28 May 2008

Burst Limit Japanese Scores, Song Samples, Figures!
VegettoEX @ 9:54 pm EST -- Seems like Famitsu has given the upcoming Burst Limit scores of 9 / 8 / 8 / 8 (33/40). Definitely not too shabby. I feel that Famitsu has been extremely lenient as-of-late, though...

It would seem that the upcoming "21st Century Version" CD featuring new recordings of the DragonBall opening and ending is actually going under the title Inazuma Challenger, which was previously listed as just a regular ol' song on the disc (assumed to be a new image song). Well, it's now the title track and the first song on the disc. I can't say I understand the logic behind this, but we're all still looking forward to it. You can check out a couple short song samples (DB OP/ED included) over on the TEAM Entertainment website. The CD is still due out on June 4th for ¥1600.

Finally, Banpresto is releasing a new line of figures in celebration of Jump's 40th anniversary.

Could that possibly be any more sexy? In case you don't know, that is Goku wearing Luffy's (One Piece) outfit. There is also the vice versa, and then Bulma in a womanized-Luffy-outfit, and Nami in a womanized-Goku-outfit. Dengeki.com has a plethora of images for this line, while our buddy Oldphan's site has a great collection of images of a new line of Chopper (also One Piece) all dressed up in an astonishing number of DragonBall character outfits...

Viz To Release Daizenshuu! (Volume 1, Anyway)
VegettoEX @ 7:20 am EST -- Somewhat making up for all of the shenanigans we've learned about over the last week, it would appear as if Viz finally took the hint and will be releasing the first daizenshuu!

This Amazon entry has no cover image, but gives a release date of 19 August 2008 with a retail price of $24.99 (though you can pre-order it now for only $16.49). Additionally, this entry over on the Kinokuniya website actually includes a cover image!

The English title of The Complete Illustrations is perfectly fitting and accurate (only difference is no "The" on the original Japanese title/release), and anything you want to know about it can be found over on Kanzentai.

Does this mean Viz will be releasing all of them? Will they be ACCURATE translations? Will they be filled their their own Viz-isms, name-changes, censoring, etc.? What kind of schedule can we expect? Does this include other things like the DBGT "Perfect File" books?

There are absolutely no answers to any of these questions, but we'll do our best to find out and let you know...!

26 May 2008

"VIZ BIG" Censored, Spain Gets New DVDs
VegettoEX @ 9:55 am EST -- In case there were any outstanding questions in anyone's mind(s), the new "VIZ BIG" editions of the DragonBall manga (the "omnibus" three-in-one volumes) are indeed censored. It's beginning to get a little old, but seriously... with all the re-releases Viz and FUNimation do, you think at least one of them would come out halfway-competent after thirteen years.

In global news, Selecta Vision will be releasing DragonBall GT on DVD (Vol 1 / Vol 2 / Vol 3) similar to their in-process DragonBall Z release over in Spain. These two-disc sets have eight episodes each, are created from Dragon Box masters (as opposed to through their own in-house remastering process a la FUNimation), and while they contain less languages than the DBZ releases, will at least continue to showcase the Castilian, Catalan, and original Japanese language tracks (with Spanish subtitles). Remember that these are R2 PAL DVDs. According to an article on zonadvd.com (and brought to our attention on the forum by SonGokuGT):

Essentially, this states that Selecta Vision is in talks with Toei to be able to re-release the original Dragonball series fully uncut using the DragonBox masters for the Spanish market. Toei stated that they are very pleased with Selecta's DBZ and DBGT releases so things are looking good for Spain!

Selecta Vision is very determined to have all of the Dragonball saga, including the three series, movies and specials available in Spain uncut and with great picture quality. Selecta is driven to re-release Dragonball due to Manga Films' previous releases being edited without a Japanese track, and with the subpar video quality of the AB masters.

Remember that this Spanish dub is different from the (highly regarded) Mexican Spanish dub. Volumes 1 & 2 of DBGT are already out, and volume 3 is coming on June 18th.

