900 Minutes of Uncut Action, DBZ Season 1 Arrives

Vegard Aune · Post by **Vegard Aune** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:01 pm

ETC123 wrote:As Dragonball fans, you're all pathetic (some company excluded, ie. those who didnt buy the boxset and justify with OMG TWENTY BUX).

Ah, for god's sake, STOP BASHING EVERYONE WHO BUYS THIS SET!
I, for one, am not happy with the widescreen, think the remastering sucks, and in all honesty I don't really like this set. But I'll still buy it. Not because it's cheap, cause it's not. (For me. I have to buy it from some shop that's imported it themselves, thus making the price something like 100$, as my parents won't let me import stuff myself.) but because I just want to watch the show in japanese, and still be able to understand it.

BrollysKin · Post by **BrollysKin** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:17 pm

Hopefully the two of them will get banned. All they do is flame and insult others.

707 · Post by **707** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:02 pm

I'm sorry for helping further flush the message board down the proverbial shitter. Or the site as a whole, I couldn't tell which was being referred to.

Maybe the fans are lazy. Maybe they're irresponsible. Maybe they just want to see you have an anyeurism, so they're buying the sets just to spite you. Or maybe, just maybe, buying a DVD set on the cheap from your local video store isn't something high on your list of moral conundrum. Are you any less of a civic minded individual if you willingly support a company's lackluster DVD release?

To answer a previous comment, I actually hate Pan and Scan movies. I don't own a single one. I also don't own a single cartoon that is only only available in a format other than the one it was originally presented in. Except for Dragonball. Because I like the show that much, and I don't care about the fact that its in widescreen enough to stage a protest. If "Leon" or "Reservoir Dogs" were only available in Pan and Scan, and I honestly didn't know if they would ever be released again, I would own those in a less than desirable format as well. But movies like that aren't good examples. I guess the best example would be Terry Gilliam's new movie, Tideland. Except I'm NOT buying that, because Gilliam flat out said that if the fans boycotted the DVD that he would see to a better release. In other words, if Funimation said "Hey, if this isn't good enough, we'll try something else" then I could see them changing their product. If they showed ANY sign of offering an alternative, then the boycott might be a good idea. But the sets are selling very well, and Funimation cancelled the Ultimate Uncut DVDs before the box set was even released.

Funimation has never shown any sign of caving in to boycotts, despite what the fans may think. I was around for all of the petitions and grandstanding. Funimation has always listened to the fans, but rarely when the fans are being belligerent (which they usually are.) If you want something, write them a letter and tell them you want it. Me, I did that, but I also got my DVD set from the store. I'd rather tell them what I'd want and support their product instead of telling them that its my moral duty to NOT BUY their DVDs, because they OWE ME better.

Seriously, guys. Put this kind of effort into the struggles in Darfur, or into getting a decent president in office. Use those ham fisted debating skills for good.

Post by **VegettoEX** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:33 pm

Just so you all know, you've all been saying the exact same thing back and forth... in only-slightly-different words... for 76 pages.

Like... uhh... yeah. Carry on.

FDLink · Post by **FDLink** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:46 pm

So much for getting banned.

VegettoEX wrote:Just so you all know, you've all been saying the exact same thing back and forth... in only-slightly-different words... for 76 pages.

Actually, I did notice that, even when I was typing my latest response. A few of us have even admitted to being broken records.

Well, I guess there's really not much more to say on the subject. People buy it because it's OMG CHEAPZ, and in turn, ruin it for those of us who are holding out for an un-bastardized set. We get mad, they get mad, rinse, repeat.

It's a vicious cycle, it is.

BrollysKin · Post by **BrollysKin** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:04 pm

VegettoEX wrote:Just so you all know, you've all been saying the exact same thing back and forth... in only-slightly-different words... for 76 pages.

Like... uhh... yeah. Carry on.

Do you have something productive to say? I don't see you adding any insight into this conversation.

MisterFlashdude · Post by **MisterFlashdude** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:17 pm

BrollysKin wrote:
VegettoEX wrote:Just so you all know, you've all been saying the exact same thing back and forth... in only-slightly-different words... for 76 pages.

Like... uhh... yeah. Carry on.
Do you have something productive to say? I don't see you adding any insight into this conversation.

Telling you to move on is productive in itself.

And maybe, in some way, profoundly insightful...

Post by **VegettoEX** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:34 pm

BrollysKin wrote:Do you have something productive to say? I don't see you adding any insight into this conversation.

lolz you think you inversed rules on admin so awesome n clevar

MisterFlashdude wrote:Telling you to move on is productive in itself. And maybe, in some way, profoundly insightful...

