Things that grind your gears

[ecrockedboston]

I've been monitoring this thread. Since I saw it brought up... DBZ Abridged. I just cannot for the life of me understand what the appeal is. It reminds me of sitting around with my friends, smoking weed, and watching cartoons while having the TV muted and making of fun of any goofy looking thing, voices and all. I'm not going to sit here and claim that I'm Mr. Mature Grownup Pants, but the humor is just so infantile. It reminds me of Halo Red v Blue. I know TFS are fans of Dragon Ball, but watching Abridged makes me feel mocked for enjoying Dragon Ball.

[Gog]

I've been monitoring this thread. Since I saw it brought up... DBZ Abridged. I just cannot for the life of me understand what the appeal is.

The appeal of Dragon Ball Z abridged is that it's an entertaining well made parody, with great characters, great, witty, well written dialogue, and genuinely moving moments in it.

It reminds me of sitting around with my friends, smoking weed, and watching cartoons while having the TV muted and making of fun of any goofy looking thing, voices and all.

Except it really isn't like that at all. It's basically it's own show at this point in time.

I'm not going to sit here and claim that I'm Mr. Mature Grownup Pants, but the humor is just so infantile. It reminds me of Halo Red v Blue. I know TFS are fans of Dragon Ball, but watching Abridged makes me feel mocked for enjoying Dragon Ball.

Infantile? I'm surprised that somebody actually considers that, but what your saying is completely opinionated, and I know this is the internet. But I consider saying the humor is infantile is incredibly rude, because it's one of the few shows that actually make me laugh, something which ZooTopia, and nearly every dream works and Disney film has failed to do with me.

[rereboy]

but the humor is just so infantile.

Humor is humor, and entertainment is entertainment. Why should one be concerned with how "adult" it's perceived by others to be if one likes it? And this applies to everything, not just humor. Here's a relevant great quote about it:

“Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”

― C.S. Lewis

[ecrockedboston]

The appeal of Dragon Ball Z abridged is that it's an entertaining well made parody, with great characters, great, witty, well written dialogue, and genuinely moving moments in it.

I think it's pretty poorly done from a production standpoint... A similar type of parody that I would consider successful is Sealab 2021

Except it really isn't like that at all. It's basically it's own show at this point in time.

Except it is. "Hey, look at me, I'm Mr. Farmer. Is that Sonic the hedgehog? No it's an alien! I'm going to go get my gun". I can picture them coming up with these lines doing exactly what I said.

'm surprised that somebody actually considers that, but what your saying is completely opinionated, and I know this is the internet. But I consider saying the humor is infantile is incredibly rude, because it's one of the few shows that actually make me laugh, something which ZooTopia, and nearly every dream works and Disney film has failed to do with me.

The type of humor that they go for just makes me cringe. It very much reminds me of the "Le randumb penguin of do0m XD" copy pasta. I've always imagine that the type of people who love it are spastic younger millennials. I'm sorry, my intention isn't to insult or hurt your feelings, but not only do I not find Abridged funny, it actually annoys me.

[ecrockedboston]

but the humor is just so infantile.

Humor is humor, and entertainment is entertainment. Why should one be concerned with how "adult" it's perceived by others to be if one likes it? And this applies to everything, not just humor. Here's a relevant great quote about it:

“Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”

― C.S. Lewis

Good job quoting me out of context. Here is the full quote that you cherry picked from:

I'm not going to sit here and claim that I'm Mr. Mature Grownup Pants, but the humor is just so infantile. It reminds me of Halo Red v Blue. I know TFS are fans of Dragon Ball, but watching Abridged makes me feel mocked for enjoying Dragon Ball.

Read those three sentences, and you then realize that the C.S. Lewis quote you tried to use to burn me doesn't really apply very well to me. I'm guessing you hold that quote in your pocket looking to use it against people that disagree with your tastes. Here, I'll phrase it a different way, Abridged utilized a style of humor that I, at one point, may have found funny. After having grown, I not only find that style of humor unfunny, but I also find it irritating. If you or anyone else likes it, that's fine, I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. I just don't enjoy it myself.

[rereboy]

but the humor is just so infantile.

