DBZ in Japanese in North America?

Adnan · Post by **Adnan** » Wed May 11, 2005 1:19 pm

I was thinking.. since DBZ's popularity as a TV show (obviously, the franchise is still going strong in other areas such as merchandise, games etc.) is diminishing and will continue to do so over time, I was wondering whether FUNimation would eventually decide to start broadcasting it in it's original Japanese format.

I mean, they would have nothing to lose no? After all, people have seen the dub over and over again and it's basically on life support now, so this would be a way of completely re-energising the franchise.

What do you guys think? Could it ever happen one day?

Will we ever see a Super ultimate uncut original japanese special edition (as FUNimation would probably want to call it) broadcast on TV in the near or distant future?

SpaceKappa · Post by **SpaceKappa** » Wed May 11, 2005 1:24 pm

No chance, because of all the lamers who will say "OMG GOKKU SOWNDZ LIEK the GIRLZZ!!!"

As much as I'd like to see Mr. Simmons' work make a broadcast debut, it won't happen.

oponok · Post by **oponok** » Wed May 11, 2005 1:27 pm

I seriously doubt they'll show it in Japanese.

The show already has the english dub persona that FUNimation and everyone else identifies US DBZ with, since the company feels that the show in its original Japanese form would be less than successful in the United States. Why would they have dubbed it in the first place if they were just going to eventually broadcast the original?

And they're probably going to air the "uncut" original episodes soon, anyway (if they aren't, already).

The S · Post by **The S** » Wed May 11, 2005 2:27 pm

According to the DBZ CCG newsletter, the "Ultimate Uncut Edition" versions (more than likely censored redubs) start June 14th.

tarsonis · Post by **tarsonis** » Wed May 11, 2005 3:01 pm

All anime series are shown dubbed when on television, except when that network's primary viewers speak the original language (like on the International channel). I think adult swim could change this though. It seems like if we were to ever try to bring anime in its original format to the masses, that would be the place to start.

Rocketman · Post by **Rocketman** » Wed May 11, 2005 4:30 pm

Mizugi wrote:No chance, because of all the lamers who will say "OMG GOKKU SOWNDZ LIEK the GIRLZZ!!!"

Well, he does.

Anyway, Japanese DBZ on US TV is not gonna happen as long as the US speaks English.

Bejiita · Post by **Bejiita** » Wed May 11, 2005 5:02 pm

If they are broadcasting the censored redubs then maybe it will have the same music score as the Japanese, like GT and DB. Or maybe it's just with the new voices. It actually wouldn't be that bad with the Japanese BGM and English voices, with different BGM the show would be better.

Post by **TripleRach** » Wed May 11, 2005 5:34 pm

Even if FUNi wanted to try selling the Japanese version for North American broadcast, what network could they possibly sell it to? Dubbing has always had a prevalance over subtitles over here. Adult Swim, for instance, is just about airing whatever animation looks marketable to their young adult demographic. For them, or anyone else, to suddenly start airing subtitled shows seems like a pretty big risk, and obviously no one's been ready to take that risk yet.

Plus, in the case of DBZ, we have a kids' show with a few elements that can't be reasonably included on a kids' show over here, which probably makes it a really hard sell even it were the uncut English dub.

sailorspazz · Post by **sailorspazz** » Wed May 11, 2005 6:24 pm

Technically, DBZ and GT have been shown in Japanese in America....they both aired in their entirety unsubtitled on the International Channel (which I think has now become AZN TV) a couple years back. Other than that, it's pretty unlikely that any channel would show them in the original language. Even the Anime Network, a whole channel made for hard-core otaku, mostly shows things in English.

And, Bejiita, the new redubs don't use the original music, they use new music not used in any other dubs before.

tarsonis · Post by **tarsonis** » Wed May 11, 2005 6:50 pm

TripleRach wrote:Adult Swim, for instance, is just about airing whatever animation looks marketable to their young adult demographic. For them, or anyone else, to suddenly start airing subtitled shows seems like a pretty big risk, and obviously no one's been ready to take that risk yet.

