Ocean Studios' "Dragon Ball Kai" Dub Turns 14; Still Unreleased

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

So, what should we do with this thread? Close it, or talk about possible recastings?

It will remain open until the producers of this dub formally announce it or announce its been canned, which at this point could be never sadly.

[thomas1up]

So, what should we do with this thread? Close it, or talk about possible recastings?

I don't see why people are so adamant to close this thread. While Kirbopher is a very trustworthy user and I have no doubts that his source is legitimate there has still not been any complete confirmation that the dub will never air. The fact that the VAs have been fairly openly name dropping it (something they had avoided for a while) and the fact the Lee Tockar even said himself that he was given permission from the 'higher ups' (people who likely have knowledge of television deals and whatnot) to announce his role as Freeza, surely if he was finally allowed to confirm himself as playing Freeza after 4 odd years of finishing his lines this must mean something??? At this point anything can happen with this dub and I am optimistic that it will turn up within the next few years.

What's more, if this dub is eventually given confirmation as never coming out then perhaps the VAs will give us details on their roles, lines, casting decisions etc. that would make for discussion.

[TheBlackPaladin]

Basically, this type of stuff happens a lot more than you might expect, yes, even though a lot of money can be spend on an entire production like that.

I'm both surprised and not surprised to hear that. I've heard of similar situations with other forms of art. Kevin Smith has said that, apparently, Prince had a giant vault of music videos--not bare-bones "concept" videos, but actual, full-blown music videos with professionally-mixed music, choreography, background dancers, sets, costumes, sharp editing, and strategic camera work--that he just made and decided not to release.

Still, I thought stuff like that was limited to artists with the kind of money that Prince had to throw around. I had no idea that happens so often in the anime biz too. Man, that's really interesting.

[Bansho64]

I'm both surprised and not surprised to hear that. I've heard of similar situations with other forms of art. Kevin Smith has said that, apparently, Prince had a giant vault of music videos--not bare-bones "concept" videos, but actual, full-blown music videos with professionally-mixed music, choreography, background dancers, sets, costumes, sharp editing, and strategic camera work--that he just made and decided not to release.

Still, I thought stuff like that was limited to artists with the kind of money that Prince had to throw around. I had no idea that happens so often in the anime biz too. Man, that's really interesting.

I'm not that surprised though about this either. I mean, this is Prince we're talking about. The guy's a freakin' legend and was very picky about his music to boot.
I still can't believe he's gone.
Does anyone else here like Prince?
But yeah, I'm pretty surprised this goes on in anime. I didn't know they had that kinda money to waste.

[thomas1up]

But yeah, I'm pretty surprised this goes on in anime. I didn't know they had that kinda money to waste.

They probably don't, no matter how you look at it, licensing (especially an anime like DB), producing and mixing an entire 98 episode dub using well known, veteran actors without even having a TV deal for a TV ONLY DUB is incredibly stupid. It's most likely the result of the belief that dragon ball is so popular it HAS to get on air. (I also feel like Toei not allowing Kix to air the dub might have played a hand in the lack of a TV deal).

[8000 Saiyan]

The producers of this dub weren't very bright. They seem to have put a lot of effort in creating this dub (new recastings that stay true to the original, a higher budget than the Westwood dub and a replacement score that is apparently well-done), yet they thought that their dub would simply air on TV because Dragon Ball is popular so they didn't go with a TV deal. I would like someone to interview who's responsible for this dub.

[NitroEX]

I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I don't think the producers were stupid people because the creative choices they've made (assuming it was them and not Ocean who made those decisions) have all been very smart ones. They clearly know their audience very well and catered to them accordingly. For all we know they probably did have plans in place for a Canadian or European TV airing but maybe unexpected things happened with the networks like a shift in management or maybe it was Toei that got in the way, we really don't know. I suppose there's a chance they did simply have a lot of confidence in the brand but I find it hard to believe anyone would commit to an investment this large without a deal being made at some point.

[8000 Saiyan]

Since Drummond didn't reprise Yajirobe, my guess is that the role went to Lucas Gilbertson, who played him in Blue Water's dub of Dragon Ball since Brendan Hunter reprised Tien. I hope that Ted Cole at least reprised Yamcha.

[thomas1up]

For all we know they probably did have plans in place for a Canadian or European TV airing but maybe unexpected things happened with the networks like a shift in management or maybe it was Toei that got in the way, we really don't know.

I do think it's entirely possible considering Toei did not allow for Kix to use the Ocean Dub (why they did that I'll never know since the UK got all Ocean produced episodes ), but in the case of Canada I think it would have to be a TV deal gone bad or lack thereof since DB Kai hasn't showed up at all in Canada.

[TheBlackPaladin]

I can't reveal the source or the specific network in question (here or in PMs, to be clear), but the producers--whoever they are--apparently did approach a particular Canadian TV network on and off for several years to try and get the show on the air, only to give up when it became clear this network just wasn't biting. So, between clues and actual statements from those involved, all signs really do point to uninterested Canadian TV networks as being the main reason we never saw this dub.

