The Official FUNimation "DragonBox Z" News/Speculation/Discussion Thread (Spoilers?)

**Jacob T. Paschal** · #1 07-21-2009, 11:57 PM

Figured we could use an actual thread dedicated solely to these sexy puppies. FUNimation has uploaded a clear copy of the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWcpVP12Cqc&fmt=18

Really awaiting the release!!

BigLouMan20 · #2 07-22-2009, 01:29 AM

So let me get this straight. I purchased the first two seasons of the DVD box set and now they're doing this with it uncropped. I'm happy for the news, but I'll just wait for DragonBall Kai sets.

**TheVileOne** · #3 07-22-2009, 01:37 AM

OK, so will THIS one have Japanese audio and soundtrak in 5.1?

G1Ravage · #4 07-22-2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVileOne

OK, so will THIS one have Japanese audio and soundtrak in 5.1?

No. The Japanese didn't get that, and neither will we. The Japanese audio, even cleaned up, is still of pretty low quality.

WingZeroAL · #5 07-22-2009, 01:58 AM

I'll wait it out just in case Kai makes it over.

**TheVileOne** · #6 07-22-2009, 02:08 AM

So basically, the original Japanese audio for the original DBZ is so terrible that they basically had to re-record all of it for Dragon Ball Kai?

I dunno. I think Lucasfilm could figure out a way to restore it.

Daxdiv · #7 07-22-2009, 02:08 AM

Hmm... I am going to buy this when I get the money for it. Glad I decided to stop getting the Orange Boxes after season 2, now I have no reason to.

Brad Redfield · #8 07-22-2009, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVileOne

So basically, the original Japanese audio for the original DBZ is so terrible that they basically had to re-record all of it for Dragon Ball Kai?

Right. It is a low-budget anime from twenty years ago after all.

EDIT: I wish they did a better job with the trailer. They don't specifically tell you why this is such an improvement over the season sets outside of the episode previews and stuff. A lot of people aren't even aware what the Dragon Box is and think its the same thing as the season sets.

garfield15 · #9 07-22-2009, 06:06 AM

While that trailer didn't explain a lot about why this is so different from the season sets, the fact that they actually put in the "OVER 9000!" joke (at the exact right moment no less) is pretty much win.

(Also did anybody else think that this was TFS for a second?

)

**Jacob T. Paschal** · #10 07-22-2009, 11:23 AM

Well, Health Cutler of Kanzentai wrote up a pretty good essay on why this release is so important at Fanboy Review: http://www.fanboyreview.net/2009/07/...north-america/

And this is a list (right from Kanzentai.com) of what you can expect:

Quote:

So what exactly are you getting for your money, and what sets these DVDs apart from other releases? The answer is quite simple, and it is that with this box set you are truly getting the purest presentation of DragonBall possible.
Complete Episodes
Presented here are the full episodes from start to finish, as they aired on TV over 2 decades ago (and counting). This includes the complete opening credits, ending credits and episode previews, which are not available outside of the Dragon Box release (although they are now available on the Japanese single DVD releases).

Source Video
For these DVDs they actually pulled the original 16mm film reels out of cold storage, and used them as the primary source material. All previously released DragonBall content (even the original Fuji TV airings) were based off either the master tapes (copies of the 16mm film), or copies of the masters. Since the 16mm film is actually the original photography of the animation cels, what you are seeing when viewing these discs is essentially the original cel animation, as fresh as the day it was painted!

Remastering
Since the source material is the original cel photography, the picture is already as pristine as it will ever be. However, as with any film, it is bound to suffer some damage. Pony Canyon has taken the time to carefully remove all damage from the film, presenting us with a perfectly clean picture, yet never compromising the integrity of the actual animation. On top of this, since they have gone back to the 16mm films, they can create an all-new frame alignment!
When making the original masters for a series, it is typical to copy the film while slightly zoomed-in. This reduces the risk of catching the edge of a misaligned cel (ie. seeing the edge of the image). However, with time, money and new digital technology on their side, Pony Canyon has created a new print that captures more image than the original masters. In some cases this actually meant re-aligning some of the frames, which not only allowed for a larger image surface, but also greatly reduced all former traces of jitter!

