Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009), review. The definitive way to enjoy the anime, but its showing in theaters will only satisfy the most unconditional fans of Goku

Although at the time it was broadcast on some regional television stations, ‘Dragon Ball Z Kai’ was a part of the franchise that many fans kept demanding and looking forward to it.

A few months ago Select Vision He hit a surprise that the truth is that no one had in the pools and confirmed that he had licensed the entire series for streaming and physical format… but first Goku and company are going to make a stop at the cinemas.

Is that Kai?

If we are still catching flies with that ‘Z Kai’let’s start by making it clear that It’s not a new anime or anything like that.. This is a new edition of ‘Dragon Ball Z’ that Toei Animation released back in 2009 to celebrate the anime’s 20th anniversary and give it a (much-needed) facelift.

The animation was reviewed and improved, we went to HD although details were lost with a 16:9 edition, some dialogues were given a twist (with new dubbing), more cutting-edge special effects were added because technology allowed it… . And the most important, All filler scenes that did not belong to Akira Toriyama’s original manga were removed, which greatly improved the pace of the series.

Instead of 291 chapters we are left with a total of 167 to adapt the entire stage of ‘Dragon Ball Z’ in its entirety, which is much more digestible and if we do not have the time or desire to dedicate to the series it is an ideal format. Many fans consider ‘Kai’ the definitive way to enjoy anime, and they are not wrong.

Good approach, but it doesn’t know much

The theatrical version of ‘Dragon Ball Z Kai’ which premieres this June 20 is neither more nor less a cut with the first four episodes of the series. The truth is that it is exciting to be able to see one of the most iconic parts of anime on the big screen, with the first appearance of Gohan and the Saiyansas well as the opening and ending sequences of ‘Kai’.

Yes, we can expect some news, such as from the beginning of ‘Kai’ it has been much more emphasis on Frieza and the destruction of planet Vegeta, but at the end of the day it is still ‘Dragon Ball Z’ as we always know it. The anime has a much lighter pace, without extending scenes unnecessarily, and leaves us with quite a few very nice moments like Goku and Piccolo’s big fight against Raditz.

We must also be aware that ‘Dragon Ball Z Kai’ is not a remake, nor does it pretend to be. Although some special effects have been included and color corrections have been made, the animation and the story itself remains the same as always and does not offer anything new per se.

In defense of Selecta Vision, It must be said that they have taken great care of the edition for cinemas, with the cuts between chapters very well planned and barely noticeable. And without hammering over and over again with the ending and opening to gain more minutes of footage like Ufotable did in its day with the ‘Kimetsu no Yaiba’ compilation films. We are left with a good little movie to get us into the beginning of ‘Z’, and we don’t have to ask for much more.

You also have to praise them the great dubbing job, since they have recovered the cast of ‘Dragon Ball Super’ and also of ‘Dragon Ball Z’ for the Spanish edition of ‘Kai’. And many terms, names and expressions have been revised to respect the original Japanese and unify them with the new anime. So if you are one of those who hate the “Vital Wave”… don’t worry, we’ll hear ‘Kame Hame Ha’ instead.

However, If we are not die-hard fans of Goku and ‘Dragon Ball’, this preview of ‘Kai’ may leave you a little cold by cutting you almost at the best moment, when the really good thing is going to begin. The film is a spectacle for the most loyal fans who have been waiting for it for years, and at least it can be said that Selecta Visión has known how to take care of them.

The anime will soon be streaming on AnimeBoxand of course knowing that we are going to get rid of more than 100 filler chapters can help many fans reconcile a little with ‘Dragon Ball Z’.

In Espinof | The 10 best movies of 2024 (for now)

In Espinof | The best animated films of all time