Our “Reviews” section grew out of our continuous coverage of international products over the years by way of our various “Features” and our weekly podcast. In conjunction with those areas, we aim to have the most comprehensive list and continued coverage of everything from music to home video to manga to collectible figures. We appreciate the support from all of our community members and industry partners — if you are interested in contributing a product for review (or in offsetting the cost of any particular item), please contact us.
Manga Reviews
Jaco the Galactic Patrolman
Japan & North America | Print & Digital Manga Release
| Released: | 2013-2014 |
| Retail: | Varying Price Points |
| Reviewed: | 23 April 2014 |
Akira Toriyama delivers a true Dragon Ball prequel released simultaneously in Japanese and English, with the collected edition including a bonus chapter.
Viz Dragon Ball Full Color Saiyan Arc Vol. 1
North America | Premium Manga Release
| Released: | 04 February 2014 |
| Retail: | $19.99 |
| Reviewed: | 24 February 2014 |
Viz brings the “Full Color” release to print in a premium release with (mostly) unedited artwork, including sound effects, starting with the Saiyan Arc.
Viz Dragon Ball 3-in-1 Edition Vol. 1
North America | Omnibus Manga Release
| Released: | 04 June 2013 |
| Retail: | $14.99 |
| Reviewed: | 08 July 2013 |
Viz begins another re-release of the Dragon Ball manga with another 3-in-1 edition on cheaper paper that is touted to be an “uncut” release, but…
Episode of Bardock
Japan | Three Monthly Manga Chapters
| Released: | Summer/Fall 2011 |
| Retail: | ¥500 (each) |
| Reviewed: | 22 November 2011 |
Tying in with a larger media assault (including a re-release of his respective TV special, and inclusion in the latest arcade game), Bardock received a three-chapter spin-off manga by Naho Ooishi in Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine.
Home Video & Special Feature Reviews
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (English Theatrical Release)
USA | Theatrical Release
| Released: | 04 August 2015 |
| Retail: | n/a |
| Reviewed: | 31 July 2015 |
FUNimation delivers a short theatrical run of their English dub for Resurrection ‘F’ (Revival of “F”), the 2015 Dragon Ball Z film penned by Akira Toriyama and directed by Tadayoshi Yamamuro.
Saikyō Jump March 2012 Bonus DVD
Japan | DVD (1 disc; Region 2)
| Released: | 03 February 2012 |
| Retail: | ¥480 |
| Reviewed: | 15 February 2012 |
Packed in with the March 2012 issue of Shueisha’s spin-off compilation magazine “Saikyō Jump” was a bonus DVD that included the animated adaptation of “Episode of Bardock” as well as the “Raging Blast 2” special remake feature “Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans”.
Dragon Ball Z Special Selection DVD
Japan | DVD (1 disc; Region 2)
| Released: | 05 August 2011 |
| Retail: | ¥1,000 |
| Reviewed: | 06 September 2011 |
Previously only available as extras within the two Dragon Ball Z TV “Dragon Box” sets released in Japan back in 2003, the Bardock and Trunks TV specials received a ¥1,000 budget release to help promote the spin-off “Episode of Bardock” manga and “Dragon Ball Heroes” game updates.
Dragon Ball Kai Volume 33
Japan | DVD (1 disc; Region 2)
| Released: | 08 August 2011 |
| Retail: | ¥1,995 |
| Reviewed: | 25 August 2011 |
Dragon Ball Kai is the “refreshed” version of the series produced in Japan for the 20th anniversary of the Dragon Ball Z TV series. The final DVD volume contains the last two episodes of the series: “97” and “98” (the latter of which was reclassified as a “bonus” episode and never aired on TV).
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
North America | DVD (1 disc; Regions 1 & 4)
| Released: | 28 December 2010 |
| Retail: | $14.98 |
| Reviewed: | 18 January 2011 |
FUNimation’s re-release of the first Dragon Ball movie (originally named “The Legend of Shenlong”) marks its uncut and original Japanese debut in North America nearly 15 years after its original release.
Dragon Ball Z Kai Volume 1
North America | Blu-ray/DVD (2 discs)
| Released: | 18 May 2010 |
| Retail: | $49.98 (DVD), $54.98 (Blu-ray) |
| Reviewed: | 26 May 2010 |
FUNimation’s “Dragon Ball Z Kai” Volume 1 is the first North American release of the “Dragon Ball Kai” TV series (a “refreshed” version created in celebration of its 20th anniversary in Japan) which features an all-new English dub meant to be significantly more accurate than before.
Dragon Box Z (Dragon Ball Z TV Series) Volume 2
North America | DVD (6 discs; Regions 1 & 4)
| Released: | 16 February 2010 |
| Retail: | $59.98 |
| Reviewed: | 29 March 2010 |
FUNimation’s “Dragon Box Z” Volume 2 is the second of seven boxes containing the entirety of the Dragon Ball Z TV series, complete with the original Japanese video and audio remastering from Toei and Pony Canyon, available for the first time in North America.
