Ocean Studios' "Dragon Ball Kai" Dub Turns 16; Still Unreleased

[Dark Vegeta-Sama]

Although Gen only mentions the money-making aspect here, I think it was more than just that. Like with Americanizing many aspects of the show they didn't trust fans to really "get" the original music or like it that much. However, DBZ's been a world-wide phenomenon everywhere- with the original music. It was still a hit even without the music but I'll always believe that the original music (and more accurate scripts- maybe at least a more YYH-style scripting) could have helped DBZ do better here.

Although I understand your sentiment, and the fan in me wants to agree with you, when looking at it objectively I seriously doubt that the presence of the original Japanese score in FUNimation's dub of Dragonball Z would've made it more successful. It was already a huge success as it is, and short of a complete alteration of the dubbing style from the ground up (accurate scripts, minimal censoring, and better voice actors, which would've meant a different target demographic as a result), the Japanese music being in FUNi's dub wouldn't have changed anything.

Plus, let's remember this: FUNimation made enough money off of their original dub of Dragonball Z that it led them on the path to become the biggest anime dubbing company in the United States. A part of this is that they didn't have to pay Toei to use Kikuchi's music, and they made their own (music rights is a ridiculous huge - and expensive - issue in America). They also made the conscious decision to produce their dub for a very specific market: American children, not older fans. That said, their massive success over the last decade has allowed them to produce subsequent dubs that are more faithful to their Japanese counterparts, and more geared towards the fans. It's also led to us getting a near-perfect dub of Kai, as well as the Dragonboxes, which no one really thought would ever come here. In the long run, it's probably something to be thankful for.

[GS7X7]

I wonder though, just how much money are the original music rights to DBZ in comparison to the total amount of money given to Faulconer and the amount earned from licensing his music?

I wonder if that guy doing that book who was going to interview some Funi execs could ask them...

One thing I'll add, Gen did an interview in a Dallas newspaper years ago. (don't have link- it charges you like 2-5 bucks for each article) He mentioned being given meetings at Toei and offered 30 different animes. (db/bz being tops, he took that)

The licensing cost was apparently very low for the nephew of an influential executive there. ($250,000? I think that was the price they said) I don't know how much music would have been but they probably would have cut him a pretty sweet deal on that as well, about as good as they could go.

[GS7X7]

I agree, Funi has been phenomenally successful. A lot of that was thanks to Fukunaga's family ties- his uncle arranged meetings at Toei where he was offered their prime animes of a silver platter and reportedly was able to license DB/DBZ very cheaply. DBZ's always been a huge cash cow and to this day it still rakes in money.

Afterwards, Funimation started listening to the massive criticism of DBZ and all their other dubs stopped being so bad. They generally developed a reputation for top-tier dubs.

The other main strategy was that Funimation focused on licensing a smaller number of high-quality animes rather than flooding the market like ADV did. Plus, they lucked out in selling their company prior to the Anime Recession.

Overall conditions have usually been favorable to Funimation after making it on CN. (aside from the live-action DB being a steaming pile of shit- if it had been huge, Funi would have raked in a ton more money)

[Ringworm128]

One voice I am looking forward to (if this dub ever comes to be) is Pauline Newstone as Freeza (if they dont recast Freeza). Dont get me wrong I thought Newstone's Freeza was unfitting as much as the next guy and I found it to quite generic. But I can't help but think it would have been much better with a different direction. Also we never got to see Ocean Freeza fighting (with the exception of Trunks vs Freeza). So I thought it would be interesting to see what it how Ocean Freeza would have been like when he isn't simply in his Hover Chair. Also I would have liked to see what Newstone would have done with Freeza's 2nd and 3rd form voices. Also I would love to hear that laugh with better acting.

[sven-]

Also we never got to see Ocean Freeza fighting (with the exception of Trunks vs Freeza)

Ocean started with episode 108. The Trunks vs. Freeza fight was already over by that time, so what are you referring to?

[Choice195]

How long as it been? Is Ocean Studios planing to release the Dub anytime sooner?

