AoD Advance Review: Dragon Ball Z Saga 1

[Chris Beveridge]

Review (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/3847.php)

[ QUOTE ]
In Summary:
At the end of the volume, I've got mixed feelings about this release. One on hand, they did a really great job of putting it all together and doing it up right with extra material, box and toy. But the other side of me is disappointed with the Z franchise overall in that it's not as tightly released as the original saga was with numerous episodes per collection. This is a series that demands marathoning when you watch it and doing three episodes at a time is like going to the big race and only running a few hundred steps and then standing around for a couple of months. My hope is that when this is completed, this franchise gets proper treatment like the original in the next generation format with its higher space capacity and from having made most of its sales in this generation.

Things have changed dramatically in the six years since I last looked at this show and my now being able to appreciate it is quite the swing for a show that I didn't even want to put in the player back then. Seeing the show uncut is almost like seeing it for the first time and my interest in seeing more of it is definitely piqued after this. If the edited and butchered version of the Goku/Vegeta fight can be called the best fight ever, then the uncut version should probably be amazing.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Brunnen-G]

Im glad this has the spanish dub. I used to watch dbz on telemundo because as far as I could tell, it was uncut.

[Starwind Amada]

I REALLY want to see the "Follow the Nimbus Cloud" extra (where a Nimbus cloud appears over footage that was cut from the original release/broadcast back in the late '90s) and the "Goku vs. Vegeta" segment (interviews with Sean Schemmel (Goku) and Chris Sabat (Vegeta/Piccolo) talking about the two and how they feel about DBZ). But 3 episodes a disc? C'mon FUNi, can't you go like ADV's Essential Anime format and release Seasons 1 & 2 in 2 disc sets with about 10 episodes each?

I never cared enough to get DBZ on DVD (catchy/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif) but I may get Seasons 1 & 2.

[O-chan]

While I agree with Chris that they should have handled this release the way they handled the original DB series release, I'm officially going to use this release to start collecting Dragonball Z on DVD. The extras have me interested in this release the most, also I haven't seen the uncut footage since DBZ ran on the International Channel years ago.

O-chan

[DeadlyMessiah]

I might rent this, but I will not buy it just for the fact it only has 3 episodes on each volume.

[Legion]

[ QUOTE ]
Brunnen-G said:
Im glad this has the spanish dub. I used to watch dbz on telemundo because as far as I could tell, it was uncut.

[/ QUOTE ]

Huh, so it does according to the review. That's odd because this is the first I've heard of the release having a Spanish dub. That's pretty cool since that dub is well respected from what I've read. I wonder if FUNi included English subs that translate the Spanish dialog like it did for movie 5. Granted the translation was shite (to the point of being funny) but it was a nice gesture all the same...

[kamillebidan]

I would buy this in a heartbeat if there were more than 3 episodes. Can you say "nostalgia"? (Especially with the Spanish dub, which I watched before seeing either the English dub or the original Japanese...)

But, sorry, I'm not going to support a release like this. At 3 episodes per disc, there will have to be two boxes for the Saiyan arc alone. Ridiculous. I'll wait for a box or, even better, a Dragonball-style release.

[Chacranajxy]

Somehow, I fail to see how anyone would want to buy 100+ DVDs of this show... I mean, it's decent but...

[Grimmjow Jeagerjaques]

Anyone got pics of the figure? I'd like to see how it stacks up the Son Goku figure that came with the first Dragon Box(DBZ's R2 release).

[Animebox]

If Funimation are releasing these episodes uncut with new bells and whistles, are they going to re-release the rest of the series in the same fashion?

[MoonBlade]

Well, I feel the same way as many here. Only 3 episodes per disc is far too few, especially for DBZ. I was annoyed enough with 8 discs for Tenchi Muyo! GXP. However, I think I will by volume 1, and only volume one, like I did for Case Closed.

