Where do I start?

Arale Norimaki · Post by **Arale Norimaki** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:30 pm

Hi there. I'm a bit a of a new Dragon Ball fan. I was introduced by a banner ad on Gamefaqs (:P.). I had heard of the show before, but never thought anything of it. So first off, I think I worded the title wrong. I meant what should I BUY first. This shelf over here is empty. Looking at my shelf, it could use some Dragon Ball. After reading through Daizenshuu EX's "Newbie Guide", I think I might wanna buy the Movies Dragon Box. But it's so confusing! I haven't watched a single episode, and I only know it's a long series. Where do I go from that stand-point?

Thanks muchly!

Khalid Shahin · Post by **Khalid Shahin** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:41 pm

Don't bother with the movies for now. They are not part of any story arc, and you should think of them as a separate universe. From the looks of it you are interested in the anime rather than the manga, and are you interested with the Dragon Ball portion of the story or just DBZ? If you are interested in DB as well then you can start with that and purchase the Blue DVD season boxes, and by the time you get the Z portion of the show you can watch the release of Dragon Ball Kai where it is Z but they made it shorter by removing the filler. I can go into more detail on the parts that are foreign to you since I don't know how much you know.

JulieYBM · Post by **JulieYBM** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:47 pm

Welcome to the board and fandom!

I suggest you pick up Dragon Ball Season One as put out by FUNimation. I also suggest you watch the series subtitled in Japanese because the dub isn't quite accurate and it's the most consistent version of the two.

After having your fun with Dragon Ball, I suggest you move on to Dragon Ball Z via the Dragon Box release!

Rory · Post by **Rory** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:48 pm

Manga, all manga.
The anime is good for the nostalgia factor, but that's about all right now. Lots of filler, and staring scenes. Check it out when you've read the manga.
If you do want to watch the story via an anime, Dragon Ball Kai is a recent show which is a "refreshed" version of the Z series (basically Dragon Ball's later chapter), it has new music, visuals, and cuts out all the bull crap.
But for the story, I really recommend buying the manga, there's a lot to get through, but it's all great stuff.

Welcome to the fandom, it's gonna be confusing at first, but you'll settle in nicely after a while.

Chibi Mystic Gohan · Post by **Chibi Mystic Gohan** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:49 pm

I'd suggest starting by reading the manga (which is called "Dragon Ball" in America for the first sixteen volumes, and "Dragon Ball Z" for volumes 17-42 (in Japan the entire manga series is called Dragon Ball; only the anime was called Dragon Ball Z after a certain point)). It's the original creation, so you'd be getting the "purest" Dragon Ball experience.

If you enjoy watching anime instead of reading, though, buy the new Dragon Ball season sets (or "blue bricks"), and then the Dragon Ball Z Dragon Box release for the second half of the anime. That, or "Dragon Ball Z Kai," as it's called in America, which is a new cut of Dragon Ball Z that is closer in pace to the manga series.

Corporate_Nothing · Post by **Corporate_Nothing** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:53 pm

Khalid Shahin wrote:Don't bother with the movies for now. They are not part of any story arc, and you should think of them as a separate universe. From the looks of it you are interested in the anime rather than the manga, and are you interested with the Dragon Ball portion of the story or just DBZ? If you are interested in DB as well then you can start with that and purchase the Blue DVD season boxes, and by the time you get the Z portion of the show you can watch the release of Dragon Ball Kai where it is Z but they made it shorter by removing the filler. I can go into more detail on the parts that are foreign to you since I don't know how much you know.

Basically this, although I'd recommend picking up the first two Funi Dragon Boxes over Kai. You don't need to have seen Dragon Ball to understand DBZ, or vice-versa, but doing so will enhance your appreciation for both. I recommend picking up the first Dragon Ball season set and the first DBZ Dragon Box and watching them in parallel. If you like Dragon Ball more, move onto the next two seasons, if you prefer DBZ, buy the second Dragon Box.

The only way to purchase the entire series sans the last two seasons of Dragon Ball (only counting official Funimation releases, idk about other regions) at this point is through the "remastered" season sets, but...well, I'll let someone else explain why those may not be worth your money.

--

Oh yeah, if you're less interested in the watching experience and more in the meat-and-potatoes of the story, just read the manga. Every volume is readily available, and owning every one is much more affordable than buying the anime releases. But if you do want the best, most authentic anime experience, make sure you watch it in Japanese with English subtitles.