[SSJSteve]

We won't know anything until Ocean Studios announce something, if they are doing a dub their doing a good job in not letting any information out. When there is news, I'm pretty sure people will post it here!

[SovietJedi]

If Scott McNiel returns to voice Piccolo, I will finally regain faith in humanity ;_;

One thing I'd say with absolute certainty that Ocean did better than Funimation in terms of casting is Scott.

[Ashura]

I wish it was easier to explain to you guys that Ocean Studios have nothing to do with releasing and selling dubs... they just do the production work. The show itself belongs to whichever license holder paid them to do production on the show.

[Dark Vegeta-Sama]

I wish it was easier to explain to you guys that Ocean Studios have nothing to do with releasing and selling dubs... they just do the production work. The show itself belongs to whichever license holder paid them to do production on the show.

That doesn't really change the fact that when you say "the Ocean dub," people know what you're talking about. It's just easier that way. And really, does it matter?

Although "the Westwood dub" is the most accurate title for it, not everyone would know what it means. We'd have to constantly be explaining what it is to people who are unfamiliar with the production background of the alternate English dub.

[Ashura]

In this instance it matters a little bit since Funi were the guys who cast Scott... which was my point. I don't mind the shorthand otherwise.

[SSJmole]

I'm this hasn't happened yet or if it has it hasn't come to UK. I want Dragonball back on tv.

[SSJSteve]

I'm this hasn't happened yet or if it has it hasn't come to UK. I want Dragonball back on tv.

Apparently, take this with a grain of salt. Toonami is back on TV in the UK and their showing Dragon Ball Z, and some Movies. Nothing has been 100% confirmed yet, but rumours are going around that some people have the channel. Again, this has not been confirmed. The sources claiming it to be back aren't very reliable and don't seem trustworthy, so this is probably fake. But, again, maybe some hope for the UK...

[SSJmole]

I'm this hasn't happened yet or if it has it hasn't come to UK. I want Dragonball back on tv.

Apparently, take this with a grain of salt. Toonami is back on TV in the UK and their showing Dragon Ball Z, and some Movies. Nothing has been 100% confirmed yet, but rumours are going around that some people have the channel. Again, this has not been confirmed. The sources claiming it to be back aren't very reliable and don't seem trustworthy, so this is probably fake. But, again, maybe some hope for the UK...

Thank you, I have Sky+ complete package in uk. I can search shows and I regularly check "dragon" (in case it's dragon ball or dragonball" But the only thing I seem to find is DragonBall Evolution, When the movie channels show it.

So I think yes it's fake. However you said it might be. But still thank you for trying to help/inform me.

[Super Sayian Prime]

Not to be rude because I have no clue on how the British television system works, but the fact that there are unconfirmed reports that a dead channel has returned to broadcast just makes me laugh. No marketing (or even a website?), and not enough appeal to get on major carriers makes me question why someone would even think of that.

[Paradox295]

I'm this hasn't happened yet or if it has it hasn't come to UK. I want Dragonball back on tv.

Apparently, take this with a grain of salt. Toonami is back on TV in the UK and their showing Dragon Ball Z, and some Movies. Nothing has been 100% confirmed yet, but rumours are going around that some people have the channel. Again, this has not been confirmed. The sources claiming it to be back aren't very reliable and don't seem trustworthy, so this is probably fake. But, again, maybe some hope for the UK...

What?

That's completely fake. Where did you hear this?

[oXdanXo]

It started as an April fool's as it's the 14/15th year since Toonami started, but there is a fan made project to bring back Toonami.

[dbzforeverUK]

Could do with Toonami returning.That way i could record the Blue Water dub of Dragonball

[oXdanXo]

Could do with Toonami returning.That way i could record the Blue Water dub of Dragonball

It was awesome, they did GT as well. But some of the movies that Toonami aired were aweful, Wrath of the Dragon, was terrible, I only finally watched the Funi version last year, when I got my double feature.

[Paradox295]

Toonami is DEAD.

It's not coming back. Especially not in the UK.