28 July 2005

"Makafushigi Adobenchâ -2005-" Reviewed
VegettoEX @ 10:52 pm EDT -- To kick off the new "Music" section of our forum, I've gone and done a somewhat in-depth review of the new Makafushigi Adobenchâ! -2005- CD that came out last week in Japan. Check it out!

26 July 2005

"Sparking!" Box Art Revealed
VegettoEX @ 8:12 pm EDT -- The official "Sparking!" website was updated today with a character profile for Coola, as well as the box art! Very nice looking stuff.

The Magic Box has updated with two sexy new screen shots from the upcoming Japanese arcade fighter, Chou DragonBall Z. Also initially explained is the control scheme.

So my Makafushigi Adobenchâ! -2005- CD is sitting at the post office waiting for me to come get it. I really don't feel like wasting my entire lunch break to drive down there and get it :P. Alas, I probably will, anyway. To make things better, I finally got this yesterday. Sorry for the blog-like style of this paragraph... ^^:;

24 July 2005

FUNimation DBZ Trailer Fun
VegettoEX @ 1:05 pm EDT -- First up, be sure to check out the previous update concerning new DVD releases in Japan; we've updated it with a couple extra notes.

Second, I just wanted to share some new FUNimation trailers. The trailer for volume four of the "Ultimate Uncut Edition" releases still features the silly, faux-Japanese... it's really cute. For additional commentary (and romanizations of the "Japanese"), be sure to check out our old February 20th update.

On the other hand, I keep getting a kick outta the latest Great Saiyaman trailer. The editing is extremely tight (and almost seems to take hints on effects from "Doomrider" :P), and it just... well... cracks me up. I know we don't usually post dub trailers, but that one just amuses me.

Thanks to Brandon at FUNimation for the trailer links. Speaking of FUNimation... I've got stuff to give away... >.> Mental note to self... prepare contests...

23 July 2005

Movie "Dragon Box" + Individual DBZ "Dragon Box" Discs
VegettoEX @ 3:40 pm EDT -- We finally convinced Julian to go ahead and translate the latest bit of news from Toei & Pony Canyon concerning more DVD box sets in Japan. What can we expect in the coming year? The final Dragon Box set (for all of the movies!), and 49 individual discs (the same as contained in both gigantic, super-expensive Dragon Box sets) spanning the entire DBZ TV series. So here's the full scoop from Julian, with his own couple notes here and there:

http://www.jumpland.com/dragonbox_gt/news/news.html

New Information Thrillingly Appears — We're Updating!
DRAGON BALL
DVD Information Front Row!

Two big, new projects are starting up!

Part 1 → DRAGON BALL Z DVD INDIVIDUAL RELEASE!!

The DRAGON BALL Z DVD release for the general public that fans have been waiting for, will start in Fall 2005!! All 291 episodes will be released across 49 volumes, and Pony Canyon will be putting 3 volumes on sale each month! (Julian's note: That's 5-6 episodes each; no mention is made of the three other discs from the sets that contained the two TV Specials and video extras, however. Three volumes per month makes the release schedule work out to a year and four or five months.)

And for those of who you who missed out on buying the DVD BOXES, this is your chance to enjoy DRAGON BALL Z with high-quality video.

Expected Price: ¥3,990 each (tax inclusive)
Rental DVDs will go on sale at the same time!! We'll be announcing the latest information on this homepage and others!

Part 2 → DRAGON BALL MOVIE SERIES DVD BOX RELEASE!!

The DVD version of all 17 works in the DRAGON BALL movie series has been eagerly anticipated, as up until now, they have been released on video. That long-awaited DVD BOX version is now planned, from Toei Video!!

In line with the DRAGON BOX series up to now, the stories and characters from all the movies (and nothing but the movies) will be tightly and luxuriously packed inside.

As soon as the particulars are decided, we'll be announcing it on this homepage and others.

The individual DBZ discs are exciting for several reasons: it means that fans who couldn't afford the Dragon Box sets, were too late for them, or just didn't want every single episode, can now enjoy their favorite DBZ episodes in pristine quality like their Dragon Box-encumbered counterparts. Of course, there's still no subtitles, the packaging will no doubt take up more room, and collecting the entire series will be more expensive overall. But for folks like Julian and me, though, this makes acquiring the episodes we like muchly more convenient. The movie Dragon Box has far fewer details released about it right now, but one thing's clear: it'll be a whole hell of a lot cheaper than the other Dragon Box sets, to the point where it will be purchased, without question, by this fan...!

