The last original ‘Dragon Ball’ animated series, ‘Dragon Ball GT’ aired in 1997, but the franchise is experiencing a resurgence. The feature length movie, ‘Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F’ debuted in Japan this month– the US premier was on April 11 in Los Angeles– with plans to expand to 74 countries. An English dub is expected to arrive this summer potentially expanding the film’s exposure even more.
Now prepare for ‘Dragon Ball Super’ a new TV series which will debut on Fuji TV in July. It marks the first new ‘Dragon Ball’ series on airwaves in 18 years! ‘Dragon Ball Super’ takes place after ‘Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F’ (a.k.a. ‘Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods), which itself took place after the Majin Buu Saga. The Earth is now at peace, but Fuji TV producer Osamu Nozaki teased, “An enemy even stronger than Buu or Freeza may appear…”
The new series is being crafted by Akira Toriyama, the creator of the original manga, who receives credit for “original story & character concepts.” Nozaki enthusiastically declares, “As I read the plot [of the series] I’ve already received from Akira Toriyama, my dreams for this begin to expand.”
Masako Nozawa, who voices Goku, Gohan and Goten adds, “We’ve always used the word ‘chō’ (Super) with Dragon Ball in commercials, games and the like, but the fact that the series titled Dragon Ball Super is beginning is the best thing ever.”
‘Dragon Ball’ proved to be a huge phenomenon in the 90s, serving as a more violent and mature import than ‘Pokemon’, the decade’s other major anime import in the US. Is the time right for a resurgence?
Source: Anime News Network
