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Published by 29 November 2018, 10:29 AM ESTComment

Last week’s January 2019 issue of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine contains a two-page spread promoting the forthcoming Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission game for the Nintendo Switch.

In the game’s story mode, villains from throughout Dragon Ball history begin appearing in the real world. The game’s protagonist, Beat, is rescued from Coola by the mysterious hero, “Great Saiyaman 3”, and joins the “Dragon Ball Heroes” team. The group is based in the Hero Lab in the town’s central Hero Tower. Shinsai (a man more than a little resembling Nappa) guards the building alongside his twin, Kuusai.

New versions of the mission creation and tutorial modes from Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate Mission X on the Nintendo 3DS will also make reprise appearances in World Mission.

Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission, developed by Dimps for Bandai Namco, is a forthcoming Dragon Ball franchise video game exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, currently only announced for release in Japan. The game, a home version of the ongoing Super Dragon Ball Heroes card-based arcade game in Japan, follows three Dragon Ball Heroes games released on the Nintendo 3DS. The most recent entry was Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate Mission X in April 2017; the game covered 3,300 cards from the arcade version’s original 8 missions, 10 “Galaxy Missions”, 8 “Evil Dragon Missions”, and 10 “God Missions”, effectively encompassing all content pre-Super Dragon Ball Heroes in its own original story mode in addition to the arcade version’s mission structure.

Outside of a single test run at San Diego Comic Con earlier this year, no Dragon Ball Heroes content has ever received an international/localized release outside of Japan. World Mission was, however, recently rated by the Australian government’s Department of Communications and the Arts.

Published by 28 November 2018, 10:22 AM ESTComment

Bandai Namco has released extensive patch notes for the latest update to Dragon Ball FighterZ alongside a video highlighting some of these changes and other game additions as part of a free update:

SUPER DASH:

  • Fixed an issue where game behavior changes by being at left or right side.
  • Fixed an issue when Super Dash does not end immediately when cancelling an opponent’s move.
  • Fixed an issue, where Super Dash charges upwards when the opponent uses Vanish at the same timing.

SUPER DASH, Z CHANGE, GUARD CANCEL CHANGE:

  • Fixed an issue where if the player hits the opponent near the ground, they will immediately land on the ground.

Z CHANGE, GUARD CANCEL CHANGE:

  • When used against an opponent guarding, the hit stun value has been changed to match the same as when using Super Dash.

GUARD CANCEL CHANGE:

  • Increased recovery timing while receiving hits, making it difficult for follow-up attacks.
  • Increased the stun time.
  • The camera will trigger effect animation after a combo hit.

Dragon Ball:

  • Players will now be able to view the amount of active DRAGON BALLs during cut scenes in the match.

Mid-air Dragon Rush:

  • Added mid-air attack attributes.

Z Assist:

  • After guarding or after receiving damage and not being able to use Z Change, players will now also be unable to use Z Assist.

Ground Dash:

  • Players will now be able to perform Special Moves at the beginning of Ground Dash

Vanish:

  • Fixed an issue where if the player uses Z Change against an opponent that uses Vanish at the same time, the character joining the fight will attack an empty area.

Input Special Move:

  • Adjusted so that Z Reflect will not be prioritized over inputting Special Move commands after Guarding.

GAMEPLAY

GOKU (SUPER SAIYAN):

  • Ground Dragon Flash Fist (Light, Medium): removed mid-air attack attributes. To avoid being countered by crouching heavy attack.

VEGETA (SUPER SAIYAN):

  • Jump ↓ Heavy Attack: the movement of this attack will now connect more easily when the opponent is horizontaly aligned with the player.

PICCOLO:

  • Z Assist: Adjusted so that the blast effects will not disappear while Piccolo is still within the screen frame
  • Ground Special Demon Slicer (Light): Adjusted so that players will be able to follow-up with a Super Attack or Vanish when the move connects with the opponent and bounces on the ground.
  • Mid-air Special Demon Slicer (Light, Heavy): This move now has a faster trigger rate. Fixed the falling speed after executing this move and increased the stun time for opponents affected by this skill.
  • Demon Shocker: Extended hitbox. Adjusted hit effect. Enabled to trigger Super Dash or Z Change when the move hits.
  • Demon Shocker (diagonally): This move will now have a faster trigger rate.
  • Crouching Unique Attack: This move will now have a faster trigger rate. The hitbox of this attack has also been increased.

