Buu Saga Kai

[Freeza Soldier #156]

Man because of Toeis carelessness its gonna be real hard to defend Kai now

An accurate and well acted English dub is still a pretty a good reason, I'd say.

[DBZ_Lee]

I think for me, it depends on what content has been left in. If the difference is that the International Version has retained the filler fight scenes, then that would be great, and I'd see that as a real bonus.
However, if it turns out that we've been left awful filler such as the non canon Saiyaman stuff, backstage at the World Tournament & inside Buu for example, then I really would be disappointed, and hope FUNimation license the Japanese version.

[MagicBox]

I hope not. I want a decent-quality video release of what we're seeing on Japanese TV.

May I ask why? If it does turn out that TV-Kai is just a hackjob of international-Kai, why would you want the hackjob version? Surely it can't just be because it moves a little faster? To me, that's like asking for the old edited FUNi dub of DBZ instead of the uncut episodes (and really, when is there ever going to be a market for that? I mean, seriously.).

When we do get these episodes, I hope we get the whole kit 'n kaboodle (provided it syncs up with Japanese audio). Kai has utterly failed on its promise to deliver a "true to the manga" experience either way and the pacing is already a nightmare. I'd rather have the episodes as they were produced.

[B]

Wouldn't international-Kai technically be the "hackjob" version? It's cutting less material, essentially being "less Kai." From the way this is all playing out, it would seem the only reason two versions will exist in the first place is because of the last-minute decision to air the show in Japan. My fears that if Kai was solely going to continue internationally that Toei would put forth the absolute least amount of effort possible seems to be coming true, and their only bothering to "tighten" things up because of the TV deal.

[MagicBox]

Here's my line of thinking (and keep in mind, this is all merely assuming that Hujio is correct and that they're trimming down international-Kai for the Japanese TV airings). They've apparently been making this thing for years. 69 episodes is a little long, yeah, but that's apparently what they made. It is what it is. The cast and crew were (apparently) there for all of that. If it's going to be released to home video, am I going to want all of what they worked on, or only some of what they worked on? I choose "all," so if 69 episodes is what the cast and crew made, I want all 69 episodes. Whether or not Toei cares more about the series now that it's airing in Japan is irrelevant to me on this point.

I'm not saying the episode count couldn't stand to be shorter. 69 episodes is a lot for these chapters. But like I said, it is what it is. Even if the trimmed-down TV version is more faithful to the manga, I don't want it if it means they're (quickly and sloppily) cutting already-finished episodes of Kai. For the record, I stopped considering "manga faithfulness" as a selling point for Kai forever ago, so it doesn't bother me that it has more material than it should.

And yes, I'm aware of the irony that I'm asking for a less-cut version of a re-cut version of a show that was only created to be a cut version of another show. *head explodes*

[Freeza Soldier #156]

I plan on buying both the Japanese and U.S. releases, so I would be quite happy if the Japanese release is the shorter version and the U.S. is the longer version. If there really are two versions, the DB collector in me will want both.

[Puto]

I hope not. I want a decent-quality video release of what we're seeing on Japanese TV.

May I ask why? If it does turn out that TV-Kai is just a hackjob of international-Kai, why would you want the hackjob version? Surely it can't just be because it moves a little faster? To me, that's like asking for the old edited FUNi dub of DBZ instead of the uncut episodes (and really, when is there ever going to be a market for that? I mean, seriously.).

When we do get these episodes, I hope we get the whole kit 'n kaboodle (provided it syncs up with Japanese audio). Kai has utterly failed on its promise to deliver a "true to the manga" experience either way and the pacing is already a nightmare. I'd rather have the episodes as they were produced.

Because if you're not gonna remove almost any filler, there's not much of a point in Kai, is there? Ideally, I'd want both versions to be preserved on a home release as opposed to being relegated to TV only. If you're going to be able to get the international version on international home releases, I'd like to be able to get the Japanese TV version on Japanese home releases.

And for what it's worth, I actually like the current pacing of JTV-Kai.

[MagicBox]

I can understand and respect that. If I'm honest, I'd prefer something shorter than 69 episodes as well. I'm still leaning towards the (apparently) uncut international version, if only for certain things like wanting all the stuff that Nozawa and company recorded for Kai. I'm excited to see comparisons between the two versions, though. Like others have said, if the music placement is better in the international version, that'll give it a huge edge.