Nailed it.

My point, if you'll actually read and play along, is that the exact same things have been said over and over and over and over for 76 pages... there's not anything new being added to the mix. That's not inherently an awful thing, but in this case it's certainly going the route of working against itself.

Furthermore, just because you don't see continuous public warnings doesn't mean things aren't happening behind the scenes. Nothing is flying under the radar. But if you want it, fine. Certain people are acting like jackasses. Certain people have been warned. I will continue to warn people. I will, also, continue to silently ban people when necessary so as to not create an omgintarwebdrama scene every single time.

Yes, it's a boxset. No, it's not the end of the world. Yes, it's important to some people. Yes, it's important to speak out against things you dislike. Yes, money talks more than internet words. No, the show isn't going to fold upon and ruin itself just because people in the US are buying a product that's been a lie from the start. No, you're not an awful person just because you bought the set. Insert additional sentences of truth here.

Then again, nothing in the last paragraph hasn't already been stated by at least a dozen different people in the last 76 pages...

MajinVejitaXV · Post by **MajinVejitaXV** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:54 pm

I've gotta agree with Mike. This set has been covered thoroughly, which is why I haven't had any real motivation to finish my site* (that and fun stuff keeps popping up in my "free" time, like my dad just having surgery yesterday for a near heart attack at the age of 46). We can keep going back and forth, but it's all been covered.

Ultimately, it comes down to this. This is the point, people.

FDLink wrote:The other option is for more people to sprout a spine, some balls, and stick it to FUNimation by complaining to them directly, and refusing to buy this set. If FUNi had received enough fan pressure as they should have, you can bet your ass that they would be in the process of releasing a 4:3 set by now, and you'd still have your precious $30 bargain.

I just don't get this fanbase. You crop any other popular animated show that was originally 4:3, and the fires of hell would be raining down on whatever company repsonsible. Not for DBZ, apparently.

Agreed. More times over than I can hope to express on a message board. Ultimately, FUNimation and any other company cares only about the bottom line. It's true. It doesn't make them evil, it just makes them a business.

I've never seen a fan community roll over so much as I've seen the DragonBall community roll over the past few months. After 7 years of having the series dispensed to us via an eye-dropper (and still not completed), FUNimation slaps fans in the face one last time...and faces no reprecussion?

The point here isn't to force people to buy DragonBoxes instead of domestic product or anything like that. The point is to make FUNimation make a product that isn't a piece of steaming dog turd. That is their job, to convince us to buy their product. If we're just giving it up because of price...well, what's the point?

I made a letter awhile back so people could write an intelligent complaint to FUNimation. I wrote it in my spare time, with knowledge of how to complain and get results because I do it for a living. I work with insurance companies, some of the most hard-headed bastards on the world, and try to force them to pay things appropriately. Despite this, about 30 people or less wrote to FUNimation.

I can tell you right now that there's more people pissed about this set than that, and many more who purchased it who would still want a fullscreen version. Yet, nothing happens. And as a result, nothing will happen. People want instant gratification and are unwilling to work for something better. They will get out of things what they put into them. Toei made an excellent set because the fanbase wouldn't allow anything else, not because they wanted to spend millions of dollars for fun.

Anyway, that's all. I agree that this discussion is going in circles, and I'm a bit scatterbrained tonight. Enjoy DBZ in widescreen folks.

-Corey

* - Yes, I still intend to finish the site, I'm just learning more about what was done on this set exactly and trying to not be sick of the subject when I work on it. Look for it in a week or so.

BrollysKin · Post by **BrollysKin** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:07 pm

VegettoEX wrote:
BrollysKin wrote:Do you have something productive to say? I don't see you adding any insight into this conversation.
lolz you think you inversed rules on admin so awesome n clevar

I do what I can.

Thanks Corey, it's nice to see someone say something useful. I guess we can just keep complaining, but there will probably be no positive outcome.

Kula · Post by **Kula** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:19 am

If you don't mind widescreen, then buy it. I'm personally against the set and I wouldn't take it if someone gave it to me for free. Even if every member of Daizex decided to boycott the release, casual buyers would still be putting enormous amounts of cash in FUNI's pocket. So until we can get through to the casual buyer, I can't see a 4:3 version coming any time soon.

So does this mean that I should just buy the set anyway? No. I have standards and I'm sticking to them.

Does this mean I have a right to bitch at the people who bought it? No. I might be frustrated that people are lapping up this release, but I'm not going to belittle them or call them lesser-fans for it.

