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Dragon Ball Z: Dragon Box Volume 7 Review

Travis Bruno
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Dragon Ball Z: Dragon Box Volume 7 Review


Dragon Ball Z: Dragon Box Volume 7
Studio: Toei Animation
Publisher: FUNimation
Languages: Japanese, English
Release Date: October 11, 2011
Price: $59.98 – Available Here

Overview:
There has always been one piece of merchandise which has alluded fans of Dragon Ball Z in North America. It has been heralded as something that no Dragon Ball Z fan should be without, and it has now finally made its way to North American shores courtesy of the hard work from people at FUNimation. What is this item you ask? Well it is the Dragon Ball Z Dragon Box and with Dragon Box 7 the entire set has been released. How does Dragon Ball Z Dragon Box 7 look you ask? Let’s find out.

Story:
This DVD box set contains forty episodes spanning from episode 251 to the final 291. The story picks up where it left off from Dragon Box 6, in the middle of the Majin Boo saga. We join in with the series as Trunks and Son Goten have finally perfected the difficult fusion maneuver and joined together to become the extremely powerful fighter Gotenks, but perhaps one still too arrogant to take on the big pink Majin Boo.

But don’t think that Earth is without a savior yet. Mr. Satan has decided to try and bring Majin Boo to a stop himself, but through some strange twist of fate they end up living together and strangely enough striking up a touching friendship until a horrible twist of fate changes the Majin Boo forever, splitting him into a new form that is not only more powerful but far more evil than anyone could possibly imagine.

The newly powered up skinny Boo has tracked down the hiding Z Fighters before Son Goten and Trunks were ready to face him and they must do battle against this fearsome foe on their own for all they know is that they are the only ones that have any chance at defeating this horrible creature. While a great ways off, Son Gohan is still being powered up by Elderly Kaioshin and the still dead Son Goku can do nothing can do nothing but sit and watch as his friends and family are left to struggle on their own. Can Gotenks defeat this new Boo on their own? Or must they simply last long enough for a thought lost ally to show up and save the day?

Now the storyline of the Majin Boo saga doesn’t break any new ground in this DVD set as the events still unfold the same as we remember from our childhoods. The good thing about this is that there is no reason or anything to be changed and we can see the final saga of the most powerful fighters in the Dragon Ball world take on the ever changing Majin Boo in a desperate attempt to save the world and end this evil creature’s reign of terror. The ending of the series is still as final as we remember; though leaving the potential open for a possible sequel that unfortunately never truly came.

Artwork:
Something that many can remember, is the fact that the Dragon Ball Z series we saw as children never did seem quite as violent as we thought. The reason for this was due to relatively heavy censorship, but thankfully that is all over as every episode contained in Dragon Box 7 is completely uncensored and uncut, making for a full experience unlike some of us have ever had before.

The visuals still look the same as we remember, but being that they are on DVD format and a tad bit old, the series does not look very crisp. But Dragon Ball Z is still a pinnacle of artistic accomplishment even when most of these episodes originally aired in Japan over sixteen years ago.

Audio & Subtitles:
Now the interesting thing with this release of Dragon Ball Z, is that while the Dragon Box contains both the English and Japanese audio tracks, the Japanese audio is actually what is being highlighted here. The reason for this is that no matter what player you happen to place the DVD in, the first audio which will be playing is the Japanese track with English subtitles.

This is of course up to the choice of the viewer, but the Japanese dub is absolutely perfect. The English subtitles use the original names of all of the characters, meaning rather than seeing Krillin you will be seeing Kuririn, or instead of Hercule you’ll be reading Mr. Satan. This is obviously a highlight for purists, as those who prefer the English audio will instead be treated to the English versions of the names with no changes whatsoever.

Extras:
Now while the last forty episodes of the series spanning across six DVDs are of course what most people may be picking up Dragon Box 7 for, the actual highlight here is the hardcover book that is included in the case. Now before I get to that, it is worth mentioning that there are no DVD extras in any form, meaning there are no interviews with the cast nor special promo material of any kind which is a bit disappointing.

But beyond that, Dragon Box 7 comes in a hardcover collectible slip case with the two DVD cases that on the side show what appears to be the child version of Gohan’s arm and body which means if you line this up on your bookshelf alongside the rest of the Dragon Boxes you will finally have a completed picture. The DVDs each contain a main character’s face on them: including Gotenks, Evil Boo, Vegeto, Kid Boo, Goku and Oob.

