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

[Baggie_Saiyan]

aaaaaaand FUNi's final solicitation for the year is out and no Kai on physical media. That leaves it to air on Toonami Dec 17th. But even that ain't guaranteed.

I'd say I'm mad. And I am. But I'm not surprised by anything anymore. Though I didn't see their December release schedule anywhere though I could be blind/stupid. *sigh* Lookin like 2017 release after all. So utterly ridiculous.

They list the stuff on their shop:
http://shop.funimation.com/Shop/Shop_Fi ... tbyvalue=5
Pretty tame month tbh. Bunch of re releases and more long running show parts except for DB!

Is this gonna turn out to be like the One Piece situation? I really hope not.

One Piece situation? What do you exactly mean? I'm not a OP fan so don't know ins and out about it.

[Bansho64]

Is this gonna turn out to be like the One Piece situation? I really hope not.

One Piece situation? What do you exactly mean? I'm not a OP fan so don't know ins and out about it.

Let's just say, FUNimation is really behind on the OP episodes. They haven't even reached the timeskip yet. They're close though. I'm talking over 200 episodes or so behind.

[Baggie_Saiyan]

Is this gonna turn out to be like the One Piece situation? I really hope not.

One Piece situation? What do you exactly mean? I'm not a OP fan so don't know ins and out about it.

Let's just say, FUNimation is really behind on the OP episodes. They haven't even reached the timeskip yet. They're close though. I'm talking over 200 episodes or so behind.

Ah right but Isn't the reason they are behind because they had to re-dub everything from 4kids?

Either way at least FUNi are constantly rolling OP eps out and have a simulcast for the current stuff.

Just DB has to be different for Toei.

[Cure Dragon 255]

What exactly IS the "One Piece Situation"? Because sets are still coming out, the final pre time skip will ship along in December I think.

[Footlong Shoe]

Is there even a "One Piece situation"? Funimation's chugging out One Piece volumes pretty fast. I'm having a hard time keeping up.

[Theophrastus]

One Piece situation? What do you exactly mean? I'm not a OP fan so don't know ins and out about it.

Let's just say, FUNimation is really behind on the OP episodes. They haven't even reached the timeskip yet. They're close though. I'm talking over 200 episodes or so behind.

Ah right but Isn't the reason they are behind because they had to re-dub everything from 4kids?

That and the dub kinda went dormant for about 16 months in between the releases of "Season 3" and "Season 4" (Season 3, Voyage 5: April 19, 2011 -> Season 4, Voyage 1: August 7, 2012). There was also a smaller but still noticeable gap between "Season 5" and "Season 6" (Season 5, Voyage 6: March 4, 2014 -> Season 6, Voyage 1: September 30, 2014).

I suspect that the giant delay was at least partly because "Season 4" is where the series switched to HD broadcasting, and as a result Funimation probably really wanted to get Blu-ray release rights. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

[Baggie_Saiyan]

Let's just say, FUNimation is really behind on the OP episodes. They haven't even reached the timeskip yet. They're close though. I'm talking over 200 episodes or so behind.

Ah right but Isn't the reason they are behind because they had to re-dub everything from 4kids?

That and the dub kinda went dormant for about 16 months in between the releases of "Season 3" and "Season 4" (Season 3, Voyage 5: April 19, 2011 -> Season 4, Voyage 1: August 7, 2012). There was also a smaller but still noticeable gap between "Season 5" and "Season 6" (Season 5, Voyage 6: March 4, 2014 -> Season 6, Voyage 1: September 30, 2014).

I suspect that the giant delay was at least partly because "Season 4" is where the series switched to HD broadcasting, and as a result Funimation probably really wanted to get Blu-ray release rights. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

Yeah what's up with that? Like the trailers on their channels are in HD and I was shocked when someone told me the physicals was in DVD only? How odd. Guess OP isn't totally free from Toei shenanigans after all.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

aaaaaaand FUNi's final solicitation for the year is out and no Kai on physical media. That leaves it to air on Toonami Dec 17th. But even that ain't guaranteed.

Ugh, I guess that throws out the theory Funi were renegotiating with TOEI to make the Buu saga straight to home video and air Super straight after Cell on Toonami (which is what I was hoping for because it means Buu will be out of the way and Funi will be taking advantage of Super still being fresh).

