Dragon Ball: The Complete Illustrations. *Updated With Pics*

[MagicBox]

Finally went home and actually looked through mine, so I'll mirror everyone else's comments and just say that this is superb. It feels so wierd to actually have a Daizenshuu. With all the fanbase's constant talk of how rare and acclaimed these are, they kinda get burned into your head as something you'll never have. Glad to see that's no longer the case, even if only for book one.

After looking over the thread again, I noticed something: this is the first real English DragonBall product ever that nobody has a single thing to complain about. It's a strange feeling.

EDIT: Scratch that. The Shenlong Times wasn't translated. But still, that's not that big of a deal, is it? I mean, that's such a minor addition that its exclusion falls into a territory of irrelevancy, at least for me. Casual fans don't know it exists and hardcore fans can read it over at Kanzentai.

[Herms]

EDIT: Scratch that. The Shenlong Times wasn't translated. But still, that's not that big of a deal, is it? I mean, that's such a minor addition that its exclusion falls into a territory of irrelevancy, at least for me. Casual fans don't know it exists and hardcore fans can read it over at Kanzentai.

That is a slight imperfection but I don't think anyone's really complained about it, probably for the reasons you said. And really, even with the Japanese edition of Daizenshuu 1, you'd be darn lucky to find one that included the Shenlong Times. Mine didn't have one, for instance (I had to rely on Hujio for scans when translating it for Kanzentai).

[SSj_Rambo]

Viz actually has a chance to give us a better release then Japan got for the same product. If VIZ were to fix a few of the minor labeling errors in the Daizenshuu that would be a plus compared to the original (though I doubt that VIZ cares that much about little details, or has anyone willing to scrutinize it that deeply, or search the web for all of the little mistakes that Herms has pointed out). And if they give Daizenshuu 10 a hardcover release (either on it's own or added into Daizenshuu 5 and 6) it would be a lot better than the ridiculously thin paperback one that Japan originally got. Also if they gave all 7 issues of the Shenlong Times a complete, single release in the form of their own book I would see it as better than the individual paper inserts that came with the books in Japan. Also I wouldn't put it past VIZ to (if and when they release all 7+) to give all of the books that they release a nice cardboard box to hold them all (as part of a box set featuring all of the volumes), a lot like the box set that the manga are now getting and many of the DVD and VHS releases recieved back in the day.

[omegacwa]

Just got this in the mail today. Awesome book. I really hope Viz puts out the rest of the daizenshuu.

[Herms]

Viz actually has a chance to give us a better release then Japan got for the same product. If VIZ were to fix a few of the minor labeling errors in the Daizenshuu that would be a plus compared to the original (though I doubt that VIZ cares that much about little details, or has anyone willing to scrutinize it that deeply, or search the web for all of the little mistakes that Herms has pointed out).

Speaking of which, can someone tell me what Viz did with the picture index entry for the picture of third form Freeza? In the original they mistakenly refer to it as second form Freeza, so did Viz correct this or leave it as is?

Also if they gave all 7 issues of the Shenlong Times a complete, single release in the form of their own book I would see it as better than the individual paper inserts that came with the books in Japan.

All of the Shenlong Times put together would be only 42 pages (7 issues, 8 pages each), which would be rather short for an individual release. Maybe they'd squeeze them into one of the later volumes, like they did with Toriyama's "Ask Me Anything Corner" in the tankoubon.

[Hero 004]

I saw it in Barnes and Noble tonight and looked through tabit. It's definately a very cool book, especially the interview. I didn't buy it though because as huge a fan as I am, it's really pricey at 25 bucks. Also, I'm not as interested in the complete illustrations as I am the story guide and the rest of them to follow (minus the card ones).
At the same time I really want to get it in order to help influence Viz release the next one. Probably when it goes down in price, really excited that the Daizenshuu are in the States though.

[Brad Redfield]

If you have a Borders near by, go and become a Borders Rewards member. (Its free.) Every week you get a printable coupon that ranges from 15 to 40% off any title.

Its a great way to save cash on the more expensive books.

[Forgotten Hero]

That is a slight imperfection but I don't think anyone's really complained about it, probably for the reasons you said. And really, even with the Japanese edition of Daizenshuu 1, you'd be darn lucky to find one that included the Shenlong Times. Mine didn't have one, for instance (I had to rely on Hujio for scans when translating it for Kanzentai).

Wow, so we are lucky to even have the Shenlong Times...I feel special, jk!
But still, who would have though this Daizenshuu would be praised so much!
Not me, most of the broads I have browsed in the past, and not the podcast. Hell! They didn't even want it to come out here in America.

[MagicBox]

Speaking of which, can someone tell me what Viz did with the picture index entry for the picture of third form Freeza? In the original they mistakenly refer to it as second form Freeza, so did Viz correct this or leave it as is?

It's still referred to as his second form.

I'll also point out the "Hercule" vs. "Mr. Satan" moments. The commentary for image 198 leaves everything translated perfectly and tells us that the writing on the car indeed stands for "Satan City Police Dept." However, in image 252's commentary, Mr. Satan's name is changed to "Hercule" yet again.

