Shueisha recently posted a batch of new images of support from its various Jump artists, which included a second image from Dragon Ball author Akira Toriyama saying, “Thank you everyone!! The Genki-Dama is getting bigger and bigger!!”
In addition to Mayumi Tanaka, Sakura-Con has also announced Ryō Horikawa (Vegeta) as another Guest of Honor. Any photos or videos that community members would like to take and share with us would be greatly appreciated!
We are passing along a little bit of second-hand information, but we put decent-enough faith in it to warrant sharing it. Our buddy EvilGamerX gave us word that a “friend at Nicktoons” has shared that the American television debut of Dragon Ball (Z) Kai will begin 24 May 2010 and will air four days a week, though a time slot has not yet been finalized. Songs will also be in English, though it is unclear if that simply includes the opening and ending themes, or extends to the mid-episode insert songs (such as “Over the Star” and “Saiyan Blood”).
As we have known for a while, the first 13 episodes of the “refreshed” version of the Dragon Ball Z TV series will be released domestically on DVD and Blu-ray beginning 18 May 2010. A premier of the first four episodes with their new English dub are actually set to debut at Sakura-Con next Saturday at 8:30 pm during the convention.
We are still holding out until the physical product is in our hands, but it sounds like the domestic release of Kai will indeed be in a 4:3 aspect ratio in some capacity. The Amazon Blu-ray listing is for a 4:3 product, while the DVD listing is for a “widescreen” product, mirroring the Japanese release style. When asked on Twitter by various members of our community, @funimation has responded that the show will be 4:3, though this still does not provide a comprehensive explanation on the TV broadcast versus the DVD release versus the Blu-ray release. If Japan is teaching us anything, it is that their own products can be just as confusing as any American release!
Having reached the appropriate place in our monthly “Manga Review of Awesomeness”, it made sense to take pause and focus in on Trunks for an episode.
This week we take a look at “TRUNKS: THE STORY”, the special manga chapter that was later adapted into the second DBZ TV special, and compare the two. How do the direct contradictions between the original source and the animated adaptation affect our enjoyment? Is Trunks a genuinely interesting character, or is his world the actual interesting thing? Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0213! VegettoEX, Meri, Julian, and Jeff do a mid-month “Review of Awesomeness” and compare the “TRUNKS: THE STORY” manga chapter with the second DBZ TV special, along with all the standard analysis you’ve come to expect. The rest of March’s releases, an e-mail, a contest winner, and a bunch of other good stuff rounds out the episode.
REFERENCED SITES:
Multiple online retailers are finally listing the upcoming Dragon Ball Uranai book! Unfortunately, most are listing the book under the title “ドラゴンボール キャラクター占い ２０１０” (Dragon Ball Character Fortunetelling 2010). I think this all but confirms my fears that this book will be nothing more than a “What Dragon Ball character are you?” kind of book.
For a taste of what this book will most likely be, you can check out a somewhat official Dragon Ball Character Fortunetelling released online back in April 2004 by OCN (Open Computer Network). You simply enter your birth date (YYYY/MM/DD), hit the submit button, and it will tell you what character you are. Apparently I am Tenshinhan! The character’s page will give you a rundown of the character’s personalities and traits. It also provides a bunch of quotes and references to the kanzenban for more information about the character, which were released right around the same time as this thing.
Of course, there are other websites out there made by fans that do the same thing. So I’m afraid that is all this book is going to be, unfortunately. Hey, at least we are also getting an illustration collection book, right?
Happinet has unveiled the cover art for the next set of Dragon Ball Kai DVD volumes, both of which are set to be released 23 April 2010 for ¥2,940 (~$30). Volume #9 will contain episodes 25-27, while Volume #10 follows with the next three episodes, 28-30. In addition, they have also put up the cover art for the third Blu-ray box set which also has a scheduled release date of 23 April 2010. The box set will contain episodes 28-39, broken up onto four discs with three episodes per disc, and will set you back a pretty ¥15,960 (~$175).
Clearly there was a good bit of news this week, so we took the opportunity to dive into it full-force alongside some other great material we have been working on for you. Our good friend Hujio joins me for an in-depth discussion of all the recent news, including a hint of a team-up between Viz and FUNimation that our forum buddy Innagadadavida tipped us off about.
We also got a chance to speak with Amber Rosier, the founder of the “DragonBall Z Appreciation Club” at Shawnee State University in Ohio! My experiences with even uttering the name of a character from DBZ during my tenure as president of my college’s anime club seem to be the complete opposite of the awesomeness that Amber has going on, so definitely tune in to hear some great stories of fans coming together.
SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0212! It has been a big week with lots of things going on, so we break up the show into a bunch of individual segments to cover it all. The core trio of VegettoEX, Meri, and Julian cover the introductions, releases, e-mails, and other good stuff. Hujio joins us to talk about the news, including the Nicktoons airing of “Kai” coming this year. We also speak with Amber Rosier, the founder of the “Dragon Ball Z Appreciation Club” at Shawnee State University!
REFERENCED SITES:
After just announcing the new book Dragon Ball Uranai, Shueisha has announced it will be releasing an Anime Illustration Collection book entitled Dragon Ball: The Golden Warrior (ドラゴンボール 黄金の戦士; Doragon Bōru Ōgon no Senshi).
The title suggests the illustrations will focus on Super Saiyans, or Son Gohan’s exploits as the Golden Warrior before becoming the Great Saiyaman — my vote is for the first option. This will be the first Dragon Ball illustration book since Daizenshuu 1: Complete Illustrations was released back in 1995. It is set to be released 16 April 2010 for ¥1,200 (~$12.00), and is already up for pre-order on Amazon Japan.
We will be sure to keep you updated as we hear more about it.
By way of Anime News Network, we have just learned that FUNimation’s English dub of Dragon Ball Kai (coming as Dragon Ball Z Kai) will be airing on Nicktoons. The announcement was made “during its 2010 Upfront Presentation for advertisers on Thursday morning in New York City”.
This is a somewhat fascinating move on many levels, especially since American fandom so closely associates the franchise with Cartoon Network (though the series aired on local TV syndicates for Fox and WB years prior to this arrangement).
We have no word yet on what kind of “uncut” or “edited” version will make its way to Nickelodeon portals and broadcast. It should be noted, however, that the series always was intended for children, and the recent “edits” made during the Japanese broadcast of Kai certainly solidify this fact and the intended audience.
The broadcast will begin in May, seemingly alongside the home release. We will, of course, review the home release when it comes out. Look forward to it!
UPDATE: From the official press release —
Dragon Ball Z Kai, premiering on Nicktoons in May 2010, follows the last descendants of an evil race of warriors, known as the Saiyans, on their collision course with Earth. Goku–the strongest fighter on the planet–is all that stands between humanity and extinction and must face the villainous Saiyan warlord. Dragon Ball Z Kai is developed by Funimation Entertainment.
The next three episode titles have been leaked early for Dragon Ball Kai — here is a quick run-down of what to expect in the upcoming weeks:
Episode 049 – March 21, 2010
「仇を討て孫悟空！惑星崩壊のカウントダウン」
“Exact Vengeance, Son Goku! The Countdown to the Planet’s Collapse”
Episode 050 – March 28, 2010
「フリーザ決死のフルパワー！願いを届けてくれ神龍」
“Freeza’s Do-or-Die Full Power! Shenlong, Heed this Wish”
Episode 051 – April 4, 2010
「悟空激怒の雄叫び！間に合え…起死回生の願い！」
“Goku’s Furious Battle Cry! Make it in Time… The Resurrection Wish!”