29 April 2004

Budokai 3 Announced + Other New DBZ Video Games!
VegettoEX @ 1:23 am EDT -- While Xyex first broke it for us over on the forums on the 21st with a link to the strategy guide, we've now got "official" word; Budokai 3 has been announced, is in development by Dimps, and is slated for release "later this year" (as reported on The Magic Box).

No, we don't know if it'll be or incorporate anything from DragonBall Z 2 V (the updated version of Budokai 2 in Japan, which includes characters such as Kuriza and Coola), but we'll be sure to keep you up to date as we find / translate information.

Furthermore... a new GBA game entitled Buu's Fury has been announced for a 29 September 2004 release, and is being developed by WebFoot (who did the two Legacy of Goku games). While this game is being described as a fighting game, we can't be sure just yet... one would assume it should be the third game in the Legacy of Goku action/RPG series...

And just as a reminder, the North American verison of Bukû Tôgeki (entitled Super Sonic Warriors), the GBA fighting game developed by Arc Systems, is due out 27 August 2004.

25 April 2004

"Ask VegettoEX" Updated
VegettoEX @ 8:00 pm EDT -- "Ask VegettoEX" has been updated with a good bunch of questions for the week. And remember, if you haven't already checked them out, be sure to take a look at the new ending to the DB manga and Neko Majin Z 3.

Come hang out in the chat room; we'd love to see you there. See ya' soon!

23 April 2004

Neko Majin Z 3 Scanslation Available!
VegettoEX @ 1:56 pm EDT -- Hot on the heels of the amazing job Julian did translating the new kanzenban ending (and if you haven't seen it, be sure to check it out), here we go with "Neko Majin Z 3"~! We're both proud and excited to bring you the first scanslation of it on the web.

Big thanks to Alias (of our own forums) for scanning it for us. Our amazingly sleep-deprived Julian has been hard at work translating it. If you happen to see him at BakuretsuCon this weekend, be sure to buy him a drink. He deserves it. He'll be back for next week.

NEKO MAJIN Z 3~!! GO~!!

Come tell us what you think of Neko Majin Z 3 over on our forums. We're dying to hear what you think!

And for the last time... yes, both Neko Majin Z 3 ***AND*** the new kanzenban ending are absolutely real. It's the end of April; no-one's hanging on to April Fool's pranks for this damn long. ^^;;

22 April 2004

Completely New Manga Ending! + New Kageyama CDs
VegettoEX @ 12:43 am EDT -- There's a new "DB Manga Ending" page you'll notice over in our fantastic little "Images" section. It seems people simply didn't believe Greg when he put up the images on what happened to be April 1st, here in the States... but was April 2nd over in Japan.

Yes. Akira Toriyama drew a new four-page, full-color ending to the DragonBall manga. Yes, it was in the 34th (final) kanzenban. Yes, we've got it all scanned. Yes, we've got the original ending scanned. Yes, we've got translations for it all.

CHECK IT, FOLKS~!

In addition to this, Hironobu Kageyama released a new 2-CD set in Japan earlier this month (BSCH-30014) called "Best & Live." The first disc is normal studio tracks, while the second disc is all live performances. Better yet... tracks 11, 12, 13, and 14 are all songs from DBZ! In order, they are:

• Mind Power ... Ki ...
• Unmei no Hi ~Tamashii tai Tamashii~
• Boku-tachi wa Tenshi Datta
• CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA

No, neither of us have ordered the CDs (yet), but hopefully one of our great friends out there will do so... ! To convince you even further, it's only about $30! Here are the links to it on CD Japan and Amazon Japan.

Look for another amazing update very soon. Something involving a cat, a soccer ball, and a well-timed cell phone call...

20 April 2004

Ultimate Battle 22 Images Added to "Animation" Gallery
VegettoEX @ 4:33 pm EDT -- The "Animation" gallery has been updated with 63 images from the PlayStation game Ultimate Battle 22. I've only done the normal intro animation, thus far; expect images from the "special" animation (which plays when you enter the code for the five extra characters) soon!

Also... look forward to two incredible additions later this week. Oh yeah, baby.

18 April 2004

"Ask VegettoEX" Update
VegettoEX @ 7:15 pm EDT -- "Ask VegettoEX" has been updated~! Good bunch of questions sent in this week. In all honesty, though, I didn't expect to still be getting questions about the PlayDia game footage... !

We just realized that we nuked the entry in the "Rumor Guide - Characters" page about Kuriza. Whoops. Guess I should add that back in at some point...

That update I mentioned about the "Animation" gallery will be in a day or two. Look for the images from the Ultimate Battle 22 opening very soon!

