This week’s show goes a little bit deeper with the franchise as we outline some if its core themes: if you really break it down, Dragon Ball is about arrogant characters pushing themselves to the limit until they have to rely on the friends they made along the way!

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0419! Mike and Chris discuss some of the core themes in the Dragon Ball series. From pushing oneself to the limit, to falling victim to your own hubris, to gathering the energy and support of your friends, Dragon Ball has it all. How do these themes repeat themselves throughout the franchise?

REFERENCED SITES:

• TWITTER: Chris
• TRANSLATION ARCHIVE: “WIRED Japan 1997 #1: Akira Toriyama Interview”

Enjoy! Discuss this episode on the Kanzenshuu forum, and be sure to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Tumblr.

Our podcast feed is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3, or you can listen on YouTube and/or SoundCloud.

Happy 2017! The podcast kicks off this year with our review of the recently-completed “Future Trunks arc” from the Dragon Ball Super television series. Enjoy this massive discussion, and stay tuned for our annual predictions episode later this month, as well!

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0418! Mike, Chris, Scott, and Meri review the “Future Trunks arc” of the “Dragon Ball Super” TV series. As the series transitions from multiple movie retellings to a fun tournament diversion and now to a dark, serious setting, does it find an identity of its own? What value is there in torturing Trunks again, and do the end results give us an emotional payoff? What does the escalating scale of godly destruction bring to the table? Tune in for a discussion filled with our thoughts and your opinions as we look ahead to the “Universe Survival arc” this year!

REFERENCED SITES:

• TWITTER: Chris
• TWITTER: Scott
• TWITTER: Meri
• NEWS ARCHIVE: “Future Trunks Arc” Announced For “Dragon Ball Super”
• FORUM: Super Animation Catalogue
• PODCAST: The Story of “Battle Point Unlimited”

Enjoy! Discuss this episode on the Kanzenshuu forum, and be sure to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Tumblr.

Our podcast feed is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3, or you can listen on YouTube.

Our history with documenting Kenji Yamamoto‘s musical shenanigans goes back nearly a decade at this point. From the earliest stories on our podcast to our entire retrospective feature, it perhaps goes without saying that we have taken great interest in sharing these tidbits.

This week on the podcast, we take it back to the beginning with a special bonus episode: this is the story of “Battle Point Unlimited”, the insert song in episode 120 of the Dragon Ball Z television series.

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Bonus episode! Tune in as Mike provides a complete history of the “Dragon Ball Z” episode 120 insert song “Battle Point Unlimited” by Kenji Yamamoto (a.k.a. “Monolith”). What made it sound so distinct from the rest of the score, and how is the obvious case of plagiarism here admittedly so different and even innovative from what came later?

REFERENCED SITES:

• “Progressive” Anime Song Compilation @ NicoNico
• Propaganda – “A Secret Wish” (2013 Re-release) @ Amazon
• Kenji Yamamoto Retrospective Feature @ Kanzenshuu

Enjoy! Discuss this episode on the Kanzenshuu forum, and be sure to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Tumblr.

This bonus episode is exclusive to the website and regular podcast subscribers. Our podcast feed is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3.

As we head toward the holiday season (not to mention the next arc in Dragon Ball Super), we decided to take this opportunity to catch up on a few news stories. The podcast gives us a wonderful outlet to editorialize and otherwise chew on these stories in quite a different way from our standard text reporting, so tune in for a fun, casual discussion about the month’s events!

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0417! Mike and Heath catch up on November/December news, including competing “Dragon Ball Super” English dubs, various updates and changes to “Dragon Ball Fusions” on the Nintendo 3DS, a new official spin-off manga from a well-known fan artist, and much more!

REFERENCED SITES:

• NEWS: “Dragon Ball Fusions” (3DS) American Release Changes Swords to Sticks
• NEWS: “Dragon Ball Fusions” (3DS) Version 2.2.0 Update Released in Japan
• NEWS: European “Dragon Ball Fusions” (3DS) Release Date Set For February 17
• NEWS: FUNimation Announces “Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters” For American Broadcast
• NEWS: Dragon Ball “Digest Edition: Legend 16” Cover Artwork + Upcoming Preorders
• NEWS: Shueisha Launches New Digital Dragon Ball Spin-Off Manga By Popular Fan Artist dragongarowLEE
• NEWS: Seventh “Dragon Ball Super” Ending Theme Song Announced
• CONTENT: “Dragon Ball Super” Manga Vol. 2 Content Overview & Interview Translations

Enjoy! Discuss this episode on the Kanzenshuu forum, and be sure to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Tumblr.

