Dragon Ball Z: Best Of release?

[ShadowDude112]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/25983142

Strange listing on Wal-Mart's website. I don't know what this is, but it might just be an episode compilation DVD. It also doesn't have FUNimation in any of the details.
EDIT: There's even a Best of Vegeta as well. http://www.walmart.com/ip/25983140 It seems weird to put DBZ in a "Best of" type of release.

[Kendamu]

As long as their episode choices mostly fit with what my episode choices would be, and they don't use that horrible Orange Brick footage, this release might be perfect for someone like me. Every once in awhile, I get a little nostalgic for certain parts of DBZ, but I really don't feel like owning entire boxsets just for a certain five episodes that I watch over and over again. A release like this could potentially help me just own the parts of DBZ here and there that I really like and watch repeatedly.

If it isn't a selection of episodes, though, maybe it's some sort of compilation. If that's the case, again hoping that it's not Orange Brick footage, I can certainly handle just seeing a bunch of "best of" moments where characters give cool speeches, yell, transform, and beat a lot of ass to Kikuchi music.

If it's either of those things, count me in. It's a great way for someone like me to look back on DBZ's best moments.

[Ringworm128]

Wow, now even I have to admit Funi is milking DBZ for all it's worth.

[Bagginses]

They should milk it with something that's worth, though. How many missed oportunities to release other domestic Dragon Boxes or re-print the Z ones have been lost by now? ''Ocean Dub'' boxset, now this...how many more are to come, I wonder...

But, he said it doesn't even have the FUNimation logo in any part of it.

[Kendamu]

A quick Google search for Group 1200 Media can explain how this is connected to FUNimation.

FUNimation Consolidates Divisions Under Group 1200 Media Name.

[Metalwario64]

As long as their episode choices mostly fit with what my episode choices would be, and they don't use that horrible Orange Brick footage, this release might be perfect for someone like me. Every once in awhile, I get a little nostalgic for certain parts of DBZ, but I really don't feel like owning entire boxsets just for a certain five episodes that I watch over and over again. A release like this could potentially help me just own the parts of DBZ here and there that I really like and watch repeatedly.

If it isn't a selection of episodes, though, maybe it's some sort of compilation. If that's the case, again hoping that it's not Orange Brick footage, I can certainly handle just seeing a bunch of "best of" moments where characters give cool speeches, yell, transform, and beat a lot of ass to Kikuchi music.

If it's either of those things, count me in. It's a great way for someone like me to look back on DBZ's best moments.

While I understand your point, I can't believe anyone who wants to own Dragon Ball by this point doesn't, especially with the rock bottom prices of the season sets. And if you just want select episodes, why not just grab a few of the old single DVDs?

This is definitely flooding the market, and while I could understand the Saban era Ocean-cast dub re-release, I think this is idiotic, and it will sell poorly, more so than than the Dragon Boxes and Blu-ray sets.

Also reeks of those crappy bargain bin NCircle Nintendo cartoon releases. Not only that, but Dragon Ball isn't really a series that works with a "best of" release, because it's not an episodic cartoon.

[Ringworm128]

MW took the words right out of my mouth.

[dbboxkaifan]

Wait, it's only English? Ocean Dub maybe?

That's a damn shame, they're limiting it only to a certain fanbase. I'd buy it if I liked it.

[Kendamu]

As long as their episode choices mostly fit with what my episode choices would be, and they don't use that horrible Orange Brick footage, this release might be perfect for someone like me. Every once in awhile, I get a little nostalgic for certain parts of DBZ, but I really don't feel like owning entire boxsets just for a certain five episodes that I watch over and over again. A release like this could potentially help me just own the parts of DBZ here and there that I really like and watch repeatedly.

If it isn't a selection of episodes, though, maybe it's some sort of compilation. If that's the case, again hoping that it's not Orange Brick footage, I can certainly handle just seeing a bunch of "best of" moments where characters give cool speeches, yell, transform, and beat a lot of ass to Kikuchi music.

If it's either of those things, count me in. It's a great way for someone like me to look back on DBZ's best moments.

While I understand your point, I can't believe anyone who wants to own Dragon Ball by this point doesn't, especially with the rock bottom prices of the season sets. And if you just want select episodes, why not just grab a few of the old single DVDs?

This is definitely flooding the market, and while I could understand the Saban era Ocean-cast dub re-release, I think this is idiotic, and it will sell poorly, more so than than the Dragon Boxes and Blu-ray sets.

Also reeks of those crappy bargain bin NCircle Nintendo cartoon releases. Not only that, but Dragon Ball isn't really a series that works with a "best of" release, because it's not an episodic cartoon.

Believe it or not, there are people out there who like DBZ but don't care to own a huge brick of it and wouldn't think to go to eBay and put tons of effort into finding specific episodes they want scattered across DVDs that are no longer in print nor do they want entire "seasons" of the show on their shelf.

This release is obviously aimed mostly at people I talk to who say, "Oh, yeah! I watched that back in the day," and start talking about fuzzy memories of moments from the show. When pressed to buy the show, they tell me that they don't have time to watch "400 episodes" of a show from their childhood. Heyve got Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and How I Met Your Mother already filling up their plate! Plus, it'd look goofy if they had "all that anime crap" on their shelves.

