Woohoo! More News About The New Dragonball Special!

[JulieYBM]

News from Otakon: FUNi's going after this short, seemingly.

[MagicBox]

Yep. If what the convention reporters are posting on the AnimeonDVD forums is true, then FUNimation has confirmed that they know about this special and are interested in getting it. Great news!

[Raki]

News from Otakon: FUNi's going after this short, seemingly.

Fucking awesome. But hopefully Funi's Dragonball cast will give their all in this special, and not do poorly on it.

[SSj_Rambo]

It's great to know that they are expressing interest this soon (I like to think that the e-mail I sent them about this special helped), with all of the DBZ movies we didn't get them until years after Japan did. If they settle over the rights in a reasonable amount of time than maybe they will use this special to even out their DBZ movie double features, since currently they would either have to do a triple feature or a individual feature or just skip movie 11 (which might actually be for the best).

[JulieYBM]

Do we have a confirmed running time? We're bound for a simple single release.

[SSj_Rambo]

Do we have a confirmed running time? We're bound for a simple single release.

I'm guessing that it will be around an hour long, like all of the other DBZ movies and specials. I agree that we will probably get a single release of this...as well as a handful of re-releases like every other bit of Dragonball material has gotten from Funi. The things that I am really hoping for are: a 4:3 release (very unlikely since neither Funi or Toei seems to be doing that for the movies anymore), no crappy remastering (like the DBZ season sets; the DBZ double features remastering process is acceptable, but of course I'd prefer a Dragonbox remasterization), an accurate script with a decent effort from the voice actors, and a few additional extras (preferably from Japan, we don't need to see more advertisements for Funi's other products).

[JulieYBM]

Do we have a confirmed running time? We're bound for a simple single release.

I'm guessing that it will be around an hour long, like all of the other DBZ movies and specials. I agree that we will probably get a single release of this...as well as a handful of re-releases like every other bit of Dragonball material has gotten from Funi. The things that I am really hoping for are: a 4:3 release (very unlikely since neither Funi or Toei seems to be doing that for the movies anymore), no crappy remastering (like the DBZ season sets; the DBZ double features remastering process is acceptable, but of course I'd prefer a Dragonbox remasterization), an accurate script with a decent effort from the voice actors, and a few additional extras (preferably from Japan, we don't need to see more advertisements for Funi's other products).

Maybe the special is animated for a widescreen release?

[MagicBox]

The things that I am really hoping for are: a 4:3 release (very unlikely since neither Funi or Toei seems to be doing that for the movies anymore)

I wouldn't worry too much about cropping or anything like that. I find it very unlikely that Toei will even animate this thing in 4:3 in the first place. They'll very likely animate it in 16:9 or a similar widescreen ratio just like they do with their other movies and many of their television shows.

No crappy remastering (like the DBZ season sets; the DBZ double features remastering process is acceptable, but of course I'd prefer a Dragonbox remasterization)

Again, your fears are really unwarranted here. This special is brand new; it will be animated and painted digitally, without any contact with film during production. Because of this, there won't be any grain, film damage, or dirt to remove, thus remastering isn't needed.

An accurate script with a decent effort from the voice actors, and a few additional extras (preferably from Japan, we don't need to see more advertisements for Funi's other products).

This is the only area where I think concern is needed. Performance wise, I think we'll be fine. The Japanese cast will do great as always and FUNimation's actors are better than they've ever been. Sure, not everyone might agree on the voices they use, but there's no doubt they're passionate about their work, and I haven't had a single complaint (acting-wise) with any of FUNi's actors in a long time.

An accurate script, however, I fear we might not get. This is the only aspect that I have concerns for. Their DBZ scripts are hit-or-miss, and since the Saiyan Saga redub started, they've almost always been "miss."

[SSj_Rambo]

Maybe the special is animated for a widescreen release?

That is likely, and it does bring up the point that these movies were animated with the theatrical 16:9 viewing in mind, so perhaps widescreen is the proper format for the movies...that's what the Dragonbox masters thought. I suppose the most ideal (and most unlikely) release that they could do for this special is a dual layered disc with an alternate angle option for the entire film that allows us to choose between watching the movie in 4:3 or in 16:9.

[JulieYBM]

The things that I am really hoping for are: a 4:3 release (very unlikely since neither Funi or Toei seems to be doing that for the movies anymore)

I wouldn't worry too much about cropping or anything like that. I find it very unlikely that Toei will even animate this thing in 4:3 in the first place. They'll very likely animate it in 16:9 or a similar widescreen ratio just like they do with their other movies and many of their television shows.

No crappy remastering (like the DBZ season sets; the DBZ double features remastering process is acceptable, but of course I'd prefer a Dragonbox remasterization)

Again, your fears are really unwarranted here. This special is brand new; it will be animated and painted digitally, without any contact with film during production. Because of this, there won't be any grain, film damage, or dirt to remove, thus remastering isn't needed.

