Unpopular DB opinions

[Hellspawn28]

When I remember watching DBZ episodes on Toonami of the Ocean Voice cast, I remember being confused by old references as a kid because pre-DBZ era DB was not out yet. Like when they show a flash back of Kami and Piccolo fighting at the 23rd Tenkachi Budokai. It made feel like I was missing a lot when watching DBZ for the first time.

[nickzambuto]

Okay, on the topic of Nozawa's progression not being appreciated if you don't watch Dragon Ball, that's another thing.

Although I'm sure this isn't unpopular around here, but the idea of skipping Dragon Ball and going straight to Z is nothing short of absurd. Even a great film like The Godfather, if you just turned it on randomly at the 50 minute mark and acted like that was the complete package, and the first half of the film was just some minor, unimportant prequel material, you'd probably have a lot of problems with it as well.

THEY ARE ONE STORY. DAMN YOU TOEI FOR SEPARATING IT

It wasn't Toei that separated them; "Z" aired the week after DB, in the exact same timeslot.

Funimation is the one that started all this bullshit. If that hadn't been a thing, you wouldn't have legions of "fans" clamoring that it's totally okay to skip the formative material of the franchise.

But the people at Toei are the ones who made the decision to split it into two different series'. Akira Toriyama wrote one story, from start (Goku meeting Bulma) to finish (Goku defeating Boo and training Oob). Toei made a marketing decision at the cost of artistic integrity, FUNi holds equal blame for choosing to skip the first series (although if not for that decision who knows whether or not Dragon Ball would have ever become as popular as it is) but we can not act as if Toei did nothing wrong. They are the ones who took one story and made it look like two stories.

[nickzambuto]

Is it unpopular to think of Toriyama as a fantastically talented writer?

[Kamiccolo9]

Okay, on the topic of Nozawa's progression not being appreciated if you don't watch Dragon Ball, that's another thing.

Although I'm sure this isn't unpopular around here, but the idea of skipping Dragon Ball and going straight to Z is nothing short of absurd. Even a great film like The Godfather, if you just turned it on randomly at the 50 minute mark and acted like that was the complete package, and the first half of the film was just some minor, unimportant prequel material, you'd probably have a lot of problems with it as well.

THEY ARE ONE STORY. DAMN YOU TOEI FOR SEPARATING IT

It wasn't Toei that separated them; "Z" aired the week after DB, in the exact same timeslot.

Funimation is the one that started all this bullshit. If that hadn't been a thing, you wouldn't have legions of "fans" clamoring that it's totally okay to skip the formative material of the franchise.

But the people at Toei are the ones who made the decision to split it into two different series'. Akira Toriyama wrote one story, from start (Goku meeting Bulma) to finish (Goku defeating Boo and training Oob). Toei made a marketing decision at the cost of artistic integrity, FUNi holds equal blame for choosing to skip the first series (although if not for that decision who knows whether or not Dragon Ball would have ever become as popular as it is) but we can not act as if Toei did nothing wrong. They are the ones who took one story and made it look like two stories.

Toriyama used the "Z" label as well. Not being Japanese, and obviously having not been there at the time, all I can say is that I'm almost certain that "Z" was not treated as a "separate" series at the time, rather as a continuation of the existing series. Everything I've heard about the history of the franchise seems to indicate that.

And for what it's worth, it seems to be only the western fans who even make this distinction. Most Japanese fans I have spoken to consider them the same series. The closest western approximation I can think of is Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.

[nickzambuto]

It wasn't Toei that separated them; "Z" aired the week after DB, in the exact same timeslot.

Funimation is the one that started all this bullshit. If that hadn't been a thing, you wouldn't have legions of "fans" clamoring that it's totally okay to skip the formative material of the franchise.

But the people at Toei are the ones who made the decision to split it into two different series'. Akira Toriyama wrote one story, from start (Goku meeting Bulma) to finish (Goku defeating Boo and training Oob). Toei made a marketing decision at the cost of artistic integrity, FUNi holds equal blame for choosing to skip the first series (although if not for that decision who knows whether or not Dragon Ball would have ever become as popular as it is) but we can not act as if Toei did nothing wrong. They are the ones who took one story and made it look like two stories.

Toriyama used the "Z" label as well. Not being Japanese, and obviously having not been there at the time, all I can say is that I'm almost certain that "Z" was not treated as a "separate" series at the time, rather as a continuation of the existing series. Everything I've heard about the history of the franchise seems to indicate that.

And for what it's worth, it seems to be only the western fans who even make this distinction. Most Japanese fans I have spoken to consider them the same series. The closest western approximation I can think of is Justice League and Justice League Unlimited.

Toriyama did in fact NOT use the Z label. In Japan, there is no manga titled "Dragon Ball Z." There's just Dragon Ball, and that goes on for 600 chapters. Having not been in Japan at the time or ever, neither of us can really declare things either way. All we can do is look at the facts; TOEI took one series, one story, and turned it into two as a marketing tactic. They hold equal blame to FUNi.

[Jinzoningen MULE]

Okay, on the topic of Nozawa's progression not being appreciated if you don't watch Dragon Ball, that's another thing.

Although I'm sure this isn't unpopular around here, but the idea of skipping Dragon Ball and going straight to Z is nothing short of absurd. Even a great film like The Godfather, if you just turned it on randomly at the 50 minute mark and acted like that was the complete package, and the first half of the film was just some minor, unimportant prequel material, you'd probably have a lot of problems with it as well.

THEY ARE ONE STORY. DAMN YOU TOEI FOR SEPARATING IT

If they hadn't separated it, there's a chance that it wouldn't have blown up in the US. Then we may not be here.