Dragon Box Z (Dragon Ball Z TV Series) Volume 1
North America | DVD (6 discs; Regions 1 & 4)
| Released: | 17 November 2009 |
| Retail: | $59.98 |
| Reviewed: | 22 November 2009 |
FUNimation’s “Dragon Box Z” Volume 1 is the first of seven boxes containing the entirety of the Dragon Ball Z TV series, complete with the original Japanese video and audio remastering from Toei and Pony Canyon, available for the first time in North America.
Dragon Ball Kai Volume 1
Japan | Blu-ray (1 disc; Region A)
| Released: | 18 September 2009 |
| Retail: | ¥3,045 |
| Reviewed: | 20 November 2009 |
Dragon Ball Kai is the “refreshed” version of the series produced in Japan for the 20th anniversary of the Dragon Ball Z TV series. The first Blu-ray volume contains the first three episodes in an exclusive 4:3 high-definition format.
Video Game Reviews
Dragon Ball Fusions
Japan | Nintendo 3DS
| Released: | 04 August 2016 (Japan) / 22 November 2016 (America) |
| Retail: | ¥6,156 (Japan) / $29.99 (America) |
| Reviewed: | 20 November 2016 |
“Dragon Ball Fusions” is a turn-based strategy RPG on the Nintendo 3DS that whisks you into a mish-mashed version of the Dragon World to find your friend and recruit new teammates.
Dragon Ball Z for Kinect
North America | Xbox 360
| Released: | 09 October 2012 |
| Retail: | $39.99 |
| Reviewed: | 16 October 2012 |
“Dragon Ball Z for Kinect” is the first console-based, completely hands-free, motion-controlled game for the franchise courtesy of the Kinect on the Xbox 360.
Dragon Ball Kai: Ultimate Butōden
Japan | Nintendo DS
| Released: | 03 February 2011 |
| Retail: | ¥5,980 |
| Reviewed: | 09 October 2012 |
“Dragon Ball Kai: Ultimate Butōden” is the Japan-only fighting game — and final Dragon Ball game — for the Nintendo DS developed by Game Republic.
Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi
North America | Sony PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360
| Released: | 25 October 2011 |
| Retail: | $59.99 |
| Reviewed: | 03 May 2012 |
“Ultimate Tenkaichi” is the latest fighting game from Spike, and includes a graphical overhaul, giant boss battles, and new combat system focusing on Quick-Time-Events.
Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2
North America | Sony PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360
| Released: | 02 November 2010 |
| Retail: | $59.99 |
| Reviewed: | 06 December 2010 |
“Raging Blast 2” is a free-roam fighting game from Spike which includes new characters and the re-made “Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans” feature presentation.
Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team
North America | Sony PSP
| Released: | 19 October 2010 |
| Retail: | $39.99 |
| Reviewed: | 05 November 2010 |
“Tenkaichi Tag Team” is an off-shoot of the “Sparking! / Raging Blast” style of fighting games developed by Spike, now featuring two-on-two tag battles. It spans the near-entirety of the Dragon Ball Z story line from Raditz to Boo, with a few extra “What If?” scenarios spread throughout.
Dragon Ball Origins 2
North America | Nintendo DS
| Released: | 22 June 2010 |
| Retail: | $29.99 |
| Reviewed: | 17 July 2010 |
“Origins 2” is a sequel game based around the Red Ribbon Army story arc of the series featuring “beat-’em-up” game play and light puzzles.
Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans
North America | Nintendo DS
| Released: | 04 November 2009 |
| Retail: | $29.99 |
| Reviewed: | 20 December 2009 |
“Attack of the Saiyans” is a traditional, Japanese-developed, turn-based role-playing game that spans the 23rd Tenka’ichi Budōkai up through the battle with Vegeta.
Dragon Ball: Raging Blast
North America | Sony PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360
| Released: | 10 November 2009 |
| Retail: | $59.99 |
| Reviewed: | 15 November 2009 |
“Raging Blast” is the new 3D fighting game from Spike, developers of the prior “Sparking!” series. It covers the entirety of the Dragon Ball Z series, including several “What If?” stories and unique characters.
Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo
North America | Nintendo Wii
| Released: | 20 October 2009 |
| Retail: | $39.99 |
| Reviewed: | 28 October 2009 |
“Revenge of King Piccolo” is the domestic release of “Tenka’ichi Dai-Bōken” for the Nintendo Wii, an action-platformer that follows Goku’s quest and battles against the Red Ribbon Army up through his defeat of Piccolo Daimaō.
Music Reviews
FLOW – Hero ~Song of Hope~ / CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
| Released: | 20 March 2013 |
| Retail: | ¥1,350 |
| Reviewed: | 20 June 2013 |
FLOW contributed two songs to the new film Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods: a cover of “CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA” and a new song, “Hero ~Song of Hope~”, which were released as a CD single with an English version and instrumentals.