GOHAN (TEEN):

  • Standing Light Attack, Follow-up 1: Increased the attack’s reach and effect. Added a landing recovery frame. This skill can now be executed before landing on the ground.
  • Standing Light Attack, Follow-up 2: Changed the movement and effect of the skill. This attack will now switch positions with your opponent when it connects. Added a landing recovery frame and mid-air attack attribute
  • Crouching Unique Attack, Jump↓ Unique Attack: Fixed an issue where the Ki Blast’s lower section doesn’t explode on impact when used against Android 18’s barrier.

FRIEZA:

  • You must die by my hand!: This move can now be executable while knocked down and or after receiving several attacks. This move will now have a slower trigger rate but increased damage.
  • Death Saucer: Adjusted the hit effect when the disk returns to the screen, adding a sliding knockdown effect.
  • Standing Light Attack, Follow-up 2: Fixed an issue where the attack animation becomes buggy when hit in a specific position.

CAPTAIN GINYU:

  • Standing Light Attack, Follow-up 1: This move will now trigger at a faster rate.
  • Standing Light Attack, Follow-up 2: Enabled Unique Attack with Z Combo

TRUNKS:

  • Ground Shining Slash (Light, Heavy): Removed mid-air attack attributes. To avoid being countered by crouching heavy attack.
  • Heat Dome Attack: The hitbox for this attack has been increased.

CELL:

  • Crouching Unique Attack: The hitbox on the first-contact for this attack has been increased. When hit, the knock-back effect of the opponent has been changed.

ANDROID 18:

  • Barrier: this barrier will now be able to protect allies’ Z Assist
  • Z Assist, Mid-air support attack (Unique): the support area of this skill has been increased.

GOTENKS:

  • Crouching Heavy Attack: The hitbox of this skill has been increased when the attack is aimed downward.
  • Charging Ultra Volleyball: The player will now be unable to perform any actions until they land on the ground after executing this move.
  • Galactic Donuts: Fixed and issue where the game bugs out when the move hits the opponent’s assist.

KRILLIN:

  • Afterimage: Increased the stun time.
  • Solar Flare: Reduced recovery frame on whiff and when guarded.
  • Jump ↓ Unique Attack: Fixed an issue where the Ki Blast’s lower section doesn’t explode on impact when used against Android 18’s barrier.

KID BUU:

  • Ground Mystic Ball Attack (Light): This move now has a slower trigger rate.
  • Pearl Flash: Increased the stun time while falling. When used, it will now be harder to go behind the opponent.

MAJIN BUU:

  • Standing Medium Attack: Reduced hit stun.
  • Standing Heavy Attack: This move now has a faster trigger rate, an increased speed and an increased upward hitbox.

NAPPA:

  • Saibaman (Light, Medium): The recovery rate while using this skill has reduced.
  • Too bad: The 2nd hit of this move now has a faster trigger rate.

ANDROID 16:

  • Hell Flash: Fixed an issue where the final hit of the Hell Flash is blocked, when triggered with an Ultimate Z Change at specific positions.
  • Hell Flash: The distance between the player and the opponent after using this skill has been increased.
  • Z Assist: When used against an opponent, their guard recovery rate has now been reduced.
  • Hell Heat: This skill will now hit multiple times.
  • Hell Heat (Long distance version): Changed to trigger the move quicker and changed recovery frame shorter on whiff.

YAMCHA:

  • Wolf Fang Fist, Gale Claws
  • Wolf Fang Fist, Reverse Wolf Fang Fist, Neo Wolf Fang Fist, Wolf Fang Fist: Pack Attack, Wolf Fang Fist: Finisher: This move-set is now made easier to use against an opponent mid-air.

TIEN:

  • Crane Strike: Reduced landing recovery frame.
  • Neo Tri-Beam: Increased damage for the first initial hit, as well as adjusted damage allocation.

GOHAN (ADULT):

  • Potential Unleashed (Heavy + Unique): Adjusted so that damage increases by holding the button
  • Standing Heavy Attack: Extended hit stun on guard.
  • Crouching Heavy Attack: Reduced the movement distance when using this attack.
  • Bros. Kamehameha: Fixed an issue where the opponent appears during the skill cut-scene

HIT:

  • Realized Power: Adjusted so that the skill can more easily connect with Ultimate Z Change. Adjusted the hit animation, so that it doesn’t disturb the skill cut-scene anymore.
  • Ground Realized Power: The upward hitbox for this move has been increased
  • Mid-air Realized Power: The opponent now falls to the ground when hit by this move.
  • I keep improving: Fixed an issue where Z Change is available along with Meteor Attack after the move hits.

GOKU (SSGSS):

  • Super God Shock Flash (Medium, Heavy): The player will teleport before attacking. This move now has a slower trigger rate.
  • Divine Void Strike (Light, Medium): Made the timing to repell Ki Blast faster.

