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Episode #0471! Mike, Julian, and Ian review Toyotaro’s “debut” manga series (in an official capacity, anyway): “Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission” from 2012-2014. The odd little promotional manga that could somehow grew into a legitimate serialization and arguably shaped the future of the “Dragon Ball Heroes” franchise for years to come. What lasting impact do we still see all these years later, and how does “Victory Mission” itself still hold up?
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Continuing onward from previous chapters, Shueisha and Viz have added the official English translation of the Dragon Ball Super manga’s forty-seventh chapter to their respective Manga Plus and Shonen Jump services, moving further into the original “Galactic Patrol Prisoner arc”. Alongside other initiatives including free chapters and a larger archive for paid subscribers, this release continues the companies’ schedule of not simply simultaneously publishing the series’ chapter alongside its Japanese debut to the release date, but to its local time in Japan in today’s June 2019 issue of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine in Japan.
The Dragon Ball Super “comicalization” began in June 2015, initially just ahead of the television series, and running both ahead and behind the series at various points. The manga runs monthly in Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine, with the series’ forty-seventh chapter coming today in the magazine’s June 2019 issue. Illustrated by “Toyotarō” (in all likelihood, a second pen-name used by Dragon Ball AF fan manga author and illustrator “Toyble”), the Dragon Ball Super manga covered the Battle of Gods re-telling, skipped the Resurrection ‘F’ re-telling, and “charged ahead” to the Champa arc, “speeding up the excitement of the TV anime even more”. Though the television series has completed its run, the manga continues onward, having recently entered its own original “Galactic Patrol Prisoner” arc. Viz is currently releasing free digital chapters of the series, and began their own collected print edition back in 2017. The fifth collected volume is due in English from Viz this coming May.
The Dragon Ball Super television series concluded in March 2018 with 131 total episodes. FUNimation owns the American distribution license for the series, with the English dub airing on Cartoon Network, and the home video release reaching its eighth box set this coming July.
Shueisha’s official Dragon Ball website has unveiled the cover for the upcoming Dragon Ball Super: Broly anime comic. The official cover art is drawn by none other than Naohiro Shintani, the theatrical film’s animation supervisor.
カバー（上の画像）に使用されるイラストは、作画監督の新谷直大さん描き下ろし！悟空とベジータ、ブロリーが描かれたド迫力のイラストだ！！
The cover illustration is drawn by animation supervisor Naohiro Shintani! Goku, Vegeta, and Broli have been drawn with an intense force!!
The 360-page comic is set to hit store shelves 02 May 2019 with a retail price of ¥1,400 (+tax). Two novelizations were released in Japan back in December alongside the film’s theatrical debut. The film itself is due for home video release April 16 in America and June 5 in Japan.
The TV and Film Anime Comics series of books collect screen shots from their respective animation into traditional manga format with dialog bubbles and sound effects written out. The 2013 theatrical film, Battle of Gods, received a Film Anime Comic release in October that year (following its March theatrical debut); a lower-priced “Shueisha Jump Remix” version was released the following year. The 2015 theatrical film, Resurrection ‘F’, received a Film Anime Comic release in December that year (following its April theatrical debut); a lower-price “Shueisha Jump Remix” version was released just this last December.
The Dragon Ball Super: Broly anime comic is available for pre-order on Amazon Japan.
Following today’s tenth episode premiere, the official Super Dragon Ball Heroes website announced an 09 May 2019 streaming date for the forthcoming eleventh episode of the Super Dragon Ball Heroes promotional anime, continuing further into the brand-new “Universal Conflict” arc. In the upcoming episode (“Fierce Fight! Universe 11’s Climactic Battle!”), Vegeta battles on with his “Evolved” Super Saiyan Blue form, while the new character “Hearts” (played by Takehito Koyasu) begins to show off his true abilities.
The arcade game’s “Universe Mission 8” update will hit that same day. In 2015, May 9 was officially recognized as “Goku Day” in Japan.
The self-described “promotional anime” began its free online streaming in July 2018, with the initial six episodes covering the “Prison Planet” arc, then moving on to the “Universal Conflict” arc. Though the series’ original trailer was available worldwide, the subsequent episode postings themselves have been region-locked to Japan. No home release of the promotional anime has been announced. The series’ tenth episode went live today.
