Help Guide for DBZ Funimation Singles DVDs (links + screens)

[clutchins]

...aside from that -.-

Seriously though, has there ever been an official release with the Cell Games narrator left intact? More importantly, will there ever be an official release with the original recaps and stuff like a Vol. 2 of Rock The Dragon Collectors set or something?

I believe the VHS releases had Dale's narrations as they were released a few years before the DVDs.

Only the first 5 of the 9 Cell Games Edited VHS volumes had him narrating. (The last 4 weren't even released).

[Danfun64]

What about the uncut tapes? Was Dale in those?

[clutchins]

What about the uncut tapes? Was Dale in those?

Nope

[TheBalishChannel]

Only the first 5 of the 9 Cell Games Edited VHS volumes had him narrating. (The last 4 weren't even released).

For some odd reason, although the recap and closing narrations included on the fifth volume of the Cell Games Saga are Dale Kelly's, the next episode preview at the end of the tape actually switches to Kyle Hebert. So only two of the original next episode previews are recoverable on the official VHS releases.

[Iberian_Saiyan]

If only the singles were complete and uncut, then they'd be the perfect low cost alternative to the Dragon Boxes.

DBZ Level episodes are available from 1-39 so the whole Saiyan arc is technically complete and uncut. Now, problem is, the early Freeza/Namek arc remains unavailable uncut in 4x3 (Dragon Box is out of print and costs more than the RRP so not a choice for some).

Never mind the DBZ Ultimate Uncut Edition either.

[LordCrumb]

If only the singles were complete and uncut, then they'd be the perfect low cost alternative to the Dragon Boxes.

They are not complete yes, but they are Uncut.

[Bansho64]

I actually have two questions about these dvds. If anyone could answer then I'd greatly appreciate it. Is the audio on these dvds better than the Dragon Boxes? Also, can you watch these in japanese without the subtitles?

[clutchins]

I actually have two questions about these dvds. If anyone could answer then I'd greatly appreciate it. Is the audio on these dvds better than the Dragon Boxes? Also, can you watch these in japanese without the subtitles?

I'm answering this based on what I've read and not by any personal testing with my sets, but I think the Dragon Box is currently the end-all, be-all for Japanese audio. And yes, you can watch either language with or without subtitles, although I think the English audio will use dubtitles instead.

[Danfun64]

The Dragon Box may be the end all and be all for audio concerning DB and DBZ, but there are Animax rips and Hong Kong (?) DVD recordings with better audio for GT somewhere...

[clutchins]

The Dragon Box may be the end all and be all for audio concerning DB and DBZ, but there are Animax rips and Hong Kong (?) DVD recordings with better audio for GT somewhere...

I should clarify that I only meant that in terms of official releases thus far

[TheBalishChannel]

Here's a guide I made for those who are collecting the Australian (R4) Dragon Ball Z singles DVDs released by Madman Entertainment:

SERIES ONE:
THE SAIYAN CONFLICT (COLLECTION ONE):

Spoiler:

1.1 - SAIYAN CONFLICT: ARRIVAL
1.2 - SAIYAN CONFLICT: THE SAIYANS
1.3 - SAIYAN CONFLICT: SNAKE WAY
1.4 - SAIYAN CONFLICT: PENDULUM ROOM
1.5 - SAIYAN CONFLICT: DOOM
1.6 - SAIYAN CONFLICT: IMMORTALS
1.7 - SAIYAN CONFLICT: DESTRUCTION
1.8 - SAIYAN CONFLICT: SHOWDOWN

THE NAMEK SAGA (COLLECTION TWO):

Spoiler:

1.9 - NAMEK SAGA: DEPARTURE
1.10 - NAMEK SAGA: REBIRTH
1.11 - NAMEK SAGA: NAMEK
1.12 - NAMEK SAGA: BETRAYAL
1.13 - NAMEK SAGA: COLLISION
1.14 - NAMEK SAGA: QUEST
1.15 - NAMEK SAGA: TROUBLE
1.16 - NAMEK SAGA: THE GINYU FORCE
1.17 - NAMEK SAGA: SUPER SAIYAN?!

