Dragon Ball Z (ドラゴンボールZ, Doragon Bōru Zetto?, commonly abbreviated as DBZ) is a Japanese anime series produced by Toei Doga (now Toei Animation). Dragon Ball Z is the sequel to the Dragon Ball anime and Japanese comics of the same name, which covers the first 16 volumes of a 42 volume manga series created by Akira Toriyama. Dragon Ball Z adapts the last 26 volumes of the original manga, which portrays the adulthood of the series' main character, Son Goku.
Dragon Ball Z first aired in Japan from April 26, 1989, to January 31, 1996, and was dubbed in several countries around the world, including Latin America and the United States. The American themes and soundtracks were produced in part by Bruce Faulconer.
Contents
1 History
1.1 Creative changes
1.2 Uncut version
1.3 International English version
2 Filler
3 Sagas
4 Films
5 VHS/DVD releases
5.1 Japanese releases
5.1.1 Dragonbox releases
5.2 English releases
5.2.1 Pioneer DVDs
5.2.2 FUNimation DVDs
5.2.3 FUNimation season box sets
5.3 Live-action film adaptation
6 Opening and closing songs
6.1 Japanese themes
7 American music
8 Japanese staff
History
The Dragon Ball Z anime first aired in Japan from April 26, 1989 to January 31, 1996,[1] and was dubbed in several countries around the world, including Latin America and in the United States. The American themes and soundtracks were composed and produced in part by Bruce Faulconer.
The series continues the adventures of Son Goku as an adult who, along with his companions, defend the Earth and other fictional planets against various supervillains. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z parallels his adult life with the maturation of his first child, Son Gohan. The series also gives focus to the evolution of his rivals, Piccolo and Vegeta, from evil to good. The separation between the series is also significant as the later series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone, with a number of villains either threatening or committing acts of mass murder or outright genocide.
Akira Toriyama's self-parody manga series Neko Majin satires many concepts introduced in Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z.
The first run of the English Version of the show began airing in September 1996 on the WB. Beginning with the Saiyan Saga, severe restrictions were put in place for a syndicated TV program, thus resulting in extensive editing of the series (cutting out the equivalent of 14 of the first 67 episodes-- almost 21%), including the complete removal of references to character death ("sent to another dimension"), blood, and language. To many fans of the series, these edits actually made the series worse as violence was always shown without consequence. Eventually it was canceled in May 1998, due to low ratings. In August 1998 however, the Ocean Group dub was brought to Cartoon Network's new action-animated block, Toonami and it found new life through a wider audience.
In 1999, FUNimation decided to cut their partnership with Saban and from the Ginyu Saga onwards, dubbed the show themselves with their own in-house voice actors and a newly commissioned musical score. They also cut some of their previous restrictions, such as the inclusion of blood (to a certain degree), though still edited some of the violence, in order to continue to make it appealing to viewers of all ages, thus leading to the show receiving a TV-Y7-FV rating for fantasy violence. The series ended its first run in April 2003. The new FUNimation dub became very popular and it also greatly helped expand the anime market in the US.
In September 2002, Dragon Ball Z was Number One on all cable TV (#1 program of the week on all cable television with boys 9-14). Currently the show still airs on Cartoon Network's Toonami Saturday night block at 10:30 PM ET/PT.
Creative changes
The FUNimation version is noted for featuring dialogue not found in the original, dubbing that results in minor changes to the original story, the replacement of the entire original musical score written by Shunsuke Kikuchi, and renaming many characters, terminology, and locations. Funimation selected composer Bruce Faulconer to create this original music score for episodes #68 through the end of the series (episode #291), and this music is commonly referred to as the American Soundtrack for the series, and it currently airs on the Cartoon Network, having aired since 1999 to the present.
Uncut version
In 2003, FUNimation began to redub the first two sagas (Saiyan and Namek). They also redubbed the first three Pioneer-distributed movies that were dubbed by the Ocean Group voice actors. The distribution of the redubs on DVD, under the Ultimate Uncut Special Edition title, began in April 2005.
In the summer of 2005, Cartoon Network started showing the uncut version of the first two seasons of Dragon Ball Z. This version used the original Japanese footage, with the exception of the Japanese opening and closing themes, and has an entirely new score of music. The uncut version also featured many scenes with large amounts of blood, as well as mild language, sexual humor and nudity. Generally, while some lines were maintained from the original dub, several mistranslations were also corrected. The uncut dub was given a TV-PG rating unlike the original dub's TV-Y7 rating.
