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Info: Intro to DBZ/Animé
Ok, by now you should know the animé basics, and why it's such a different industry than
those "Saturday morning cartoons." I will break down the article, and tell you how each points retain and relates to DBZ in some way.
Anime is more geared towards older, more intellectual and mature audiences. In Japan, anime is on par with full featured release films where the anime industry is much more robust than that of the U.S. Anime covers all genres including action, sci-fi, drama, comedy, cyber-punk, adult, etc. And unlike U.S. cartoons, anime characters are three dimensional with emphasis on character development; the plot is thicker, sometimes leaving mysteries to stimulate the intellect; and in anime, characters do die, sometimes graphically and violently.
As this paragraph states, animé is geared toward more older intellectual audiences. Of course
this is the case in Japan, but is it in the US DBZ dub? As most people know, FUNimation is the company
that currently handles the DBZ dub, and the DVD subs (has yet to be released, when this was
written). The DBZ dub is currently on air nation wide on Cartoon Network. (Oh in case you don't
know, the original creator of DBZ is a guy that goes by the name of Akira Toriyama) For some reason or another,
FUNimation felt that Dragonball Z is a "kids' show," which it isn't. Sure, it could be a kid show, if you cut this and that.. But
why sacrifice the series, for such a fanbase? Probably because there's more money involved in the market. (lunch bags, backpacks, school supplies, toys, etc. Of course, there
are still "young adults" who buy these things, XD)
DBZ, like many animé, has always had a mature fan audience.
It sometimes has extreme graphical contents like death for instance, but they also have great
plot and storyline developement. During the first two seasons of DBZ, most of the scenes and
plot, were cut off. This also creates, a confusion in episode number. Since so much scenes, or
episodes were cut-off, the episodes are off tracked with the original Japanese version.
Animé in US are not appreciated much as they are in their "homeland," and you don't see many (if any at all) animé movies on theater nationwide. But animé is quickly gaining a much larger audience, than it has in the past. This can be seen in the success of Pokémon, and its movie. But has there been any movies releases for DBZ in theaters? The simple answer is no, but animé is slowly gaining its much needed recognition. Another issue that DBZ "dubbies" face is the dramatic change in content. One of them is scene being cut, but why? The articles indirectly states why. In animé, characters do die, and yes sometimes graphically and violently. In DBZ, many people die. Usually involved in DBZ death and battles, is blood. The first two season never featured (if any) blood whatsoever. The late 90's are too much sensitive, because of so many cases in America, about blood, violence, and gore. Dragonball never feature much gore, but blood in DBZ is common. The first two seasons censored just about every blood in each fights, in turn to gray or even green "ooze?" But as the series progressed, FUNimation finally realized how ridiculous this is and included more red blood, in the third season. Even though this is a tremendous change from season 1 and 2, there is still much more factors that makes the original much more "superior" than the dub.
Fansubs are anime titles that are subtitled or dubbed by an individual or individuals, mostly by anime clubs, and are distributed to anime fans nation wide. Basically, fansubbers import anime titles from Japan before domestic release and use specialized home equipment for subtitling, dubbing, and mass VHS recording to distribute to "hard core" anime fans.
Hard core anime fans (Otakus) prefer subs because they believe anime is an art that should be preserved in its original form. Otakus state that commercial companies provide terrible dubs, sometimes changing the story line, and domestic voice actors/actresses (seiyus) do not have enough skill to bring a character to life as oppose to their Japanese counter parts... On the side of Otakus, I admit some dub actors'/actress' voices will send negative chills down your spine...
This is another important issue, fansubs or FUNidub. But the FUNimation's dub is just that,
"funny" dub. Compared to many other dubs, such as Tenchi Muyo!, or Gundam Wing; DBZ is a second
rate _dub_. Even though people should give credit for their works, because they are the one that
really started to mass-marketed DBZ. But they still face issues and problems, that the Otakus
find irritated. The hardcore animé fans, do not like the DBZ dubs because the actors do not
portray the character skillfully enough. Season one and two, actually have decent VA
(voice actors), but if you have seen season three.. you'll know what I mean. People, otakus and
non-otakus, are complaining about the VAs of Season three since it first aired; or even released
on tape. They feel that they don't represent the characters well enough, which doesn't bring
out the true personality of their characters. Frieza for example, is one of the few VAs that
will "send negative chills down your spine."
