The International Version of the Buu-Kai Arc

[DBZ_Lee]

I've just come across something very interesting in relation to the upcoming French Blu Ray release due out 20th May.

Publisher Kazé's official listing for the first set of "The Final Chapters" has the aspect ratio down at 4:3:

http://anime.kaze.fr/produit/box_3_4_dr ... l_z_kai_br

This is odd, as they have the first 2 sets listed at 16:9. I assume this is because they are simply re-releasing the AB Groupes' production.

So, in a matter of weeks, we should have official confirmation that a 4:3 version does exist, so when FUNi release theirs, they can do so in 4:3, just like the first 98

If we do get a 4:3 version, that might explain why the cropping is done the way it is. And it also might explain why they bothered to give the Japanese cut a sharpness filter while the international version is left as is in that regard, as the Japanese cut had to be 16:9 for today's standards. And Toei had to condense the episode count, and they wouldn't bother to take the 4:3 version, re-crop it, and condense the episodes, while they already have a 16:9 version ready. But I still don't think a 4:3 version is available. If it is indeed produced, Funimation would no doubt receive the 4:3 masters.

At least we will definitely have an answer one way or the other in a matter of weeks.

I just hope they sort the glaring errors out with regards to the cropping issues.

[Darkblade1995]

^I don't even mind those cropping issues. I actually think the green tint is worse as that is much easier to correct. I would rather see a thin black line on the side of my screen and still have a good composed cropped picture, then a ''fixed'' one where the picture would actually benefit if it would just have a little more on the top or bottom.

[sangofe]

I've just come across something very interesting in relation to the upcoming French Blu Ray release due out 20th May.

Publisher Kazé's official listing for the first set of "The Final Chapters" has the aspect ratio down at 4:3:

http://anime.kaze.fr/produit/box_3_4_dr ... l_z_kai_br

This is odd, as they have the first 2 sets listed at 16:9. I assume this is because they are simply re-releasing the AB Groupes' production.

So, in a matter of weeks, we should have official confirmation that a 4:3 version does exist, so when FUNi release theirs, they can do so in 4:3, just like the first 98

If we do get a 4:3 version, that might explain why the cropping is done the way it is. And it also might explain why they bothered to give the Japanese cut a sharpness filter while the international version is left as is in that regard, as the Japanese cut had to be 16:9 for today's standards. And Toei had to condense the episode count, and they wouldn't bother to take the 4:3 version, re-crop it, and condense the episodes, while they already have a 16:9 version ready. But I still don't think a 4:3 version is available. If it is indeed produced, Funimation would no doubt receive the 4:3 masters.

At least we will definitely have an answer one way or the other in a matter of weeks.

I just hope they sort the glaring errors out with regards to the cropping issues.

You know... AB's first two DVD sets were in 16:9...

[DBZ_Lee]

You know... AB's first two DVD sets were in 16:9...

Yes they were, I know FUNi's release was the only one to be 4:3, but it's interesting that Kazé have listed the aspect ratio for the Final Chapters as 4:3 and the first two at 16:9 (which are probably a re-issue of the AB releases in HD).

The other thing we shall find out when the Kazé set releases, is if Toei made an uncut version for home video. International Kai episode #131, where the World Tournament worker is brutally killed by Babidi, was censored for the TV airing.
Also, the scene where a vigilante shoots an innocent couple, which should have been in Kai episode #140, was also omitted - I think it's safe to say that if the scene above remains censored in the home release, this one will remain missing, also.

This would be very disappointing, as one of the main selling points for the first Season of Kai, was that it was uncut for the home video release.

[sangofe]

You know... AB's first two DVD sets were in 16:9...

Yes they were, I know FUNi's release was the only one to be 4:3, but it's interesting that Kazé have listed the aspect ratio for the Final Chapters as 4:3 and the first two at 16:9 (which are probably a re-issue of the AB releases in HD).

The other thing we shall find out when the Kazé set releases, is if Toei made an uncut version for home video. International Kai episode #131, where the World Tournament worker is brutally killed by Babidi, was censored for the TV airing.
Also, the scene where a vigilante shoots an innocent couple, which should have been in Kai episode #140, was also omitted - I think it's safe to say that if the scene above remains censored in the home release, this one will remain missing, also.

This would be very disappointing, as one of the main selling points for the first Season of Kai, was that it was uncut for the home video release.

It might just be an error in the listing. Why the heck would they suddenly change the aspect ratio? Doesn't make much sense.

[TheBlackPaladin]

Doesn't make much sense.

True, but then again, that could be the official slogan for Kai's production.

[Puto]

This would be very disappointing, as one of the main selling points for the first Season of Kai, was that it was uncut for the home video release.

What? No it wasn't.

[DBZ_Lee]

This would be very disappointing, as one of the main selling points for the first Season of Kai, was that it was uncut for the home video release.

What? No it wasn't.

I meant as in the home video release. Being uncut, and not being edited like the TV broadcast. Of course, the removal of filler and remastering alongside new voice work were among many selling points.