In other awesome forum activity, check out this little retrospective on Son Goku figures, and this footage of Ryusei Nakao (Tambourine/Freeza/Coola) at Animazement.

25 May 2008

Podcast Episode #0130 Available!
VegettoEX @ 12:43 am EST -- Episode #0130 of the podcast is available for download! That's right, we already have it set to go for your listening pleasure. This week, Meri and I brought back on a very special guest to discuss all the latest news with regards to video games, Viz manga, and so much more. Unfortunately, some of the latest news came in after we had already recorded and edited, so make sure you check out all of the updates from the last couple days to catch up on it all. Definitely check it out.

24 May 2008

"Super Survivor" / "Kiseki no..." CD Single Coming Soon!
VegettoEX @ 10:22 pm EDT -- Big thanks to Futabatei Shimei for staying on top of this. The CD single for the Sparking! METEOR and Burst Limit theme songs that was announced back in January, supposed to come out back on April 9th, was delayed indefinitely, and was then quickly retracted from Lantis Records entirely...

... is now coming out, for real, on July 23rd.

We are super-psyched for this to be re-announced and actually coming out. SOLID-VOX has the full details in Japanese, while CDJapan has the listing back up for ordering. Rock on! Yes, those are English versions of the two game theme songs you see on there. We've already started seeing the English version of the Burst Limit theme floating around, and it was awesome to see confirmation that these will be on CD.

When you hear this weekend's coming podcast, you'll hear some of my predictions and thoughts come true, as you'll have read in this news... ^_~

Seriously, Viz? Manga Boxsets, Now?
VegettoEX @ 1:41 am EST -- In addition to all of the shenanigans we have been reporting about for the last week or so, we just got word that Viz is going to be releasing boxsets of both DragonBall ($114.99) and DragonBall Z ($185.95) manga later this year on November 4th.

OK, fine. So you complete the manga's run (after interrupting it and re-releasing/continuing it in a smaller format; listen to Podcast Episode #0097 for full details). Then you decide you're going to do these "VIZ BIG" releases. No problem. Then you're apparently going to do hardcover "Collector's Editions" of the manga, which appear to be of the original style and not the "VIZ BIG" style. Getting a little weird, here. On top of all that, now you're going to do boxsets of that original version?

Seriously?

FUNimation's DVD releases are starting to look normal when put next to Viz and their manga. It's news like this that keeps my head spinning and awake enough to edit a podcast.

20 May 2008

Donny Clay / IGN DBZ Video Game Retrospective
VegettoEX @ 8:58 pm EST -- Donny Clay is continuing to pump out the marketing in conjunction with IGN, and while we feel slightly dirty pushing it along, it continues to be note-worthy that IGN is placing at least this type of support behind the franchise. I'd love to know if it was a monetary deal or a purely mutual / pageviews type of deal.

Regardless, you can check it out for yourself. There are some slight inaccuracies plaguing the article, and it seems more like a chronology of the Budokai and Sparking! series (with Sagas randomly thrown in) more than anything else. No coverage of their own portable games, and absolutely no mention of anything pre-Budokai.

19 May 2008

New DS Game, More Viz Hardcovers, Etc.
VegettoEX @ 7:50 pm EST -- There is apparently another new game coming out for the DS, appropriately called simply DragonBall DS. It appears to start out right at the very beginning of the series, and will be an action-adventure game that will be released on an as-of-yet undetermined date in 2008.

Gamick.fr has some scans from the latest issue of V-Jump showcasing a bit of the game (thanks to LaRésistance for the heads-up). We're certainly looking forward to it. It seems like this game will fall more in line with what the majority of gamers were looking for instead of Harukanaru Goku Densetsu (which we, for the record, enjoyed but never got around to finishing or reviewing on the podcast).