Now on to that Dragonbook. The Dragonbook is hardcover with Super Saiyan Goku on the front and Kid Boo on the back. Now the interesting thing with the Dragonbook is that the book opens and reads from the right to the left which mimics the Japanese version perfectly as that is similar to how books are read in Japan. Now the content inside this book is fully colored, contains interesting information as well as artwork.

The bulk of the content in the Dragonbook are episode summaries which provide a brief look at each episode and provides a rough summary of it. There are also small bits of information included with each episode such as the original air date and the occasional Close Up! Which examines something specific from an episode. Besides these summaries there is also a design works collection to view some sketches of the characters shown in Dragon Box 7 as well as a profile of the Goku family, an ultimate character relationship chart, a couples championship which rates each Dragon Ball Z couple and a recollection of all of Son Goku’s power ups making the Dragonbook perhaps the biggest plus of picking up Dragon Book 7.

Overall:
Dragon Ball Z: Dragon Box 7 is the ultimate finale to the ultimate collection for any Dragon Ball Z fan. The series concludes with this set and the battles we see in this collection of forty episodes are as impactful as any in the series. The inclusion of both English and Japanese audio provides an experience that not only will be great for purists and lovers of the series, but also newcomers who may not appreciate reading the subtitles.

There are a ton of episodes here with over a thousand minutes of Dragon Ball Z to watch and the price tag for this massive collection is quite cheap in comparison to the amount of content purchased. Now although there are no extra bonuses with this package on the DVDs themselves, the Dragonbook is perhaps the best accompaniment you can ask for.

I give Dragon Ball Z: Dragon Box 7
10-0-capsules-out-of-10

Shiki playable in One Piece: Gigant Battle 2

Luke Halliday
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0

For One Piece fans, there is little debate over which of the One Piece movies is the best. That movie is One Piece: Strong World, the only canon movie in the series, which actually is considered a part of the true One Piece mythology.

Fans would know that a huge part of what made that movie so good was it’s villain, Shiki the Golden Lion. Well, those Shiki fans out there will be pleased to know that he will be a playable character in the hotly anticipated One Piece: Gigant Battle 2 New World.

What are your thoughts on Shiki being playable in One Piece: Gigant Battle 2 New World? Let us know what you think in the shoutbox and comments section.

Centipede Infestation: Tantalizing Screenshots

Joshua Moris
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Like being excited for a game? I know you do! That’s why I would like to share some new Centipede: Infestation screenshots. Showing off weapons and the co-op gameplay, WayForward is bringing the hype for this point and click shooter. Additionally, you get to see defensive units as well as acquirable power-ups. The game is quickly coming to fruition and will find its way into my grasp – centipedes and all!

Any pyromaniacs out there? Well, make sure you check out the player torching up beetles in one of the pictures below.

And if that’s not enough to get your jollies going, click (HERE) for Centipede: Infestation‘s official website.

Saints Row: The Third redefine Shock and Awesome

Jessica Barabas-Bui
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What has hover jets, speeder bikes, laser tanks, and one hell-of-a flying aircraft carrier? No, I’m not talking about spies, Special Ops, or the military. This is Special Tactical Anti Gang unit, the guys in charge of enforcing the law on the Third Street Saints. It’s STAGs job to keep the Syndicate and the Saints from destroying the city and killing everyone. It’s a hell of a job, and they’ve got a hell of an array backing them up, but is it really enough?

See STAG in action in the new Saints Row: The Third trailer called (and rightfully so) Shock and Awesome.

In the below trailer you’ll see that even with all that gear, STAG is gonna need some definite help if they’re ever gonna have some semblance of control.

Saints Row: The Third is set for release on November 15, 2011 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Majesco and Hulk Hogan Participate in NASDAQ Closing Bell Ceremony…

Dustin Spencer
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Hulk Hogan may be in the midst of a boiling feud with Sting in TNA, but Majesco and the Hulkster were recently spotted at the NASDAQ Closing Bell Ceremony in honor of the launch of Majesco Entertainment’s Hulk Hogan’s Main Event, which of course is the first ever wrestling title to utilize the motion based Kinect system.

“We are proud to have been able to celebrate the launch of our game ‘Hulk Hogan’s Main Event’ by having the one-and-only Hulk Hogan himself ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell,” said Jesse Sutton, CEO of Majesco Entertainment. “We are committed to bringing well-known brands to market as fun and dynamic games that span all platforms, from gaming consoles that provide a new element of full-body interactivity like the Kinect for Xbox 360, to online, social and mobile mediums as well.

