Dragon Ball Z: Season 7 Discussion

[SSJ Helldog]

I personally don't mind these so called Remastered sets, though I'd WAY much perfer Dragon Box treatment, I'm just glad to be able to collect DBZ as a whole ^^, for a nice and affordable price.

I agree. Watching that clip reminded me of how excited I was when this "season" first hit Cartoon Network. It was cool seeing the new character designs in action, and it looked so much better than the few badly fansubbed episodes from this era I'd managed to see.

That's what i've been trying to say...but no one would listen.

Nah, we listen, but people without complaints about the sets tend to post a lot less. I saw the cropping and said, "that sucks, but whatever" and was done with it.

[Kienzan88gt]

Here is Son Goten vs Trunks Dub with Japanese BGM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXkMvs9o5Gg

[Li'l Lemmy]

Eh. The time to complain was before Season One saw its release . . . 'cuz by now, it's much too late where complaining does any measure of good whatsoever (other than to keep people informed). I don't much like the cropping, but it's two years later with only two more sets to go-- I may as well just accept that I'll have my first consistent release of DBZ ever and complete it.

For the most part, I look forward to these releases as they come out.

EDIT: Thanks, Kienzan! I've been looking forward to this.


~Da Lemmy

[Captain Awesome]

I personally think it's a little sad that the quality of these sets fluctuates so much, it just seems to me like they couldn't give a shit.

[DaemonCorps]

Yeah, I've been having similar thoughts, Li'l Lemmy. Once we found out that FUNi's latest release of the series was going to be in cropped widescreen, the forum would be filled with back-and-forth talk boo-ing and yay-ing the season sets. But with every new Season Set Dissection, there seems to be less and less complaints being posted. I don't wanna say that not hearing as much complaints have been changing my opinions on the sets, but well... they kinda are.

I know that the sets aren't being shown in the series' proper aspect ratio, but knowing that at the least FUNi's remastering process has improved from the first two sets (the only two I've seen), I'm continually tempted to buy the other sets whenever I see 'em at Target. On one side, I want to get the entire series, but on the other side, I don't want to feel like a complete ass for buying something with such a weird um... "flaw" (for lack of a better term). I remember as I watched through the season one and two sets, as a whole the cropping wouldn't get to me. But then there'd be the handful of scenes where it would just be so obvious that there's supposed to be a bit more footage on the top and bottom that it make me sick to my stomach that I even bought the things in the first place.

And furthermore, I first got into the series from the Saiyaman episodes onward, so that's something of a selling point for me, for this latest set, at least. There's also the nice option of the Japanese BGM. It's so weird. Now that all the major yays and nays have died down about the sets, I'm finally able to consider all the season sets' pros and cons... which are actually enough for me to be left at an odds.

So torn between getting the sets or not .

[Kaboom]

Anyone think FUNimation kind of expected this? That the sets would at first get a lot of backlash from the fans, but we'd eventually come to appreciate their pros and buy them like everyone else?

Or is that giving them a bit too much credit?

[Raki]

Anyone think FUNimation kind of expected this? That the sets would at first get a lot of backlash from the fans, but we'd eventually come to appreciate their pros and buy them like everyone else?

Or is that giving them a bit too much credit?

They knew the majority would cave in or not care at all. That's how Dragonball sells for them, and they have known that since they started making cash off the series.

[Rocketman]

Anyone think FUNimation kind of expected this? That the sets would at first get a lot of backlash from the fans, but we'd eventually come to appreciate their pros and buy them like everyone else?

Or is that giving them a bit too much credit?

I think they realized the only people who will throw a shit-kickin' fit over it are the ones who aren't buying it for FUNi's dub anyways, so fuck them.

[SSJ2bardock]

Anyone think FUNimation kind of expected this? That the sets would at first get a lot of backlash from the fans, but we'd eventually come to appreciate their pros and buy them like everyone else?

Or is that giving them a bit too much credit?

I think they realized the only people who will throw a shit-kickin' fit over it are the ones who aren't buying it for FUNi's dub anyways, so fuck them.

exactly, nuff said.

[Li'l Lemmy]

Yeah, I've been having similar thoughts, Li'l Lemmy. Once we found out that FUNi's latest release of the series was going to be in cropped widescreen, the forum would be filled with back-and-forth talk boo-ing and yay-ing the season sets. But with every new Season Set Dissection, there seems to be less and less complaints being posted. I don't wanna say that not hearing as much complaints have been changing my opinions on the sets, but well... they kinda are.

