25th Anniversary of DRAGON BALL Z Includes HD Remastered Video and Audio Source: FUNimation Entertainment presskit Official Site: dragonballzkai.com Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala

The Legendary Z Reborn! In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the hugely popular anime DRAGON BALL Z, FUNimation and Toei Animation Co. are proud to release DRAGON BALL Z KAI on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States. DRAGON BALL Z KAI includes HD re-mastered video and audio, updated opening and closing sequences, plus the return of several key DRAGON BALL Z English-voice cast members! For the first time in history, experience the legendary Z as the master intended: bigger, faster, stronger, and packed with the pulverizing power to blow your puny minds! Beef up your collection with this manga-centric, fresh take on Akira Toriyama’s original vision, featuring more action than you can handle, revitalized animation, and an amped-up audio experience that will make your ears beg for mercy! The last descendants of an evil race of warriors known as the Saiyans are on a collision course with Earth, and Goku – the strongest fighter on the planet – is all that stands between humanity and extinction. To save his friends and the world he loves, Goku must travel to a realm from which few return, but should he survive, he’ll discover the power to face the villainous Saiyan warlord – Prince Vegeta. DRAGON BALL Z KAI PART 1 (containing Episodes 1-13) goes on sale tomorrow, May 18th. Look for PART 2 on DVD and Blu-ray on September 14, 2010.

About DRAGON BALL Z KAI PART 1

Episodes 1-13 Rated TVPG DVD SRP $49.98 Blu-ray SRP $54.98 BLU-RAY TECHNICAL ASPECTS Video: 1080p High Definition 4X3 Audio: Dolby TrueHD English 5.1, Dolby TrueHD Japanese 5.1

DRAGON BALL Z KAI PART 1 Characters

HEROES

GOKU (Voice Actor: Sean Schemmel) Goku is the hero of DRAGON BALL Z KAI and the most powerful warrior on Earth. When the Saiyans arrive, Goku learns the mysterious secret of his own past: he is a Saiyan formerly named Kakarot. As a baby, Goku was sent to Earth to destroy the planet, but a head injury caused him to forget his mission. Instead of growing up to become a terrifying super villain, Goku was taught to fight on the side of all that is good by his adoptive grandfather Gohan. MASTER ROSHI (Mike McFarland) An aged and legendary master of martial arts, Roshi has accumulated great power and knowledge in his lifetime. He’s lived for countless years on a deserted island with only a turtle for companionship – hence the nickname “Turtle Hermit.” His island serves as a rallying point for the Z-Fighters, and Roshi himself – although old, bald, and wrinkly – is a fearsome fighter in his own right. Master Roshi taught Goku and Krillin much of what they know about the martial arts, including how to harness the awesome power of the Kamehameha Wave. Master Roshi’s lone weakness is his disturbing fondness for pretty girls.

PICCOLO (Christopher R. Sabat) Piccolo, Goku`s one-time archenemy, is the second-strongest being on Earth. Born as a concentration of Kami`s negative spirits, he can create powerful energy blasts, split into as many as four separate entities, and regenerate limbs that have been destroyed or severed. A native of the planet Namek, Piccolo originally dreams of ruling the world, but he reluctantly joins forces with Goku to defeat the Saiyan invaders. This uneasy alliance eventually grows into a strong bond between the two warriors. Piccolo also develops a special relationship with Gohan while training the young boy in Goku’s absence. Gohan’s willingness to befriend Piccolo gradually changes the Namekian’s outlook on human life. KRILLIN (Sonny Strait) Krillin is Goku’s longtime training partner and best friend. The two warriors met as students of the legendary martial artist, Master Roshi. A short, bald fighter, Krillin provides comic relief in tense situations as he tries to keep up with Goku and some of the other more powerful warriors. Highly skilled in his own right, Krillin is forever loyal to Goku and saves his friend’s life on multiple occasions. TIEN (John Burgmeier) Tien is a three-eyed warrior originally trained by Master Roshi’s arch-rival. He defeated Goku at the World Martial Arts Tournament, and his powers are capable of striking fear into the bravest of fighters. His techniques include levitation, bombs of concentrated energy, directing blinding flashes of light at his opponents, and splitting his body into as many as four separate entities. Tien is an eager martial artist who readily accepts the challenge of testing his skills against the Saiyan invaders.