Our podcast feed is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3, or you can listen on YouTube and/or SoundCloud.

Dragon Ball Super episode 69 was a return-to-form, in that it essentially reverted so far back that it went all the way around into a Dr. Slump episode! This week on the podcast we dig in to all the references and call-backs to help you get the most out of your viewing experience!

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0416! Mike and Jake review “Dragon Ball Super” episode 69 along with all of its “Dr. Slump” (and various other parody!) references and call-backs. From the real Dr. Mashirito to Vegeta as the external voice of reason, tune in for a master class in Toriyama humor.

REFERENCED SITES:

• PODCAST: Episode #0285 (General Blue’s portrayal in the “Dragon Ball” TV series)
• PODCAST: Episode #0288 (“Dr. Slump” Primer)
• PODCAST: Episode #0366 (“Dr. Slump” and “Dragon Ball” Borrowed Ideas)
• CONTENT: Press Archive Update – February 1996 “Mangazine” Article
• CONTENT: “Dragon Ball Super” Masako Nozawa & Mami Koyama Special Interview (Part 1)
• CONTENT: “Dragon Ball Super” Masako Nozawa & Mami Koyama Special Interview (Part 2)
• EXTERNAL INTERVIEW: Kazuhiko Torishima (Forbes)

Enjoy! Discuss this episode on the Kanzenshuu forum, and be sure to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Tumblr.

Our podcast feed is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3, or you can listen on YouTube and/or SoundCloud.

Thanks to a last-minute, surprise release date shift, Dragon Ball Fusions is now available on the Nintendo 3DS in North America! Tune in for some final thoughts on the game as Mike, Jake, and Kirran wrap up the Japanese version and look ahead to the domestic release.

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0415! Mike, Jake, and Kirran wrap up the Japanese release of “Dragon Ball Fusions” on the Nintendo 3DS. Does the game offer enough to keep you interested for an extended period of time? How does it shape up against other offerings, both on the handheld and console front? What kinds of expectations should be put in check? Tune in for all this and more!

REFERENCED SITES:

• NEWS: Bandai Namco Details “Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2” Update & DLC Pack #1
• NEWS: Bandai Namco Shifts “Dragon Ball Fusions” (3DS) North American Launch to November 22
• NEWS: “Dragon Ball Fusions” (3DS) Version 2.2.0 December Update Brings New Characters & Online Story Quest
• CONTENT: Review: “Dragon Ball Fusions” (Nintendo 3DS)
• CONTENT: Press Archive Updates: 1993, 1995, 1997 “Protoculture Addicts” Dragon Ball Feature Articles
• CONTENT: New Translation: 1996 “Dragon Ball, If You Please” Akira Toriyama Comic

Enjoy! Discuss this episode on the Kanzenshuu forum, and be sure to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Tumblr.

Our podcast feed is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3, or you can listen on YouTube and/or SoundCloud.

It finally happened: official subtitled Dragon Ball Super simulcast streams are available (nearly) worldwide! Between Crunchyroll and Daisuki, most fans now have a great option to easily and legally keep up with the show. The availability of the show itself is one thing, but how about the subtitle translations? With Dragon Ball Super, bootleg distributions have either featured impeccable or garbage translations. How does Toei’s own product shape up in this regard?

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0414! Mike and Jake discuss the quality of the subtitle translations available in Toei’s “Dragon Ball Super” simulcast streams. With a mix of dub terminology, faithful adaptations, and even some direct romanizations, will the proper nouns be accessible to anyone at all? Terminology aside, how about (perhaps most importantly) the rest of the translation? Tune in for a great batch of examples and explanations, along with a news recap and look ahead to future website content!