An accurate script with a decent effort from the voice actors, and a few additional extras (preferably from Japan, we don't need to see more advertisements for Funi's other products).

This is the only area where I think concern is needed. Performance wise, I think we'll be fine. The Japanese cast will do great as always and FUNimation's actors are better than they've ever been. Sure, not everyone might agree on the voices they use, but there's no doubt they're passionate about their work, and I haven't had a single complaint (acting-wise) with any of FUNi's actors in a long time.

An accurate script, however, I fear we might not get. This is the only aspect that I have concerns for. Their DBZ scripts are hit-or-miss, and since the Saiyan Saga redub started, they've almost always been "miss."

Yeah, scripting is my biggest fear. John Burgmeirer (Tenshinhan) and Eric Vale (teen and adult Trunks) are typically the one's writing the scripts these days so if you see them at cons tackle them to the ground and refuse to get off their chests until they promised an accuracte script.

[SSj_Rambo]

The things that I am really hoping for are: a 4:3 release (very unlikely since neither Funi or Toei seems to be doing that for the movies anymore)

I wouldn't worry too much about cropping or anything like that. I find it very unlikely that Toei will even animate this thing in 4:3 in the first place. They'll very likely animate it in 16:9 or a similar widescreen ratio just like they do with their other movies and many of their television shows.

Toei animated all of the other 19 movies and specials in 4:3 ratio so I feel like it is a justified concern. And, I was worried mostly about the cropping that Funi would do, seeing as they don't seem to care how it's supposed to be shown and just do it their own way.

No crappy remastering (like the DBZ season sets; the DBZ double features remastering process is acceptable, but of course I'd prefer a Dragonbox remasterization)

Again, your fears are really unwarranted here. This special is brand new; it will be animated and painted digitally, without any contact with film during production. Because of this, there won't be any grain, film damage, or dirt to remove, thus remastering isn't needed.

Based on Funimation's patterns of basically destroying the footage they get with their "remastering" I strongly feel that worrying about what they'll do to this special if they do get the rights to it are completely understandable. Funi really doesn't need a reason to mess with the footage, they've proved that time and time again with the DBZ sets, Trunks/Bardock specials double feature and the scripts they've used for the franchise.

[Captain Awesome]

Funi really doesn't need a reason to mess with the footage, they've proved that time and time again with the DBZ sets, Trunks/Bardock specials double feature and the scripts they've used for the franchise.

It's digital animation, there is no reason to "remaster" it, it was animated in 2008, there is no grain, there is no dirt, there are no faults with the "film" quality, it's as crisp and clear as it's ever going to get.

The Trunks and Bardock specials were covered in grain and dirt and are 15 years old.

[SSj_Rambo]

Funi really doesn't need a reason to mess with the footage, they've proved that time and time again with the DBZ sets, Trunks/Bardock specials double feature and the scripts they've used for the franchise.

It's digital animation, there is no reason to "remaster" it, it was animated in 2008, there is no grain, there is no dirt, there are no faults with the "film" quality, it's as crisp and clear as it's ever going to get.

I understand that, and I truly and respectfully hope to God that Funimation does not do anything to it. But when Funi says "remastered" they also mean cropped (when it comes to DBZ) and that is what I'm worried about. Yes there is absolutely no reason for Funi to mess with the quality of the footage (even though that's never stopped them before) but that doesn't mean they won't. And there is a chance that the special will be animated in 4:3, and as long as that chance stands there is a chance that, despite what Toei does, Funi will crop the feature to an incorrect aspect ratio, and that is what I'm worried about.

I know that there is very little reason for me to have to worry about these issues and that is why I'm not worrying about it too much; all I did was list the three things that bothered me about Funimation licensing this feature.

[Raki]

All Funi needs to do is record the dialogue and have Daimao do the subs. Then they should release it on DVD. I have faith that they can do at least that...

[Daburcor]

I don't know, that sounds like too simple and logical an option for FUNimation. They'll find SOME way to screw it up. I have faith in their consistency.

[fps_anth]

Awesome that FUNi is already taking an interest in this. Hopefully we'll have a DVD or even Blu Ray release of this soon!

[Chuquita]

YES! Go Funi go! I want to own a legal copy of this special once it airs!

[Pain]

What's with the sudden "Yay FUNi!" stuff, now that they might be doing a re-dub of the new special?(I'm so EXCITED!!!)

[Kaboom]

I wonder how they'll release it. It'd be interesting if they worked it into the Remastered Movie line. Double-featuring it along with the GT special, or something?

[SuperSaiyan3Goku]

Damn, there's hope in getting an English/Japanese version of this special? I'd like to buy that, I'm always up for new Dragonball animation!