"Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters" FUNimation English Dub Official Announcement and Discussion Thread

[Theophrastus]

There is still a chance Buu Kai from FUNi might be in 4x3 I wouldn't completely rule it out the question.

The opening scenes that are in both versions (Japanese's & the international version) are framed differently so there's a high chance that it was changed to 16:9 afterwords like the original which would explain the different framing.

It would make sense, they have to have it 16x9 for TV purposes in Japan but the original intention was too release it internationally (and maybe domestically on BD) so why go through the trouble of cropping when they can send out 4x3.

Haven't all of the DVD/BD releases for Buu Kai, Japanese or otherwise, have been in 16x9 though? That doesn't seem like a particularly good sign that the original 4x3 version is available to licensees.

[sintzu]

Haven't all of the DVD/BD releases for Buu Kai, Japanese or otherwise, have been in 16x9 though?

The french version of Kai 1.0 was also in 16:9 so it isn't surprising to see them continue that with Buu.

Japan's version is a bad sign cause they released Kai 1.0 in 4:3 so if they had a 4:3 version of Buu I think they would've released it.

[Baggie_Saiyan]

The opening scenes that are in both versions (Japanese's & the international version) are framed differently so there's a high chance that it was changed to 16:9 afterwords like the original which would explain the different framing.

It would make sense, they have to have it 16x9 for TV purposes in Japan but the original intention was too release it internationally (and maybe domestically on BD) so why go through the trouble of cropping when they can send out 4x3.

Haven't all of the DVD/BD releases for Buu Kai, Japanese or otherwise, have been in 16x9 though? That doesn't seem like a particularly good sign that the original 4x3 version is available to licensees.

True but FUNi have seemingly been working on Kai since 2013 whereas France I believed licensed Buu Kai after Japan, so FUNi may have gotten different masters but yeah I think it would be wise to expect 16x3 and if we get 4x3 it is a bonus.

[OWmyDragonBallz]

TOEI must really hate FUNimation, otherwise it seems pretty clear that FUNi would have released the Boo arc of Kai by now.

[sintzu]

TOEI must really hate FUNimation, otherwise it seems pretty clear that FUNi would have released the Boo arc of Kai by now.

We think they want it on TV first so we probably won't get it on home video until it starts airing or until it ends.

It has nothing to do with them hating Funi, they're just stuck in the past when it comes to the way they do business.

[TheGreatness25]

No, I'm pretty sure Toei hates FUNimation. I feel like other countries were able to acquire Dragon Box footage way before FUNimation and we know that other countries are getting Super before FUNimation. I could be wrong though.

[Cure Dragon 255]

Dude, Funimation was always the second to last to get stuff, even when they had Gen Fukunaga's Uncle vouching in their favor. Funimation got Dragon Ball almost a decade late (Dragon Ball anime started in 1986 and Funi's first attempt was on 1995) after and Z in 7. Chill, they will get it.

[TheGreatness25]

Dude, Funimation was always the second to last to get stuff, even when they had Gen Fukunaga's Uncle vouching in their favor. Funimation got Dragon Ball almost a decade late (Dragon Ball anime started in 1986 and Funi's first attempt was on 1995) after and Z in 7. Chill, they will get it.

There is no doubt that they'll get it, but how long will pass before they do is the issue. And nothing you said points to the fact that Toei doesn't hate FUNimation lol

Personally, I'm holding out to watch Super when FUNimation gets it. But everyone's watching it as it happens and I don't really think that I'll be so excited to wait three years later to watch it. I feel really behind. The same is with the Kai Boo arc -- I purchased a DVD that has it. Why would I want to be years behind other fans who actively watch it as it happens? And if I've seen it or own a DVD of it before FUNimation gets their ass in gear, why do I even need them in the first place? That's my point.

[ABED]

No, I'm pretty sure Toei hates FUNimation. I feel like other countries were able to acquire Dragon Box footage way before FUNimation and we know that other countries are getting Super before FUNimation. I could be wrong though.

Why would they hate FUNimation?

[DBZ_Lee]

I don't feel Toei hates anyone. They just operate their business in a different way. Toei license out their shows dependent on TV deals, FUNimation were one of the first (if I remember correctly) to air the first Season of Kai, and this was because they aired the show on Nicktoons.
Korea, France & Taiwan (as far as I'm aware) are the only other countries to have aired the Majin Buu Saga of Kai up to now, FUNimation have been unable to release it due to many reasons (I created a post earlier in this thread about what I *think* has caused the huge delay) and Toei were happy to wait for the TV deal (assuming it goes onto Toonami right after episode 98).
That unfortunately is how they operate, they hold out for as long as possible until they simply just get bored of waiting, and give up on that TV deal.

