FUNimation Dragon Box Updates

[Big Boss]

Dragon Box, Dragon Ball Raging Blast, Dragon Ball Season 2, and Modern Warfare 2 for November 10th. My wallet is going to hurt

Fixed.

[Super Ghost Kamikaze]

I'm glad there is only one dub track. If I had to choose a dub track, I would have gone with broadcast audio personally, just becuase the dub w/ original music just seems like a red-headed stepchild or an unnatural Doctor Frankenstein creation. The dub was not made with the original music in mind at all, and it really shows in how jarring it is.

But that's neither here nor there, and really I only care about the Japanese audio, so I would have bought the set quite happily without a dub track on it.

So yeah, in the end, I'm just glad that we only have one dub track as opposed to two. The video will be all that much nicer for it without more of something that I don't really care for in the first place.

Also, the above is just my opinion and I'm not planning on getting into a fight with anybody over it. I am only looking out for my own interests when forming my opinion, that is, I don't care about anybody else. I just want my subbed Dragon Ball and I want it to look nice and get a proper release. If that happens to step on some people's toes, I can't really...care. It's not antagonistic, I just don't have anybody else in mind but myself.

[Sebastian (SB)]

I won't be getting the last two mentioned. As much as I want the Dragon Ball Season Sets, I'm going to hold off until the DBZ Dragon Boxes are complete or the possibility of a Dragon Ball Dragon Box release. And I'm not too big on the first person shooter genre as a whole. Sorry. In any case, I get your point. The gaming season is just around the corner. Not to mention the shitload of games coming out in Spring 2010 as well (Final Fantasy XIII, Mass Effect 2, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Super Street Fighter IV, etc.,).

[linkdude20002001]

QUESTION: Sorry if it's answered already, but aren't the original Dragon Boxes had an audio track coverted and edited to stereo?
If it was, then we'll get the same audio track as present on Orange Bricks then?
If it's true, it's a pitty then..... but still it's amazing and almost unbelievable for me . (The all US Dragon Box matter)

Well, it depends on which set you're talking about. All of the series' Dragon Boxes were completely in mono, as that is how they originally aired. They simply went to the source material for the audio, just like they did for the video, and removed damage. Meaning the audio never gives out or cracks during high notes in a song or loud screams, and the typical background noise (that horrible "shhhhhhh" sound) is virtually nonexistent. At times, it really does sound like you're listening to it in stereo, but it is indeed in mono. The only thing to be presented entirely in stereo was the GT TV special, since it was originally broadcast in stereo. However, it is theorized that the music and sound effects were mixed into stereo on the "Dragon Box The Movies" release.

I thought Kei17 had audio clips of DBGT in stereo, proving that it indeed aired on TV as such.

[email2003]

Best damn news I've heard today.

[.:PoetikaL:.]

Best damn news I've heard today.

Ha, ha to those who wanted English BGM track.

I don't think that last part would be tolerated well, so try not to spark something.

Personally I'm glad the English Track is gone, plus I have all the Season Sets and Double Features to handle that for me. Finally the set is gonna be handled the way it was meant to be... for now...

[DBZfan29]

I'm happy to hear that there will be some more space on the discs to possibly keep the video/audio quality good because of their decision to only include one dub track. I totally predicted this since they omitted it from the recent TV special re-releases. Anyway, I'm not hear to tell a story on how I was correct, I actually have some Dragon Box news...

I don't know if this has been discussed before, but the RightStuf listing (http://www.rightstuf.com/1-800-338-6827 ... 60/0/-3821) for the Dragon Box was updated a while back stating it will include only a 48-page booklet (not 80) and some trailers (hopefully old trailers like with the original Dragon Boxes). Hope this is news to at least a few of you!

[Onikage725]

Dragon Box, Dragon Ball Raging Blast, Dragon Ball Season 2, and Modern Warfare 2 for November 10th. My wallet is going to hurt

Fixed.

Oh don't get me started. L4D 2, Assassin's Creed 2, what you mentioned, Attack of the Saiyans, Dragon Age: Origins, Borderlands, and I've been kinda wanting Brutal Legends all of a sudden. I'm also kinda miffed at the upcoming GOTY edition of Fallout 3, after I sunk an extra $40 into the game buying each expansion.

