Country: Japan
Genre: Action
Year released: 1989
Running time: 35 Episodes
Director: Daisuke Nishio
Cast: Christopher Sabat / Sean Schemmel / Sonny Strait / Stephanie Nadolny
Review by: M. Douglas
Date of review: 04/15/07
Reviewing a huge anime phenomenon such as “Dragonball Z” is pretty tough. You have to put all bias aside and take a look at the series at a critical level. Fond memories eventually come into play and could haphazardly affect your judgment of the series as a whole. So, in light of this, I decided to tackle my review of the series with new eyes. Watching the first season of the series over again, uncut and digitally remastered, I was able to see the true identity and original intent that the producers of the series had in mind.
Taking place a couple years after the original Dragonball series, “Dragonball Z” picks up to showcase how Goku has not only grown into a man, but has a wife, Chi-Chi, and a young son, Gohan. A majority of the original cast return as well; Krillin, Bulma, Piccolo, Master Roshi…just to name a few. All seems peaceful…for awhile. A member of Goku’s race, a saiyan by the name of Raditz, unexpectedly arrives on Earth to figure out why Goku has not destroyed the planet yet. With his arrival, the Earth is thrown into disarray and is unwillingly thrust into a race to prepare for two significantly stronger saiyans heading towards the planet, Vegeta and Nappa. This season revolves around their training and anticipation of diabolical saiyan forces.
Release in 1989, the new digitally remastered version is definitely easier on the eyes. The vibrant colors of the show are displayed in full splendor in this box set, which were otherwise washed out and grainy in the TV release. With a majority of the commotion of the new release stemming from the “cropping” of the show-to accommodate to widescreen television sets-rarely did I notice the cropping having any sort of significant affect on my viewing experience. I’m guessing a majority of the claims are from members who have never even viewed the new release for themselves, but yet mysteriously “claim” that it’s a horrible and inferior release. I didn’t see it as such a bad deal.
Story-wise, season one of “Dragonball Z” brings back familiar characters, themes, and extremely tenacious villains once again. The downside to this season is its repetitiveness, particularly towards the end of the show. Battles are drawn-out purposely to prolong the shows length, filler episodes are interspersed throughout the series, and enemies who you think would’ve died, in fact, weren’t even fazed by the protagonist’s deadly attack. It is an extremely long first season because of these unnecessary downfalls.
Altogether, “Dragonball Z” has and always will be a stepping stone for practically every fighting anime that has followed in its wake. It’s a series that has forged such a strong connection with many anime fans, that its presence can’t be denied. This first season of the series is evidence to that, providing the viewer with an interesting albeit long series that is definitely enjoyable, even with all its downfalls. Definitely check it out if you haven’t already.
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Final Score
B+
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Trailer
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