New "Remastered Box Set" Information

[BrollysKin]

In this case? It may very well be. And remember, there are twelve commandments and not just ten!

(Li'l Lemmy, the enthusiastic podcast fan. NOW with Broadband-enabled download speeds!)

Oh my.

May the power of Christ compel you.

[Snail]

Godamn orgasmic that's what this is! 0_0

This is fantastic!

The only drag about this is, well, *thinks about how much I spent on previous FUNimation Dragonball Z dvds.*

Like many others, my worry is the whole 'widescreen' statement. Another thing that bothers me is, lack of special features worth watching in future season box sets.

In any case, I love you FUNi?...?..

[Xyex]

I've been thinking about that. It's probably going to be VERY general, something like this:

Saiyan Saga (Or as they like to call it, Vegeta saga)
Namek Saga (This is where I get confused. Either they include the Ginyu episodes in this set or save them for the beginning of the next one)
Freeza Saga
Garlic Junior Saga (*shudders*)
Android Saga (Trunks until the shell of Cell is found)
Cell Saga
World Tournament Saga (Or something like "Majin" saga. Goes from Dai Kaio's tournament until Majin Buu is released from his shell)
Majin Buu Saga

I doubt that they will get any more general then that. They might break up the last one into two parts, but that's a maybe. Hopefully they will keep the box sets in a low number, similar to the list I have above.

I've been thinking about it, too. Though I would discourage getting too ahead of ourselves in this manner, we all know it's fun as hell . . . so here's my thoughts:

Assuming that future sets will contain a similar number of episodes (30-40), here's a hypothesis of how I see the math breaking down:

Season 1 = 39 Episodes (Vegeta)
Season 2 = 32 Episodes (Namek)
Season 3 = 39 Episodes (Ginyu/Freeza)
Season 4 = 34 Episodes (Garlic Jr., likely to be included with Androids/Imperfect Cell)
Season 5 = 40 Episodes (Perfect Cell/Cell Games)
Season 6 = 40 Episodes (Great Saiyaman/World Tournament/Babidi)
Season 7 = 31 Episodes (Majin Buu)
Season 8 = 46 Episodes (Fusion/Kid Buu??) -- I'm not sure about this one.

This is taking into account where logically I would see the sets breaking off, based on where they chose to begin/end each of the previously released boxed sets. FUNi may instead end up choosing to end a set a few episodes into another saga or a few episodes short of one this time around, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Personally, I like them better the way you've calculated them to be. I would hate for them to break apart sagas. But somehow I just can't see them releasing as many episodes per set as your figures would suggest. (50+ in some spots!)

Well, they are calling these season sets so... I'm figuring they'll break where the seasons did. So box 1 will end shortly after Vegeta's defeated. Box 2 will be right after Goku gets to Namek. Box 3 *might* include Garlic Jr. If not, it'll end with Freeza and Garlic Jr. will probably be at the start of Box 4 (I doubt he'd get his own box even if they counted him as his own season). Box 4 will go from there to the end of Cell. Box 5 will do the Otherworld Tournament to Vegeta's self destruct. And then box 6 will finish it up. (Or was the Buu stuff three seasons? In any case...) *drools*

[desirecampbell]

You speak of the podcast as if it were the word of God.

You speak of it as if it weren't

[ShadowAssailantX]

Well, they are calling these season sets so... I'm figuring they'll break where the seasons did. So box 1 will end shortly after Vegeta's defeated. Box 2 will be right after Goku gets to Namek. Box 3 *might* include Garlic Jr. If not, it'll end with Freeza and Garlic Jr. will probably be at the start of Box 4 (I doubt he'd get his own box even if they counted him as his own season). Box 4 will go from there to the end of Cell. Box 5 will do the Otherworld Tournament to Vegeta's self destruct. And then box 6 will finish it up. (Or was the Buu stuff three seasons? In any case...) *drools*

They could always split up seasons by doing a "Season X Volume 1" and "Season X Volume 2" for certain seasons, mainly 4 and 6, just to keep the episode count down there with the rest.

[Grandmaster J]

For the first time, fans will be able to listen to the original Japanese score with either the original Japanese dialogue or the English dialogue

Are you shitting me? This is kinda scary. I was just thinking about this today, and have been wishing for it for a long, long time. This is the reason why I loved the first three DBZ movies that Pioneer did. English voices with the original Japanese BGM; the way it should've been all along, in my opinion at least.

