The DBZ Season One Review: R.I.P.

Duo · Post by **Duo** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:38 am

We fought. We lost. I consider this the conclusion of the grand battle between fans and FUNimation that started years ago over the dubbing. It was fun, but I think the whole thing is going to be put to rest and the entire series will be released this way and then will probably not be released again, or at least for a good few years to come.

So, we can look back, remember how we tried, and live with the fact we know better and chose better, regardless of the result. My Manga and fragmented 3 eps per disc DVD's will be what I live on, and that's that.

tinlunlau · Post by **tinlunlau** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:47 am

The only added touch i liked was the english dub with the original japanese bgm part.

ETC123 · Post by **ETC123** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:16 am

tinlunlau wrote:The only added touch i liked was the english dub with the original japanese bgm part.

Even then, it was badly mixed and the script is still ridiculously bad.

Anonymous Friend · Post by **Anonymous Friend** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:14 pm

I guess I'm the only one who never care about the widescreen controversy or any of the other problem with the release. I just want to be able to watch the show whenever I want. And I'm looking forward to the next release and those after that.

BrollysKin · Post by **BrollysKin** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:06 pm

Duo wrote:We fought. We lost. I consider this the conclusion of the grand battle between fans and FUNimation that started years ago over the dubbing. It was fun, but I think the whole thing is going to be put to rest and the entire series will be released this way and then will probably not be released again, or at least for a good few years to come.

So, we can look back, remember how we tried, and live with the fact we know better and chose better, regardless of the result. My Manga and fragmented 3 eps per disc DVD's will be what I live on, and that's that.

Yeah that about sums it up. We fought good and hard guys, I'm proud of our own individual efforts and also of our group efforts. No matter how many people we educate, more idiots just keep coming.

Dayspring · Post by **Dayspring** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 2:04 pm

Interesting. So since I have little to no anime of DBZ (I got the movies and TV specials. Everything I take from the manga), should I get this since it's so bloody cheap? Or is it too unbearable to watch and I should save my $30?

Sebastian (SB) · Post by **Sebastian (SB)** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 2:32 pm

Dayspring wrote:Interesting. So since I have little to no anime of DBZ (I got the movies and TV specials. Everything I take from the manga), should I get this since it's so bloody cheap? Or is it too unbearable to watch and I should save my $30?

From someone who had the set (& pretty everything else you mentioned) for quite a while....yes. At first, it wasn't so unbearable but after it does kind of catch on here & there. It's just not the widescreen, but as God said, the set is just a crock of lies. From the remastering to the advertising itself. I've just come to accept I'll never be able to watch all 298 episodes w/ english subs in the right format. Even so, I have the manga to comfort me.

BlueSky · Post by **Kaboom** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:06 pm

Dayspring wrote:Interesting. So since I have little to no anime of DBZ (I got the movies and TV specials. Everything I take from the manga), should I get this since it's so bloody cheap? Or is it too unbearable to watch and I should save my $30?

It's plenty watchable and enjoyable if you don't make a big deal about the widescreen and other problems, get over it, and accept that this is the best you're getting from FUNimation.

Dayspring · Post by **Dayspring** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:55 pm

Thanks. I think I'll get it.

Anybody else think FUNi's waiting until the 25th anniversary of DB to release the boxsets we thought this would be?

Anonymous Friend · Post by **Anonymous Friend** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:20 pm

When is the 25th anniversary?

DBW · Post by **DBW** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:00 pm

Anonymous Friend wrote:When is the 25th anniversary?

For the anime? February 26, 2011

And I'm sure FUNimation isn't even aware of these dates, so I predict no secret box sets.

ETC123 · Post by **ETC123** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:26 pm

SSj Kaboom wrote: It's plenty watchable and enjoyable if you don't make a big deal about the widescreen and other problems, get over it, and accept that this is the best you're getting from FUNimation.

In other words: gave up having standards, and sold out for a product that is more or less an insult to not only your intelligence, but any kind of integrity you have.

Hey, I'm allowed my words here too.

BlueSky · Post by **Kaboom** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:29 pm

ETC123 wrote:
SSj Kaboom wrote: It's plenty watchable and enjoyable if you don't make a big deal about the widescreen and other problems, get over it, and accept that this is the best you're getting from FUNimation.
In other words: gave up having standards, and sold out for a product that is more or less an insult to not only your intelligence, but any kind of integrity you have.

In other words: buy a stupid DVD boxset for a blinkin' cartoon and not worry about it or take it personally.

Jerseymilk · Post by **Jerseymilk** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:33 pm

ETC123 wrote:
SSj Kaboom wrote: It's plenty watchable and enjoyable if you don't make a big deal about the widescreen and other problems, get over it, and accept that this is the best you're getting from FUNimation.
In other words: gave up having standards, and sold out for a product that is more or less an insult to not only your intelligence, but any kind of integrity you have.

