While prior information floating around pegged the name of Volume 1 of the Dragon Ball GT “Lost Episodes” release from FUNimation as “Rejection” (despite cover art clearly showing a name of “Reaction”), it turns out “Rejection” will be the second volume in the “Lost Episodes” release series (as seen over on RightStuf).
For the original Dragon Ball TV series, the “Tien Shinhan Saga” two-disc set’s release date will indeed be 28 September 2005. This seventh volume will cover TV episodes 84-101.
More “Budokai 3” characters have been revealed through recent screen shots and videos. Here is a brief list of who we know for sure will be new (or re-added) to the game:
As reported over on Anime News Network, Majecso will be putting out some Dragon Ball GT episodes on Nintendo’s GameBoy Advance. I believe these carts are something like one or two episodes (at a low frame-rate), and are English-dub-only.
MAJESCO SECURES EXCLUSIVE ‘GAME BOY ADVANCE VIDEO’ RIGHTS TO FUNIMATION’S POPULAR ‘DRAGON BALL GT®’ PROPERTY
Top-Rated Anime Franchise Joins Majesco’s Powerful 2004 Lineup
EDISON, N.J., May 20, 2004 – Strengthening a 2004 lineup already bolstered by premium content, Majesco, (OTC: MJSH), a leading publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products, today announced an agreement with FUNimation Productions, LTD. to publish Game Boy Advance Video products based upon FUNimation’s tremendously popular Dragon Ball GT ® franchise.
Under terms of the agreement, Majesco secures the exclusive rights in the United States and Canadato apply its proprietary technology to the top-rated Dragon Ball GT ® animated series.
“We are thrilled to partner with FUNimation to bring the extremely successful Dragon Ball GT ® property to our Game Boy Advance Video lineup,” said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco. “Having achieved retail sell-in of more than two million units for our initial offerings, we’re confident that such a highly recognizable property as Dragon Ball GT ® will continue that momentum into the back half of the year, and beyond.”
“The Dragon Ball GT ® audience is a perfect match with the Game Boy Advance demographic,” said Gen Fukunaga, president of FUNimation Productions, LTD. “With more than 21 million Game Boy Advance owners throughout North America, Majesco’s innovative technology will enable us to bring our top-rated animated action series to this extremely large audience.”
One of the most popular properties to date, the Dragon Ball franchise has created a new standard for animated action series having achieved sales of more than $3 billion in related merchandising worldwide and over 20 million home videos. Web sites for the Dragon Ball franchise receive more than eight million hits per day, and the term “Dragon Ball” was a Top 10 search term on the Lycos 50 Daily Report for a total of 200 consecutive weeks. For additional information on Dragon Ball GT ® visit www.dragonballgt.com.
For more information about Majesco’s proprietary compression technology as well as its new releases, please visit www.gba-video.com.
Additional information about Majesco and their entire line up of exciting entertainment products can be found at www.majescogames.com.
About Majesco’s Game Boy Advance Video Technology
Majesco’s new video compression technology presently allows viewing of approximately 45 minutes of quality color video with the capability to view 90 minutes of color video under development. The technology fits in a standard Nintendo-manufactured, Game Boy Advance cartridge and incorporates standard ‘DVD-style’ player controls. The technology features color video across 100 percent of the screen.
About FUNimation
FUNimation Productions, LTD. is a full-service brand management company with in-house production, licensing, Internet, marketing, and home video sales and distribution divisions. The company manages brands such as the international phenomenon Dragon Ball Z®; Dragon Ball®, the precursor to Dragon Ball Z; Dragon Ball GT®, the long awaited sequel to Dragon Ball Z® currently airing on Cartoon Network; Yū Yū Hakusho®, the hit series seen by millions on Cartoon Network; the recently announced mega-hit series Case Closed™, known in Japan as Detective Conan, which is coming to Cartoon Network on May 24, 2004; and many other fan favorites. For additional information on FUNimation and its properties visit www.funimation.com, or contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251, or pr@funimation.com.
About Majesco
Established in 1986 and headquartered in Edison, NJ, with offices in the United Kingdom, Majesco Holdings Inc. (OTC BB: MJSH), operating through its wholly owned subsidiary, Majesco Sales Inc., is a leading international developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products for the Xbox ® video game system from Microsoft, Sony PlayStation ®2 computer entertainment system, and Nintendo GameCube ™ and Game Boy ® Advance systems, as well as the personal computer. The Company’s 2004 lineup includes the critically acclaimed Advent Rising, the first in a trilogy of action/adventure games; BloodRayne 2, the sequel to its popular action/horror series, as well as the launch of its Game Boy ® Advance Video product line, which utilizes the Company’s proprietary video compression technology to enable consumers to view commercial-grade video on a standard Nintendo Game Boy Advance system. Majesco can be found online atwww.majescogames.com.
