Dragon Ball Z: Orange Bricks - UK Release Out Now!

[DonieZ]

The one where you can actually see the inside of the drawer and the stairs are from the Dragon Box. The ones on top are so over saturated and with no detail that you can't see anything.

And yeah, releasing this is almost as much as a slap in the face as not releasing anything. I can't see this getting any positive reviews when it comes out. (and then, if it fails, the fans will be blamed for not buying a mediocre product)

I wonder where the logic is in doing this though, they must have a reason, right?
I guess I can just import the other sets, [guessing] they are cheaper + better quality = win/win situation. The orange bricks going for £34.99, when they are released, are pretty high, especially if they aren't that good, whilst the DBoxes are around 20-ish in America and (I think) will be less in pounds. But, they are scarce in numbers, correct?

[Rukura]

I wonder where the logic is in doing this though, they must have a reason, right?

It was cheaper than getting Dragon Box masters. Actually scratch that, it was probably cheaper than getting DECENT masters.

I guess I can just import the other sets, [guessing] they are cheaper + better quality = win/win situation. The orange bricks going for £34.99, when they are released, are pretty high, especially if they aren't that good, whilst the DBoxes are around 20-ish in America and (I think) will be less in pounds. But, they are scarce in numbers, correct?

The quality in the Dragon Boxes is the best and most complete that you can get (without going to the japanese boxes), but you won't get it as easily anymore. I was fortunate enough to be able to get all 7 Z Boxes at around 40£ each...but some of the rarest ones (like Dragon Box 2) will run you anywhere over the couple o' hundreds :S

[dbboxkaifan]

Seriously, is that how bad they are, or at least can be.

To be fair, and in my opinion, the later sets (Majin Boo's arc) vastly improve the picture quality, but for for the early sets they're awfully bad.

I wonder how some people actually like this shit quality over the Dragon Boxes Z, Dragon Ball Kai or FUNi's Levels'.

^ One of those told me it was the colours, the COLOURS, good God, if that's the problem just change them up for their own taste. I'm fine with the colours on the Dragon Boxes Z and like them very much, actually.

I wonder where the logic is in doing this though, they must have a reason, right?
I guess I can just import the other sets, [guessing] they are cheaper + better quality = win/win situation. The orange bricks going for £34.99, when they are released, are pretty high, especially if they aren't that good, whilst the DBoxes are around 20-ish in America and (I think) will be less in pounds.

1. I suppose they were cheaper to licence than the Dragon Boxes Z, but if Manga went with the Dragon Boxes Z in UK they'd definitely sell more (UK/Worldwide) than they'd imagine. Manga's screwed up, it's their problem.

2. The only other complete DBZ collection in English is the Dragon Boxes Z.

Dragon Box Z Vol. One - *Try eBay or other websites*
Dragon Box Z Vol. Two - *Try eBay or other websites*
Dragon Box Z Vol. Three - *Try eBay or other websites* (Walmart's selling it for $31 but I don't remember reading anywhere they ship internationally)
Dragon Box Z Vol. Four - *Try eBay or other websites*
Dragon Box Z Vol. Five - http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Box-F ... 459&sr=8-2 (£23 +/-)
Dragon Box Z Vol. Six - http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Box-S ... 579&sr=1-4 (£23 +/-)
Dragon Box Z Vol. Seven - http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Box-S ... 579&sr=1-3 (£23 +/-)

I bought my Dragon Boxes Z each for around £25 to £32-ish, let's just make it £30 for all and I spent roughly £210.

By the way, not to brag about my (little) Dragon Ball Collection but I've uploaded it to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oKL4BYZHUs

[Son Satan]

It was cheaper than getting Dragon Box masters. Actually scratch that, it was probably cheaper than getting DECENT masters.

Well, as I understand it, wasn't FUNi given really terrible masters when they decided to get actual film?

1. I suppose they were cheaper to licence than the Dragon Boxes Z, but if Manga went with the Dragon Boxes Z in UK they'd definitely sell more (UK/Worldwide) than they'd imagine. Manga's screwed up, it's their problem.

