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The Dragon Ball Z Case

In one of the latest cases, fans of Funimation's Dragon Ball Z (DBZ) series have been talking about the producer's definition of "Uncut" in forums and websites all over the Net.

Fans who've seen the original Japanese version complain that the dialogue in the "Uncut" versions is not a true translation of the series, but instead the language has been downgraded and replaced with modern day slang. Other fans have complained that some of DBZ's more bloody scenes have ended up on the cutting room floor. So if the show has been edited, then why is Funimation calling their DBZ uncut?

When I spoke with Funimation on this subject, I was informed that the company has levels of "Uncut". For instance, when the company first receives their material for DBZ, they immediately go to work to trimming the content to make the show fall under the guidelines for PG-13. Funimation stated that very little actual cutting is done to accomplish this stage, but that there is some. Next, they translate the script and "Americanize" the dialog to appeal to US audiences (and this is just for the subtitled version!). After Funimation finally dubs the show, they call this their "Uncut" version.

Of course we're not done quite yet. To make the show even more family friendly, and allow it to be shown on Cartoon Network's Toonami Block, they make further changes.

Now for most fans, the end result is still really cool. However, many fans (after all fan is actually short for fanatic!) want to see every little scrap there ever was of the show and are disappointed with the end results.

Unfortunately it's not so much FUNi as it is just the way America is. Parents feel like they have to shelter their children, and they'll buy a cartoon cause it looks harmless, see people beating each other up, freak out cause it's warping the mind of their "poor innocent" child and sue the company that released it. Sadly that's how the U.S. works. Don't they realize that even without all the sex and violence on TV and in cartoons, we're still the most screwed up developed country! (I say we because I'm an American). So that's my rant, I understand that most the people in this guild are from outside the US and I apoligize that you have to get the editions that the Americans have altered.

But yeah! Movie 10 is coming out in April! At least I can still watch it in the original Japanese.

It's a shame neutral

Especially the Dragonball manga, that's hilarious!