This new game appears to have stylus controls for moving and attacking (punch the close-by ones, use Nyoibô on the far-away ones; the Kamehameha will also be used, possibly by tapping on the screen as each syllable shows up). As you can see in the screen-shots, there will also be a variety of cut-scenes. Thanks to Herms for grabbing those bits of info.

In other news, Tanooki Kuribo dug up another weird listing on RightStuf, this time for a "Shonen Jump Issue 1 Fifth Anniversary Collector's Edition (Hardcover)". I wonder what this one, is...? Perhaps just a special hardcover edition of the first issue of the domestic Shonen Jump that came out back in January 2003? This is in addition to the other hardcover stuff that has been unearthed...

Finally, it seems like Bandai has launched their official website for the new DragonBall CCG. I don't know anything about these types of games, so pop over to the respective forum thread for more information and educated insight.

18 May 2008

Viz Hardcover "Collector's Edition" Manga...?
VegettoEX @ 11:23 am EST -- Tanooki Kuribo sent in another great tip, this time yet again to some mysterious RightStuf listings:

• Dragon Ball Graphic Novel 1 Collector's Edition (Hardcover) (208 pgs)
• Dragon Ball Z Graphic Novel 1 Collector's Edition (Hardcover) (176 pgs)

So what exactly are these? There seems to be a huge mystery surrounding Viz's products, lately. Their own website still lists the "Viz Big" versions of DB volume 1 and DBZ volume 1 as being available June 3rd, while RightStuf would have you believe that it's actually already in-stock and available for ordering (which falls more in line with the original May 6th release date; has anyone seen these in stores, yet? I'll have to check later today...).

So now, on top of all that, we have these listings for hardcover "Collector's Editions" of the manga coming on October 7th...? Where-as the hardcover listings are for 176/208 pages (which falls more in line with the original tankôbon / graphic novel release), those "VIZ BIG" listings are three-in-one "omnibus" versions (cramming three volumes into one large/thick release).

This is the plight of the American DragonBall fan — confusing, seemingly-interrupted and canceled releases from companies that only seem to want to milk the franchise for all it's worth, rather than simply providing a competent release from the get-go. You can argue that capitalism is at its finest here and that it's the fans who keep on buying it and providing these companies with dreams of money-printing, but it's simply unfair to the average consumer. The number of general otaku I've spoken to who reference the confusing release schedules and products spanning the DragonBall franchise in the US as the primary reason for being unable to get into the series is staggering.

Podcast Episode #0129 Available!
VegettoEX @ 1:00 am EST -- Episode #0129 of the podcast is available for download! Pretty much ten years after first watching it, Meri and I go back and do the unthinkable... we watch the Garlic Jr. saga for the second time ever. How was it? Well, listen in for yourself. Some of the things we have to say may shock you... but overall, you probably won't be too surprised. Definitely check it out.

I'm hearing extremely conflicting information regarding the vocal version of "Kiseki no Honô yo Moeagare!!" showing up in the PS3 version of the Burst Limit demo. Very trustworthy people are telling me completely different things. It appeared as if it was not there, and now I hear it is there. What kind of experiences are you all having?

In more amusing news, Kotaku has a bunch of new advertising for the American release of the game that Atari has provided them. While they're cute and all (especially shorting a little jingle from "Kiseki no Honô yo Moeagare!!"), nothing tops this recent Japanese TV spot...

15 May 2008

Burst Limit Demo Available
VegettoEX @ 6:06 pm EST -- That Burst Limit demo we mentioned a little while back?

It's up on LIVE / Marketplace for your downloading pleasure as-of this morning (and if it's not already up on the PlayStation Store, it should be soon). It clocks in at just under 500 MB, and I'm only just getting around to downloading it right now (that whole pesky "work" thing gets in the way far too often, I tell you). We'll definitely give some thoughts on this weekend's upcoming podcast.

EDIT: HOLY CRAP, the demo has the vocal opening for "Kiseki no Honô yo Moeagare!!" Let's hope it's in the retail product! Go Kageyama-san!