VEGETA (SSGSS):

  • Jump ↓ Heavy Attack: This move will now be easier to land on opponents horizontally.
  • On a scale of one to ten, I’ll give you a three!: Made the timing to repell Ki Blast faster.

BEERUS:

  • God of Destruction’s Rampage: Changed to trigger the move quicker and adjusted the movement speed.
  • Sphere of Destruction: Changed to trigger the move quicker and made all recovery frames shorter.
  • God of Destruction’s Wrath: Changed to trigger the move quicker. Added super armor in the middle of movement.
  • God of Destruction’s Judgment: Reduced recovery frame after the move hits.

GOKU BLACK:

  • God Slicer Dance: Increased damage.
  • Holy Light Grenade: Adjusted the hit effect of the final hit, and made easier to connect with Ultimate Z Change

ANDROID 21:

  • Standing Medium Attack: Reduced hit stun.
  • Barrier: Now enable to protect allies’ Z Assist.
  • Excellent Full Course: reduced recovery frame after the move hits. Adjusted opponent’s knock back.

BARDOCK:

  • Revenge Assault: Increased the recovery time after hitting the opponent, and increased the distance of the player from the opponent after executing the skill.
  • Raging Meteor: Increased the stun time on the opponent on the final hit.

BROLY:

  • Crouching Heavy Attack: The downward hitbox for this move has been increased.
  • All Special Moves: The armor invincibility buff now has a faster trigger rate.

VEJITO (SSGSS):

  • Jump ↓ Heavy Attack: Players will now be able to cancel the move by jumping.
  • Omega Finishing Blow: Increased minimum damage.

ZAMASU (FUSED):

  • Standing Medium Attack: Increased the movement speed for this attack.
  • Divine Order: Made it easier to perform a follow-up with Eternal Justice after the move hits.
  • Lightning of Absolution: Fixed an issue where the effect does not appear properly when the move hits in high attitude.

GOKU:

  • Kaioken (Additional Unique Attack, ↓ Additional Unique Attack): This move now has a faster trigger rate.
  • Kaioken (Additional Medium Attack): The player is now invincible while spinning.
  • Kaioken: Increased early input for additional attacks when the screen turns dark.

VEGETA:

  • Crouching Unique Attack, Jump↓ Unique Attack: Reduced the character’s recovery frame.
  • Jump ↓ Heavy Attack: Reduced recovery frame. Reduced movement speed and attack continuation time.

ANDROID 17:

  • End game: Fixed an issue where the skill’s effects aren’t shown properly at certain times.

COOLER:

  • Death Drop: Fixed an issue where the camera becomes abnormal during the K.O cut-scene.
  • Z Assist: Fixed an issue where returning as Cooler from Z Assist, the opponent becomes unmovable from Cooler’s push.

The 3-on-3, “2.5D” fighting game is developed by Arc System Works and is currently available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC (via Steam), and Nintendo Switch. Playable characters include Son Goku, Son Gohan (Cell arc design), Vegeta, Freeza, Cell, Boo (Good), Trunks, Piccolo, Kuririn, #16, #18 (with #17), Yamcha, Tenshinhan (with Chiaotzu), Ginyu (with teammates), Nappa (with Saibaimen), Gotenks, Son Gohan (Boo arc design), Boo (Pure), Hit, Beerus, and Goku Black (with Zamasu), as well as “Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan” (SSGSS, or “Super Saiyan Blue”) versions of Goku and Vegeta that can be accessed early via pre-orders or unlocked through gameplay. The Akira Toriyama-designed “#21” is a new character central to the game’s story mode.

The game’s optional $34.99 “FighterZ Pass” covers eight total additional playable characters (also available individually at $5 each); these include Broli, Bardock, Vegetto, Merged Zamasu, (non-Super Saiyan, “black hair”) Son Goku, and (non-Super Saiyan, “black hair”) Vegeta, Coola, and No. 17.

Dragon Ball FighterZ was originally released 26 January 2018 in North America and Europe, and 01 February 2018 in Japan, with the Switch release coming later in September. Alongside its Japanese release, Bandai Namco announced that they had shipped two million copies of the game, making it the fastest-shipping game in the franchise’s history.

Published by 27 November 2018, 3:20 PM ESTComment

The latest addition to our increasingly-falling-behind “Lyrics” section skips over the last few years’ worth of material in order to charge ahead to franchise’s latest song: “Blizzard” by Daichi Miura, the main theme to the forthcoming Dragon Ball Super: Broly theatrical film.

Please note that this transcription and translation may be adjusted following the formal CD single release next month. “Blizzard” is currently available for digital purchase and streaming on services such as iTunes and Spotify.

