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Daizenshuu EX - Updates from June 2009 |
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28 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 10:06 pm EDT -- Episode #0181 of the podcast is available for download! Among all the news updates, we manage to cram in a little review of the DragonBall Kai ending theme CD single for "Yeah! Break! Care! Break!" We are also running a contest to win that very same CD single, so make sure you don't miss out on it! Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
VegettoEX @ 11:19 am EDT -- While the "Koro-chan Pack" ended up getting canceled, it seems as if the Kai cash-in is not yet complete. Big thanks to Rachel for pointing us to a listing over on CDJapan for a "Dragon Ball Kai Original Soundtrack Vol. 1". There are regular [COCX-35744] and "Limited Edition" [COCX-35743] versions available (¥2940 and ¥3150, respectively).
Coming out 19 August 2009, the CD will contain 35 tracks. Two will be the TV-sized versions of the OP and ED, and 33 will be BGM tracks. The "Limited Edition" version is slated to include three bonus tracks as well as an "original card holder".
VegettoEX @ 10:13 am EDT -- It is impossible for FUNimation to ignore it at this point, so their hint that we will just have to wait until Anime Expo for the full, real, true, official confirmation will have to suffice for now.
Visitor EDDYS318 sent us a note with a link to a very real trailer for the first season DVD set over on the YouTube profile of Welch Compositions. Jim Welch is a "music composer and sound designer" that does work for companies like FUNimation, and has done trailer music for properties like One Piece and Romeo x Juliet.
Whether or not this is a true, accidental "leak" or if FUNimation just figures the cat is out of the bag at this point, all it does is end up as pretty brilliant marketing... I mean, we continue to go on and on about it, right? To be fair, since this will be the first time ever that the first 13 episodes of the franchise as a whole will be available uncut and in its original Japanese language in North America, it is a pretty big deal.
The commercial is played in a 4:3 aspect ratio (conflicting with the "Widescreen" listings online), and notes that the first set will contain 31 episodes spanned across 5 DVDs, and will be "digitally remastered" (seemingly closer to the DBGT style of "remastering" than the DBZ style). No release date is set, though online listings (as we know) peg it for 15 September 2009 for an MSRP of $49.98, though it should be clear that those details are subject to change.
In a random bit of other news, Shueisha's website notes that the first volume of the Majin Buu arc (Majin Buu: Fukkatsu Hen or "Revival Chapter") of the "TV Version Anime Comics" (or redundantly-redundant "animanga") will be released on 03 July 2009 for ¥730. No cover art is currently available.
Check back later today for this weekend's podcast episode! |
27 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 2:50 pm EDT -- Thankfully I found one or two little tidbits to include that would prevent this from essentially being lazy plagiarism from Kanzentai, so that makes me feel better about it all...!
We noted in a previous update how the listings for the upcoming DragonBall Kai Blu-ray sets on Amazon Japan were a bit confusing in that episode 28 seemed to be skipped entirely (Box 2 ending with 27, and Box 3 beginning with 29). Those listings have since been updated, with Box 1 still containing episodes 4-15, but now Box 2 containing episodes 16-27 and Box 3 containing episodes 28-39. This puts all three of the previously-announced sets at 12 episodes worth of material, right in line with the details on Happinet's official website for the release.
In addition to these three boxes, Happinet's official website for the home release notes a fourth box coming sometime in June 2010, yet only containing episodes 40-49 (that being only 10 episodes as opposed to the other sets' 12 episodes).
The first box will have extra space to hold the individual Blu-ray release of "Volume 1" for the series; remember that beyond this first disc, the Blu-ray release will be box-only, while the DVD release will be individual-disc-only.
Aspect ratios continue to be a bit of a head-scratcher. While it was previously-announced that the Blu-ray release would actually be a full-frame 4:3 high-definition presentation (meaning that the broadcast 16:9 was actually "cropped" from their master production), the DVD release will be... 16:9. Whatever the logic behind this is absolutely escapes us. Both the Blu-ray and DVD releases will have a standard stereo audio track (no surround sound). Coupled with last week's episode 12 of Kai was a commercial for the home release which showcases the opening theme, "Dragon Soul" in 4:3. Head on over to Kanzentai for a little comparison.
