You Cannot Buy Dragon Ball Kai in Japan!

[kei17]

It is already widely known that the score on the Japanese DVD/BD releases got replaced in the middle of the Android/Cell arc, but it's not well known how the earlier volumes are treated now. To come right to the point, they are all out of print. Online shops including Happinet, the distributor of the DVD/BD releases itself, list all “Saiyan & Freeza arc” volumes and “Artificial Human & Cell arc” volumes 1 to 6 as out of print. Kai DVDs sold so poorly that they don't bother to re-author and reprint these volumes.

http://www.yesasia.com/global/search-an ... =107&vm=32
http://www.happinetonline.com/NASApp/mn ... _SHOP_ID=1


The home video guide on our site Kanzenshuu says that there are subsequent reprints that feature the replacement score, but it's not true. There have been no reprints w/ the Kikuchi score so far.

http://www.kanzenshuu.com/home-video/jp/kai-dvd/

Toei Animation also began phasing out all already released volumes, and all subsequent reprints of the initial DVD releases now feature Shunsuke Kikuchi’s replacement score.

As a result, in Japan, you cannot buy the entire series of Kai new unless you look all over for the out-of-print volumes at several video shops, and the only easy way to watch it is to rent DVDs at video rental shops. It is really weird considering the fact that the DBZ singles are still being produced and sold today.

[Pokewhiz7]

I guess anyone in Japan that wants Kai is going to have to import FUNimation's releases.

[dbboxkaifan]

So the Japanese have to import the Dragon Ball Z Kai Season set Blu-rays (or DVDs) sets since their own country doesn't give a crap about Kai any more. Oops.

Note: Season sets because Parts 1-4 have been discontinued (out of print too).

[JulieYBM]

I'm not too surprised. Considering how much home video costs in Japan and how poorly Dragon Ball Kai sold, it makes sense they'd decide to not print it anymore.

[kei17]

I guess anyone in Japan that wants Kai is going to have to import FUNimation's releases.

Yeah, indeed, that is the easiest and earliest way even for the Japanese to buy episodes 1 to 72. I'm little worried about Kai not being re-released forever here.

I'm not too surprised. Considering how much home video costs in Japan and how poorly Dragon Ball Kai sold, it makes sense they'd decide to not print it anymore.

Though about 70 percent of the entire series is now out of print, those currently unavailable volumes aren't sold at high prices on online auctions, which, sadly, proves Kai's obvious unpopularity in Japan.

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b132155185

[dbboxkaifan]

Hopefully Kai fans/people outside Japan will realize how terrible the series did in its own country and why Toei Animation decided to cancel it.

I'd say we're lucky to have an uncut US release of Kai because things don't look all that good for Kai in Japan. Majin Boo Kai not gonna happen.

[superrayman3]

Though about 70 percent of the entire series is now out of print, those currently unavailable volumes aren't sold at high prices on online auctions, which, sadly, proves Kai's obvious unpopularity in Japan.

http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b132155185

Japanese Kai volumes aren't sold at high prices? That may be the case with Yahoo Japan but have you seen some of the ebay prices for the Japanese Kai Blu-ray's? Most of them are over $600 which IMO is a little high for a recent show.

[kei17]

Japanese Kai volumes aren't sold at high prices? That may be the case with Yahoo Japan but have you seen some of the ebay prices for the Japanese Kai Blu-ray's? Most of them are over $600 which IMO is a little high for a recent show.

I'm talking about things especially in Japan, so considering most of the Japanese not using ebay, prices there have almost nothing to do with Kai's unpopularity in Japan. There are some Marketplace sellers on Amazon.co.jp that are selling some volumes at higher prices, but such volumes are only few ones that include famous episodes like Goku turning into SSJ for the first time.

Volume 16 at 4,500 yen
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%89%E3%83 ... 26&sr=1-14


Other volumes are still sold cheaply.

Volume 1 at only 829 yen
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%89%E3%83 ... 082&sr=1-1

Volume 14 at 1,380 yen
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%89%E3%83 ... 082&sr=1-4

[superrayman3]

Ok I see what your saying thanks for clearing that up kei17.

[kei17]

Hopefully Kai fans/people outside Japan will realize how terrible the series did in its own country and why Toei Animation decided to cancel it.

I'd say we're lucky to have an uncut US release of Kai because things don't look all that good for Kai in Japan. Majin Boo Kai not gonna happen.

The poor sales of the DVDs/BDs cannot be directly related to Kai's cancellation, since the merchandising sales are far more important when it comes to kids shows.

Ok I see what your saying thanks for clearing that up kei17.

No prob.

[dbboxkaifan]

Dragon Ball Kai does still air in Japan, doesn't it?

[kei17]

Dragon Ball Kai does still air in Japan, doesn't it?

Yes, it's still being broadcast on Fuji TV Two, a paid satellite TV channel. In addition, yet another rerun starts on the same chennel on May 19.

[dbboxkaifan]

I have a question, Kei17, do you have a link with the sales profit of Kai in Japan?

I'm not doubting you or anything, it's clear Kai did terrible in Japan, but I'd like to see the list of sales Kai achieved in its original country.

[Castor Troy]

DB Kai, so bad that Japan doesn't want you to buy it.

[Michsi]

Dragon Ball Kai does still air in Japan, doesn't it?

Yes, it's still being broadcast on Fuji TV Two, a paid satellite TV channel. In addition, yet another rerun starts on the same chennel on May 19.

Well, it can't be that unpopular then, can it?

[Tanooki Kuribo]

Why would Japan want DBK when they have a perfectly good version of DBZ? I can totally understand them not wanting to buy this.

I think DBK was needed more here, in the US than it was in Japan.

[penguintruth]

Why would Japan want DBK when they have a perfectly good version of DBZ?

The perfectly good version that's filled with padding and filler material?

[Pokewhiz7]

Why would Japan want DBK when they have a perfectly good version of DBZ?

The perfectly good version that's filled with padding and filler material?

I agree. I never understood when people said Japan didn't need Kai.

[JulieYBM]

Why would Japan want DBK when they have a perfectly good version of DBZ?

The perfectly good version that's filled with padding and filler material?

All of which is part of what makes it more entertaining than Dragon Ball Kai? Yup.

[dbboxkaifan]

Why would Japan want DBK when they have a perfectly good version of DBZ?

The perfectly good version that's filled with padding and filler material?

Without a doubt the Japanese Z cast is far superior to the one in the Japanese Kai, they're the same cast but bit worn out and not all original VAs from before.

But despite the voice acting, they should get Kai regardless.