International English version
Until 2001, other English speaking countries including the UK, Canada, Australia and Republic of Ireland received FUNimation's English version of Dragon Ball Z, both the Saban and In-house incarnations. This changed when Episode 108 aired in the UK (also in The Netherlands); the English Dub switched to a version produced in Canada. This version regained the original voice cast by the Ocean Group instead of the FUNimation actors. This version began airing in Canada in the autumn of 2001 from Episode 168, and ran through to the end of the series. It used FUNimation's own videotracks and its scripts, albeit with some changes. This version used music recycled from the Mega Man and Monster Rancher cartoons, as well as a few original pieces for the series by Jon Mitchell, Tom Keenlyside and David Iris. This version suffered from low production values and a rushed schedule. Many voices did not stay consistent through the series, and by the end few remained from the original 1996 cast. See below for a complete cast listing.
Filler
Filler is used to pad out the series for many reasons; in the case of Dragon Ball Z, more often than not, it was because the anime was running alongside the manga, and there was no way for the anime to run ahead of the manga since Toriyama was still writing it.
The company behind the anime, Toei Animation, would occasionally create side stories to either further explain things, or simply to extend the series. Filler does not come only in the form of side stories though; sometimes it is as simple as adding some extra attacks into a fight. For instance, many scenes in the anime appear quite protracted, featuring long shots of the characters faces and stand-offs lasting an entire episode or even spanning multiple episodes for a single fight. As the anime series was forced to expand 12-14 pages of manga image and text into 20-22 minutes of animation footage, these changes were introduced to fill the complete television timeslot or to allow the anime writers to explore some other aspects of the series' universe. The Garlic Junior Saga, between the Frieza and Trunks Sagas, and the Great Saiyaman Saga, between the Cell Games and Buu Sagas, are examples of this.
Sagas
1. Saiyan Saga
2. Namek Saga
3. Captain Ginyu Saga
4. Frieza Saga
5. Garlic Junior Saga
6. Trunks Saga
7. Android Saga
8. Imperfect Cell Saga
9. Perfect Cell Saga
10. Cell Games Saga
11. Great Saiyaman Saga
12. World Tournament Saga
13. Babidi Saga
14. Majin Buu Saga
15. Fusion Saga
16. Kid Buu Saga
Films
1. The Dead Zone
2. The World's Strongest
3. The Tree of Might
4. Lord Slug
5. Cooler's Revenge
6. Return of Cooler
7. Super Android 13!
8. Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan
9. Bojack Unbound
10. Broly Second Coming
11. Bio-Broly
12. Fusion Reborn
13. Wrath of the Dragon
VHS/DVD releases
Japanese releases
Originally, only the Dragon Ball Z movies, and the Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans footage were available for home viewing in Japan. The movies were released on both VHS, and Laserdisc format. The Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans footage was released both on VHS, as a visual guide to the Nintendo Famicom game with the same name, and on the Playdia, as two interactive FMVs.
Dragonbox releases
In 2003, all of the Dragon Ball Z TV series was finally released for home viewing in Japan, on two large DVD boxed sets. Each Dragon Ball Z Dragonbox had a large amount of DVD extras, as well as an action figure and a book.
The video and audio transfers of the show used on these DVDs came off of the Fuji TV master tapes of the show, as this allowed Toei to put out a far superior and completely accurate version of the show on DVD. This allowed all episodes to have their original openings, endings, eyecatches, next episode previews, etc., compared to what was available in the US.
In late 2005 the Dragon Box Z DVDs were re-released in single volumes with six episodes per disc. While the packaging and DVD menus are different from the 2003 release, and so far no plans have been announced for the two TV specials and the Playdia footage released with the 2003 versions, the audio and video quality is the exact same as those discs found in the 2003 Dragonbox release.
At the end of March, 2006, a Dragon Box: The Movies DVD box was released. This release contained all 19 Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z theatrical features, along with a book, and two scouters in the form of walkie-talkies. The video and audio are remastered, however, the video is cropped and contains less picture than the full-screen versions, a common occurrence for films from Toei, based on long-running and popular TV series (See Saint Seiya, Fist of the North Star, and One Piece).
All Dragonbox releases contain Japanese language audio only (with exceptions to foreign-language bonus clips), and no subtitles.
English releases
Pioneer DVDs
During the late 90's/early 00's, The first 53 (Saban/FUNimation version numbers, originally uncut as 67) TV episodes were released on to DVD by Pioneer Entertainment USA (now Geneon Entertainment). These contained only the edited, US-TV broadcast versions, and totaled 17 volumes. At a later date, the first 8 DVDs were released as the 'Saiyan Saga', while the final 9 were released as the 'Namek Saga'. As of August the 31st, 2004, Geneon's license for video distribution of these episodes ended, allowing FUNimation to re-release these episodes.
