Dragon Ball Rewatch, Week 13 - DB episodes 56-60

[KBABZ]

So basically, if he'd have never done the first 190 or so chapters and it began with Z?

Yes, that's the joke. Fukanaga apparently doesn't think very highly of the original Dragon Ball anime and didn't want to do the 2002 dub.

Wow, so he seriously didn't want to release the rest of the original series here? I'm guessing because he'd still had the underperformance (or whatever) of the original 13 episode run from 1995 in the back of his mind but eventually relented and went ahead with itL

Yeah, he didn't really want to do the 1995 dub either if I recall correctly, knowing Z was the more popular product (which, you know, it is, but so is Prisoner of Azkaban and they didn't adapt that book first).

[Robo4900]

Yes, that's the joke. Fukanaga apparently doesn't think very highly of the original Dragon Ball anime and didn't want to do the 2002 dub.

Wow, so he seriously didn't want to release the rest of the original series here? I'm guessing because he'd still had the underperformance (or whatever) of the original 13 episode run from 1995 in the back of his mind but eventually relented and went ahead with itL

Yeah, he didn't really want to do the 1995 dub either if I recall correctly, knowing Z was the more popular product (which, you know, it is, but so is Prisoner of Azkaban and they didn't adapt that book first).

Can confirm; he said as much in an interview on the Season BDs.

[MasenkoHA]

You kidding? Fukunaga would prefer if Toriyama had just started writing manga with Raditz and nothing else to make his life easier.

So basically, if he'd have never done the first 190 or so chapters and it began with Z?

Yes, that's the joke. Fukanaga apparently doesn't think very highly of the original Dragon Ball anime and didn't want to do the 2002 dub.

I don’t know if he literally never wanted to do the 2001 dub. We just know he wanted to start with DBZ and begged Toei to let him skip ahead. It seemed Funimation just wanted DBZ because they believed it would be far more profitable in the United States market. I think eventually dubbing the original Dragon Ball was always in their backpocket (they did dub Mystical Adventure alongside DBZ season 3) but only after DBZ made them enough money.

Their 2001 dub of Dragon Ball seemed partially an exercise in “well here’s more Dragon Ball Z related stuff we can treat it as a more light hearted prequel ala Young Hercules probably won’t do as well but a lot of DBZ fans will still watch” and partially a half hearted attempted in experimenting with creating more faithful dubs (something they didn’t really seem to go head on with until Yuyu Hakusho)

[KBABZ]

Their 2001 dub of Dragon Ball seemed partially an exercise in “well here’s more Dragon Ball Z related stuff we can treat it as a more light hearted prequel ala Young Hercules probably won’t do as well but a lot of DBZ fans will still watch”

Yeah, Funi's treatment of DB is much more as a Z prequel similar to how GT is a Z sequel (only one of these qualifications is valid).

[MasenkoHA]

Their 2001 dub of Dragon Ball seemed partially an exercise in “well here’s more Dragon Ball Z related stuff we can treat it as a more light hearted prequel ala Young Hercules probably won’t do as well but a lot of DBZ fans will still watch”

Yeah, Funi's treatment of DB is much more as a Z prequel similar to how GT is a Z sequel (only one of these qualifications is valid).

Toonami didn’t help with shit like this:

https://youtu.be/s36szNpqix4

[SuperSaiyaManZ94]

Their 2001 dub of Dragon Ball seemed partially an exercise in “well here’s more Dragon Ball Z related stuff we can treat it as a more light hearted prequel ala Young Hercules probably won’t do as well but a lot of DBZ fans will still watch”

Yeah, Funi's treatment of DB is much more as a Z prequel similar to how GT is a Z sequel (only one of these qualifications is valid).

Toonami didn’t help with shit like this:

https://youtu.be/s36szNpqix4

That was per the norm for the time, same as how FUNi advertised GT as "ZOMG HARDCORE AWESOMNESS!!!!" with their insulting "You Don't Know GT " trailer that was like a middle finger to fans of the Japanese version.

[Danfun64]

Toonami didn’t help with shit like this:

https://youtu.be/s36szNpqix4

Wow, people weren't kidding when they said that Dragon Ball was advertized like a Muppet Babies esque spinoff instead of, you know, the beginning of the story. It's like it's trying to discourage people from watching.

It makes me wonder what a good promo could have been like.

[Planetnamek]

Toonami didn’t help with shit like this:

https://youtu.be/s36szNpqix4

Wow, people weren't kidding when they said that Dragon Ball was advertized like a Muppet Babies esque spinoff instead of, you know, the beginning of the story. It's like it's trying to discourage people from watching.