As many of you know by now, Hulk Hogan’s Main Event is in stores everywhere as of last Tuesday. Check out the full presentation below and go support the Hulkster and Majesco by picking up a copy today!

Madman SBS Christmas boxset line up has been released

Jessica Barabas-Bui
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Looking for a Christmas present for that certain someone who loves their television? SBS DVD has got you covered. They’ve released a line-up just in time for Christmas, and the range is great for those of you who are looking for the perfect Christmas gift.

Wilfred

Wilfred seasons 1 and 2, an Australian comedy hit based around a bong-smoking dog who thinks he’s a human and is determined to make his owner’s new boyfriend life a living hell. Highly successful and recently adapted for American television (which always means that a series has been popular of course), Wilfred is a hilarious comedy that will be a great Christmas present.
Release Date: November 2, 2011
Price: $49.95

East West 101

East West 101 is a crime drama based around Sydney’s Major Crime Squad, with a huge Australian cast. The stories are based on real life experiences of detectives, and opens up some interesting stories and ideas.
Release date: November 2, 2011
Price: $79.95

Erotic Tales

Erotic Tales is a collection of short films from award-winning international crew, including a range of tasteful and titillating stories. The cast includes Australian acting heavyweights Claudia Karvan and Barry Otto, and is sure to heat up your Christmas. The boxset includes season one and two of the series.
Release date: November 30, 2011
Price: $49.95

My Sri-Lanka with Peter Kuruvita

My Sri-Lanka with Peter Kuruvita is a series that follows renowned Sydney chef as he returns to his home in the lush Sri Lanka to relive his childhood years. He travels across the country, from fishing to tea fields, experiencing the wealth of beauty, culture and culinary diversity.
Release date: November 30, 2011
Price: $29.95

Gourmet Farmer Series 2

Gourmet Farmer Series 2 returns to host Matthew Evans who has left his city life for a new start on a small farm. Instead of just having to feed himself with only the farm at his disposal, his partner and child have joined him so he has to make sure to please others as well as himself.
Release date: Available now
Price: $29.95

Rockwiz

The third installment of Rockwiz, the mix of music, trivia, chat and celebrity guests, is set to hit home screens, joining the previous two seasons. The series is the perfect way to spend Christmas with the family, at least if your family enjoys some good tunes.
Release date: Series 1 & 2 is available now. Series 3 is out on November 30, 2011
Price: $24.95 each

Housos

From the creators of Swift & Shift Couriers comes the first series of Housos, an outrageous action-packed, dole-bludging comedy that is all about Ugg boots, tattoos and whatever else can be found in housing commission.
Release date: November 30, 2011
Price: $29.95

Skins

The highly popular series Skins has come out with its fifth season on DVD, and for the first time on Bluray. Watch the group of English teens as they drink, get high, screw, and get into general overly dramatic teenage hijinks.
Release date: November 30, 2011
Price: $34.95 for DVD, $44.95 for Bluray

Assassin’s Creed Revelations gets an extra dimension

Claire Phillips
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Motion control and 3D are the two biggest darlings of the entertainment industry – and Ezio wants a piece of that pie. Motion control haters can rest easy for now though – it’s only the 3D that the assassin has in his sights.

Assassin’s Creed Revelations will be the first game in the series to be playable in TriOviz Inficolor™ 3D on PS3 and Xbox 360, whilst PC owners will get some added depth to their experience courtesy of NVIDIA 3D Vision.

So what the heck is TriOviz Inficolor 3D?

 Gamers with good memories and eagle vision will remember it from a Gears of War 2 demo back at E3 2010, and more likely the game of the year edition of Batman: Arkham Asylum. It’s cropped up again on Gears 3 and will also feature in Arkham City.

It functions on most 2D HD screens and it’s a glasses job, so everyone gets to look super sexy in some cardboard frames. No doubt they’ll be influenced by a bit of Assassin’s Creed style as the Arkham Asylum versions had a bit of Joker/Dark Knight lick of paint to spruce up the cardboard!

Personally I can’t comment on what Assassin’s Creed Revelations will look like in 3D, but my own 3D experience with Arkham Asylum was rather short lived. The system is very reliant on the room you’re in being completely dark, and I struggled to get past the fact that it warped the colours of the game. Hopefully there have been some improvements to the tech since then and the 3D can prove itself  a welcome addition to the series.

Revelations will also support all 3D TV’s using top/bottom, side-by-side and frame packing via HDMI 1.4, so players lucky enough to be right up to date with the latest gadgetry can take advantage of those high end sets and the significantly cooler glasses.

