Dragon Ball Z Kai Season 1

DVD Wholesale Quick Overview:

Look, I LOVE the original DBZ (and Dragon Ball, though this is primarily about DBZ./DBZ Kai). I watched it all the time on Toonami way back in the day, played with the action figures, played the video games, had some old VHS tapes, and a few years ago I got the orange bricks (not the best remastering, but it overall fit my needs). However, as much as I love the original DBZ (and my DBZ fix was coming up again), I knew I needed a fresh change. As much as I love the Funimation English dub of DBZ, I’ve got to put some nostalgia aside and admit that it wasn’t always the best. The acting was shoddy at times and the scripts (often changed from the original manga) could range from cheesy to downright terrible. Based on everything I had heard/seen from DBZ Kai, it looked exactly like the fix I needed. Not only was it a “new” version of DBZ that would feel fresh, but it would perhaps give me my fix and even more.

I am thrilled to say that I was right. [NOTE: This is not the edited version of Kai that aired on Nicktoons. This is the UNCUT version of DBZ Kai that contains blood and swearing.] DBZ Kai is exactly what I wanted and more. First of all, I have the say that the script is WAY better than that of the dub I grew up with. It is manga-accurate and never has those cheesy, cornball moments that the other English dubs have had. Also, considering that they have had 10 years of voice-acting experience, the English actors (mostly the same with a few changes) are absolutely superb this time around. Sean Schemmel completely embodies Goku, as does Chris Sabat as Vegeta and Piccolo (the voices are actually completely distinguishable from each other now). Everyone else is great as well. The main changes I can think of are for Gohan (voiced by Colleen Clinkenbeard) and Bulma (forgot her voice actor’s name). These voices have had a largely negative reaction from those like myself who are familiar with the other voices. First of all, with Bulma, while I might prefer Bulma’s old voice (it suited her confident, adventurous, sometimes bubbly personality more), I think her new voice works just fine. Her new voice is perfect for the brainy, know-it-all side of the character, as well as her intimidating side (like when she’s with Gohan and Krillin on the way to Namek). So I can definitely say I’m happy with her voice. As for Gohan, contrary to public opinion, I LOVE his new voice. While I’ve always loved Stephanie Naldolny (his old voice actor) as Kid GOKU, I felt like her voice was always too old and too confident sounded for Kid Gohan. This Gohan actually sounds like a 4-5-year-old kid. The whinyness is there when it needs to be, and the rage is perfectly expressed. I can’t help but feel people are complaining mainly because it’s not the Gohan voice they’re used to, despite that it absolutely fits the character.

-Chip

Format: Blu-rayVerified Purchase
It arrived about a week ago. I just finished watching all four seasons today. Wow, what an enjoyable experience. As far as my familiarity with the series goes, I followed Kai during it’s original Japanese broadcast, and I also saw some of the Saiyan arc on Nicktoons. So it’s been about 3 years since I last watched Kai. This is my first time watching Kai with Shinsuke Kikuchi’s score. I have always been a huge fan of Dragon Ball Z, having become hooked as a youth during its Toonami days. I have owned various versions of the original series for some time now. I recently started following the Japanese broadcast of the Buu Saga, and that reignited my interest in the series. So I decided to purchase all four seasons of Kai, and I have to say I couldn’t have been more happy with these releases.

The picture is beautiful and vibrant, as much softer colors were used in its restoration. The video has two black bars on the side of the image to fit a 16:9 TV, while still keeping the series in its correct 4:3 aspect ration. Some may dislike that, but I personally prefer it. I find that when you stretch the image to fit the full 16:9 AR, quality is lost. When you crop the image, you obviously lose parts of the image. So 4:3 is perfect to me because that is the way the series was truly meant to be seen. You get the entire image in high definition. My only gripes with Kai concern some of the reanimated scenes. Many of them were just flat out ugly, and would have looked better if they were recolored in the same manner as most of the other scenes. But that’s a minor complaint.

The audio is great as well. The dub by all accounts is fantastic. I prefer the Japanese audio, so I strictly watch the series with the Japanese audio. I must say that Funi’s subtitles for the series were exceptional, and far more accurate than the fansubs I would watch a couple years ago. As I mentioned, this was my first time watching Kai with Kikuchi’s score. As someone who enjoyed Kenji Yamamato’s score, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed the placement of Kikuchi’s score for this rendition. Although his music was arranged differently than it was in Z, the songs chosen usually worked with their particular scene. I enjoyed Kikuchi’s score so much, that I now find myself a little disappointed in the score they are currently using for the Buu saga.

-Maddox Burnett

DVD Wholesale Main Features:

Actors: Colleen Clinkenbeard, Christopher Sabat, Sean Schemmel, Sonny Strait
Directors: Yasuhiro Nowatari
Format: Multiple Formats, Animated, Box set, Color, NTSC
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Dubbed: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. )
Number of discs: 4
Rated: Unrated-Not Rated
Studio: Funimation
DVD Release Date: May 22, 2012
Run Time: 625 minutes
ASIN: B0079KGAN0