This brings everything back full-circle to our inside source "Wasted Wisher" noting back in February that it appeared no cropping was taking place with the series' production work.
In entirely different news, the official website for Tenka-ichi Dai-Bôken (being released outside Japan as Revenge of King Piccolo) has updated with the game's cover art:
Also confirmed are multiple control schemes, which include Wii Remote + Nunchuck, Classic Controller, and the Gamecube controller:
The latest commercial on the website also confirms a new theme song by Hiroki Takahashi (the performer of "Makafushigi Adobenchâ!", the opening theme to the original DragonBall TV series), as previously confirmed here on Daizenshuu EX via our forum member GotenZ1 from E3.
The game is set for a Japanese release of 23 July 2009 (just a couple weeks!) for ¥7,140. While Namco-Bandai has confirmed European and American releases, no set date has been confirmed other than this autumn.
We had a little change of schedule for this weekend's forthcoming podcast, and will be reviewing the CD single for the DragonBall Kai closing theme, "Yeah! Break! Care! Break!"
We will also be starting up a contest to win that extra copy, there, so stay tuned! |
23 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 8:29 am EDT -- While no cover art is present (unlike the Wal-Mart listing), RightStuf now has a catalogue entry for the first season of DragonBall uncut on DVD, specifically noted as "hybrid" (meaning it will include both the Japanese and English audio tracks). It has the same information we've seen elsewhere (September 15th, $49.98)...
Still waiting on FUNimation to come out and confirm...
UPDATE: FUNimation's official Twitter account now states:
At Anime Expo 2009, we'll FINALLY be able to announce a release that you know about already!
What could it be...?! |
21 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 12:22 am EDT -- Episode #0180 of the podcast is available for download! With "season one" of the fantastically hilarious "DBZ Abridged" now complete, we decided it was time to bring some of the guys from TeamFourStar back on the show to talk about the project. This week we have KaiserNeko and MasakoX talking about the journey through the first season, the writing process, voicing Goku, and so much more! Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
Finally, big congrats to Stephen for winning our "Dragon Soul" CD single contest. Stay tuned for another contest in the very near future when we'll be giving away the Kai closing theme CD single, "Yeah! Break! Care! Break!" |
18 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 9:13 am EDT -- We already told you all about how Wal-Mart's website updated with a listing for a so-called "Dragon Ball: Season One (Widescreen)" set, which FUNimation has officially stated was a "mistake". Well, now that Wal-Mart's listing has gone even further and included cover art for the set, it is pretty safe to assume that the "mistake" was on FUNimation's part for leaking information to retailers ahead of time yet again (just like in 2006 with the original remastered "Z" sets).
Unless there is some cunningly-nefarious IT intern at Wal-Mart that specifically has it out for North American-based DragonBall fans, we are getting pretty close to calling bullocks on FUNimation's denials, here. The box art falls right in line with the "remastered" releases for both the DBZ and DBGT TV series, and is different enough from the original 1995 dub's box art and the box art used for the Australian release of these episodes in conjunction with Madman (where Lionsgate's sub-license did not apply):
We will continue to keep you updated as this develops, but it does not seem like much more needs to "develop"... with the exception of FUNimation coming out and admitting it's coming, anyway. As it stands right now, the set appears to be coming out 15 September 2009 for an MSRP of $49.98. The Wal-Mart listing indicates it will be "widescreen", most likely in the faux-"remastered" style of the DBZ TV sets. There is no word on running time or the number of episodes it will contain, as well as the story with the oft-forgotten DB Movie 1.
UPDATE: Totally forgot to mention this before, but Wal-Mart is also listing single releases for the two DBZ TV Specials previously released as a "remastered double feature". They seem to be coming at a discounted price (MSRP of $9.98) with their own individual cover art, also on 15 September 2009:
So there ya' go. |
17 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 12:23 pm EDT -- I love trading updates back and forth with Kanzentai; it gives us each time to relax and let the other do a little work!