[Baggie_Saiyan]

aaaaaaand FUNi's final solicitation for the year is out and no Kai on physical media. That leaves it to air on Toonami Dec 17th. But even that ain't guaranteed.

Ugh, I guess that throws out the theory Funi were renegotiating with TOEI to make the Buu saga straight to home video and air Super straight after Cell on Toonami (which is what I was hoping for because it means Buu will be out of the way and Funi will be taking advantage of Super still being fresh).

Tbh I don't think Toei would have wanted Super there anyway, awkward timeslot and weekly. Kai 1.0 already aired in several mainstream channels and been out on home video for a while so that being on TV was a bonus.

Buu Kai though I think Toei don't care about getting it on mainstream kids channels and are probably happy for it to sit on Toonami.

[Theophrastus]

Ah right but Isn't the reason they are behind because they had to re-dub everything from 4kids?

That and the dub kinda went dormant for about 16 months in between the releases of "Season 3" and "Season 4" (Season 3, Voyage 5: April 19, 2011 -> Season 4, Voyage 1: August 7, 2012). There was also a smaller but still noticeable gap between "Season 5" and "Season 6" (Season 5, Voyage 6: March 4, 2014 -> Season 6, Voyage 1: September 30, 2014).

I suspect that the giant delay was at least partly because "Season 4" is where the series switched to HD broadcasting, and as a result Funimation probably really wanted to get Blu-ray release rights. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

Yeah what's up with that? Like the trailers on their channels are in HD and I was shocked when someone told me the physicals was in DVD only? How odd. Guess OP isn't totally free from Toei shenanigans after all.

I don't recall exactly where I heard/read this, but apparently Avex/Toei don't want them to release anything on Blu-ray that hasn't already been released on Blu-ray in Japan first, which in itself is somewhat reasonable.

The problem is that for some reason they didn't actually start doing Blu-ray releases of the TV series in Japan until the Punk Hazard arc (starting from episode 579). so we're talking about some 370 episodes of HD material that can't actually be purchased on home video in HD anywhere.

[Baggie_Saiyan]

That and the dub kinda went dormant for about 16 months in between the releases of "Season 3" and "Season 4" (Season 3, Voyage 5: April 19, 2011 -> Season 4, Voyage 1: August 7, 2012). There was also a smaller but still noticeable gap between "Season 5" and "Season 6" (Season 5, Voyage 6: March 4, 2014 -> Season 6, Voyage 1: September 30, 2014).

I suspect that the giant delay was at least partly because "Season 4" is where the series switched to HD broadcasting, and as a result Funimation probably really wanted to get Blu-ray release rights. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

Yeah what's up with that? Like the trailers on their channels are in HD and I was shocked when someone told me the physicals was in DVD only? How odd. Guess OP isn't totally free from Toei shenanigans after all.

I don't recall exactly where I heard/read this, but apparently Avex/Toei don't want them to release anything on Blu-ray that hasn't already been released on Blu-ray in Japan first, which in itself is somewhat reasonable.

The problem is that for some reason they didn't actually start doing Blu-ray releases of the TV series in Japan until the Punk Hazard arc (starting from episode 579). so we're talking about some 370 episodes of HD material that can't actually be purchased on home video in HD anywhere.

Right that makes sense in a roundabout way, but still with a long show like OP and seeing how far behind FUNi are I mean there really shouldn't be a fear of reverse importation? (Especially considering F was allowed to be released same month aa Japan on BD. If they still do have reservations then geo lock the discs or request locked subtitles. It's interesting seeing how different companies operate, like Fairy Tail has no BD release in Japan at all but FUNi have released the entire show in that format.

I guess as DB fans we can count ourselves lucky that we'll get Kai and Super in their best looking quality.

[thaman91]

So if we're thinking that FUNi will not be making some kind of huge announcement, then why bother waiting this long to even acknowledge it? Like isn't the point of being silent to plan the exact right time to announce it so that the hype is maximized? But if there's not going to be any official announcement until commercials start airing on Toonami, then why remain so silent when directly asked about it on Twitter? Why not just respond to some fans and say "Hang tight, the Buu episodes should be airing on Toonami soon!"

