Introducing the younger generation to DB

[Dalesy]

So my 7 year old nephew just came over, and asked me if we could watch Dragon Ball Z tomorrow. Needless to say, I was elated.

It got me thinking about bringing younger people into the Dragon Ball fandom, and what the best way to do it would be. Personally, he and I have been watching the uncut English dub of Kai.

Does anyone have any similar experiences of "passing the torch" so to speak? And if so, how did you approach it?

[penguintruth]

I force children to watch DBZ in Japanese with subtitles, and when they cry because they can't keep up with the subtitles, I use a soldering iron to brand them.

Er, I mean I patiently wait for them to get the hang of it.

[OmegaRockman]

I'm trying to get my nieces into DB. My five-year-old niece loves it, while the eight-year-old isn't as crazy about it, but will watch it somewhat when we have it on. My five-year-old niece won't shut up about how she loves Goku and his tail. It's adorable!

[Super Sonic]

Don't know if it counts, but I did get my younger cousins into it during the Toonami days with the "Arrival" vhs and others. At the time thought of the 3 youngest ones who are 6-9 years younger than me as the younger generation. Funny thing was, some did watch on International channel, but they hated subs. Watched it there due to being ahead, then watched English and went, "Oh, that's what they were saying."

[El Diabeetus]

I have a 1 and a half year old brother. If I still don't have the original Dragon Ball by the time he's 3, I'm just gonna introduce him via the Kai dub.

[Ringworm128]

I have a nephew but my sister won't let him watch DBZ due because "DBZ is violent blah blah blah" even though a lot of the stuff he watches is violent anyway. Still I let him sometimes play Revenge of King Piccolo and I taught him that Goku's full name is "Son Goku". When I can I'l introduce him to both the dub and sub versions like I was and then I'l show him Kai's dub.

[TheGmGoken]

My little brother stole my anime dvds and kept my Dbz KAi ones. He asked why it sounds differ and better. I told him and he was hook. Then he saw the original Dbz in Original Audio. Since then he buys anything dbz related(He got a fucking scouter app on his phone.).

My little sister(Turning 7 this December) was born liking DB seriously. Her first words if I remember was either "Hey it's....Gook". As she was trying to say Goku. So I don' know how that happen. Y'all don't think my father did the kamehameha on my mom?!

[Ajay]

I should really try and get my little cousin into Dragon Ball. I showed him the original Pokemon series after he said he enjoyed watching the Pokemon: Black & White TV series. Not really sure how he took to the old designs and Pokemon though.

He's pretty obsessed just about anything so I'll probably put on some Dragon Ball next time he's here and hope he doesn't start beating me with a plastic sword like he did when I showed him Samurai Jack once.

[Alioth]

I gave birth to my son nearly 3 weeks ago...so I think he's a bit too young to watch it right now! Haha! But certainly will introduce him when he's older, I can't wait! I'm already watching it whilst breastfeeding him, so hopefully it'll make him somehow more interested when he's older after listening to it when I watch it! XP

[Hades]

The problem with DBZ is that it's Spunkgargleweewee (bland setting, flat one-dimensional characters terrible worldbuilding and contrived stories). It would be like trying to get kids into Medal of Honor Warfighter 20 years from now.

[Kamiccolo9]

The problem with DBZ is that it's Spunkgargleweewee (bland setting, flat one-dimensional characters terrible worldbuilding and contrived stories). It would be like trying to get kids into Medal of Honor Warfighter 20 years from now.

Seeing as the Disney Channel, Spongebob, and Reality TV exist and do well, I don't see how this is a problem.

[Hades]

The problem with DBZ is that it's Spunkgargleweewee (bland setting, flat one-dimensional characters terrible worldbuilding and contrived stories). It would be like trying to get kids into Medal of Honor Warfighter 20 years from now.

Seeing as the Disney Channel, Spongebob, and Reality TV exist and do well, I don't see how this is a problem.