REFERENCED SITES:

• NEWS: Toei Animation & Crunchyroll Announce “Dragon Ball Super” Simulcast
• NEWS: Daisuki to Provide Additional “Dragon Ball Super” Simulcast Streams to International Territories
• NEWS: Shueisha Establishes New “Dragon Ball Room” Initiative to Support Future Content
• NEWS: Viz Posts “Dragon Ball Super” Manga Chapter 10 English Translation
• NEWS: Bandai Namco Announces Frost & Cabba as Playable Characters in Upcoming “Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2” DLC Pack
• NEWS: “Dragon Ball Fusions” (3DS) Japanese 11th Week Sales Figures
• NEWS: “Dragon Ball Fusions” (3DS) Second Major Update Patch Releasing November 2 with New Characters & Fusions
• NEWS: “Dragon Ball Heroes” 6th Anniversary Live Stream Announced + New Akira Toriyama Comment

Enjoy! Discuss this episode on the Kanzenshuu forum, and be sure to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Tumblr.

Our podcast feed is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3, or you can listen on YouTube and/or SoundCloud.

This weekend marked the “closed beta” period for the upcoming Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 video game. As we look ahead to the game’s retail release in less than a month, we brought on TeamFourStar‘s gaming aficionado Kirran to discuss how the game appears to be shaping up, changes from the first game, and our hopes for the future!

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0413! Mike and Kirran discuss the “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2” closed beta. What changes have been made to the gameplay and overall structure from the first game? How does the story appear to be shaping up, and what concerns do we have as we look ahead to the final retail release later this month? A news recap and look ahead to some upcoming website content round out the show!

REFERENCED SITES:

• NEWS: Sixth “Dragon Ball Super” Ending Theme Song Announced
• NEWS: Viz Posts “Dragon Ball Super” Manga Chapter 9 English Translation
• NEWS: “Dragon Ball Super” Manga Collected Edition Vol. 2 Announced
• NEWS: “Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2” Collector’s Edition to Include Bonus Toyotarō Manga
• NEWS: Bandai Namco Announces “Dragon Ball Fusions” (3DS) International Localization
• NEWS: “Dragon Ball Fusions” (3DS) Japanese 9th Week Sales Figures
• NEWS: “Dragon Ball Fusions” (3DS) Receiving Free Update in Autumn 2016
• Live Stream: TeamFourStar “Xenoverse 2” Closed Beta @ YouTube
• Bonus Podcast: “Step Into the Grand Tour” w/ Chris and Mike @ YouTube
• Bonus Podcast: “Kanzenshuu” w/ Dustin and Mike @ YouTube

Enjoy! Discuss this episode on the Kanzenshuu forum, and be sure to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Tumblr.

Our podcast feed is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3, or you can listen on YouTube and/or SoundCloud.

In addition to our regular (mostly-)weekly lineup of podcast episodes, the staff at Kanzenshuu occasionally collaborate or make guest appearances on other shows to discuss Dragon Ball. For those fans looking to supplement their listenings this week, check out the latest episode of Chris Niosi‘s Kirblog series — “Step Into The Grand Tour” — for an 80+ minute discussion about the 1996-1997 Dragon Ball GT TV series. How did it come to be, what risks did it take, how did its story play out, and what legacy does it leave behind?

For those of you subscribed to our podcast feed (perhaps in the iTunes Store or Google Play Music): surprise! The episode should have already downloaded for you (and if not, give you podcast subscriptions a refresh).

Check out our “Special Episodes & Guest Appearances” page for more supplemental episodes you may have missed over the years.

Twenty years ago this weekend, Dragon Ball Z‘s English dub debuted on American television courtesy of FUNimation. It came after a rough year’s production of the original Dragon Ball series lasting only thirteen episodes and a single movie, despite the show already seeing massive success across the entire rest of the globe. This week on our podcast, we jump back to 1996 to discuss that first dubbed episode (“The Arrival of Raditz”) and its impact on the fandom moving forward.

SHOW DESCRIPTION:
Episode #0412! Mike and Meri reflect on twenty years of Dragon Ball Z in America. In September 1996, FUNimation’s English dub of Dragon Ball Z began airing in syndication, and it has only grown in popularity since then. How does that dubbed production stand the test of time? What can we learn from history? And what exactly was this Ocean dub, anyway? All this and a dive into our new “Press Archive” coming in your ears!

REFERENCED SITES:

• NEWS: Viz Posts “Dragon Ball Super” Manga Chapter 7 English Translation
• CONTENT: New Website Section: “Press Archive”

Enjoy! Discuss this episode on the Kanzenshuu forum, and be sure to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Tumblr.

Our podcast feed is available via iTunes and/or Google Play Music. You can also listen to this episode by directly downloading the MP3, or you can listen on YouTube or Spotify.