Along with these episodes, Pioneer Ent. also produced bilingual, uncut DVDs of the first three Dragon Ball Z theatrical features. These DVDs retained the original Ocean cast for the English track, as well as being one of the first uncut and bilingual releases in the U.S. The English versions of these films were also subject to a different treatment, rather than replacing the original music, the original OP and ED themes, as well as background music, were retained. The only noticeable differences besides languages are the inclusion of a few different sound effects which are not present on the original Japanese version.
These films were released as a three-disc boxset by Pioneer, however, much like the 53 TV episodes Pioneer had license to, the first three Z film's home video rights now belong to FUNimation.
FUNimation DVDs
As of 2000, FUNimation has released uncut versions of their Texas-based English dub on to DVD, uncut and with Japanese language track, and English-translation subtitles. Beginning with the Captain Ginyu saga, which took place directly after the Saban/FUNimation-produced episodes, FUNimation has released bilingual, uncut DVDs for every episode covering (Japanese numbers) 68 till 291, with the Funimation commissioned American Soundtrack of Bruce Faulconer being using on its English version. Boxsets for the Garlic Jr., Androids, Imperfect Cell, Perfect Cell, World Tournament, Majin Buu, Evil Buu, Fusion, and Kid Buu U.S. sagas have also been released. However, in order to maximize profits, the DVDs were released out of continuity (certain amounts of one section of the series were released, and then FUNimation would go back and release others).
After acquiring the video rights to the first 53 (67) episodes from Pioneer, FUNimation announced that they would release these episodes uncut, with a new 5.1 English language track and uncut footage. The Ultimate Uncut Edition line was born. The release would be 22 volumes, Bilingual, and with extras. The Saiyan Saga was renamed the 'Vegeta' Saga (Parts I and II, covering 12 DVDs), probably to avoid confusion with the Pioneer volumes. This was the same version shown on Cartoon Network. As of DVD volume 9, FUNimation has cancelled these box sets and are planning to re-re-release them in the new DVD sets they are currently working on.
FUNimation has also released Dragon Ball Z movies 4-13, finishing the release of the movies with 'Wrath of the Dragon', the 13th movie. These are all bilingual and subtitled, but do not follow the trend set by the Ocean Group dub's first three movies. Music has been changed and altered, including the insertion of songs from rock bands such as Pantera and Deftones. The movies utilize the TV series Texas cast, though they also include the original Japanese version with subtitling by Steve Simmons.
The OVA Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans remains unreleased in America. An American release is unlikely, as the Famicom game on which the OVA was based never had an American release.
FUNimation re-released the first movie under the Ultimate Uncut line, but movie 2 and 3 were not named 'Ultimate Uncut' even though they had they same cover style as movie 1. All of these movies had a 5.1 English track, new subtitles, different DVD extras and come in a boxset titled 'First Strike'. However, they do not retain the original Ocean Group dub, and contain a new English dub produced by FUNimation's Texas cast. This version contains different music to the original dub or Japanese version and dialogue not as accurate to the original script as the Ocean Group dub was.
FUNimation has officially dropped the 'Ultimate Uncut' line and are working on their season boxsets.
During the San Diego Comic Con, FUNimation announced that they will release two Dragon Ball Z movies on Blu-ray High Definition format. These two movies include "Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan" and "Broly: Second Coming", and both will feature full HD 1080p resolution with digitally remastered animation, and an enhanced 5.1 surround mix. Both movies will be released on November 13.
FUNimation season box sets
In November 2006, FUNimation announced they would release a remastered form of Dragon Ball Z on DVD beginning in 2007. It was later announced that "Season 1" (the entire Vegeta Saga) would be re-released on February 6, 2007. The first 39 episodes of Season 1 are spread across six discs, and cost $30 USD (the original intention was for 5 discs, but there was a risk of quality reduction). The series has been re-transferred at what they say to be 1080p resolution with digital restoration technology removing all grain and scratches from FUNimation's original prints of the series. The quality is a lot better than the original but another flaw is with the digital restoration. Because of the magnitude of the grain and scratch removal, the lines from face features are commonly removed such as the nose and mouth. It is important to note that like many late 80's-early 90's Toei productions (for example, Saint Seiya, Sailor Moon, Marmalade Boy, Ghost Sweeper Mikami and Slam Dunk), the series was produced on 16 millimeter film which tends to be fairly grainy and soft. The new restoration was supervised by colorist Steve Franko. It was reported from FUNimation's online trailer that the series would be presented in widescreen format (1.78:1, cropped from the original full frame) for the first time. This was highly controversial among fans, as this is not how the TV episodes were intended to be seen and this substantially alters them. Many fans launched a letter-writing campaign against the release. The box set contains a revised English track in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound (it contains the original Japanese score by Shunsuke Kikuchi, although it is unknown just how the English dialogue is revised). For the first time ever, there is a choice between having the Japanese dialogue with Toei's original Japanese music, or English Dialogue with either FUNimation's dub music or Toei's original Japanese music. Special features include a featurette on the remastering of the original Japanese print and a 24-Page booklet with episode summaries, character descriptions and a timeline of DBZ in the US. All other 291 episodes are to be remastered and released in box set form as well. FUNimation released a trailer for the new set on the Dragon Ball Z official website.