There actually has been some demand for subtitled anime, but not nearly enough for Adult Swim to actually try it. Still, if they decided to just show one episode of some series subtitled as an experiment, and publicized it so people knew about it, I think it would do very well in terms of ratings.

Bejiita · Post by **Bejiita** » Thu May 12, 2005 10:29 am

sailorspazz wrote:Technically, DBZ and GT have been shown in Japanese in America....they both aired in their entirety unsubtitled on the International Channel (which I think has now become AZN TV) a couple years back. Other than that, it's pretty unlikely that any channel would show them in the original language. Even the Anime Network, a whole channel made for hard-core otaku, mostly shows things in English.

And, Bejiita, the new redubs don't use the original music, they use new music not used in any other dubs before.

Oh, I thought there was an option on the DVD that lets you view the episode in English language with the original BGM playing in the background.

Oh well, it ain't worth getting.

tarsonis · Post by **tarsonis** » Thu May 12, 2005 11:30 am

On the DBZ DVDs no, there isn't. While this is easily done with the technology, funimation would have to obtain the music track from Toei (separated from the Japanese voice/audio track), which apparently they can't or aren't willing to do.

SpaceKappa · Post by **SpaceKappa** » Thu May 12, 2005 11:34 am

They could always buy the BGM CD sets!

Bejiita · Post by **Bejiita** » Thu May 12, 2005 5:27 pm

They are too lazy for that. The tunes are usually made shorter or remixed for scenes which don't last as long, and that requires more editing, and they can't be bothered.

SpaceKappa · Post by **SpaceKappa** » Fri May 13, 2005 2:47 am

'Twas a joke, my friend.

Anyway, I think if everyone was able to see Dragon Ball the way it was meant to be seen, and went in with an open mind, they'd appreciate it on some level. If not, well, it's their loss.

Rocketman · Post by **Rocketman** » Fri May 13, 2005 6:27 pm

Mizugi wrote:Anyway, I think if everyone was able to see Dragon Ball the way it was meant to be seen, and went in with an open mind, they'd appreciate it on some level. If not, well, it's their loss.

I appreciate it when it's muted, how's that?

SpaceKappa · Post by **SpaceKappa** » Fri May 13, 2005 6:40 pm

How about we don't try to start a flame war, okthx?

Rocketman · Post by **Rocketman** » Fri May 13, 2005 7:00 pm

Mizugi wrote:How about we don't try to start a flame war, okthx?

Works for me.

Conan the SSJ · Post by **Conan the SSJ** » Fri May 13, 2005 11:52 pm

Well, if toonami calls the redub "Ultimate Uncut", I will honestly get my lawyer and see if I can sue for false advertisment, because everyone knows they won't show Roshi groping Bulma, nor Goku and Raditz impaled all the way.

lost in thought · Post by **lost in thought** » Sat May 14, 2005 2:11 am

Dumbass wrote:Well, if toonami calls the redub "Ultimate Uncut", I will honestly get my lawyer and see if I can sue for false advertisment, because everyone knows they won't show Roshi groping Bulma, nor Goku and Raditz impaled all the way.

You could, but you would be wasting quite a bit of money in that investment. If you did this, not only would you be attacking Toonami for airing a product provided by FUNimation with such a name sake, but a battle you can not possibly win... if FUNi calls it Ultimate Uncut, and Cartoon Network airs it with that title [unlikely,] that's their decision, not yours.
On top of this, it is technically the 'ultimate' version of DragonBall Z- as we know it in America, since people are dumb, and want one set cast. As far as uncut, I think it is entirely uncut... so short of the script- it's a pretty accurate title. So stop bitching, the releases have the original Japanese audio track, as well as the infamous Daimao's subtitles; it's a win/win situation.

Kanzenshuu

DBZ in Japanese in North America?

DBZ in Japanese in North America?

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