Humor is humor, and entertainment is entertainment. Why should one be concerned with how "adult" it's perceived by others to be if one likes it? And this applies to everything, not just humor. Here's a relevant great quote about it:

“Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”

― C.S. Lewis

Good job quoting me out of context. Here is the full quote that you cherry picked from:

I'm not going to sit here and claim that I'm Mr. Mature Grownup Pants, but the humor is just so infantile. It reminds me of Halo Red v Blue. I know TFS are fans of Dragon Ball, but watching Abridged makes me feel mocked for enjoying Dragon Ball.

Read those three sentences, and you then realize that the C.S. Lewis quote you tried to use to burn me doesn't really apply very well to me. I'm guessing you hold that quote in your pocket looking to use it against people that disagree with your tastes. Here, I'll phrase it a different way, Abridged utilized a style of humor that I, at one point, may have found funny. After having grown, I not only find that style of humor unfunny, but I also find it irritating. If you or anyone else likes it, that's fine, I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. I just don't enjoy it myself.

Or maybe I was just opening a friendly discussion about the use of terms related to age that imply a negative/positive connotation, stating what I think about it and sharing a related quote that I find great? Since this is a discussion forum and since that's actually pretty relevant for the Dragon Ball franchise which is considered to be for kids?

I mean, you are free to assume the worst, that I was trying to "burn" you and that I carry around quotes in my pocket and all that, but that would be pretty inaccurate. If you look at my post with another viewpoint you will realize that I was commenting and opening a discussion on that particular aspect, not attacking you.

[Zephyr]

If you're still in Season 1, yeah it's pretty rough around the edges. I think it gets better partway through Season 2, in terms of both production and humor (the latter being subjective, so you still may find it unfunny).

[Gog]

I think it's pretty poorly done from a production standpoint... A similar type of parody that I would consider successful is Sealab 2021

Eh, what season are you up to? Because the production of it skyrockets around the Cell saga.

Except it is. "Hey, look at me, I'm Mr. Farmer. Is that Sonic the hedgehog? No it's an alien! I'm going to go get my gun". I can picture them coming up with these lines doing exactly what I said.

Do you mean the jokes from season one, in the absolute first episode, when the team had nearly no experience with this. Hell they actually admitted to being embarrassed at the first season, and don't actually like like.

The type of humor that they go for just makes me cringe. It very much reminds me of the "Le randumb penguin of do0m XD" copy pasta. I've always imagine that the type of people who love it are spastic younger millennials. I'm sorry, my intention isn't to insult or hurt your feelings, but not only do I not find Abridged funny, it actually annoys me.

So this is an opinion thing then? Oh my god that type of humor was in season one and two. From the sounds of it you haven't actually watched the later episodes, does those Spastic younger Millennial include most of the dragon ball community and beyond. Look it appears that you haven't actually managed to make it past the first season.

[Lunaar]

Things that grind my gears: When people tell someone they're rude for having a critical opinion. Ecrocked is obviously in the minority, as DBZA is an immensely popular show, but they came into this thread to contribute the "thing that grinds their gears." As much as I love DBZA, Ecrocked is on point here. Let's not jump down any throats.

Another thing that grinds my gears: Episode title cards shown in English only on every home release after the orange brick sets (excluding Dragon Boxes). Drives me up a wall when I'm watching the show in Japanese and I'm greeted with Yanami's exclaims over a tacky, inaccurate English title card. Every movie following the original single DVDs are missing their original cards too.

Don't even get me started on the opening/ending episode cast/credits having never been properly listed... until the Dragon Boxes release, and to my knowledge, every release since then. Though, now that I've mentioned it, did the blu-rays for DBZ have proper cast/credits?

[Jinzoningen MULE]

Another thing that grinds my gears: Episode title cards shown in English only on every home release after the orange brick sets (excluding Dragon Boxes). Drives me up a wall when I'm watching the show in Japanese and I'm greeted with Yanami's exclaims over a tacky, inaccurate English title card. Every movie following the original single DVDs are missing their original cards too.

Don't even get me started on the opening/ending episode cast/credits having never been properly listed... until the Dragon Boxes release, and to my knowledge, every release since then. Though, now that I've mentioned it, did the blu-rays for DBZ have proper cast/credits?

