Dragon Ball info for the new ones
Before I even begin, let me just say that if you're new to "DragonBall" ... you must be a smart person, because you've chosen to get yourself interested in one of the most influential, emotional, and sheer coolest series ever to be created. Welcome to the world of "DragonBall" ^_^
If you are indeed new to "DragonBall," there's a 90% chance you were introduced to it via FUNimation's English dub of "DragonBall Z." Well, we'll get to that. Let's start from the beginning, shall we?
"DragonBall" began as a gag manga (comic) by a man named (maybe you've heard of him?) Akira Toriyama in the early 80's. It was loosely based on the Chinese legend, "Journey to the West," which concerned the Monkey God "Son Wuukong." Son Wuukong had a staff, and made many adventures. Sound familiar?
Enter in Toriyama and "DragonBall." The character of Son Gokuu and his staff ("Nyoibo") is based on Son Wuukong's legend.
Toriyama's manga became moderately popular (being featured in the young boy's magazine, "Shonen Jump"), and an animated series was created off of it (the anime). The first "DragonBall" episode aired in Japan on February 16, 1986. A legend was born.
The anime of "DragonBall" (along with the manga) continued on in its own world. Toriyama changed the main focus of "DragonBall" from slapstick comedy to a more fighting-oriented style, and "DragonBall" simply shot off the scales in terms of popularity.
While the manga title remained "DragonBall," the anime title was changed to "DragonBall Z" after 153 episodes and three movies with yet another huge plot twist in the series. Gokuu's past was revealed with the landing of his evil brother, Radditz.
"DragonBall Z" ran for 291 episodes (plus two TV specials, thirteen movies, and two OVAs), while the manga concluded after 42 tankouban (volumes of manga).
Mr. Toriyama was finished with the series. But "DragonBall" wasn't dead yet. TOEI Animation, the company behind the anime, picked up the rights to do another series. Enter "DragonBall GT." GT continued the series with Gokuu being changed back into a child, and originally focused more on the comedic factor that the original "DragonBall" was made famous for. Shortly into the series, however, it became a mix of that comedy as well as the ultra-hyper battles that "DragonBall Z" was so famous for.
"DragonBall GT" ended on November 19, 1997, after 64 episodes and one TV special.
But then there's "DragonBall" in North America.
In 1995, a company by the name of "FUNimation Productions, Inc." acquired the rights to dub in English and broadcast the original "DragonBall" in syndication. Thirteen episodes were dubbed. It was pretty much a flop.
But FUNimation hadn't given up on Toriyama's masterpiece(thank god).
They saw the potential in "DragonBall Z," and began to dub that anime. Despite mega-early broadcast times in syndication, "DragonBall Z" found its home in North American audiences. Many episodes (plus a three-part dubbing of DBZ movie three) were dubbed by FUNimation and distributed by Saban Entertainment (equaling two seasons) before Saban ditched them. During this time, their dubbing of "DragonBall" was held up to highly strict censoring standards by the FCC and Saban, themselves. Much of the show's original appeal was lost, but it was still remotely "DragonBall."
During the summer of 1998, FUNimation Productions struck up a deal with Cartoon Network (a cable television network). Cartoon Network would air one episode of FUNimation's dub per weekday during their popular "Toonami" part (specifically, 5 pm EST).
On August 31, 1998.... "DragonBall Z" made its way into literally hundreds of thousands of new homes, and a massive hit was further born(and your one of the people smart enough to get involved with this anime).
Since then, Cartoon Network has taken a lot of crap. All the episodes (plus the three DBZ movies that FUNimation dubbed) have been aired over and over. FUNimation had yet to dub new episodes. This is the reason why CN couldn't show you Gokuu fighting Ginyu Tokusentai, Gokuu going Super Saiya-jin, etc. It just hadn't been dubbed yet(now it is).
FUNimation has since dubbed A lot of new episodes for a third season, which aired on Cartoon Network during 1999-2000. Beyond this, scheduled for this spring, DBZ movie four(if you have any info on it tell me), and DVDs with both English dubbed versions and the original Japanese dialogue, soundtrack, etc. will be released. A fourth TV season is scheduled for fall 2000(hopefully^_0).
The anime isn't the only thing being handled. Viz, a popular comic company(hopefully you all know about Viz) , has been releasing uncut versions of the original manga (both "DragonBall" and "DragonBall Z" versions). Irwin Toys has released their versions of the European "DragonBall" figures, and have recently begun to release their molds of the highly popular "Super Battle Collection" figures.(as a matter of fact if you live in Edison or close to a mall you can possibly find a stand were they sell them)
"DragonBall or Z or GT what ever" in North America may be just beginning all over again. All we have to do is wait.
For the rest of us, however..... "DragonBall" may be over, but it will continue to live on in the hearts of us... the fans.... forever(HOPEFULLY).^_^
if you want to add something you can contact me atCuttergm@aol.comThanxs and enjoy the rest of my page