Anyhow, we'll be watching the Dragon Box site closely in the coming months, and we'll let you know as soon as they update with new info. Until then, we're sure you know where it's at for the most accurate info on new DB stuff comin' outta Japan...!!

21 July 2005

"CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA -2005" Preview
VegettoEX @ 8:01 am EDT -- TEAM Entertainment has finally updated with a page showcasing the "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA -2005-" CD that's due out on August 3rd in Japan. This new CD only features two songs (the title track and "WE GOTTA POWER"), but there's remixes and instrumentals. Check it. Audio samples are available for most of the tracks.

20 July 2005

New CD Released in Japan Today
VegettoEX @ 10:00 pm EDT -- Aiya. Sorry about that. Guess that just goes to show that I shouldn't promise a contest the next day when I can't deliver :D. It's still coming, it just takes more work than I have available time for in the evening. Free stuff returns to you, soon!

So today marked the release of Makafushigi Adobenchâ! -2005- in Japan. Performed by the original artist (Hiroki Takahashi), all of the DragonBall songs contained on the CD are updated versions done for the new millennium. Here's everything you need to know about the new CD.

	Makafushigi Adobenchâ! -2005- ("Mystical Adventure! -2005-") Hiroki Takahashi KDSD-73 ¥1200 9 tracks 20 July 2005
Track 1: Makafushigi Adobenchâ! Mystical Adventure! Track 2: Mezase Tenka-ichi Aim to Be the Greatest on Earth Track 3: Doragonbôru Densetsu The Dragon Ball Legend Track 4: Aoki Tabibito-tachi The Blue Travelers Track 5: Makafushigi Adobenchâ! (DJ Dr.Knob Remix) Mystical Adventure! (DJ Dr.Knob Remix) Track 6: Makafushigi Adobenchâ! (Instrumental) Mystical Adventure! (Instrumental) Track 7: Mezase Tenka-ichi (Instrumental) Aim to Be the Greatest on Earth (Instrumental) Track 8: Doragonbôru Densetsu (Instrumental) The Dragon Ball Legend (Instrumental) Track 9: Aoki Tabibito-tachi (Instrumental) The Blue Travelers (Instrumental)

If you're interested in buying the CD, CDJapan has it for about $11, and you can sample the tunes over on the TEAM-Ent site.

(Yes, my CD shipped today; no, it will not be going up for download on this site; no, I will not send you MP3s)

And good ol' Julian will be around shortly to give you some more great news from across the ocean.

09 July 2005

Contest Decision + New CD Promos
VegettoEX @ 3:15 pm EDT -- I've decided on a contest! Thanks to everyone who submitted ideas; there were more of you out there than I thought! It seems that it's easier to give contest ideas than it is to participate in them :P.

The winner of our first copy of Ultimate Battle 22 for the US PS1 is, interestingly enough, our old friend Napier (unless, of course, you already own it :P). We'll let you know the contest details very soon (I'd like to get it all up tomorrow, but we'll see). So look forward to it, and please stop sending ideas for the contest :D... there's already a winner!

On a different subject, Team Entertainment has gone and put up a sample page for the first of the upcoming "2005 Version" CDs. Due out on 20 July 2005 in Japan is "Makafushigi Adobenchâ! (2005 ver.)". There are audio samples from the first five tracks (which includes a remix of the title track). Be sure to check them out! We'll get them added over on the "CD Singles" page as soon as we can, especially now with a track listing and cover art!

If you're interested in purchasing the CDs, we've got links to their respective CDJapan entries in a previous update.

(Initial thoughts on the music? Blargh. What a step backwards.)

03 July 2005

"There is no OVA!" Updates + Free Video Games
VegettoEX @ 7:10 pm EDT -- We've significantly updated the main information page for our "There is no OVA!" section, with some new translations and more information regarding the original Famicom game. Also, the "Synopsis" page has been completely revamped with "Dragon Box" screen shots, thanks to our good friend MajinVegitaXV. Be sure to check it out!

The person who sends me the best idea for a mini-contest (nothing extravagant... one with very little effort, but still fun) will win a free copy of Ultimate Battle 22 for the PS1 (US version). I will then use that person's idea to give away another copy of the same game. One idea per person, please! Send your ideas to me at VegettoEX@aol.com. I probably won't take ideas any longer than a day or so, but you'll be able to check back here on the main page to find out when I've reached a decision.

If you can't type properly (in English), don't bother trying. I don't want your e-mails.

Daizenshuu EX... where you get free video games. Rock on.

After we give away the video games (courtesy of me, exclusively), we've got some prizes thanks to FUNimation to give away, so stay tuned.