Unless, of course, they do want to make a big announcement. But if that were the case, you'd think that we would have heard by now since we're 3 months out.....unless there's an imminent announcement right around the corner.

I guess the other possibility is that it's not going to be airing right after the Cell episodes. And that would mean that on December 17th, we jump back to Raditz.....yikes; I'm getting flashbacks to the late 90s again. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

[DBZ_Lee]

I personally think its a case of FUNi not wanting to announce Kai because of a potential backlash over Super.
So, by not acknowledging it, and silently airing it on Toonami, they don't run the risk of that backlash.

I think perhaps the Toonami panel at NYCC will announce it.

[ShaneisMC]

I just like I'm sure every one else here just want my damn blu rays. Simple as that. It's been years. Literally. I just want to be able to finally have a (mostly) filler free version of the entire series with a high quality dub. Thanks to whats his name with the Dragon Ball Recut project cutting DB down to 82 episodes combined with this I pretty much will have what I want. Granted it would be nice to get a redub of DB but personally I would want Nadolny to return as Kid Goku and just improve her acting a little bit and I'd be happy. Other than that continue keeping more true to the script material like Z Kai...... Even so regardless even with its inherent flaws I'm quite happy with dudes Kai cut of DB, and I wanna hurry up and finish Z Kai so we can get along into getting dubbed Super. I've already got Dragon Boxes and the like so I'm quite covered and happy with the Japanese material I have. Now lets just hurry up and finish the English off so we can finally be done with it. *sigh*.... So ridiculous.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

aaaaaaand FUNi's final solicitation for the year is out and no Kai on physical media. That leaves it to air on Toonami Dec 17th. But even that ain't guaranteed.

Ugh, I guess that throws out the theory Funi were renegotiating with TOEI to make the Buu saga straight to home video and air Super straight after Cell on Toonami (which is what I was hoping for because it means Buu will be out of the way and Funi will be taking advantage of Super still being fresh).

Tbh I don't think Toei would have wanted Super there anyway, awkward timeslot and weekly. Kai 1.0 already aired in several mainstream channels and been out on home video for a while so that being on TV was a bonus.

Buu Kai though I think Toei don't care about getting it on mainstream kids channels and are probably happy for it to sit on Toonami.

Assuming the Toonami run of Kai continues all the way through the Buu saga I could see them airing Super in 2018 when it's aired all of Kai, but I really hope this won't be Super's premier on western English-speaking TV. Nicktoons aired GT after Cell, I don't see why whatever station picks up Super should have to wait for Kai to finish on Toonami to start airing the Super dub, but hey you never know with TOEI.

I personally think its a case of FUNi not wanting to announce Kai because of a potential backlash over Super.
So, by not acknowledging it, and silently airing it on Toonami, they don't run the risk of that backlash.

I think perhaps the Toonami panel at NYCC will announce it.

I'm sure this is the reason Funimation themselves didn't announce the Buu saga, they know the majority want Super and would likely be underwhelmed by an announcement for The Final Chapters. Sure, most people in this thread want it but there's fans who don't care about Kai they also need to cater to.

NYCC however is a possibility because it's Toonami, and seen as how Kai has been doing well for them they may be able to announce it at their panel without displeasing a lot of fans who have no interest in Kai.

I just like I'm sure every one else here just want my damn blu rays. Simple as that. It's been years. Literally. I just want to be able to finally have a (mostly) filler free version of the entire series with a high quality dub. Thanks to whats his name with the Dragon Ball Recut project cutting DB down to 82 episodes combined with this I pretty much will have what I want. Granted it would be nice to get a redub of DB but personally I would want Nadolny to return as Kid Goku and just improve her acting a little bit and I'd be happy. Other than that continue keeping more true to the script material like Z Kai...... Even so regardless even with its inherent flaws I'm quite happy with dudes Kai cut of DB, and I wanna hurry up and finish Z Kai so we can get along into getting dubbed Super. I've already got Dragon Boxes and the like so I'm quite covered and happy with the Japanese material I have. Now lets just hurry up and finish the English off so we can finally be done with it. *sigh*.... So ridiculous.