Published by 27 November 2018, 12:18 PM ESTComment

Last week’s January 2019 issue of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine revealed Dragon Ball‘s Piccolo and Cell as playable characters in the forthcoming crossover fighting game.

Following the magazine’s formal release, Bandai Namco shared additional screenshots on social media:

The two join the previously-announced Son Goku, Freeza, and Vegeta, making the Dragon Ball franchise the most-represented series thus far.

Jump Force, a crossover fighting game in celebration of Jump‘s 50th anniversary, will contain four brand new characters designed by original Dragon Ball author Akira Toriyama. The game is slated for a worldwide release on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (via Steam) with a Japanese launch 14 February 2019 followed by an international release the following day on 15 February 2019. The game’s North American release is available for pre-order at Amazon.

Spike Chunsoft previously developed J-Stars Victory Vs., a crossover fighting game celebrating Jump‘s 45th anniversary; the game was originally released on the PlayStation 3 and Vita, with a PlayStation 4 port eventually coming alongside an international localization. Alongside Arale from Dr. Slump, Son Goku, Vegeta, and Freeza were the three Dragon Ball representatives in J-Stars Victory Vs. Prior to this, the company developed the Sparking! (released internationally as “Budokai Tenkaichi”) and Raging Blast series of Dragon Ball fighting games.

Published by 26 November 2018, 9:35 AM ESTComment

SHOW DESCRIPTION:

Episode #0460! Mike and Julian interview Tōru Furuya, the voice of Yamcha, live from Anime NYC! Stay tuned for a day-by-day review of the overall convention, including the Anisong World Matsuri performance featuring Hironobu Kageyama and more!

SEGMENTS:

  • 00:15 – Introduction
  • 02:48 – Furuya Interview
  • 11:42 – Anime NYC Day 1
  • 35:43 – Anime NYC Day 2
  • 53:45 – Anime NYC Day 3
  • 59:45 – Wrap-up

REFERENCED SITES:

Our podcast is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music, or you can pop the direct RSS feed into the program of your choice. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3 or by streaming it on SoundCloud or YouTube. We invite you to discuss this episode on our forum.

Published by 21 November 2018, 10:10 PM ESTComment

In conjunction with today’s January 2019 issue of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine, Bandai Namco has announced a “Super Saiyan Full Power” version of Broli coming as paid downloadable content to Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 this winter as part of the “Extra Pack 4”:

The character, styled as his appearance in the upcoming theatrical film, will be able to use a special move even in the middle of receiving an attack so long as the appropriate technique meter is full.

The original version of Broli, as well as a “Super Villain” version, is already available in the base Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 content.

The Dragon Ball Super series’ Tournament of Power arena will be included as a fighting stage in the paid DLC, though players will face no flying restrictions in the game as characters did in the series itself. Shaped like a giant top, the Omni-King temple is visible in the far distance.

A free update will accompany the paid downloadable content, which will include access to a Broli wig, as well as Santa outfits.

Following the four paid content packs covered by the game’s original season pass, Bandai Namco released two additional paid content packs for Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2. Earlier this year, Bandai Namco promised additional free and paid content updates coming to Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2; “Extra Pack 3” was released back in August.

Developed by Dimps for Bandai Namco, Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 is available worldwide for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC (via Steam), and Switch. In North America, the game launched for consoles 25 October 2016 with a PC release following 28 October 2016. In Europe, the game launched across all platforms 28 October 2016. In Japan, the game launched on the PlayStation 4 console 02 November 2016. The Nintendo Switch port was released in Japan and internationally in September 2017.

Published by 21 November 2018, 9:32 PM ESTComment

Continuing onward from previous chapters, Viz has added their English translation of the Dragon Ball Super manga’s forty-second chapter to their website, concluding the “Universe Survival arc” and moving into an original “Galactic Patrol Prisoner arc”. This continues Viz’s initiative of simultaneously publishing the series’ chapter alongside its Japanese debut, which saw its release today in the January 2019 issue of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine in Japan.

The Dragon Ball Super “comicalization” began in June 2015, initially just ahead of the television series, and running both ahead and behind the series at various points. The manga runs monthly in Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine, with the series’ forty-second chapter coming today in the magazine’s January 2019 issue. Illustrated by “Toyotarō” (in all likelihood, a second pen-name used by Dragon Ball AF fan manga author and illustrator “Toyble”), the Dragon Ball Super manga covered the Battle of Gods re-telling, skipped the Resurrection ‘F’ re-telling, and “charged ahead” to the Champa arc for further promotion. Though the television series has completed its run, the manga continues onward telling its own version of the existing story, now entering its own original “Galactic Patrol Prisoner” arc. Viz is currently releasing free digital chapters of the series, and began their own collected print edition early last year. The fourth collected volume is due in English from Viz this coming January, while Shueisha will release the eighth collected volume in Japan next month.