Super Dragon Ball Heroes is itself an update and hardware revision to the original Dragon Ball Heroes, a card-based arcade game in which players arrange teammates on a playing field for turn-based battles. Dragon Ball Heroes has seen a variety of multimedia spin-offs and support pieces. Yoshitaka Nagayama’s Super Dragon Ball Heroes: Universe Mission manga (a follow-up to the previous Dark Demon Realm Mission series) currently runs in Shueisha’s bimonthly Saikyō Jump magazine, while Toyotarō’s Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission ran from 2012-2015 in Shueisha’s monthly V-Jump magazine. Three portable game adaptations — Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate Mission, Ultimate Mission 2, and Ultimate Mission X — were released on the Nintendo 3DS. A fourth home version, Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission, launched on the Nintendo Switch and PC on 04 April 2019 and internationally 05 April 2019.
Bandai Namco has revealed the full lineup of nine characters — including Dragon Ball‘s Majin Boo — coming as paid downloadable content to Jump Force, the 50th anniversary crossover fighting game recently released on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Here's a look at the full line up coming to the #JUMPFORCE Character Pass: Seto Kaiba, All Might, Biscuit Krueger, Majin Buu, Madara Uchiha, Trafalgar D. Water Law, Hitsugaya Toshiro, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, and Katsuki Bakugo.#UniteToFight today: https://t.co/tpmTsX45av pic.twitter.com/0GvU9isjqG
— Bandai Namco US (@BandaiNamcoUS) April 18, 2019
The nine characters listed match those discovered by data miners back in February.
Additional characters are included in the game’s supplemental $29.99 “Characters Pass”, which also includes four days of earlier access to said characters and each coming with abilities and costume elements for the player’s avatar character. Last month, Bandai Namco shared their 2019 roadmap for Jump Force, outlining the tentative schedule of upcoming character additions and free updates.
Jump Force, a crossover fighting game in celebration of Jump‘s 50th anniversary, contains four brand new characters designed by original Dragon Ball author Akira Toriyama. The game released worldwide on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (via Steam) with a Japanese launch 14 February 2019 followed by an international release the following day on 15 February 2019. Jump Force currently features Son Goku, Vegeta, Trunks, Piccolo, Freeza, and Cell as playable characters. We recently discussed Jump Force on episode #0467 of our podcast.
Spike Chunsoft previously developed J-Stars Victory Vs., a crossover fighting game celebrating Jump‘s 45th anniversary; the game was originally released on the PlayStation 3 and Vita, with a PlayStation 4 port eventually coming alongside an international localization. Prior to this, the company developed the Sparking! (released internationally as “Budokai Tenkaichi”) and Raging Blast series of Dragon Ball fighting games.
FUNimation’s online store reveals an 02 July 2019 release date for the company’s eighth part of the Dragon Ball Super television series on DVD and Blu-ray.
With Buu out of commission, and in order to complete their roster, Goku recruits an old enemy as the 7th Universe’s final teammate. However, the other universes aren’t keen on letting this new foe join the fight. The stage is set, and the Tournament of Power finally starts! Can the Z Fighters last against an onslaught of targeted aggression, or will personal grudges mark the beginning of the end?!
The bilingual (English/Japanese) two-disc set will span episodes 92 to 104 and is slated to contain a 16 minutes of bonus material including special feature entitled “Dragon Ball Super: Two Humans and an Android”. The set will retail for $39.98 MSRP on DVD and $44.98 MSRP on Blu-ray.
The Dragon Ball Super television series concluded in March 2018 with 131 total episodes. FUNimation owns the American distribution license for the series, with the English dub airing on Cartoon Network, and the home video release reaching its seventh box set this month.
Last year’s Dragon Ball Super: Broly theatrical film sees its home release today from FUNimation (somehow two months ahead of its impending Japanese release!). Stay tuned here at Kanzenshuu as we continue to cover the film and its various international releases, but in the meantime, check out these quick facts: it is everything you actually wanted to know about the North American home release!
What is Dragon Ball Super: Broly?
Dragon Ball Super: Broly is the latest high-profile Dragon Ball theatrical film. It hit Japanese theaters in wide release 14 December 2018, and directly follows the Dragon Ball Super series. The story, script, and character designs were directly handled by original Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama. The film revisits and reinterprets certain elements from a few specific older features from the 1990s into the current storyline, all the meanwhile introducing its own new plot points and character moments.
Who composed the music for this movie?
Norihito Sumitomo returns to score Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Sumitomo has previously composed for the Boo arc of Dragon Ball Kai, both the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ theatrical films, as well as the entirety of the Dragon Ball Super television series.
This film looks different somehow. What’s up with that?
Whereas the animation for Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’, and the Dragon Ball Super television series was overseen by franchise stalwart Tadayoshi Yamamuro, this new film was used as a testbed and clean break for a new visual take on the franchise. Following a competitive audition, Naohiro Shintani was selected to provide and oversee this new visual direction, which included the animation supervision and adapted character designs.
How does Dragon Ball Super tie in with this movie’s story? Is it canonical to the anime or the manga?
