Is Dragon Ball a niche franchise in the US?

[Hellspawn28]

So do you guys think Dragon Ball is a niche franchise in the US? In Japan, there's still a big market for DB since we have Heroes, BOG, Episode of Bardock and many other new things since 2008. I feel like in the US, the market for DB started to die out after GT and there's not much merchandise over the year other then collectables for older fans like the Figuarts and t-shirts at Hot Topic. We have Kai, but Kai didn't have the same ratings as DBZ did on Toonami back in the day and the video games stop selling good years ago.

[Straw]

Nowadays? Maybe. It's still fondly remembered (and watched) among a huge swath of fans, and the sales of the series itself (Z and Kai especially) are still rock solid. If anything has made the franchise seem niche, it comes down to a couple of factors. One, none of the new specials (and BoG) have been brought to America, which gives the appearance that the franchise is slowly dying out. The material has still been seen by a lot of fans, but the lack of an official release makes it seem from a casual glance that interest is waning. Two, Dragon Ball has been around in the States in some capacity for twenty years, and it's heyday is pretty much over.

That said, the series is still popular as shit worldwide, and you can find the anime and manga everywhere. You just won't see as many t-shirts anymore.

[Super Sayian Prime]

If Dragon Ball was niche we wouldn't have Funimation releasing discs in 16:9 with messed up colours.

[Hellspawn28]

Just because they release home video releases for something that does not make it niche. We have new home video releases for franchises like Godzilla, Digimo and Gundam. Both are view as niche.

[Super Sayian Prime]

Just because they release home video releases for something that does not make it niche. We have new home video releases for franchises like Godzilla, Digimo and Gundam. Both are view as niche.

Notice how I mentioned the cropped and heavily colour "corrected" releases? Typically speaking, niche Japanese properties have too many astute fans to allow something like that to exist. Those releases aren't made for people who visit Kanzenshuu.

[MarcFBR]

The short answer.... Yes.

The long answer. Yes, DB/Z is niche in the USA.

[Gokuden]

Yes. Generally all anime in North America is considered niche, unlike other western countries such as France, where it is a lifestyle of many.

[Cure Dragon 255]

Short Answer:No. Its just past its prime and its still pretty popular for an 80's anime.

Long Answer: What would you consider Mainstream or non-niche? Icarly? Sam And Cat? Ben 10? I dont think those are going to live on as an evergreen franchise such as DBZ

[ABED]

Short Answer:No. Its just past its prime and its still pretty popular for an 80's anime.

Long Answer: What would you consider Mainstream or non-niche? Icarly? Sam And Cat? Ben 10? I dont think those are going to live on as an evergreen franchise such as DBZ

Just because something has greater longevity, doesn't mean it's not niche.

[Cure Dragon 255]

But what EXACTLY do you call mainstream? I think the concept of being mainstream is either impossible and definitely overrated.

[dbboxkaifan]

Dragon Ball Z specifically is not a niche franchise because it has went through many re-releases to satisfy different kind of customers.

1. [VHS] Cassettes (4x3 AR)
2. [DVD] Singles (4x3 AR)
3. [DVD] Ultimate Uncut Edition (4x3 AR)
4. [DVD] Digitally Remastered (16x9 AR)
5. [DVD] Dragon Box (4x3 AR)
6. [Blu-ray] Level BDs (4x3 AR)
7. [DVD] Rock the Dragon Edition (4x3 AR)
8. [Blu-ray] Season BDs (16x9 AR)

Oh and once the Season Blu-rays are complete you can bet FUNimation's going to make another Dragon Ball Z release on BD or DVD, or a combo edition.

You could say that the niche market are those who want the series in 4x3 AR and the 'normal' are the ones that prefer it in 16x9 AR (today's aspect ratio).

[ABED]

Evil Dead also went through plenty of releases, it's still a niche film.

[Cure Dragon 255]

I know. I'm saying you ARE right, but that mainstream success is hardly what people say it is.

[Gaffer Tape]

Well, "mainstream" isn't being used as a label of quality in regards to this thread, simply its level of saturation.

[Cure Dragon 255]

...I know.

[BlazingFiddlesticks]

If the picture is too small I can reupload, but:

Global, but mind if I take a crack at this from my own observation?



How easily people can be made to hate things they care nothing about.

[Hellspawn28]

Notice how I mentioned the cropped and heavily colour "corrected" releases? Typically speaking, niche Japanese properties have too many astute fans to allow something like that to exist. Those releases aren't made for people who visit Kanzenshuu.

The original Godzilla movie did become apart of The Criterion Collection over a year ago. Discotek Media has give out great home video releases for the obscure titles and they do a better job on their home video releases then Funimation does in my opinion.

[MarcFBR]

Discotek Media has give out great home video releases for the obscure titles and they do a better job on their home video releases then Funimation does in my opinion.

Tell that to the people who bought Blue Sub 6 and ended up with edits on DVD and Blu-ray.

If they want it uncut they'll be able to buy a second copy on DVD next year.


Most of Diskotek's releases are of good quality because they can get good masters for them. Others are 'thrown on disk' and they try and give it nice coverart (the Mega Man cartoon, a few others.)

Any company that releases media has shining stars, and a few burnt pieces of popcorn. It's purely a matter of what you happen to notice.

[thatdbzguy]

Pretty much.

The only thing keeping DBZ afloat at all in the US is nostalgia. Kai came and went, without really reviving DBZ in the west.

Excluding a few DBZ fanatics on the internet, the most DBZ will ever be recognized these days is when someone walks in a store, sees a DBZ DVD/Blu-Ray and goes "Hey, it's that show I used to watch as a kid!"