SERIES TWO:
COLLECTION ONE:

Spoiler:

2.1 - CAPTAIN GINYU: ASSAULT
2.2 - CAPTAIN GINYU: DOUBLE CROSS
2.3 - FRIEZA: THE SUMMONING
2.4 - FRIEZA: TRANSFORMATION
2.5 - FRIEZA: REVEALED
2.6 - FRIEZA: DEATH OF A PRINCE
2.7 - FRIEZA: CLASH
2.8 - FRIEZA: DESPERATION

COLLECTION TWO:

Spoiler:

2.9 - FRIEZA: SUPER SAIYAN GOKU
2.10 - FRIEZA: ELEVENTH HOUR
2.11 - FRIEZA: FALL OF A TYRANT
2.12 - FRIEZA: NAMEK'S END
2.13 - GARLIC JR. BLACK WATER MIST
2.14 - GARLIC JR. SACRED WATER
2.15 - GARLIC JR. VANQUISHED

SERIES THREE:
COLLECTION ONE:

Spoiler:

3.1 - TRUNKS: MYSTERIOUS YOUTH
3.2 - TRUNKS: PRELUDE TO TERROR
3.3 - TRUNKS: Z WARRIORS PREPARE
3.4 - ANDROIDS: INVASION
3.5 - ANDROIDS: DR. GERO
3.6 - ANDROIDS: ASSASSINS
3.7 - ANDROIDS: INVINCIBLE
3.8 - Imperfect CELL: ENCOUNTER

COLLECTION TWO:

Spoiler:

3.9 - Imperfect CELL: DISCOVERY
3.10 - Imperfect CELL: RACE AGAINST TIME
3.11 - Imperfect CELL: 17'S END
3.12 - PERFECT CELL: HUNT FOR 18
3.13 - PERFECT CELL: TEMPTATION
3.14 - PERFECT CELL: PERFECTION
3.15 - PERFECT CELL: UNSTOPPABLE
3.16 - ULTIMATUM

COLLECTION THREE:

Spoiler:

3.17 - CELL GAMES: A MOMENT'S PEACE
3.18 - CELL GAMES: GUARDIAN'S RETURN
3.19 - CELL GAMES: GAMES BEGIN
3.20 - CELL GAMES: SURRENDER
3.21 - CELL GAMES: EARTH'S LAST HOPE
3.22 - CELL GAMES: AWAKENING
3.23 - CELL GAMES: SACRIFICE
3.24 - CELL GAMES: NIGHTMARE'S END

SERIES FOUR:
COLLECTION ONE:

Spoiler:

4.1 - GREAT SAIYAMAN: OPENING CEREMONY
4.2 - GREAT SAIYAMAN: FINAL ROUND
4.3 - GREAT SAIYAMAN: GOHAN'S SECRET
4.4 - GREAT SAIYAMAN: DECLARATION
4.5 - GREAT SAIYAMAN: CRASH COURSE
4.6 - WORLD TOURNAMENT: JUNIOR DIVISION
4.7 - WORLD TOURNAMENT: THE DRAW

COLLECTION TWO:

Spoiler:

4.8 - WORLD TOURNAMENT: BLACK OUT
4.9 - BABIDI: DESCENT
4.10 - BABIDI: BATTLE ROYAL
4.11 - BABIDI: THE DARK PRINCE RETURNS
4.12 - BABIDI: RIVALS
4.13 - MAJIN BUU: THE HATCHING
4.14 - MAJIN BUU: ATONEMENT

SERIES FIVE:
COLLECTION ONE:

Spoiler:

