Dragon Ball

2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure Hits New York Comic Con

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Bluefin, a Bandai Namco group company and the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan and Asia, proudly brings the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure to this year’s New York Comic Con.

The 2019 New York Comic Con takes place October 3–6, 2019 at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan and is the East Coast’s biggest pop culture convention. The annual gathering plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. More information on New York Comic Con is available at: http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com.

The 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure opens on Thursday October 3, 2019 inside an expansive installation located at the Javits Convention Center at booth 1612. It will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Dive into the world of Dragon Ball at New York Comic Con with an expansive collection of multi-faceted interactive installations that will delight fans and attendees. Catch interactive kiosks featuring the latest Dragon Ball video game titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment, including Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, Dragon Ball Z Fighter, Dragon Ball Legends, and Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle. Also browse a variety of Dragon Ball exclusive action figures and premiums that will be available for purchase.

Dragon Ball World Adventure Attractions & Retail Exclusives

Dragon Ball Collectibles & Exclusives

On display will be a wide array of Dragon Ball S.H.Figuarts exclusives and other special products from leading Bandai brands including Tamashii Nations, Shokugan, and Banpresto.

Event exclusives will be available to purchase in the retail area and also at the Tamashii Nations Booth #1520 directly across from the Dragon Ball World Adventure booth.

Tickets will be handed out at the beginning of every day on a first come, first serve basis. The ticket will include a return time, and grant access to purchase all of the Dragon Ball Adventure exclusives (while supplies last).

  • S.H.Figuarts GOKU BLACK SUPER SAIYAN ROSE Event Exclusive Color Edition · MSRP: $75
  • S.H.Figuarts GOLDEN FRIEZA Event Exclusive Color Edition · MSRP: $65
  • S.H.Figuarts ULTIMATE SON GOHAN Event Exclusive Color Edition · MSRP: $55
  • S.H.Figuarts SON GOKU KID Event Exclusive Color Edition · MSRP: $55
  • S.H.Figuarts ZERO SUPER SAIYAN GOD SUPER SAIYAN GOGETA Event Exclusive Color Edition · MSRP: $65

Dragon Ball Animated GIF Photo Booth

Capture a visit to 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure with a unique and shareable complimentary memento. Head to the Dragon Ball Animated GIF Photo Booth, select your favorite background and pose for a series of photos that will be stitched together and delivered to you as a looping animated gif that can be shared directly with friends and family and/or posted to a variety of social media channels.

Dragon Ball Sticker Rally

Join the Dragon Ball Sticker Rally and collect stickers at each attraction inside the Dragon Ball World Adventure. Stickers may be redeemed for free premiums including Dragon Ball wristbands, posters, lanyards, stickers, fans and Saiyan Hair Set headbands. In addition, all tour guests will receive an exclusive 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure oversized swag bag to use to carry all of their Comic-Con purchases.

For additional information on the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure including tour dates by location, please visit www.db-tour.com.

Anime Blu-ray Review: Dragon Ball Super Part 1

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Dragon Ball Super Part 1 includes the first 13 episodes of the Dragon Ball Super anime series. Audio options for this release include the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and the English dub.

Dragon Ball Super Part 1
English Publisher: FUNimation Entertainment
Format: Blu-ray
Release Date: July 25, 2017

The first 13 episodes of Dragon Ball Super are basically a retelling of the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods anime film However, the story doesn’t quite end in this set. In order to see the conclusion of the first story arc, you will need to watch Dragon Ball Super Part 2.

With this retelling of Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, some details have been changed. For example, Bulma’s birthday party takes place on a ship instead of at Capsule Corp. There are some other detail changes as well with this telling. And obviously, the story of Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods isn’t long enough to last 13+ episodes, so additional minor plots are thrown into the mix. The most amusing of these is when Vegeta takes Bulma and Trunks to an amusement park because of a promise he made to Trunks. Let’s be honest, Vegeta at an amusement park is a hilarious idea. However, I am a little frustrated that Vegeta’s song and dance at Bulma’s party that we see in the film was cut from Dragon Ball Super. Yes, we get Vegeta rushing to cook food for Beerus and Whis, and it’s amusing, I still would have liked to see the song and dance remain.

Beerus and Whis are interesting additions to the Dragon Ball universe. They have an interest in food like Goku, but it’s not about how much they can eat quickly. Instead, they’re more interested in trying various dishes from other planets. I think we could say that they’re the Dragon Ball universe’s equivalent of foodies.

The one major nitpick I have with Dragon Ball Super is the character designs and the animation quality. Of all the characters, I have the most problem with Chi-Chi’s design. Maybe it’s just me, but there was something off-putting about it. The designs and animation style are such a departure from either Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and the theatrical films, that it takes a lot of adjustment to get used to the look and feel of Dragon Ball Super. Also, the opening and closing themes just aren’t that memorable or catchy to me. I thought they were rather “meh.”

