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GENERAL INFO |
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INTERACTION |
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Daizenshuu EX - Updates from April 2011 |
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25 April 2011
VegettoEX @ 7:55 pm EST -- This week on our show, the gang is all here to discuss the second chapter of DragonBall SD. We didn't even know one was coming until just a couple weeks ago — does the jump into the Freeza arc make up for the silence after a disappointing first chapter? Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
VegettoEX @ 7:47 pm EST -- We have been mentioning it on the podcast for a couple weeks now, but our full review of the "Legend of Saiyan" series of figures is finally up!
Coming hot on the trail of the "Freeza's Force" series, this is one that you collectors will likely not want to pass by. Check it out over in our "Reviews" section! |
19 April 2011
VegettoEX @ 3:08 pm EST -- The website worldscreen.com is reporting some moderately extensive home release licensing for the DragonBall franchise in Latin America by way of two companies, including the "refreshed" DragonBall Kai TV series:
Toei scored a DVD deal for Dragon Ball Kai with Televisa in Mexico, which picked up episodes one through 54. Separate DVD agreements were wrapped up with En Pantalla in Mexico for Dragon Ball episodes one through 28, Dragon Ball Z episodes one through 72 and Dragon Ball GT episodes one through 64.
To break down the episode numbers:
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For Kai, that takes the series up before its designated "Jinzôningen & Cell arc", approximately half of the series.
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For the DragonBall TV series, this extends from the beginning of the series through the end of the 21st Tenka-ichi Budôkai.
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For the DragonBall Z TV series (which Kai is based on), this extends partway through the Freeza story arc.
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For the DragonBall GT TV series, the entire 64-episode run is noted.
This is the third home release of the DragonBall Kai TV series (following its ongoing release in Japan and later North America). The Mexican dub of the series came under fire from fans when voice director and actor Irwin Daayan announced that many of the character voices would be recast. Even in Brazil, the role of Goku stayed with prior actor Wendel Bezerra only after a "long talk" with the show's producers about production processes and fan input.
Let us know how this all plays out, Latin American fans! |
18 April 2011
VegettoEX @ 7:41 pm EST -- This week on our show, Scott Melzer and Rich Jarrett from NoN.D.E. Films join us to talk about their new fan parody, Fanboy Soze. While Mr. Satan was used as a major character in their prior fan parody (S.T.E.A.M.), DragonBall footage is kept to a minimum in the new film, despite it being a DBZ parody through and through! What exactly does that mean? You'll have to listen it for the full scoop. Beyond that, our buddy Hujio (with his new microphone!) joins us to talk a little bit more about "Toriyama's Intended Endings" which we covered over the last couple episodes. Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
VegettoEX @ 1:17 pm EST -- Spain and Andorra are about to get a slew of new merchandise courtesy of Giochi Preziosi. Items set for release include plushies, scooters, "surprise bags", figures for phone straps, confectionary, and "back to school".
There really is not a whole heck of a lot more to say about that! Check back later this evening for our next podcast episode, though! |
10 April 2011
VegettoEX @ 10:08 pm EST -- This week, Herms joins us for part two of our look at the "intended endings" to the series. The Freeza arc takes the brunt of fan pontification in this area, but the Cell and Majin Buu arcs have their own fair share of illogical fan speculation and half-truths. What evidence exists pointing to specific points that could have served as the ending to the entire series? Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
When you are done listening (or want to horribly confuse yourself by reading while you are listening), head on over to the new section on Kanzentai to brush up on all the same material! Great work, guys. |
06 April 2011
VegettoEX @ 2:32 pm EST -- Just about two months ago, FUNimation dropped the MSRP on their first "season" of the DragonBall TV series from $49.98 to $34.98. Today it was announced that the second "season" is getting the exact same price chop. The set will now run you $25.99 on Amazon, and $26.24 on RightStuf.
The most recent North American release of the franchise's first TV series spanned five "season" bricks that trickled out from 2009 to 2010 (it is worth noting that the series never followed any "seasons" in Japan, running straight through on a weekly basis).
At least once a week we receive an e-mail asking if folks should purchase these sets, or hold out hope for a Dragon Box release a la the DragonBall Z TV series. There is no universal answer to that question — if you want to watch it right now and do not care about a few missing items (Japanese title cards, all opening and ending sequences, etc.), this is a pretty cheap buy-in, particularly with the rolling price drops. |
05 April 2011
VegettoEX @ 12:35 pm EST -- Two years ago today, DragonBall Kai exploded onto Fuji TV at 9:00 am in Japan in what would go on to become the closing chapter to the franchise's second wind. It continues to whimper to a close this year with several delays across the world.