Dragon Ball Super: Broly chronologically takes place after the end of the Tournament of Power in the Dragon Ball Super series, very briefly mentioning these events early in the feature. The film showcases certain elements that have thus far only been featured in the manga version of Dragon Ball Super, and notably does not feature certain elements that have thus far been exclusive to the television version of Dragon Ball Super.
What is “Dragon Ball Minus” and how does that relate to this film?
“Dragon Ball Minus” is a bonus chapter of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball prequel series Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, and was included in the series’ collected edition released in 2014. The content of “Dragon Ball Minus” is adapted early in this film.
Is this release in English or Japanese?
As with pretty much all of FUNimation’s home releases since 2000, this release includes the original Japanese audio track (with accompanying English subtitle translations) along with the company’s own English dub.
Is a digital release available?
Yes. An FUNimation digital version is included with Blu-ray/DVD combo pack as well as the stand-alone DVD. The movie is also available on additional platforms such as iTunes.
Are there any differences between the theatrical version and the home release?
Unlike with Battle of Gods (and to some degree, Resurrection ‘F’, though its extra material never received a home release), there is currently no extended edition of Dragon Ball Super: Broly.
Does this release have a green tint?
FUNimation’s release does indeed appear to have a green tint to it that is not present in certain other sources, such as the UK’s streaming and upcoming home video release. Hover or tap the image below to compare.
My theater had awful audio. Is it even comprehensible here?
Something definitely happened with many folks’ theatrical screenings back in January. Feelings on audio mixes can be pretty subjective, but you’ll be able to understand what characters are saying and be able to hear the background music on this release.
Is Daichi Miura’s song “Blizzard” the original Japanese or English version?
Daichi Miura’s own English version of “Blizzard” is present in both the English dub as well as the original Japanese language track itself in this home video release. This trend of including the performer’s own English version even in the Japanese track began with the home video release of Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, where FLOW’s English versions of “CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA” and “HERO ~Song of Hope~” were present in all audio tracks on FUNimation’s home video release.
Who provided the translation for the subtitles?
Long-time Dragon Ball fan and FUNimation translator for the franchise Steven J. “Daimao” Simmons is credited with the work.
I’ve heard about issues with the translation and subtitles. What’s up?
FUNimation’s home video release contains a disclaimer stating:
In accordance with the wishes of our Licensors, the English subtitle track features character spellings courtesy of Toei Animation. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we continually strive to preserve the artistic integrity of all our properties.
Much like Viz’s English translation of the Dragon Ball manga, Simmons’ subtitle track has never been especially beholden to name changes and spellings exclusive to FUNimation’s English dub; this includes name spellings for standard characters such as Kuririn and Tenshinhan, older movie characters such as Tullece and Broli himself, and newer characters such as Beers.
For the first time since 2000’s original “Captain Ginyu” DVDs, these name spellings have been altered in Simmons’ translation track, including “Beerus”, “Broly”, “Bulla”, and “Frieza”.
(As an aside, the spelling of “Beerus” is part of Kanzenshuu‘s own style guide, and was decided upon and put into use prior to FUNimation’s own adoption of the spelling.)
Are all of the audio tracks provided in 5.1 surround sound?
Both the original Japanese and English dub are indeed presented in Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound.
What types of releases are available?
A single-disc DVD/digital release, a two-disc DVD & Blu-ray (plus digital) combo pack, as well as a collector’s edition steelbook are available.
What kinds of special features are included?
Initial product listings included an entry for a “Vic Mignogna Answers Your Questions” bonus feature; this is not present on the final home video release.
What is different from the upcoming Japanese collector’s edition?
The Japanese collector’s edition, set for release this June, will contain its own set of video extras (including footage from its November 2018 premiere), pack-in bonuses such as a “Saiyan button badge set”, a 32-postcard set, an “original card folder”, a “deluxe 60-page booklet”, and more.
Are the end credits only provided in English?
Yes, the credits are exclusively written in English accompanied by the English version of Daichi Miura’s “Blizzard”. A full translation of the film’s entire credits is available in our “Movie Guide”.
Where can I purchase this home release?
Most retailers carry the movie. It is also available online from retailers such as Amazon.
I want to know more about this movie!
In addition to the respective page in our “Movie Guide“, check out our “Translations” section for everything you ever wanted to know about Dragon Ball Super: Broly!
SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0470! Mike and Heath check in on “Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission” before chatting out the latest entry in the long-running saga of questionable-at-best, depressing-at-worst FUNimation Dragon Ball Z home video releases. Who do they think they are making this 30th anniversary Blu-ray set for, and why do we keep repeating history over and over expecting anything to change?