Manga didn't really "screw up", I mean, the bricks sold amazingly in the States, and they still sell better than other Z releases in America. Remember that the casual consumer won't care what the video looks like, they'll just see it on store shelves and say "Oh, cool, I remember this show," and pick up for old times sake.

[Rukura]

Well, as I understand it, wasn't FUNi given really terrible masters when they decided to get actual film?

But do we know that those came from Toei? And, in that case, I can only assume that FUNimation didn't go out of their way to get super-duper-amazing looking masters, since they were using them to do their own "restoration" anyway.

Manga didn't really "screw up", I mean, the bricks sold amazingly in the States, and they still sell better than other Z releases in America. Remember that the casual consumer won't care what the video looks like, they'll just see it on store shelves and say "Oh, cool, I remember this show," and pick up for old times sake.

I'm sorry, I know that this part wasn't directed at me, but are they really expecting the casual guy to drop around 40£ for each of the nine sets...for nostalgia's sake? And that's without taking into account that people WILL know that something is wrong with it (starting with the 16:9 video and ending with the bad quality of the footage).

[Pokewhiz7]

They are uncut, but there's a bunch and 28-68 weren't released because the Ultimate Uncut Special Editions were cancelled.

I was talking about the Pioneer singles since the UUE were cancelled. Meaning that while you can technically get the "whole" series (with the majority of the story intact) by getting the Pioneer singles for the first episodes, those aren't uncut.

Oh okay, it just seemed to me like you meant none of them were uncut. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[dbboxkaifan]

Manga didn't really "screw up", I mean, the bricks sold amazingly in the States, and they still sell better than other Z releases in America. Remember that the casual consumer won't care what the video looks like, they'll just see it on store shelves and say "Oh, cool, I remember this show," and pick up for old times sake.

Even so, the casual viewer will notice the flaws the video has, it's literally impossible to say this is a "perfect" release or anywhere near good.

This next screenshot from Amazon is so like Gohan's Toonzai Kai eye...



Poor Tenshinhan.

[Paradox295]

Manga didn't really "screw up", I mean, the bricks sold amazingly in the States, and they still sell better than other Z releases in America. Remember that the casual consumer won't care what the video looks like, they'll just see it on store shelves and say "Oh, cool, I remember this show," and pick up for old times sake.

I'm sorry, I know that this part wasn't directed at me, but are they really expecting the casual guy to drop around 40£ for each of the nine sets...for nostalgia's sake? And that's without taking into account that people WILL know that something is wrong with it (starting with the 16:9 video and ending with the bad quality of the footage).

£40? Unlikely.

It's at preorder for £25 now. That's likely to drop to £15-20 on release and £10 a few months after.

Also, casual consumers really don't care about aspect ratios. Most of the time, they don't know the difference. Even if they did, they wouldn't know that DBZ was made in 4:3. Hell, they probably don't even know it was made in 1990.


Finally, on a related note, a lot of people are saying "they'll notice the quality issues". Not really.

Back in 2009, I watched the Orange Bricks. Compressed to 60mb per episode. Using DivX player.*
*Sorry if this counts as talking about bootlegs.

As someone who wasn't a video nerd like I am now... it was perfectly fine.

Those screenshots are from single frames. You're unlikely to notice them in motion.

As I think I said before in this thread, I'd be perfectly happy with them if I could pick them up for a tenner each. I like the show, but not enough to spend £££'s on the rest of the Dragon Boxes. This release is perfect for people like me.

If however, you reeeaally want the best quality, go for the Dragon Boxes. I have Boxes 1-3 that I don't want, so make me an offer if you're interested

[Rukura]

Also, casual consumers really don't care about aspect ratios. Most of the time, they don't know the difference. Even if they did, they wouldn't know that DBZ was made in 4:3. Hell, they probably don't even know it was made in 1990.


Finally, on a related note, a lot of people are saying "they'll notice the quality issues". Not really.

Back in 2009, I watched the Orange Bricks. Compressed to 60mb per episode. Using DivX player.*
*Sorry if this counts as talking about bootlegs.

As someone who wasn't a video nerd like I am now... it was perfectly fine.

Those screenshots are from single frames. You're unlikely to notice them in motion.