The Dragon Ball Super television series concluded in March 2018 with 131 total episodes. FUNimation owns the American distribution license for the series, with the English dub airing on Cartoon Network, and the home video release reaching its fifth box set last month.

Published by 21 November 2018, 9:15 PM ESTComment

In today’s January 2019 issue of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine, the Dragon Ball Super manga officially kicks off an original “Galactic Patrol Prisoner” story arc at the end of its forty-second chapter. The chapter was also simultaneously released in English from Viz, available digitally on the company’s Shonen Jump website.

Following the completion of the Universe Survival arc and its Tournament of Power (as seen in the Dragon Ball Super television series), Toyotarō’s manga provides a brief glimpse of Broli, noting that said story (from the forthcoming theatrical film) is for another time, before diving into an original story arc involving the Galactic Patrol.

Some time after the events of the Tournament of Power, Goku and Vegeta receive an urgent call from Bulma: Mr. Satan is requesting assistance against a group that has arrived to kidnap Boo. The group, armed with ray guns, are loading a fast-asleep Boo onto their spaceship when Goku and Vegeta arrive. Goku attacks the ones near Boo, but the apparent leader of the group makes a sudden move and stuns both Goku and Vegeta with their gun; these two will be helpful, so they will be brought along to headquarters. Goku and Vegeta awaken to see Jaco, confused as to why “Merusu” brought them both when Boo would have been sufficient. Due to their negligence, a formidable foe has broken out of of the Galactic Penitentiary, and they require the assistance of someone who resides within Boo: the Dai-Kaiōshin.

Alongside hyping up Broli, Jiren, and this new prisoner, V-Jump‘s official website is hosting a voting campaign for Goku’s greatest battle, where visitors have a chance at receiving Toyotaro’s special image of the prisoner:

The official website provides a brief tease of the upcoming story arc:

悟空 VS. 謎の強敵「脱獄囚」
新章「銀河パトロール囚人編」で登場する謎の強敵!銀河刑務所から脱獄した大罪人とのことだが、はたして・・・?


Goku vs. the Mysterious, Formidable Foe: “The Escaped Prisoner”
A mysterious foe who appears in the new chapter, the “Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc”! Just what is it about this felon who escaped from the Galactic Penitentiary…?

The Galactic Patrol debuted in Sachie-chan GOOD!! from Akira Toriyama and Masakazu Katsura (published in the May 2008 issue of Jump Square that April), followed by Jiya (published over the course of three issues in Young Jump from December 2009 to January 2010); the two were collected in 2014’s Katsura Akira volume. Toriyama branched out on his own with 2013’s Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, a semi-stealth prequel to the Dragon Ball series.

Published by 20 November 2018, 8:59 PM ESTComment

Each month, Toyotarō provides a sketch — as well as a brief comment — on the official Japanese Dragon Ball website for a character that has not appeared in Dragon Ball Super. Thus far, Toyotarō has provided sketches of #8, Lunch, Chapa with Oob, Tambourine, Man-Wolf, Tapion, Janenba, Broli, Ozotto, Ginyu, and Bardock. For his November entry, Toyotarō has contributed a sketch of Paragus, Broli’s father, as he appears in the upcoming theatrical film:

It’s Paragus. The “Broly” movie will be opening at last. It’s the tops for fun! By all means, please see it at the theater!!

This sketch and comment set has been added to the respective page in our “Translations” archive.

Published by 19 November 2018, 2:12 PM ESTComment

Following similar releases for Fist of the North Star and Yū Yū Hakusho, Shueisha released the Dragon Ball: Jump Best Scene Top 10 mook earlier this month (02 November 2018) for ¥550 + tax. Sized in line with an actual issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump, the mook shares chapters representing the top ten scenes as voted on by fans. Join us this episode for a tour through the mook!

SHOW DESCRIPTION:

Episode #0459! Mike and Julian provide a guided tour through the “Dragon Ball: Jump Best Scene Top 10” mook (magazine-styled book) released in Japan this month. Tune in for our thoughts on the scenes selected, the printing particularities of the mook, and more!

SEGMENTS:

  • 00:13 – Introduction
  • 01:44 – Topic
  • 30:59 – Wrap-up

REFERENCED SITES:

Our podcast is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music, or you can pop the direct RSS feed into the program of your choice. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3 or by streaming it on SoundCloud or YouTube. We invite you to discuss this episode on our forum.