Assassin’s Creed Revelations will be released for PS3 and Xbox 360 on November 15, and December 2 for PC.

South Park: Tenorman’s Revenge Announced

Michael Irving
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The South Park kids are not new to the video game scene, and their games usually aren’t bad either. The South Park Nintendo 64 game remains a multiplayer classic, South Park Rally was an underrated Mario Kart clone, and their more recent XBLA outing Let’s Go Tower Defense Play!! was a decent take on the tower defense genre.

So I’m fairly excited to hear that there’s a new South Park game in the works for Xbox Live Arcade, titled Tenorman’s Revenge. It’s a co-op platformer, with players taking the roles of Kyle, Stan, Cartman and Kenny, as they set out to defeat Cartman’s nemesis, Scott Tenorman, and his army of robot ginger kids.

Fans of the show will remember Scott Tenorman as the older kid who repeatedly humiliated Cartman, invoking his twisted brand of revenge – in this case, Cartman fed Tenorman his own parents, chopped up and served as chilli.

Yeah, don’t ever piss him off.

Tenorman returned in the epic two-part 200th episode last year, having gone insane and risen as the leader of the ginger kids, who also have an ongoing beef with Cartman.

Not much has been revealed about Tenorman’s Revenge so far, besides the scenario, some basic gameplay stuff, and a vague “Spring 2012” release window. We’ll keep you posted on news regarding the game, but for now, check out the teaser trailer below.

Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Trailer Introduces us to the Kirby Krew…

Dustin Spencer
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Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Trailer Introduces us to the Kirby Krew…

October 24th marks the release for Kirby’s Return to Dreamland on the Wii, and to celebrate Nintendo have released yet another trailer. This clip re-introduces us to the “Kirby Krew”, with the members (obviously) being Waddle Dee, King DeDeDe, Meta-Knight, and Kirby. If you are unaware, Return to Dreamland lets up to four players pick one of these characters (or up to four Kirbys) and complete the game via multiplayer co-op.

Without hesitation, you should do yourself a favor and check out the bright and colorful new clip below and prepare yourselves for some serious suckage as Kirby’s Return to Dreamland launches for the Wii next Tuesday.

Hunter x Hunter – Episode 3 Review

Luke Halliday
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Hunter x Hunter
Episode 3 – “Rivals x In x Survival”

While the first 2 episodes of Hunter x Hunter adapted 2 chapters of manga for each, things are slowed down a bit here and for good reason, this is a character based episode. In “Rivals x In x Survival” we are introduced to a sleu of new characters that will play a vital role in the Hunter Exam arc, with essentially no real forward momentum of the plot until the episodes final minutes.

This may come off as somewhat droll to those who aren’t well adjusted to the shonen genre. A common story-telling device in the genre is the “knights of the round table”, a plot device in which the audience is introduced to the characters important to the story one after another in succession, as if they are all seated at a round table taking turns introducing themselves.

You may think this is a bad way to introduce characters (which in most cases it is). However in Hunter x Hunter it fit perfectly. All of the examinees are in one big room eyeing eachother off. It was the perfect time to let the audience know who the major players will be.

Now for the characters themselves. Tonpa, the rookie killer finally was given the justice he deserved. If you had seen the old Hunter x Hunter series you’d know that his entire introduction was changed for one reason or another, ultimately altering his personality from the original source material. He was coniving, devious and most of all pathetic. That is exactly how he should be portrayed.

As for the other major character introduced, Hisoka. There has been some rather unfounded objection to his characters portrayal here. The particular things being objected to are his voice actor and the way in which he removes another examinees arms.

First of all, his voice is definitely more badass than his old series voice. Not only that but he is more commanding and intimidating than before. We have yet to see his crazy side, so it’s best to reserve judgement on how his voice actor will handle those scenes.

As for the arms removal – it is not shown how is arms disappear in the manga. It is not specifically said that Hisoka cut them off and there is no blood to prove that he did. The whole arms turning flower petals thing, was much more interesting then if he simply cut them off. It fits so much more with his Magician persona and was a great piece of animation that looked stunning.

This was really an episode heavy on dialogue. Which is a given considering the majority of the episode takes place in the tunnel underground with Gon and friends introduced to all their competition in the Hunter Exam. The pacing is an obvious slamming of the brakes in comparison to previous episodes. But when there is so much intensity to come, things had to stop and position themselves for an episode.

Hunter x Hunter is on the rise, while this episode may just be taking some time to lay the ground work, what is to come is without a doubt going to blow people away. This is the series to watch this season.

8-0-capsules-out-of-10

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