A Newcomer's Experience

[Ajay]

Once again, can we just not.

This topic doesn't exist to debate the viability of watching the series without seeing Dragon Ball first. It's about discussing your first experiences with the show and how much you enjoyed certain aspects. It's meant to be a positive thread of nostalgic memories and fun. It is not meant to be this argumentative and circular argument of opinion vs. opinion. If you want to argue about that, make another thread.

[ABED]

Because it was the most popular, but that doesn't make it the best. It's not about missing part of the story. You can get any story synopsized, but that isn't the same as experiencing it. Most shows recap the previous season so you can catch up, but you'd be missing out on so much. Kai wasn't just to create new fans, it was created partially for nostalgia, but that's besides the point. I still don't understand the logic of skipping 1/3 of the show. Why not tell her the story up to the Buu arc and just show her that? I'm sure you could recap the story for her up to that point.

So she will miss that part of the story for now. And? There are still so many people that started with DBZ/Kai and still saw the series without any issue. Sure, starting with DB is better, but starting with DBKai isn't a bad start.

Many of us started with Z because we had to, there was no easy access to the beginning. I wish I had been able to start at the beginning, that way Goku's relation to Piccolo, and Piccolo's subsequent turn would've meant so much more.

Ajay, you take argument to be negative, but this isn't about berating anyone.

[Ajay]

Ajay, you take argument to be negative, but this isn't about berating anyone.

I take this to be very off topic and I'm asking to please carry it on elsewhere.

[DBZGTKOSDH]

Kai explained why Goku was so strong, why Tenshinhan & Piccolo were his rivals, and all the basics for the story.

Anyway, if you really want this to continue, open a new thread. I won't reply in this thread from this point.

[ABED]

It's not off topic. I'm saying that the experience is much fuller for a newcomer if you start from the beginning. It's like starting Atlas Shrugged from Part 2 (the book, not the movies). You may be able to play catch up fine, but the experience isn't the same. Again, all you are getting are the basics. You may KNOW but you don't FEEL it quite the same way as someone who saw it from the beginning.

[dbzfan7]

My reaction to the weird debate

Spoiler:

I don't really like Family Guy but that sums this up

Seriously who cares where people start. They can start with fucking GT for all I care. More fans is awesome.

As I said before Ajay, I hope you two can have a good time watching and sharing the fresh take with us.

[Ajay]

I hope you two can have a good time watching and sharing the fresh take with us.

Much appreciated.

Just to try and get things back on track, what do you think of how she's felt so far? Anything that relates similarly to your first experience with the series?

[ABED]

My reaction to the weird debate

Spoiler:

I don't really like Family Guy but that sums this up

Seriously who cares where people start. They can start with fucking GT for all I care. More fans is awesome.

As I said before Ajay, I hope you two can have a good time watching and sharing the fresh take with us.

You're so clever with the witty retort.

Starting with GT isn't a good point because that could turn someone off before they even get started. Anyway, I created a new thread.

[dbzfan7]

You're so clever with the witty retort.

Starting with GT isn't a good point because that could turn someone off before they even get started. Anyway, I created a new thread.

If it bothers you fine...but Ajay is sharing a newcomers experience and he already started. There is no point in telling him to back track into dragon ball now. I would agree that it's best to start with DB....but who cares where anyone starts...as long as they enjoy the material...I'm good.

And thanks for starting another thread.

Much appreciated.

Just to try and get things back on track, what do you think of how she's felt so far? Anything that relates similarly to your first experience with the series?

I'd have to think real hard to remember. It's been so long since my first viewing which in a way was kinda like Kai as a guy named Adamdudeman on youtube cut out the filler in DBZ. Though I probably predate to before that.

[TheAldella]

I never got to see the show in the correct order. I was messin around with VHS tapes from Japan and Toonami XD

I'm enjoying her reactions, though. She seems to genuinely enjoy it and that's what matters, yeah?

[90sDBZ]

I actually saw Z long before DB but I still love DB. In fact when I first saw the King Piccolo saga I actually thought it was better than anything in Z. If the person that you're introducing to the series just wants to see it because they've heard of the OTT action and want that then you might as well start them off with Z or Kai.