[theoriginalbilis]

Honestly, this whole deal with the dub having the original music shouldn't even be a big deal, since 99% of all anime dubs keep the original music.

But with DBZ, it IS a big deal, because we've barely ever gotten it with a DBZ dub. And now... we're finally getting it.

[protoman]

Yo. I've been lurking around these parts for a while, but I finally registered to share a little theory of my own regarding the widescreen thing.

I hate to bring Toei into this, but I'm thinking that if the widescreen version is the only viewing option available, the widescreen cropping might have something to do with Toei mandating that it must be so. Reasons being...they don't want to compete with their Dragon Box sets, and considering the cost of the Season Sets compared to those of R2 DBZ DVDs, Toei probably wants to keep some leverage on the Dragonball property to discourage Japanese fans from importing. Again, this is just a theory, but considering Toei's lousy track record when it comes to US releases of their biggest properties (Sailor Moon, Dragonball, etc.), it might be possible.

Of course, this all might just be FUNi's doing. In that case, I'm not really that concerned about the widescreen thing. I'm 21 years old, I've been a DBZ fan for ten years, and frankly I'm too tired to bitch about it when this is probably the best release of the show we're going to get for a while. Just the fact that Japanese audio is on the English dub should stop the naysayers. Besides, the show doesn't look THAT bad in widescreen. DBZ was never known for its dynamic cinematography.

One last thing...

I've been hearing fans bicker about video compression due to the episode count per disc, audio tracks, etc. I've been doing a little thinking after watching the trailer, and I have another theory: there probably won't be, at least for the first couple of sets, the redub score or Faulconer score. The trailer is REALLY pushing the fact that the dub includes the Japanese audio on the English dub in 5.1. I know a lot of dub fans are going to be pissed if the dub music is missing. I don't particularly care. Matter of fact, I liked Shuki Levy's score, even though it was out of its element (SOMEONE SHUT IT THE FUCK UP!) But yeah, in short, don't think the English score will be on the DVDs.

This won't surprise me, considering this release is almost specifically catering to fans who have a been LONG TIME fans of DBZ (again: Shunsuke Kikuchi's score), and not the casual fans.

That's my two cents.

[ShadowAssailantX]

I've been hearing fans bicker about video compression due to the episode count per disc, audio tracks, etc. I've been doing a little thinking after watching the trailer, and I have another theory: there probably won't be, at least for the first couple of sets, the redub score or Faulconer score. The trailer is REALLY pushing the fact that the dub includes the Japanese audio on the English dub in 5.1. I know a lot of dub fans are going to be pissed if the dub music is missing. I don't particularly care.

I dunno, if this were the case then why not use a different song for the trailer, perhaps something that was actually from the original JP BGM... I'm pretty sure they'll keep the rebub music, (which I liked just as much as the JP score), but if not I'm glad I kept the UUE DVDs in case this whole audio and widesceen problem turns out for the worse.

Matter of fact, I liked Shuki Levy's score, even though it was out of its element (SOMEONE SHUT IT THE FUCK UP!) But yeah, in short, don't think the English score will be on the DVDs.

Well, you know, there's lots of ins, lots of outs. But anyone who isn't completly excited about all this is about to enter a WORLD OF PAIN.

[Blitzen]

Hey protoman! welcome!

I hate to bring Toei into this, but I'm thinking that if the widescreen version is the only viewing option available, the widescreen cropping might have something to do with Toei mandating that it must be so. Reasons being...they don't want to compete with their Dragon Box sets, and considering the cost of the Season Sets compared to those of R2 DBZ DVDs, Toei probably wants to keep some leverage on the Dragonball property to discourage Japanese fans from importing. Again, this is just a theory, but considering Toei's lousy track record when it comes to US releases of their biggest properties (Sailor Moon, Dragonball, etc.), it might be possible.

It's a convincing enough theory but I addressed something similar to this. The Dragonboxes were released over three years ago- anyone who wanted them already has them. The singles are nearly over and done with, so it's not like the same episodes are being competed agianst since anyone who wanted Z, but didn't get the boxes, would've gotten the singles. If they're looking around for cheaper foriegn releases, they could have gone the R3 route which was already done years before these sets, and is more economical. Also, importing DVDs and what not to Japan is pretty expensive anyway so it's completely not worth it.