I actually like the English cards, and it is an English release, so I can't complain. I guess it's legitimate considering that a significant portion of fans, including myself, are only interested in the original, Japanese show.

Unfortunately, the Blu-rays do not have proper credits. I've thought about including them in the subtitles of a re-sub project that I'm thinking of undertaking, though.

[Lunaar]

I actually like the English cards, and it is an English release, so I can't complain. I guess it's legitimate considering that a significant portion of fans, including myself, are only interested in the original, Japanese show.

It's more of a bother to me that they've removed content from the original show when it's not even attempted to be a direct translation, not necessarily because I don't like the way they look. It's akin to painting over "寿司" (sushi) on a sign and replacing it with "SANDWICHES!" People would be upset over that, but not this?

Unfortunately, the Blu-rays do not have proper credits. I've thought about including them in the subtitles of a re-sub project that I'm thinking of undertaking, though.

Such a shame. That would be pretty sweet if you put in that work for every episode. Kanzenshuu has 'em all on their episode guide.

[Jinzoningen MULE]

It's more of a bother to me that they've removed content from the original show when it's not even attempted to be a direct translation, not necessarily because I don't like the way they look. It's akin to painting over "寿司" (sushi) on a sign and replacing it with "SANDWICHES!" People would be upset over that, but not this?.

That's one way of looking at it, but there's one tiny problem with that for me. The original titles are obnoxiously spoiler-ridden all the time. Maybe that's not a big deal for some people, but it's annoying enough to me that I welcome Funimation's replacements, especially when most of them work just fine with the episode.

Such a shame. That would be pretty sweet if you put in that work for every episode. Kanzenshuu has 'em all on their episode guide.

Yeah, I know. I wouldn't even think of attempting it if I had to find out the staff list on my own, I shiver just thinking about such a venture. However, I'm kind of a lazy piece of shit who never finishes anything, so don't wait up on me.

[Kanassa]

It reminds me of Halo Red v Blue

And that's a bad thing?

I know TFS are fans of Dragon Ball, but watching Abridged makes me feel mocked for enjoying Dragon Ball.

That's probably because a lot of their jokes is pointing out just how stupid Dragonball is, which can sound insulting out of context.

[Lunaar]

It's more of a bother to me that they've removed content from the original show when it's not even attempted to be a direct translation, not necessarily because I don't like the way they look. It's akin to painting over "寿司" (sushi) on a sign and replacing it with "SANDWICHES!" People would be upset over that, but not this?.

That's one way of looking at it, but there's one tiny problem with that for me. The original titles are obnoxiously spoiler-ridden all the time. Maybe that's not a big deal for some people, but it's annoying enough to me that I welcome Funimation's replacements, especially when most of them work just fine with the episode.

...the fairest point in the land. I don't mind Kai's or Super's nearly as much, as the changes are very minor and they're given relatively the same look and narration. If we had to listen to Doc Harris/Dale Kelly/Kyle Herbert shout out the episode title growing up... well, we still would have watched it, but thank Kami it didn't happen. ...man, I love Doc Morgan.

[Footlong Shoe]

It's more of a bother to me that they've removed content from the original show when it's not even attempted to be a direct translation, not necessarily because I don't like the way they look. It's akin to painting over "寿司" (sushi) on a sign and replacing it with "SANDWICHES!" People would be upset over that, but not this?.

I agree with you on this. I used to think I disliked having the title cards in English in general, but it turns out the part that actually bothered me was how different the English title is to the original. I realized this when I noticed that I'm annoyed about it watching my Dragon Ball/Z (and to a lesser extent, GT) season sets, but I don't care when I'm watching Kai.

The original titles are obnoxiously spoiler-ridden all the time. Maybe that's not a big deal for some people, but it's annoying enough to me that I welcome Funimation's replacements, especially when most of them work just fine with the episode.

That's a valid point, but we can't pretend Funimation's titles were always innocent of spoilers, themselves. I will say that they were at least a lot more vague, like "Final Atonement" as opposed to "For Those Whom He Loves…
Vegeta Perishes!!" etc.

[Soppa Saia People]

"Well thats just youre onion man"
Yeah, no shit it's an my opinion, I don't need to add "IMO" to every post/comment. Luckily I don't see it much on here, but it still pisses me off.