[darkhunter]

If Funimation did 5 episode per disc, I would definitely pick this up. I always like DBZ, it was one of the first anime I seen while growning up and it has it cool moment.

[AbeChinchilla]

OH. MY. GOD.

Chris, could you confirm that the Spanish dub is indeed present on this DVD?

Because if the Spanish dub is on the DVD. FUNimation has just sold me! Even with such a low episode count, anything if I can replace my commercial-filled tapes recorded from Telemundo (I have from ep 1-120 taped)
(Adds to Wishlist)

[ChibiGoku]

Well, it was listed at Zstore site that it contained the spanish dub.....
So, um. Yah.

[Hisoka Hajime]

Does the spanish track have subtitles?

[Fencedude]

[ QUOTE ]
Hisoka Hajime said:
Does the spanish track have subtitles?

[/ QUOTE ]

*sigh*

Think about that for a few minutes.

[ic14]

[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
OH. MY. GOD.

Chris, could you confirm that the Spanish dub is indeed present on this DVD?

[/ QUOTE ]
Got mine today, and yes it does have the Spanish dub /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[ QUOTE ]
IanC said:
[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
OH. MY. GOD.

Chris, could you confirm that the Spanish dub is indeed present on this DVD?

[/ QUOTE ]
Got mine today, and yes it does have the Spanish dub /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]how uncut is the dub.... /images/graemlins/knowital.gif

[Vicserr]

[ QUOTE ]
animeforever'04 said:
[ QUOTE ]
IanC said:
[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
OH. MY. GOD.

Chris, could you confirm that the Spanish dub is indeed present on this DVD?

[/ QUOTE ]
Got mine today, and yes it does have the Spanish dub /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]how uncut is the dub.... /images/graemlins/knowital.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

an it is the Latin American(used by TeleMundo) or the Spain Dub....? /images/graemlins/stunned1.gif

[Legion]

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
Hisoka Hajime said:
Does the spanish track have subtitles?

[/ QUOTE ]

*sigh*

Think about that for a few minutes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe he's asking if it has an english subtitle track made specifically for it, a la movie 5.

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
IanC said:
[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
OH. MY. GOD.

Chris, could you confirm that the Spanish dub is indeed present on this DVD?

[/ QUOTE ]
Got mine today, and yes it does have the Spanish dub /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

OMG. OMG. OMG.

FUNimation, I love you! and regardless of episode counts, I AM buying DBZ: Saga!!

Much love for Spanish dubs!! Horrah for Spanish dubs on Anime R1s!!

[Hisoka Hajime]

[ QUOTE ]
Legion said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
Hisoka Hajime said:
Does the spanish track have subtitles?

[/ QUOTE ]

*sigh*

Think about that for a few minutes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe he's asking if it has an english subtitle track made specifically for it, a la movie 5.

[/ QUOTE ]

That IS what I'm asking. Just curious is all.

[AbeChinchilla]

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Hisoka Hajime said:
That IS what I'm asking. Just curious is all.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Spanish version isn't very much different from the Japanese version. I recall some line switching, but that's normal.

It's not like they add lines or anything either. They treat it like they would with Hollywood movie dubs.

[Dragon_Shiryu]

[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
[ QUOTE ]
IanC said:
[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
OH. MY. GOD.

Chris, could you confirm that the Spanish dub is indeed present on this DVD?

[/ QUOTE ]
Got mine today, and yes it does have the Spanish dub /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

OMG. OMG. OMG.

FUNimation, I love you! and regardless of episode counts, I AM buying DBZ: Saga!!

Much love for Spanish dubs!! Horrah for Spanish dubs on Anime R1s!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Indeed. The DBZ spanish dub is excellent, and basically uncut. I wish to see more of those released on DVD. *Is still saddened by the lack of a Saint Seiya spanish dub on the DVD's*

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
Dragon Shiryu said:
Indeed. The DBZ spanish dub is excellent, and basically uncut.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is. It even has episode previews dubbed, but I bet we won't get this on the FUNimation DVDs (holds onto the tapes).