Of course, this all might just be FUNi's doing. In that case, I'm not really that concerned about the widescreen thing. I'm 21 years old, I've been a DBZ fan for ten years, and frankly I'm too tired to bitch about it when this is probably the best release of the show we're going to get for a while. Just the fact that Japanese audio is on the English dub should stop the naysayers. Besides, the show doesn't look THAT bad in widescreen. DBZ was never known for its dynamic cinematography.

It's just another fork in the road. Some people will take more of an issue with it than others. It simply doesn't need to be done. They wouldn't have the appropriate materials to basically blow the image up by some, and it wasn;t ever meant to be widescreen unlike the movies. It's just a question of 'why'. If people really wanted a non-widescreen intended show to take up all the space on their widescreen TV, why not just use the Zoom function since that's basically what it is going to look like in the end?

But I can also understand that people are generally sick and tired and want to get some kind of release before DVD dies.

I've been hearing fans bicker about video compression due to the episode count per disc, audio tracks, etc. I've been doing a little thinking after watching the trailer, and I have another theory: there probably won't be, at least for the first couple of sets, the redub score or Faulconer score. The trailer is REALLY pushing the fact that the dub includes the Japanese audio on the English dub in 5.1. I know a lot of dub fans are going to be pissed if the dub music is missing. I don't particularly care. Matter of fact, I liked Shuki Levy's score, even though it was out of its element (SOMEONE SHUT IT THE FUCK UP!) But yeah, in short, don't think the English score will be on the DVDs.

This won't surprise me, considering this release is almost specifically catering to fans who have a been LONG TIME fans of DBZ (again: Shunsuke Kikuchi's score), and not the casual fans.

That's my two cents.

Thing is, there are a lot of 'casual' fans who people don't seem to realise are, infact, long term fans. They just have different preferences to those who are more in favour of the Japanese version. Speculation again, but I'm thinking the 5.1 will be the original English version, whereas the Japanese-faithful English version will be 2.0 or whatever.

[Li'l Lemmy]

But I can also understand that people are generally sick and tired and want to get some kind of release before DVD dies.

Ha! You're not kidding.

While technically I think the out-and-out "demise" of DVD is still far off, I just want the damned set. Regardless of whether it does or doesn't come out in widescreen, regardles of how many people want or do not want widescreen; just give us the episodes, PLEASE.

Don't get me wrong: I too will share the "why?" opinion if the whole widescreen thing turns out to be our only option, and I would absolutely encourage FUNimation to listen as best they can to the concerns of their customers at all times-- particularly now. But if this is the best set they can produce before February 6th, then that's where it ends for me: I'll be happy either way, because it still looks like something worth purchasing.

After having gone through watching the old Ocean reruns, been hit over the head with the cast change, disliked and then liked the new voices, watched the whole series through, anticipated the redub, purchased the redub, taped the redub because the releases weren't coming out fast enough, then bought more of the redub only to find out that they've very quietly cancelled the redub releases and gone on hiatus for nearly a year to go in an entirely different direction? . . . not to mention having become familiar with the original Japanese somewhere in all that? We've all been through pretty much the same rigamaroll.

And, I'm simply tired of fighting the War in general, a-course-- eyecatchers, next-episode previews (yeah, I kinda want those), birates, the number of episodes per disc, widescreen cropping; all valid complaints, I grant, all worthy of discussion and debate, but even STILL . . .

I just want . . . the 39 episodes in a bilingual language set that comes in one box and saves space on my shelf. I've been hearing about it for what feels like forever and a day, and if this is what we get then I'm sure as hell taking it (and dammit, once they commit to this they better not change or stop it midway through again). For me, it's the best news of the year just to hear that the whole series is getting the same consistent treatment with a unified shelf design and an honest remastering attempt-- all things that I guarantee they didn't have to do and probably almost didn't-- and for once I just want to enjoy myself without bitching and complaining . . . as I'm sure is the same case with everyone here, even those who are rightfully and justifiably concerned about what's included and what isn't.

Okay, FUNi? If this is what you're giving to us, then so be it. Please take my money; it's never been too far up my ass for you to take it before. I don't want it to be delayed again, I don't want it to be cancelled again, I don't want it to disappear again; either put it in my hands or I just might take yours off.

Whew!