[SSJ4FatGogeta]

Well, maybe they mean "Second Transformed State." For example, SS2 is Gohan's third form overall, but it's his second transformed state...

As for the Hercule versus Satan deal, I think Hercule can be his first name and Satan his family name. Despite not fitting the Japanese naming conventions, it's at least a tenable answer for Americans.

If they don't edit any of the actual images, but refer to him by his more common American name, then it's on the same level as Krillin images that say "Kulilin" on his clothes, but refer to him as Krillin.

EDIT: Also, did anyone else notice the copyright information? It calls the book's original (Japan, 1995) title "DragonBall Daizenshu: Complete Illustrations!"

[Adamant]

As for the Hercule versus Satan deal, I think Hercule can be his first name and Satan his family name. Despite not fitting the Japanese naming conventions, it's at least a tenable answer for Americans.

And it's still complete bullshit pulled from Viz' asses, and has nothing to do in a translation.

[Herms]

Well, maybe they mean "Second Transformed State." For example, SS2 is Gohan's third form overall, but it's his second transformed state...

I thought that might have been it, since in Japanese they do sometimes use that naming scheme for his forms (calling his final form his "third-transformation form", for instance), but looking at it now it clearly calls it his second form (dai-ni keitai).

As for the Hercule versus Satan deal, I think Hercule can be his first name and Satan his family name. Despite not fitting the Japanese naming conventions, it's at least a tenable answer for Americans.

In DragonBall Forever's name pun guide, Toriyama said that he thinks "Mister Satan" is just a stage name, so going by that it can't be that "Hercule" is his first name and "Satan" his last. I guess you could then say that "Mister Satan" is his stage name and "Hercule" is his real name, but that's still just making up stuff that's nowhere in the original, which like Adamant says has no place in a translation. If I remember right, I think Viz did completely alter the dialog from when Satan is introduced on TV, with the announcer guy saying that he was known as "Mister Satan" during his wrestling career but now goes by "Hercule".

EDIT: Also, did anyone else notice the copyright information? It calls the book's original (Japan, 1995) title "DragonBall Daizenshu: Complete Illustrations!"

That is what the book's known as in Japan (though Viz still left out the "1").

[Tanooki Kuribo]

I'll also point out the "Hercule" vs. "Mr. Satan" moments. The commentary for image 198 leaves everything translated perfectly and tells us that the writing on the car indeed stands for "Satan City Police Dept." However, in image 252's commentary, Mr. Satan's name is changed to "Hercule" yet again.

Hmm, I didn't notice this at first. If this is the only flaw (aside from the few spelling errors and Freeza mistake) Iam willing to over look it. Iam generally happy with this release despite those things.

[SSj_Rambo]

Does the book say who did the translations? Also, I'm sure they'll get the whole translation thing down by the time they get to the more textual books. Granted they will probably keep using Hercule now and again, but you have to assume that as they get more "experienced" they will be able to start minimizing the mistakes.

And since VIZ has a very prominent history of re-re-releasing their Dragonball products there's a chance that later editions of this book will have slightly different word usage and translations and Mr. Satan to Hercule type edits, like the manga has received many times over the years.

[SSJ4FatGogeta]

That is what the book's known as in Japan (though Viz still left out the "1").

I knew that. I just thought it was nice they included that little acknowledgment, even if it was legally required.

As for Mister Satan's name. It really doesn't bother me as long as the art is unaltered. It only irks me when it screws with the art (e.g. signs for Orange Star High School).

[Kaboom]

I just got the book, and I love it. All the glorious, full-color, unedited illustrations in one place... Man, it's making my artistic heart just melt. Which actually reminds me, I think this book is a must-have for any DragonBall fan-artist. Copying from the original material is one of the best ways to learn the structure and intricacies of the original style, and this book is essentially the mother lode of reference material.

But seriously, I think this book should maybe be labeled as pornography, because I swear I'm starting to get aroused.

[Chrono Trigger]

Meh. You'd think they would have released something so simple YEARS ago.

[Velasa]

I think this book is a must-have for any DragonBall fan-artist. Copying from the original material is one of the best ways to learn the structure and intricacies of the original style, and this book is essentially the mother lode of reference material.

I tend to refer to that as 'booring' myself. Unless you're perfect at it like announcerguy, just copying the style exactly isn't interesting. People really need to develop and use their own styles.

[Kaboom]

I think this book is a must-have for any DragonBall fan-artist. Copying from the original material is one of the best ways to learn the structure and intricacies of the original style, and this book is essentially the mother lode of reference material.

I tend to refer to that as 'booring' myself. Unless you're perfect at it like announcerguy, just copying the style exactly isn't interesting. People really need to develop and use their own styles.

Perhaps I didn't word it quite right. It's still a great way to learn about the characters' looks and all. I copy Toriyama's style for practice, yet I've drawn enough of it at this point that I've developed a similar yet unique style of my own from it. Copying the original is only the first step

[Raki]

Meh. You'd think they would have released something so simple YEARS ago.

I'm glad they did it, and I now own it.