There is a real audience for it. They're not like you. They're not like your friends who also watch all-ages programming as adults. They'll eat a little release like this right up.

[MarcFBR]

This is really just a brilliant business decision.

A single disk with basic packaging doesn't cost that much, can be sold dirt cheap, and sell decent numbers of copies, especially if, as it appears to be, a decent reason for doing this is Wal-Mart 'wants' something like this from them.

This is the type of thing that just isn't for fans, and frankly, doesn't affect us in any way that isn't positive.

[VegettoEX]

Totally agreed. This is the type of thing that'll live forever on the aisle-ending stands at Target and Walmart for $5.

[Gyt Kaliba]

I can see how this is a good marketing idea maybe, but I do see why a lot of people would see this as pointless, cuz...well...it kinda-sorta is. It boggles my mind anyway, but then, I have to remember that I'm the polar opposite of the kind of fan Kendamu gave as an example. I'm a completionist, if I like something and want to own it, in general I want to own the entire franchise, otherwise it just feels...lacking...on my shelf. I've passed on grabbing some things I know I want in the past because I know a complete release isn't available yet, so I hold out in the hopes that one will eventually happen.

So yeah, this release is definitely not for me, but I can't really say I have no interest either. I'll read info on it out of curiosity, I'll probably even pick one up in my local Wal-mart to look at - but I won't be buying it. I have no need.

[theoriginalbilis]

Totally agreed. This is the type of thing that'll live forever on the aisle-ending stands at Target and Walmart for $5.

True. Even though it's not a SKU meant for collectors, these "best of" DVDs tend to sell well with casual consumers and families who want cheap entertainment for their kids. Plus, it's not very expensive for retailers to order a good number of these bad boys, so these types of releases tend to stay on retailer shelves far longer than the big prestige "season" release.

I am curious to see if these really are English only... maybe FUNi just knows exactly demographic they're aiming for, or keeping production costs down by just slapping one audio track on the disc.

[Gyt Kaliba]

I am curious to see if these really are English only... maybe FUNi just knows exactly demographic they're aiming for, or keeping production costs down by just slapping one audio track on the disc.

If it really is some kind of clip-show type deal instead of just a random batch of episodes, than that could be why - there'd be no way to make a Japanese track work for that.

Though that's now got me curious about what score they might go with. They've been moving away from the Falcouner score for years now, but even if this is random episodes, the kind of consumer they're going for here...may not be so big on the Kikuchi score.

[VegettoEX]

the kind of consumer they're going for here...may not be so big on the Kikuchi score.

The young consumer? The one who's watching Kai on TV? With the Kikuchi score?

[Gyt Kaliba]

the kind of consumer they're going for here...may not be so big on the Kikuchi score.

The young consumer? The one who's watching Kai on TV? With the Kikuchi score?

...Touche, good point.

I guess what I meant more there than the young consumer though, would be the kind like Kendamu mentioned that only want to relive specific little moments of the series rather than owning the entire series. I'm sure there's more fans of that variety than I think, that are also really big fans of the show - but that makes me think more in line of the fans who like it only in nostalgia, so their best bet may be to go with the score that a majority of US fans remember from the Toonami days.

I'm not advocating them to use this score mind you, I'm just trying to figure out what their logic might be going into this release. And seeing as how I can barely understand it's point in the first place, I'm probably making pretty bad guesses anyway.

[MuffinButton]

the kind of consumer they're going for here...may not be so big on the Kikuchi score.

The young consumer? The one who's watching Kai on TV? With the Kikuchi score?

The "young" consumer young enough to remember DBZ on Toonami, but not young enough to be glued to NickTooons for Kai & Kikuchi. The young consumer in their early 20s who actually enjoys Faulconer's modern take on the show.

[VegettoEX]

The "young" consumer young enough to remember DBZ on Toonami, but not young enough to be glued to NickTooons for Kai & Kikuchi. The young consumer in their early 20s who actually enjoys Faulconer's modern take on the show.

While that's certainly possible, that type of fan already had the orange bricks specifically marketed at them. The kind of place these discs are going to be sent off to (like I noted, those $5 discount racks at the end of aisles at Target and Walmart) are specifically targeted at very young kids, and more specifically at their parents for impulse-purchases of "shut up and watch your damn show, daddy needs a drink tonight!"

And with that, this suddenly just got really weird.

[JulieYBM]

The "young" consumer young enough to remember DBZ on Toonami, but not young enough to be glued to NickTooons for Kai & Kikuchi. The young consumer in their early 20s who actually enjoys Faulconer's modern take on the show.

I was unaware thirteen years ago was still 'modern'.

The people who will buy these DVDs will not know any different. At all. The Faulconer fans are more niche than fans of the original or casuals who don't give a flying poop.

EDIT: Bah, Mike beat me!

[theoriginalbilis]

In all honesty, the kids watching DBZ Kai on TV now probably don't care about/pay enough attention to the musical score. They could slap whatever on these "Best Of" discs and they'd still sell.

The kind of place these discs are going to be sent off to (like I noted, those $5 discount racks at the end of aisles at Target and Walmart) are specifically targeted at very young kids, and more specifically at their parents for impulse-purchases of "shut up and watch your damn show, daddy needs a drink tonight!"

And with that, this suddenly just got really weird.

Hitting a little too close to home, Mike?