5.1 - MAJIN BUU: REVIVAL
5.2 - MAJIN BUU: TACTICS
5.3 - MAJIN BUU: DEFIANCE
5.4 - MAJIN BUU: A HERO'S FAREWELL
5.5 - MAJIN BUU: EMERGENCE
5.6 - FUSION: EVIL BUU
5.7 - FUSION: PLAY FOR TIME
5.8 - FUSION: LOSING BATTLE
5.9 - FUSION: AMBUSH

COLLECTION TWO:

Spoiler:

5.10 - FUSION: HOPE RETURNS
5.11 - FUSION: THE LAST SAIYAN
5.12 - FUSION: INTERNAL STRUGGLE
5.13 - KID BUU: REGRESSION
5.14 - KID BUU: SAIYAN PRIDE
5.15 - KID BUU: VEGETA'S PLEA
5.16 - KID BUU: THE PRICE OF VICTORY
5.17 - KID BUU: A NEW BEGINNING

Pros:
+ Only release that didn't mess with the colors or zoom.
+ Has much better encoding (less macro-blocking, episodes don't cut off abruptly). CLICK HERE FOR A COMPARISON.
+ Episodes do not fade in from black. Up until "4.6 - WORLD TOURNAMENT: JUNIOR DIVISION", the DVDs didn't include an option to switch between the Japanese and English versions and thus lack alternate angles, which allows for one consistent video track with no artificial transitions.

+ The DVD version of "1.3 - SAIYAN CONFLICT: SNAKE WAY" is the only release that contains episode 9's actual next episode preview (absent from all VHS releases, the North American DVD, and the "Rock the Dragon Edition" DVD set which swaps the next episode preview with episode 10's.)
+ The DVD versions of "2.1 - CAPTAIN GINYU: ASSAULT" and "2.2 - CAPTAIN GINYU: DOUBLE CROSS" include one recap and one next episode preview for the first and last episode on each disc, respectively. These are absent from the North American release because of their included Japanese audio and video tracks. Additionally these episodes also have the correct credits (crediting Shuki Levy, Kussa Mahehi, and Ron Wasserman for the "Rock the Dragon" theme song).
+ Madman's VHS release of the Cell Games Saga is the only one to contain Dale Kelly's original narration in it's entirety for all 9 volumes, barring most of the recaps and next episode previews.

Cons:
- The video has apparent ghosting artifacts due to the way the materials were converted from NTSC to PAL which unfortunately cannot be reversed.
- Unlike the North American DVDs, these do not contain a recap for every episode. The North American DVDs started including recaps after the Captain Ginyu Saga.

[Danfun64]

How is the Madmen NTSC to PAL conversion done? Is there a 4% speedup or is the audio pretty much the same but the video went through some kind of processing? Are the Madmen dvds (the ones without alternate angles) interlaced or progressive?

edit: Apparently the conversion was done in a way that preserved the original runtime...

[AdventurousAugustus]

My apologies for my addition to this thread being pretty late, but Funimation has released more "Uncut" DBZ Singles DVDs (of which have the English Dub AND the Original Japanese Version) for the Saiyan Saga which they call "The Ultimate Uncut Edition: Vegeta Saga":

VEGETA SAGA PART ONE:

Volume #01 – “Saiyan Showdown”: https://www.amazon.com/DragonBall-Veget ... B0007LXOGY
Volume #02 – “Piccolo’s Plan”: https://www.amazon.com/DragonBall-Veget ... Z4ZQ0TE154
Volume #03 – “Into the Wind”: https://www.amazon.com/DragonBall-Veget ... 5VJ63MM6YT
Volume #04 – “Gohan’s Trials”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Vege ... 5VXYMXVPRM
Volume #05 – “Goku Held Hostage”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Vege ... DS9SDBJTPH
Volume #06 – “Doomed Heroes”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragonball-Veget ... BWFFHKJE2G
Volume #07 – “Back from the Dead”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Vege ... 8BM9W5M4P8

VEGETA SAGA PART TWO:

Volume #08 – “Saiyan Invasion”: https://www.amazon.com/DragonBall-Veget ... 5737S68T39
Volume #09 – “Ultimate Sacrifice”: https://www.amazon.com/DragonBall-Veget ... C1C0W9147T

The last volume of The Vegeta Saga Part Two DVD set is called "Volume #10 – “The Saiyan Prince” which has the original Japanese DBZ episodes 28, 29, and 30, but it's not on Amazon since the release was canceled, unfortunately.