17 April 2004

More New Images, DVD Guide Update
Julian @ 7:20 pm EDT -- Well... my volumes for the final two DB Kanzenban volumes came in the mail this past week, and as a result, I have some new images to show you: behold the new images in the "Covers" section, as well as the very last "Other Artists" illustration (by Hellsing author Kôta Hirano!). It's kind of a bittersweet moment for me... they've provided some really great scans in the past, so I'm kind of sad to see them go... but now that they're all here, there's plenty of other stuff we can do, now. The first product of that should make itself known within a week or two, so look out for that. ^_^

Secondly, Mike and I have hammered out an update to the "DVD Guide," with release information about the first two volumes of DBGT "Lost" (read: "shoved aside to make more money") Episodes, as well as a release date for the next "Cell Games" disc. Strangely enough, there's still no word about DBZ Movie 9, or the last two DB series volumes... but hopefully we'll find something out before too long.

Anyways, that's it for today! Be sure to check back tomorrow for this week's "Ask VegettoEX". Later~

11 April 2004

"Ask VegettoEX" Update
VegettoEX @ 2:37 pm EDT -- "Ask VegettoEX" has been updated. Almost didn't make it this weekend! A good dozen questions were sent in, so that's pretty cool. Check it out.

Be sure to come back and see us on the forums and in the revived chat room, and expect an update to the "Animation" gallery this week, as well. Ja~

8 April 2004

The IRC Chat Returns~
VegettoEX @ 2:37 pm EDT -- It's back. It could have been back much sooner. But I'm lazy. And kept forgetting about it.

Come back and check us out on irc.rizon.net, in #daizenshuu. The "Chat" page will have all the info you need. If we don't respond right away, chill... we'll be back soon :P.

4 April 2004

A (Regular) Huge Content Update~!! Images Galore
VegettoEX @ 2:37 pm EDT -- To make up for April Fool's, we've got a crapload of new content and information for everyone to check out. First off, "Ask VegettoEX" has been updated with a slew of new questions. Be sure to check it out.

Over on the "Covers" page, you'll find images of:

• DragonBall # 14 (Domestic SJ Edition)
• Kanzenban # 31 & # 32
• Shonen Jump # 17 (Domestic Edition)

This month's Shonen Jump's cover artwork is indeed the new kanzenban volume 16 artwork that Toriyama did. Inside the magazine you'll also find a poster of the first kanzenban cover! Awesome to see that Viz has licensed the new artwork for us.

Over on the "Other Artists" page you'll find a new DB tribute image by Koshi Rikdo, the author of Excel Saga. Pretty funky stuff. We love these images to no end~!

Finally, some news outta Japan. Another new book is being released entitled "Dragonball Forever." Here's a translation (thanks to Julian) of what you'll find over on its respective page:

"Announcing the results of the popular vote!
The best bouts, best characters, and best items in DB Kanzenban vols. 1-34 are published!

Toriyama- sensei's interview is also completed!
Sensei tells in super-detail the secret stories of his work. The characters' roots will become clear, as well!!

There's also a full load of detailed data!
With an illustrated book of all the characters and items, you'll be able to enjoy every little corner of DB!

Deluxe stickers are also going to be included!
Reappearance of the covers to Kanzenban vols. 1-34, on stickers!"

It is assumed there will also be a story guide for Kanzenban volumes 23-34, with the other (final) seven "Other Artists" images. We look forward to this, as well~!

Shueshia's also got a contest going on (bottom right of the page) where you can win one of 500 boxes to hold all 36 books in the series (34 volumes + "Landmark" and "Forever" books). You'll need to cut out one of the application forms from the wraparound ads that come with volumes 33, 34, and "Forever"; stick it onto a postcard with your name, address, age, phone number, and the words "DragonBall" (since they're also doing a Slam Dunk promotion); and mail it off to the address at the bottom of the ad. Let's see if we can get some American winners!

Thanks to Julian for all the help on this one. I think that's enough of an update for today. Expect more big news and content very soon...!

2 April 2004

DragonBall AF... Did You Fall For It~?!
VegettoEX @ 12:00 am EST -- So what did everyone think of yesterday's April Fool's prank?! What an amazing response we got; it definitely made our day. Big special thanks to our friends over on AnimeNewsNetwork.com for the plug, as well; you guys and gals rock~.

It was extremely elaborate, we know; but what other way would Daizenshuu EX pull a prank? It's all or nuthin', baby~!

For the full-scoop, you'll have to check out our huge feature on the DragonBall AF April Fool's Prank. You'll find real English translations of the video commercial, the print-ad, and a full behind-the-scenes look at the prank from beginning to end. You can even download the commercial, which has the original scenes (from One Piece and Utena) that we took the voices from! You'll also see some select quotes from message boards and e-mails; we tracked them all, all day long! Yeah, we pretty much lived in our web referrals all day... but it was worth it. You kids all had some pretty funky stuff to say!

