“The Saga of Goku” is the first season of the original Dragon Ball TV series as well as the first movie for the North American market. The episodes and movie currently released on those particular discs (episodes 001-013 + movie 1) are the first season as-is from their original syndication run and VHS release on American television in 1995. This means they are edited, English-dubbed only (with the Ocean Studios cast, as opposed to FUNimation’s cast), and were distributed by KidMark prior to their acquisition by Lionsgate. This version of the movie contains scenes from TV episode 2, in addition to the regular movie footage. While FUNimation has expressed their intent to release “all” of the series uncut on a home format that also includes the Japanese version, the above-noted contractual obligations and prior negotiations forbid them from releasing these home-format versions. Their own dubbed versions of the episodes, however, have aired via non-physical-format means such as “on-demand” with major cable networks. For more information on the KidMark/FUNimation licensing fiasco, please refer to the “Newbie Guide“.
Dragon Ball movie 2 had only its original edited and uncut English dub VHS release available for purchase. In 2005, it finally received a bilingual DVD release, as a part of FUNimation’s Dragon Ball movies 2-4 box set on 06 December 2005. This box set was re-released on 12 February 2008; it is essentially identical to the original release (no re-dubbed audio, no music changes, no translation changes on the Japanese side, etc.) except that it is packaged as a “thin-pack” set.
On the original release, Dragon Ball movie 3 contains only the original Japanese title card; missing is the English one created for the VHS release.
In 2010, FUNimation announced a re-release of the first Dragon Ball movie, which would finally contain the uncut version and presented in its original Japanese language. This would be the first uncut availability of the movie in North America, despite it being one of FUNimation’s original productions nearly 15 years earlier. The DVD re-release was delayed until December that year, presumably due to the newly-recorded English dub (featuring many of the Kai voice cast updates).
A new box set was announced for release on 08 February 2011 which would contain “remastered” versions of all four movies, including the new version of the first movie. The four movies would be spread across four discs.
For more detailed information on the Dragon Ball movies, be sure to visit the “Movie Guide” on this site. There, you will find in-depth information such as the original Japanese titles, fully translated cast and staff listings, theme songs, and more!
Individual Disc Releases
VM-7484D
Dragon Ball Movie #1 – “Curse of the Blood Rubies”
- 24 October 2000
- Released
- English Dubbed Only
- Dialogue
- 4:3 Standard / Edited
- Format
FN-05197
Dragon Ball Movie #1 – “Curse of the Blood Rubies”
- 28 December 2010
- Released
- English / Japanese
- Dialogue
- 4:3 Standard / Uncut
- Format
FN-01892
Dragon Ball Movie #2 – “Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle”
- 06 December 2005
- Released
- English / Japanese
- Dialogue
- 4:3 Standard / Uncut
- Format
FN-01892
Dragon Ball Movie #3 – “Mystical Adventure”
- 27 February 2001
- Released
- English / Japanese
- Dialogue
- 4:3 Standard / Uncut
- Format
FN-01892
Dragon Ball 10th Anniversary / Movie #4 – “The Path to Power”
- 29 April 2003
- Released
- English / Japanese
- Dialogue
- 4:3 Standard / Uncut
- Format
Box Sets
FN-05050
Dragon Ball Movie Box
- 06 December 2005
- Released
- English / Japanese
- Dialogue
- 4:3 Standard / Uncut
- Format
FN-05198
Dragon Ball Movie Four Pack (Complete Collection)
- 08 February 2011
- Released
- English / Japanese
- Dialogue
- 4:3 Standard / Uncut
- Format