normal and Son Goku escorts the three badies to the moon with his Nyoiboi!


Episode FUN FACTS:

The Japanese version is titled: “The Rabbit Boss’s Special Technique”

The Uncut Dub title is: “Boss Rabbit’s Magic Touch”

A house capsule costs half a million Zeni. (I believe this is the first mention of Dragon Ball's currency. Unless it was covered already. I don't remember my old reviews lol)

In the Japanese version, the boss of the Rabbit Gang is named "Usagi Ninjinka". (“Rabbit Carrot Transformer”) In the Uncut Dub he is named "Monster Carrot."

The Nyoiboi can extend so far, it can take Goku and the Rabbit Gang to the moon!

Goku can breath in space.??? (I told you he can't be human! Plus, during the episode he thinks of a carrot. Cough!)

In the Uncut Dub Bulma refers to Dyno Caps as "XP6's" and "XP7's". Perhaps these are model numbers. (Based on context, this seems legit)

[Valerius Dover]

Alright, keep 'em coming.

Always found Monster Carrot to be a rather odd name. Oh, and Roshi didn't drink from the Fountain of Youth in the original? Wonder what the deal with that potion was....

[GTx10]

I'm back with two more episodes of Dragon Ball! Let's begin!

Episode 10:
Oolong, Son Goku and Bulma continue their travels, Yamucha and Pu-erh following close behind. Thanks to Mai’s spying cyborg crow, Pilaf has Shuu ambush Son-Kun, Oolong, and Bulma. Using a mini robot to blow up their car, Shuu steals five of their Dragon Balls and returns to Pilaf. (Not realizing that Goku has his four star ball) Yamucha, despite his fear of women his age gives the trio a ride.
Following the Dragon Ball’s signal the five heroes drive up towards a huge castle; that happens to be Pilaf’s home. The five travel through a dark maze like structure only to be caught in a dead end. Now trapped, our heroes have to wait until episode 11 to see what becomes of them!

The Japanese episode title is called: “The Dragon Balls are Stolen!!”
The US Uncut English Dub title is called: The Dragon Balls are Stolen!”

No FUN FACTS for this episode.

Episode 11:

Trapped by Pilaf, Bulma is captured and brought straight to the blue dwarf! He blows her a kiss, thinking such a “dirty” tactic will get her to tell him where the four star ball is. Bulma isn’t afraid at all. She was expecting much more dirty things from him like groping. Pilaf returns her to her friends in disgust of her ideas.
So Mai says gas them, they do and it works! Thanks to the Sleeping gas, Mai collects Son-Kun’s four star ball and now Pilaf has all seven! But she left the door open, our heroes escape and end up in a game of life and death pinball! The pinball ball leads our heroes right back into their dead end, they are captured again!
Pilaf prepares to summon the Dragon God, while Goku blows a tiny hole in the wall with a Kamehame-Ha wave. Pu-erh and Oolong change into bats and soar towards Pilaf and the seven Dragon Balls. Could it be to late? Because the Dragon God has appeared!

The Japanese episode title is: “At last The Dragon Appears”
The US Uncut English Dub title is: The Penalty is Pinball”

Episode FUN FACTS:

Pilaf hates crude jokes.

Pilaf calls himself "the Great King".

When Pilaf said he was gonna do "dirty" things to Bulma, she thought he would “hero-hero” “pafu-pafu” “kyoi-kyoi” “inguri-monguri” her. The best I could find concerning info on these terms is this post by Herms! http://www.kanzenshuu.com/forum/viewtop ... 9&start=80

First appearance of Shen Long.

[GTx10]

A day late but here we go with Episodes 12 and 13!

