DBZ Returning to Toonami, Pretty Likely.

[90sDBZ]

I say let them show the old Z dub. It's what made the block popular to begin with so it should be the obvious choice. It's too bad we can't get Toonami back here in the UK. Is it so hard to believe that people may actually have legitimate reason to prefer the old dub other than just ignorance or nostalgia?

[TheMightyOzaru]

They should put DBZ Kai on Toonami if anything. Either that or Japanese Z with funimation's subtitles.

[OmegaRockman]

I feel that this new Toonami has been doing a good job of keeping things fresh and true to the point of Toonami (bringing its audience a better cartoon show) instead of constantly living in the past like some of the fans want it to do. With that in mind, I would enjoy it if Toonami paid tribute to the shows that made it popular by showcasing the new incarnations of said shows; a good example was when they were showing Tenchi GXP. It would be awesome if they did the same for other shows, such as Gundam or Dragon Ball, by showing these new incarnations that Toonami hasn't seen yet. That's why I personally think uncut DBZ Kai (alongside whatever new Gundam series is out now) would be a perfect fit: it's the old show that everyone remembers but it's being shown in a new way that some fans haven't seen until now.

[Blade]

I say let them show the old Z dub. It's what made the block popular to begin with so it should be the obvious choice. It's too bad we can't get Toonami back here in the UK. Is it so hard to believe that people may actually have legitimate reason to prefer the old dub other than just ignorance or nostalgia?

Here, here to all of the above!

The UK dedicated Toonami channel (and CNX before it) was brilliant. I used to love those Dragonball Z marathon days that they used to air on the occasional weekend or during school holidays after they had finished airing Z, GT and Dragonball. It was a nice way to use the material once it had ran out of re-run appeal for any time other than the dead hours.

I remember back when Toonami in the UK changed direction and stopped airing a lot of anime, went for a younger audience and brought in lame 1990's live action shows. I wrote an email complaint criticising them for the move, to which they replied that shows like Dragonball Z were expensive to license and weren't providing a decent enough ratings return to warrant being renewed. It was about that time that they were airing the Philippine (Big Green) dubbed movies occasionally on Friday night and their only prime-time anime block was a double header of the 4Kids One Piece dub and Pokemon. In any case, whatever the reasons were for their change of direction, it bombed big time and resulted in the end of the Toonami channel all together.

[90sDBZ]

I say let them show the old Z dub. It's what made the block popular to begin with so it should be the obvious choice. It's too bad we can't get Toonami back here in the UK. Is it so hard to believe that people may actually have legitimate reason to prefer the old dub other than just ignorance or nostalgia?

Here, here to all of the above!

The UK dedicated Toonami channel (and CNX before it) was brilliant. I used to love those Dragonball Z marathon days that they used to air on the occasional weekend or during school holidays after they had finished airing Z, GT and Dragonball. It was a nice way to use the material once it had ran out of re-run appeal for any time other than the dead hours.

I remember back when Toonami in the UK changed direction and stopped airing a lot of anime, went for a younger audience and brought in lame 1990's live action shows. I wrote an email complaint criticising them for the move, to which they replied that shows like Dragonball Z were expensive to license and weren't providing a decent enough ratings return to warrant being renewed. It was about that time that they were airing the Philippine (Big Green) dubbed movies occasionally on Friday night and their only prime-time anime block was a double header of the 4Kids One Piece dub and Pokemon. In any case, whatever the reasons were for their change of direction, it bombed big time and resulted in the end of the Toonami channel all together.

Yeah those marathons they used to have were great. I remember back when it aired on Cartoon Network UK and they used to have really long marathons of the Saiyan and Frieza sagas . And they used to let the viewers vote for which saga was shown. And CNX was the most badass channel ever. It was really too bad how our Toonami ended up. Things got to the point were the only show I still watched was 4Kids One Piece. I can't help but feel that they were trying to kill off DBZ intentionally though. I remember in summer 05 in the months before it got taken off they started pointlessly repeating the most boring episodes possible like the ones were Gohan, Trunks and Bulma discover Cell's shell. There was that one half term in 05 were they promised "The best episodes. The biggest battles. The Fiercest fights. The hardest hits" along with those awful Big Green movies and they decided to show those early Cell episodes were nothing happened besides from Piccolo's first fight with Cell and just as they were about to reach Piccolo vs 17 they restarted from when they discover Cell's shell again.

Plus they'd been showing nothing but those boring episodes for ages so it's no wonder the ratings went to hell. I remember after it got taken off there was that Teen Titans text marathon and everyone was asking Toonami to "Bring back DBZ and start from the beginning". I think they did the same thing with DB if I remember right.