[ABED]

It would've been different, but I think it still would've been successful. If DB can survive season 3 and not only survive, but thrive, I don't think there's anything that can stop the show from being a success.

[Jinzoningen MULE]

Is it unpopular to think of Toriyama as a fantastically talented writer?

No. In fact, most people give him way too much credit.

[Jinzoningen MULE]

It would've been different, but I think it still would've been successful. If DB can survive season 3 and not only survive, but thrive, I don't think there's anything that can stop the show from being a success.

Maybe, but it's worth keeping in mind that Dragon Ball was tested twice in the US, and failed miserably. It only picked up after DBZ had aired.

[ABED]

It would've been different, but I think it still would've been successful. If DB can survive season 3 and not only survive, but thrive, I don't think there's anything that can stop the show from being a success.

Maybe, but it's worth keeping in mind that Dragon Ball was tested twice in the US, and failed miserably. It only picked up after DBZ had aired.

A crappy timeslot will do that, and it's important to remember that DBZ didn't become a resounding success until after it was seen on a more high profile channel in a timeslot when kids actually watched. And it's the first couple episodes, so it's ridiculous to judge something's success based purely on such a small sample.

[Jinzoningen MULE]

It would've been different, but I think it still would've been successful. If DB can survive season 3 and not only survive, but thrive, I don't think there's anything that can stop the show from being a success.

Maybe, but it's worth keeping in mind that Dragon Ball was tested twice in the US, and failed miserably. It only picked up after DBZ had aired.

A crappy timeslot will do that, and it's important to remember that DBZ didn't become a resounding success until after it was seen on a more high profile channel in a timeslot when kids actually watched. And it's the first couple episodes, so it's ridiculous to judge something's success based purely on such a small sample.

Fair point.

[nite_jay]

The Vegeta vs. Recoome fight is overated animation wise. The only thing noteworthy from it was when Vegeta threw Recoome into the cliff. The rest isn't very dynamic, although I will say it has good some looking art.

[nickzambuto]

Chi-Chi is by far the hottest female.

Is it unpopular that the art during the first portions of the Goku/Freeza fight is some of the most horrid abominations to mankind that we as a species have ever experienced? It absolutely ruined what should have been iconic moments, like Freeza's battle stance where he places one foot behind the other. And that upward angle of Goku when he's looking at the downed Vegeta. Yeahhh I think you all know exactly what I'm talking about.

[Kanassa]

Is it unpopular that the art during the first portions of the Goku/Freeza fight is some of the most horrid abominations to mankind that we as a species have ever experienced? It absolutely ruined what should have been iconic moments, like Freeza's battle stance where he places one foot behind the other. And that upward angle of Goku when he's looking at the downed Vegeta. Yeahhh I think you all know exactly what I'm talking about.

If you're talking about Z, then yeah, that's plenty unpopulare.

[Cipher]

Is it unpopular that the art during the first portions of the Goku/Freeza fight is some of the most horrid abominations to mankind that we as a species have ever experienced? It absolutely ruined what should have been iconic moments, like Freeza's battle stance where he places one foot behind the other. And that upward angle of Goku when he's looking at the downed Vegeta. Yeahhh I think you all know exactly what I'm talking about.

Are you talking about the anime? Because the art is frequently abysmal during the Goku-Freeza fight. It's one of the lowest points of the series.

Which is a shame, because it's some of the best stuff in the manga.

So if you're talking about the anime adaptation, I agree. If you're talking about the original artwork, I don't.

[nickzambuto]

Is it unpopular that the art during the first portions of the Goku/Freeza fight is some of the most horrid abominations to mankind that we as a species have ever experienced? It absolutely ruined what should have been iconic moments, like Freeza's battle stance where he places one foot behind the other. And that upward angle of Goku when he's looking at the downed Vegeta. Yeahhh I think you all know exactly what I'm talking about.

Are you talking about the anime? Because the art is frequently abysmal during the Goku-Freeza fight. It's one of the lowest points of the series.

Which is a shame, because it's some of the best stuff in the manga.

So if you're talking about the anime adaptation, I agree. If you're talking about the original artwork, I don't.

Not the manga, I think Toriyama's art is almost always beautiful.

[Jinzoningen MULE]

Is it unpopular that the art during the first portions of the Goku/Freeza fight is some of the most horrid abominations to mankind that we as a species have ever experienced? It absolutely ruined what should have been iconic moments, like Freeza's battle stance where he places one foot behind the other. And that upward angle of Goku when he's looking at the downed Vegeta. Yeahhh I think you all know exactly what I'm talking about.

Are you talking about the anime? Because the art is frequently abysmal during the Goku-Freeza fight. It's one of the lowest points of the series.

Which is a shame, because it's some of the best stuff in the manga.

So if you're talking about the anime adaptation, I agree. If you're talking about the original artwork, I don't.

Not the manga, I think Toriyama's art is almost always beautiful.

Before Boo happened, anyway.

[Bansho64]

Bora's the best dad in the Dragon Ball franchise. Or, at the very least, one of the best parents. Right next to Gohan.

[nickzambuto]

Bora's the best dad in the Dragon Ball franchise. Or, at the very least, one of the best parents. Right next to Gohan.

Dr. Gero raised two twins and their older bodybuilding brother. He might have had a falling out with them in the end, but at least he taught them to always stick together. He deserves a mention.

[Jinzoningen MULE]

Bora's the best dad in the Dragon Ball franchise. Or, at the very least, one of the best parents. Right next to Gohan.

Dr. Gero raised two twins and their older bodybuilding brother. He might have had a falling out with them in the end, but at least he taught them to always stick together. He deserves a mention.

I think we can all agree that Paragus was the best father.