FUNimation updated their blog confirming the recently announced new voice cast for DB Kai and added in the retaining voice actors and their roles.
Reprising their roles from Dragon Ball Z:
Goku – Sean Schemmel Vegeta and Piccolo – Christopher R. Sabat Raditz – Justin Cook Master Roshi – Mike McFarland Tien – John Burgmeier Ox King – Kyle Hebert Chi-Chi – Cynthia Cranz Nappa – Phil Parsons
Also returning are Linda Chambers Young as Frieza and Sonny Strait as Krillin and Bardock.
Joining the cast: Gohan – Colleen Clinkenbeard Bulma – Monica Rial Narrator – Doc Morgan Chiaotzu and Puar – Brina Palencia
FUNimation Entertainment will begin releasing the series on DVD and Blu-ray starting with Part One on May 18, 2010.
ANMTVLA is reporting that the Mexican television station known as Televisa has renewed its rights for Dragon Ball Z. There are also still negotiations regarding Dragon Ball Kai for Latin America. TOEI Animation is expected to grant rights to DB Kai for Televisa to begin airing by 2011. This could also possibly mean FUNimation will air their version of DB Kai on TV (Cartoon Network). But I would not get my hopes up yet regarding that.
FUNimation has announced the new cast members for dubbing Dragon Ball Kai. Most of the cast does stay the same, however here are the new voice actors and their roles.
Gohan: Colleen Clinkenbeard Bulma: Monica Rial Narrator: Doc Morgan Chiaotzu and Puar: Brina Palencia
Click here to check out the box art for the first release.
The Japanese music label COLUMBIA will release a Dragon Ball Kai Song Collection CD with a character song by Aya Hirano (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star) — the new voice actress of the character Dende — on October 21. The Dragon Ball Kai television series condenses the original Dragon Ball Z anime series to more closely follow Akira Toriyama’s original manga. In addition to a digital high-definition remastering and a re-recorded soundtrack, Dragon Ball Kai also enhances selected scenes with new effects or re-animated footage.
The Dragon Ball Kai Song Collection CD will feature Takayoshi Tanimoto’s “Dragon Soul” opening theme song and “Yeah! Break! Care! Break!”ending theme song, Yo Yamazaki’s “Sanjo!! Ginyu Tokusentai!!” song, Tanimoto’s “Cho Super Dragon Soul,” and Vegeta voice actor Ryo Horikawa’s “Saiyan Blood.” Hirano performs “Cure~Boku ga Koko ni Iru you~” as the character Dende. Satomi Satou (K-ON!) plays Dende’s brother Cargo, but she is not listed in the upcoming CD. Tomiko Suzuki, the original voice actress for both Dende and Cargo, passed away in 2003.
So I believe this should just about do it for these figures. It took Enterbay long enough, but I will say their work is amazing. Go here to purchase the Goku and Lord Piccolo figures directly from Enterbay. Be on the lookout for Bulma towards the end of this month.
Bandai has released Dragon Ball DS 2 : Assault Red Ribbon Army today in Japan. Any Japanese viewers can order it via Amazon here. For everyone else you can go through Play Asia or wait until it has a domestic release. The domestic title is set to be named Dragon Ball : Origins 2 with no set release date as of yet. And here are two new trailers shown in Japan for this game’s release.
Bandai has released some new merchandise dedicated to the new Dragon Ball Kai series (DBZ refreshed). What you are seeing on your left is DB Kai Deformation figures (from the Legendary Super Saiyan chapter). The set includes 10 figure models with one hidden secret model (baby Son Goku). Check out the actual figurines and other pictures here.
On the right are some DB Kai keychains. This set includes 4 character based (with Broly as the secret model here) and one Dragonball keychain. Check out the rest of the pictures and info here.
These were all released in Japan. I would expect the same kind of treatment for DB “Z” Kai when FUNimation releases their version of the series.
