Becoming a fan rather late into the game (After the original Toonami was dead and Gone), I thought I'd never have a chance to get to watch it. I started watching Z online, but the slow pace and constant filler breaks caused me to initially lose interest. Kai was the perfect remedy for that. After removing the filler, the end of the Cell arc of Kai was placed at 98 episodes. Literally HALF of the original's near 200. There still is filler (Gregory, the Frog Ginyu, and Mr. Satan's (Hercule in the Televised version) pupils) but far more condensed and only left in when the characters introduced could not be removed from the Animation. This made Dragon Ball Z Kai the extraordinary lightning-paced battle anime that you'd expect Z to have been. The majority of the English cast returned, with few exceptions where more fitting actors were found, or, in the case of Frieza, the old actors couldn't meet the Demand. The few changed actors are Incredible. Kai kept Frieza as the Chilling, Sadistic Villain he was in the Japanese version, and Chris Ayers provides the voice Talents to match.
From what little I'd seen of Z, i knew the TV version was Censored, cutting out blood and, from the start of the Frieza arc, direct references to Death. But that was also solved with Funimation's release of Uncut DVDs. I was presently surprised to find that, along with mostly uncut footage (Some edits were made in Japan to fit new laws in place since it's original 1989 run), there was an uncut Dialogue track as well, reinstating all references to Death as well as introducing mild swears (Let this double as a warning to parents. If your seven-year-old son wants a copy of this Anime on DVD, you need to know this). This dispelled all rumors I'd hear that Kai was a just little kids show.
All this was backed by an astounding new soundtrack, which I was saddened to hear was removed due to copyright infringement. (If you want as much of Kai with the removed score as possible, find the "Part" sets. the first four contain the Original Kai score)
And those of you disappointed this version does not extend to the final arc, you will be pleased to know that it has been confirmed that it is in production, and is speculated to be released later this year
All in all, I have to say that Kai is the best version of Dragon Ball Z yet. Aiming for new fans with a child-safe television dub, and catering to the old fans with its uncut DVD version. I was very pleased with it, and I think that if Old fans could take off their nostalgia goggles, they'd definitely agree.
From what little I'd seen of Z, i knew the TV version was Censored, cutting out blood and, from the start of the Frieza arc, direct references to Death. But that was also solved with Funimation's release of Uncut DVDs. I was presently surprised to find that, along with mostly uncut footage (Some edits were made in Japan to fit new laws in place since it's original 1989 run), there was an uncut Dialogue track as well, reinstating all references to Death as well as introducing mild swears (Let this double as a warning to parents. If your seven-year-old son wants a copy of this Anime on DVD, you need to know this). This dispelled all rumors I'd hear that Kai was a just little kids show.
All this was backed by an astounding new soundtrack, which I was saddened to hear was removed due to copyright infringement. (If you want as much of Kai with the removed score as possible, find the "Part" sets. the first four contain the Original Kai score)
And those of you disappointed this version does not extend to the final arc, you will be pleased to know that it has been confirmed that it is in production, and is speculated to be released later this year
All in all, I have to say that Kai is the best version of Dragon Ball Z yet. Aiming for new fans with a child-safe television dub, and catering to the old fans with its uncut DVD version. I was very pleased with it, and I think that if Old fans could take off their nostalgia goggles, they'd definitely agree.