Regarding the actual widescreen, yeah; there's less and less complaints being thrown around these days. There's still more than enough comments and comparisons about picture quality and encoding-- both positive and negative-- to make any dissection even-sided, but the actual widescreen issue has been a (relatively) mum detail; y'don't much see people posting shots that point out how bad the cropping is like what was a near-constant thing with the first few sets. Now, whether that's due to people accepting and/or buying these seasons or increasing silence on the part of those who don't and won't, I couldn't tell ya . . . but even so.

I know that the sets aren't being shown in the series' proper aspect ratio, but knowing that at the least FUNi's remastering process has improved from the first two sets (the only two I've seen), I'm continually tempted to buy the other sets whenever I see 'em at Target. On one side, I want to get the entire series, but on the other side, I don't want to feel like a complete ass for buying something with such a weird um... "flaw" (for lack of a better term). I remember as I watched through the season one and two sets, as a whole the cropping wouldn't get to me. But then there'd be the handful of scenes where it would just be so obvious that there's supposed to be a bit more footage on the top and bottom that it make me sick to my stomach that I even bought the things in the first place.

It's all about admitting to yourself what it is you really want, and then weighing that against your own conscience. My honest opinion is that it no longer "really" matters from a broader viewpoint whether you buy these sets or not-- FUNimation thinks that they're a whopping success, and FUNimation is correct. So if you're holding out thinking that you're crusading for the cause . . . eh. Give in, because the cause is lost and there ain't no point. Your voice of protest will be lost in the sound of a million cash registers.

Note that I said my remarks were written with a broader viewpoint in mind. If you personally have a huge issue with these sets that keeps you from putting them on your shelf, then hey-- more power to ya. Don't buy a product that goes against your moral objections. FUNimation did butcher this release in one way or another, plain and simple. And if the cropping is that much of a stomach-turner where you don't think that FUNi deserves your dollar, then keep that dollar and spend it on the next inevitable release. Don't mind the Waiting Game as much as some people? Then play it-- this certainly won't be the last we hear from FUNimation where DBZ is concerned.

There are selling points, a'course. If you can live with the occasional ZOMG CROPPING moment, feel nostalgic for these episodes, prefer the "season" format to the original three episode singles and want that Japanese BGM dub track-- and want it all NOW-- then this here is the only game in town. And that ain't gonna change for a good, long while.

If you have missing holes in your collection, then these sets certainly aren't the worst way to fill them-- and fill them quickly. What we have here is the first consistent and complete DVD release of every DragonBall Z episode since . . . well, since never. And that's huge.

You really are getting essentially what you pay for; the picture's been altered, and you're missing some of it. And so long as you keep that in mind when you debate it all in your own head, then you're making an informed decision that's yours to make.

And furthermore, I first got into the series from the Saiyaman episodes onward, so that's something of a selling point for me, for this latest set, at least. There's also the nice option of the Japanese BGM. It's so weird. Now that all the major yays and nays have died down about the sets, I'm finally able to consider all the season sets' pros and cons... which are actually enough for me to be left at an odds.

No matter what you choose, you don't have to choose it right away. DBZ isn't going anywhere, so take your time. ^_^


~Da Lemmy

[Kienzan88gt]

Requested by xDarkBilly13 from Youtube, here is the clip of the Z Senshi hitting the punch meter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDht97tZ-3s


I went back and redid those opening and closing comparison shots, now they are in PNG .

I personally bought the Season sets because I wanted to collect the whole series of DBZ, getting pass the whole widescreen issue and missing lines, I enjoyed them as the sets got up to date more. I started as a dub fan, but found to love the Japanese more. I never got to watch all 291 episodes in Japanese and when I found out about FUNI remastering DBZ all 291 episodes, I jumped at the chance to own the whole series. Now that we are on Season 7, only 2 more away, then I have the entire series xD.

[Gozar]

I'm going to take a risk here by saying this. I'm hoping I don't open up too big of a can of worms.

First off let me say. I HATE the fact that FUNi cropped DBZ. They should have left it alone and given us these Box Sets in 4:3.

However, I don't think anyone's mentioned the almost good side of this. It's rather obvious that everything's being made in 16:9 these days. So even though we may not like the cropping, shouldn't we also feel sort of happy as fans that Funimation thinks so much of DBZ that they want to bring it into the new generation of Television viewing? I really believe that was their intention. I highly doubt that they did this with the intention of pissing people off.