On a lighter note (and as I referenced on page 6), I think it wise that we all keep our eyes on Mr. Labrie this week. I could be wrong, but my instincts are telling me that he's holding back some unknown detail; he hasn't rendered his opinion on the news either way, and he doesn't seem at all concerned about the rumors flying around at present. So . . . we'll see.

[desirecampbell]

Well, you know, there's lots of ins, lots of outs. But anyone who isn't completly excited about all this is about to enter a WORLD OF PAIN.

"The dude", FTW!

I'm starting to get worried about this 'widescreen' thing. I mean, what if Toei has some kind of contractual stipulation that limits what Funi can put out? Like, Funi wants the dragonbox masters but isn't allowed to use them - except for some loophole they just found: widescreen.

Of course this is all speculation, and the official release apparently didn't say anything about widescreen - so I'm not too worried yet.

But it's growing. The fear is expanding.

[Kirbopher]

HIGH DEF DBZ BOXSETS COMING IN 2007......
Funimation has just announced they are repackaging the entire "Dragonball Z" saga (yep, all 291 episodes).....cheaper, uncut and remastered in high-def!

Starting February 7, 2007, you can pick up the first dvd boxset, which includes the entire Vegeta saga (39 episodes on five discs). The original Japanese score with be selectable with both Japanese and English versions for the first time as well. Bonus features include a "making of" section for the new high definition Dragon Ball Z masters. There is also revised English dialogue and a brand new 5.1 surround audio mix.

I've heard these new HD remastered versions look amazing, and at just 50 bucks, this definitely provides fans a cheaper way to collect one of the longest running anime sagas in history.

For cast continuity's sake, I've recently had to fly back to Texas to record the Narrator for 100 episodes (to replace the original Texas narrator, Dale Kelley, who bookended the Captain Ginyu saga through the Cell Saga). I've still got about a solid week worth of recording to fit in between now and early next year to finish up.

(Copy and Pasted from Kyle Hebert's Livejournal)

[Kula]

I'm starting to get worried about this 'widescreen' thing. I mean, what if Toei has some kind of contractual stipulation that limits what Funi can put out? Like, Funi wants the dragonbox masters but isn't allowed to use them - except for some loophole they just found: widescreen.

Which leads me to the question...would you rather have excellent Dragonbox quality footage, but widescreen (cropped) or slightly worse quality Funi masters with full screen? Personally I'd take the full screen versions. At the moment however I'm not going to try and guess what it'll be because we don't know for sure.

I just hope they don't cancel them halfway through in favour of something else. In terms of releasing them, it'd be great if they all came out within a year.

[tarsonis]

I don't understand how they're 'high-def', which would imply 720 or 1080 resolutions. DVDs are only encoded at 480. Or are they're planning on HD-DVD or Bluray releases?

[Alucard]

Hmm, let's do a comparison:






Well, I'd say it looks decent, but not on par with the Dragon Boxes (and on top of that, it's widescreen...). Nonetheless, FUNimation has done an excellent job re-releasing the series, and I'm sure most companies wouldn't do such a thing.

[Tenken]

Did you just compare a low-bitrate wmv encode to the dragonboxes? Um, yeah...i think you did... O_o

Let's not compare until we have dvds. Though the dragonboxes may indeed be better, it really won't be fair until then.

[Azure]

Wowee, I don't check the anime news sites for a few days and this. It's marvelous stuff, the price is decent and I'm actually really suprised and pleased about the selectable music score. I love the Japanese cast but I'm willing with this new release to give a fair chance to the FUNi dub cast.
The UK manga release of Dragon Ball has just got to #15, so with this coming out I'll probably stop at #16 and switch to the anime.
Thatt revised dialogue thing is interesting is that just season 1 or are they going to tweak later on?

This has made my day =3

[Castor Troy]

According to Kyle Hebert's LJ - http://gohanvox.livejournal.com/84226.html

He's redubbing the narrarator to replace Dale Kelly for 100 episodes which make up season 3 and part of season 4. No word if anyone else will be redubbing anything or if Faulconer's music will be replaced.

[John]

Oh Mr. Vegetto Ex, you wacky Brazilian fire dancer, you...

Please, for the love of Pete, if you have information now, could you let us know what's up? Or is it the case where you'll find out this weekend?

I know it's your site and it's your right to choose how long we drool, but.. DaizEX is a news site (among other things). Shouldn't news sites report news as it comes in?

Sorry if I'm jumping to dumb conclusions and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!