In other news, I just picked up another Shuffle for my own running purposes, and the only name I could come up with for it was "SENZU". This is in addition to Meri's "CHIBI-POI". Ugh.

12 May 2008

Podcast Episode #0128 Available!
VegettoEX @ 8:12 pm EST -- Episode #0128 of the podcast is available for download! Sorry that it's a day late and a buck short, but whatcha gonna do? It's a shortie, but it's a doozy.

Meri and I took a look at The Dragon Ball Z Legend: The Quest Continues, a "guidebook" (and boy, do we ever use that term loosely) written by Satoshi Ikeda and Martin Foster, and published by Cocoro Books. Definitely check it out.

09 May 2008

Various Nuggets Of News & Information
VegettoEX @ 9:12 am EST -- Other than SEC filing after SEC filing coming out of the Atari camp (with absolutely nothing of interest that we have not already covered), it seems to be a pretty slow last couple of days. Here are a couple little things to hold you over until the podcast this weekend:

Daryl Surat (of Anime World Order, which you should also be listening to) has written up another article for Otaku USA, this time focusing on the man himself, Hironobu Kageyama. As you will remember, JAM Project is going to be performing at Otakon later this year in August down in Baltimore. It's a fun read-through, so definitely check it out.

In Burst Limit news, Donny Clay has updated his blog over on IGN, this time focusing on controls for the game and the various offensive/defensive mechanics to the gameplay. Additionally, some sites are putting up yet another trailer for the game; GameTrailers has an HD version of it, but it seems like it was gameplay recorded at 4:3 and stretched to 16:9. Yuck. It's not like the game doesn't natively run at 16:9, so I have no idea how it ended up like this.

Still waiting for that demo to show up on the 360 Marketplace...

Speaking of Burst Limit, Adam sent us the pre-sell sheet for the game at EB / GameStop. You have probably seen this info before, but it is official that the stores will exclusively be offering a DVD with DBZ episodes 1-7 with purchase of the 360 version, and a Blu-ray of DBZ movie 1 with the PS3 version. It's interesting to note that the 1-7 DVD appears to be an exact duplicate of the first disc that comes with the first "remastered" season boxset, while the movie 1 Blu-ray is slightly different than its corresponding retail product (which contains both DBZ movies 1 & 2 on a single DVD / Blu-ray, and is due out on May 27th).

All of this is going to be valid from May 4th to May 31st, which I don't quite get, since the game doesn't come out until June 10th. Anyone have some clarification on this? Do you have to pre-order the game by May 31st to be guaranteed the extra item (along with the promised t-shirt) when you go pick up the game? I guess I'll go pre-order the damn thing...

05 May 2008

FUNimation "Remastered" DBZ Movies Deluge
VegettoEX @ 9:06 pm EST -- Looks like FUNimation is going to cruise through their releases of the newly "remastered" versions of the DBZ movies. We know that the 1 & 2 DVD / Blu-ray will be coming later this month, but apparently 3 & 4 and then 5 & 6 will also see the light of day in 2008.

Brian Drummond at AnimeNEXT
VegettoEX @ 2:38 pm EST -- I've been holding onto this information for a while, but since they've finally and officially posted it over on the AnimeNEXT website, I guess it's good to get the word out!

Brian Drummond, the original English voice of Vegeta from the Ocean Studios cast in FUNimation's production of DBZ from 1996-1998 (and also in the "alternate" English dub produced for the European market and aired in Canada post-1999), will be a guest at AnimeNEXT this year. AnimeNEXT, as you may remember, is a local con for us in New Jersey where we run the AMV contest and do all sorts of fun panels and such. We'll see you there!

Burst Limit Demo Coming Soon...?
VegettoEX @ 11:42 am EST -- If you go by Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace website, there is a demo already available for the upcoming Burst Limit.

Unfortunately, this is not true. The game's demo is not yet available for download, but this is a pretty good indication that we should expect one soon. The game drops in Japan on June 5th, while it comes out over here in the US on June 10th.

