We all frequent message boards and online forums (such as alt.fan.dragonball), and we all contribute as much as we can. Unfortunately, we don't KNOW of all the places people post questions, so it's impossible for us to reach everyone. However, if you're reading this, you at least know where WE are, so it's possible for you to ask us directly.

What we're going for here is sort of an "Answerman" or "Ask John" (from Anime News Network and Anime Nation, respectively). We'd like you to e-mail in whatever questions you may have, so long as it somehow relates to the world of "DragonBall"; be it the manga, the anime, merchandise... whatever. We've been around for a few years, now, and we know the ropes... we like to think we know our stuff.

And we want to help. E-mail your questions to VegettoEX@aol.com with the subject "Ask VegettoEX." We'll try to update this section every Saturday, with at least one question straight from the fans. Thanks!

[ Last Updated: Sunday, 24 August 2003 ]
[ Past "Ask VegettoEX" Archives ]

Q. Is it worth the effort nowadays to go out and find a fansubber to buy "real" DBZ episodes? Or are the uncut episodes released from FUNimation *really* uncut? I'm talkin' original *everything* here, on the subtitled DVD version. As in original music, animation, blah blah blah nothing changed except subtitles added. Or are there still liberties taken with the "uncut" FUNimation versions? And if it is still worth going to a fansubber to, can you reccommend a good one? Thanks~ - Rei N.

A. This is really just a variation on the common "Are FUNi's uncut DVDs really uncut?!?!?~~1" question. When you get FUNimation's DVDs, you're only missing a few things that really have nothing to do with anything. What is this you're missing, you ask? Well, for one thing, you're not getting the next-episode previews. Toei Animation of Japan has not given FUNimation the Japanese audio for next-episode previews for DB or DBZ. Before you go blaming FUNimation for this (like so many other stubborn fanboys have), remember that Toei has pulled the same thing with Pioneer and ADV with Sailor Moon. Occasionally (as seen with the original DragonBall), incorrect animations for opening / closing themes are used, but this can also be attributed to actual TV masters not being provided to FUNimation.

Well...that's pretty much it. Now-a-days, the DVDs have correct translations, eye-catches, surrounding opening / closing themes...

There's absolutely no use for fansubbers, anymore, when it comes to DBZ. In fact, if you want to look at it from a technical sense, FUNimation's discs ARE fansubs, since Steve Simmons (a fan, himself; here's his home page) does most of the translations ^_~.

Q. Who is Videl's mother? - Alien

I'm told that the English dub mentions Videl's mother passed away at some point early on in her life; I'm not quite sure if that's in the original script or not, but do with it as you will. The best answer? We don't know...we were never told.

Q. After checking out the DVD guide (which is great, by the way), I learned that the re-released version of "Trunks - Prelude To Terror" has a new cover with the smaller splash and text that matches the newer DVD's. But I'm curious, did the re-released "Trunks - Mysterious Youth" receive a new cover as well? - Michael Mele

A. Yep, it did. The only problem is...uhh...I don't have it. Neither Meri nor I bought it because I already had the first release of it, and I didn't feel like shelling out $15 for the same three episodes. Like "Prelude to Terror," the only real difference is the smaller splash.

If anyone's got the second release and wants to scan it for me, that'd be cool :P.

Q. So, this Clyde Mandelin (sp?) person...did he take Steve's place as DVD translator person guy, or is it just two of them now? And have I heard of CM? The name rings a bell. Not that there's anything wrong with him...it's just...he's not Daimao. - Krycek061085

A. I sent Steve a mail asking what's up. My initial thoughts were correct; FUNimation's just gotten SOOO many new things lately (such as the upcoming Sakura Taisen, Tenchi GXP, Detective Conan, One Piece) that it was just impossible for him to keep up. We're all really sad about this, because (unfortunately) Steve got into this with FUNimation to treat DragonBall and its properties respectfully, and he's not the one that gets to do the original DragonBall.

As for Clyde, himself...I don't know him. Here's what Steve had to say about him:

I've never actually met him, and don't know anything else about him aside from his work, so I can't help you out on the second half of the question there.

So yeah... neither of us are any help :P

That's it for this week! E-mail us your questions for next week's update! It was kind of a slower week for questions this week, but the ones that were submitted were genuinely good questions. I look forward to answering them all, so get crackin' !

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