Comparison images from the new set show that while there is missing footage on the top and bottom (20%), there is at least additional footage on the right and left (5%) that has not appeared in any prior release, having been taken straight from the original Japanese film master recording. In response to negative fan outcry regarding the release's apparent cropping of the source video, a FUNimation representative has released a document from the team remastering the video, which explains the logistics of the new release.[2] This document details how certain areas of the original film are damaged, and admit that though the video is cropped, this release will eliminate the grain that would be present on prior 4:3 releases. They do not address obtaining clean uncropped 4:3 DVD masters available from other overseas sources without grain, most notably European distributors.
Season 2, containing the Namek and Ginyu Sagas (35 episodes), was released on May 22, 2007. Season 3, containing the entire Frieza Saga (33 episodes), was released on September 18, 2007. Season 4 will contain the Garlic Jr., Trunks, and Android Sagas (32 episodes), to be released in February 2008.
Australia saw the release of the Season 1 Box set in PAL on July 18, 2007 for $60 AUD. Releases after that are roughly four months apart with Season Two distributed on October 10.
Live-action film adaptation
In March 2002, 20th Century Fox acquired feature film rights to the Dragon Ball franchise. In June 2004, Variety reported that 20th Century Fox hired screenwriter Ben Ramsey for $500,000 to adapt a screenplay for Dragon Ball Z, but the official Dragon Ball Z site reported the news as unconfirmed. In September 2007, the Montreal Gazette reported that Dragon Ball Z would be filmed in Montreal in the coming year with a budget of over $100 million, but the studio informed IGN that the report was not confirmed as start dates and locations for the project had not been finalized.
Opening and closing songs
Japanese themes
Openings
"CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA" (チャラヘッチャラ, Chara Hecchara?)
Lyrics: Yukinojo Mori, Music: Chiho Kiyooka, Arrangement: Kenji Yamamoto, Vocals: Hironobu Kageyama
Episodes 1~21 (version 1)
Episodes 22~117 (version 2)
Episodes 118~199 (version 3)
Movies 1-9
"WE GOTTA POWER" (ウィ・ガッタ・パワー, Ui Gatta Pawa?)
Lyrics: Yukinojo Mori, Music: Keiju Ishikawa, Arrangement: Keiju Ishikawa, Vocals: Hironobu Kageyama
Episodes 200~291
Movies 10-12
Closings
"Come Out, Incredible Zenkai Power!" (でてこいとびきりZENKAIパワー!, Detekoi Tobikiri ZENKAI Pawā!?)
Lyrics: Naruhisa Arakawa, Music: Takeshi Ike, Arrangement: Kenji Yamamoto, Vocals: MANNA
Episodes 1~194
"We Were Angels" (僕達は天使だった, Boku-tachi wa Tenshi Datta?)
Lyrics: Yukinojo Mori, Music: Takeshi Ike, Arrangement: Osamu Totsuka, Vocals: Hironobu Kageyama
Episodes 195~291
American music
American Themes and American Soundtrack
Music by Bruce Faulconer: Best of DragonBall Z, Volume 1; Best of DragonBall Z, Volume 2; Best of DragonBall Z, Volume 3; Best of DragonBall Z, Volume 4; Best of DragonBall Z, Volume 5; Best of DragonBall Z, Volume 6; Trunks Compendium I Soundtrack; Buu, The Majin Sagas Soundtrack; Android 18, The Android Sagas Soundtrack
Japanese staff
Original author: Akira Toriyama
Planning: Kōzō Morishita, Kenji Shimizu (Fuji TV)
Series composition: Takao Koyama
Script writers: Takao Koyama, Aya Matsui, Katsuyuki Sumizawa, Toshiki Inoue, and others
Production managers: Matsuji Kishimoto -> Takeshi Torimoto -> Akihiko Yamaguchi -> Yūichi Suenaga
Chief animator (Character design): Minoru Maeda -> Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru
Chief designer: Yūji Ikeda
Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi
Music Production: Columbia Music Entertainment
Editing: Shinichi Fukumitsu (TAVAC)
Recording: Kenji Ninomiya (TAVAC)
Sound effects: Hidenori Arai (Fizz Sound Creation)
Music selection: Shigeru Miyashita (TAVAC)
Recording Studio: TAVAC
Series director: Daisuke Nishio
Production: Fuji TV, Toei Animation
