Has TFS damaged the reputation of the franchise in the U.S.?

[RocktheDragon]

I think we're the best thing since sliced bread. Bigger than Jesus. The light in the darkness. Taller than the Osmands.

We're also not a fan of how our fanbase can often overstate our quality, our impact, our importance, etc. We're a fangroup who are making a (albeit increasingly popular) parody series that is both a piss-take and an homage to one of our favorite series of all time. It's very far from perfect and it's not definitive, though we sure as heck enjoy making it. We do wish our fans would promote the original series a little heavier at times rather than act like we're a replacement. We're supplementary, meant to be enjoyed as a fan of the ORIGINAL, first and foremost.

Either way, those fans have good intentions; they want to spread something they love and we certainly appreciate that. Just hope that, at no point, the series itself suffers.

Oh, and as far as us propagating dubism and misconceptions about the series... yeah, we worry about that at times, but ultimately we're trying to do the best we can with trying to make fun of both the original and the dub.

Great answer. I was making my way through the thread and then came to this point and you clarified everything in a clear and concise manner. Thank you for taking the time to respond to this thread and I for one don't see TFS as having damaged the reputation of this franchise, it has only helped (and those that feel it has hurt the franchise need to calm down a bit).

[eledoremassis02]

I'll be the first to admit that I dont like the abridges series (I did at first but really lost interest in it) but I'd be the first to say that I don't think is damaged the reputation of Z.

I mean, its hard to not find any DBZ related video that doesn't have quotes from TFS in the comments or compare Ocean/Funi/Kai/TFS or even have them in a fandub but I think if anything it means people are at least watching the original or have a curiosity to see how the original dubs were and then maybe it could grow from there.

I think if it damaged the series the blu rays would not be selling at all. Unless people are using them to make blu ray abridged episodes....which...would....be....odd

[Gaffer Tape]

I think if it damaged the series the blu rays would not be selling at all.

Aw, damn it, Team Four Star! You guys have to try harder to damage the series!

[Nikkolas]

What does it even mean to "damage a series?" DBZ owes the fact it's one of the biggest anime ever across the world to Funimation, at least in part. So did Funi "damage" it by making Goku or Super Saiyan household names/terms?

TFS is great because they clearly love the series but they have no problem pointing out things that are in fact wrong/stupid about the show. Like Piccolo and his weighted armor against Freeza. "100 Kilo-" *Freeza smirk* "Oh...."

There are a lot of stupid and inconsistent things in DB and TFS merely highlights them in a comedic, well-written fashion. If anything, they are doing a service to the series by lampsadhing these aspects. "Power Levels are bullshit!" is a completely legitimate gripe with DBZ and it pisses a lot of people off. But TFS took it, made a great joke with it, and now people can just have a laugh about it.

[ChiChiFan]

No. There are people who are going to like DBZ and will remember it as one of the great anime shows.

[SingleFringe&Sparks]

I believe TFS has distorted the image of DBZ in the US drastically by creating misconceptions about the series but I think it was unintentional. but its their fans that are what ruins the enjoyment if the series after their delusions started to merge into the public's idea of canon. Now they seem to only see the series as they potray it and forget all the actual impression of what DBZ is meant to be. TFS only created and reinforced more of the memes we get today that overlap the image of how Akira and the japanese wanted to present the series. Since the popularity of their series hit the mainstream of the anime community I see nothing but it representing the show itself as one big joke now. People think Goku is literally brain-numbingly stupid instead of naive and innocent as he really was for example. THEN we have the TFS Goku representing Goku in the screw attack video only to confirm to people that Goku is "stupid" when he actually isnt. Then we have Vegeta who is clearly been misrepresented as a character for the last 20 years.

Though I get TFS is educated and only exaggerated the character traits for the humour of it; the fans for whatever reason seem to take it literally and cant seem to differenciate the jokes from the canon. Probably because most Americans only watched the dub and TFS parodies the dub. They have no other reference to how the characters actually behave and what is being exaggerated. This same issue has happened prior with their Yu-gi-Oh series. Where people cant seem to tell the difference between events in the series with the events in the parody. Then they go around deconstructing them by claiming so-and-so is awesome, so-and-so is useless based on it.
Look at Krillin, people cant stop overblowing the caricature, and use that "own-count" thing to make him seem worse than he is. Krillin was never technically useless and the parody itself owned him more than the actual show did let alone the manga. Yet people actually believe this is accurate. Then all the Raditz and Yamcha hate.

Though the only character I think TFS actually help fix was Freeza, It might be a coincidence but I know funimation watches it and his Kai voice nearly sounds identical.

[B]

I think the "reputation" is more or less set in stone. This is a thirty-year-old series and anybody who cares already has an opinion on it.

[TheGmGoken]

Meh. My answer to this. Yes,no, and maybe a little. I'll explain all three answers.