As you may have read, more details on the home release of Kai have surfaced. We already knew about the first volume coming out on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as the first few sets. We now know that individual volumes will also see the light of day, and have a pretty good release schedule. Furthermore, online retailers are getting around to putting up listings for them all, so get ready to get your pre-order groove on. Here's a break-down of what's available when and where you can purchase them from:
As noted on Kanzentai, it's intriguing how past volume one, only the DVD release is getting individual volumes, and there are no boxes set for the DVD release. It certainly seems to be a case of "see if you're interested" with the single volume and going on from there, though it is rather unconventional to not include those episodes in the "first" box of the series.
As always, it certainly helps us when you order through our CDJapan affiliate links, but we absolutely won't hold it against you if you choose to order elsewhere. We already have our Blu-ray volume one on pre-order, the first pressing of which will come with a Dragon Battlers card (similar to what comes with the CD singles for the opening and ending themes), as well as a music video for Raging Blast (which may or may not be the same promotional video for the game that will be featured on the first Blu-ray set). |
16 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 10:42 am EDT -- The last few news entries have been heavily focused on Japanese releases, so I suppose it makes sense to pull it back over to North America and do a little financial analysis.
Navarre, FUNimation's parent company, issued their annual report earlier this month. There are quite a few interesting tidbits we can pull out of this relating to DragonBall. Here are just a few of them:
In particular, one licensed property accounted for $32.0 million, or 46%, of FUNimation’s revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
Seems pretty safe to assume that this "one licensed property" was DragonBall. It is certainly interesting how the property seems to account for half the money its licensees make.
Our gross profit decreased to $67.0 million or 10.6% of net sales for fiscal 2009 compared with $101.6 million or 15.4% of net sales for fiscal 2008. The decrease in gross margin of $34.6 million was a result of:
• impairment and other charges of $16.4 million related to accounts receivable reserves, inventory and prepaid royalties associated with the BCI restructuring;
• impairment and other charges of $8.8 million related to license advances, production costs and inventory associated with the FUNimation restructuring; and
• decreased sales volume.
While the restructuring over at FUNimation certainly caused a bit of a hit, it was no surprise and most likely necessary for them to continue operations.
In connection with the FUNimation acquisition, the Company entered into an employment agreement with a key FUNimation employee providing for his employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of FUNimation Productions, Ltd. (“the FUNimation CEO”). Among other items, the agreement provides the FUNimation CEO with the ability to earn two performance-based bonuses in the event that certain financial targets are met by the FUNimation business during the fiscal years ending March 31, 2006-2010. If the total earnings before interest and tax (“EBIT”) of the FUNimation business is in excess of $60.0 million during the period consisting of the fiscal years ending March 31, 2009 and 2010, the FUNimation CEO is entitled to receive a bonus payment in an amount equal to 5% of the EBIT that exceeds $60.0 million; however, this bonus payment shall not exceed $4.0 million. No amounts have been expensed or paid under this agreement as the targets have not been achieved.
While we have noted this plenty of times before, we will continue to bring it up as we get closer to the magical money date for Gen Fukunaga. It appears that they have still not hit the threshold for the bonus payout. 2010 seems to be a de-facto big ending point for a lot of organizations, with the Atari license also supposedly ending in January 2010 (but with Namco-Bandai seemingly releasing things on their own, already... who knows?).
In other important news, a quick article over on ICv2 on Navarre/FUNimation notes that they have extended their license on the DragonBall franchise for another five years. Nothing is stated with regards to when their prior license runs (or ran) out, and what the new end-date in their contract may be. Thanks to everyone for sending that tidbit in (and shame on us for somehow missing it this week). |
15 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 12:07 pm EDT -- The CDJapan entry for what would have been the July release of the Koro-chan Pack Dragon Ball Kai CD (which was also set to include a little picture book) is now listed as "Release Cancelled". I had not actually put in my order for it yet, so if anyone out there did and received any kind of addition word (from either CDJapan or whomever you pre-ordered from) let us know if you received any additional details. Perhaps Columbia released how much of a redundant release this was, coming a month-after-month-after-month with the OP and ED singles...?