So far, with how these 13 episodes of Dragon Ball Super are executed, the series feels more like a sitcom with shonen elements thrown in than it does a shonen anime. In a lot of ways, Dragon Ball Super feels like a cross between the original Dragon Ball anime and Dragon Ball Z. After how somber things got near the end of Dragon Ball Z with the Cell and Buu sagas, maybe this more light-hearted approach is needed for the franchise. And, the Battle of Gods anime film was more on the light-hearted side, so this adaptation of that reflects that. Although it feels like the silliness and light-heartedness was bumped up a notch for the anime series. While I may not be entirely sold on Dragon Ball Super, I intend to keep going with it at some point.

The Blu-ray video is 1080p High Definition 16:9 (HD Native), and the audio is Dolby TrueHD: English 5.1 and Dolby True HD: Japanese 2.0. I have no complaints with the video or audio quality.

The first two bonus features see voice actors Sonny Strait and Chris Sabat explaining Dragon Ball Z to their children. Sonny has a daughter who appears to be in her later teens, and Chris’ daughter appears to be around five or six. With both features, the children are quizzed after the parent talks with him about what was just explained to them. Chris’ little girl seemed to retain a lot more of what she was told than Sonny’s daughter did. Of the two, I enjoyed Chris and daughter more.

The only other bonus features are a textless opening, two textless closings, and trailers for other FUNimation Entertainment releases.

If you’re a fan of the Dragon Ball franchise and want to own all the episodes and films, then you’ll need to add Dragon Ball Super Part 1 to your anime home video library.

Dragon Ball Super: Broly Film to Air in Canada on Crave Stations on July 31, 2019

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

The Dragon Ball Super: Broly anime film will air on the Crave network in Canada on July 31, 2019. The film will premiere on Crave 1 at 7:15 p.m. EDT, and then it will air on Crave 4 at 9:15 p.m. EDT, on Crave 3 at 12:45 a.m. EDT (effectively August 1, 2019), and on Crave 2 at 4:15 a.m. (effectively August 1, 2019).

FUNimation Entertainment released the anime film on home video in North America on April 16, 2019.

Source: ANN

2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure Kicks Off at San Diego Comic-Con

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Toei Animation Inc., FUNimation, a Sony Pictures Television company, and Bluefin, a Bandai Namco group company, have revealed the complete details for the launch of the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con including a history-making Guinness World Records attempt on Opening Day of the tour.

Co-sponsored and presented jointly by Bandai and Toei Animation, the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure opens on Wednesday July 17, 2019 at an expansive installation on the Marriott Marina Terrace at the Marriot Marquis San Diego. The tour will continue throughout San Diego Comic-Con 2019 from July 18–21, 2019 and will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Following San Diego Comic-Con, the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure will travel to seven additional locations around the world including stops in New York City, Mexico City Mexico, Cologne Germany, Barcelona Spain, Shanghai China, Hong Kong China, and Tokyo Japan.

Dragon Ball Guinness World Records Attempt

Come be a part of Dragon Ball and Guinness World Records history. The 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure will open with a special Guinness World Records attempt to become the largest gathering of people simultaneously performing the iconic Kamehameha super energy attack move.

Fans will gather on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. at the 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure on the Marriott Marina Terrace at the Marriot Marquis San Diego. The first 1,000 participants to arrive will receive a free Dragon Ball Scouter accessory to wear during the Guinness World Records attempt. The Kamehameha super energy attack move will be led by actor Sean Schemmel, the English voice of Dragon Ball character Goku. Guinness World Records will be onsite to supervise and validate the record attempt.

Dragon Ball World Adventure Displays

Dive into the world of Dragon Ball with an expansive collection of multi-faceted interactive installations will delight fans and attendees. Catch interactive kiosks featuring the latest Dragon Ball video game titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment, including Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, Dragon Ball Z Fighter, Dragon Ball Legends, and Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle.

Dragon Ball Animated GIF Photo Booth

Capture your visit to 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure with a unique and shareable complimentary memento. Head to the Dragon Ball Animated GIF Photo Booth, select your favorite background and pose for a series of photos that will be stitched together and delivered to you as a looping animated gif that can be shared directly with friends and family and/or posted to a variety of social media channels.

Dragon Ball Collectibles & Exclusives

On display will be a wide array of S.H.Figuarts event exclusives and special Dragon Ball products from leading Bandai brands including Tamashii Nations, Shokugan, and Banpresto. Event exclusives will be available to purchase at the Tamashii Nations Booth #3545 inside the Comic-Con Main Hall and require an exclusive merchandise time slot issued by San Diego Comic-Con to purchase.

Dragon Ball Sticker Rally

Join the Dragon Ball Sticker Rally and collect stickers at each attraction inside the Dragon Ball World Adventure. Stickers may be redeemed for free premiums including Dragon Ball wristbands, posters, lanyards, stickers, fans and Saiyan Hair Set headbands. In addition, all tour guests will receive an exclusive 2019 Dragon Ball World Adventure oversized swag bag to use to carry all of their Comic-Con purchases.