[Puto]

It was only 'uncut' in regards to the censorship added for the Nicktoons and CW broadcasts. The (minor) bits of censorship that were done for Japanese TV are there in every version -- a version of Kai without those just does not exist.

[sangofe]

No need to further discuss the listing of Boo Kai in 4:3. Kazé confirmed with me today through facebook that it's an error:

Bonjour,

Cette information est bien une erreur...Merci de votre vigilance

Cordialement,
L'équipe Kazé

"Good day,

this information is an error. Thank you for your vigilance.

Sincerely,
the Kazé team."

Edit: they've now also changed the information.

[DBZ_Lee]

No need to further discuss the listing of Boo Kai in 4:3. Kazé confirmed with me today through facebook that it's an error:

Bonjour,

Cette information est bien une erreur...Merci de votre vigilance

Cordialement,
L'équipe Kazé

"Good day,

this information is an error. Thank you for your vigilance.

Sincerely,
the Kazé team."

Edit: they've now also changed the information.

Ah, makes sense I guess. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Storm]

Hey folks. I've been really out of the loop and didn't feel like tackling the behemoth of this topic: is it true that the international version of Kai is going to be ten episodes longer with more filler added in? Since the Japanese broadcast is on track to end at 59ish but reports have The Final Chapters at 69, and I've read that early Saiyaman content was expanded.

Thanks!

[Vegard Aune]

Hey folks. I've been really out of the loop and didn't feel like tackling the behemoth of this topic: is it true that the international version of Kai is going to be ten episodes longer with more filler added in? Since the Japanese broadcast is on track to end at 59ish but reports have The Final Chapters at 69, and I've read that early Saiyaman content was expanded.

Thanks!

The international version is indeed longer, but you've got it mixed up a bit. It's not that they added filler for the international version. The international version came first, and then they further cut it down for the Japanese broadcast. Initially it was reported that the Japanese version would only be like, 47 episodes I believe? But at some point they decided to have it run for another full cour, probably to promote Resurrection F.

[Theophrastus]

Hey folks. I've been really out of the loop and didn't feel like tackling the behemoth of this topic: is it true that the international version of Kai is going to be ten episodes longer with more filler added in? Since the Japanese broadcast is on track to end at 59ish but reports have The Final Chapters at 69, and I've read that early Saiyaman content was expanded.

Thanks!

The international version is indeed longer, but you've got it mixed up a bit. It's not that they added filler for the international version. The international version came first, and then they further cut it down for the Japanese broadcast. Initially it was reported that the Japanese version would only be like, 47 episodes I believe? But at some point they decided to have it run for another full cour, probably to promote Resurrection F.

I would hazard a guess that the decision to air Kai Buu in Japan was probably because of a combination of it being promotion for Resurrection F and because they needed a time-slot filler until Dragon Ball Super would be ready. They probably initially expected it to take about a year before Super could start broadcasting, so they started started cutting down The Final Chapters episodes even further for the Japanese broadcast with that timeframe in mind...but then they hit some sort of snag in production on Super and decided that they needed another three months or so, at which point they stopped cutting things down any further.

100% speculation, of course, but I think that's the most likely scenario given how things seem to have shaped up.

[djkalteraphine]

Hey guys, just got here myself. Pretty crazy stuff. It's like Japan Saban'd themselves.

Any word on when Funimation is bringing Kai to the US, yet?

[Lord Beerus]

Hey guys, just got here myself. Pretty crazy stuff. It's like Japan Saban'd themselves.

Any word on when Funimation is bringing Kai to the US, yet?

No. No word yet. They're being very MUM about it.

[Storm]

It's going to be very awkward when they announce Buu Kai for American release and the rest of the world is too busy watching Super.

[TheBlackPaladin]

It's going to be very awkward when they announce Buu Kai for American release and the rest of the world is too busy watching Super.

Yeah, that definitely is a problem, isn't it? Kai has certainly taken a backseat to Super in terms of news...

...Having said that, I think the Buu arc of Kai will still be fairly successful when the dub premieres. I've been sworn to silence, and I intend to remain silent, but I managed to learn a few small details....and I think certain small aspects of the dub are going to be quite noteworthy. That's all I'll say.

[Daisetsu]

Wait... are you just being hopeful, or do you actually have inside information? If the latter, do you know if there's been a set date for release (not asking for a date, just if there is one)?

[Lord Beerus]

It's going to be very awkward when they announce Buu Kai for American release and the rest of the world is too busy watching Super.

Yeah, that definitely is a problem, isn't it? Kai has certainly taken a backseat to Super in terms of news...

The annoucnemt of Super definitely throw a spanner in the works in regards to which Dragon Ball project Funimation plan to put most of ther time into. And they already have their hands full with Ressurection F this summer. I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up pushing Kai 2.0 to 2016 to it avoid clashing with Dragon Ball Super, which is going to get a monster amount of hype internationally, but especially in the US, this summer.