[B]

I don't see what difference it makes which channel the show is broadcast on; I suppose marketing and branding is a powerful thing.

[dbzfan7]

Unless it's Kai, I'll be upset. I don't want a whole new generation exposed to that horrible, horrible DBZ English dub.

THIS.

Just air uncut Kai.

[TheBlackPaladin]

While I too would prefer they air Kai uncut, I don't think it would be horrific if they just re-aired the old DBZ dub. It seems to be more popular with North American audiences, and therefore, the chances are greater that it would bring in more ratings. More ratings could mean a more positive perception of anime among Cartoon Network execs. A more positive perception of anime among Cartoon Network execs could mean more anime being brought over into the English-speaking world, perhaps even on mainstream TV.

Hey, if re-airing DBZ led to even a small resurgence of anime availability, I wouldn't see that as a bad thing at all.

[theoriginalbilis]

I suppose if they HAD to air just Z, maybe they could just air uncut at the very least. Yeah, the audio would suck, but the full episode content would at least be shown. Plus, it's not like they've haven't had access to it before.

[Fennekin]

I would definitely want Z Kai. Why would they even consider airing Z instead?

[Mewzard]

They should put DBZ Kai on Toonami if anything. Either that or Japanese Z with funimation's subtitles.

The guys who run Toonami have stated that when subs appear on screen, ratings drop like a rock, so they won't air subbed material. So, Kai it is.

I don't see what difference it makes which channel the show is broadcast on; I suppose marketing and branding is a powerful thing.

Marketing and Branding is important. Besides, it could be aired uncut easily, so that would show the audience that thinks Kai is just some censored thing that there's more to it. Also, it just feels right to me watching Dragon Ball material on Toonami.

[TheBlackPaladin]

I would definitely want Z Kai. Why would they even consider airing Z instead?

Proven popularity, brand familiarity, and cost-effective considering that it's quite possible that they still have the edited footage lying around (if they wanted to air that).

[Fennekin]

I would definitely want Z Kai. Why would they even consider airing Z instead?

Proven popularity, brand familiarity, and cost-effective considering that it's quite possible that they still have the edited footage lying around (if they wanted to air that).

Yeah, but Z Kai is an updated version of Z, with recent familiarity, a more accurate and professional audio track. And why would they want to air the edited version? Toonami has everything uncut.

[Mewzard]

Yeah, but Z Kai is an updated version of Z, with recent familiarity, a more accurate and professional audio track. And why would they want to air the edited version? Toonami has everything uncut.

Exactly. The new Toonami has gone out of its way to be as uncut as legally possible. They even advertise Naruto as "Uncut Naruto". Why would they then go out of their way to use the edited versions?

[TheBlackPaladin]

Yeah, but Z Kai is an updated version of Z, with recent familiarity, a more accurate and professional audio track. And why would they want to air the edited version? Toonami has everything uncut.

Exactly. The new Toonami has gone out of its way to be as uncut as legally possible. They even advertise Naruto as "Uncut Naruto". Why would they then go out of their way to use the edited versions?

Well, I suppose I should clarify that I don't think it's likely that they'll use the edited footage. I'm just saying...it's an option. It's there if they want it. Check me if I'm wrong (I don't get Cartoon Network), but doesn't the Toonami time block air pretty late nowadays? If they wanted to air it in an earlier, "after-school" time slot, then they'd likely have to use the edited footage due to broadcast standards.

Of course, that too is unlikely. I'm just sayin.'

[sonikku956]

What Toonami 2.0 needs is a earlier timeslot. Apparently, they are working on that right now.

[MarcFBR]

Toonami has everything uncut.

Toonami certainly doesn't air everything uncut.

[Fennekin]

Toonami has everything uncut.

Toonami certainly doesn't air everything uncut.

They pretty much do. Besides the occasional beep over bad words (Which I only remember hearing during Deadman Wonderland) and the 30-Second compression of the opening and ending, it's practically uncut.

[MarcFBR]

They pretty much do. Besides the occasional beep over bad words (Which I only remember hearing during Deadman Wonderland) and the 30-Second compression of the opening and ending, it's practically uncut.

Out of curiosity, how many of these shows have you actually seen on DVD or Blu-ray?

[MarcFBR]

What Toonami 2.0 needs is a earlier timeslot. Apparently, they are working on that right now.

If by working on it you mean... the guy largely in charge of Toonami has said 'not likely to happen' then yes... they are working on it.