Should I buy the US DBZ Dragon Boxes?

[GTx10]

So small disclaimer: I own all the Bricks lol. (Blue, Orange, and Green) I'm content with them. Recently I've been checking out Seed Of Might's releases and I'm intrigued at them.

So with that said, do you folks think I should pick up (if even possible ) the Funimation DBZ Dragon Boxes? Part of me would pick them up for the simple fact of "official product with the 4:3 screen size" that i can play on my personal blu-ray/dvd player and that is it. Another part of me feels like just grabbing SoM's DB/DBZ/DBGT releases then just burning them to a disc and that's it. Another part of me feels like "Just watch your Bricks and stop fussing." So what should I do?

The SoM files are huge and I would have to filter out the JPN and Remastered Funi Dubs. (I want those only) Removing the rest of the dubs for file saving. It was nice to watch DBZ at the correct screen size and the NEP parts are neat as heck. What to do?

Should I get the Funimation DBZ Dragon Boxes? Yay or nah?

[MasenkoHA]

You're not going to find all 7 for a good deal. Some of the volumes go for like $400 online.

If you're fine with the Orange Bricks I really don't see a point. And while I always prefer Physical Media over Digital and Streaming, I believe Crunchyroll uses the Dragon Box Masters for the Japanese Audio anyways excluding the NEP.

[GTx10]

You're not going to find all 7 for a good deal. Some of the volumes go for like $400 online.

If you're fine with the Orange Bricks I really don't see a point. And while I always prefer Physical Media over Digital and Streaming, I believe Crunchyroll uses the Dragon Box Masters for the Japanese Audio anyways excluding the NEP.

I did see the 1st US Dragon Box for 146 dollars. I'm assuming some of the sets are 400 each? And Crunchyroll's DBZ aspect Ratio is 4:3 or 16:9? I prefer home media/physical media myself.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Part of me would pick them up for the simple fact of "official product with the 4:3 screen size" that i can play on my personal blu-ray/dvd player and that is it.

If its just 4:3 and an official release you want why not go for the Manga UK Blu-Rays? They are region A/B so will work on US players, come with art cards, posters and look beautiful all lined up on a shelf.

Another part of me feels like just grabbing SoM's DB/DBZ/DBGT releases then just burning them to a disc and that's it. Another part of me feels like "Just watch your Bricks and stop fussing." So what should I do?

The SoM files are huge and I would have to filter out the JPN and Remastered Funi Dubs. (I want those only)

No one is going to condone that here. I will say anything by Seed of Might puts the Dragon Boxes to shame, its so sad Crunchyroll will never license them.

You're not going to find all 7 for a good deal. Some of the volumes go for like $400 online.

If you're fine with the Orange Bricks I really don't see a point. And while I always prefer Physical Media over Digital and Streaming, I believe Crunchyroll uses the Dragon Box Masters for the Japanese Audio anyways excluding the NEP.

Agreed, I had boxes 5-7 but sold them when I realized I would never be able to get the first 4 boxes for reasonable prices. I was very lucky at the time to get the last 3 for less than $100 each.

[GTx10]

Part of me would pick them up for the simple fact of "official product with the 4:3 screen size" that i can play on my personal blu-ray/dvd player and that is it.

If its just 4:3 and an official release you want why not go for the Manga UK Blu-Rays? They are region A/B so will work on US players, come with art cards, posters and look beautiful all lined up on a shelf.

Another part of me feels like just grabbing SoM's DB/DBZ/DBGT releases then just burning them to a disc and that's it. Another part of me feels like "Just watch your Bricks and stop fussing." So what should I do?

The SoM files are huge and I would have to filter out the JPN and Remastered Funi Dubs. (I want those only)

No one is going to condone that here. I will say anything by Seed of Might puts the Dragon Boxes to shame, its so sad Crunchyroll will never license them.

You're not going to find all 7 for a good deal. Some of the volumes go for like $400 online.

If you're fine with the Orange Bricks I really don't see a point. And while I always prefer Physical Media over Digital and Streaming, I believe Crunchyroll uses the Dragon Box Masters for the Japanese Audio anyways excluding the NEP.

Agreed, I had boxes 5-7 but sold them when I realized I would never be able to get the first 4 boxes for reasonable prices. I was very lucky at the time to get the last 3 for less than $100 each.

