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Dragon Ball: Season One Review

The original Dragon Ball series has long been overshadowed by its sequel, Dragon Ball Z. I would chalk it up to the dubbing and the TV censorship. Dragon Ball is filled with comedy, and you can't dub or censor comedy and except it to be nearly as funny.

But make no mistake, Dragon Ball is the superior series. If you've seen the popular "over 9000" Youtube video, you've basically seen DBZ. It is a very formulaic show, though it is still entertaining to watch, provided you're watching the filler-less Kai version of DBZ. Dragon Ball, on the other hand, is a far more substantial show. Like DBZ, it is oriented around martial-arts fighting. Unlike DBZ, it is also character-oriented. This makes a big difference. Goku, the main character, starts the series as an adorable, carefree, incredibly naive boy. He ends the series as a calmer, cooler adult (though strangely enough he is childish again in the DBZ series). It is his continual and constant progression in strength, skill, and eventually maturity, which is one of the main highlights of the series.

However, the supporting cast of characters is no slouch either. There are so many creative and entertaining characters in the series, many of whom also develop throughout the series. For example, Buruma (or Bulma) starts out as an atypical bratty and self-absorbed teenage girl, but becomes much more mature and likable as the series progresses. Unfortunately, these great characters lose a lot of their personality in DBZ.

As the characters grow, so does the scope and seriousness of the conflicts they face. This is another one of the main highlights of the series. It begins as a comedic series, and elements of seriousness are introduced as the series progresses. This is why it is important to watch the series in its original Japanese language. The comedy is absolutely hilarious, and much of it comes from Goku's naivete towards pretty much everything. There is also a lot of humor revolving around the perverted Muten Roshi, but it's all in good fun, and I doubt anyone would be seriously offended.

Dragon Ball is broken up by three martial-arts tournaments. Each of these tournaments contain strategic fights that I find more engaging than the mindless powering-up battles of DBZ. It is during the second of these tournaments where there is a clear change in tone from mostly humorous to mostly serious. The intensity level ratchets up further when a major character dies shortly after the tournament. This last portion of the series is fantastic, because at this point you have already seen these characters in numerous humorous situations, continually growing, and to see them finally face a seriously threatening situation is very gratifying. Goku's battles during this portion of the series are more brutal than anything in DBZ.

In conclusion, Dragon Ball is a must-see series for anime fans.

Here's hoping for some Dragon Ball Dragon Boxes (Dragon Box Z has already made it the U.S.). These season sets look all right, but they are slightly zoomed in, and have occasional dirt and dust particles that were cleaned up on the Japanese Dragon Boxes. There's also a yellowish tinge to the picture that is again not present on the Dragon Boxes. Finally, the sound quality for the Japanese audio track is not as good as the track in the Dragon Box. The subtitles are very nice though.

Dragon Ball: Season One Overview

The greatest adventure of all time begins now! pGoku may be small, but this fearless warrior packs a punch as powerful as any on the planet. Left alone after his grandfather’s death, this unusual boy is happy to spend his days hunting and eating and eating some more. But everything changes on the day he meets Bulma – a bossy, blue-haired beauty with boys on the brain. Together, they set out to track down the seven magic Dragon Balls and make the wish that will change their lives forever.

And that’s just the beginning! Goku also spends some time on Turtle Island where he and Krillin study martial arts under the legendary Master Roshi. The old hermit may not look like much, but if his new pupils can find him a woman, he’ll make sure they’re ready to rumble at the upcoming World Martial Arts Tournament!

Season One of Dragon Ball is a must-have for everyone from the die-hard fan to the next generation of collectors.

Dragon Ball: Season One Specifications

In 1986, the animated adaptation of Akira Toriyama's manga Dragon Ball debuted on Japanese television, launching one of the most popular franchises in anime history. Dragon Ball introduced a special mixture of male bonding, rigorous training, martial arts fighting, slapstick comedy, and sci-fi action that scored a huge hit with boys and led to the follow-ups Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT--and numerous imitators. A small boy from another planet, Goku commands super-human strength, but he was raised in the remote mountains by an old man and he knows little of the world. Goku meets Bulma, who's trying to assemble the seven magical Dragon Balls so she can wish for a boyfriend. The naive boy and the hot-tempered girl join forces, then form a quarrelsome alliance with Oolong, the shape-shifting pig, and Yamcha, a dashing bandit with a metamorphic familiar, Puar. The heroes compete for the Dragon Balls against the pint-sized Emperor Pilaf (who wants to rule the world). After defeating Pilaf, Goku goes to study martial arts with Master Roshi, a lecherous but extraordinarily skilled old man. Goku and fellow student Krillin develop formidable powers that they use in the World Martial Arts Tournament. These episodes set the pattern for Dragon Ball and numerous other series: humans and creatures of all description train endlessly, then gather to pound the ramen out of each other before an audience. Naturally, the hero wins in an extended final match. The first adventures are lighter in tone and more broadly comic than the beginning of the darker Red Ribbon Saga. For years, the first13 episodes of Dragon Ball were only available in the U.S. in the heavily edited set Saga of Goku, to the chagrin of the fans. Following their successful release of the complete Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT, Funimation is presenting Dragon Ball uncut and digitally restored. The series probably looks better now than it did when it premiered, as it was reportedly filmed in 16mm. Note: The sight of the prepubescent Goku and Krillin running around naked doesn't bother Japanese audiences. (Rated TV 14, but appropriate for ages 12 and up: nudity, risqué and toilet humor, cartoon violence, ethnic stereotypes, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

