Funi has Dragonball Kai (Confirmed)

Now that it's finally here, I don't know what to say, except thanks, FUNi. I wasn't expecting them to add a Z to the name, though, so that's disappointing. I look forward to a brand-new dub in true HD on Blu-ray in 4:3 in May.
 
It's an interesting idea, having a new dub. Having a script more accurate to the Japanese version I can definitely see happening, but the big question is, would FUNi possibly be willing to take a risk and recast any of the well-known characters? They have a significantly larger talent pool to work with nowadays. This would be their golden opportunity to make some changes to the voice cast if they so inclined.

What I wouldn't give to have a brand new Frieza voice for Kai.

Oh, and Puar. I know he doesn't talk much in Z, but when he does it causes me great rage.
 
And yet, the creators of this fourth series felt it was unnecessary to have a 'Z' in there.

Because there was no "Dragonball Z" in Japan, ever. There is one in America, however. Regardless of how necessary you think the "Z" is, the letter's been there for around a decade, and it's too late to remove it, especially if there's a related but tonally different "Dragonball" simultaneously on the market. The early and later arcs of Dragonball are wildly different from each other, and could be considered as completely different series. Akira Toriyama, and by extension the producers of the series, never changed the title. (It would be similar to how despite being a radically different show and format, the recent episodes of "Scrubs" haven't garnered a name change.) Even Japan knows there's a big difference. If "Dragonball" is such a coherent and unified series to the Japanese, then why do you think they started here and not from episode one?

It's an adaptation of a piece of Dragon Ball's story. Just as Dragon Ball Z was.

For something to be an adaptation of something, it would generally have to be something produced separately from the original. DBZ took the original and added a "Z" to it.

Your comparison isn't valid because there's a lot that adRAB up to making Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Kai different products. There is 'filler' in Dragon Ball Z but that is inherently a part of the story of Dragon Ball Z, not the Dragon Ball story it is adapted from, but a part of that 291 behemoth nonetheless.

It's still the same story. The same characters do the same stuff, fighting the same people. If a movie has a director's cut with a few extra scenes added and visual quality retouched, does the general feel of the movie change? Does it at this point become a different movie?

Their treatment, as often and much as it has enraged the fans, continually makes them money no matter what they do. Just look at the Orange Brick debacle.

There are tons of people who wish their favorite anime had the treatment DBZ gets. The fact that the fanbase is crying bloody murder about an extra letter and not stuff like hacked episodes or shoddy DVD treatment is a pretty good indication of how good Dragonball fans have it.
 
I'm not buying anything (not much of a DB fan these days), but if I were, I'd go for the DBZ sets because I'm cheap and they are priced very low .
 
Shop smart. DBoxes are running for $35 bucks on RightStuf.

If you aren't willing to pay than that's just a testament to how much--or little--you want those episodes.
 
Two different experiences? Well yeah but not different enough to warrant buying both. I can understand hardcore fans doing it but even regular fans are not going to do it.

I've been very unimpressed with Kai, the music in DBZ was great while the ones on Kai are usually nothing special. The improvements made are not always for the best either. And personally I liked some of the filler, I don't mind watching filler that much. I'd get the original version since its the way the anime was meant to be, a few bells and whistles is does not make Kai better. If Kai was indeed a new show with new animation being more accurate to the manga then maybe my opinion would differ but its not.
 
Because America has a totally different market and economic climate than Japan. FUNimation, if nothing else, is really good at marketing. Which is part of the reason they pretty much are anime in North America these days. I trust that this decision was made with the best interest of the series in mind. It's not any more insulting than VIZ changing the name of the latter portion of the manga.

Personally, I like the change. The Z makes all the difference here in the states and it also helps to specify exactly what the product is.
 
If the whole issue of the dub wasn't on the table it'd be hard for me to find a reason to care about Kai being released over here. I'll just stick to collecting the Dragon Boxes since I waited, y'know, YEARS for them.

That said, if they're willing to keep the script close to the original, then hopefully the dub of Kai takes a step further than that and gets some honest-to-God good vocal direction in the dub as well and keep the characters themselves close to the original. Let the actors know that they can, in fact, venture outside of their stock "character-voice" (especially when it comes to Sabat's Vegeta and Piccolo, who don't change their tone of voice regardless of the scene) and do some actual acting.

And please...PLEASE, I hope they recast Freeza.
 
You do realize Toei probably forced this change on Funimation, right?

Really, going by Toei's track record when it comes to their properties in America, I wouldn't be surprised at all.
 
If FUNI does a brand-new dub, I fully expect them to keep the same english voice actors we've heard for 10 years and the same english names and attacks.

I think the dialogue will be closer to the original and of course no dub music, but anyone who thinks they would get rid of the english DBZ dub cast for the major characters is fooling themselves.

Chris Sabat will be back, as will Sean Schemmel and the rest.
 
Well, Funi was interested from day 1, so it's no shock. However, as it's pre-editted for TV, I hope they can maybe run it some where as that's a great use for it. Yeah, the potential for a fresh dub is great too, but using it to get DragonBall Z to a new generation is where this would shine.
 
And don't forget the video game tie-ins!

"Impressive. You actually managed to singe some of my leg-hair...but allow me to demonstrate a more effective attack. Its one of my favorites; I call it a 'Double Sunday'."
 
I think it's pretty much a certainty that the 'Z' will add to the sales simply on brand recognition alone. 'Dragon Ball Z' is simply more well known and popular over here.
 
Never listen to hardcore fans. They will make you go broke. They like seeing people suffer . Go with what you can afford. Even if it means going olRABchool and skipping both.
 
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to believe this. This is a baseless rumor in every sense of the word.

It honestly doesn't make sense to end it after Freeza. Kai costs next to nothing to reproduce when you consider how much their getting back in DVD/Blu-Ray sales, advertising revenue, liscensing, merchandise. Since it started being broadcasted, it has consistently stayed in the top ten highest rated shows in Japan. Kai is a monstrous success and to end it after 50 episodes would be just plain stupid.

Anyway, I'll be getting both. I've passed on the Dragon Ball Z Dragon Boxes for now because I'm working on collecting Dragon Ball season sets. If FUNi releases Dragon Ball Dragon Boxes, then I'll spring for the Z Dragon Boxes.

For now, it's just Dragon Ball, and DBZ Kai for me.
 
I can really tolerate anybody in the dub...except Freeza. Please switch Freeza. I can even handle Reacm no matter how much it sounRAB like Patrick but I can't stand Freeza at this point.
 
In my experience, regular people get confused if you say "Dragon Ball" without the "Z." I've had a guy correct me once, at which point I had to reveal a little geekiness and correct his correction. I try my hardest not to let the rest of the world see how much of a nerd I am, but sometimes, I just can't help it.
 
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