I wasn't aware of the UK sets. Didn't know they existed or worked on a US player.

Which part isn't condoned exactly?

[MasenkoHA]

You're not going to find all 7 for a good deal. Some of the volumes go for like $400 online.

If you're fine with the Orange Bricks I really don't see a point. And while I always prefer Physical Media over Digital and Streaming, I believe Crunchyroll uses the Dragon Box Masters for the Japanese Audio anyways excluding the NEP.

I did see the 1st US Dragon Box for 146 dollars. I'm assuming some of the sets are 400 each? And Crunchyroll's DBZ aspect Ratio is 4:3 or 16:9? I prefer home media/physical media myself.

As far as I understand the Japanese audio uses the 4:3 Dragon Box masters and the English Audio uses the 16:9 Season Blu-ray sets. Like I said I too prefer Physical media but I can't justify dropping $1000-$2000 to own any series ,let alone a silly kung fu cartoon with fart and dick jokes, for that much, especially when you can just stream that release for like $8 a month and already own a physical media release you said you were content with.

If you want to own the show in the correct aspect ratio Ireland's suggestion of getting the UK release of the 30A season sets is your best and most economical choice.

If you're fine with the Orange Bricks why upgrade? If it's about wanting to own the series in the correct aspect ratio, again see Ireland's post about the UK sets

[TheGreatness25]

Is that a re-release of the 30th Anniversary set? It honestly isn't the worst way to experience the series. In fact, if you're happy with the orange bricks, you'd be happy with these. There are quality issues, but it looks good overall (if you don't know what you're looking for). Like, if you're a casual fan and you see this playing, I think it would look good.

[GTx10]

I guess I just like "supporting the official release ." But the Orange Bricks get the job done. I may look into that UK release though. It's box is colorful as heck.

[MasenkoHA]

I guess I just like "supporting the official release ." But the Orange Bricks get the job done. I may look into that UK release though. It's box is colorful as heck.

The only way to support the official release is to subscribe to Crunchyroll's site or buy the physical media release directly from Crunchyroll's online store or buy it new at your local brick and mortar retailer if they have them in stock.

I get the ethical sentiment but buying the Dragon Box or the UK release or whatever second hand from BulmasTigoBiddies6969 on Amazon or Ebay isn't supporting the official release anymore than just watching it online on a torrented anime website with an ad telling you there are Hot Local Milfs in your area that want you now.

[TechExpert2021]

The US DBZ Dragon Box DVDs are among the few good DBZ releases in the U.S., along with the Singles DVDs, UUE DVDs, and Level BDs; and they're superior to the Orange Brick DVDs, "Season" BDs, and the 30th Anniversary BDs quality-wise.

These releases include the original Japanese NEPs except that they're played after the ending theme instead of before like the original Japanese broadcasts and promotional segments in the second half of the NEPs in certain episodes are cut out.

For the original Japanese version of DBZ, the Japanese audio in these releases sounds muffled, because they are sourced from the optical audio masters Toei has since they threw away the original audio masters of the series.

For the English dub, I think it's the "Remastered" FUNimation dub from the Orange Brick DVDs.

Or take Dragon Ball Ireland's advice: buy the DBZ Manga UK Blu-rays (import them if you live in any English-speaking country outside the UK) since they work on Region A and Region B Blu-ray players.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Which part isn't condoned exactly?

Any way of acquiring the Seed of Might remasters. This forum is very anti-piracy.

Is that a re-release of the 30th Anniversary set? It honestly isn't the worst way to experience the series. In fact, if you're happy with the orange bricks, you'd be happy with these. There are quality issues, but it looks good overall (if you don't know what you're looking for). Like, if you're a casual fan and you see this playing, I think it would look good.

It's the same discs, yes. It's the best way to own Dragon Ball Z if you want to "support the official release".

I guess I just like "supporting the official release ." But the Orange Bricks get the job done. I may look into that UK release though. It's box is colorful as heck.

You won't be supporting the official release if you buy the Dragon Boxes though, because there are no new copies. As your buying second hand neither Crunchyroll nor TOEI will get a penny out of it.

But yes, as I say for anyone that just wants to own the series and support it legally now, the Manga UK Blu-Rays are the way to go.