Top 20 Selling Manga for May 2019

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

NPD BookScan has announced the top 20 selling manga for May 2019:

  1. One-Punch Man Volume 16 by ONE and Yusuke Murata
  2. Berserk Deluxe Edition Volume 1 by Kentaro Miura
  3. Dragon Ball Super Volume 5 by Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou
  4. My Hero Academia Volume 1 by Kohei Horikoshi
  5. My Hero Academia Volume 2 by Kohei Horikoshi
  6. My Hero Academia Volume 18 by Kohei Horikoshi
  7. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 4 – Diamond Is Unbreakable Volume 1 by Araki Hirohiko
  8. One Piece Volume 90 by Eiichiro Oda
  9. Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito
  10. My Hero Academia Volume 3 by Kohei Horikoshi
  11. Black Clover Volume 15 bu Yuki Tabata
  12. My Hero Academia Volume 4 by Kohei Horikoshi
  13. My Hero Academia Volume 17 by Kohei Horikoshi
  14. My Hero Academia Volume 5 by Kohei Horikoshi
  15. My Hero Academia Volume 16 by Kohei Horikoshi
  16. Snow White with the Red Hair Volume 1 by Sorata Akiduki
  17. My Hero Academia Volume 15 by Kohei Horikoshi
  18. Sailor Moon Eternal Edition Volume 4 by Naoko Takeuchi
  19. Uzumaki by Junji Ito
  20. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 by Sui Ishida

Source: The Fandom Post

One-Punch Man Tops Top 20 Graphic Novel List for May 2019

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

NPD Bookscan has announced the Top 20 selling graphic novels in the United States for May 2019, and twelve manga titles made it onto the list:

  • One-Punch Man Volume 16 by ONE and Yusuke Murata (#1)
  • Berserk Deluxe Volume 1 by Kentaro Miura (#2)
  • Dragon Ball Super Volume 5 by Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou (#3)
  • My Hero Academia Volume 1 by Kohei Horikoshi (#4)
  • My Hero Academia Volume 2 by Kohei Horikoshi (#9)
  • My Hero Academia Volume 18 by Kohei Horikoshi (#10)
  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 4 – Diamond is Unbreakable Volume 1 by Hirohiko Araki (#11)
  • One Piece Volume 90 by Eiichiro Oda (#12)
  • Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito (#14)
  • My Hero Academia Volume 3 by Kohei Horikoshi (#16)
  • Black Clover Volume 15 by Yuki Tabata (#19)
  • My Hero Academia Volume 4 by Kohei Horikoshi (#20)

Source: The Fandom Post

Manga Review: Dragon Ball Super Volume One

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Dragon Ball Super Volume One takes place after the end of Dragon Ball Z.

Dragon Ball Super Volume One
Written by: Akira Toriyama
Art by: Toyotarou
Publisher: Shueisha
English Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: May 2, 2017

The early part of this volume is basically a condensed and slightly changed version of the story in the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods anime film. Beerus, the God of Destruction, has a premonition about a Super Saiyan God, which the Oracle Fish confirms. Whis, his adviser, realizes that the remaining Saiyans are on Earth, and that one of them defeated Freeza. Knowing that Goku is with Kaio-Sama, they decide to make a visit there.

Goku meets Beerus and he quickly challenges the God of Destruction to a fight. Even in Super Saiyan 3 form, Goku is unable to beat Beerus. But it doesn’t end there. Beerus goes to Earth and crashes Bulma’s birthday party. The infamous scene of Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods made it into this manga telling of this story. This made me quite happy.

But there is some material here that wasn’t in the film, such as the Elder Kai getting a visit from the God of Destruction from another universe and his sidekick. This introduction to other universes helps to set the stage for how the story will continue after the story from Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods ends. The Universe 6 God of Destruction and his advisor are related to Beerus and Whis, and they challenge each other to a fight between chosen warriors. This is dubbed as a “Gods of Destruction Invitational Fighting Tournament.” The remaining portion of the volume focuses on getting ready for the tournament and the start of the actual tournament.

This volume also brings us cameos from Bulma’s sister, Tights, and Jaco the Galactic Policeman.

When it comes to the art, Toyotarou did his best to try to imitate Toriyama’s original design. However, if you’re familiar with Toriyama’s art style, then you quickly pick up on the fact that the characters you’re familiar with from earlier portions of the Dragon Ball Franchise don’t entirely look right.

Dragon Ball Super Volume One isn’t a bad manga for what it is. But if you’re familiar with the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods anime film, then you might find the faster pacing and noticeable changes to the story a little jarring, like I did. But once I got past the Battle of Gods portion and get an original story later in the volume, I found myself becoming more engrossed with what I was reading. This volume was a bit of a slow burn for me, but it got better as it went. I hope that at some point in the future, when I get a change to read the second volume, that I will be able to enjoy it a lot sooner than I did with this one.