What Is The Point In Edited DBZ?

Why FUNimation, why? That is the question that I aim to answer in this editorial. Why do FUNimation feel the urge to edit the Dragonball Z anime to such an extent that it isn't as widely loved as it is in Japan? Before going straight onto accusing FUNimation, I think we will look at both sides of this argument. 

To be fair to FUNimation, they must make it so that little children can watch it, as well as older kids and adults. It airs at 5pm on cartoon network, so it can't have any of the violence and swearing that the Japanese counterpart has. Although this sounds a little harsh of FUNimation to edit all the episodes, they will get more viewers if they aim it at younger audiences. It is widely known that children watch cartoons all day, every day, so they are more likely to accidentally watch it than anyone one else. Most profits come off nagging children asking their moms to buy the merchandise for them, but they do get a fair bit of income from teenagers, and adult fans of the series too, as they buy the comics, the figures, and more.

In the argument against FUNimation, I can honestly say that the editing spoils the episodes a little. If they would have left it as it was, then the episodes would be far more fun to watch. Whilst DBZ is still brilliant, FUNimation detract from the excitement of battles, as someone says 'Darn' when their best friend is killed. It just doesn't show the emotions properly. Without FUNimation, we wouldn't have DBZ in England or America, but the major problem is that we would still enjoy downloading/buying Japanese episodes. 

Before the subject can be closed, the aspects of English programming, and Japanese programming must be bought up. Whilst Japan hosts several crazy game shows, and countless anime's, the subject of 'Japanese cartoons' is relatively new to us. 

In England, many of the adults would launch complaints against the show if it wasn't edited, but the teenagers would enjoy it a lot more. Whilst it would differ majorly from normal 'cartoons', it would be a healthy change in what we watch. To see Vegeta coming onto the scene, swearing at the bad guy, then ripping him to pieces is a whole lot more fun than him coming on, and telling the bad guy that he will win, then finishes him with a punch to the stomach.

In movie 13 - Exploding Dragon Fist: If Goku Can't Do It, Who Can? - Vegeta comes onto the scene, and swears four times in the three lines that he says. This builds up the viewers excitement, knowing that Vegeta is angry, and that he is really going to tear the bad guy apart. If the video's come out over here though, you can bet your whole house that Vegeta won't swear once, and that he wont look as badly beaten.
Examples of censored television in English DBZ include countless times in the Goku/Freiza fight, where they use fairly tame language compared to what they must be feeling, in the heart of battle, against an enemy that they really hate. In the Japanese version however, they are swearing, and bloodying each other up far worse than English TV's will ever show.

The Raditz fight involved a beam ripping through his chest, but this was conveniently covered up in the English version, as we don't get to see the damage done. They make it so that the audience can't quite see what has happened to Raditz and Goku's chests, whereas it is shown in the Japanese version.

The finally example that I shall use is the fight scene where Gohan and Krillen take on Guldo of the Ginyu Force. The little green frog man freezes them, then beats them both to a pulp, while they can't defend themselves. Is this shown in England? Of course not, it is hidden by a large cloud of dust which immerses everyone. 

Now, I am not a sick, twisted guy who wants to see violence all the time, and who thinks swearing is hard. I just think that more violence would make the program a lot better, as it is too tame in England by today's standards. Also, the swearing will add the emotional conflict between the two fighters, and should be utilized to its full extent. 

I would like to put forward this suggestion: FUNimation continue to make their episodes, and use their voice actors, but they change the script. They add the swearing of the Japanese version, they add the violence of its counterpart too. The only other change is that they can put it on a bit later, some time after the watershed, on sky one perhaps, which would make it far more widely watched, as the channel is so popular, and it would allow it to show whatever they want.

FUNimation shouldn't be editing DBZ, many fans have tried to get this point across to them, but failed, as they don't listen. I for one am sick of the constant edits, and being a witness of the Japanese episodes, I want more like them! FUNimation basically suck at bringing the program to this country. Sure it's still a great program and all, but it is lacking all of the aforementioned points, and should add them.

In closing , I would like to say that we should be allowed uncut DBZ!