GTX10 Loves Dragon Ball ("Original")

[GTx10]

I just finished watching “original” Dragon Ball. (The Uncut English Dub found on the “Blue Bricks.”) I’m SO glad I watched the entire series, like it was totally worth it. Watching Son Goku grow from a monkey boy living in the mountains into the greatest Martial Arts was a “treasure island of Adventure.” A lot of Western fans watched DBZ without the context of DB. Now that can certainly be done but I feel you lose something by not watching Dragon Ball first.
I mean think about it, why was Kuririn’s death by Freeza so hard on Goku? Because it was Kuririn’s second death, as far as Son knew his best friend was gone for good. Watching Son Goku and Kuririn train together, battle in the 22nd Tournament, and reunite at the 23rd Tournament gave me the feels. You can understand Goku’s pain when Freeza kills him because we know Kuririn, we grow up with him!
Or how about when Dr. Gero wants revenge because Son Goku defeated the Red Ribbon Army. General Blue, Tao Pai Pai, and Commander Red, these characters were Goku’s first taste into the cruel, un loving world. It changed him, it made him stronger and gave him a cocky attitude. Something that Mr. Popo had to beat out of him.
Then when Great Demon King Piccolo shows up the entire show changes, its more then mere adventures; its survival of the fittest. Ultimately I think watching Dragon Ball before DBZ, DBGT, and/or DBS is “key” to caring about these characters. By DBZ Son Goku is already a accomplished fighter, winner of the Tournament, married, and has a plethora of friends. He’s a full fledged, “developed” character by the time Raditz drops a knowledge ball on his baby brother.
So now that I’ve finished Dragon Ball I’m heading into Dragon Ball Z and I look forward to the Sci-fi fest the series is about to become. So let’s talk about Dragon Ball (“Original”) and discuss our favorite moments from the series. In the meantime check out my light reviews on the Uncut Japanese and English Dubs of Dragon Ball. The link is in my Signature. (I will go back and continue those reviews…Someday!)

[Jinzoningen MULE]

Yes to everything here. You don't know Dragon Ball if you've only watched Dragon Ball Z.

The dub still has some oddities and inaccuracies, so I still recommend you go back and watch it subbed one day. In fact, Goku's voice is much more tolerable when that's how you're hearing Goku from day 1. Really! Make sure you watch subbed whenever you feel up for it!

[DBZAOTA482]

I don't believe watching Dragon Ball first is necessary to understand DBZ (as the anime references the original a lot) but it certainly does add to the experience.

[Jinzoningen MULE]

I don't believe watching Dragon Ball first is necessary to understand DBZ (as the anime references the original a lot) but it certainly does add to the experience.

You do need to watch Dragon Ball to understand the characters. Not necessarily the arcs of DBZ in themselves, but definitely the characters.

[MajinMan]

Saying that watching Dragon Ball isn't necessary to UNDERSTAND Z is true, but it is also a horrible cop out to avoid the original. If you haven't experienced DB, you haven't experienced Dragon Ball. I doesn't matter if you can follow Z's story without seeing the original.

[DBZAOTA482]

I don't believe watching Dragon Ball first is necessary to understand DBZ (as the anime references the original a lot) but it certainly does add to the experience.

You do need to watch Dragon Ball to understand the characters. Not necessarily the arcs of DBZ in themselves, but definitely the characters.

Piccolo was the son of the devil? Check.

Krillin was a cowardly prick? Check.

Bulma was a spoiled little bitch? Check.

Muten Roshi was a wise master who gave Goku the game? Check.

Chi-Chi was a loveshy tomboyish country bumpkin with a similar upbringing to Goku? Check.

Tien was an assassin in-training but saw the light because of Goku? Check.

You see... not necessary.

[Jinzoningen MULE]

I don't believe watching Dragon Ball first is necessary to understand DBZ (as the anime references the original a lot) but it certainly does add to the experience.

You do need to watch Dragon Ball to understand the characters. Not necessarily the arcs of DBZ in themselves, but definitely the characters.

Piccolo was the son of the devil? Check.

Krillin was a cowardly prick? Check.

Bulma was a spoiled little bitch? Check.

Muten Roshi was a wise master who gave Goku the game? Check.

Chi-Chi was a loveshy tomboyish country bumpkin with a similar upbringing to Goku? Check.

Tien was an assassin in-training but saw the light because of Goku? Check.

You see... not necessary.

If that's all there were to the characters, you would be right, but they're so much more than that. I could do the same thing to the main characters of DBZ, and you could probably get through GT and Super just fine, but you won't understand the finer nuances of the characters and their history, which is so important when watching or reading any long-running story.