Yes - This one going to be a little hard to explain to I'm sorry if some stuff come off wrong. When people start saying "TFS is the only reason DBZ is good" , "TFS is the best DUB" , "TFS is better than Dbz", "TFS is the best thing to ever happen to DBZ", or everyone quoting TFS in every DBZ video I click on I honestly get annoyed. Now I understand that some people never saw DBZ before TFS or only saw the piss poor English dub but to say it's the only reason DBZ is good? That's WAAAAY over-line the line. Saying TFS is the best dub? That one is kinda already self explained. TFS is more or less a fan"Dub" not an official dub. Which people sometimes treat as such. Which is really getting on my nerves. I try my hardest since it's just anime. When people say TFS is better than DBZ, the best thing ever happen to Z, the best version of Z, or even best DBz period it ticks me off. Really grind my gears. I'm sorry but with all respect to TFS but for the fans to say it's the "best" thing to happen to Dbz is honestly disrespectful to Toriyama IMO.

Toriyama created this great series. Had a great fanbase. Hell still do. Arguably(not IMO) the GOAT of manga-anime. Debatable that SSJ was the best thing to happen or even Kamehame. But to say a PARODY of the series is the best thing to happen to this franchise is just disrespectful and rude. I just can't stand that. I understand that it's funny but it's not "DBZ". It's DBZ - made fun of. I respect that cause I make fun of everything in anime. With all the DBZ videos having TFS comments. It's annoying. But it's my choice to look at the comment section of an already destroyed comment section(Due to other reasons) so I can take the blame. However when it's on MY AMVS and I get a comments on my hard work joking with TFS. I get offended honestly. I made a Goku tribute about Goku during Tien - King Piccolo arc. Took me 6 hours to make. Get a comment saying "Maybe if Goku used the muffin button Krillin could had stayed alive". Deleted the comment and message him to comment about the amv or any questions. He told me he doesn't watch amvs. So I blocked him. Overreaction? Yes. But I was extremely annoyed.

Yea a little - This one is going to be the shortest. Maybe some fans who were fans before re-fuse to watch the original series now and only watch TFS. I've see it happen many times on other website and on Youtube. This isn't a big deal since DBZ fanbase is so large that 1 or 2 leaving doesn't kill Toei or Funimation....or any dub company for that matter.

No - Dragonball been around since the 80's I think. Around 85? 87? I'm sure DB already had a fanbase that respects the original series. If anything TFS just gave them some fresh Dbz material to watch. Dub, sub, or even video games give you the same material just in a different form. While TFS gives some-what the same material with their on material(Editing and audio). Gives the viewer a nice little laugh and more love for the series. At first I found TFS boring as I was a Gozar fan. But meh. As time went on TFS kept getting better and I found a new way to watch the series. Now I liked the original Nappa but than TFS's Nappa but that because I like how brutal he was(I honestly tried to punch my older sibling's arm off) with Tien. However TFS gave Nappa CHARACTER. TFS Nappa got a personality and a back-story. Same with "Super Kami Guru". Gave him a fan-base as well. So if anything TFS helps the minor characters who are overlooked.

So basically yea. TFS have hurt the fanbase. But a VERY little % of it. Maybe 0.3% - 2% at BEST. But that's mostly on fan decision not them. Not like they force TFS down our throats. But mostly TFS either helped it(A small portion IMO) or just didn't have any effect on the fanbase. Just another "dub" or audio that fans listen to. Besides DB fanbase is set for life. But I have to say this.

TFS has done one thing to A LOT of fans. TFS made the fans fucking spoiled xD. "WHEN *insert ep number* coming out!?". 1 day after episode 32 I think it was. Someone asked when is Ep 33 coming out. Like they're addicted and need to go to re-hab and watch English Dub Goku vs Freeza for 4 hours.

[theoriginalbilis]

TeamFourStar's work is great, I enjoy their work, and you can tell they love the original source...

That said, I will be the first to admit that I shake my head when someone talks to me about Dragon Ball (I go to an animation college, there's a fair share of anime fans here) and bring up that they only watch/like Abridged and dismiss the original Z TV series.

I harbor no ill will, its just.... disappointing. I forget we live in a rapid-joke, instant-meme, quick-editing culture now, and that a show with measured pacing such as DBZ would not appeal to many who did not grow up with it.

[Kuwabara]

It bothers me when people only ever mention TFS jokes whenever I hear DBZ discussed in every day life, but I suppose it's nice that it's gotten people into the actual series.

I forget we live in a rapid-joke, instant-meme, quick-editing culture now, and that a show with measured pacing such as DBZ would not appeal to many who did not grow up with it.

Is this stupid meme shit ever going to end?

Also, since we've pretty much come to the point that it is mostly some of the TFS fans making it bad moreso than TFS themselves...there was the whole thing with someone asking what Schemmel thought of Abridged at that big con that also had Nozawa, when Nozawa was right there. I couldn't help but shake my head at that either. There's seriously not a million better questions that couldn't be asked at that moment, and save that one for another time when it was just Schemmel? Hell, a question like that could be asked (and undoubtedly has) just by asking him online.

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

[KaiserNeko]

It bothers me when people only ever mention TFS jokes whenever I hear DBZ discussed in every day life, but I suppose it's nice that it's gotten people into the actual series.