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Our podcast is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music, or you can pop the direct RSS feed into the program of your choice. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3 or by streaming it on SoundCloud or YouTube. We invite you to discuss this episode on our forum.
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A brief teaser released last Friday indicates material related to the Dragon Ball Super: Broly theatrical film is making its way to Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission courtesy of a new update “coming soon”:
Cards featuring characters from the film originally debuted in the Super Dragon Ball Heroes arcade game’s “Universe Mission 5” update in November 2018. Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission currently covers the eight base missions from the Super Dragon Ball Heroes upgrade as well as the first two “Universe Mission” updates.
Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission, developed by Dimps for Bandai Namco, is a home version of the ongoing Super Dragon Ball Heroes card-based arcade game in Japan, released 04 April 2019 in Japan and 05 April 2019 internationally, on the Nintendo Switch and PC (via Steam). The game features an original story with Shiirasu, an antagonist with the Galatic Patrol insignia who arrives at the Time Nest speaking of “justice” to Trunks and the Kaiōshin of Time. Designed by Toyotarō, the character’s official “English” name spelling has been adjusted as “Sealas”; the name in Japanese is likely a play on whitebait, fitting alongside other, similar Galactic Patrol-related names.
World Mission follows three Dragon Ball Heroes games released on the Nintendo 3DS. The prior entry was Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate Mission X in April 2017; the game covered 3,300 cards from the arcade version’s original 8 missions, 10 “Galaxy Missions”, 8 “Evil Dragon Missions”, and 10 “God Missions”, effectively encompassing all content pre-Super Dragon Ball Heroes in its own original story mode in addition to the arcade version’s mission structure. Ultimate Mission X (and Ultimate Mission 2 before it) received extended support through free (albeit minor) updates.
Outside of a single test run at San Diego Comic Con last year, no Dragon Ball Heroes content has ever received an international/localized release outside of Japan until World Mission‘s release.
The North American Nintendo Switch edition of Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission is available for order on Amazon or the Nintendo eShop, while the PC edition is available via Steam.
FUNimation has shared a new trailer to promote and garner the necessary pre-orders for their (potential) forthcoming Dragon Ball Z 30th anniversary Blu-ray set:
While advertised and genuinely presented in the series’ original 4:3 aspect ratio, the quality of the video samples used appear similar to the company’s previous Blu-ray release of the Dragon Ball Z series from 2013-2014, which in addition to its cropped widescreen aspect ratio featured heavy digital video noise reduction and significant color adjustments. From what little we have to go on as presented in the trailer, it would seem that the “new” video master is indeed simply this same (or similar, or otherwise-related) base remaster, albeit no longer cropped to widescreen. It is not a “double-crop” of the existing Blu-rays, though it continues to exhibit the same over-saturation and digital noise destruction as seen in the prior sets.
Many fans have asked questions and expressed confusion over the cost of the set and what their pre-orders would “fund”. While a cost of $350 may be something that western fans are not used to dropping all at once on a single product, it is difficult to see how it would line up with the cost necessary to “fund” a faithful remaster while also including extras such as a hardcover art book and figure. The relatively-low cost is more in line with a release using existing footage from an automated “remastering” process. Indeed, FUNimation is clear on their own reservation page that this is not a “crowdfunding” initiative.
In addition, the latest trailer and marketing collateral (including direct email campaigns) continue to share two significant falsehoods / misleading statements about this set:
FUNimation asked Kanzenshuu and its community for questions back in 2013 regarding the “season” Blu-ray sets. While the answers provided were extensive, they were that of a company continuing to do what they arguably do best: spin and muddy the waters regarding technical details, walk back previously-established initiatives, and ultimately not provide a faithful release of the series. At the time, we stated the following:
If you have been with Kanzenshuu (and its previous incarnations) for any amount of time, you know that we love this series to an obscene degree. We want what is best for the series, we want what is best for the fans, and we do actually believe that FUNimation wants the same thing. That being said, we continue to believe that the various Dragon Ball TV series are best presented in their original 4:3 production aspect ratio. We continue to believe that grain is an inherent part of the production method, and while its negative effects – primarily due to multigenerational copies provided to licensees – can be mitigated, it is also something that must be respected with care. We continue to believe that Dragon Ball is a product of its time, and was / is / forever will be loved exactly as that.
If the quality presented within this new trailer is indicative of the intended final release, this is just the latest example in a long string of releases from the franchise’s rights-holders — which unfortunately now includes its original Japanese producers — that are unable or otherwise unwilling to produce a worthwhile, faithful, archival-quality modern release of a series with such historical importance.
If the quality presented within this new trailer is not indicative of the intended final release, we have to wonder why it was even shown.
We cannot in good conscience recommend fans purchase this release.
