Dragon Ball Z "Seasons" On Blu-ray: News & Discussion

[B]

there's a demand for it. Funimation supplies

No, that is my entire point. There is no demand for a 16:9 version of DBZ, or at least, there was not until FUNimation put out an insultingly bogus trailer highlighting how "cinematic" and "definitive" it is. Every time FUNimation puts out an unedited release of DBZ, they also do something completely stupid such as:

• Release them in single form; taking up large amounts of shelf-space
• Make them limited editions
• Flood the market with too many DBZ releases and overprice them for less content than is on competing, cheaper releases

If you can tell me how affordable boxsets of the show, completely unedited, and with the same episode counts wouldn't sell just as much the Orange Bricks/Blu-ray Bricks, I would love to hear it.

[KentalSSJ6]

Didnt the Level sets come out shortly after the Boxes?

Dragon Boxes has just finished. Kai was still running. Orange Bricks were still on shelves.

Too much at once! Purists aren't made of money!

Theres the problem. The Level sets failed because they were released at the a time where the market was over-saturated with DBZ releases. If they released the Level Sets in place of the current season sets, I have no doubt they would be selling just as well as the current season sets are.

[samuraix123]

I just want to say that I know and agree with you Gaffer Tape that these two things are completely different. advertising wise. Kai & Z. but at the end of the day Kai is just masquerading as Z and I don't like the fact and I'm not okay with it being cropped. ''TO ME!'' Even though they are two completely different products! they are they same to me.

[LordCrumb]

Didnt the Level sets come out shortly after the Boxes?

Dragon Boxes has just finished. Kai was still running. Orange Bricks were still on shelves.

Too much at once! Purists aren't made of money!

Theres the problem. The Level sets failed because they were released at the a time where the market was over-saturated with DBZ releases. If they released the Level Sets in place of the current season sets, I have no doubt they would be selling just as well as the current season sets are.

I'd say they 'failed' because Funimation suddenly realized they were actually releasing a 'Definitive' edition of DBZ.. Pristine picture quality and three audio tracks. Had they continued, DBZ sales would have probably slumped after their completion.

[B]

I just want to say that I know and agree with you Gaffer Tape that these two things are completely different. advertising wise. Kai & Z. but at the end of the day Kai is just masquerading as Z and I don't like the fact and I'm not okay with it being cropped. ''TO ME!'' Even though they are two completely different products! they are they same to me.

But that's not the point! If you don't like it cropped, you can still buy Dragon Ball Z(not even mentioning the fact that the Japanese Blu-rays of Kai, and ALL of the FUNimation releases, are the correct aspect ratio)! If I want to buy uncropped DBZ, I don't have that option. FUNimation is not selling unedited Dragon Ball Z, and there is just no excuse for that in 2014.

[samuraix123]

there's a demand for it. Funimation supplies

No, that is my entire point. There is no demand for a 16:9 version of DBZ, or at least, there was not until FUNimation put out an insultingly bogus trailer highlighting how "cinematic" and "definitive" it is. Every time FUNimation puts out an unedited release of DBZ, they also do something completely stupid such as:

• Release them in single form; taking up large amounts of shelf-space
• Make them limited editions
• Flood the market with too many DBZ releases and overprice them for less content than is on competing, cheaper releases

If you can tell me how affordable boxsets of the show, completely unedited, and with the same episode counts wouldn't sell just as much the Orange Bricks/Blu-ray Bricks, I would love to hear it.

There's no demand for a 16x9 release? That's funny because these seem to be selling very good? you mean there's no demand for them from a-lot of people here? again buddy. you'll get no argument from me about Funimation over-saturating the market with Z(that's why I'm making this and the boo saga of Kai my last buy of Z) and AGAIN! Funimation isn't evil and forcing a single person here to buy there products. Does it suck that the Blu-rays and the Orange Bricks are the defacto way to buy the series? Absolutely!

[JEFFMAN219]

Didnt the Level sets come out shortly after the Boxes?