MajinVejitaXV · Post by **MajinVejitaXV** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:45 am

707 wrote:I'd rather tell them what I'd want and support their product instead of telling them that its my moral duty to NOT BUY their DVDs, because they OWE ME better.

Seriously, guys. Put this kind of effort into the struggles in Darfur, or into getting a decent president in office. Use those ham fisted debating skills for good.

(I missed this post before, oops)

I use them to reform health insurance, does that make a difference? Last month I recovered $20k in professional components of blood charges that United Healthcare had left the father of a leukemia patient to pay. I've also been on the phone with Michael Beebe from the American Medical Association and Thomas Darr From Ingenix, the latter of which publishes erroneous materials about coding logic despite federal laws which were implemented 19 years ago (namely the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988) and directly conflict their stance.

Here's the thing: The old adage about attracting more flies with honey is horseshit when it comes to consumers impacting a given market. I can tell you this from experience, as can people who're stuck with incomplete collections of the majority of DragonBall Z in 4:3 after supporting FUNimation for 6 years, just like you support them today. Buying something to support a given company or fledgling property may have made sense back when the Ginyu DVD's came out, but now there's no reason. DragonBall Z isn't the little guy and neither is FUNimation. FUNimation knows there is a market for the series, buying something today serves only to give them figures and justify the release.

Wanna know why FUNimation never changed things (before this) and gave American fans the series through an eyedropper at $6-8 an episode? They didn't have to. People bitched, but they also lapped it up. FUNimation didn't need to change things, so they didn't. Same thing here. And so long as you live, a company will never market a release with "Oh, by the way, if you complain enough we'll change this." (which, technically we did get word from a FUNimation marketing rep that they would change it with enough complaints, but to no avail from those who went "lol omfg cheap"). Aside from it being common sense, it's a poor method of selling a product. It shows that they don't have confidence in what they are selling.

Besides, the way you phrase it, you make it sound like Gen is coming to your door with a copy of the set wrapped in a bow for free. Wake up, they're asking your money for it. That gives you power, unless you decide to give it away. There's nothing wrong with asking for a quality product for your money.

And morality has nothing to do with it. You're not immoral if you buy this release and expect them to change it anyway, you're just...well, ignorant to the workings of economics. No insult intended, just honesty.

-Corey

BlueSky · Post by **Kaboom** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:51 am

Hey, Corey, speaking of that letter, do you think you can put up another link to it? I've gotten involved at a few more places I think I'd like to put it up on.

MajinVejitaXV · Post by **MajinVejitaXV** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:53 am

SSj Kaboom wrote:Hey, Corey, speaking of that letter, do you think you can put up another link to it? I've gotten involved at a few more places I think I'd like to put it up on.

Sure, it's sitting on my webspace.

http://cyborgcentral.dynip.com/~psp/funi.doc

-Corey

Big Momma · Post by **Big Momma** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:57 pm

So, I saw this at my local Wal-Mart for about 30 bucks(Along with a sweet Bobobo dvd I'm definitely going to get.)

Should I get the box set? I don't have any of those episodes(Except the first three in one of Funi's "Ultimate Uncut" releases.)

MajinVejitaXV · Post by **MajinVejitaXV** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:05 pm

Big Momma wrote:So, I saw this at my local Wal-Mart for about 30 bucks(Along with a sweet Bobobo dvd I'm definitely going to get.)

Should I get the box set? I don't have any of those episodes(Except the first three in one of Funi's "Ultimate Uncut" releases.)

I'd say no personally, but I'm far from impartial. Worst case, if you wait I guarantee the thing will be available for far less. Best case, fans will grow testicles and rip FUNimation a new one resulting in a proper 4:3/non-DVNR'd to death release.

As for Bo^7, don't grab that DVD unless you only watch the english version. Illumitoon really fucked the dog on that one.

http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc ... s/6020.php

-Corey

Big Momma · Post by **Big Momma** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:24 pm

Thanks. I will probably wait until it's price goes down(I can picture it on the Gamestop DVD rack for about 10 bucks.) And I don't know about all that widescreen stuff you guys are talking about, but if you all say it's better, then I'll take your word for it and fight for the cause, you guys are smarter at this stuff than me.

And about the "Bo" DVD thing, I changed my mind. Thanks for the save, Majin.

FDLink · Post by **FDLink** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:37 pm

No, it's FULLSCREEN that is better, in this case. We want DBZ in 4:3, aka "fullscreen". And without the DVNR, if possible.

Big Momma · Post by **Big Momma** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:46 pm

Soo ka? Ima ni wakarimasu! Arigato!

BlueSky · Post by **Kaboom** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:43 pm

The Bo-BoBo DVDs are bilingual, aren't they?