Dragon Ball Episode 12:

Pilaf summons Shen Long and the gigantic dragon demands a wish. Pilaf attempts to wish for world domination but is suddenly pushed over by Oolong who wishes for a girl’s panties! Oolong gets his wish and Shen Long bids the folks farewell. Pilaf is pissed now and demands the recapture of our heroes. (Goku used a big Kamehame-Ha to escape their prison prior)
Our heroes are captured again and placed into a room that is made of steel with a tempered glass roof. Pilaf declares that when the afternoon sun shines upon the room our heroes will bake like potatoes. During the night Pu-erh gazes upon the moon which attracts Son Goku’s attention. He tells his friends about how Son Gohan warned him to never look at a full moon.
Also that during a full moon, a monster appeared and crushed Gohan! The gang than panics, “Could the monster be Son-Kun? Goku don’t look at the moon!” Bulma yells. But Son gazes upon the moon and transforms into a King Kong sized giant ape!

The Japanese episode title is "The Wish to Shen Long"

The Uncut US Episode title is "A wish to the Eternal Dragon"

Episode FUN FACTS:

The very first wish in all of Dragon Ball/Z/GT/Super is a pair of women's panties! Lol (Oh Toriyama and your toilet humor!)

When a wish is granted, the seven Dragon Balls scatter to the four winds of the world. Not only that, but after the wish the balls turn into normal stones. It takes a year or more for the stones to reactivate and become Dragon Balls again.

Shuu has a dog squad.

Son Goku explains that a monster appears during a full moon. This monster destroyed Son's house and various trees. It also smashed Son Gohan under its foot! Killing the Martial Arts Master. But Son-Kun says he never saw the monster because he was asleep, but he recalls Gohan warning him to never gaze upon the moon. The day Gohan was killed Goku claims he gazed upon the moon. It was a accident, he looked up at the moon when he went outside to pee. No surprise that when Son Goku looked at the moon in the present moment he transformed into a giant monkey monster!

In the Uncut US Dub, when the dragon appears the narrator claims appeared from the Earth's core.

Episode 13:

Now that Son Goku has changed into a Great Ape, he doesn’t care who is friend or foe he just wants to rampage! Because of Son’s giant size, he breaks free from his steel prison and everybody runs for their life. Pilaf, Mai, and Shuu escape in their airplane but the blue dwarf demands that the monster pay for destroying his precious castle. So the group opens fire on Goku, but gun fire doesn’t work!
“Fire the missile at him!” Roars Pilaf. The missile attack merely knocks Son Goku out, but when Pilaf jumps on the ape’s tail in victory, Goku awakens and destroys the trio’s plane. Yamucha is forced to help Bulma despite his fear of women his age. Ultimately Pu-erh turns into a giant pair of scissors and cuts Goku’s tail off. (Remembering that his tail is his weakeness)
Goku returns to normal and the next morning the 14 year old awakens with no idea on what just transpired. More concerned with locating his Nyoiboi staff than figuring out what happened to his tail, Son Goku decides to go to Roshi’s island to train. He wants to get stronger like the person who destroyed Pilaf’s castle! Bulma and Yamucha realize they are great for each other and they leave for the City with Pu-erh and Oolong.
Since it takes a year for the Dragon Balls to reactivate, Goku will than search the world for his Grandpa’s Four Star Dragon Ball than. Bulma gave him her Dragon Rader so it won’t be difficult! But until than it’s time for Son Goku to train under the Turtle Hermit Mutin Roshi!

The Japanese episode title is "Goku's Great Transformation"

The Uncut US episode titles is "The Legend of Goku"

Episode FUN FACTS:

In the Japanese version it took Pilaf years to build his castle, while in the Uncut Dub it took Pilaf ten (10) years to build the structure.

Bulma correctly deduces that Son Goku killed Son Gohan while transformed into the Great Ape.

While transformed Goku is nigh invincible. However his tail is still his weakness. Squeezing his tail pacifies the beast and cutting the tail off returns Son-Kun back to normal.

Oolong jokes that Goku is a alien. (Cough)

In the Uncut US Dub, Emperor Pilaf claims to have a "Great Daddy Pilaf" in his family tree.

In the Uncut US Dub Goku implies that his tail can regrow. The Japanese Version made no note of this.