Dragon Boxes has just finished. Kai was still running. Orange Bricks were still on shelves.

Too much at once! Purists aren't made of money!

Ya funimation was dumb for releasing the level sets right after they released the last dragon box. They should of waited two years.

[samuraix123]

I just want to say that I know and agree with you Gaffer Tape that these two things are completely different. advertising wise. Kai & Z. but at the end of the day Kai is just masquerading as Z and I don't like the fact and I'm not okay with it being cropped. ''TO ME!'' Even though they are two completely different products! they are they same to me.

But that's not the point! If you don't like it cropped, you can still buy Dragon Ball Z(not even mentioning the fact that the Japanese Blu-rays of Kai, and ALL of the FUNimation releases, are the correct aspect ratio)! If I want to buy uncropped DBZ, I don't have that option. FUNimation is not selling unedited Dragon Ball Z, and there is just no excuse for that in 2014.

I'm sorry? lol What do you want me to do about it? I've said time and time again that it sucks there isn't a proper 4x3 release!! lol dang man lol but people are willing to buy these cropped so there's nothing we can do about it?

[Gaffer Tape]

Gaffer Tape I'm sorry I thought I deleted that power rangers part out. sorry for the confusion. And no, I had no idea they recycled things. Since Z & Kai are two completely different things(NOT TALKING ABOUT ADVERTISING WISE) Advertising wise yes they are completely different. But what's Kai about? What content is in Kai? Why is Kai called Z kai in the US? just curious here....

Seems like you're attempting to lead me into a trap here despite claiming you're simply curious. Obviously there's no way you don't know what Kai is about or what content is in it, and I'm not about to give you a plot synopsis. I would assume the reason you brought up the altered "Z Kai" title is because you think that both shows containing the letter Z make them the same thing. And I also assume all of your other questions are not to be taken at face value and are meant to prove that Kai and Z are in fact the same thing. So on that note, I will answer your questions with my assumptions about your motives in mind.

What is Dragon Ball Kai about? Why, the same thing that Dragon Ball Z is about?! They have the same overall story! And guess what? So does the remake of Psycho to the original Psycho. And the remake of Miracle on 34th Street. And the remake of The Ten Commandments. And the countless remakes of The Wizard of Oz. And, this might come as a shock, but Dragon Ball Kai also shares the same story with Dragon Ball the manga! But I certainly hope you don't consider any of those to be the same thing.

What content is in Kai? Well, to be incredibly thorough, a lot of visual footage from Z, small amounts of original animation in most episodes, new animation in opening and ending themes in every episode, completely new vocal recordings, many new vocal talents, an original musical score (don't even open that can of worms), completely new opening and ending themes. So, yeah, there's a lot of content. Some of it is new, some of it used. Again, see my Power Rangers example.

So since I have directly addressed your points, I really wish you'd finally do the same for me.

I just want to say that I know and agree with you Gaffer Tape that these two things are completely different. advertising wise. Kai & Z. but at the end of the day Kai is just masquerading as Z and I don't like the fact and I'm not okay with it being cropped. ''TO ME!'' Even though they are two completely different products! they are they same to me.

And I get that. I really, honestly do. I might even be inclined to say the same thing. However "to me" does not count as fact. When you're making the argument that it's a double standard between the reaction to what Toei is doing and what FUNimation is doing, you actually have to be comparing the same product, not just something that's "the same to you."

[samuraix123]

Gaffer Tape I'm sorry I thought I deleted that power rangers part out. sorry for the confusion. And no, I had no idea they recycled things. Since Z & Kai are two completely different things(NOT TALKING ABOUT ADVERTISING WISE) Advertising wise yes they are completely different. But what's Kai about? What content is in Kai? Why is Kai called Z kai in the US? just curious here....

Seems like you're attempting to lead me into a trap here despite claiming you're simply curious. Obviously there's no way you don't know what Kai is about or what content is in it, and I'm not about to give you a plot synopsis. I would assume the reason you brought up the altered "Z Kai" title is because you think that both shows containing the letter Z make them the same thing. And I also assume all of your other questions are not to be taken at face value and are meant to prove that Kai and Z are in fact the same thing. So on that note, I will answer your questions with my assumptions about your motives in mind.

