Funimation's 30th anniversary collectible home video release

[kei17]

This was easily predictable and at this point I'm not offended by Funi's decision at all, but I hope they get rid of the pointless fake film grain and leave the DNR'ed footage "untouched." It'd look better that way at least. I highly doubt they'll bother to re-compress the footage and I'm 99.9999% sure that they'll just re-author the existing video files for the 30th anniversary set though.

[KBABZ]

This was easily predictable and at this point I'm not offended by Funi's decision at all, but I hope they get rid of the pointless fake film grain and leave the DNR'ed footage "untouched." It'd look better that way at least. I highly doubt they'll bother to re-compress the footage and I'm 99.9999% sure that they'll just re-author the existing video files for the 30th anniversary set though.

Yeah to me this is the equivalent of the Singles DVDs in Japan which are the Dragon Box discs with less extravagant menus.

[sangofe]

They are, but no English release except the Dragon Boxes are worth it. So I'd suggest people don't buy it at all. A new release in HD that's better will happen. It's inevitable.

After all this time I don't have any faith in the dream release we're looking for to ever happen. If it does then I'll be glad to have been wrong!

Agreed. If anything, a new HD release seems impossible.

How many times can you re-release a series it starts to harm sales? They've already done DVDs, then widescreen Blu-rays, and now fullscreen (but not really) Blu-rays. The gimmick for the 30th remaster was that it was finally fullscreen and in high definition, so how would they even start marketing another one, fullscreen again but with less cropping?

The market for DBZ on home video is already oversaturated, I can't imagine FUNi wanting to go through this process again and possibly lose money on it. Casual fans may not be willing to double dip if they own a previous release, and it's up in the air just how many hardcore fans will buy it on a proper remaster alone. For instance, how many would still boycott a new release for not including broadcast audio?

It'll be interesting to see how the Steelbooks sell with fans who couldn't drop a large sum for all the seasons last year. I truly do think these will sell better than many would like to admit, and that'll be the end of it. Even with a gargantuan title like DBZ, you can only put out so many versions of it before it starts to lose sales.

Of course it's not impossible. It's unlikely for dbz to be re re-released by Funimation on bd, but not by for example AB.

[eledoremassis02]

A small part of me wants to at least pre-order the fist steel book. Given Funimation's track record they've always done something different with each release, whether big or small.

Singles
UUC-Uncut Saiyan - Namek (canned)
Orange Bricks - Film "Remasters"/Widescreen, English dub w/ Japanese score, revamped title cards with new Dragon Balls
Dragon Boxes - Japanese port w/o U.S Score
Level Sets - 4:3 complete remaster w/ repaired title cards (canned)
Season Blurays - Wide Screen/DNR and Saturation boost/different title card font
30th set - Season Bluray in 4:3, Different title card font and fake grain with slight tweaking

Some of them are big and some of them are small. I'll wait for a trailer and if there is no visual improvement then there would be no point (for me) as I have the 30th.

In fact, it's weird how many changes they made to the title cards (The Dragon Ball placements are even different on the 30th set compared to the level and season Blu-rays)
http://www.framecompare.com/image-compa ... n/9FCC1NNU

[CuppaKofe]

I kinda saw something like this coming. Bluray as a format is slowly starting to become a niche thing for movie buffs and collectors. Steel books tend to be desirable to bluray collectors, and are cheap to produce. Plus they can still sell the even cheaper old 2013 sets with minimal confusion. Low effort, low cost, and they can still appeal to collectors.

At this point I don't see them bothering to do something like the level sets again, especially if toei remains uninterested. Negatives asside, 4:3 DBZ being back in print and not limited to out of print collectors items isnt exactly a bad thing.

[Different]

A small part of me wants to at least pre-order the fist steel book. Given Funimation's track record they've always done something different with each release, whether big or small.

Singles
UUC-Uncut Saiyan - Namek (canned)
Orange Bricks - Film "Remasters"/Widescreen, English dub w/ Japanese score, revamped title cards with new Dragon Balls
Dragon Boxes - Japanese port w/o U.S Score
Level Sets - 4:3 complete remaster w/ repaired title cards (canned)
Season Blurays - Wide Screen/DNR and Saturation boost/different title card font
30th set - Season Bluray in 4:3, Different title card font and fake grain with slight tweaking

Some of them are big and some of them are small. I'll wait for a trailer and if there is no visual improvement then there would be no point (for me) as I have the 30th.