I think the only time DBZ was edited was on Telemundo. Edits made for time.

[Big_JIMMBOW]

how did they handle the music in the english dub? still same old FUNi crappy music?

Yes, FUNimation still does their own music for the English dub for this.

Yeah, no episode previews. Sorry.

[O-chan]

Okay I got the disc yesterday and I'll tell you some of the things I noticed. Basically it's set up like the other Z/GT discs meaning that depending on which language you choose you either get an English OP/ED (a crappy one) or the Japanese OP/ED (the OP is the second version of Head Cha La which has Nappa and Vegita walking in fire, I remember the first version I think showed some backgrounds or something in place of another scene. Oh well, when I feel like watching those episodes I taped off of IC years ago I'll tell you the difference).

The dub itself is almost word for word taken from the original dub script. In other words, it sounds almost like the Ocean dub only with the Funimation voice actors this time around. Y'know, there was something about the old dub that sounded more together then the new dub. But they do de-cornify a few lines, I think Piccolo's dialogue had much better changes, and they do say the word "Die" now. (But I remember that in the original airing of the first episodes they did say "die" then went back a redubbed it later on).

Another thing is that whole "Nimbus" cloud extra is kinda useless. There are a few times it pops up on the screen during a scene that actually was kept in the dub.

The subtitles do have a lot more cussing and harsher words in it. I think I'll watch this subbed for the remainder of the release.

O-chan

[battra92]

Not an immediate buy but when a 46% off FUNI sale shows up, we'll talk. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[AbeChinchilla]

The Nappa/Vegeta opening? So it's not the one with the demolishing iceberg, zoom-in shot of Kami, and the strange viens-turning-into-presumingly-Goku's-hand?

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O-chan said:
The subtitles do have a lot more cussing and harsher words in it. I think I'll watch this subbed for the remainder of the release.

[/ QUOTE ]

And I'll be watching it through in Spanish! Horrah!

[O-chan]

[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
The Nappa/Vegeta opening? So it's not the one with the demolishing iceberg, zoom-in shot of Kami, and the strange viens-turning-into-presumingly-Goku's-hand?


[/ QUOTE ]

I actually think the melting iceburg was part of the first version...hmmm...

And the viens turning into blah blah was actually the third version used during the Cell arc. I assumed it was on of the Androids hand, but when I first saw it I thought it was Goku's too.

Basically there are three versions of Head Chad La. One was used during the Saiyan arc, one was used during the Freeza arc, and one was used during the Cell arc. There were minor differences between the first and second versions, while the Cell arc version (also the most widely known version) uses all of the above plus Trunk, SSJ Vegeta, and a new cast ending shot. I have to rewatch my International Channel tapes to see if I'm assuming the second version was used. But I could swear there were some differences. I just can't remember what they are.

O-chan

[Legion]

[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
[ QUOTE ]
Hisoka Hajime said:
That IS what I'm asking. Just curious is all.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Spanish version isn't very much different from the Japanese version. I recall some line switching, but that's normal.

It's not like they add lines or anything either. They treat it like they would with Hollywood movie dubs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really? For movie 5's sub translation of the Spanish dub, some names were changed. Chichi was Milk and I think Oolong's name was different too. Was that perhaps the result of a bad translation?

[Sapphire]

[ QUOTE ]
Legion said:
Really? For movie 5's sub translation of the Spanish dub, some names were changed. Chichi was Milk and I think Oolong's name was different too. Was that perhaps the result of a bad translation?

[/ QUOTE ]

Chichi's name in Spanish is Milk. Because "chichi" in some forms of Spanish is slang for women's breasts.