Living in Europe, and being exposed to the masters that the AB Groupe handed out over here, even someone like me that was never a video nerd (and still am not) learned how it wasn't supposed to look like. So, when we see something like Dragon Box footage it looks amazing. What do you think happens after seeing less picture and worse quality with EVEN MORE saturation? On a purchased disc?

Those screenshots are from single frames. It looks just as bad on the more shaky scenes (which, considering we're talking about an anime with lots of action....yeah....)

[dbboxkaifan]

Rukura, believe it or not, I find the worn out picture quality of SIC Radical's DBZ much more acceptable than the Orange Bricks.

Then again, anything's better than the Orange Bricks.

Complaining aside, I may buy these sets when they're £1-£5.

[Rukura]

Rukura, believe it or not, I find the worn out picture quality of SIC Radical's DBZ much more acceptable than the Orange Bricks.

Then again, anything's better than the Orange Bricks.

Complaining aside, I may buy these sets when they're £1-£5.

That's the point I was trying to make lol. I find it hard to believe that people will just accept something so much worse coming from a store-bought dvd.

[DonieZ]

Hmm, Paradox has a point. If the OB's really will go for as cheap as £10, then I think it's doable. I mean, especially since I'm someone who's never touched the revered quality that the Dragon Boxes have to offer, so maybe it won't affect me too much. That, and the fact that I one of those who probably wouldn't tell the difference between aspect ratio's.


I was wondering though, why does America get everything? Well maybe not everything, but compared to the UK, it seems to me the the US gets a lot.

[NessMudkip]

I still don't know if I wan't these. I'm still kicking myself so hard for not picking up the dragon boxes when they we're cheaper. "Oh don't worry, they'll make more!". Yeah. Thanks past me . Anyway, I'm hoping that Funi, or maybe even Manga will reprint them at some point. I think I'll collect these bricks and attempt to bear the quality, and if more DBoxes do come around, I'll flog the bricks and put the money towards them.

[Nex Carnifex]

The redub did air on Cartoon Network, but it did have some swearing, more in season 2. Mostly "damn", but I think there's one or two instances of "piss".

Nah. You can get away with minor swearing like that in a 12. Along with, if I remember correctly, one use of the f-word, but not 2 or more.

Which is why Manga Ent used to add extra F words to their dubs back in the 90s.

Mmmmm not sure. This is just guesswork, since 3 and 5 are M rated, and they'd probably have similar ratings... but they might have different standards..

They used the f word on the funimation dub?

[Pokewhiz7]

No, never.

[Gonstead]

I remember they had 1 instance of "piss" in the edited dub if I'm not mistaken.

[Kuririn Of Orin]

I remember they had 1 instance of "piss" in the edited dub if I'm not mistaken.

Don't piss of the god of love! <3

[Paradox295]

Hmm, Paradox has a point. If the OB's really will go for as cheap as £10, then I think it's doable. I mean, especially since I'm someone who's never touched the revered quality that the Dragon Boxes have to offer, so maybe it won't affect me too much. That, and the fact that I one of those who probably wouldn't tell the difference between aspect ratio's.


I was wondering though, why does America get everything? Well maybe not everything, but compared to the UK, it seems to me the the US gets a lot.

Everything?

Not exactly. I mean, there's some cool stuff that the UK only gets. Like that Akira steelbook... we got Redline before the US.

On non-anime stuff, Malcolm in the Middle's coming out soon. Uncut.



But, the US gets a lot of stuff we don't, cos their anime industry is larger than ours.

[SSJSteve]

Malcolm in the Middle's coming out soon. Uncut.

What! Is this true Paradox?

I've been waiting forever to see a DVD release of Malcolm in the Middle, I thought it would never happen.

(Sorry to go off-topic).

[dbboxkaifan]

Malcolm in the Middle's coming out soon. Uncut.

What! Is this true Paradox?

I've been waiting forever to see a DVD release of Malcolm in the Middle, I thought it would never happen.

(Sorry to go off-topic).

It's true, it's going to be released in UK but with a region free DVD player it's possible to play it for those that live in NTSC region and whatnot.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-Middle- ... 917&sr=1-1 (Season One for Pre-order).

/off-topic