We all frequent message boards and online forums (such as alt.fan.dragonball), and we all contribute as much as we can. Unfortunately, we don't KNOW of all the places people post questions, so it's impossible for us to reach everyone. However, if you're reading this, you at least know where WE are, so it's possible for you to ask us directly.

What we're going for here is sort of an "Answerman" or "Ask John" (from Anime News Network and Anime Nation, respectively). We'd like you to e-mail in whatever questions you may have, so long as it somehow relates to the world of "DragonBall"; be it the manga, the anime, merchandise... whatever. We've been around for a few years, now, and we know the ropes... we like to think we know our stuff.

And we want to help. E-mail your questions to VegettoEX@aol.com with the subject "Ask VegettoEX." We'll try to update this section every Saturday, with at least one question straight from the fans. Thanks!

[ Last Updated: Sunday, 6 September 2003 ]
[ Past "Ask VegettoEX" Archives ]

Q. I have been trying frantically looking for recording studios in Vancouver, B.C. that do ADR voice dubs for The Ocean Group. - yuki

A. The Ocean Group currently records with three studios, it would seem. The first (and most obvious) is Ocean Studios, which is located in Vancouver. The second (which UK and Canadian fans may recognize) is Blue Water Studios, located in Calgary. The third is Westwood Studios, also located in Vancouver.

Here's the main address for Ocean Studios:
1758 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver V6J 1H6

Don't have an address for Blue Water Studios, but their phone number is (403) 229-9609.

I hope that's at least a start for you! Remember...Google is your friend.

Q. In DragonBall, the first energy-blast type attack was the Kamehameha, right? And while there were other attacks, like Roshi's crazy electrical thing at the first World Tournament (called Bangkok Surprise Prize in the manga, I believe [editor's note: actually, it's "Bankoku Bikkuri Shô," or the "Worldwide Surprise Palms," but anyway...]), the regular big ball of chi thing was always a Kamehameha. So, when ever Goku does an energy blast in DBZ, is he actually doing a Kamehameha, or is it a generic energy blast? And if so, at what point do the characters start throwing them around without having to "charge up" first? - Liam Kavanaghe

A. As far as I know, it's only a Kamehameha when the exact hand positions are made. Also, the typical Kamehameha is blue in color. Honestly, I don't know what point they start to not have to charge it up. It generally seems to be a question of potential power, though; the longer you charge it up, the more powerful it is of an attack.

Q. The Kamehameha and the Hadoken (from Street Fighter) have the same hand positions, right palms together, hands apart and curved outwards. Any idea what was the first game/anime/whatever to have the hands in this position for an energy blast? - Liam Kavanaghe

A. DragonBall originally premiered in 1985. The first Street Fighter (or Fighting Street if you've got a Turbo-Duo) came out in 1987. Technically, DB was first. However...I find it hard to believe that DB was the first to use such a (seemingly) common hand position.

I don't know the answer! Let's get some discussion going in this forum thread to try and discover the answer! The best answer will get posted in next week's "Ask VegettoEX."

Q. Didn't you used to write it "Gokou", rather than "Goku"? Why'd you change? - Liam Kavanaghe

A. The (incorrect) spelling of "Gokou" probably originated with Bandai and their Super Battle Collection figures in Japan. It later on made its way into their video games (such as Ultimate Battle 22), and even into fansubs (especially by Baldric). The Japanese aren't exactly well-known for their correct romanizations.

Wanna hear something sad? Back in my (relatively) younger days, I started using "Gokou" simply because FUNimation didn't; it was my (lame) way of rebelling. Since then, I've grown a little more brain power and stopped being so retarded. I also realized that it's an incorrect spelling. "Gokou" would be pronounced "goh - koh" (with each syllable having a long "o" sound). That's not the character's name. Technically, the kanji for his name would be romanized "go - ku - u," which is why I spell it "Gokuu" when Julian doesn't change it on me :P. Both "Goku" and "Gokuu" are perfectly acceptable (and correct) romanizations of the character's name.

Q. Hi, I was wondering, what is your opinion on the Ocean Dragonball Z shown in Canada, the U.K., and Holland? - Marzak Ahmed

A. Beyond a few clips and audio files I've downloaded, I haven't seen it. Therefore...I can't really comment. Sorry! I live in the US, and don't even watch our OWN dub on television, anymore...nevermind another one :P.

Q. Hey, I was wondering, how did you guys obtain the official power levels for the DragonBall saga? I have seen on many sites actual listings of the characters' levels at certain points in that saga, and when we watch the show, there is no indication or mention of power levels of the fighters (obiously since scouters weren't around yet), so are these values an ongoing hoax, or was there some separate release stating these values as fact (probably even by Toriyama himself)? - Kris Mendes

A. You'll notice that we have absolutely no mention of power levels on this site, because I always found it such a ridiculously stupid concept. It was especially bad, back in the day, before FUNimation had split from Ocean and Saban (the first two seasons of DBZ are FLOODED with mentions of power levels, and thus fans went insane over knowing them all).

I do believe there are some power levels listed in the seventh Daizenshuu (called the Dai-jiten), but you're right... they're not actually mentioned in the show. There are tons of fan-projected power levels.

My suggestion? Stay away from any mention of power levels. If you see power levels on a site, you're probably not on the most reliable site in the world...

Q. I have heard that Akira Toriyama shows up in the manga from time to time, but I can't find which volumes he shows up in! Do you know which ones he's in? - SSJHitch

A. I passed this one off to Julian, since he's much more familiar with the manga than I am:

Akira Toriyama will, on rare occasions, draw himself in Tori-Robo form in DB. He shows up in chapter 3 (in volume 1), clinging to a palm tree; he also appears at the end of chapters 518 and 519, in volume 42. I believe there's one instance on a title page in volume 6 where he appears in human form, but I don't remember which chapter, exactly.

I believe that's it with regards to personal appearances. However, he does plug the DB anime and Shonen Jump discreetly several times, as well as make reference to earlier work (the most obvious instance of which being the three-chapter Dr. Slump crossover at the end of volume 7).

Q. During the Garlic Jr. Saga, what the heck is Vegeta actually chasing after (i.e. that yellow glow that looks like SS Goku)? Is it ever established that Goku used his new instantaneous movement technique to ever leave Yardrat during his stay there? If it's not Goku, who/what else could it be? - Harry Portman

A. As you inferred, it's filler...so we really don't know what was going on in the minds of Toei when they made it. We can assume that in Goku's learning Shunkan-Idô that he would have had to TRY it at some point, which would bring him off the planet and elsewhere in the universe. It's not likely, but it IS possible that somehow Vegeta ran across (or at least SAW) Goku out in space. It can't be any other Super Saiya-jin, because none had yet been introduced (or even thought of).

It's either a figment of Vegeta's imagination (he's straining himself pretty good, out there...) or it really is Goku.

That's it for this week! E-mail us your questions for next week's update! It was kind of a slower week for questions this week, but the ones that were submitted were genuinely good questions. I look forward to answering them all, so get crackin' !

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