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Published by 24 July 2018, 10:18 AM EDTComment

Following the initial reveal in this month’s September 2018 issue of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine, a short promotional video for the black-haired (non-Super Saiyan) version of Son Gokuone of the next paid downloadable characters coming to Dragon Ball FighterZhas been released showcasing some of his special moves:

The video concludes with a glimpse at the in-game alternate colors, player lobby character, and Z-Stamp that will accompany him for those that pay for access to the character.

The character will be made available next month (alongside a similar version of Vegeta) individually for ¥500/$5, or as part of the game’s game’s optional $34.99 “FighterZ Pass” covering eight total characters. Broli, Bardock, Vegetto, and Merged Zamasu were the first four of eight promised paid downloadable characters released thus far; the announcement of Goku and Vegeta leave two remaining to be officially revealed.

The 3-on-3, “2.5D” fighting game is developed by Arc System Works and is currently available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (via Steam); on these systems, the game runs at a 1080p resolution and 60fps frame rate, with higher resolutions available on the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X consoles, as well as the PC. A Nintendo Switch port is due in 2018. 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.

Dragon Ball FighterZ was originally released 26 January 2018 in North America and Europe, and 01 February 2018 in Japan. 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 24 July 2018, 9:27 AM EDTComment

In conjunction with this week’s September 2018 of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine in Japan, the standard (black-haired, non-Super Saiyan) forms of Son Goku and Vegeta have (unsurprisingly) been formally revealed as forthcoming DLC characters in Dragon Ball FighterZ.

Goku’s Meteor Attack is the Genki-Dama, which is — as one would expect — slow to perform but extremely powerful. The Kaiō-Ken powers up in line with the number of defeated teammates.

Vegeta’s Meteor Attack is the “Galaxy Breaker”, the move used to kill Nappa in the original story. His Gyalik-Hō fires an energy blast toward the ground, and can be used in the air.

Both characters will launch in August for ¥500 each, or as part of the game’s season pass.

The 3-on-3, “2.5D” fighting game is developed by Arc System Works and is currently available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (via Steam); on these systems, the game runs at a 1080p resolution and 60fps frame rate, with higher resolutions available on the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X consoles, as well as the PC. A Nintendo Switch port is due in 2018. 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. Broli, Bardock, Vegetto, and Merged Zamasu were the first four of eight promised paid downloadable characters released thus far; the announcement of Goku and Vegeta leave two remaining to be officially revealed.

Dragon Ball FighterZ was originally released 26 January 2018 in North America and Europe, and 01 February 2018 in Japan. 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 23 July 2018, 7:13 PM EDT1 Comment

We return with the eighth round in our “Dragon Ball GT Review of Awesomeness” to cover episodes 32-35. Oob is back! Goku is back! Transformations! Fights! It sure is Dragon Ball…!

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0451! Mike, Meri, and Jeff continue onward in the “Dragon Ball GT Review of Awesomeness” to cover “Dragon Ball GT” episodes 32-35! Oob enters the fray to challenge Baby, but when his own attack is turned on him, the only option left is a still-in-progress Goku. With his tail back in the picture, how will things shake out? And just how many transformations can we cram into four episodes?!

SEGMENTS:

  • 00:12 – Introduction
  • 01:50 – Topic
  • 1:01:30 – 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 July 2018, 1:01 PM EDTComment

In conjunction with today’s September 2018 issue of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine in Japan, Bandai Namco has announced Kafla as a new playable character coming in the forthcoming “Extra Pack 3” downloadable content for Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2:

Recreate even “that” reaction with “Gigantic Breaker”!!

It’s a mighty skill where you hit your opponent with a fist bathed in ki!! But if your attack misses, it will leave you open, so be careful.

The regular attacks are also suited to both mêlée and ranged combat!! You’ll chase your opponent down with power!!

Kafla — the Potara fusion of Universe 6’s Kale and Caulifla — made her debut during the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super‘s Universe Survival arc.

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” is scheduled for release this summer. Super Baby 2 from Dragon Ball GT was previously revealed as a part of the forthcoming update.

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 July 2018, 9:54 AM EDTComment

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, and Janenba. For his July entry, Toyotarō has contributed a sketch of Broli:

It’s Broli! Everyone recognizes him as the No. 1 movie character. I’m looking forward to him cutting loose in this new movie! (The picture here is of his design from his first movie)

Broli, a character originally created by writer Takao Koyama, was originally featured in three films in the 1990s; Akira Toriyama provided design thoughts and critiques alongside these appearances, but was otherwise not directly involved with these specific stories. Since then, the character has appeared in numerous video games and bits of ancillary media, including 2017’s Dragon Ball Z: The Real 4-D special feature at Universal Studios in Japan. Broli is set to be reimagined as the main antagonist in this year’s forthcoming Dragon Ball Super theatrical film with Akira Toriyama providing original character designs and the film’s script.

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

Published by 21 July 2018, 9:42 AM EDTComment

Continuing onward from previous chapters, Viz has added their English translation of the Dragon Ball Super manga’s thirty-eighth chapter to their website, moving further into the “Universe Survival arc” of the series. This continues Viz’s initiative of simultaneously publishing the series’ chapter alongside its Japanese debut, which saw its release today in the September 2018 issue of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine in Japan.