Dragon Ball Z 20th Century-SONGS BEST
| Released: | 27 February 2013 |
| Retail: | ¥2,800 |
| Reviewed: | 23 March 2013 |
20th Century-SONGS BEST celebrates a good portion of the Dragon Ball Z TV and film musical catalog with a slightly remastered sound.
Team Dragon (from AKB48) – Kokoro no Hane
| Released: | 21 July 2010 |
| Retail: | ¥1,260 (Regular), ¥1,600 (Limited Edition) |
| Reviewed: | 23 January 2011 |
The “Team Dragon (Limited Edition)” version of the second closing theme to Dragon Ball Kai contains a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes footage from a recording session, a performance of the song, and more.
Hironobu Kageyama – Battle of Omega
| Released: | 22 December 2010 |
| Retail: | ¥1,200 |
| Reviewed: | 05 January 2011 |
The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 fighting video game “Raging Blast 2” received an all-new vocal theme song by veteran Hironobu Kageyama.
Shoko Nakagawa – Shoko-tan Cover 3
| Released: | 10 March 2010 |
| Retail: | ¥2,800 (Regular), ¥3,500 (Special Edition) |
| Reviewed: | 10 June 2010 |
The cat-crazy idol released her third anime theme song cover album containing versions of a Dragon Ball Z ending and Dragon Ball GT opening.
Hironobu Kageyama – Progression
| Released: | 25 November 2009 |
| Retail: | ¥1,200 |
| Reviewed: | 03 March 2010 |
The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 fighting video game “Raging Blast” received an all-new vocal theme song by veteran Hironobu Kageyama.
Hiroki Takahashi – POWER OF DREAMER
| Released: | 26 August 2009 |
| Retail: | ¥1,200 |
| Reviewed: | 04 October 2009 |
The Nintendo Wii video game “Tenka’ichi Dai-Bōken” received an all-new vocal theme song by veteran Hiroki Takahashi.
Dragon Soul – Yeah! Break! Care! Break!
| Released: | 24 June 2009 |
| Retail: | ¥1,260 (Regular), ¥1,365 (Limited Edition) |
| Reviewed: | 16 August 2009 |
The “refreshed” Dragon Ball Kai TV series features an all-new closing theme song performed by series-newcomers “Dragon Soul” (Takayoshi Tanimoto & Takafumi Iwasaki).
Dragon Soul – Dragon Soul
| Released: | 20 May 2009 |
| Retail: | ¥1,260 (Regular), ¥1,365 (Limited Edition) |
| Reviewed: | 05 July 2009 |
The “refreshed” Dragon Ball Kai TV series features an all-new opening theme song performed by series-newcomers “Dragon Soul” (Takayoshi Tanimoto & Takafumi Iwasaki).
Sherry – Romantikku Ageru yo
| Released: | 22 April 2009 |
| Retail: | ¥1,200 |
| Reviewed: | 17 May 2009 |
The debut CD single from a new all-female idol group is yet another cover of the ending theme to the original Dragon Ball TV series.
Maximum the Hormone – Tsume Tsume Tsume / F
| Released: | 09 July 2008 |
| Retail: | ¥1,157 |
| Reviewed: | 17 May 2009 |
A special “double-A-side” CD single featuring a song dedicated to the biggest badass in the Dragon Ball series, Freeza.
Ayumi Hamasaki – Rule / Sparkle
| Released: | 25 February 2009 |
| Retail: | ¥1,050 (CD Single), ¥1,800 (Full Album) |
| Reviewed: | 29 March 2009 |
“Rule” is the international theme song for the live-action movie “Dragon Ball Evolution”.
Figure/Toy Reviews
“Legend of Saiyan” Series
| Released: | Early 2011 |
| Maker: | Banpresto |
| Reviewed: | 25 April 2011 |
The “Legend of Saiyan” series features a plethora of three-inch figures spanning a huge range of Saiyan characters from the series and movies.
“Assembly Style DX Dragon Ball Creatures” Series
| Released: | Early 2009 |
| Maker: | Banpresto |
| Reviewed: | 10 September 2010 |
The “Creatures” series features exaggerated molds of characters from the series at a lower/mid-range price point.
“Freeza’s Force” Series
| Released: | Early 2010 |
| Maker: | Banpresto |
| Reviewed: | 26 July 2010 |
The “Freeza’s Force” series features twenty ~3 inch figures plus two variations on Freeza’s spaceship to form a near-complete army.
“Dragon Hero” Series
| Released: | October 2007 |
| Maker: | Bandai |
| Reviewed: | 19 June 2010 |
The seemingly-canceled “Dragon Hero” series featured ~6 inch figures for a cheap price, but with a surprising build quality.