Mariela

[Legion]

[[ QUOTE ]
O-chan said:
The dub itself is almost word for word taken from the original dub script. In other words, it sounds almost like the Ocean dub only with the Funimation voice actors this time around. Y'know, there was something about the old dub that sounded more together then the new dub. But they do de-cornify a few lines, I think Piccolo's dialogue had much better changes, and they do say the word "Die" now. (But I remember that in the original airing of the first episodes they did say "die" then went back a redubbed it later on).

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, the original English script for the first few eps was noticeably "edgier" than the rest of the dub. It'll be real interesting to see what they say when <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Raditz and Goku die</span>. /images/graemlins/wink.gif It still kinda stinks that FUNi didn't do a new script. I thought it was sad that the Ocean/Holland dub of episodes 53+ were nearly word for word from FUNi's dub, so the reverse is no better.

[ QUOTE ]
O-chan said:
The subtitles do have a lot more cussing and harsher words in it. I think I'll watch this subbed for the remainder of the release.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is it still Steven J. Simmons that's doing the translation? Also, would you be able to check if the Spanish version has an English subtitle translation as well?

[Legion]

[ QUOTE ]
Sapphire said:
[ QUOTE ]
Legion said:
Really? For movie 5's sub translation of the Spanish dub, some names were changed. Chichi was Milk and I think Oolong's name was different too. Was that perhaps the result of a bad translation?

[/ QUOTE ]

Chichi's name in Spanish is Milk. Because "chichi" in some forms of Spanish is slang for women's breasts.

Mariela

[/ QUOTE ]

Now that's just funny in my book. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[ic14]

[ QUOTE ]
Legion said:Also, would you be able to check if the Spanish version has an English subtitle translation as well?

[/ QUOTE ]
No, it doesnt.

[Legion]

[ QUOTE ]
IanC said:
[ QUOTE ]
Legion said:Also, would you be able to check if the Spanish version has an English subtitle translation as well?

[/ QUOTE ]
No, it doesnt.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah, well that's too bad. FUNi must've decided it wasn't worth the effort (and is most likely right), not to mention the translation wasn't all that good for movie 5. Lots of errors, general awkwardness and unintentionally funny lines, such as one of the baddies responding to a lengthy speech from Piccolo with "You're stupid!"

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
Legion said:
[ QUOTE ]
Sapphire said:
[ QUOTE ]
Legion said:
Really? For movie 5's sub translation of the Spanish dub, some names were changed. Chichi was Milk and I think Oolong's name was different too. Was that perhaps the result of a bad translation?

[/ QUOTE ]

Chichi's name in Spanish is Milk. Because "chichi" in some forms of Spanish is slang for women's breasts.

Mariela

[/ QUOTE ]

Now that's just funny in my book. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny, and true. Mariela beat me to it.
It's not just the sub translation, but if you listen to the Spanish dub, it's clearly "Milk" as well. I don't recall any other name changes however.

I used that slang as a child too.

[Rando]

[ QUOTE ]
O-chan said:
I actually think the melting iceburg was part of the first version...hmmm...

And the viens turning into blah blah was actually the third version used during the Cell arc. I assumed it was on of the Androids hand, but when I first saw it I thought it was Goku's too.

Basically there are three versions of Head Chad La. One was used during the Saiyan arc, one was used during the Freeza arc, and one was used during the Cell arc. There were minor differences between the first and second versions, while the Cell arc version (also the most widely known version) uses all of the above plus Trunk, SSJ Vegeta, and a new cast ending shot. I have to rewatch my International Channel tapes to see if I'm assuming the second version was used. But I could swear there were some differences. I just can't remember what they are.

O-chan

[/ QUOTE ]

The first movie also had it's own version. Shots of Nappa and Vegeta were removed. And I believe a few other things.

[kamillebidan]

Speaking of "Chichi"...

A similar change was made to the Spanish dub of Inuyasha: Kagome is now simply called "Ome;" this is because "Kagome" is uncomfortably similar to "kakome" (roughly, "I shit myself.") I found this out because Adult Swim also broadcasts a Spanish audio feed for the series. I don't know of any Mexican stations that show it.

