Dragon Ball Z (1989–2003)

Earth's defender Goku learns that he is from another planet. Now Goku and his allies must defend the planet from an onslaught of new extraterrestrial enemies.

Stars:

Jôji Yanami, Masako Nozawa, Christopher Sabat

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jôji Yanami	...	Narrator (280 episodes, 1996-2003)
Masako Nozawa	...	Son Goku (278 episodes, 1996-2003)
Christopher Sabat	...	Vegeta (267 episodes, 1996-2003)
Sean Schemmel	...	Goku (250 episodes, 1996-2003)
Doc Harris	...	Narrator (229 episodes, 1996-2003)
Mayumi Tanaka	...	Kuririn (223 episodes, 1996-2003)
Sonny Strait	...	Krillin (214 episodes, 1996-2003)
Brian Drummond	...	Vegeta (197 episodes, 1996-2003)
Ryô Horikawa	...	Vegeta (193 episodes, 1996-2003)
Terry Klassen	...	Krillin (192 episodes, 1996-2003)
Toshio Furukawa	...	Piccolo (188 episodes, 1996-2003)
Stephanie Nadolny	...	Gohan (181 episodes, 1996-2001)
Tiffany Vollmer	...	Bulma (173 episodes, 1996-2003)
Hiromi Tsuru	...	Bulma (165 episodes, 1996-2003)
Scott McNeil	...	Piccolo (165 episodes, 1996-2003)
Jillian Michaels	...	Goten (156 episodes, 2000-2003)
Kyle Hebert	...	Narrator (152 episodes, 1996-2003)
Kirby Morrow	...	Goku (134 episodes, 2000-2003)
Tôru Furuya	...	Yamcha (133 episodes, 1996-2003)
Mike McFarland	...	Master Roshi (133 episodes, 1996-2003)
Cynthia Cranz	...	Chi-Chi (130 episodes, 1996-2003)
Takeshi Kusao	...	Trunks (129 episodes, 2000-2003)
Daisuke Gôri	...	Gyuumao (128 episodes, 1996-2003)
Ted Cole	...	Yamcha (125 episodes, 1996-2003)
Naoko Watanabe	...	Puar (121 episodes, 1996-2003)
Hirotaka Suzuoki	...	Tenshinhan (114 episodes, 1996-2003)

Storyline

In the version that is shown on YTV in Canada, the story begins mid-way through the Dragon Ball Z series. Raditz, Goku's brother has traveled to Earth to find out why Goku has not yet destroyed the planet as he was supposed to do. But while as a baby, Goku was dropped (down a huge cliff) and forgot his real mission. Kakarot, Goku's real name battles his brother Raditzs along with former enemy Piccolo and friend Krillin. Meanwhile, Gohan; Goku's son reveals his hidden powers against Raditz and nearly kills Raditz. However Goku is killed in the end, but Raditz is eventually defeated by Piccolo. Before he dies, he tells them that two evil-saiyans even more powerful then he is, are on route to Earth. The remaining fighters, Krillin, Yamcha, Tein, and Chaotsu begin their training to battle the evil saiyans, while Piccolo takes off with Gohan to train him in using his new found power. Meanwhile, Goku has to make his way back on Snake Way to King Kai's where he trains himself in the secret ...

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Plot Keywords:

warrior | training | anti hero | anime | giant ape | 

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Taglines:

The Saiyans have returned...

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Canada USA Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

DBZ

Company Credits

Production Co:

FUNimation Entertainment, Ocean Group, Toei Animation Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

26 min 26 min (291 episodes)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally airing in the United States in 1996, its initial run was heavily edited from the Japanese version, so much that out of the first 68 episodes, the American version was cut down to 53 episodes, 15 episodes worth of content. This was mostly due to the partnership between FUNimation productions (Who owned the rights) and Saban Entertainment (Who was responsible for the dubbing and editing) When the show gained a following on Cartoon Network, it was renewed and FUNimation had sole control. As a result, the episodes were not as clipped as before, following the Japanese episode number precisely from then on.

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Goofs

ENGLISH DUB: The fused form of Kibito and Supreme Kai is called Kibito Kai in some scenes and Kibito Shin in others.

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Quotes

Goku: Hi, Hercule.
Hercule: Hey, how are you?
Pan: Don't forget me, grandpa.
Hercule: How's my little girl? So have you come to cheer grandpa on?
Goku: No, silly, we're all entering the tournament.
Hercule: [stammers]
Goku: Don't worry, Hercule. If one of us makes it to the finals, we'll let you keep your title. Okay?

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Crazy Credits

The show has three openings. The first opening (Saiyan and Frieza Saga) is a montage of the characters and battles, and it features a scene of Nappa and Vegeta walking through fire, and ends with the Z-Fighters assembled, joined by Goku who falls from above wielding his Power Pole (unusual considering he never uses it in Z.) The second intro (Cell Saga) is basically the same, however it eliminates the "Nappa and Vegeta in fire" sequence, and shows a more modern group shot of the Z-Fighters at the end, including Goku becoming a Super Saiyan. The third intro (Buu Saga) is completely different and features a new opening song, with footage of the Z-Fighters as they appear later in the series. The first two intros are accompanied by an end credits scene of Gohan running on a globe, intercut with other footage of Z-Fighters and allies. The third intro has an end credits scene featuring Gohan walking down a sidewalk, looking up to see Goku with angel wings, who drops a feather from them.

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Connections

Spoofed in Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi: Fired up! Abenobashi Hong Kong Martial Arts Shopping District (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Cha-la Head-Chala"
(theme song) (Original Japanese version)
Performed by Hironobu Kageyama
(Seasons 1 - 4)

User Reviews

Animation Of Epic Proportion

Dragon Ball Z was, to many, one of the most influential cartoon series ever in the world. When I was younger I grew up watching the whole series from start to finish, read the comic books, and played the video games. The Dragon Ball Z series contain some of the most charismatic characters, great fighting sequences, and strong plots that covered thousands of years. Originally created in the 1980's, it's truly a blessing that western audiences finally gets to see it in english. However I wish the series would start from the very beginning, the story when Son Gokou was a courageous little boy who uses his innate fighting talents to help out others.

It's only a shame though that the western TV version are heavily censored, causing disorientation and lack of flow to some of the original fight scenes. The Japanese version showed no-holds barred violence and the use of strong words (aka swearing), creating emotional tension that is not present in the english-language version. Also, die-hard Dragon Ball fans out there will agree with me that the voice acting is nowhere as good as the Japanese version.

Still, revisiting Dragon Ball in any language still stirs some of the fondest memories in my heart. Kame Hame Ha!!!! See it's still there.

Highly recommended viewing.