Also, half of what you listed are things that you would definitely need to watch the original to know, or at least have someone who did to tell you.

[DBZAOTA482]

If that's all there were to the characters, you would be right, but they're so much more than that. I could do the same thing to the main characters of DBZ, and you could probably get through GT and Super just fine, but you won't understand the finer nuances of the characters and their history, which is so important when watching or reading any long-running story.

Also, half of what you listed are things that you would definitely need to watch the original to know, or at least have someone who did to tell you.

Not really... these things are either shown, mentioned, or is even a crucial plot point in DBZ. Watching OG Dragon Ball would probably give you further insight and help you feel for the lesser characters but it's not necessary for understanding things within DBZ.

[GTx10]

While DBZ does give the audience a clear understanding of the characters, it can feel "empty" when DB events are referenced. For example in the beginning of DBZ the narrator recounts the battle between Son Goku and Great Demon King Piccolo. Its one thing to know that the two battled but its another to have seen it. When the narrator was talking about it I could picture King Piccolo checking Son's chest for a heart beat\pulse.
Or think when Raditz blew off Piccolo's arm, I yelled at the TV; "Regrow your arm! Like you did at 23rd Tournament." Hell Piccolo started wearing weighted clothes because of Goku! (Goku had said clothes during the 23rd Tournament) Seeing Goku and Chi-Chi's adventures for the Bansho Fan help you realize that they are a lovely couple. So their peaceful lives in the beginning of DBZ makes sense.
Then when Son Goku, a character I've come to love for 153 episodes freaking dies in Z; I lost it! As you can see I've started my DBZ watch and having Dragon Ball watched and finished makes Z feel complete. As my light reviews can attest too I'm no stranger to the Uncut Japanese dub of Dragon Ball. I love comparing the dubs and I'm watching all of Dragon Ball with the Japanese music option on. (I like the US DBZ music but I wanna hear the Japanese music so... Meh!)
In my opinion, watch Dragon Ball. Kid Goku is adorable, period.

[Cure Dragon 255]

I don't believe watching Dragon Ball first is necessary to understand DBZ (as the anime references the original a lot) but it certainly does add to the experience.

You do need to watch Dragon Ball to understand the characters. Not necessarily the arcs of DBZ in themselves, but definitely the characters.

Piccolo was the son of the devil? Check.

Krillin was a cowardly prick? Check.

Bulma was a spoiled little bitch? Check.

Muten Roshi was a wise master who gave Goku the game? Check.

Chi-Chi was a loveshy tomboyish country bumpkin with a similar upbringing to Goku? Check.

Tien was an assassin in-training but saw the light because of Goku? Check.

You see... not necessary.

You know all of your post seems really awful but this one thing here takes the cake. I know Krillin wasnt a saint in Early DB but to say he was "A Cowarly Prick" is really wrong. And you are talking about early DB where Chichi was genuinely relevant as a fighter, and you even have her fight from DB in your avi! I really dont know what's wrong with you.

[nickzambuto]

"Understand" is not the right word to use. Yes it's fairly easy to understand what is actually happening in DBZ without context of the prior show. Are you going to enjoy it though? Not as much. When this guy Yamcha who just showed up five minutes ago dies to a Saibaman, instead of laughing at him and being apathetic while the short guy bursts into rage, you'll actually be feeling the same thing, or something at least. The fact is you can't feel for a stranger, and unfortunately most of these characters had already reached the peak of their development before Raditz even shows up, meaning you'll never really connect with Yamcha or Ten if you only watch DBZ. You'll UNDERSTAND just fine; three-eyed guy and long hair, both weak and unimportant, both die a lot. That's it. The fact that some people only watch DBZ and then mock Toriyama as a writer for having no character development irks me beyond words; THE REASON YOU'RE NOT ENJOYING IT IS BECAUSE YOU STARTED RANDOMLY IN THE MIDDLE. If I turned even a masterpiece like The Godfather on at the 45 minute mark and watched it from there, by the time it ends I'd probably say it wasn't a very good movie.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

You know all of your post seems really awful but this one thing here takes the cake. I know Krillin wasnt a saint in Early DB but to say he was "A Cowarly Prick" is really wrong. And you are talking about early DB where Chichi was genuinely relevant as a fighter, and you even have her fight from DB in your avi! I really dont know what's wrong with you.

This post was teetering on the edge of acceptable, right up until that last sentence ruined the rest of it. Keep things civil towards fellow members. You can call someone out on the content of their posts posts, but leave it at that. Find another, more polite, way to say what you're trying to say.