Safe Harbor
Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period(s) or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” or “continue” or the negatives thereof or other comparable terminology. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. These factors include but are not limited to, the demand for our products; competitive factors in the businesses in which we compete; continued consumer acceptance of the gaming platforms on which our products operate and our products; fulfillment of orders preliminarily made by customers; adverse changes in the securities markets and the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity; changes in national, regional or local business conditions or economic environments; government fiscal and monetary policies; and legislative or regulatory changes that affect our business. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
Amazon has posted up cover-art for not only the English release of Dragon Ball Z movie 9 (which uses the original Japanese cover art!), but also the first volume of the Dragon Ball GT “Lost Episodes” (which contains the real first three episodes of the series):
Thanks to FusionHA2071 for the heads-up.
The Magic Box has reported some new Nintendo line-ups for the upcoming Nintendo DS portable game system — among the list of games is an unspecified Dragon Ball Z game being developed by Banpresto.
The Magic Box has thrown up three new images of “Budokai 3” — these images show Broli and Coola, two of the new characters from the “Budokai 2” expansion disc in Japan entitled “DragonBall Z 2 V”. Will Kuriza be popping up soon? The Budōkai ring is the same as it was in “Budokai 2”. Is this just the exact same game as “DBZ2V”…?
FUNimation has released some information about the upcoming release of the ninth Dragon Ball Z movie:
Don’t forget the Dragon Ball Z movies, the special DBZ releases, and of course, DBGT The Lost Episodes! The DBZ movie, Bojack Unbound, is scheduled for release in August and DBGT The Lost Episodes will be available July. Stay tuned to www.dragonballz.com for all the latest news and information on your favorite animated action series.
Going with the name that has been on the trading / collectible card game (“Bojack Unbound”), we can apparently expect to see movie 9 released “sometime in August”, though RightStuf has the movie listed very concretely for release on 17 August 2004.
While Xyex first broke it for us over on our forums on the 21st with a link to the strategy guide, we now have “official” word: “Budokai 3” has been announced, is in development by Dimps, and is slated for release “later this year” (as reported on The Magic Box).
We do not know if it will incorporate anything from “Dragon Ball Z 2 V” (the updated version of Budokai 2 in Japan, which includes character costumes such as Kuriza and Coola), but we will be sure to keep you up to date as we find and translate information.
Furthermore, a new GameBoy Advance game entitled “Boo’s Fury” has been announced for a 29 September 2004 release, and is being developed by WebFoot (who did the two “Legacy of Goku” games). While this game is being described as a fighting game, we can not be sure just yet; one would assume it would be the third game in the “Legacy of Goku” action/RPG series.
Just as a reminder, the North American version of “Bukū Tōgeki” (entitled “Super Sonic Warriors”), the GBA fighting game developed by Arc Systems, is due out 27 August 2004.
It seems people simply did not believe Greg when he put up the images on what happened to be April 1st here in the States… but was April 2nd over in Japan:
Hey everyone! Long time no see right? Okay straight to business. I am happy to reveal to the English speaking world that Dragon Ball was just given a new ending by the man himself, Akira Toriyama. I was tipped off to this by my Japanese friend Epuriru Furu who let me know that the last volume of the perfect collection manga contained a new four page ending to this series which was released here in Japan April 2nd or April 1st in the US. Not surprisingly this comes on the heels of what Mike from Daizenshuu EX broke as a continuation of the DB story in the form of the long awaited DBAF! Anyway, I’m sure what you really want to see are the scans! Sorry these are really blurry! I was just too excited to get them to you all! I also omitted all the Japanese dialogue so you can read it in English. Enjoy the NEW ending to DB which will forever be a classic series. Greg Out!
Yes — Akira Toriyama drew a new four-page, full-color ending to the Dragon Ball manga, which appears in the 34th (final) kanzenban.
Another new book is being released entitled “Dragon Ball Forever.” Here is a translation of what you will find over on its respective page:
Announcing the results of the popular vote!
The best bouts, best characters, and best items in DB Kanzenban vols. 1-34 are published!Toriyama- sensei‘s interview is also completed!
Sensei tells in super-detail the secret stories of his work. The characters’ roots will become clear, as well!!There’s also a full load of detailed data!
With an illustrated book of all the characters and items, you’ll be able to enjoy every little corner of DB!Deluxe stickers are also going to be included!
Reappearance of the covers to kanzenban vols. 1-34, on stickers!
It is assumed there will also be a story guide for kanzenban volumes 23-34, with the other (final) seven “Dragon Ball Children” images drawn by other artists.
Shueshia also has a contest going on (bottom right of the page) where you can win one of 500 boxes to hold all 36 books in the series (34 volumes + “Landmark” and “Forever” books). You will need to cut out one of the application forms from the wraparound ads that come with volumes 33, 34, and “Forever” — stick it onto a postcard with your name, address, age, phone number, and the words “Dragon Ball” (since they are also doing a “Slam Dunk” promotion), and mail it off to the address at the bottom of the ad.