Funimation's 30th anniversary collectible home video release

[rs_chaosmaster]

Let's say you're currently 15 years old and you recently started getting into Dragon Ball after seeing some episodes of Super or playing FighterZ with a friend. Ruling Kai out because you want to see the original uncut version of the show, your only options are tracking down dozens of old single disc releases with only four episodes a piece or getting the cropped smeary season sets. What's that? You didn't buy the limited run collectors editon sets that came out when you were seven? Sucks to be you, then.






Glad to have you aboard crazy that you were 17 and missed the Boat on Z. I figure while 7 was still on you would of been between the age of 7 or 8, how pleased were you with Kai Buu Saga? What do you think of Super.

[KBABZ]

If I want DragonBall on my (one day organized, I promise!) physical media shelf it's the first series, that's what's imprinted on me. Maybe that's why I'm not mad.

What's disorganized about it?

[Android 50]

Do we know if the footage in the trailer is footage funi is using for this boxset? I know you will say why would it be in the trailer if it wasn't? but it could be placeholder footage just like the box art. Or maybe that's just my wishful thinking and optimism. lol

[KBABZ]

Do we know if the footage in the trailer is footage funi is using for this boxset? I know you will say why would it be in the trailer if it wasn't? but it could be placeholder footage just like the box art. Or maybe that's just my wishful thinking and optimism. lol

We ultimately won't KNOW, and the video definitely felt like an advertisement for the set itself rather than "hey this is what the footage looks like". BUT, all the examples were from the first episode, and if they don't even have the first episode remastered at this stage, well, I don't know what to tell them. They should have the first episode done at the VERY LEAST to give as an example here. Right now it looks like they have the uncropped Blu-Ray Seasons for the episodes themselves and the Level set footage for the intro, which makes no sense (which... I guess means it makes sense to Funimation?).

As pointed out earlier, the packaging got a "not final" disclaimer, but the footage itself did not. We're in the same spot again where we have to "wait until later" to confirm what the quality of this set is ACTUALLY going to be like, so we're no better off then this time a week ago when we all we had were solid-sounding rumors.

About the only thing that can save the set at this point is if Funimation put out a second video that was a more direct sampling of the show that made it clear this is what will be on the final product. And of course it matches the Level set footage at the VERY least.

[jelleline89]

2136\3000.

This should reach 3000 by tomorrow afternoon.

[clutchins]

I think this remaster is awful too. But I know people, my mother included, who went through severe relationship abuse, both physical and emotional. And you comparing that to a children's cartoon show is sickening.

Fair enough. I've cooled down now and I realize in the heat of the moment I took it too far. I'm not here to step on toes, just to talk about something I'm incredibly passionate about. I apologize to you.

[Drayenko]

Yep i knew it, they can always depend on that casual part of the fanbase who don't give a rat's ass about preserving the intended version of the show, unlike the majority of us on this here website that care (aspect ratio, grain.etc) and will take whatever cheap stuff FUNi dishes out no matter how crappy the video or other things are.

Nothing against you or anything, but no one casually drops $350. Anyone who is buying this is very much into the series.

I think this remaster is awful too. But I know people, my mother included, who went through severe relationship abuse, both physical and emotional. And you comparing that to a children's cartoon show is sickening.

Fair enough. I've cooled down now and I realize in the heat of the moment I took it too far. I'm not here to step on toes, just to talk about something I'm incredibly passionate about. I apologize to you.

Bwahahaha.
----
People who buy this for the figure and the art are amazing .

[SuperSaiyaManZ94]

Yep i knew it, they can always depend on that casual part of the fanbase who don't give a rat's ass about preserving the intended version of the show, unlike the majority of us on this here website that care (aspect ratio, grain.etc) and will take whatever cheap stuff FUNi dishes out no matter how crappy the video or other things are.

Nothing against you or anything, but no one casually drops $350. Anyone who is buying this is very much into the series.

I think this remaster is awful too. But I know people, my mother included, who went through severe relationship abuse, both physical and emotional. And you comparing that to a children's cartoon show is sickening.

Fair enough. I've cooled down now and I realize in the heat of the moment I took it too far. I'm not here to step on toes, just to talk about something I'm incredibly passionate about. I apologize to you.

Bwahahaha.
----
People who buy this for the figure and the art are amazing .

Ok, i must have let that point slip my mind when i was commenting there, the majority of those fans already have their readily available cheap "remastered" widescreen releases on both DVD and Blu-ray in the respective season sets for both formats.

[Forte224]

I think this remaster is awful too. But I know people, my mother included, who went through severe relationship abuse, both physical and emotional. And you comparing that to a children's cartoon show is sickening.

Fair enough. I've cooled down now and I realize in the heat of the moment I took it too far. I'm not here to step on toes, just to talk about something I'm incredibly passionate about. I apologize to you.