I agree fully, I love my Dragon Ball home releases, and The Final Chapters is a huge gap that I need to fill, and preferably sooner rather than later. Funimation could release the Blu-Rays tomorrow and they'd probably sell well since its been a while since we had a major Dragon Ball release (other than Resurrection F). Hell it would probably allow the people who will buy both The Final Chapters and Super (like myself) to have the former out of the way and set some cash aside for the latter, and the Kai episodes were broadcast on Toonami when they were already available on home media, there's no reason The Final Chapters won't perform well if Funimation don't wait until it's all aired to release the Blu-Rays.

[DBZ_Lee]

I just like I'm sure every one else here just want my damn blu rays. Simple as that. It's been years. Literally. I just want to be able to finally have a (mostly) filler free version of the entire series with a high quality dub. Thanks to whats his name with the Dragon Ball Recut project cutting DB down to 82 episodes combined with this I pretty much will have what I want. Granted it would be nice to get a redub of DB but personally I would want Nadolny to return as Kid Goku and just improve her acting a little bit and I'd be happy. Other than that continue keeping more true to the script material like Z Kai...... Even so regardless even with its inherent flaws I'm quite happy with dudes Kai cut of DB, and I wanna hurry up and finish Z Kai so we can get along into getting dubbed Super. I've already got Dragon Boxes and the like so I'm quite covered and happy with the Japanese material I have. Now lets just hurry up and finish the English off so we can finally be done with it. *sigh*.... So ridiculous.

I completely agree. Whilst we don't know the full story, the fact that this began airing in Japan over 2 years ago, and we are still waiting for any kind of acknowledgment from Funi that they have it, is ridiculous.
I do believe that the Toriko situation in Japan contributed to the situation that we are in.
Toei most likely asked all territories who had licensed the series to hold off until they had started first.
We know France & Korea both started airing, but weren't permitted to go passed where Japan were at.
It's possible that after this happened, Funi decided to take their time dubbing, and licensed the show out to Toonami (since Vortexx was closed by the CW) and because they knew they had *at least* 98 weeks before Toonami would require more episodes, they took their time, and dubbed at their leisure.

All of this waiting (it has been 3 years in total) has been unfortunate, and highly frustrating for all of us who are waiting to complete our Kai BluRays.
Sean was recording late 2014, and earlier this year, wrapped up.
It all makes sense, that they knew they could take their time, as it will air the end of this year.
But in that time, we've all had an agonising wait, which has been unnecessary, & avoidable.
Toei want their TV contract, but surely, would Nicktoons really have passed up on Buu Kai, the ratings for Kai were very, very good for them.
It all boils down to the fact the Toonami deal gave Funi the freedom to take their time, especially with the large broadcast dub portfolio they have been building up over the last year or so.

I can't, for one second allow myself to believe that Toonami will air Super after Buu Kai - these 3 years have been tough, I can't do it again for Super.
We would be facing it though if it weren't for Toei insisting it go onto children's networks (they want it on school slots weekdays & weekends). 3+ years behind on an ongoing TV Series? Funi are 5 behind on One Piece, and that has been damaging.
At least Kai is over, so that being on Toonami isn't that bad.

[Valerius Dover]

The whole cycle of announcement expectations has been going on for about a year and a half now at this point. Every time a con comes up, everyone makes the assumption they''ll announce it there. Honestly, I feel like it'd already be out by now if they had any intention of ever releasing it. I think it's more likely to have been canceled in favor of Super.

[JEFFMAN219]

Funimation or Toei really dropped the ball with this. The hype for this is pretty much dead now due to DB Super being out. Funimation should have released this a year ago.

[Jinzoningen MULE]

Funimation or Toei really dropped the ball with this. The hype for this is pretty much dead now due DB Super being out. Funimation should have released this a year ago.

I'm pretty sure they want to, but Toei wanting a TV deal is holding things up. Either way, it will be released, since we know for a fact that it's done.

[Lance Freeman]

The whole cycle of announcement expectations has been going on for about a year and a half now at this point. Every time a con comes up, everyone makes the assumption they''ll announce it there. Honestly, I feel like it'd already be out by now if they had any intention of ever releasing it. I think it's more likely to have been canceled in favor of Super.

And even then, Super doesn't seem to be much of a priority for them to get out the door. I mean, even then, how many old Bandai shows do they still have in the pipeline? At least a dozen, half of which have got to be Mobile Suit Gundam related?