The Dragon Ball Super “comicalization” began in June 2015 as a promotional tie-in for the television series. The manga runs monthly in Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine, with the series’ thirty-eighth chapter coming today in the magazine’s September 2018 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 to act as further promotion for the television series. Though the television series has completed its run, the manga continues onward telling its own version of the existing story. Viz is currently releasing free digital chapters of the series, and began their own collected print edition early last year. The third collected volume was released in English from Viz earlier this 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 fourth box set last month.

Published by 20 July 2018, 12:07 PM EDTComment

Following a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tease last month in V-Jump, Amazon Japan has given a specific 04 September 2018 release date for the upcoming seventh collected volume of Toyotarō’s Dragon Ball Super manga.

The volume will pick up with the thirty-third chapter of the series. The series’ sixth collected volume saw its release in Japan last month spanning chapters 29 to 32.

The Dragon Ball Super “comicalization” began in June 2015 as a promotional tie-in for the television series. The manga runs monthly in Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine, with the series’ thirty-eighth chapter coming tomorrow in the magazine’s September 2018 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 to act as further promotion for the television series. Though the television series has completed its run, the manga continues onward telling its own version of the existing story. Viz is currently releasing free digital chapters of the series, and began their own collected print edition early last year. The third collected volume was released in English from Viz earlier this 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 fourth box set last month.

Published by 19 July 2018, 6:50 PM EDT3 Comments

The first official trailer for the upcoming Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie debuted at Funimation’s hour-long panel held this afternoon at Comic-Con International in San Diego. The panel featured voice actors Sean Schemmel (Goku) and Christopher Sabat (Vegeta), as well as Toei Animation producers Akio Iyoku and Norihiro Hayashida. Prior to showing the trailer, Broli entered the stage and the message from original author Akira Toriyama previously released on the movie’s official website was shown to the audience.

The trailer was first shown at the panel in Japanese with English subtitles, followed by its English-dubbed counterpart. Shortly following the panels conclusion, the official Dragon Ball Super Twitter account posted the Japanese trailer, Toei Animation posted the Japanese trailer with English subtitles, and IGN posted the official English trailer.

Following the trailers, the panel also showcased several new, yet to be seen character designs from Naohiro Shintani for Goku, Vegeta, and Broli (photos courtesy Lawrence Yee).

The story, script, and character designs for Dragon Ball Super: Broly, opening nationwide in Japan 14 December 2018 in 2D, IMAX, and MX4D, are being crafted by original manga author Akira Toriyama. The film will be directed by Tatsuya Nagamine, and will feature animation supervision by Naohiro Shintani along with art direction by Kazuo Ogura.

Published by 19 July 2018, 5:20 PM EDTComment

The “Dragon Ball North America Tour 2018” is officially underway with its first stop at Comic-Con International, which is being held this weekend in San Diego, California.

The tour location has been setup like the World Martial Arts Tournament, with a check-in table at the center. Numerous products and promotions are on display throughout, as well as large character statues. The left wall also prominently features a special Dragon Ball history timeline designed by VIZ Media editor Marlene First and several character designs for the upcoming movie. Check out the pictures below from various official accounts!

Numerous companies are on-hand at the event hosting various exhibits and booths to show off the latest figures, card games, video games, and much more. Other Dragon Ball-related events and panels with various staff and voice actors are scheduled throughout the weekend. The first panel is scheduled for Thursday (today) at 2:15 PDT, which will feature Sean Schemmel (Goku VA), Christopher Sabat (Vegeta VA), Akio Iyoku (Toei producer), and Norihiro Hayashida (Toei producer) covering the latest on the upcoming Dragon Ball Super movie. It is anticipated that this panel will include the debut of the movie’s first official trailer.

Later that night, Funimation will be hosting an official movie launch party at a local sports bar to celebrate the Dragon Ball franchise’s milestone 20th movie. The party will have themed drink specials, celebrity guest appearances, photo opportunities, free Dragon Ball Super movie souvenirs, and more.

The tour is being hosted by various Dragon Ball copyright holders, including Toei Animation and Shueisha, as well as Funimation, the franchise’s North American license holder. Thus far, six tour stops have been announced:

  • 19 July 2018Comic-Con International: San Diego — The Marriott Marina Terrace, San Diego, California
  • 10 August 2018Otakon — Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
  • 30 August 2018FAN EXPO Canada — Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario
  • 07 September 2018Rose City Comic Con — Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon
  • 04 October 2018New York Comic Con — Javits Center, New York City, New York
  • 19 October 2018Dallas Fan Days — Irving Convention Center, Dallas, Texas

More information can be found on the tour’s official website and a schedule of Funimation events is available on their official blog.

Published by 18 July 2018, 9:37 AM EDTComment

FUNimation’s online shop reveals an 02 October 2018 release date for their fifth part of the Dragon Ball Super television series on DVD and Blu-ray.

Following their first encounter with Goku Black, the Saiyan trio are itching to dish out some payback! With everyone’s lives on the line, the Z Fighters must face the problem head-on or try to alter the timeline at the source!

The bilingual (English/Japanese) two-disc set will span episodes 53 to 65 and is slated to contain 17 minutes of bonus material. The set will retail for $39.98 MSRP on DVD and $44.98 MSRP on Blu-ray.

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 fourth box set last month.