What if Dragon Ball was never dubbed in English?

[MasenkoHA]

If Dragon Ball was never dubbed in English, Funimation as we knew it would have never existed, which given that they were such a major player in the English speaking anime industry for decades, would have drastically changed the landscape of the anime industry. Heck, putting aside the anime staples like Chris Sabat, Sean Schemmel, Sonny Strait, etc., without Funimation, would actors like Laura Bailey and Troy Baker who have expanded way beyond the anime space have the same career trajectory?

While I’m not convinced Sabat, Schemmel, and Strait would have had voice acting careers without Funimation, I honestly think Laura Bailey and Troy Baker would have.

Also, no English dub would mean no Dragonball Evolution, no Dragonball Evolution would mean Toriyama wouldn’t have been so pissed off that he wrote Battle of Gods, no Battle of Gods would mean no Super.

Toriyama didn’t write Battle of Gods, he reworked it. It was happening with or without him. He just got involved because of Evolution

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Manga UK acquiring the DB licence back on 2012 was a huge development that often isn't given enough credit (which also probably wouldn't have happened without Kix first aquiring Kai). It lead to a huge revival which went as far as massively successful theatrical runs for the last 3 movies. These days DB is more widely known and talked about here, and it's very common to see merch in places like HMV.

Jerome Mazandarani said in a recent interview that Manga UK were making a lot of money from Naruto (which they first picked up in 2006) and it took 7 years between first talking to TOEI about licensing Dragon Ball Z to when they got the home video rights, so I'd say it was more the success of Naruto that led to them deciding what would be the next major property to follow up with. Kix may have been the catalyst that caused them to pull the trigger though.

Was Tenchi Muyo on Toonami UK?

I remember Digimon and Sailor Moon on Fox Kids. Yu-GI-Oh! I think was on Nick?

I seem to recall Tenchi Muyo being on Cartoon Network UK so it was probably later on the Toonami channel.

Not sure about Digimon and Sailor Moon as I didn't get into them and never got around to watching Fox Kids, but yes Yu-Gi-Oh was on Nickelodeon and Sky One on Sunday mornings and RTÉ2 in Ireland (which also aired Pokémon) on weekdays.

[Kid Buu]

Manga UK acquiring the DB licence back on 2012 was a huge development that often isn't given enough credit (which also probably wouldn't have happened without Kix first aquiring Kai). It lead to a huge revival which went as far as massively successful theatrical runs for the last 3 movies. These days DB is more widely known and talked about here, and it's very common to see merch in places like HMV.

Jerome Mazandarani said in a recent interview that Manga UK were making a lot of money from Naruto (which they first picked up in 2006) and it took 7 years between first talking to TOEI about licensing Dragon Ball Z to when they got the home video rights, so I'd say it was more the success of Naruto that led to them deciding what would be the next major property to follow up with. Kix may have been the catalyst that caused them to pull the trigger though.

Was Tenchi Muyo on Toonami UK?

I remember Digimon and Sailor Moon on Fox Kids. Yu-GI-Oh! I think was on Nick?

I seem to recall Tenchi Muyo being on Cartoon Network UK so it was probably later on the Toonami channel.

Not sure about Digimon and Sailor Moon as I didn't get into them and never got around to watching Fox Kids, but yes Yu-Gi-Oh was on Nickelodeon and Sky One on Sunday mornings and RTÉ2 in Ireland (which also aired Pokémon) on weekdays.

I watched some vintage Fox Kids UK ad on youtube and saw ads for Digimon, Sailor Moon and another anime called Shinzo I used to watch.

Think Gundam Wing was on CN too at one point?

[90sDBZ]

Was Tenchi Muyo on Toonami UK?

I remember Digimon and Sailor Moon on Fox Kids. Yu-GI-Oh! I think was on Nick?

It was on Cartoon Network during the days of the Toonami block, along with the other Tenchi shows, although I remember it being pretty short lived. And yes Gundam Wing also aired around the same time.

CNX also aired Cowboy Bepop for a bit, and Toonami later aired Outlaw Star and Rave Master.

Digimon Season 1 on Fox kids was actually my favourite show at the time it aired. I actually watched the first airing of episode 1 on a Saturday morning were I just happened to get up early. After that I'd be up early every Saturday to catch the next episode.

I also watched Sailor Moon on Fox Kids, although it didn't get very far from what I remember. It's one of those shows I've never gone back to, so I have no idea what happens later on, and only vaguely remember the episodes that did air.

So we did get some anime, just nowhere near as much as Toonami US.

[Kid Buu]

Was Tenchi Muyo on Toonami UK?

I remember Digimon and Sailor Moon on Fox Kids. Yu-GI-Oh! I think was on Nick?

It was on Cartoon Network during the days of the Toonami block, along with the other Tenchi shows, although I remember it being pretty short lived. And yes Gundam Wing also aired around the same time.

CNX also aired Cowboy Bepop for a bit, and Toonami later aired Outlaw Star and Rave Master.

Digimon Season 1 on Fox kids was actually my favourite show at the time it aired. I actually watched the first airing of episode 1 on a Saturday morning were I just happened to get up early. After that I'd be up early every Saturday to catch the next episode.

I also watched Sailor Moon on Fox Kids, although it didn't get very far from what I remember. It's one of those shows I've never gone back to, so I have no idea what happens later on, and only vaguely remember the episodes that did air.