In fact, it's weird how many changes they made to the title cards (The Dragon Ball placements are even different on the 30th set compared to the level and season Blu-rays)
http://www.framecompare.com/image-compa ... n/9FCC1NNU

That comparison is pretty good, it shows that the DNR isn't nearly as bad as the season sets. Also if I had to guess, I'd say the title cards with the dragon balls is a separate layer, which is why they're in a different spot compared to the level sets

A little off topic, but has anyone removed this sticker in the back? Is there an error in the level count or did they forget to write "Disc made in mexico". I'm reaaaaaaaaaaallly tempted lol

That sticker looks to be clear, their placements are slightly off on my sets.

[eledoremassis02]

Just so people who are interested know exactly what they most likely will be getting, I made a small clip using VLC's record mode (not sure how else to do it) but it doesn't look like it took much (if any) hit at the quality

this is from right after Goke went Super Saiyan
https://mega.nz/file/QZQnlaKC#mvJ9cGkqx ... mIN-4Cr57E

Spoiler:

A small part of me wants to at least pre-order the fist steel book. Given Funimation's track record they've always done something different with each release, whether big or small.

Singles
UUC-Uncut Saiyan - Namek (canned)
Orange Bricks - Film "Remasters"/Widescreen, English dub w/ Japanese score, revamped title cards with new Dragon Balls
Dragon Boxes - Japanese port w/o U.S Score
Level Sets - 4:3 complete remaster w/ repaired title cards (canned)
Season Blurays - Wide Screen/DNR and Saturation boost/different title card font
30th set - Season Bluray in 4:3, Different title card font and fake grain with slight tweaking

Some of them are big and some of them are small. I'll wait for a trailer and if there is no visual improvement then there would be no point (for me) as I have the 30th.

In fact, it's weird how many changes they made to the title cards (The Dragon Ball placements are even different on the 30th set compared to the level and season Blu-rays)
http://www.framecompare.com/image-compa ... n/9FCC1NNU

That comparison is pretty good, it shows that the DNR isn't nearly as bad as the season sets. Also if I had to guess, I'd say the title cards with the dragon balls is a separate layer, which is why they're in a different spot compared to the level sets

A little off topic, but has anyone removed this sticker in the back? Is there an error in the level count or did they forget to write "Disc made in mexico". I'm reaaaaaaaaaaallly tempted lol

That sticker looks to be clear, their placements are slightly off on my sets.

Interesting, I'll try to resist all urges lol

[Kingbrockstar1995]

i decided to get the steelbooks because will Funimation ever do the perfect set? i think these are the closest we'll ever get

[jelleline89]

i decided to get the steelbooks because will Funimation ever do the perfect set? i think these are the closest we'll ever get

This was already being touted as the definitive set. I can't imagine how they would market it to a casual fan.

"Yoy know that 30th anniversary set and later Steelbooks we released that were in 4:3? Well, we lied! These new Blu-rays we have planned are even more 4:3! Buy yours today!

Up until this point, the gradual transitions have made sense. Widescreen DVDs, Widescreen Blu-rays, Fullscreen Blu-rays. I can't see a feasible way for them to market a "definitive set" now to someone who isn't a hardcore fan or someone who already bought one of these older releases. The Level Sets were discontinued because of DBZ's oversaturation in the home video market ruining sales, and any release that follows the now two separate Blu-ray remasters will almost certainly follow the same fate.