Arale Norimaki · Post by **Arale Norimaki** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:55 pm

Thanks guys! I'll be sure to buy that Dragon Ball Season One DVD! What are these big things I see at Barnes and Noble? They are manga, I know. But what's the difference between those and the red ones nearby?

Corporate_Nothing · Post by **Corporate_Nothing** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:59 pm

I'm not sure, exactly, but I can point you to this thread -
http://daizex.fanboyreview.net/viewtopi ... =7&t=12796

Rory · Post by **Rory** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 7:01 pm

Arale Norimaki wrote:Thanks guys! I'll be sure to buy that Dragon Ball Season One DVD! What are these big things I see at Barnes and Noble? They are manga, I know. But what's the difference between those and the red ones nearby?

You're most likely looking a the smaller original print, and the (red) Viz BIG release. Basically the latter has more content, is a larger size and cleaner print.
Get them if you're just buying them for the first time.

jjgp1112 · Post by **jjgp1112** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 7:56 pm

I'd say, buy the Dragon Ball Season sets, and then wait until the Dragon Ball Z Dragon Boxes aren't so damn expensive. But if you want to get to Z as soon as possible, then start with the Orange Season 1 set since it's really cheap and work your way from there.

B · Post by B » Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:39 pm

Considering how damn long it is, I would buy the cheap manga, and then, if you think you really like it that much, purchase the anime.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:42 pm

B wrote:Considering how damn long it is, I would by the cheap manga, and then, if you think you really like it that much, purchase the anime.

I agree, the anime might put you off because of its awful pacing. Buy the manga first you'll get through the series 10x quicker.

Corporate_Nothing · Post by **Corporate_Nothing** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:45 pm

jjgp1112 wrote:I'd say, buy the Dragon Ball Season sets, and then wait until the Dragon Ball Z Dragon Boxes aren't so damn expensive. But if you want to get to Z as soon as possible, then start with the Orange Season 1 set since it's really cheap and work your way from there.

First two season sets -
$18.99 + $18.99 = $37.98
74 episodes, $0.51 per episode.

First two Dragon Boxes -
$31.99 + $35.69 = $67.68
84 episodes, $0.81 cents per episode

So, $30 more for a much better release, but it depends how much she's willing to invest in a new franchise.

penguintruth · Post by **penguintruth** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:54 pm

I'm jealous of the folks who have the luxury of starting with the original series.

GreggMays64 · Post by **GreggMays64** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:02 pm

If you want to watch the series quicker, buy the 9 Orange Bricks. If you want MUCH better quality, and full screen, then buy the Dragonboxes.

Adamant · Post by **Adamant** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:14 pm

Blue wrote:
B wrote:Considering how damn long it is, I would by the cheap manga, and then, if you think you really like it that much, purchase the anime.
I agree, the anime might put you off because of its awful pacing. Buy the manga first you'll get through the series 10x quicker.

The pacing problem doesn't really start until the General Blue sub-arc, and you'd definitely be into the series by then.

Bussani · Post by **Bussani** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:41 pm

I can't really add much, but I'd definitely recommend the manga. You'll get through it a lot faster and at your own pace. The entire anime altogether is--what--444 episodes? 508 if you count GT. The manga's still pretty long, but the anime really drags it out in places.

BlueSky · Post by **Kaboom** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 11:10 pm

Start with the manga, definitely. From Goku meeting Bulma all the way up through Goku meeting Oob, it's the original, most basic and 'pure' version of the story.

Once you're well on your way with that and have soaked up most of the basics, then start exploring extra stuff like the anime (with its filler and other extra material), movies (both animated AND live-action ), TV specials, and if you're brave enough... GT.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:11 am

Adamant wrote:
The pacing problem doesn't really start until the General Blue sub-arc, and you'd definitely be into the series by then.

Nonetheless why be bored out of your skull when you can just progress in the story much quicker?

Edit: Hell considering the Blue arc (heh heh) is like 4 arcs in that's really underwhelming.

SonEric84 · Post by **SonEric84** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:30 am

It would be awesome to have that "new to the series" feeling back. I say either start with the manga or if you want to watch it on t.v. definitely start at Dragon Ball season set one.

Kanzenshuu

Where do I start?

Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?

Re: Where do I start?