As of right now, Volume 14 is still set to contain episodes 94-96, which leaves a previously-scheduled Volume 15 hanging out in the air to wrap things up with episodes 97 and 98. However, with episode 98 being canceled from TV broadcast at the last minute, it remains to be seen if episode 97 will be considered the "final" episode for the home release (as it had been for the TV broadcast), or if episode 98 will make an appearance on the home release.
The third "Jinzôningen & Cell arc" Blu-ray set (which would compile the first part of the episodes listed above, up through episode 87) has also been delayed one month from 03 May 2011 to 03 June 2011.
Madman Entertainment, who distributes FUNimation's production of the series in Australia, has announced that the fourth set of DragonBall Kai (which mirrors the American release, covering episodes 40-52) has been delayed from 18 May 2011 to some time in September, due to "a change to planned content for the title within Japan". The fifth set is planned for release in October this year, as well.
As previously announced, FUNimation has delayed their release of the fifth set of DragonBall Kai approximately one month to 07 June 2011. Interestingly, some of the previously-released sets (both on DVD and Blu-ray) have been drastically reduced in price across a variety of retailers. For those looking to pick up what has already been released (and still has the Kenji Yamamoto score), here are a couple Amazon links to get your day off to a cost-efficient start:
It is likely that, in all of the cases described above, the replacement of Kenji Yamamoto's musical score for the series is the main culprit (which is even hinted at in Madman's delay announcement). As it stands, the most recent (and likely last) episode to be released to home format with the original broadcast score was episode 72, contained on DVD Volume 6 and second Blu-ray set of the "Jinzôningen & Cell arc" in Japan.
Even with all of this news in mind, we could not let April 5th pass us by without wishing a huge "Happy Birthday!" to the man who makes it all possible: Akira Toriyama. The author of our favorite series turns a very young 56 years old today!
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04 April 2011
VegettoEX @ 6:57 pm EST -- We have been on a mini-vacation, but I suppose it is worth sitting back at the computer for this one.
In May 2010, parent company Navarre announced they were investigating the sale of FUNimation. Navarre stated that they were, "concentrating all efforts on our distribution and software publishing businesses where we have significant expertise and considerable systems and physical assets that can be leveraged"; with FUNimation in the content creation (which includes licensing, etc.) business, it simply did not line up with where their parent company was heading.
As of November 2010, Navarre had still not come to any agreements with interested parties, though they had received several offers, some of which had even come back with additional re-bids. It was noted at the time that a decision regarding the sale of FUNimation was expected by the end of the calendar year, but nothing was announced in the following months until February, when it was stated that if a buyer was not found within the next quarter, they may consider not selling FUNimation at all.
This afternoon, Navarre announced that FUNimation has finally been sold for $24 million in cash. The catch? They have been sold to a private investor group, and a minority stakeholder in the new group / transaction is none other than Gen Fukunaga himself, Chief Executive Officer (and original co-founder) of FUNimation.
It is not uncommon for growing businesses to buy themselves back out after being acquired. One tidbit to toss out there, however, is that Navarre entered into an "Amended and
Restated Executive Employment Agreement" with Fukunaga (standard practice for a situation like this), whereby the FUNimation CEO was entitled to "a
transaction success fee in an amount equal to the greater of (i) $250,000, and (ii) 5% of certain
transaction proceeds". The ending of the phrasing there is a bit too vague for us to speculate on, but suffice it to say, there was at least a quarter of a million dollars in terms of a bonus just for not getting in the way of selling the company... to himself (well, partially, anyway).
Interestingly, and what we could probably see coming a mile away, is that Navarre will continue to act as distributor for FUNimation and their products — that is exactly what Navarre does; they do it well, they have been making huge advances in just how well they do it, and if they are on such good terms with FUNimation, why not continue to benefit from and off of each other for the foreseeable future?
The big question for our audience is (of course): what does this mean for the DragonBall franchise? Well, FUNimation recently renegotiated the license for another five years, presumably taking them from 2010-2015, so it probably does not mean much in the short term. While a couple products have been delayed in the past couple months (Dragon Box five, Kai volume five), those delays could easily be attributed to general production woes and (likely) the Kenji Yamamoto music scandal.
In all likelihood, things will charge forward as-is for FUNimation and our favorite series. |
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