However, the big news of the day is clearly the DragonBall Kai Blu-ray and DVD sets and their listed details. The first Blu-ray set is due out on 23 October 2009; keep in mind that the first disc (with the first three episodes) is due out 18 September 2009. That first disc is important because this first set appears to contain only episodes 4-15, rather than the entire 1-15. Amazon Japan has it with a list price of ¥15,960 (~$163) but with a decent pre-order price of ¥11,810 (~$120).
Furthermore, the description for the box specifically details it as being 4:3 with a description of now seeing the full image from the broadcast 16:9 version and how we will now finally be able to see everything in full detail. While we are excited to see someone take the lead with a high-def release of the series in its intended aspect ratio, this goes against everything we have seen and heard so far with regards to Kai and its production.
Extras with this first set will include a promotional video for the upcoming Raging Blast PS3/360 game, creditless versions of the opening and ending, and more.
There are also two more boxes dated, with BOX 2 covering episodes 16-27 with a release on 19 February 2010, and BOX 3 covering episodes 29-40 with a release on 23 April 2010. Note the missing episode 28, in there. Both additional boxes follow the same pricing structure as the first.
The official website for these Kai boxes is listed, but does not yet appear to be live -- http://www.happinet-p.co.jp/dragonball
We will continue to keep you updated as more information about these sets leaks its way to us. |
14 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 11:28 am EDT -- Episode #0179 of the podcast is available for download! This week Meri and I took it easy and discussed the crazy all-speculation news week with talks of an Evolution sequel and Wal-Mart's listing for a "widescreen" DragonBall season one DVD set. We also talked the Kai home release, June's releases, e-mails, and our song of the week. Don't forget about our "Dragon Soul" contest, either! Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
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13 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 10:10 am EDT -- Our buddy Corey pointed us to a new Jump scan confirming a Japanese Blu-ray release for the currently-airing DragonBall Kai.
Set to release on 18 September 2009 for ¥3045, the first volume will contain three episodes. There will also be a standard DVD release with the same contents (albeit not in high-def) retailing for ¥1995.
Making no justification for the pricing scheme, here is a breakdown of some of the currently- and previously-offered deals on episodes both in the US and Japan.
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FUNimation's DBZ Season One Set on standard DVD contains 39 episodes and has an MSRP of $34.98. This breaks down to approximately $0.90 per episode. These sets were "remastered", are missing approximately 20% of the footage, encoded as progressive, and contain three voice tracks. These sets were the second full release of these episodes on DVD in the US, and a third release for the beginning of the series.
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FUNimation's "Ultimate Uncut Edition" on standard DVD contained 3 episodes and had an MSRP of $24.98. This breaks down to approximately $8.32 per episode. These sets used old masters, were encoded with low bitrates, and contain two voice tracks. FUNimation's original DVD singles retailed for the same amount and contained 3-4 episodes per disc.
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Toei's R2 singles based on the "Dragon Box" sets for DBZ contained 6 episodes each and retail for ¥3990 (approximately $40 US). This breaks down to approximately $6.66 per episode. These discs are remastered, are encoded at an extremely high bitrate, encoded as progressive, and were previously unavailable in Japan in any home format (other than the box sets they came from).
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Toei's upcoming releases for Kai contain 3 episodes each and retail for ¥3045 on Blu-ray and ¥1995 on DVD (approximately $31 US and $20, respectively). This breaks down to approximately $10.33 and $6.66 on Blu-ray and DVD, respectively). Learn more about Kai.
In other news, FUNimation has officially stated that the Wal-Mart listing for Dragon Ball: Season One (Widescreen) is a "mistake". Things still seem a little too fishy based on the comment we received from Lionsgate and the original Saga of Goku sets mysteriously becoming unavailable on retailer sites. While the commonly-accepted "Lionsgate's rights expire in 2010" nonsense is nothing more than just that... nonsense... based on random Wikipedia edits, we may see some additional developments sooner rather than later. Keep in mind the runarounds in June 2006 when information about the first DBZ remastered "season set" leaked via online retailers.