What is Dragon Ball Kai about? Why, the same thing that Dragon Ball Z is about?! They have the same overall story! And guess what? So does the remake of Psycho to the original Psycho. And the remake of Miracle on 34th Street. And the remake of The Ten Commandments. And the countless remakes of The Wizard of Oz. And, this might come as a shock, but Dragon Ball Kai also shares the same story with Dragon Ball the manga! But I certainly hope you don't consider any of those to be the same thing.

What content is in Kai? Well, to be incredibly thorough, a lot of visual footage from Z, small amounts of original animation in most episodes, new animation in opening and ending themes in every episode, completely new vocal recordings, many new vocal talents, an original musical score (don't even open that can of worms), completely new opening and ending themes. So, yeah, there's a lot of content. Some of it is new, some of it used. Again, see my Power Rangers example.

So since I have directly addressed your points, I really wish you'd finally do the same for me.

I just want to say that I know and agree with you Gaffer Tape that these two things are completely different. advertising wise. Kai & Z. but at the end of the day Kai is just masquerading as Z and I don't like the fact and I'm not okay with it being cropped. ''TO ME!'' Even though they are two completely different products! they are they same to me.

And I get that. I really, honestly do. I might even be inclined to say the same thing. However "to me" does not count as fact. When you're making the argument that it's a double standard between the reaction to what Toei is doing and what FUNimation is doing, you actually have to be comparing the same product, not just something that's "the same to you."

I don't honestly know what you want me to say buddy? and I say buddy in a friendly tone..none condescending. I've told you time and time again that I agree with you that they are advertised differently and I agree they are two completely different products. but! I am going to try and phrase this the best way I can. They are different. but they also are the same IN MY OPINION! sure, They have new openings and endings and new voices yadda yadda yadda but at the same time what we're watching is just a re-telling of the Z series was all I was trying to get at. it's just another Z release except it's not Z..it's Kai! I wasn't meaning to get anyone upset and I agree 1000000% that it sucks man that we can't get the proper 4x3 release.

[Gaffer Tape]

Again, I get all that. You just keep seeming to miss the point here. I have no problem with you feeling that they're essentially the same thing. The only thing I took issue with was you making the claim that it's hypocritical for fans to complain about the season sets while turning a blind eye to Dragon Ball Kai because that's not an equivalent comparison.

[samuraix123]

Again, I get all that. You just keep seeming to miss the point here. I have no problem with you feeling that they're essentially the same thing. The only thing I took issue with was you making the claim that it's hypocritical for fans to complain about the season sets while turning a blind eye to Dragon Ball Kai because that's not an equivalent comparison.

Yeah. It just seems like to me that people love to hate on Funimation is all. I just really see Kai as no different than Z. even though I like a-lot of the new stuff Kai is doing compared to Z. I just wished Toei wouldn't have cropped Kai ya know? Would you be angry though if they decided to crop the entire Z series? out of curiosity...and I say that because I'm curious how you would feel about the actual company that really owns it doing it.

[B]

samuraix123, I don't know what to say that hasn't been said over and over again. These Blu-rays and the Orange Bricks are dirt cheap. The average joe schmoe doesn't care that he's getting crap. You don't care. You said it yourself. They sell well because they're the only way to get the show! Yes, I absolutely believe if FUNimation hadn't told people how "great" 16:9 is, no one would cry fowl.

And what do I want you to do about it? It'd be cool if you voted with your wallet, for one, and not supported this release. But you're not gonna do that, and I don't expect you to do that. If there's anything that just astounds me, it's the dogged loyalty to FUNimation. If I have a legitimate concern or critique with how they do business, it'd be great if that wasn't met with some sort of bewilderment that I would have a problem with FUNimation. "Funimation has done so much for us Dragonball fans and people still don't care." These are your words. You say you understand what is being said to you, and yet you make a statement like that.

