List of Dragon Ball Z Kai episodes
Dragon Ball Z Kai (known in Japan as Dragon Ball Kai) is a revised version of the anime series Dragon Ball Z produced in commemoration of the original's twentieth anniversary.[1] It began broadcasting on Fuji Television on April 5, 2009.[2] It features remastered high definition picture, sound, and special effects as well as a re-recorded voice track by most of the original cast.[3] As most of the series' sketches and animation cels had been discarded since the final episode of Dragon Ball Z in 1996, new frames were produced by digitally tracing over still frames from existing footage and filling them with softer colors; thus reducing visible damage to the original animation. Some frames were selectively cropped, while other frames feature new portions added to scenes that were hand drawn to conform to the designated picture ratio. Much of the material from the Dragon Ball Z anime that was not featured in the original Dragon Ball manga will be left out in Kai, thus reducing the episode count.[4]
The series uses three pieces of theme music. The opening theme, titled "Dragon Soul", is performed by Takayoshi Tanimoto, who also performed the first ending theme, titled "Yeah! Break! Care! Break!". Both pieces are part of a unit called Dragon Soul with guitarist and composer Takafumi Iwasaki.[5] The second ending theme, starting from episode 55 onwards, is titled "Kokoro no Hane" (心の羽根, "Wings of the Heart") performed by Team Dragon from AKB48, an all-female group composed of members from AKB48.[6] Although the story footage is taken from existing material, the opening and closing sequences were made from scratch using different animation methods.[7] The first DVD and Blu-ray Disc compilation was released on September 18, 2009,[8][9] with individual volumes releasing monthly as well as Blu-ray box sets.[10]
In 2010, Funimation Entertainment licensed the series for an English-language release in North America.[11][12] Soon after, Nicktoons announced that the series would be broadcasting on their channel, and the series made its U.S. premiere on May 24, 2010.[13] Funimation's dub of Kai features most of the voice actors from their in-house dub of Dragon Ball Z, along with several re-casts, as well as a more faithful translation of the Japanese dialogue and episode titles than their previous dub. In addition to Nicktoons, Kai also began airing on The CW's Toonzai programming block on August 14, 2010.[14]
Episode list
References
- ^ "今週のアニ基地! トピッコスきの1: 4月5日(日)よリ放送開始のアニメ「ドラゴンボールZ」正式タイルがついに決定!! その名は... Dragon Ball Kai". Weekly Shōnen Jump (in Japanese). Shueisha: 326. February 23, 2009.
- ^ "Japan's Remastered DBZ to Be Called Dragon Ball Kai". Anime News Network. February 19, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2009.
- ^ "今週のアニ基地! トピッコスきの1:「ドラゴンボールZ」放送開始20周年記念! 最新デヅタル技術を便いZ伝説がTVアニメで復活!!". Weekly Shōnen Jump (in Japanese). Shueisha: 338. February 9, 2009.
- ^ "「ドラゴンボールZ」放送開始20周年記念! HDリマスター坂で テレビアニメが堂々復活!! 孫悟空伝説再び!! その名も... Dragon Ball Kai". V Jump (in Japanese). Shueisha: 10. February 9, 2009.
- ^ "オープニング&エンディングテーマが決定!" (in Japanese). Toei Animation. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
- ^ "チームドラゴン fromAKB48 : チームドラゴン from AKB48、『ドラゴンボール改』ED曲を全11種類のパッケージで発売 / BARKS ニュース". Barks (in Japanese). June 1, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2010.
- ^ "ドラゴンボール改" (Flash) (in Japanese). Fuji Television. Retrieved April 29, 2009.
- ^ "ドラゴンボール改 1" (in Japanese). Toei Animation. Retrieved November 3, 2009.
{{cite web}}
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{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|trans_title=
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{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "The Answer is Yes". FUNimation Entertainment. February 2, 2010. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
- ^ "Navarre Reveals Funimation's Dragon Ball Kai License (Updated)". Anime News Network. February 2, 2010. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
- ^ "Top-Ranked Nickelodeon Announces its 2010-11 Season Programming Slate at Annual Upfront Presentation". PRNewswire. March 11, 2010. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
- ^ "Dragon Ball Z Kai to Air on TheCW4Kids on Saturdays". Anime News Network. April 26, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.