The other thing is, in their defence, Toei has licenses that are very popular with children - the big Shonen ones such as Dragon Ball & One Piece. They want them to get as much exposure as possible, and in order to do that, they want them on TV so they reach as many of their target audience as possible.
To them, they are protecting their IP, it is just a shame that they aren't able to see the bigger picture, and allow regions to simply get the product out on home video, or in FUNimation's case, on their streaming service - that is probably just as big as TV right now to many anime/manga fans.

I do think that in this case, the CW's Vortexx block holding the contract until September 2014 hindered the progress, as they wouldn't air further episodes due to them removing the Vortexx block, which in turn, meant Toei wouldn't allow FUNimation to license it.
So, when they got the deal with Toonami, that was when Toei issued the contract, and they started to dub.

[OWmyDragonBallz]

So when is episode 98 expected to air on Toonami?

[DBZ_Lee]

So when is episode 98 expected to air on Toonami?

As far as I'm aware, it's due to air November time, but bear in mind, if they have any marathons for other shows, that may push it back.

[Danfun64]

There is at least a Catalan dub of The Final Chapters, possibly other Spain dubs as well.

[simtek34]

Dude, Funimation was always the second to last to get stuff, even when they had Gen Fukunaga's Uncle vouching in their favor. Funimation got Dragon Ball almost a decade late (Dragon Ball anime started in 1986 and Funi's first attempt was on 1995) after and Z in 7. Chill, they will get it.

Uhh... Funimation got Dragon Ball in '95 and '96 because they didn't exist until 1994. That's why they got it a "Decade Late".

[Crinchy]

I'm pretty sure TOEI does not "hate" the company that generated millions of dollars for them, and the big heads also stated they enjoyed the work they do nowadays for their faithful adaptations in private dinner conversations according to Sabat.

[SSJ Electric Fury]

So when is episode 98 expected to air on Toonami?

As far as I'm aware, it's due to air November time, but bear in mind, if they have any marathons for other shows, that may push it back.

I haven't been keeping up due to third shift work (and haven't set it to DVR due to already owning all of it), but according to the U-verse TV guide, episode 82 will air this Saturday night. With that included, there are seventeen episodes left to go. If the only breaks are for Halloween and Thanksgiving, and there are no more back-to-back airings, episode 98 should air on December 17.

[SparkyPantsMcGee]

Sorry for jumping into this post extremely late but I've uhh...been hibernating(?)

Anyway, has there been any official word from Funimation, Toei or even Toonami about the Buu saga coming stateside? It's something I would love to see happen and I'm woundering whats going on. I noticed Z just got finished being re-released fully on Blu Ray(with better quality video from the Dragonbox it looks like too) but nothing from Kai.

[DBZ_Lee]

Sorry for jumping into this post extremely late but I've uhh...been hibernating(?)

Anyway, has there been any official word from Funimation, Toei or even Toonami about the Buu saga coming stateside? It's something I would love to see happen and I'm woundering whats going on. I noticed Z just got finished being re-released fully on Blu Ray(with better quality video from the Dragonbox it looks like too) but nothing from Kai.

Nothing from Toei, Funimation or Toonami, but Sean Schemmel has confirmed it is finished.
The assumption is that it will air right after episode 98 on Toonami (which is due in December) and I'm not sure if they will even bother to announce it.

[Alruneia]

Sorry for jumping into this post extremely late but I've uhh...been hibernating(?)

Anyway, has there been any official word from Funimation, Toei or even Toonami about the Buu saga coming stateside? It's something I would love to see happen and I'm woundering whats going on. I noticed Z just got finished being re-released fully on Blu Ray(with better quality video from the Dragonbox it looks like too) but nothing from Kai.

Nothing from Toei, Funimation or Toonami, but Sean Schemmel has confirmed it is finished.
The assumption is that it will air right after episode 98 on Toonami (which is due in December) and I'm not sure if they will even bother to announce it.

Basically. We have nothing concrete, we just think it'll continue after the current run gets to the end of the Cell arc. I wish we heard something official...

[SparkyPantsMcGee]

Hopefully we'll hear something concrete come Holiday time. It would be exciting to see it on Toonami though.