So we did get some anime, just nowhere near as much as Toonami US.

Yeah Digimon was my favourite show for a while too. I rewatched S1-S3 in 2012 and then in 2020. For some reason Frontiers never really appealed to me and I just jumped off the series after that point. I really like Sailor Moon and do recommend it. It's not for everyone but no anime is.

Also remember Medabots and Beyblade were on TV.

I agree that the UK anime fandom isn't as strong as the US one. It also appears that anime culture is stronger in other nations like France and Italy but maybe that is just me.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Also remember Medabots and Beyblade were on TV.

Didn't see Medabots, but I do remember Beyblade on Cartoon Network UK and Toonami. Loved that show as a kid too and used to collect the beyblades.

I agree that the UK anime fandom isn't as strong as the US one. It also appears that anime culture is stronger in other nations like France and Italy but maybe that is just me.

I think the UK anime fandom is small but dedicated. Remember everything has to be rated by the BBFC before release, that is a HUGE expense before licensing, etc is even taken into consideration. I don't know if France or Italy has an equivalent, although German has the FSK. Its crazy how much content Manga UK, MVM and especially Anime Limited now have been able to release on physical media.

No doubt a lot of those titles wouldn't have sold as well without an English dub, and Dragon Ball is no exception as all the UK releases have had a dub track. Even in the US Funimation didn't have the courage to release sub-only Dragon Boxes.

[Yellow Flower King]

Was Tenchi Muyo on Toonami UK?

I remember Digimon and Sailor Moon on Fox Kids. Yu-GI-Oh! I think was on Nick?

It was on Cartoon Network during the days of the Toonami block, along with the other Tenchi shows, although I remember it being pretty short lived. And yes Gundam Wing also aired around the same time.

CNX also aired Cowboy Bepop for a bit, and Toonami later aired Outlaw Star and Rave Master.

Digimon Season 1 on Fox kids was actually my favourite show at the time it aired. I actually watched the first airing of episode 1 on a Saturday morning were I just happened to get up early. After that I'd be up early every Saturday to catch the next episode.

I also watched Sailor Moon on Fox Kids, although it didn't get very far from what I remember. It's one of those shows I've never gone back to, so I have no idea what happens later on, and only vaguely remember the episodes that did air.

So we did get some anime, just nowhere near as much as Toonami US.

I wonder what would have happened if Saban dubbed DB and not just broadcast it.

"HEY DRAGON BALL! HEY DRAGON BALL! CHAMPIONS OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS"

[Kid Buu]

Also remember Medabots and Beyblade were on TV.

Didn't see Medabots, but I do remember Beyblade on Cartoon Network UK and Toonami. Loved that show as a kid too and used to collect the beyblades.

I agree that the UK anime fandom isn't as strong as the US one. It also appears that anime culture is stronger in other nations like France and Italy but maybe that is just me.

I think the UK anime fandom is small but dedicated. Remember everything has to be rated by the BBFC before release, that is a HUGE expense before licensing, etc is even taken into consideration. I don't know if France or Italy has an equivalent, although German has the FSK. Its crazy how much content Manga UK, MVM and especially Anime Limited now have been able to release on physical media.

No doubt a lot of those titles wouldn't have sold as well without an English dub, and Dragon Ball is no exception as all the UK releases have had a dub track. Even in the US Funimation didn't have the courage to release sub-only Dragon Boxes.

Yeah I had a Beyblade too and have some good memories of playing it on the playground.

The UK might not be the biggest anime market in Europe, but there’s definitely a solid group of really passionate fans here. From my own experience, I’ve worked with plenty of people who are into DBZ, Naruto, One Piece, etc., so it’s definitely not rare to bump into anime fans around here.

Still holding out hope that Kimagure Orange Road eventually gets an official UK release. Funny thing is, I actually went to Maid Cafe in London a year ago and there was a Kimagure Orange Road post there.

[Yellow Flower King]

I think home media and kix/pop kept the fandom alive in the uk. DB Toys are also extremely popular in the UK.

[90sDBZ]

Also remember Medabots and Beyblade were on TV.

Didn't see Medabots, but I do remember Beyblade on Cartoon Network UK and Toonami. Loved that show as a kid too and used to collect the beyblades.

Funny story about Medabots. It used some of the same music as the Westwood DBZ dub.

I watched the occasional episode, and distinctly remember recognising one of the tracks that was used throughout the Fusion and Kid Buu Sagas. It was used in the scene where Vegito turns SS1, along with many others; Buuhan nearly destroying the fabric of reality, SS2 Goku and Kid Buu fighting etc.. I'm pretty sure it was also in Monster Rancher, and was one of my favourite tracks from the late Westwood dub.

Beyblade was another show I was really into. I collected Beyblades religiously for awhile, although they'd often wear out or break from overuse.

I remember Kai's storyline with Black Dranzer being a big deal at the time. I also remember watching V Force, and finding it strange how the characters all looked younger.

[Hellspawn28]

While I’m not convinced Sabat, Schemmel, and Strait would have had voice acting careers without Funimation, I honestly think Laura Bailey and Troy Baker would have.

They would probably would as they would end up doing voice work in CA and later become union actors. I feel like those two end up becoming better voice actors than most of the Funi cast did IMO.