Hey, I'm allowed my words here too.

Hey I think you're getting a tad bit carried away here. Yes I feel the same about these boxed sets too and don't intend to purchase them because it's just one more sale "in support of these below par DVDs". But for you to go around harshly insulting people about their choice is overstepping the line. Not everybody feels the same way and doesn't hold the series to the same level. You need to recognize and except that you're not going to convince everyone. There's no need to villify them for that. It just ends up making you look like an abrasive elitist, and quite frankly, doesn't help our cause. You know what they say about "luring more flies with honey" after all.

In other words: Lighten up.

Post by **desirecampbell** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:50 pm

ETC123 wrote:
SSj Kaboom wrote: It's plenty watchable and enjoyable if you don't make a big deal about the widescreen and other problems, get over it, and accept that this is the best you're getting from FUNimation.
In other words: gave up having standards, and sold out for a product that is more or less an insult to not only your intelligence, but any kind of integrity you have.
Hey, I'm allowed my words here too.

In other words: if it's worth thirty bucks to you, then get it. In other words: noone needs to justify their purchase. In other words: buy what you want.

ETC123 · Post by **ETC123** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:52 pm

SSj Kaboom wrote: In other words: buy a stupid DVD boxset for a blinkin' cartoon and not worry about it or take it personally.

Nice to see that it's a stupid cartoon! Show your colours right there and then

But for you to go around harshly insulting people about their choice is overstepping the line. Not everybody feels the same way and doesn't hold the series to the same level. You need to recognize and except that you're not going to convince everyone. There's no need to villify them for that. It just ends up making you look like an abrasive elitist, and quite frankly, doesn't help our cause. You know what they say about "luring more flies with honey" after all.

Okay, look at it from my point of view- What I want is a 4:3 release of a show that has not been released properly in English. FUNimation, in their infinite wisdom, decide to do this, but spend about a million dollars or so removing 16% of the footage, removing details, and altering the colours and yet go on about 'NO COMPRIMISES" and the like. Yet when I stand up for it, on a forum that is supposed to be a somewhat the last and ONLY intelligent DBZ forum, they're still carrying on buying this schlock up. It's an edited release. If people weren't so tired of being dicked around, they'd stand up to it, and still should.

I'm not insulting you as a person, I'm insulting your standards and your desicions. We've all had this dance before, but as long as people say "you know, it's fine for $30", I'll be there to say "no, it's not". Make of it what you will, but given the circumstances and where I'm posting I'm absolutely allowed to stick up for what I believe in, because in all honestly I'm one of the few people who won't actually put up with this bullshit. It's completely unacceptable, substandard, and an insult.

This isn't to say people should buy unsubbed releases- I'm not even suggesting that. I'm saying people should stick it to FUNimation to release something acceptable. It doesnt matter how you justify it- removing 16% of the footage is an edit. It's a deliberate edit. Why should people stand for it?

In other words: if it's worth thirty bucks to you, then get it. In other words: noone needs to justify their purchase. In other words: buy what you want.

Ain't nothing better than shoving your fingers in your ears and going LALALALALA CANT HEAR A THING now is there

edit: work now, finish later

Post by **desirecampbell** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:12 pm

ETC123 wrote:work now, finish later

No, no. We'll finish this now.

ETC123 wrote:Okay, look at it from my point of view- What I want is a 4:3 release

There. Right there is the point I, and everyone else, has been trying to make. What you want. Everyone has their own wants, and everyone weighs these different wants to different degrees. One person may really really want 4:3 untouched video, while another person might not care that much about it. Another person might even want a cropped widescreen version.
One person might really want the Ocean dub, another might really want Funi's VAs, another might want Daimao's subtitles, another might not care which audio he gets (because he's more interested in the video).
One person might not want the DVD case to be large, another might want as durable a box as possible, another person might not care at all.
One person might be hoping for DVD extras, while another might not want anything other than the episodes themselves.

All these people are fans of the series. They all know that it was animated in 4:3, aired in Japanese, and has been dicked around by Funi for years. As long as they know all the facts, their decision is as valid as anyone else's.

What you want in a release, and what any one else wants might be entirely different. It's fine to state your opinion on why you aren't buying it - but you go to far when you insinuate that those who do buy it are lesser fans.

gohanku · Post by **gohanku** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:02 am

Come on guys don't go flaming each other over this now. We just buried the Boxset with that final review and now what are you guys doing, restarting everything again? Shame on you.

ETC123 · Post by **ETC123** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 3:24 am

desirecampbell wrote: No, no. We'll finish this now.

Yeah cue the dramatics.