It could also just be one giant mistake, and Lionsgate's rights are indeed "indefinite". |
11 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 6:13 pm EDT -- Civilized James has updated their re-published interview with James Marsters from Nautilius magazine to note that it was originally released on May 15th, and that the interview most likely took place in April... meaning it may be out-dated information, was true at one point in time and no longer is... or is still accurate. No-one really knows. Does this mean a sequel to Evolution really is or is not coming? We continue to wait on Fox to give updated information.
In other news, we contacted Lionsgate back in April regarding their sub-license to the first 13 episodes (and first movie) of the original DragonBall TV series. At that time, they would neither confirm nor deny any information at all to us, saying that the information we were "...seeking is confidential and cannot be used for a website."
Since then, our forum members have noticed a listing on Wal-Mart's website for a Dragon Ball: Season 1 (Widescreen) with na MSRP of $49.99 and a release date of 15 September 2009. As Wal-Mart's site has hosted inaccurate information in the past, we all mostly shrugged it off. Since then, other forum members have brought to our attention that many online retailers are now listing Lionsgate's (originally Kidmark's) Saga of Goku as "discontinued" and no longer available.
Did FUNimation obtain new film masters for the first TV series and now have plans to released a faux-"remastered" version a la their DBZ TV season sets, including the first 13 episodes? Is it all one big misunderstanding? We await further clarification as the longest-running business blunder in FUNimation's entire history perhaps moves into a new chapter.
For more information on the history with FUNimation and Kidmark (later incorporated into Lionsgate), check out our "Newbie Guide" and the respective "DVD Guide" page. |
09 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 9:11 am EDT -- James Marsters (Piccolo, DragonBall Evolution) has apparently been given the OK to "...actually tell that there is going to be a sequel," to the American-made live-action movie. There is no word on anything other than beginning to film the movie after his tour in the spring and summer.
For some completely different news, our forum member GotenZ1 spent some time at E3 this last week and got a chance to play Tenka-ichi Dai-Bôken (being released outside Japan as Revenge of King Piccolo). Confirmed is a new vocal theme song! We do not yet have any details on the performer, but do know that it will not have 2D animation for the opening sequence (which we still have not seen since Budokai 3 back in 2004). |
07 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 12:29 am EDT -- Episode #0178 of the podcast is available for download! Meri, Julian, Jeff, and myself all sat down to take a look at Volume 27 of the manga. The Freeza arc is coming to a close... but it's not quite done just yet. Was there enough to keep us interested? Are we totally ready for this saga to end? Doesn't something pretty major happen this volume...? Another exclusive music track, some great video game news for those in North America, and our usual shenanigans round out the episode. Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
We would like to give a huge congrats to Tekkaman James for winning our "Super Exciting Guide" contest! Listen in to the latest podcast episode for his name suggestion for Mr. Satan's wife.
Didn't win? Want another chance at something? No problem! We have immediately started up another contest, and this time we are giving away more music. We reviewed the "Dragon Soul" CD single back on Episode #0177, and are now giving one away to a lucky visitor. Should you win, you'll also get an exclusive poster. It's another random-drawing giveaway, so get your entries in now! Read the full details on our "Contests" page. |
02 June 2009
VegettoEX @ 11:45 pm EDT -- We have it on good authority from our buddy godofchaos over at The Fanboy Review that all of the new DragonBall video games are due out this fall in North America in addition to their European releases. These games include Attack of the Saiyans on the DS (dropping the Kai title just like its European release), Revenge of King Piccolo on the Wii, and Raging Blast on the PS3 & 360. The real clincher here?
They're coming straight from Namco-Bandai, just like in Europe. Atari is nowhere to be seen.
(EDIT: And in come the press releases... )
We've reached out to Atari for a statement on their current and future role in the franchise. As you heard on our most recent podcast episode (and will eventually come in some sort of concise written form to the home page), quite a bit is going on with the company these days. |
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