DBS finally getting dark

[Saturnine]

That killing Chi-Chi and Goten part was pretty dark alright.

I didn't used to think that I really cared about dark moments, but now that they're here, I feel real good. Very refreshing for one thing. I hope this drama and tension continues - since Beerus and Whis are removed from directly intervening there should be real tension in the near future.

I must say story-wise this arc is pretty damn good, around on par with the Androids/Cell arc IMO, especially with the investigation part.

[fadeddreams5]

I wouldn't call it dark. Darker, yes. The arc is a step up from the previous ones, but still a far cry from DBZ in almost every area. More interesting than most of GT though. The art and animation is still jarring and embarrassing, which takes me away from the episodes.

This is dark (HxH spoilers):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KYgtIRDev4

There is violence, and then there is implication of violence. Most of Super steers very clear from dark scenes, but emphasizes that Villain X has killed such and such. DBZ was more passive when it came to actually showing violence and dark scenes (e.g. Frieza killing children, Frieza impaling Krillin as he gushed in blood, Dr. Gero impaling Yamcha, Buu forcefully entering the mouth of a human, etc.). Not to say it was a dark show at all.

[DragonBallFoodie]

Dragon Ball has always had killing off people, the fact that they are friends and close ones (Krillin, Future Bulma, Android 16, everyone in the Buu saga) just makes it more personal and dramatic.

[Bullza]

The art and animation is still jarring and embarrassing, which takes me away from the episodes.

Has nothing to do with the thread at all. You don't need to keep pushing your opinion you know, we do get it.

[Hellspawn28]

ROF did had some dark moments, but this story does feel way more serious. It may lack blood, but I think they could add that in the home video releases. Either way, I don't think it's a issue. The tone reminds me of Kamen Rider Gaim, it has a serious story line with dark moments but still had some wacky humor throw in at different times.

[ryou766]

but I think they could add that in the home video releases..

Do they do that? I haven't seen any footage from the dvd releases, just animation improvement. If so, when it airs on Adult Swim if FUNimation ever dubs it, the blood will be added there.

[Hellspawn28]

Anime has gotten uncut home video releases before. I remember Jojo and Blood C did added the blood that was edited on TV on the home video releases. It's possible Toei could do the same thing too.

[Ajay]

but I think they could add that in the home video releases..

Do they do that? I haven't seen any footage from the dvd releases, just animation improvement. If so, when it airs on Adult Swim if FUNimation ever dubs it, the blood will be added there.

No, there's no added blood. Only animation improvements in two episodes so far.

[ryou766]

No, there's no added blood. Only animation improvements in two episodes so far.

Shame. Knew it was too good to be true.

[Hellspawn28]

I was not talking about the past home video releases, I'm talking about future video releases. Other anime got home video releases that edit out the censorship, so could Toei do the same thing too? I don't care if they don't but it could make fans happy. I feel like the violence is the same as GT where GT did felt tamer compare to DBZ and didn't get more darker until the Shadow Dragon saga.

[Saikyo no Senshi]

Still not seeing anything dark. Neither was the original series dark. A couple of serious scenes here and there but overall it is still a cartoon for young boys. The Mirai Trunks special goes into "dark territory" but only slightly.

- Travis

[Bansho64]

Still not seeing anything dark. Neither was the original series dark. A couple of serious scenes here and there but overall it is still a cartoon for young boys. The Mirai Trunks special goes into "dark territory" but only slightly.

- Travis

The standards are different for each country. Over there in Japan, it's a series for young boys. Over here in America, it'd be considered, for the most part, a series for teens and adults because of cursing, blood, and nudity. It's not that dark to me because of some of the messed up trash I've seen but I'd say it dipped its toe in that pool several times.

[Hellspawn28]

The violence in DBZ is pretty tame compare to other anime here. It's not just Dragon Ball got tame down over the years, Japanese TV shows in general too. The current Kamen Rider shows do lack blood that the older shows used to have like Amazon and Kuuga. I feel like Dragon Ball does not need blood to be good. If it was a series like Hellsing, Berserk or Devilman got all of the blooded out then I would be mad because those series are known to be very violent and bloody.

it's a series for young boys. Over here in America, it'd be considered, for the most part, a series for teens and adults because of cursing, blood, and nudity.

Well Dragon Ball Z did air on kids networks in the US. So people do look at DBZ as a kid show too.

[Bansho64]

Well Dragon Ball Z did air on kids networks in the US. So people do look at DBZ as a kid show too.

But it was censured really badly. Without the inappropriate material, it would be considered a kid's show.

[Lord Beerus]

I wouldn't say Super is getting "dark" per-se. I'd say the show has just become more self-aware of how serious it can for an ultimately simple action/comedy fighting show.

[Hellspawn28]

Dragon Ball always had always had a humorous and whimsical tone. Sure it had dark moments even the Cell saga had humor in it like with Mr. Satan. Super retold the last two movies and BOG was written to be more light hearted. However both the ROF movie and retelling did feel darker compare to BOG. The U6 saga was not very goofy but it was not super serious neither.