These new Steelbooks aren't perfect, but hell, they're better than the Orange Bricks or widescreen Blu-rays currently available. And most fans can't be bothered tracking down the Dragon Boxes with the prices they go for now, and let's be honest, those weren't perfect either. For whatever reason, FUNi can't (or won't) put out the dream release many fans want to have, but it's at a point now where you either have to take it or leave it and possibly never own DBZ physically. MegaMan NT Warrior and Cardcaptor Sakura never got complete DVD releases of their North American dubs, several Digimon movies remain unreleased in English with only televised recordings to prove their existence, and Pokémon Indigo League had it's Blu-ray release abruptly cut at Episode 52, leaving 27 episodes stuck in SD. It sucks DBZ can't get a proper release, but hey, at least it had the privilege of getting several complete releases.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

The only thing that's distinctive about this release is it's the first time Z, or any of the series for that matter, has had a steelbook release. We may get it re-released on Blu-Ray one more time in standard amaray cases. After that Funimation will probably attempt to release the series on UHD, which will likely have all the problems the season sets and 30th anniversary edition have but will be "good enough" for most fans, as history has shown. It might even pose a threat to sales even if a TOEI remaster (on 2K Blu-Ray) gets released because Funimation will be able to market their inevitable UHD Blu-Ray sets as better "because they are 4K" when we know they won't be true 4K, but not all fans will be as well informed.

So yeah, I don't see anything changing in the next few years with regards to the fight for a dream home release. At the very least let's just hope all releases henceforth are in 4:3

[Kendamu]

Just so people who are interested know exactly what they most likely will be getting, I made a small clip using VLC's record mode (not sure how else to do it) but it doesn't look like it took much (if any) hit at the quality

this is from right after Goke went Super Saiyan
https://mega.nz/file/QZQnlaKC#mvJ9cGkqx ... mIN-4Cr57E

Yeah, I don't hate this at all and right now I'm sitting close to my monitor looking for something to ruin my day. Sitting back away from my TV in my living room, this should do just fine. No weird tint, no cropping, and the Kikuchi BGM is in the right place. I'm down to pre-order this.

[Planetnamek]

i decided to get the steelbooks because will Funimation ever do the perfect set? i think these are the closest we'll ever get

This was already being touted as the definitive set. I can't imagine how they would market it to a casual fan.

"Yoy know that 30th anniversary set and later Steelbooks we released that were in 4:3? Well, we lied! These new Blu-rays we have planned are even more 4:3! Buy yours today!

Up until this point, the gradual transitions have made sense. Widescreen DVDs, Widescreen Blu-rays, Fullscreen Blu-rays. I can't see a feasible way for them to market a "definitive set" now to someone who isn't a hardcore fan or someone who already bought one of these older releases. The Level Sets were discontinued because of DBZ's oversaturation in the home video market ruining sales, and any release that follows the now two separate Blu-ray remasters will almost certainly follow the same fate.

These new Steelbooks aren't perfect, but hell, they're better than the Orange Bricks or widescreen Blu-rays currently available. And most fans can't be bothered tracking down the Dragon Boxes with the prices they go for now, and let's be honest, those weren't perfect either. For whatever reason, FUNi can't (or won't) put out the dream release many fans want to have, but it's at a point now where you either have to take it or leave it and possibly never own DBZ physically. MegaMan NT Warrior and Cardcaptor Sakura never got complete DVD releases of their North American dubs, several Digimon movies remain unreleased in English with only televised recordings to prove their existence, and Pokémon Indigo League had it's Blu-ray release abruptly cut at Episode 52, leaving 27 episodes stuck in SD. It sucks DBZ can't get a proper release, but hey, at least it had the privilege of getting several complete releases.

Don't remind me, as a fan of both of those shows that made me very sad Knights of the Zodiac(DiC's english dub of Saint Seiya) also never got fully released on DVD, with some volumes being extremely rare(I just now got a lead on a copy of volume 7 after almost a year of searching). So DB's releases may not be perfect, but at least they are complete.

Several 4Kids dubs also never got complete releases like Kirby and Sonic X(well not on DVD anyway, you could watch them on 4Kids own website which is unfortunately long defunct).

[samuraix123]

i decided to get the steelbooks because will Funimation ever do the perfect set? i think these are the closest we'll ever get

This was already being touted as the definitive set. I can't imagine how they would market it to a casual fan.

"Yoy know that 30th anniversary set and later Steelbooks we released that were in 4:3? Well, we lied! These new Blu-rays we have planned are even more 4:3! Buy yours today!