On the Dragon Box audio issue, I'm personally glad. Mainly because that is what I expect from a professionally released product these days. I don't generally pick up an anime, click over to english, and have an entirely reworked audio experience. The choice of dub vs sub should simply be a choice of language, to me.

[SparkyPantsMcGee]

I can't wait for this release. I know there are sub fans concerned about the video quality but I think its nice to see Funimation cater to everybody. I have a feeling the quality will be just fine and for once we can have a full release of the series(as it was meant to be seen) where both fan bases are happy.

This is going to be so awesome!

[fps_anth]

Makes sense.

However, as much as I'm a fan of the Japanese version, I can't help but feel somewhat dissapointed that I won't be able inject myself with a nostalgia shot while watching my Dragon Box. I couldn't care less about the English voices w/ Japanese audio dub. At least the original Falcouner Score dub has some sentimental value.

Regardless, I wasn't planning on hitting that "Audio" button very much anyways. Just over a month now until it's in our hands!

[Innagadadavida]

I can't wait for this release. I know there are sub fans concerned about the video quality but I think its nice to see Funimation cater to everybody. I have a feeling the quality will be just fine and for once we can have a full release of the series(as it was meant to be seen) where both fan bases are happy.

This is going to be so awesome!

You're misinterpreting the news. FUNimation is not catering to everybody. They're leaving Broadcast audio fans out on this release.

[FuniYamcha]

I think I should say why us dubbies are (or now, were) so gung-ho on the dub music being in there:

I can't speak for everyone, but in my case, ever since I first found out about all of the flaws in the Season sets and the fact there was an alternative called the Dragon Boxes, I wanted them. But when I found out it was Japanese only with no subs and a STEEP price, I was instantly taken aback. It kept me from being optimistic that I would actually own them. So I would go on all of these sites and look for screencaps of the Dragon Box just so I could get SOME form of exposure to it. Hell, I would even adjust the color settings on my TV so the colors would look kinda sorta like the Dragon Box just so I could get the illusion (or delusion) of actually having it. So when Funimation announced that they were releasing these sought-after sets in America at a good price, I was excited - I would finally see what I sought after so much. But it not having the dub music was just a letdown because it's been the way I've liked watching the show for years - and now I can't watch it in the quality I've sought after for the last 2 years.

I understand why this is special for the sub fans. If you've been following the show since the early 90's and experienced all of the bad treatment Funi gave to the show, you're gonna feel relieved now that Funi has released the series in the way they should have. But because of mistakes that Funi made in the past - and I emphasize past because we can't change it - it lead to all kinds of divided in the fanbase. It also created people like me who are just as knowledgeable as sub fans but just like the dub more. They have the same opinion of Funi's treatment but have grown to like certain things that were a product of the bad treatment, like the dub music. It's what made them a fan in the first place. They're just as much of a minority as the Japanese fans in America. They agree with you guys just as much that Funi never released the series like they should have. So they deserve just as much as you guys to watch the show how THEY want it, in the best quality possible and finally get a good release from Funi.

I agree. Honestly, Funi could have just released these Dragon Boxes with the Japanese track only, then later made a set with the English +Faulconer Dub. Or, as I was hoping, they would just put the Faulconer dub along with the Japanese. From what I've seen, 98% of people either like the Japanese version, or the English with Faulconer music version; I haven't run into too many people who prefer the English Dub with Japanese BGM. I was looking forward to the Dragon Boxes for the same reasons as you in terms of video quality and everything else. Whether it be nostalgia holding me or whatever else, I still do have a soft spot for the dub and it's kind of a shame to see the English Dub/Japanese BGM red-headed step child (as someone called it) be a part of the Dragon Box. People are saying Faulconer fans can just go back to the Season Sets, but if the Season Sets weren't flawed, then there would have been no need for the Dragon Boxes to begin with. I suppose I'll wait for a couple more years, hoping Funi will release a "Faulconer Dragon Box" and read the manga in the meantime. Only 15 more years until I know how the sub fans have felt all this time.

[Smooth Criminal]

This is fantastic news. Not only are they getting rid of that horrendous English soundtrack, but this also means that there will be more space to ensure that the video quality is up to par.