Source Audio
As with the video, they have also gone straight to the source material for the audio. Unfortunately, since the series was recorded in mono, it will always have that dated feel to it, but the audio presented here is of very good quality, all things considered. The audio never gives out or cracks during high notes in a song or loud screams, and the typical background noise (that horrible "shhhhhhh" sound) is virtually nonexistent. Also, the opening and ending themes, although remaining in their broadcast mono forms, have been greatly improved and sound very close to stereo quality.

This is a release FUNimation's orange bricks simply could never been. This is the the summit of DragonBall releases (and all 508 episodes, 17 films, and 3 telelvision specials got this treatment, as I understand).

PC! · #11 07-22-2009, 11:29 AM

I didn't mind the orange bricks, but I'm glad the fans of the Japanese version are finally getting what they want. I hope we finally see the Playdia special and "Yo! Son Goku Returns" dubbed at some point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Redfield

Right. It is a low-budget anime from twenty years ago after all.

EDIT: I wish they did a better job with the trailer. They don't specifically tell you why this is such an improvement over the season sets outside of the episode previews and stuff. A lot of people aren't even aware what the Dragon Box is and think its the same thing as the season sets.

As the video states, this release is more for hardcore fans. Hardcore fans who likely already know everything about the Dragon Boxes already.

Ishtar · #12 07-22-2009, 12:44 PM

I know the default audio is supposed to be the Japanese version, but has it been confirmed which version of the English dub will be used on this set? I'm hoping for the English dub with the original Japanese music, as this is for the more hardcore fans. Also wonder if FUNi will bother recording the next episode previews. I know FUNi had next episode previews from the Ginyu saga till the end of the series, but I think those might have been custom made. I know FUNi was given the next episode previews, but just with no audio.

Chaos Yoshi Mage · #13 07-22-2009, 01:11 PM

Any chances on Funimation putting some of the good choices they made with the Orange Boxes on here? You know, marathon play, the choice between original and dub music on the dub?

**Jacob T. Paschal** · #14 07-22-2009, 01:46 PM

The press release seems to indicate but ONE English track, which would rightfully be the 5.1 track (hopefully still in 5.1) of the English voices with the Japanese music.

Ishtar · #15 07-22-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacob T. Paschal

The press release seems to indicate but ONE English track, which would rightfully be the 5.1 track (hopefully still in 5.1) of the English voices with the Japanese music.

Hopefully that is the case. It would be a shame if this almost perfect release was screwed up by only including the English dub with American music as the non Japanese version alternative. Now if we could only get Cha La Head Cha La finally included in the English audio track...

**Jacob T. Paschal** · #16 07-22-2009, 02:05 PM

English DBZ themes would be wild. It'd also be nice, considering the other two series have their themes translated.

gtadbzman · #17 07-22-2009, 02:45 PM

They better not leave "Cha-La", "We Gotta Power", or "Spirit Vs. Spirit" out. If they do I will be PO'd. If they can't get them they better at least dub them like with DB and DBGT. If they do release DBOX's for DB and DBGT I may skip out on them since these sets will be darn near perfect.

G1Ravage · #18 07-22-2009, 03:27 PM

November can't come soon enough.

King · #19 07-22-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacob T. Paschal

The press release seems to indicate but ONE English track, which would rightfully be the 5.1 track (hopefully still in 5.1) of the English voices with the Japanese music.

...

Oh well.

Daxdiv · #20 07-22-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacob T. Paschal

English DBZ themes would be wild. It'd also be nice, considering the other two series have their themes translated.

Agreed! So, as a way to discuss this, who do you think will sing the opening theme?