It's all good. Thank you for the reply.

[Drayenko]

Heck, there's 11987 registered members in this forum. It wouldn't surprise me if more than half of those pre-orders came from here.
I can only speculate.

[sangofe]

Well full disclosure, I did pre-order the set. Truth be told even though I own the Dragon Boxes, I've wanted a Blu-ray version for awhile and I didn't want it in widescreen. If this does turn out to be the same bad footage shown in the trailer at least I'll have options to mull over - cancel my order, sell the box (and would likely get more than $350), or just keep it anyway because this'll likely be the first and last 4:3 Blu-ray for awhile at least. You have to admit though, it's strange they would use Level and Season (before cropping) footage in the same trailer. We'll see what happens. I think it's more unlikely than likely, but we'll see what happens.

If you're not convinced by the evidence now, I assure you you won't believe it until it's far too late, the boxes will be in your hands, and you'll have supported Funi in never striving to do better.

The problem is that they'll reach their goal anyway, Robo.

[Drayenko]

The problem is that they'll reach their goal anyway, Robo.

As we're going deeper into this discussion, why are we living if are going to die anyway?

[sangofe]

Skimming over some earlier pages since I was last here (big uni assignment, so I'm just popping in briefly out of morbid curiosity), I saw some talk earlier about calling these the Black Bricks.

Calling these the Black Bricks would be a massive missed opportunity, and I'm sure you'll all agree that there's a far better, far more correct name, assuming this release is as bad as it appears (and I'm sure it will be)...

The shit bricks.

Named, of course, after what happened to each of us upon seeing the trailer.

I think we can all agree this is a far better nickname for this release, assuming it's as bad as all indications point to.

"Black Bricks" sounds good for it.

For those that are bashing and saying anyone who thinks this trailer is not the final product is dilusional let me pose one simple question. Why is the film footage only from episode 1 of this master is done and is the final product? The Dragon Boxes, Blu Rays, Level Sets, Orange Bricks all had film footage from multiple episodes. This to me screams the remaster is not done!!!

You seem desperate for people to agree with you and think there's more to the remaster than what theyv shown. Chill.

I wouldn't be surprised if Toei is working on their own remaster for the Japanese market as they have already remastered the Bardock special.

That might have been animax who remastered it, you know.

If that was the case, then why did TV SP1 get a special theater run in America? That doesn't add up. If it was done by Animax then it would have stayed Japan-only.

Wishful thinking to assume the footage isn’t already done.

They aren’t going to spend a large sum of money to properly remaster an entire SERIES for a ‘limited’ release. It happens for movies like The Godfather , Apocalypse Now because those are small amounts of footage compared to DB, and they have much larger financials.

To them, they already invested large amounts of money to remaster the series into a massively successful set, why waste the time doing it again for an audience that’s less than 500 people presumably?


And to those saying that FUNI has been ‘fu**ing’ with the series for the last few years by not giving us an authentic release, remember that in the largest fan base in the world for an anime show, we are just a group of 500 people who even know about the missing footage.

FUNimation treats its fans more or less like cattle that'll take anything without complaining and look at the reservations, it's getting closer to 3k.

So who remastered the tv special? It's better than what toei is capable of.

Q: Are you not able to reveal more details of the 30th anniversary because the remaster is not complete?

A: “Please check out our trailer and understand our mixing board is doing their very best for those who want the hardcore experience. Also, there might be a special prize given to fans who pre-ordered the 30th anniversary edition before the deadline. They will be selected randomly.”

Let me guess, a signed poster? Pttf, give me a break! They are trying so hard to get people to buy this. If only they reduced the price and ditched a figure and maybe the art book, they could’ve focused on a better box and remaster.

The figure isn't the issue. Not only did Bandai re use digital assets for it but it'll likely cost them the usual 800yen for one.

Where did you find this answer?

[sangofe]

The problem is that they'll reach their goal anyway, Robo.

As we're going deeper into this discussion, why are we living if are going to die anyway?

Huh, I'm not sure what you mean by "why are we living if are going to die anyway?"
Did you forget a word? I can only speculate in your meaning here and that's not a good thing online.

[KBABZ]

The problem is that they'll reach their goal anyway, Robo.

As we're going deeper into this discussion, why are we living if are going to die anyway?

Huh, I'm not sure what you mean by "why are we living if are going to die anyway?"
Did you forget a word? I can only speculate in your meaning here and that's not a good thing online.

He means anything in life is pointless because we're all gonna be dead eventually.

[AnimeMaakuo]

As we're going deeper into this discussion, why are we living if are going to die anyway?

Huh, I'm not sure what you mean by "why are we living if are going to die anyway?"
Did you forget a word? I can only speculate in your meaning here and that's not a good thing online.

He means anything in life is pointless because we're all gonna be dead eventually.