And unfortunately, as well, Funimation still doesn't have DVD singles for the episodes after episode 30 but before episode 68 which kinda sucks.

But hey, as compensation, I can show you where they have the original Singles DVDs for the Dragon Ball Z movies

Dragon Ball Z Movie #1 – “Dead Zone”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Movi ... 6304677022
Dragon Ball Z Movie #2 – “The World’s Strongest”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Movi ... M710CMTV00
Dragon Ball Z Movie #3 – “The Tree of Might”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Movi ... e+of+Might
Dragon Ball Z Movie #4 – “Lord Slug”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragonball-Z-Lor ... SHP1PQFXFG
Dragon Ball Z Movie #5 – “Cooler’s Revenge”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Cool ... 9s+Revenge
Dragon Ball Z Movie #6 – “The Return of Cooler”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Retu ... +of+Cooler
Dragon Ball Z Movie #7 – “Super Android 13!”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Retu ... MSH482PF8B
Dragon Ball Z Movie #8 – “Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Brol ... W508CC0FYY
Dragon Ball Z Movie #9 – “Bojack Unbound”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Boja ... XS4DS5E06C
Dragon Ball Z Movie #10 – “Broly: Second Coming": https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Brol ... AFT6HV370Q
Dragon Ball Z Movie #11 – “Bio-Broly”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Bio- ... BQQH24N2M4
Dragon Ball Z Movie #12 – “Fusion Reborn”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Z-Fu ... 5DP529AT25
Dragon Ball Z Movie #13 – “Wrath of the Dragon”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Z-Wr ... the+Dragon

And here are the DVD Singles for the TV specials:

Dragon Ball Z TV Special #1 – “Bardock: The Father of Goku”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Bard ... er+of+Goku
Dragon Ball Z TV Special #2 – “The History of Trunks”: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Z-Hi ... +of+Trunks

I hope that this guide could be of some use to you all!

[JohnnyCashKami]

The last volume of The Vegeta Saga Part Two DVD set is called "Volume #10 – “The Saiyan Prince” which has the original Japanese DBZ episodes 28, 29, and 30, but it's not on Amazon since the release was canceled, unfortunately.

Well, if you really want it. It does exist and was released but solely with the Mexican-Spanish dub for some reason, no English dub or original Japanese audio.

Dragon Ball Z: El Principe Sayajin v.10 - Spanish

[LordCrumb]

The last volume of The Vegeta Saga Part Two DVD set is called "Volume #10 – “The Saiyan Prince” which has the original Japanese DBZ episodes 28, 29, and 30, but it's not on Amazon since the release was canceled, unfortunately.

Well, if you really want it. It does exist and was released but solely with the Mexican-Spanish dub for some reason, no English dub or original Japanese audio.

Dragon Ball Z: El Principe Sayajin v.10 - Spanish

It's not really part of the 'Ultimate Uncut Edition' set though, this is widescreen 16x9. I have it.

[Robo4900]

The last volume of The Vegeta Saga Part Two DVD set is called "Volume #10 – “The Saiyan Prince” which has the original Japanese DBZ episodes 28, 29, and 30, but it's not on Amazon since the release was canceled, unfortunately.

Well, if you really want it. It does exist and was released but solely with the Mexican-Spanish dub for some reason, no English dub or original Japanese audio.

Dragon Ball Z: El Principe Sayajin v.10 - Spanish

It's not really part of the 'Ultimate Uncut Edition' set though, this is widescreen 16x9. I have it.

