REVIEWED: ALL 9 SEASONS (ALL 291 EPISODES) / DIRECTOR: DAISUKE NISHIO (1-199), SHIGEYASU YAMAUCHI (200-291) / SCREENPLAY: TAKAO KOYAMA / STARRING: (ENGLISH CAST) SEAN SCHEMMEL, CHRISTOPHER R. SABAT, BRIAN DRUMMOND, STEPHANIE NADOLNY, TIFFANY VOLLMER, TERRY KLASSEN / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (BLU-RAY – REVIEWED)
Dragon Ball Z is arguably the most iconic Anime of all-time. Even for those who have only dabbled in the wonderful world of Anime, if you mention the name Goku you will most likely be greeted by “Kamehameha!” – that’s a testament to the positive and worldwide cultural impact that this story, world and characters have had since it debuted 30 years ago.
The beginning of the story is simple – after the events of Dragon Ball, Goku the Saiyan has adapted to living a life on Earth and has vowed to protect the planet and its people against anything that poses a threat. The first season, affectionately known as the Saiyan Saga covers Goku’s first test against his own race as he faces his brother Raditz and two other powerful Saiyan’s; Nappa and Vegeta. It’s in this first 39 episode stint that audiences get a true taste of the world and the beautiful action that makes this series as famous as it is.
Throughout the mammoth 291 episodes, a whole host of bright and wonderful characters are introduced from the sinister Frieza (who is arguably the best villain of them all) and the unpredictable Majin Buu on the villainous side to the badass Trunks and the wildcard Krillin on the heroes side. Each season develops these characters, their skills and relationships in weird and wonderful ways that make you truly care about them so that when they are presented with these herculean foes, there is always a sense of danger that someone will die – especially in our favourite saga, the Cell Saga that introduces Cell and his ability to absorb androids to evolve and get even more powerful than before.
However, as you may know from the title, the titular Dragon Balls are in play which grants the gatherer of these 7 magical balls three wishes from the dragon Shenron – which ordinarily would remove any peril from these scenarios but the rules presented always poses a moral dilemma for our heroes and adds so much weight and character depth.
The only issue we’ve ever had with this superb series is that at various points, the show suffers from either elongated action set pieces (just see the meme of powering up taking 10 episodes) or having a short segment of episodes serve as filler which affects the overall pacing.
Minor matters aside, Dragon Ball Z is one of the greatest Animes of all-time and serves as a perfect starting point for anyone new to the medium. Even 30 years on, there is still so much to love and enjoy for new and old fans alike – so if you are looking to either update your collection or start afresh, the remastered Blu-Ray collection is a must-buy.
Special Features
This massive collection contains a host interesting special features from in-depth featurettes, behind-the-scenes looks and interviews with the English cast and crew on this iconic anime and how it has helped shape their careers – a perfect addition to this fantastic series that adds so much more beyond the show itself.
Season One
Disc 4
- TEXTLESS OPENING SONG
- TEXTLESS CLOSING SONG
Season Two
Disc 4
- TEXTLESS OPENING SONG
- TEXTLESS CLOSING SONG
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPER R. SABAT [19:03]
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH SEAN SCHEMMEL [18:23]
- JUSTIN COOK SHARES HIS HEADSHOT COLLECTION [9:41]
Season Three
Disc 4
- TEXTLESS OPENING SONG
- TEXTLESS CLOSING SONG
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH GEN FUKUNAGA [20:05]
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH JOHN BURGMELER [18:55]
- LOOK BACK AT THE HUMMER TOUR: WITH SONNY STRAIT [11:10]
Season Four
Disc 4
- TEXTLESS OPENING SONG
- TEXTLESS CLOSING SONG
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW O’HARA [17:21]
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH DANIEL MANCILLA [18:48]
- FROM THE VAULT: GOKU VS VEGETA FEATURETTE [27:04]
- FROM THE VAULT: THE WORLD OF DRAGON BALL Z [20:12]
Season Five
Disc 4
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH SONNY STRAIT [20:33]
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH MEREDITH MCCOY [13:11]
- TOEL TOUR: RAW FOOTAGE [14:01]
Season Six
Disc 4
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH ERIC VALE [19:14]
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH CYNTHIA CRANZ [18:12]
- DRAGON BALL Z TRIVIA [11:05]
Season Seven
Disc 4
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH JUSTIN COOK [20:51]
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH NATHANAEL HARRISON [20:35]
- DRAGON BALL Z CARD GAME: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE [38:24]
Season Eight
Disc 4
- TEXTLESS OPENING SONG
- TEXTLESS CLOSING SONG
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH KYLE HEBERT [25:48]
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH KARA EDWARDS [27:06]
- DRAGON BALL Z: COMING TO AMERICA [28:21]
Season Nine
Disc 5
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH JOSH MARTIN [18:46]
- INSIDE DRAGON BALL Z: INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS RAGER [20:37]
- FROM EAST TO WEST: DRAGON BALL Z’S EPIC JOURNEY [47:56]
- A COMPLETELY SERIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE COMEDY OF DRAGON BALL Z [53:05]
- CELEBRITIES TALK: 30 YEARS OF DRAGON BALL Z [20:50]