But, boy, did I use to love watching DBZ in Spanish here on my local channel 12.

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
Kamille Bidan said:
Speaking of "Chichi"...

A similar change was made to the Spanish dub of Inuyasha: Kagome is now simply called "Ome;" this is because "Kagome" is uncomfortably similar to "kakome" (roughly, "I shit myself.") I found this out because Adult Swim also broadcasts a Spanish audio feed for the series. I don't know of any Mexican stations that show it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Spanish audio feed via SAP?
That'll be fun...

[kamillebidan]

[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
Spanish audio feed via SAP?
That'll be fun...

[/ QUOTE ]
Yep. Discovered it by accident.

There are no captions, though, so if you don't know Spanish you're out of luck. Thankfully I've had over three years of it in school.

[Drakonis]

Odd. I thought everyone hated DBZ. Good to know I can potentially talk about it now without getting incinerated.

I'm not at all sure if the intro you speak of belongs to said episodes or not. My guess would be the iceberg version is the movie 1 version. The one with Vegeta edited out is movie 2. I own the three pioneer movie releases. If I recall correctly, movie 1 was released before the TV series ever aired, so it makes sense that the intro would not feature any enemy saiyans. Though I could be wrong. I hope this isn't a case of Funi using the wrong intros again. I remember their first DVD used the movie intro for the actual TV series. The Ginyu disc was it? I sold all the TV series DVDs I had. Though I may grab the discounted box sets now that the entire series is getting released.

[O-chan]

[ QUOTE ]
Drakonis said:
Odd. I thought everyone hated DBZ. Good to know I can potentially talk about it now without getting incinerated.

I'm not at all sure if the intro you speak of belongs to said episodes or not. My guess would be the iceberg version is the movie 1 version. The one with Vegeta edited out is movie 2. I own the three pioneer movie releases. If I recall correctly, movie 1 was released before the TV series ever aired, so it makes sense that the intro would not feature any enemy saiyans. Though I could be wrong. I hope this isn't a case of Funi using the wrong intros again. I remember their first DVD used the movie intro for the actual TV series. The Ginyu disc was it? I sold all the TV series DVDs I had. Though I may grab the discounted box sets now that the entire series is getting released.

[/ QUOTE ]

The movie versions ARE the TV openings. The first one may correspond to the 1st version of the TV opening. Also I'm not %100 sure the Nappa and Vegeta on fire bit are from the first or second version.

O-chan

[Drakonis]

[ QUOTE ]
O-chan said:
The movie versions ARE the TV openings. The first one may correspond to the 1st version of the TV opening. Also I'm not %100 sure the Nappa and Vegeta on fire bit are from the first or second version.

O-chan

[/ QUOTE ]

Nappa/Vegeta on fire is from the second opening. Probably to conceal their identity somewhat. However, no one seems to have access to any definitive evidence as to where these intros belong. The only place i've seen these specific openings was on Pioneer's movie releases. I need facts before I can bitch about any potential mistakes on FUNi's part.

[O-chan]

[ QUOTE ]
Drakonis said:
[ QUOTE ]
O-chan said:
The movie versions ARE the TV openings. The first one may correspond to the 1st version of the TV opening. Also I'm not %100 sure the Nappa and Vegeta on fire bit are from the first or second version.

O-chan

[/ QUOTE ]

Nappa/Vegeta on fire is from the second opening. Probably to conceal their identity somewhat. However, no one seems to have access to any definitive evidence as to where these intros belong. The only place i've seen these specific openings was on Pioneer's movie releases. I need facts before I can bitch about any potential mistakes on FUNi's part.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll know once I look at the tapes I have of the episodes off of the International Channel. They're at my parents house so I'll have to do it when I feel like going home. One thing, if the Nappa/Vegeta OP is the second one then it didn't come into play until the Namek/Freiza arc, which was after the big Saiyan battle.

O-chan