I really, really, really want to learn more about this dub's supposed sighting in Korea, though. It likely was just a made-up rumor, but on the other hand, the source described Brian Drummond's most current Vegeta voice as "a cross between his traditional Vegeta voice and his Zechs Marquise voice," and that actually gave the rumor a little more credibility in my mind because I think that's an excellent description of how Drummond has sounded at recent cons when asked to do his Vegeta voice.

[Arian]

I really, really, really want to learn more about this dub's supposed sighting in Korea, though. It likely was just a made-up rumor, but on the other hand, the source described Brian Drummond's most current Vegeta voice as "a cross between his traditional Vegeta voice and his Zechs Marquise voice," and that actually gave the rumor a little more credibility in my mind because I think that's an excellent description of how Drummond has sounded at recent cons when asked to do his Vegeta voice.

That's probably what this person based their made-up analysis on.

[8000 Saiyan]

I really, really, really want to learn more about this dub's supposed sighting in Korea, though. It likely was just a made-up rumor, but on the other hand, the source described Brian Drummond's most current Vegeta voice as "a cross between his traditional Vegeta voice and his Zechs Marquise voice," and that actually gave the rumor a little more credibility in my mind because I think that's an excellent description of how Drummond has sounded at recent cons when asked to do his Vegeta voice.

I have mixed feelings about this. It doesn't make sense that this dub (which was created for Canadian and UK TV broadcast) would air in Korea, but the guy who apparently saw this dub's first three episodes said that Richard Ian Cox as Goku was perfect casting and that Raditz's voice sounds like Justin Cook...he obviously had to hear Cox's Goku to say if he was perfect for the part. But he is likely lying.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

I really, really, really want to learn more about this dub's supposed sighting in Korea, though. It likely was just a made-up rumor, but on the other hand, the source described Brian Drummond's most current Vegeta voice as "a cross between his traditional Vegeta voice and his Zechs Marquise voice," and that actually gave the rumor a little more credibility in my mind because I think that's an excellent description of how Drummond has sounded at recent cons when asked to do his Vegeta voice.

Me too, I've messaged Quantum-Kakarrotto, but still haven't heard back. Although I'm inclined to believe whoever he spoke to at Megacon was a talented and believable troll. I am not convinced at all that this dub has aired anywhere in the world, even though Lee Tockar on Facebook also seemed to have heard a rumour. I would love for it to be true, but I've lost all faith in it.

The Ocean cast, while a small minority of the Dragon Ball fandom are an extremely passionate and vocal one. I find it hard to believe Ocean Kai could have been broadcast anywhere and for there not to be more evidence of it, especially in the case of the guy QK spoke to who apparently claimed the first 3 episodes were available for download online.

Furthermore, if it was shown wouldn't Ocean's production coordinator have told Drummond "The dub is out, it's currently being shown on X station in Korea", rather than "I still don't know where that is going, I will be sure to let you know as soon as I find out", and wouldn't Tockar have been given permission from the-powers-that-be to announce he was playing Freeza much sooner?

[Arian]

...he obviously had to hear Cox's Goku to say if he was perfect for the part.

Or he could have just fabricated the assessment.

[TheBlackPaladin]

I really, really, really want to learn more about this dub's supposed sighting in Korea, though. It likely was just a made-up rumor, but on the other hand, the source described Brian Drummond's most current Vegeta voice as "a cross between his traditional Vegeta voice and his Zechs Marquise voice," and that actually gave the rumor a little more credibility in my mind because I think that's an excellent description of how Drummond has sounded at recent cons when asked to do his Vegeta voice.

I have mixed feelings about this. It doesn't make sense that this dub (which was created for Canadian and UK TV broadcast) would air in Korea, but the guy who apparently saw this dub's first three episodes said that Richard Ian Cox as Goku was perfect casting and that Raditz's voice sounds like Justin Cook...he obviously had to hear Cox's Goku to say if he was perfect for the part.

Not necessarily, unfortunately. The internet has no shortage of people who make stuff up just to get attention. Like Arian said, even the person who talked about Drummond's Vegeta could have been making it up based on hearing clips of Drummond at cons.

Also, I forget the name of the show, but apparently Ocean did produce an English dub of a show that aired in an Aisan territory, so it's not out of the question that this aired in Korea. On a vaguely similar note, there was an LA-based dub of Shin Chan that, for God-knows-why, only aired in the UK.

[8000 Saiyan]

Oh, that dub with Kath Soucie as Shin-Chan? I have heard some clips and she's good. Pity she hasn't done much anime. It must cost a lot to bring voice actors who work mostly in western animation to dub anime.

[Attitudefan]

Seriously, if any of you know Canadian TV, since the mid 2000s, is has been trash. Utter garbage. I'd say, when they cut Death Note off air, and reduced the anime hour at night on YTV, and then within weeks cancelled the whole anime night block, was the last vestige of good animation on Canadian TV. By 2005, daytime/prime time TV in Canada only consisted of poor sitcoms, and if there was animation on a network, it would only be Spongebob.

