Dragon Ball Z - Seasons 1 - 9 - Amazon Exclusive CR Box Set

This review is for the Blu-ray version of the complete series box set. I'm going to assume you've seen the series, so I'll focus on the quality of this exact product. Overall, I'm very happy with this set. I'm convinced that this was the best choice of the options available. Now for details:It started when one of my old VHS tapes that I recorded off Toonami glitched and broke my VCR (Agh, I can't replace that!). I went on here to get a DVD copy but couldn't find much comparative information on the different sets. Did I want Blu-ray, DVD, Kai? I checked out Kai on Internet Archive and decided I didn't like the new voices or that awful circus parade music and I did like the funny episodes that Kai left out, so that was out as an option. From the pictures posted the Blu-ray copy took up less shelf space than the DVD version, so I went with that.My copy arrived in perfect condition, but I checked it over thoroughly. No disks were broken, scratched, or missing, so I embarked on a ten-day binge to check every episode for glitching. While I was at it, I streamed the other series options alongside to compare them. The first episodes I compared to the 1996 US TV version, the Cell saga I compared to the DVD edition and then the Kai edition. Here's my take: the video on the Blu-ray is better than all the other versions, although Kai came close.The picture I posted is a side-by-side comparison of the picture from the DVD (on the laptop) and Blu-ray (on the TV) editions. My computer screen is far better than my TV, but the picture on the TV is better because of the superb quality of the Blu-ray. The clarity is amazing. I can see all the individual character in the hand-drawn lines. The DVD version I used for comparison was letterbox ratio, so maybe that's an option with that set. I can confirm that the Blu-ray is widescreen only. If Amazon didn't cut off my picture, you can see that the widescreen edition is not just zoomed and cut. They actually drew in more picture on the sides. In some cases, the letterbox version seemed more cut down than the widescreen version. Other scenes didn't transition to widescreen as nicely, so some are better and some are worse. No lines or details were missing in my version, like some reviewers had.For audio, I liked the '96 TV version best. It was much funnier, had snappier pacing, better voices, and way better music. If there ever is a complete series version of a 90's style TV edit with Ocean Group voices I'd pay twice this much for it, but that won't happen. I already mentioned my opinion of Kai's English audio, but if you want Japanese voices, that would be a better bet. The Japanese audio track on this set is tinny and thin, probably because it's a very old recording made using old technology. Kai is re-recorded and is sure to sound better than this. The English dub is perfect quality. I like the fact that the Toonami music track is available on here, but it's too bad it is the second track. I have to remember to change it with each disc. For people concerned about bad language, it's rarely in the English dub. I think just in the Freiza arc. It's all over the subtitles though.The menu system is intuitive, and this series works perfectly with my remote. The audio and subtitle buttons work as they should for when I forget to run the setup first. Each disk has annoying ads that Autoplay on loading, but they can be easily skipped with the menu button on my remote, so I don't care. Each episode is divided into intro, segment 1, segment 2, and ending, so it's easy to skip intros and endings if you want to go through the trouble. Better yet, use the marathon mode (genius!) and have the system skip them for you.The cases are not great. There's no episode guide, they don't always close securely, and they have those nasty plastic disc holders that tear discs up. At least the plastic is fairly soft, and the disc holders don't have sharp points, so they won't scratch the discs. The discs will snap onto the holder securely, but it takes some careful persuasion. Getting them off without risking breaking the discs can be tricky. I tried replacing the plastic holders with poly sleeves, but the cases fit too snugly for that. The outer box is not well glued and wants to fall apart, but some packing tape will fix that. There's a lot of excess packaging that isn't environmentally friendly. It does take very little room on my shelf; the box is 5.75" wide.

After purchasing this, I've I watched every single episode and special feature on every single disc; I really enjoyed seeing this in my first rewatch of the series since I was a child. I can't speak to the ways this release may differ from other releases because this is the only physical release I've acquired of this series, but: (1) I can say that I never felt like I was missing out on anything with this being mastered in a widescreen aspect ratio and presumably having been cropped from the original and (2) I did subjectively feel that watching DBZ on these Blu-Rays was such a higher fidelity experience than I ever had with it as a kid. It was absolutely a worthwhile purchase for me.

Good quality

I believe any fan of Dragon Ball Z should own a physical copy, as streaming services and digital copies have shown to be sometimes temporary. Blu rays could potentially outlive you, and it's something that could be passed down to your children as they grow older.Not only do I believe owning a physical copy is important, but this is one of the more reasonable prices around. The 25th anniversary limited edtion (LE) and the Dragon set are much, much pricier. Also, other copies of Dragon Ball Z are unfortunately littered with well-made bootlegs.Since this comes directly from Amazon, LLC as their exclusive, there's little to no worry of ending up with something that's not legitimate. On the back of the disc, if it's black or even silver, but lacks the serial number on the back of the disc, there's a high probability it's fake. Also, Funimation releases don't place wrapping on the outside cover, because this bends the corners and damages it. Those are some easy ways to protect yourself and increase the likelihood of getting the real thing.Overall, while this may seem expensive, it's far cheaper than it's competitors, and since it's an Amazon exclusive through Amazon, LLC, you don't have to worry about the authenticity. Moreover, this includes all 291 episodes and it comes out to about 50 cents per episode. I think the boxset art is pretty good for what you get, and it's neatly organized, so it should fit well onto your shelf.