I guess today's just a good day to get swept away by rumors. I'm already talking about this stuff as if it's all true.

[UltimateHammerBro]

What if not all the episodes aired in Japan are being edited? Some episodes would be difficult to shorten, and they may be aired as they were made. That'd explain why the pacing feels off in the first episodes, but a bit more relaxed in others. What if, for instance, the first two Saiyaman episodes were actually three, but the following episodes are unedited?

[Flame Dragon]

If the fillers are not cut as much, there is little point to purchase Kai instead of the DB Boxes, especially since the footage of Kai looks worse because of the colors. Soundtrack might be interesting tho.

[MR.Mark]

I'll take the "hack job" over this supposed bloated international version. Kai is supposed to be a different show from Z, if I have to just settle for "it is what is is" I might as well just watch the Z cut.

And for what it's worth, I actually like the current pacing of JTV-Kai.

Same here, moves just fine.

[JulieYBM]

I'm pretty sure the international cut was made so that Toei Animation could charge more for minimum guarantees and whatever television revenue they would, probably to make up for the overall cost of returning to producing the series. Now that the series is also airing in Japan it probably makes more sense to reduce the number of episodes for the sake of the broadcast schedule, home videos, and the other aspects of the merchandising wave.

[Castleking001]

I don't know, this is just a thought, but I wonder if the reason the dub is taking so long is because the international version was supposed to be 69 episodes originally and that's what the international market received. However, since Toei has decided to air what seems to be a shorter more produced version in Japan, there may be a chance that they retracted the original number of 69 from the overseas companies (FUNimation) and it is taking so long to release because they are about to, or have, received the new version. I know it goes against what Toei Europe says, but a guy can hope

[TheRed259]

Could it also be that Toei has just added some fillers in the ''Japanese Version'' (48 episodes) so that they can sell more episodes (69 episodes: International Version) and make more money out of it?

[Flame Dragon]

The only thing i know is that if the 69 episode version still has the useless filler for the sake of $$$, then i'm fucking done with Kai. What a clusterfuck.

I want the extended fights filler (except the useless Gotenks stuff) but anything else is a no-no.

[JulieYBM]

The only thing i know is that if the 69 episode version still has the useless filler for the sake of $$$, then i'm fucking done with Kai. What a clusterfuck.

Of course it is for the sake of money. More episodes means more money they can squeeze out of foreign licensees.

[Valerius Dover]

Well, look on the bright side. More episodes means more episodes with the Sumitomo score, which is apparently awesome all of a sudden.

If he's good enough, maybe they'll pick him to rescore a potential "Dragon Ball Kid Goku Kai" whatever you wanna call it. From the movie tracks I've heard, I wouldn't mind him rescoring the first two thirds of Kai. Doubt it'll ever happen since there's no commercial or financial reason to do it, though.

So, are people going to note whenever new insert songs come up? I'd be curious to know if they'll crank up the yen with these.

[Freeza Soldier #156]

I wouldn't mind him rescoring the first two thirds of Kai. Doubt it'll ever happen since there's no commercial or financial reason to do it, though.

Well, they are re-releasing episodes 1-98 on DVD and Blu-ray so if they were going to do it, that would be the opportunity. In all reality, I'm sure they will just have the Kikuchi replacement score.

[dbboxkaifan]

I wouldn't mind him rescoring the first two thirds of Kai. Doubt it'll ever happen since there's no commercial or financial reason to do it, though.

Well, they are re-releasing episodes 1-98 on DVD and Blu-ray so if they were going to do it, that would be the opportunity. In all reality, I'm sure they will just have the Kikuchi replacement score.

They are re-releasing them in 2014? What for?

[Freeza Soldier #156]

I wouldn't mind him rescoring the first two thirds of Kai. Doubt it'll ever happen since there's no commercial or financial reason to do it, though.

Well, they are re-releasing episodes 1-98 on DVD and Blu-ray so if they were going to do it, that would be the opportunity. In all reality, I'm sure they will just have the Kikuchi replacement score.

They are re-releasing them in 2014? What for?

I guess to celebrate the Buu arc and for people who missed out on them the first time. They are releasing two box sets: one for the Saiyan and Freeza arcs and the other for the Artificial Human and Cell arcs. They are supposed to be a more affordable release with the first Blu-ray set being roughly around $370 and the second being $100 less at around $270.