(1. Secret of the Dragon Balls, 2. The Emperor’s Quest, 3. The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi, 4. Oolong the Terrible, 5. Yamcha the Desert Bandit, 6. Keep an Eye on the Dragon Balls, 7. The Ox-King on Fire Mountain, 8. The Kamehameha Wave, 9. Boss Rabbit’s Magic Touch, 10. The Dragon Balls Are Stolen, 11. The Penalty Is Pinball, 12. A Wish to the Eternal Dragon, 13. The Legend of Goku, 14. Goku's Rival, 15. Look Out for Launch, 16. Find That Stone! 17. Milk Delivery, 18. The Turtle Hermit Way, 19. The Tournament Begins, 20. Elimination Round, 21. Smells Like Trouble, 22. Quarterfinals Begin, 23. Monster Beast Giran, 24. Krillin's Frantic Attack! 25. Danger From Above, 26, The Grand Finals, 27. Number One Under The Moon? 28. The Final Blow, 29. The Roaming Lake, 30. Pilaf and the Mystery Force, 31. Wedding Plans?)

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Customer Reviews

Good but nowhere near the standard set but the excellent Dragonball Z Dragon Boxes - Chris -
Just watched the first episode of Dragonball in this new set. As much as I was excited I must say excellent picture quality and uncut japanese episodes don't make up for the lack of attention paid to the experience for the hardcore japanese serial fan. I compare to the very excellent Dragon Boxes for Dragonball Z that recently came out which I got the first box of when the first DB original set was delivered. Why is it that Funimation can give us the full as seen on Japanese TV experience with the DBZ D Boxes but they can't do it with Dragonball? As a fan I want to see the original credits (of which there are 2 opening and 4 closing sequences). Okay fair enough they couldn't get the masters from Japan Toei but why is it my inferior in quality region 4 Madman/Funimation Dragonball boxes have even the original japanese episode title cards when these new restored versions have the english ones. Hell the orange bricks for DBZ had an angle change to the Japanese ep title which I thought was really cool. It made even that faux 16:9 crap crop bearable.

You may consider these minor niggles and I know North America is only getting this show uncut for the first time but why must we settle for this? How much westernization can you do before the essence of the original is lost. Which leads me to ask will Funimation do to this what they did to DBZ and release the actual Dragon Box sets of this show too?

Now that that is off my chest I must say the show's original soundtrack has never sounded better or the picture looked better. Considerably less hiss than my region 4 Australian original sets (which I am keeping too btw). Although the DNR looks like it's taking out some detail from the original. Oh well it will do for now :)

dragon ball awesome - glowster -
Forgot how much I loved the series and can't wait to watch the rest of the seasons. I've introduced dragon ball to my 3 old son and he loves it as well.

Fantastic picture quality!!! - Fabio S. Ramos - Cornelius, NC
I'm a DB fan since 1991, watched the whole show from DB to Z to GT, and watchin KAI now.
I started my collection of DB season now after Kai it's been released in Bluray, and loved the picture quality. I watch in a Sony 46" with PS3.
I've been thinking about getting the rest of the series but I've been waiting for any Bluray release announcment. Which is not going to happen anytime soon.
This DB season 1 went on sale for 21.99 here on amazon, so I decided to give a shot. I didnt buy any DVDs since I have my PS3. Only Blurays.
I loved. The picture is great! I don't think can get better unless they do like they did with KAI, reshot every single screen. (That's not gonna happen)
I did a compare with the bluray DB movies, which they use some programs to clean the picture, bla bla bla... I was stuned that THIS DVD looks better than that Bluray.
OK, the mono sound in japanese is not the best, but it's ok for me. Actually bring back memories from when I watched on TV for the first time in Japan.
If you are a picture crazy guy like me, you don't have to wait for a bluray release that may never come (took 20 years for a dvd release), you not going to be dissapointed with this DVD.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 10, 2010 03:53:04

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010