Dragonball Kai

When I first heard they were going to re-run Dragonball Z in Japan I kinda thought, "Ok, doesn't really affect me. Plus, I've seen every episode and I have others shows to watch." But then I read more and more about it and how it's actually being done in HD AND that they were editing the series to flow better and be closer to the manga. None of that filler stuff and 10 episodes in a row of guys looking at each other shocked. So that really caught my interest. I watched the first episode a couple weeks ago and fell in love all over again. They have a newly animated HD opening that not only looks fantastic but the song is incredibly catchy. Watching the opening alone was extremely nostalgic. I felt like I was in high school again.

Most anime fans will pan DBZ because it's so mainstream, much like how Naruto is being treated in America. Naruto is HUGE here and for good reason. But many anime enthusiasts don't care for it because of it's popularity. I kind of like to think of DBZ as the My First Sony of anime. Does anybody remember My First Sony??

That's what DBZ reminds me of. It's what really got me into anime. And the funny thing is when I first saw it I made fun of it. A lot. And I gave my friends who watched it a lot of grief. Though you can't really blame me when the first episode I see has some little lame bald dude and a small child that turns into an enormous monkey. But then I went back and watched it from the beginning and really dug it.

So DBZ was kind of my gateway drug into the world of anime (the marijuana if you will for all you 4/20 peoples). And over the years I have obviously discovered that there is a TON of anime that it better, but it will still always hold a place in my heart, ya know? And I've decided to continue watching Dragonball Kai because I know I'm not signing myself up for 200+ episodes. I'm getting the condensed version and I'm getting to enjoy something from my past.

Plus, as I said before, the new Opening is awesome...