Well, Shonen hasn't had its Spec Ops: The Line moment yet (Spec Ops is a Modern Military Shooter game that really eviscerates the tenets of its genre, and a lot of it is applicable to Dragonball, since there's little difference between Captain Walker and Goku, save for the fact that the latter doesn't have to deal with the consequences of what he does).

[Kamiccolo9]

The problem with DBZ is that it's Spunkgargleweewee (bland setting, flat one-dimensional characters terrible worldbuilding and contrived stories). It would be like trying to get kids into Medal of Honor Warfighter 20 years from now.

Seeing as the Disney Channel, Spongebob, and Reality TV exist and do well, I don't see how this is a problem.

Well, Shonen hasn't had its Spec Ops: The Line moment yet (Spec Ops is a Modern Military Shooter game that really eviscerates the tenets of its genre, and a lot of it is applicable to Dragonball, since there's little difference between Captain Walker and Goku, save for the fact that the latter doesn't have to deal with the consequences of what he does).

I've played Spec Ops. The difference between the two is that DB is a kid's show. The target audience isn't looking for a grand setting, with deep characters, elaborate worldbuilding, and tight stories. They, in general, are looking for a fun show. I think most of us here can agree that DB is that. Fun.

[ABED]

The consequences of what he does?

I agree with Kamicollo, when I'm watching DB, I'm looking for fun, not a rumination about the consequences of a warrior's life. Toriyama could've planned his stories better but the show is fine for what it is - a fun action show with a sense of humor and quirky characters.

[Kamiccolo9]

The consequences of what he does?

I seriously doubt the average kid is going to be thinking about the psychological implications of what Goku does, or that he seems immune to the view that power corrupts. As I said, most kids don't watch tv for deep meanings; they watch it for entertainment.

[ABED]

The consequences of what he does?

I seriously doubt the average kid is going to be thinking about the psychological implications of what Goku does, or that he seems immune to the view that power corrupts. As I said, most kids don't watch tv for deep meanings; they watch it for entertainment.

Power doesn't always corrupt, and I don't think kid shows have to be empty. By the same token they shouldn't be didactic.

[Kamiccolo9]

The consequences of what he does?

I seriously doubt the average kid is going to be thinking about the psychological implications of what Goku does, or that he seems immune to the view that power corrupts. As I said, most kids don't watch tv for deep meanings; they watch it for entertainment.

Power doesn't always corrupt, and I don't think kid shows have to be empty. By the same token they shouldn't be didactic.

That's why I said it's a view, not a fact.
And DB isn't empty. It just doesn't focus on deep meanings; that's not the point of the show.

[ABED]

Gotcha. What do you think the criteria of an "empty show" are?

[Dalesy]

And DB isn't empty. It just doesn't focus on deep meanings; that's not the point of the show.

However, assuming the child watches from beginning to end, there are some pretty good overall themes (everyone has a chance to change, life is better as a good guy, friendship is important, be good for the sake of being good).

[Kamiccolo9]

And DB isn't empty. It just doesn't focus on deep meanings; that's not the point of the show.

However, assuming the child watches from beginning to end, there are some pretty good overall themes (everyone has a chance to change, life is better as a good guy, friendship is important, be good for the sake of being good).

True. But it gets by without making these themes the main point of the show. It's purpose is to entertain, not educate.

Gotcha. What do you think the criteria of an "empty show" are?

Well, like I said earlier, Disney Channel shows, Spongebob, and reality TV are the bottom of the barrel
In all seriousness, you can find some kind of prevailing theme in most shows. I don't think I've ever seen a truly "empty" show, except for something like game shows, or sports, but I don't think those are what you are talking about. The difference between something like Spec Ops, and something like Dragonball, is that Spec Ops is trying to make a point, while being entertaining, while Dragonball is trying to be entertaining, and has a few themes pop up.
I'm having a bit of trouble putting this into words, so I hope you get what I'm trying to say.