[Gog]

"Well thats just youre onion man"
Yeah, no shit it's an my opinion, I don't need to add "IMO" to every post/comment. Luckily I don't see it much on here, but it still pisses me off.

Um... Who are you replying to? , not trying to be rude or anything.. But uh, who are you replying to? Or am I going insane?

[Soppa Saia People]

"Well thats just youre onion man"
Yeah, no shit it's an my opinion, I don't need to add "IMO" to every post/comment. Luckily I don't see it much on here, but it still pisses me off.

Um... Who are you replying to? , not trying to be rude or anything.. But uh, who are you replying to? Or am I going insane?

No one. It's just something that pisses me off.

[Nejishiki]

That doesn't even make any sense in the context of the story, as why wouldn't he just simply make himself as strong as 18? With the energy absorption models, he showed the ability to do so. It's just lazy story telling. Except for the fact that the androids some how managed to leap frog ahead of Freeza. Do you know how idiotic that is? How lucky Freeza is that some no other person in the universe decided to make androids to take him down, or that Gero was never interested in space. The androids just diminish Freeza as a character, and the Super Saiyan Legend, and hell their not even that good at diminishing them.

The cyborg project was a failure in his eyes; No. 19 & strength through absorption weren't failures for his purposes. Additionally, he could maintain No. 19 easier compared to No. 17 & No. 18. There isn't anything unusual about Gero's actions. There's a progressive, developed map of why his accomplishments were ordered as they were. There's nothing particularly "idiotic" or "lazy" about this, subjective as that is. If anything, I find strictness in creativity & inflexibility to consider a character's mindset a bit much.

I'll have to strongly disagree with the notion that Freeza was, in any way, diminished due to a future story arc. The Namek arc remains solid within its own merits & Gero contributes nothing on the side of harming the character (especially when one considers it was Freeza who exponentially assisted his projects). Likewise with the Super Saiyan story in that it's as strongly read & watched today as when I first experienced it in the distant past. The laser beam focus of Vegeta's belief about a Super Saiyan was far removed from what it actually was. Personally, I can't gather why the incomplete & misinformed in-universe account is held in such high regard.

[Gog]

The cyborg project was a failure in his eyes; No. 19 & strength through absorption weren't failures for his purposes. Additionally, he could maintain No. 19 easier compared to No. 17 & No. 18. There isn't anything unusual about Gero's actions. There's a progressive, developed map of why his accomplishments were ordered as they were. There's nothing particularly "idiotic" or "lazy" about this, subjective as that is. If anything, I find strictness in creativity & inflexibility to consider a character's mindset a bit much.

Then that is just simply an idiotic notion for a character shown to be calculating and intelligent. There was absolutely nothing. Nothing in the story that ever stated that he could have simply combined the energy absorption models, with the strength of 18 and 17. I personally don't care about 19 in this debate, this is a debate about Gero, so I would appreciate it if you wouldn't bring something in not about the debate . There isn't any progression, I'd argue that it was essentially a downgrade. Hell I'm repeating myself but there was literally no reason for Gero to be as weak as he was, and for 17 and 18 to be as strong as they were. It's a plot hole considering Gero's character.

I'll have to strongly disagree with the notion that Freeza was, in any way, diminished due to a future story arc. The Namek arc remains solid within its own merits & Gero contributes nothing on the side of harming the character (especially when one considers it was Freeza who exponentially assisted his projects). Likewise with the Super Saiyan story in that it's as strongly read & watched today as when I first experienced it in the distant past. The laser beam focus of Vegeta's belief about a Super Saiyan was far removed from what it actually was. Personally, I can't gather why the incomplete & misinformed in-universe account is held in such high regard.

I'd have to argue yes, yes he was. Not the character. But what Freeza represented, Freeza was the strongest being in the galaxy, undisputed by any mortals, his strength only surpassed by the gods themselves. Along comes Gero and makes three whole beings stronger than him, in a cave. With a box of scraps. Cell isn't important to this, he's not helping your case in anyway. I don't give a damn if the Super Saiyan legend isn't unbeatable, I just hate how it was shown to be flawed. Hell I understand that it's not all powerful, I'm well aware of that fact. It's just such a lazy and stupid way to show that fact.