Anyway, thanks for all the support (or lack of support if you didn't like the joke :P). If anything, we look forward to having some of you be new, regular visitors to the site; you've got a ton of awesome stuff you'll find on the site, so let us know what you think. Thanks again, everyone, for a successful April Fool's 2004!

Let us know what you thought over on the forums!

1 April 2004

NOTE: THIS WAS AN APRIL FOOL'S JOKE.

Jesus Christ... Hell has Frozen Over... the Birth of DBAF
VegettoEX & Julian @ 12:00 am EST -- Last "Ask VegettoEX," we had a question about DragonBall AF and whether or not it existed. I replied that if a new DragonBall series ever came out in Japan, I would eat my shorts. Well...

Ladies and gents, the shorts have been eaten. DragonBall AF is indeed coming out in Japan, and will begin later this summer!

Last Sunday during One Piece (the latest episode of it in Japan), a commercial aired... it was a collection of "highlight" scenes from DBZ, apparently, with Goku, Trunks, and Kuririn talking over it. Big special thanks to Mei Yamadori, who was kind enough to record the commercial for us (go TiVo!).

We've got the commercial all encoded as an MPEG, and I've got it up on four different servers (I have a feeling we're gonna be hammered with downloads on this!). Check it out:

• Mirror 1 - Direct Download
• Mirror 2 - Direct Download
• Mirror 3 - Direct Download
• Mirror 4 - Direct Download

.... WOW. HOLY CRAP. Luckily I was able to get it over to Julian for translating. All we've been able to translate thus far has been the spoken dialogue (haven't tackled those quick cards that pop up every so often). Here's the basic gist of what's being said:

• GOKU: "They thought our show was over!"
• TRUNKS: "They did, huh? Hmpf! Shows what they know!"
• GOKU: "What's this.. ? You're different.."
• TRUNKS: "You all... I can't let you live..."
• KURIRIN: "But you're our friend! You're just kidding around!"
• TRUNKS: "Who are you calling a friend.. ?!"
• GOKU: "You're not yourself. What do you want?"
• TRUNKS: "You'll never understand..."
• GOKU: "I see..."
• TRUNKS: "What do you know?! I'll never lose to you!"
• GOKU: "Hehehehe... you don't know of my new transformation..!"
• TRUNKS: "TAAAAAH~!!!!"
• GOKU: "DON'T YOU DARE THINK YOU'RE GOING TO DEFEAT US...!!!"

Hooooly crap. That gives us a little insight into what the plot seems to be. Even more amazing is that the commercial isn't all there is... I'm gonna turn it over to Julian in our first-ever dual-owner site update, and let him talk about the print-ad that just came out for DragonBall AF~!!! (Mike, out!)

(Julian steps up!) That's right!! I'll admit that the commercial mystified even me at first (I'm the skeptical type), but when I looked in my mailbox yesterday afternoon, I knew that it was the real deal. What did I get, you ask? Well, See for yourself.

(Here's the full-size version, and here's a smaller version for those on dialup.)

Staring back at me from the cubbyhole was a print ad for DBAF. This ad informs us that the series will indeed continue, and it is slated to start its run in Japan on 8 September (that's a Wednesday), at 7:30 pm (right after the news). There will be a TV preview prior to that on 25 August. This ad also contains a message from Akira Toriyama, in which he says that although he isn't making a new manga, he will be helping out a little with character design and story direction work. Mostly, though, he says that he is confident that the TV show will be handled properly, and wants us all to watch it!!!

Story-wise, details kind of slim at the moment. The text of the ad tells us that Future Trunks, driven mad by the horrors of his era, has come back to challenge Goku; Goku, however, has another transformation up his sleeve. However, the pictures are really interesting... the first seems to be a (very sinister-looking) Trunks in his time-machine, while the other two are really something: It's SSJ5 Goku, and a new fusion — Vegetunks!!! I can't wait to see these two in action.

The ad rounds itself out with an explanation that with DB being one of the most beloved anime in Japan, and with the show finding newfound popularity in the 21st Century, now was the time to create something new. It finishes up by telling us to please wait patiently for it, and to enjoy it when it arrives!!

So there you have it. A new series... a new era for DB. To coincide with this auspicious event, we've updated the "Rumor Guide" and "Newbie Guide" with brand-new info. Enjoy. Also, be sure to check back tomorrow; I'll have those text items in the commercial fully-translated for you. Perhaps they'll shed some more light on the new series. Until then, let's hear it for DBAF~!! (Julian, out!)