Some other important factors that the article does not touch upon, are original dialogue, as well as original music. Ever heard a stupid corny line in DBZ? Well some kids might think it's cool.. (I see no appeal in it) but this simply does not happen in the original. Dialogue is important because as well as VAs, dialogue tells you a lot about the true character's personality. Some might be smart, stupid, or rageful; it all depends on the lines the characters use. There's nothing more important than good important lines.. or is there? Original music is also important, maybe more important than dialogue. Why? Well, certain scenes are brought out the best with the perfect music put in, which many Otakus think are the original musical score. Did you think that the original Dragonball Z intro was "Rock the Dragon"? No, it has always been Cha La Head Cha La, and later on "We Got Power." (I suggest you go to such sites as Planet Namek and Daizenshuu EX for the original Dragonball themes.) These were great intros, because it actually had a meaning to the song. Does "Rock the Dragon?" Rock the Dragon is simply a couple of lines, repeated over and over. Even the Pokémon theme, has more meaning than Rock the Dragon. The season one and two had a few good background music, but season three (In my opinion), took the turn for the worse. The background music are now composed of many rock tunes, and such. The first two seasons were somewhat decent, but season three? The original BGs had feeling, and inspired certain emotions. If the music wanted you to feel sad, there might be a nice slow balad to accompany the scene, and all the BGs followed the same formula. Instead of a nice music score, it seems like FUNi just threw in a bunch of rock tunes put together at the last minute.
The dubs may be second rate, but for now it's our only source for Dragonball Z in english. (Unless you count fandubs) So if you want to check out DBZ in its true form, check out a few fansubs distributions (below), or try searching for fandubs (which are hard to find). Be sure to check with other sites if you want top purchase fansubs, because some sites might prove unreliable.
Where to purchase Fansubs
Below is a few links to some reliable fansubs distributions. So if you are interested in purchasing any fansubs, check out these sites to see which ones suit your qualities and costs. A few of these sites have more than just DBZ, so be sure to check out the other animé series.
Darbura's Fansubs
SSJ Anime Distro
AnimeNET's Fansubs
Kame House Distro
Manga and TV Series
Dragonball originally started out as a manga by Akira Toriyama. For the manga, Toriyama based his story on the old Chinese fable,
the Monkey King legends. The story was played on certain characteristics of the king, and included some elements from the legend. After a few volumes in the manga, Toriyama changed his
focus and went into a more martial arts concept. Some sources has even said that Toriyama was
about to discontiue the manga around the Freeza saga, but his editor pressured him to keep going.
The manga currently spans up to volume 42, and was discontiued in the summer of 95.
Toriyama also based his manga on two series, called Dragonball and Dragonball Z. Although there was only one manga, called Dragonball; there was two series named Dragonball and Dragonball Z. Dragonball focused more on the early aspects of Gokou's life, while Dragonball Z reflected the change in Toriyama's focus, set when Gokou is grown up. Going with the success of the two series, Toriyama made twelve Dragonball Z movies, two DBZ TV specials, as well as a few Dragonball movies. The movies (most of them) however didn't pertain to the current Dragonball Z storyline, but was like a side story. The two TV series was all based on the 42 volumes of the mangas. Dragonball was also a highly successful marketing vehicle, promoting many diverse products. Many pomotional agencies demanded that a replacement TV series fill the gap left behind by Dragonball and Dragonball Z. Thus, Dragonball GT, was created. Toriyama however was only retained as artistic consultant, but no longer had direct input to the storyline and there wasn't any manga that went with the third animé. Some felt that since Toriyama had no input in the storyline, that none of the changes reflected the current storyline, and expected doom from the start. There's still a controversy whether people should even consider Super Saiya-jin 4, a Super Saiya-jin form at all. Needless to say, Dragonball GT still became a success in Japan. Dragonball GT was the shortest of the three series, spanning only 64 episodes. For now FUNimation has the rights to all three series, but has yet to bring any episodes from the third. FUNi currently releases videos and episodes to the first two animé, which is currently available at your local suggest retailer nationwide, or directly on their online site: FUNimation.net and Dragonball Z.com.
"Dubbie", otakus, or whatnot, I don't really care if you like this version.. or like this more than that. The basic thing(s), is that
we all like Dragonball, Z, and/or GT; and that we, are all fans of the series. The thing is, that we, as a fan should learn the major differences of both version, especially the differences
in the dub. With otakus is that they seen the whole series, in what they say is the "true" and only "good" form, so when a person who has only been exposed to the dub, ask them a question they
are simply ignored. The otakus should cut these guys a little slack, because there's a BIG difference between being a dubbie exposed to only the FUNi dub, than those who are just people who wants to be moronic jerks. As long as you can tell the
difference, than you'll find yourself in the good "side" of people, rather than the bad side. (This refers to, if you're going to
ask webmasters or even, people on irc a question about the series.
Some people are just outcasted by asking simple questions, just because they don't REALLY know
the answer. Nothing wrong with being ignorant, as long as you're not being idiotic.)
If there are any errors, mistakes, mis-information, please email me and I will gladly fix it right away.
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