It makes me wonder what a good promo could have been like.

Not all of the Toonami promos were like that tough, these ones seem pretty reasonable:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gmdiw38rAQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-UFYX0gjOc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-Y9nKFBtZk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCcXNUy2S74

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Currently doing a big binge. hope to finish the current week too.

Episode 56 - Uhohoi! Arale Boards the Cloud

A very funny Toriyama-esqe episode full of cartoony characters, imagery and gags. The smiling sun sets up this vibe for the entire episode. Ironically enough, despite the tone of the episode, which makes Arale extremely overpowered she is still in awe of Goku's abilities, which are not as exaggerated, like when he is able to ride on the Kinto Un. Arale's ease in catching up with Goku on feet exemplifies the mundane nature of what Goku can do by comparison. There are also repetitions of previous gags like Goku judging a character's morality by whether or not they can ride on Kinto Un. We see other cartoony characters like Suppa Man acts as a plot device for General Blue to steal a car to get away with the Dragon Balls. The sinister air surrounding the Red Ribbon Army persists as we see the police officer's reaction when Goku mentions them. Even General Blue, who was mocked previously makes a fool of the police officers who try and arrest him by snapping the cuffs once he was given them. The joke about a girl (Bulma) making something better than Senbe didn't land, but the rest of the episode was enjoyable. Despite the wacky vibe Blue approaching Normati House leaves this episode on an ominous note but keeps the anticipation going for the next episode.

Episode 57 - Showdown! Arale vs Blue

Another cartoony episode, like its predecessor, although without some of the ominous subtexts. We see lots more cartoony characters in the background and Arale's antics highlight this vibe to the viewer. Arale remains enticed by Goku's knowledge as he discusses the Dragon Balls and how you can be granted any wish by gathering all seven. As Goku searches for the Dragon Balls with the radar Senbe fixed there is more wackiness with Blue hiding and Goku second guessing where the Dragon Balls would be. Once we get to the Arale and Blue fight the former completely demoolishes the latter total gag manga style, much to Goku's amazement. Very entertaining all around and fun when not taken too seriously.

Episode 58 - The Haunted Karin Holy Land

A great return to the world exploration of some of the earlier episodes. We see a couple beautiful shots of forests, lakes and the Karin tower, which sets up this mini-arc quite well. Once Bora is introduced and we see him worshipping God we get a feel for how the people in his village live. Bora comes across as a protective, loving father who will do anything to help his son Oopa, such as the scene where Oopa tries to pick up the Dragon Ball and Bora assists, even though he isn't sure what it is. Additionally Bora demonstrates his combat skills when himself and Oopa are surrounded by Red Ribbon officers and knocks them around with ease. Ironically once Goku arrives Bora is still confused as to the importance of that four star Dragon Ball, leaving our hero to play a role in educating these characters moving forward.

Episode 59 - He’s Here! The World’s Greatest Hitman, “Tao Pai-Pai”

After the previous arc focusing heavily on the insecure, yet formidable General Blue this episode introduces a villain that provides a great juxtaposition for that. While General Blue has to question why he would get hurt so easily Tao Pai Pai retains his posture and threatening presence. Tao presents himself as a cunning, charismatic villain as he makes deals with the retailers and questions whether Blue would like his autograph, and towards the end of the episode the manner in which he killed Bora was nothing short of ruthless. The tale of Karin tower was great as it allowed for some more world building and feels appropriately mythical, especially given Bora said this idea was an unconfirmed legend. Goku feeling enticed about the idea he could become stronger was also endearing.

Episode 60 - The Match!! Kamehameha vs Dodonpa

Solid action episode with some stakes to it. Goku and Tao Pai Pai both up the other at different points in their fight, the former being smacked around like he was nothing early on, only to then blast the latter's clothes to shreds and then be knocked out again. Once more Tao expresses his ruthlessness by spitting a stone back at Oopa who was upset by both his father being killed and his new friend being hurt. Tao becomes a terrifying prresence once he reaches the village and demands a tailor make him a new outfit in three days, not the week he requests. By contrast we see separate religious or spiritual aspects from our heroes. Goku awakes and feels that his grandpa Gohan saved him, and Oopa buries his dad, remembering him through flashbacks. Admirably Goku promises to resurrect Bora once he finds all the Dragon Balls as he begins to climb Karin tower, and we are left with a renewed sense of adventure going into the next episode.