Yeah. That's one of the repackaged OBs released in Mexico. Uses the UUE boxing, and it has the Mexican dub like UUE, but it's the OB master.

[Choujin Daizenshuu]

The last volume of The Vegeta Saga Part Two DVD set is called "Volume #10 – “The Saiyan Prince” which has the original Japanese DBZ episodes 28, 29, and 30, but it's not on Amazon since the release was canceled, unfortunately.

"Unfortunately" is an understatement. The Ultimate Uncuts should've never had been released to begin with if FUNimation had every intention to release the first season of the show in an eventual boxset.

[AdventurousAugustus]

The last volume of The Vegeta Saga Part Two DVD set is called "Volume #10 – “The Saiyan Prince” which has the original Japanese DBZ episodes 28, 29, and 30, but it's not on Amazon since the release was canceled, unfortunately.

"Unfortunately" is an understatement. The Ultimate Uncuts should've never had been released to begin with if FUNimation had every intention to release the first season of the show in an eventual boxset.

True. It feels pretty stupid to promote The Ultimate Uncuts like this and then just cancel it out of nowhere. It just makes the Ultimate Uncut edition pretty pointless if it's not gonna have all of DBZ season 1 and 2 uncut.

[Robo4900]

The last volume of The Vegeta Saga Part Two DVD set is called "Volume #10 – “The Saiyan Prince” which has the original Japanese DBZ episodes 28, 29, and 30, but it's not on Amazon since the release was canceled, unfortunately.

"Unfortunately" is an understatement. The Ultimate Uncuts should've never had been released to begin with if FUNimation had every intention to release the first season of the show in an eventual boxset.

True. It feels pretty stupid to promote The Ultimate Uncuts like this and then just cancel it out of nowhere. It just makes the Ultimate Uncut edition pretty pointless if it's not gonna have all of DBZ season 1 and 2 uncut.

I think the Ultimate Uncuts could have still worked if they'd gone through with it fully, but they should have done things a bit differently following that; so, finish Ultimate Uncut, then release new "Season" box sets that repackage all the singles(Including the Ultimate Uncut ones), with slightly adjusted menus on the 1999-2003 ones to match uncut numbering, and a slightly altered authoring of the Ginyu Saga DVDs such that the "Episode 54" content from uncut #67 is a bonus feature, while the main feature version is just uncut #68, which would mean UUE #67 and OG #68 would work in terms of cut-off points.
Do DB and GT singles along a similar line in terms of them just being repackaged singles, and boom -- you have solid "Season" DVDs that are infinitely cheaper to produce than what Funi ended up putting out, they're uncut, you don't screw over anyone buying Ultimate Uncut, and it would mean that while there are two different sets of packaging for it(Individual discs, and "Season" boxsets), there's only really one release of the entire run; no need to import the Dragon Boxes... In fact, there would be no need to do any new releases until you want to do it in HD, preferably in 2013 after Kai's finished, when you can put out the equivalent of the Levels. With the market not massively saturated in terms of Dragon Ball home video, and with the timing no longer clashing with Kai, they'd have probably sold infinitely better. Though this would mean that if Toei go ahead with their own HD master of the series, this hypothetical would remove basically all incentive for that to come out in the west... So, I suppose as one door opens, another closes...
On the plus side, though, this would have circumvented the awful partial redubbing on the post-2003 releases of the 54+/68+ Z dub.

But, alas, it is what it is.

[KBABZ]

Yeah preferably FUNimation would have asked for the Dragon Box masters from Toei (plus those for Movies 1-3 for the Rock the Dragon opening) to make a more solidly-based DVD release, maybe applying a slight desaturation and black crush to better fit western expectations, and redoing all the title cards. Makes me wonder if, between the cost of doing the DVD Singles, Ultimate Uncut and then the Orange Bricks, if it would have been cheaper to get the Dragon Box masters and touch those up instead.