Watching DB as a prequel is actually really interesting too because you know how things end up but you don't know how they end up that way. Like when I first saw it I was shocked to find out that most of Goku's allies were enemies to begin with. I was intrigued by how much more interesting Tien's character was in DB. I was intrigued by how there was a much greater emphasis on martial arts. I was intrigued by how Roshi was a major character. And I wasn't put off by how different it was to Z but intrigued by how different it felt to Z which actually made me even more excited to watch it all.

In my opinion someone either likes original DB or they don't and seeing Z before or after ultimately won't affect that too much. If someone is like me and not only loves Z for the action but also for the characters and story then they'll naturally feel like they absolutely need to see DB. But if they're the type of person who doesn't care for story or characters then they'd get bored of DB and give up on it whether or not they've seen Z already.

[dodge2461]

Quick question: Will you be showing her the Bardock and Trunks specials where they fit in the show?

Overall, I'm enjoying reading this.

[Ajay]

Quick question: Will you be showing her the Bardock and Trunks specials where they fit in the show?

Overall, I'm enjoying reading this.

I'd like to although with her watching Kai, I'm not entirely sure where they're best placed.

[TheAldella]

Quick question: Will you be showing her the Bardock and Trunks specials where they fit in the show?

Overall, I'm enjoying reading this.

I'd like to although with her watching Kai, I'm not entirely sure where they're best placed.

Just show her the specials when the enemies are introduced in person. Should show how things work round there. xD

[ABED]

Quick question: Will you be showing her the Bardock and Trunks specials where they fit in the show?

Overall, I'm enjoying reading this.

I'd like to although with her watching Kai, I'm not entirely sure where they're best placed.

Just show her the specials when the enemies are introduced in person. Should show how things work round there. xD

I watch the trunks special after he leaves for the future after giving Goku the medicine, and the Bardock special before the fight against Freeza.

But if they're the type of person who doesn't care for story or characters then they'd get bored of DB and give up on it whether or not they've seen Z already.

Assuming they think the action is better in Z, which many would argue is not the case.

[Ajay]

Alright, I've told her to watch the Bardock special following the episode where Vegeta gives his dying speech prior to Goku and Freeza begin their fight.

I've then got the Trunks special directly after Trunks tells the story of his timeline. I've also given her the option to watch it after the 17 and 18 reveal in case she'd rather see them in the show first prior to seeing their brutality in the special.

It fits better after the speech but I figured it's probably best to give her the option. I think the former is the better place but hey ho.

[Gaffer Tape]

Which story? The one he tells Goku on his first trip or when he's talking to the others on the airship later on? I assume you mean the former since you mention the possibility of seeing #17 and #18 in the series first. But that being the case, I have to say I'd recommend against that. After all, that spoils the surprise *coughretconcough* of it being #17 and #18.

[Ajay]

When Goku first arrives, Trunks tells the story of the two artificial humans who mess up Gohan. The Kai episode ends pretty much immediately after that. I was planning on showing her the special then but I don't believe you actually see #17 and #18's faces in that clip so it would spoil, like you said, their existence and of course the surprise Trunks faces when he sees Gero and #19 for the first time.

I guess the special should go directly after 17 and 18 waking up then?

[Gaffer Tape]

Personally, I'd play both of the specials in between the episodes in which they original aired, but, yeah, after they're activated seems like a good time... although, I dunno. The mechanics of time travel aren't really decided upon by Toriyama until Trunks talks to everyone on the airship, so the fact that Blooma and Trunks don't really seem to be intent upon actually *changing* history might be a little weird (after all, Trunks seemed really afraid on his first trip that letting his personal knowledge get out would somehow jeopardize his existence). Probably not, though. It's a minor point, but I figured I'd throw it out there.

[Ajay]

Personally, I'd play both of the specials in between the episodes in which they original aired.

I'd like to, it's just often hard to find a suitable place in Kai since the episodes all tend to end of huge cliffhangers or in the middle of a battle. Been trying to place them in appropriate downtime really. Any suggestions using Kai's numbering?