What does concern me is the 5.1 track. That will take up an awful lot of space, won't it?

[Ex-Dubbie369]

Well, I'm torn. As I've said before, I prefer the dub with JP music to the Faulconer track, so I'm excited to be able to basically switch audio tracks whenever I please. On the other hand, I don't think this is a good business decision on FUNimation's part. I think they should have had the dub music track instead so more people would be willing to buy this. I believe that how these sets sell will determine if we receive DB and GT in this format. Problem is, they've now alienated half of the fanbase, which will hurt sales. Well, hopefully these will still sell enough.

[DemonRin]

I think I should say why us dubbies are (or now, were) so gung-ho on the dub music being in there:
*Snipped long quote for longness*

While I understand your position, I have to say you are in the minority of the minority of Fans here. IIRC, when we first had this debate before it went sour, your stance was that you wanted both audio tracks because you love the Faulconer Score, but Hate the Menza score, so you need the Japanese score for the Menza episodes. Am I right?
While there are plenty of Fans who like the Broadcast Audio, and plenty who like the Japanese, you're among the very very few people I've seen who prefers a mix of the two. Unfortunately, FUNi had 3 options here, and each would anger someone:
1: Include the Broadcast Audio and anger those who either always prefered it, or liked what they heard on the Season sets.
2: Include the Japanese Audio and anger the longtime Dub score fans
3: Include both and anger the quality-philes. Since this release was all ABOUT Quality, this one was the worst choice, because it negates the very reason for the release.

And the people who fit the number 1 condition DO exist. my 3 cousins and two younger brothers grew up on the Faulconer dub. When I got my season sets, they all watched and nobody ever complained once about the score. Eventually, I actually asked Stef (My oldest cousin) if he'd noticed, he said no, so I switched to the Faulconer score track. He didn't like it, he said now that he'd heard the Japanese score, he thought the actual orchestral score fit much more, and this is a guy who Grew up with the TV dub.

I'm sad your favorite track wasn't included, really. I had no stake in the dub whatsoever, I was only hoping they would pick only one of the dub tracks so the disc would have more space, but I didn't care which. But Maybe look at the Glass is half full?
You hated the Menza score, so you watched the Japanese score track and got to like it for those episodes yes? Maybe the Japanese score will grow on your for later episodes. It's a possibility isn't it?

[Kienzan88gt]

I'm glad FUNI gave an answer to what all of us have been asking about, personally for me I enjoy the original BGM, and with only 2 audio options, the video quality should hold up great. Though I have to ask as well, with the dub getting a 5.1 surround sound won't that take up space? I would think they'd just go back and put it in stereo.

[email2003]

Dragon Box, Dragon Ball Raging Blast, Dragon Ball Season 2, and Modern Warfare 2 for November 10th. My wallet is going to hurt

Fixed.

Oh don't get me started. L4D 2, Assassin's Creed 2, what you mentioned, Attack of the Saiyans, Dragon Age: Origins, Borderlands, and I've been kinda wanting Brutal Legends all of a sudden. I'm also kinda miffed at the upcoming GOTY edition of Fallout 3, after I sunk an extra $40 into the game buying each expansion.

On the Dragon Box audio issue, I'm personally glad. Mainly because that is what I expect from a professionally released product these days. I don't generally pick up an anime, click over to english, and have an entirely reworked audio experience. The choice of dub vs sub should simply be a choice of language, to me.

As for me it's Ninja Giaden 2, Uncharted 2, Metroid Prime Trilogy, G.I. Joe Season 1.2, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (Blu-ray) and of course the Dragon Box. So my wallet is in for a killing too.

[snaku]

Good.

[Raki]

I don't know if this has been discussed before, but the RightStuf listing (http://www.rightstuf.com/1-800-338-6827 ... 60/0/-3821) for the Dragon Box was updated a while back stating it will include only a 48-page booklet (not 80) and some trailers (hopefully old trailers like with the original Dragon Boxes). Hope this is news to at least a few of you!

That listing you posted kinda raises the price. This one is better: http://www.rightstuf.com/cgi-bin/catalo ... 4587/4/0/0

[piccolo-san785]

This is great news 3 tracks wasn't really necessary but for the funimation dub I would have preferred the Bruce Faulconer music.