Excellent point Paladin. Hell, I don't really think I can enjoy something if I don't also poke a little fun at it at times. That's half the fun of being into anything if you ask me.

Also, since we've pretty much come to the point that it is mostly some of the TFS fans making it bad moreso than TFS themselves...there was the whole thing with someone asking what Schemmel thought of Abridged at that big con that also had Nozawa, when Nozawa was right there. I couldn't help but shake my head at that either. There's seriously not a million better questions that couldn't be asked at that moment, and save that one for another time when it was just Schemmel? Hell, a question like that could be asked (and undoubtedly has) just by asking him online.

You have GOT to be fucking kidding me.

Oh, Jesus, this did not happen.

I mean, I can't apologize for them, but... I'm still embarrassed.

[VegettoEX]

We were there. We saw it. We were embarrassed for everyone and everything.

On one side of the coin, you can see how absolutely stoked the kid was to be talking to his idol and be able to ask him about a thing he so thoroughly enjoys and just wants to have some awesome validation that it's awesome and the guy he's talking to is awesome and they're all awesome and how awesome is it that everyone's so awesome.

On the flip side, he was so frighteningly unaware of the gravity of the situation of Masako Nozawa is on stage right in fucking front of you and this is so unbelievably inappropriate on so many levels that it brings a bit of vomit up.

More than anything else, props to Schemmel for handling it with grace.

[KaiserNeko]

We absolutely love our fanbase, but we certainly seem to bring in people from all walks of life, different upbringings, different backgrounds, and different ages. Some of which are little more socially awkward about their love for the things they enjoy.

What can we say: A 9 year old is born every day.

[Saiyan007]

TFS videos are great but the fans oh boy the fans are just *sigh*

When they say things like TFS is the best thing to happen to dbz and post TFS quotes on dbz videos OVER AND OVER AGAIN it gets old real quick

But other than the fans I have no problem with TFS

[Nanotchi]

TFS is pretty cool, I really like their take on the show. However, I do not enjoy their lets plays as much, just for some reason.

The only thing that bugs me is how they made Kuruin seem like a loser, and that's the take many US fans think of him now.

[Kid Buu]

Okay I'll bite. What exactly is so bad about asking Schemmel about Abridged with Nozawa there?

[Gaffer Tape]

We were there. We saw it. We were embarrassed for everyone and everything.

On one side of the coin, you can see how absolutely stoked the kid was to be talking to his idol and be able to ask him about a thing he so thoroughly enjoys and just wants to have some awesome validation that it's awesome and the guy he's talking to is awesome and they're all awesome and how awesome is it that everyone's so awesome.

On the flip side, he was so frighteningly unaware of the gravity of the situation of Masako Nozawa is on stage right in fucking front of you and this is so unbelievably inappropriate on so many levels that it brings a bit of vomit up.

More than anything else, props to Schemmel for handling it with grace.

Maybe I'm missing some context, but I've read Gyt Kaliba's original post several times, and I'm not sure I get it. What's the inappropriateness? Because someone asked about Abridged? Bringing up Abridged with Nozawa there? What exactly did he say?

[the_abberration]

The only way I can see the franchise being damaged by TFS, is if there is a point where the abridged series becomes so popular that the newer fan base doesn't bother to try to seek out the source material. Case in point, I know of someone who absolutely disliked DBZ but liked The Abridged Series. "If the show was more like this, I would have watched it more" was their exact quote. But what are the chances of that happening on such a large scale?

This scenario sort of reminds me of Ghost Stories. If you are not familiar with this anime, here is the long/short of it. ADV created a dub that while it kept the tone of the series to a degree, played the series as a comedy. Purists bashed it, but it became a success in the U.S.. So basically you have a show that somewhat made it in U.S. by being parodied. The only damage to it IMO is if at some point the people who watched or bought the series, not once watch it subbed to see the original form of the series.

We live in an age where parody is oftentimes king. DBZ is not getting any younger, and is slowly transitioning from that cool fighting show to that "cheesy show where they stand around staring at each other" with the newer crowd. I think parodying it was the kick in the pants it needed. I'm just surprised that Funimation didn't think of it first. This could have been the next Harvey Birdman Attorney at Law.

[Mr. Piccolo]

No, I don't think so. Granted, outside of this forum, I really don't know much about what is going on in the Dragon Ball fandom, but I would say that the TFS series is perhaps a sign that Dragon Ball has reached "classic" status in the U.S. You have to be relatively familiar with the series to get a lot of the jokes, and especially familiar with the old English dub.

It is a bit like the '60s Batman television series. Many fans hate it for satirizing the comics but the show cemented Batman and the other characters into our collective consciousness, and in the long run, it was probably good for the franchise.

[dprez]

Show all the ignorant haters of DBZ on Toonami TFS and they would love it like an SNL skit. Fans of the original who started with the FUNi dub obviously find it hilarious. It's an interesting thing TFS. It's a way to show dub only fans how ridiculous it is compared to the original. It makes the original look like anything but a joke.