Up until this point, the gradual transitions have made sense. Widescreen DVDs, Widescreen Blu-rays, Fullscreen Blu-rays. I can't see a feasible way for them to market a "definitive set" now to someone who isn't a hardcore fan or someone who already bought one of these older releases. The Level Sets were discontinued because of DBZ's oversaturation in the home video market ruining sales, and any release that follows the now two separate Blu-ray remasters will almost certainly follow the same fate.

These new Steelbooks aren't perfect, but hell, they're better than the Orange Bricks or widescreen Blu-rays currently available. And most fans can't be bothered tracking down the Dragon Boxes with the prices they go for now, and let's be honest, those weren't perfect either. For whatever reason, FUNi can't (or won't) put out the dream release many fans want to have, but it's at a point now where you either have to take it or leave it and possibly never own DBZ physically. MegaMan NT Warrior and Cardcaptor Sakura never got complete DVD releases of their North American dubs, several Digimon movies remain unreleased in English with only televised recordings to prove their existence, and Pokémon Indigo League had it's Blu-ray release abruptly cut at Episode 52, leaving 27 episodes stuck in SD. It sucks DBZ can't get a proper release, but hey, at least it had the privilege of getting several complete releases.

I had no idea about the pokemon issue. Guess i'll stick with my dvd boxset haha before the Gundam rereleases and I believe even now? The G Gundam dvd sets were almost impossible to buy due to them being out of print. Luckily, i bought them beforehand and then later upgraded to the blurays which are excellent.

[KBABZ]

I had no idea about the pokemon issue.

Oh that was the case with the DVDs as well; the thing is that the Indigo League section is actually split in two. It gets even more confusing because it follows the BROADCAST order, which means the delay of "Snow Way Out!" is reflected in the episode listing... meaning there's a gap in the first boxset and it's stranded on the second one!

[MasenkoHA]

I had no idea about the pokemon issue.

Oh that was the case with the DVDs as well; the thing is that the Indigo League section is actually split in two. It gets even more confusing because it follows the BROADCAST order, which means the delay of "Snow Way Out!" is reflected in the episode listing... meaning there's a gap in the first boxset and it's stranded on the second one!

Was that the episode that got pulled because of Mr.Popo’s cousin?

[Planetnamek]

I had no idea about the pokemon issue.

Oh that was the case with the DVDs as well; the thing is that the Indigo League section is actually split in two. It gets even more confusing because it follows the BROADCAST order, which means the delay of "Snow Way Out!" is reflected in the episode listing... meaning there's a gap in the first boxset and it's stranded on the second one!

Was that the episode that got pulled because of Mr.Popo’s cousin?

That was the episode before that one- "Holiday Hi-Jinx", and while it was banned from TV after someone wrote an angry letter complaining about Jinx, it did still get released on home video.

[Kendamu]

Did the 30th anniversary release use that generic buttrock opening (that holds like zero nostalgic value for anybody) for the dub's OP or did they use Cha-La Head Cha-La?

[eledoremassis02]

Did the 30th anniversary release use that generic buttrock opening (that holds like zero nostalgic value for anybody) for the dub's OP or did they use Cha-La Head Cha-La?

That same old rock (for the english w/ japanese score).

What ever happened to this one? https://youtu.be/Wu2anfKAm6M

[samuraix123]

I had no idea about the pokemon issue.

Oh that was the case with the DVDs as well; the thing is that the Indigo League section is actually split in two. It gets even more confusing because it follows the BROADCAST order, which means the delay of "Snow Way Out!" is reflected in the episode listing... meaning there's a gap in the first boxset and it's stranded on the second one!

Well...I had no ideer about that. Unless it's dragonball related, a lot of that kinda stuff just slips by me.

[Kendamu]

Did the 30th anniversary release use that generic buttrock opening (that holds like zero nostalgic value for anybody) for the dub's OP or did they use Cha-La Head Cha-La?

That same old rock (for the english w/ japanese score).

What ever happened to this one? https://youtu.be/Wu2anfKAm6M

Stuff like this is why I think so many fans like to re-imagine Dragon Ball as this dark depressing thing and I can't believe it actually worked in Funimation's favor. At least with Rock the Dragon someone had put a bunch of footage together like an AMV to make it believable. This is just lazy.