GUNDAM FIGHT! READY... GO!.

There. Right there is the point I, and everyone else, has been trying to make. What you want. Everyone has their own wants, and everyone weighs these different wants to different degrees. One person may really really want 4:3 untouched video, while another person might not care that much about it. Another person might even want a cropped widescreen version.

You are correct in regarding my own needs and wants as well, you know, my own. You get no argument except that a 4;3 release is not a bewilderingly large expectation. They have a 4:3 version, they released an incomplete one. OAR is the industry standard, especially for 4:3 TV shows, so what I am wanting is something that should have been provided to EVERYONE.

It's an incredibly basic thing, it's almost insane how simple it isI'm suprised I can make such a mountian of a molehill out of it, except the fact that it never should have been 16:9 in the first place. It's a collosal slap in the face to how things are done, it's not "revolutionary", and it's an edit.

One person might really want the Ocean dub, another might really want Funi's VAs, another might want Daimao's subtitles, another might not care which audio he gets (because he's more interested in the video).
In regards to actors and such, I will give them the benefit of the doubt- there is still a choice. You can still chose English or Japanese. I gave up on a faithful english release some time ago so I could settle, because the market for DBZ called for that sort of well... 'retooling', as they say.

One person might not want the DVD case to be large, another might want as durable a box as possible, another person might not care at all.
Again true, but given the day and age, the advancements in technology and what not, and the relative ease of DVD-insert quality paper, colour printers, and spare/customizeable DVD cases, making a custom cover/case is not a hard thing to do. Synching an expensive/import/both DVD release to a domestic release is something that really shouldn't happen.

One person might be hoping for DVD extras, while another might not want anything other than the episodes themselves.
Extras for such old shows are generally pretty fickle, as outside of adverts and such there really isn't much in the way they can offer outside of their own extras which are more or less targetted towards fans of the dub.

But it's not the point I'm arguing here.

All these people are fans of the series. They all know that it was animated in 4:3, aired in Japanese, and has been dicked around by Funi for years. As long as they know all the facts, their decision is as valid as anyone else's.
If they know what the show was, and how it's being presented, their desicion is not valid, or at the very least, it's ill-informed. You are buying a more or less censored version of the work. You are buying a release with 16% cut from it. You are allowing every future version, on HDDVD/bluray/whatever the hell else to be done like this. THink of it, it's HD master, used more or less for a SD DVD. When we get past normal DVD, it's going to look even worse.

I'm doing this yes, sure, for my wants, but also because of an industry standard that people have fought hard to get, and is now being completely corrupted/perverted for an entirely insane, nonsensical reason.

[quote[What you want in a release, and what any one else wants might be entirely different. It's fine to state your opinion on why you aren't buying it - but you go to far when you insinuate that those who do buy it are lesser fans.

Yeah the thing is, though, i don't insinuate, I'm flat out telling you that you are. Why? I've already said. Standards.

The future of a compotent release in the future lies completely in shambles because less than the appropriate ammount of people publically took issue with it. As I said before, you'll think I'm right eventually, though you wont like it, but it'll be done way after the time something could've changed it.

I'm also seeing cries of elitism- that's not the case here. I couldn't care less what you buy, so long as it isn't this release. You see, just about every release, barring a scant few, were atleast presented with a modicum of accuracy- they retained the original aspect ratio, they retained options for languages and subtitles (assuming they weren't from Japan directly).

I don't buy, nor support edited releases of anything. I don't encourage others to do so either, because it's wrong. It's also wrong for FUNimation to not give a choice when they KNOW they can offer it, and so can everyone else. It's also more or less WRONG for companies to lie about things, which they have done, again, and again. This is not a matter of opinion, it's fact. They lied, they failed to deliver, and this is what I am going up against.

I'm beggining to realise the lack of new people, and the somewhat stale stance on this forum about this issue isn't going to clear up. I may very well make posts about this in the future, i may not, but it moreso leans on the latter.

I never meant to imply any of you were bad people and it's a shame you've taken it that way. But for those of you who bought the release knowing full well what it meant (and you did), you're terrible fans, by any measure.

Kula · Post by **Kula** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:01 am

ETC123, I agree with pretty much everything you've said. What you want, what I want and what pretty much everybody else wants (at least on this forum) is a 4:3 release. It isn't some fancy DVD extra, it's what the footage should have been like in the first place. It's probably the most simple thing to get right.

Think about it. If this release had been 4:3, would everyone be demanding 16:9? Of course not. What we do have though is a 16:9 release with a lot of people demanding 4:3.

I wouldn't go sar far as to call everyone buying it (with knowledge of the issue) a 'terrible fan', but it is very frustrating to have any prospect of a decent release ruined because of the purchases of other people that you have no control over.