Outside of Quebec, where smaller productions and animation flourish, there's nothing left but reality TV, especially on basic networks. Spike, during this period of time, cancelled their deal with the WWF and replaced it with CSI and its spinoffs and the UFC and all its spinoffs (which essentially is reality TV outside of the main fight cards). That, and 1000 ways to die. So, in Canada, you had news, sitcoms (a plethora of lower budget, unfunny ones), and Nickelodeon cartoons only (which, as time went on, only consisted of Spongebob), hockey/sports/UFC. Outside of crime drama, entertainment outside of comedic dominated genres were removed from Canadian television networks (especially on most cable packages outside of PPV).

Anime was removed from TV, yet, anime is more widely known now than it was at the beginning of the millennium and is a successful industry despite not having any television airtime; ironically, anime by the late 2000s and into the 2010s has mainstream acceptance which it did not have when they actually aired anime on TV!


Not surprised they couldn't get a deal for one of the most popular animes ever. Canadian TV has erased that form of entertainment from its networks and they never looked back. Unsurprisingly, TV ratings are down across the board as time goes on. They don't offer variety like they use to (and therefore, people look to the internet because they can't get it on TV). I am damn sure if Canadian TV aired more of a variety like it did in the 90s and early 2000s, ratings would be higher for sure. Walking Dead and Breaking Bad had some of the highest ratings ever, so the internet excuse doesn't always apply. Dragonball would do immense ratings if aired on TV since it is something people want and it is unique compared to its contemporary competition.

Hell, I'd love to know what the ratings on YTV were when they had that retro week, which built up to the last day and the last show for the retro block, they aired the very first episode of DBZ Saban dub!!! This was back in 06/07/08 (can't remember the exact date, but I was so damn nostalgic and happy), and Carlos and Sugar (the hosts) said it was the most demanded show they received by the viewers when they promoted and aired retro week.

[sangofe]

Seriously, if any of you know Canadian TV, since the mid 2000s, is has been trash. Utter garbage. I'd say, when they cut Death Note off air, and reduced the anime hour at night on YTV, and then within weeks cancelled the whole anime night block, was the last vestige of good animation on Canadian TV. By 2005, daytime/prime time TV in Canada only consisted of poor sitcoms, and if there was animation on a network, it would only be Spongebob.

Outside of Quebec, where smaller productions and animation flourish, there's nothing left but reality TV, especially on basic networks. Spike, during this period of time, cancelled their deal with the WWF and replaced it with CSI and its spinoffs and the UFC and all its spinoffs (which essentially is reality TV outside of the main fight cards). That, and 1000 ways to die. So, in Canada, you had news, sitcoms (a plethora of lower budget, unfunny ones), and Nickelodeon cartoons only (which, as time went on, only consisted of Spongebob), hockey/sports/UFC. Outside of crime drama, entertainment outside of comedic dominated genres were removed from Canadian television networks (especially on most cable packages outside of PPV).

Anime was removed from TV, yet, anime is more widely known now than it was at the beginning of the millennium and is a successful industry despite not having any television airtime; ironically, anime by the late 2000s and into the 2010s has mainstream acceptance which it did not have when they actually aired anime on TV!


Not surprised they couldn't get a deal for one of the most popular animes ever. Canadian TV has erased that form of entertainment from its networks and they never looked back. Unsurprisingly, TV ratings are down across the board as time goes on. They don't offer variety like they use to (and therefore, people look to the internet because they can't get it on TV). I am damn sure if Canadian TV aired more of a variety like it did in the 90s and early 2000s, ratings would be higher for sure. Walking Dead and Breaking Bad had some of the highest ratings ever, so the internet excuse doesn't always apply. Dragonball would do immense ratings if aired on TV since it is something people want and it is unique compared to its contemporary competition.

Hell, I'd love to know what the ratings on YTV were when they had that retro week, which built up to the last day and the last show for the retro block, they aired the very first episode of DBZ Saban dub!!! This was back in 06/07/08 (can't remember the exact date, but I was so damn nostalgic and happy), and Carlos and Sugar (the hosts) said it was the most demanded show they received by the viewers when they promoted and aired retro week.

This sounds like Norwegian tv... Except they never really aired anime except in the 80's and the mainstream crap that is beyblade, pokemon, digimon and yokai watch.

[Attitudefan]

Other countries are much luckier than both Norway and Canada

[Super Sayian Prime]

I can't reveal the source or the specific network in question (here or in PMs, to be clear), but the producers--whoever they are--apparently did approach a particular Canadian TV network on and off for several years to try and get the show on the air, only to give up when it became clear this network just wasn't biting. So, between clues and actual statements from those involved, all signs really do point to uninterested Canadian TV networks as being the main reason we never saw this dub.

There are only two non-educational English Canadian children's broadcast companies, and only one has had a history with Dragon Ball. It's not exactly a mystery to find out who you're referring to.

That's why I'm going to suggest people send their programming suggestions here. There's a far greater chance an actual human being will read it.