Dragon Ball Kai Released in the US! (discussion thread)

[shazza]

Hi guys. I am trying to make my mornings before work as fulfilling as they were when I was a child, so I have decided to watch one episode of Pokemon and one episode of DBZ a day. But then I considered the possibility of Kai. It's more condensed, refreshing and updated, yet still contains an element of nostalgia. Should I watch Kai instead of Z? My main problem is the shitty music and different voices. Thanks!

[Master Rudy]

Hi guys. I am trying to make my mornings before work as fulfilling as they were when I was a child, so I have decided to watch one episode of Pokemon and one episode of DBZ a day. But then I considered the possibility of Kai. It's more condensed, refreshing and updated, yet still contains an element of nostalgia. Should I watch Kai instead of Z? My main problem is the shitty music and different voices. Thanks!

Well Shazza it's a matter of preference I would suppose. First off did the Aussie's get the US English dub or a different dub? Second off while I like Kai's original soundtrack there was a major issue where Kenji Yamamoto finally got called out on the claims of stealing the work of other composers for years. As a result Kai has reverted to the original Japanese soundtrack from DBZ. Part 5 and onward for the US release have the DBZ soundtrack with Parts 1-4 being deeply discounted due to having the Kai soundtrack. Eventually in October those parts will be reissued as Dragon Ball Kai Season One (Part 1&2) and Season Two (Part 3&4). These rereleased versions of Kai are going to be the same as far as the English dub goes but are being reverted to the DBZ soundtrack so that they remain consistant with the remaining releases.

Personally as a dubbie I'd pick Kai as it's hands down the best English dub ever done for DBZ. However be aware that due to "poor sales compared to One Piece" (and that phrase is being used very loosely by me since DB worldwide beats out OP domestic sales) that Kai was canceled. As a result it only goes up to the end of the Cell Saga. There have been a few rumors that Funimation might do the Buu Saga on their own. However as I have no source and only heard them in passing I would say it's unlikely. If it is done however be aware that any Buu Saga release of Kai would be very unlikely to include a Japanese dub if that's what you prefer.