[Forte224]

What would be the best way to buy the Manga UK release in full? And about how much would it end up being?

EDIT: I live in the US if that changes the answer.

[PowerPhantom245]

I mean, it's your money, your life.
No one stopping you.

Sadly, given that Crunchyroll doesn't have any plan whatsoever for ever releasing higher quality release, with proper remastering and aspect ratio, anytime soon if not ever, Dragon Boxes continue to remain only highest quality boutique release, where prices are constantly increasing as time goes on.

I don't expect Toei ever going to do proper Blu-ray release either (even as SDBD), which is frustrating.

[GTx10]

I mean, it's your money, your life.
No one stopping you.

Sadly, given that Crunchyroll doesn't have any plan whatsoever for ever releasing higher quality release, with proper remastering and aspect ratio, anytime soon if not ever, Dragon Boxes continue to remain only highest quality boutique release, where prices are constantly increasing as time goes on.

I don't expect Toei ever going to do proper Blu-ray release either (even as SDBD), which is frustrating.

I mean I'm tempted to pick up the US DBZ Dragon Boxs. Maybe I will. But that UK box set is tempting. I suppose I could grab one box and test the waters.

Also funny enough Seed of Might's releases have the next episode previews after the ending credits instead of before too.


But everyone made a good point, if I'm happy with my current sets then... Why ya know.

[GTx10]

Update:

So I was able to find the first US Dragon Box Z for an okay price and bought it. I love the booklet, it contains that great level of real world and in lore-detail that gets my inner nerd drooling. The layout of the set is a bit confusing. The menus look very bootleg like, (The scouter over an in show image background) it comes off very cheap.

I think I prefer the Orange Bricks DVD menu more. It feels better to me. As for the footage itself well I can now say I now own a Official DBZ in 4:3 release and no shady websites asking me to hook up with milfs/gilfs was needed. I finally did my own comparison and yeah the 16:9 image does indeed chop off quite a bit of the footage. ( I knew that was true already but I guess I wanted to see it with my own eyes on actual disc-ware. But not the end of the world for me personally.)

The footage does look pinkish and old. (Seed of Might really worked on their color correcting wow.) The Orange Bricks look nicer while the DBox looks very SD Discotek release style. (Disclaimer: Discotek releases are superb and my comment is not a knock against them) Overall, I'm happy and I think it was worth the investment. Look at that, Next Episode Previews are here as well. Neat!

Well Time to look for Dragon Box Z Volume 2 (Vegeta cover) and... OMG why is that alone so expensive?!

Next time on GTX10: "Will I buy the Dragon Box Z Volume 2? Stay tuned!"

[Saiya6Cit]

Thanks for the update.

I am glad you bought it. Even if there will be better editions to come it is always a good idea to support original releases by buying them, it shows producers that the item is current and marketable.

If you have the money to spend on it in a way it does not affect your economy I don't see a reason not to buy something you enjoy.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Even if there will be better editions to come it is always a good idea to support original releases by buying them, it shows producers that the item is current and marketable.

Sadly while I do think supporting anyone involved with Dragon Ball is generally a good thing, buying the Dragon Boxes now doesn't help. They are out of print so you are only supporting the reseller. I agree though that if you are in a position to buy them without breaking the bank and it makes you happy, go for it, but it won't encourage Crunchyroll or TOEI to keep making more releases because they won't get a penny from it.

[tinlunlau]

Woulda offered to sell my copy of Dragon Box Vol 1 for $70 USD as that is the only Dragon Box I own.

I barely touched it myself. Probably only went thru 1 disc.

[GTx10]

Woulda offered to sell my copy of Dragon Box Vol 1 for $70 USD as that is the only Dragon Box I own.

I barely touched it myself. Probably only went thru 1 disc.

Dang. That would of been cheaper than what I paid. Oh well lol. I gotta say up cash for the second box (the Vegeta covered one) because woooooo booooi that one is a whole lot of money.

[UpFromTheSkies]

If you have the money to burn and want it as a collectors item, go for it. Just keep in mind that the SoM release has higher quality video and audio than the official US Dragon Box.

If I didn't already have the Dragon Box set, I personally wouldn't buy it at the crazy prices people are asking for it. I'd stick with SoM until someone does a proper high quality release of the series, which I feel like we'll get from Toei eventually.