Remember, these Box Sets were not put out to just the small minority of us that are BIG TIME fans. But the general English speaking public. The demographic they are shooting for would be interested in this series being in 16:9.

So, my point is. Even though we may not like what they did. Shouldn't it also make us happy that the series we love is thought highly enough of to bring it into the 16:9 generation?

[Li'l Lemmy]

So, my point is. Even though we may not like what they did. Shouldn't it also make us happy that the series we love is thought highly enough of to bring it into the 16:9 generation?

I see where it is you're coming from, but I'm not sure how many other people will cite that effort as a good thing. DragonBall is still very much loved in Japan, for example, but no matter what hip viewing fads come down the line in the next 10, 20 or even 50 years, I can guarantee that we will never see Toei crop or otherwise mutilate the show into something it isn't just to bring it into the current generation standard.

DragonBall is DragonBall, and DragonBall is a grainy 4:3.


~Da Lemmy

[DragoonClawNZ]

Well, even though I love the new 16:9 transfer, I will say that the competition between it with the Dragonboxes is overwhelming. But when you are comparing them to the original volumes with 3-4 episodes, the Season Sets obviously win because the amount of footage being added onto the sides is bigger than what is being taken off the top and bottom.

Bottom line is, Dragonboxes are better for fans who get big salaries and pays, don't care about any English dub, who know Japanese quite well and are willing to get the "perfect" releases and the Remastered Season Sets are the ones who are wanting the episodes for a cheap price and don't give a shit or actually like the 16:9. Anyway, this is just what I think.

[SSj_Rambo]

Well, even though I love the new 16:9 transfer, I will say that the competition between it with the Dragonboxes is overwhelming. But when you are comparing them to the original volumes with 3-4 episodes, the Season Sets obviously win because the amount of footage being added onto the sides is bigger than what is being taken off the top and bottom.

Umm...not really. You only gain about 1% of footage from the sides, when you lose 15% from the top and bottom.

[DragoonClawNZ]

Well, even though I love the new 16:9 transfer, I will say that the competition between it with the Dragonboxes is overwhelming. But when you are comparing them to the original volumes with 3-4 episodes, the Season Sets obviously win because the amount of footage being added onto the sides is bigger than what is being taken off the top and bottom.

Umm...not really. You only gain about 1% of footage from the sides, when you lose 15% from the top and bottom.

I'm not talking about the Dragonboxes, I'm talking about FUNimations original volumes.

[SSj_Rambo]

Well, even though I love the new 16:9 transfer, I will say that the competition between it with the Dragonboxes is overwhelming. But when you are comparing them to the original volumes with 3-4 episodes, the Season Sets obviously win because the amount of footage being added onto the sides is bigger than what is being taken off the top and bottom.

Umm...not really. You only gain about 1% of footage from the sides, when you lose 15% from the top and bottom.

I'm not talking about the Dragonboxes, I'm talking about FUNimations original volumes.

Well the old FUNi singles have pretty much the exact same amount of footage per frame as the Dragonbox. If you are comparing the footage in the season sets to the footage in the old singles (which is what it sounds like) and are saying that the season sets gain more than they lose...you are wrong.

If you're trying to say something else than I'm sorry, that's just what it sounds like...and that's crazy talk!

[Captain Awesome]

I'm not talking about the Dragonboxes, I'm talking about FUNimations original volumes.

You're wrong actually.

Even the zoomed in 4:3 single releases as put out by FUNimation have more picture, not less. There isn't some hidden magical footage on FUNimation's cropped masters, we lose 20% of the vertical image to gain 5% on the side.

There's nothing wrong with buying them, they're cheap, they're bilingual and they're encoded reasonably well, but you're getting less picture, not more.

[DragoonClawNZ]

I'm not talking about the Dragonboxes, I'm talking about FUNimations original volumes.

You're wrong actually.

Even the zoomed in 4:3 single releases as put out by FUNimation have more picture, not less. There isn't some hidden magical footage on FUNimation's cropped masters, we lose 20% of the vertical image to gain 5% on the side.

There's nothing wrong with buying them, they're cheap, they're bilingual and they're encoded reasonably well, but you're getting less picture, not more.

You guys don't get it, the Dragonboxes have more footage to the sides and top and bottom than the FUNimation volumes because there was an comparison between all three on the Season Six topic. I'll get it for you:



Hope this refreshes your memory.

[SSj_Rambo]

Yes, you are right on that. It just sounded like you were saying that the season sets have more footage than the FUNi singles or the Dragonbox episodes; I think that's how Captain Awesome and myself interpreted it.