Dragonball Legends is now fully user integrated. This basically means more interaction for you. Here are some of the exclusive features now included within the site :
User Registration
Easy Login
Custom Profiles
Custom Avatar
Ability to Request/Add Friends
Viewable Member Directory
All options are available in the top area of the right side menu. Anyone that has already registered don’t have to worry about re-registering and can edit their profile by logging in. I encourage anyone that has not yet registered to do so to take full advantage of the site. You will also notice a few new features such as the media player and social bookmarking integration. And expect a full blown video section in the near future (comments enabled).
Sci Fi UK was looking for specific questions to ask James Marsters (Lord Piccolo in Dragonball Evolution) at last weekends SFX Weekender. I sent in a question regarding the planned sequel to Dragonball, but it seems they might have stayed away from any Dragonball talk at this event. Here is a portion of a Q&A session during SFX Weekender. Now I am not sure if this was the same Q&A Sci Fi UK planned or not. According to their Twitter page, their interview with James Marsters may be exclusive. I will report any other details when available.
Also, James will be appearing at the following events in the next couple months : Supanova Expo 2010, FedCon XIX 2010, Phoenix Comicon and Philadelphia Comic Con. I may attend the Phoenix Comic Con, but that event is a little over three months away. Special guests for that event include : James Marsters, Ray Park and Mike Mcfarland (Master Roshi from FUNimation DBZ).
According to Kanzentai and Happinet, Dragon Ball Kai will have a total of 99 planned episodes. Seeing how the Freeza arc will end around episode 50, it is safe to assume the Android and Buu sagas will be included in Dragon Ball Kai. This basically debunks a recent rumor saying DB Kai will end after the Freeza saga.
The official Dragon Ball Z Kai website has now opened its doors. But for now, FUNimation only has a teaser confirming (yet again) we will see DB Kai this Spring outside Japan. The domain for this website was created December 2009, so we can only guess FUNimation has been working behind the scenes since then. There are also other reports saying DBZ Kai will be re-dubbed with the same voice cast used before (according to the Fan Boy Review that is).
Rumors have been going around that FUNimation will release Dragon Ball “Z” Kai sometime in May. Wal-mart is now listing a release date for the DVD and Blu-ray of May 18 2010. So it would appear this has been in development with FUNimation long before they announced it. You can pre-order the first season from Wal-mart at a price of $42.48.
FUNimation had a huge announcement today. They officially said “yes” to Dragon Ball Kai in their blog. They have announced they got the license to work on Dragon Ball Kai. They have also decided to add the “Z” into the Dragon Ball Kai logo. But no details have surfaced yet on how they will release the episodes. I am personally hoping for a TV schedule. We should be hearing more on this subject sometime in the near future. We will keep everyone posted.
FUNimation finalized a new Dragon Ball license agreement for Dragon Ball Kai. The first episodes of that property will be released by FUNimation in the latter part of our upcoming fiscal year.
Look forward to Dragon Ball “Z” Kai fairly soon. Thanks FUNimation!
The Japanese music label COLUMBIA will release a Dragon Ball Kai Song Collection CD with a character song by Aya Hirano (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star) — the new voice actress of the character Dende — on October 21. The Dragon Ball Kai television series condenses the original Dragon Ball Z anime series to more closely follow Akira Toriyama’s original manga. In addition to a digital high-definition remastering and a re-recorded soundtrack, Dragon Ball Kai also enhances selected scenes with new effects or re-animated footage.
Bandai has released Dragon Ball DS 2 : Assault Red Ribbon Army today in Japan. Any Japanese viewers can order it via Amazon 
Bandai has released some new merchandise dedicated to the new Dragon Ball Kai series
(DBZ refreshed). What you are seeing on your left is DB Kai Deformation figures (from the Legendary Super Saiyan chapter). The set includes 10 figure models with one hidden secret model (baby Son Goku). 
Dragonball Legends is now fully user integrated. This basically means more interaction for you. Here are some of the exclusive features now included within the site :
Sci Fi UK