We are subject to atrophy, decay, and eventual death. Sounds about right!

[Scsigs]

When it comes to the TFS cameo, they have a right to not allow anyone in the dub as they see fit. They HATE TFS, so it makes sense. Granted, they weren't against them in their dub of One Piece or Res F, but it wasn't as obvious.

TFS is in the Res F dub? Huh. TIL. Where exactly in the film are they?

KaiserNeko played a Frieza soldier (I believe the one that gets shot out of Frieza's ship).

[Scsigs]

So who remastered the tv special? It's better than what toei is capable of.

Probably some film company in Japan Toei contracted.

[MetaMoss]

The level of vitriol shown here has gotten past the point of being disturbing, in my mind. I'm in no way saying that you shouldn't be mad about this, because I'm pissed myself. But, shouldn't Dragon Ball be something you're enjoying? If this home release of a show you love is bringing you that much pain, perhaps it's time to take a break or something. This could be a whole derailing rabbit hole, so I'll leave it at that.

Instead, I want to explore this: I'm seeing some parallels with the response here and things I see in video gaming circles -- there's a product coming out that's subpar that dedicated fans don't want to see succeed, yet the greater market elsewhere rewards it. Gamers on Reddit have "never pre-order" as a rallying cry of sorts, yet some games still earn millions well before their release day. So, what should we dedicated fans do when the market rewards something it really shouldn't?

It should have never been a surprise that this was going to reach it's pre-order goal. And these aren't "casuals" who are dropping $350 for this, rather they are a breed of hardcore fan that's more uncommon in this forum. The version of Dragon Ball Z that hit the zeitgeist of the English-speaking world was the one Funimation provided, and the vast majority of English-speaking fans never had reason to question it. Fans both casual and hardcore for the Funimation version ate up the Orange Bricks and Blu-Ray Season sets because they were available and complete, period. If they were 4:3 or tinted purple, it would not have made any sort of significant difference on how they sold, because despite what Funimation thought, DBZ didn't need a remaster for people to eat it up.

With all that, it means there are people who are really into Dragon Ball, with the same level of intensity as any of us here, but it's for Funimation's version, and the way these fans revisited the series was through horrible DNR and blown out colors, all in it's cropped glory. I don't think I really have to defend the assertion that the "Funimation DBZ fan" market is a more lucrative option than us Kanzenshuu-type snobs, right? We got the Dragon Boxes, at least. Sucks that I didn't know at the age of 13 about why they mattered or even had the income to buy them, but that's how life goes sometimes. As they used to say: "all's fair in love, war, and anime DVDs".

Going back to my previous question: what do we do here? Well, in my opinion, first we accept that there is a market for Funimation's crap remaster. You may absolutely despise that fact, but it's happening whether you like it or not, so it's best to be a peace with that. A inaccurate dub and cropped picture can't hide what makes DBZ great, so there is still something for people to love there. Shitting on that won't do much good. Next and most importantly, we find some way to let Funimation know what we would be willing to put money down for. Finish up the Level sets, get that remaster Toei's doing, broadcast audio, whatever. I mean, not too long after the disaster that was the Orange Bricks came the impossible: a stateside Dragon Box. Why can't history repeat with the Black Bricks?

This is all assuming that what was shown in the trailer is representative of what will actually be in the Black Bricks. Strictly speaking, we don't know for sure one way or the other right now. If we hear it's actually going to be a good version before orders are up, you better believe I'll drop that $350. That's a big if, though.

[Scsigs]

I honestly believe the trailer was more meant emphasize 4:3 the package design, the limited reservation period and the fact that it’s the entire series in one set then the video footage. Yes they could and should of not had anything about the film footage but then everyone would be bitching and complaining anyways saying I’m not going to reserve something that doesn’t show the film.

This was always going to have some fans complaining about it. The only way it wouldn’t would have been:

4:3 aspect ratio
Closing Credits And Next Episode Previews
Dragon Box quality film footage color corrected
Japanese Broadcast Audio
New English DBZ Dub with all the original actors
Original OG Toonami Funimation Dub
Ocean Dub of DBZ
Falconer Score
Kikuchki Score
No Grain or Grain option

If it had all that maybe there would be no one complaining.
Of course there are those who want only digital there are those who wouldn’t be happy with the packaging. I think if Funimation provides a final remaster close to the level sets it will be acceptable. Not perfect but still let’s see what happens.

Unfortunately neither would be an option because those dubs are edited and wouldn't sync with the uncut Japanese audio. Damn though, the Westwood dub still needs to receive some form of a home release. The Japanese broadcast audio would be a good selling point, but at this point I don't think that would be enough to salvage this set.

Anyone who thinks that FUNi would release the Westwood dub is fucking high. Same with the early Ocean dub on an uncut release..