04 May 2008

Podcast Episode #0127 Available!
VegettoEX @ 3:23 pm EST -- Episode #0127 of the podcast is available for download! Julian seems to need one more week or so to get all settled in with internet access, so we trucked onwards without him once more. Jeff, Meri, and myself tackled volume sixteen of the manga, and had both quite a bit to say about it, and at the same time, not a whole Hell of a lot to say about it. Definitely check it out.

03 May 2008

Forum Temporarily Unavailable
VegettoEX @ 9:36 am EST -- Yes, the forum is down. Please stop sending us e-mails about it :D. It will be resolved soon.

In the meantime, our chat is, of course, still up and running. Come chill with us there!

02 May 2008

More Burst Limit Gameplay Videos
VegettoEX @ 9:57 am EST -- GameTrailers has another HD video of some gameplay footage from the upcoming Burst Limit. This time around it's Son Goku vs #16.

01 May 2008

Week of Filler — Day 7
VegettoEX @ 6:54 pm EST -- We are closing out the "Week of Filler" with a deliciously ironic episode. Don't understand? You'll see when you read through DB episode 8.

While the week of straight updates to the section may be over, that doesn't mean it's done. We have more than we know what to do with, so look forward to continued updates in the future.

DB & DBZ Movies R2 DVD Individual Releases
VegettoEX @ 12:08 pm EST -- Big thanks to Kanzentai (you're also visiting them, right?) for the heads-up on this one. Straight outta Jumpland, we have official confirmation that all of the movies previously released in the Dragon Box: The Movies giant boxset will be released on DVD in Japan.

Each of the movies will be individually released (as opposed to two- and three-movie discs in the boxset) beginning on 08 August 2008 for ¥2940 (~$30). As Kanzentai notes, two discs will be released on the second Friday of every month, which leaves us with three movies coming out to finish it off in March 2009. There is also a new promotional wallpaper for your desktop available, along with the pre-existing DBGT wallpapers.

There is no word yet on extras coming over (which, as you can read, was really nothing more than promotional trailers and artwork), and there is still no word on when or if the two feature-length DBZ TV specials, previously only contained spread across the two DBZ Dragon Box sets, will ever see their own individual DVD release in Japan.

Finally, and I know some of you have already seen it, but GameTrailers has an HD version of the Trunks vs Recoom Burst Limit gameplay trailer that was posted up a few days ago.

Atari/Infogrames News, Somewhat-Related Dimps News
VegettoEX @ 10:04 am EST -- The Atari news continues to be interesting, this time with an announcement that Atari and their now-completely-and-entirely-official-in-whole parent company Infogrames will become one entity.

Currently, Infogrames owns 51.4% and is the majority stockholder in Atari. After the deal, Atari will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Infogrames after acquiring "all remaining outstanding equity interests".

This agreement is an essential and positive development for Infogrames and its shareholders. It brings Atari fully under the control of Infogrames, delivering a platform for future growth in the US. This step closely follows a series of recent major restructuring actions implemented in an effort to reposition Atari, streamline its corporate structure and reduce its annualized costs, including costs related to being a US public company.

The Board of Infogrames believes that full ownership of a restructured Atari is an important step for the Group, leading to a simplified operating structure that will deliver greater efficiency, provide the Group with greater opportunities to expand its US distribution capabilities and strengthen its platform for its global online initiatives.

The full press release goes into more detail on the agreement, but what we are all really wondering is exactly how it affects us as DBZ fans still anticipating more games in the US (and abroad, for that matter). It does not appear as if anything will really change for the time being. Remember, though, that Atari's contract with FUNimation does run out in 2010, so that is perhaps the timeframe where the most interesting and relevant news will occur.

Of other possible interest to DBZ fans is the current rumor circulating that Dimps, known to DBZ fans as the developers behind the entire Budokai series on PS2 and PSP as well as the upcoming Burst Limit... is actually the developer working on the monumental Street Fighter IV.