FUNimation are middle men. They create nothing. They're glorified delivery boys. And I don't think there's anything outlandish or absurd that some of us have a problem that the "delivery," Dragon Ball Z, is altered to the point that it is when we get it.

[Gaffer Tape]

RE: samuraix123

This is part of why I keep asking you to actually address my specific points because I've already answered this in one of the posts I've made to you within the past hour, and some of your responses have been so off the point from what I'm saying it makes me wonder if you're actually reading them before responding.

If Toei put out a new release of Dragon Ball Z that was cropped to 16:9, I'd be up in arms. I don't care if they made the series. That's still a stupid and terrible thing to do. Fortunately, they've never done that. "Basically" the same thing is not equivalent to being the same thing.

[ErikB]

The whole TV remote can zoom in on BD's is a myth all 3 of my TV's couldn't zoom in on Kai.

You've said this before and people, myself included, told you you were wrong. I even posted an image of my TV with Kai zoomed. So here's some more.
Here's Kai in it's normal state playing on my TV:


Here's the menu button on my blu-ray player remote:


Here's the menu that comes up when I press it:


Here's the Zoom function being used:



As a special bonus, since I'm using the player's Zoom, instead of a TV Zoom, the subtitle maintains its position on-screen. My blu-ray player is a cheap piece of crap. It was the most inexpensive player I could find. I can't imagine any other players not having similar functionality.

[Ajay]

samuraix123, I mentioned it before but I feel like you're missing the point that Toei originally cropped Kai out of necessity for the broadcast. It had to be 16:9 for TV. Home releases were 4:3 so it was fine. They brought out the version as it was intended to be seen.

It's only with the Boo arc that it seems the home releases will be in 16:9 too. Like I said, it's not like we're excusing that. We've been continually shitting on Toei week after week for what they've been doing this time. I don't consider Kai being a separate thing to mean cropping is acceptable. I think they get some leeway as it does feel different due to the score, editing and new performances but on the whole, no.

The FUNi hate isn't unfounded and neither is this new found distaste for Toei's handling of the series.

[samuraix123]

I'm happy with this product though? Why should I care if someone else doesn't like it? I don't. I have the awesome Dragon-boxes I can watch anytime I want.(I'm not saying Ha Ha look what I got that you don't! I would never do that) Does it suck that people who actually want the show in it's proper 4x3 release can't get it because the Dragon-boxes/level sets are out of print? Yeah? again..I can't help that. I support this release AS DO MANY OTHERS! and I like it. I'm not going to change my mind because someone doesn't like it a certain way.

[samuraix123]

RE: samuraix123

This is part of why I keep asking you to actually address my specific points because I've already answered this in one of the posts I've made to you within the past hour, and some of your responses have been so off the point from what I'm saying it makes me wonder if you're actually reading them before responding.

If Toei put out a new release of Dragon Ball Z that was cropped to 16:9, I'd be up in arms. I don't care if they made the series. That's still a stupid and terrible thing to do. Fortunately, they've never done that. "Basically" the same thing is not equivalent to being the same thing.

I apologize 100% I didn't see that. But please tell me these specific points that you want me to address. I thought that I've made my opinion clear. maybe I'm just stupid and really don't understand anything.

[Ajay]

You don't have to dislike it. You can at least appreciate why people are wound up. Like you said, there's no way for fans to own the series in 4:3 in a readily available format nowadays. I don't think anyone's asking you to do much more than show a bit of compassion for fans who have no way to get what they want - especially when what they want is something as simple as the show untouched.

[samuraix123]

You don't have to dislike it. You can at least appreciate why people are wound up. Like you said, there's no way for fans to own the series in 4:3 in a readily available format nowadays. I don't think anyone's asking you to do much more than show a bit of compassion for fans who have no way to get what they want - especially when what they want is something as simple as the show untouched.

I do feel sorry brother for anyone who can't get the proper 4x3 lol I've said that a thousand times lol Heck, I'm one of them that wants it! but I will support this release because I like it.