Kai or Z?

[Insertclevername]

The Japanese version of Z. Filler included. Personally, watching Dragon Ball Z is a bit of a novelty. Maybe I'm just weird but I have no problem with the filler; any time I watch Z I never get impatient with it because I already know the overall story and I'm just here to enjoy the nostalgic, albeit drawn-out ride.

[orbweaver]

I am watching Kai from the beginning (only seen bits and pieces before) and I must say it's growing on me. Some of the plots actually make sense now, the character development makes more sense. The dialogue is better, the voices are WAY less overacted.

Also, there isn't the dissonance of Vegeta changing voice actors a quarter of the way in.

The soundtrack is finally growing on me.

I was resistant, but there's hope for me yet.

[Fizzer]

Pros for Kai:

+It doesn't drag balls.

+The dub is awesome, and as accurate as it could be without contradicting earlier work in larger ways ("Guardian of Earth")


Pro's for Z:

+It has the filler that's actually good - story filled that isn't just Roshi perv scenes, stare-downs, camera-pans and a few extra punches.

+It has good music. Kai doesn't anymore. I actually which Yamamoto has just got away with it, at least until Part 8 had been released.

[Cipher]

A year ago I would have said Z without question.

I've been making my way through the Blu-Ray sets of Kai on and off for about the last six months, though, which is my first time seeing it, and now I don't know. It's definitely more watchable in places, though the longer I go on, the more I realize I was right about its myriad direction problems. Soundtrack-wise, while I enjoy the variety of tracks the show has from the get-go, you really do start to feel how limited their selection of Kikuchi tracks is as it goes on (never liked the Yamamoto score). You do lose the universe-building bits of enjoyable filler. Visually, the show has never looked better than in Kai.

So, I don't know. Almost a toss-up, but I'd probably direct new viewers to Kai, and I think it's going to be the source of most of my re-watches in the future.

EDIT-- I'm only talking about the Japanese versions. I've caught bits and pieces of the Kai dub but still don't have a strong desire to watch it all the way through. Maybe on a future second run through the series.

[RocktheDragon]

The Japanese version of Z. Filler included. Personally, watching Dragon Ball Z is a bit of a novelty. Maybe I'm just weird but I have no problem with the filler; any time I watch Z I never get impatient with it because I already know the overall story and I'm just here to enjoy the nostalgic, albeit drawn-out ride.

In theory (speaking from personal experience here) what you say you do is something I would love to do. Just watch DBZ for what it is and what it is in all its glory. It also has the benefit of having the best voice cast in the original Japanese audio so there is that. But the filler has really become so grating to my wife and I lately that it is impossible for us to sit down and regularly watch. Much of the filler, in our personal subjective opinion, is not well done to warrant a full sit through and we just cringe when scenes and story lines are extended for no other reason but to waste time. But I totally see your point of view and there are times when I do actually feel like watching the original DBZ anime but those times just crop up less and less these days.

[RocktheDragon]

EDIT-- I'm only talking about the Japanese versions. I've caught bits and pieces of the Kai dub but still don't have a strong desire to watch it all the way through. Maybe on a future second run through the series.

That is honestly the beautiful part of having access to so many dubs and variations of the original voice work. It's a totally new experience to watch either DBZ or Kai in English, Spanish, Korean, etc. I love to watch various dubs and it's one way I can stomach rewatching Kai or Z multiple times in giving me a reason to experience something new.

[SingleFringe&Sparks]

Z - For Cell Saga to Buu
Kai For Saiyan Sga, Namek Saga, Freeza Saga and Uub Arc.

Z - For Bruce Music
Kai - For Script (mostly)

[B]

Z - For Cell Saga to Buu
Kai For Saiyan Sga, Namek Saga, Freeza Saga and Uub Arc.

I can't believe FUNimation never used "The Uub Saga".

[Duo]

Z - For Cell Saga to Buu
Kai For Saiyan Sga, Namek Saga, Freeza Saga and Uub Arc.

I can't believe FUNimation never used "The Uub Saga".

It sure does seem like they get needlessly specific with those "sagas" most of the time, especially with how they're misusing the term "saga" to begin with. It's too bad they didn't take it far enough to include an Appule Saga.

[Baggie_Saiyan]

I agree with Blade I can't stand Colleen as Gohan and Luffy for that matter, just can't. I don't mind Gohan sounding similar Goku (they are father and son).
Also, Kai being in 4x3 is a mojor for me. However, the Dub is pretty good (with a few exceptions) had FUNImation not gone and done a complete re-dub, I probably wouldn't have even touched Kai.

As for the topic, I enjoy both. Whenever Z gets too long, I switch to Kai, but lately I've sold my Kai to raise funds for the new DBZ Season sets, and I wil go back and get Kai again after I buy all nine seasons of Z. Weird I know, but Kai isn't going anywhere and hopefully it will be licensed in the UK by then.

[Luso Saiyan]

Also, Kai being in 4x3 is a mojor for me.

How is OAR a bad thing?

[Ajay]

Also, Kai being in 4x3 is a mojor for me.

Uh, what? Why would you want to butcher half the picture. Do some blackbars really upset you that much?

[TheAldella]

Perhaps he prefers the selective cropping that Toei gave Kai. (It was nicely done...)

[Baggie_Saiyan]

Also, Kai being in 4x3 is a mojor for me.

Uh, what? Why would you want to butcher half the picture. Do some blackbars really upset you that much?

Yes they do. As much as 16x9 upsets you. Since Kai was "refreshed"would have made sense to use 16x9 on the home release.

[ABED]

Also, Kai being in 4x3 is a mojor for me.

Uh, what? Why would you want to butcher half the picture. Do some blackbars really upset you that much?

Yes they do. As much as 16x9 upsets you. Since Kai was "refreshed"would have made sense to use 16x9 on the home release.

Except the blackbars on the sides don't necessitate cutting the frames of the footage.

[Kojiro Sasaki]

Yes they do. As much as 16x9 upsets you.

16:9 also upsets me. I want all 16:9 shows to be cropped at the sides because I cannot stand the lack of black pillars.

I strongly prefer Z:

1. Old school atmosphere.
2. Original and complete score.
3. Original cast and voice performances.
4. I'm deciding what to do with filler (or pacing). If I want it I'm watching it, If I don't want it I'm skipping it. Paying money for this possibility is the last thing I would do.

The more Dragon Ball, the better.

[Luso Saiyan]

Yes they do. As much as 16x9 upsets you.

I'm sure your TV has a zoom option.

Since Kai was "refreshed"would have made sense to use 16x9 on the home release.

Being "refreshed" doesn't mean ignoring the aspect ratio of the source material. Kai is a cut, not a remake.

[Baggie_Saiyan]

This "zoom button" is a myth. I've tried on 3 different TV's from different companies, the result the same.

[Ajay]

This "zoom button" is a myth.

What? How is it a myth? I literally own 4 TVs that have this feature.

[VegettoEX]

This "zoom button" is a myth. I've tried on 3 different TV's from different companies, the result the same.

What is this "myth"? What is this "same" result?

I've never encountered a TV and/or receiver setup that didn't offer me the option to destroy the image either by center-zoom-cropping it and/or stretching it sideways.