GOHAN (Colleen Clinkenbeard) Gohan is Goku’s son, and he is every bit as pure, honest, and honorable as his father. After the arrival of the Saiyans – and Goku’s subsequent death – Gohan becomes a vital player in the fight for Earth’s survival. Piccolo, a former enemy of his father, takes it upon himself to develop Gohan’s skills while Goku is absent. Initially a wimp, Gohan`s training under Piccolo and his participation in battles of increasing brutality allow his skills to fully emerge. CHIAOTZU (Brina Palencia) Chiaotzu has the power to stop people in their tracks and communicate via telepathy. This miniscule, white-skinned, red-checked being is the devoted companion of Tien Shinhan. Despite originally fighting against Goku, Chiaotzu time and again proves that he is a true hero at heart. The bravery he displays in the battle with the Saiyans is further evidence of his noble spirit. YAMCHA Once a notorious bandit, Yamcha eventually became a longtime ally of Goku’s. His best friend is a shape-shifting cat-like creature known as Puar, which may explain why Yamcha typically has trouble with the ladies. Although his physical gifts pale in comparison to Goku and Tien, Yamcha makes up for his deficiencies with a true hunger to improve as a fighter

VILLAINS

VEGETA (Christopher R. Sabat) Vegeta is an arrogant and formidable Saiyan prince who travelled across the galaxy to achieve immorality through the magic of the Dragon Balls. The Saiyans, although hovering precariously on the verge of extinction, are a powerful race bent on conquering Earth and obliterating all human life forms. Though small in stature, Vegeta is a ferocious warrior capable of increasing his power to unfathomable levels. He is ambitious, cruel, and supremely confident that no other warrior in existence can match his sheer strength and appalling brutality on the field of battle. NAPPA (Phil Parsons) Nappa is a muscular Saiyan who lands on Earth along with Vegeta. He quickly becomes embroiled in a vicious battle with Piccolo, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu. Despite being physically imposing, Nappa is not particularly bright and often becomes careless during battles – a trait that could ultimately lead to his downfall.

RADITZ (Justin Cook) The Saiyan warrior Raditz was originally sent to Earth on a mission to locate his long lost brother, Goku. Ill-tempered and impatient, Raditz cannot understand how his brother has thus far failed to conquer the pathetically weak human race. Although linked by birth, Raditz and Goku couldn’t be any more different. Goku is an honorable warrior and a champion of the people, but Raditz never amounted to anything more than Vegeta’s villainous henchman. During his bone-crushing battle with Goku and the Z-Fighters, Raditz reveals that two of his fellow Saiyans will arrive on Earth in a year’s time and begin systemically destroying the world as we know it. Most importantly, Raditz is responsible for transmitting the legend of the Dragon Balls to Prince Vegeta – a dark day indeed in the history of humanity!

DRAGON BALL Z KAI PART 1 Episode Summaries

Episode 01 Goku is a legendary warrior and the strongest fighter on the plant, but he’s about to encounter a foe from out-of-this-world. What brings this new menace to Earth? And what’s up with his tail? Episode 02 When Raditz abducts Gohan and announces his plans to conquer Earth, Goku and Piccolo are forced into an uneasy alliance. The two rivals don’t trust each other, but neither of them can defeat the Saiyan on their own! Episode 03 Despite the fury of their attacks, Goku and Piccolo are unable to land a death blow in their battle against Raditz. Gohan’s unexpected outburst manages to weaken the powerful Saiyan, but it may be too little, too late.

Episode 04 Now that he’s dead, Goku must fight to survive in the afterlife, especially during his treacherous trek down Snake Way. Back on Earth, Gohan endures his own punishment as a student in the house of Piccolo! Episode 05 Piccolo tries to toughen up Gohan with some wilderness survival training, but things get hairy when the young Saiyan sees his first full moon! Meanwhile, Yajirobe summons Earth’s strongest fighters to Kami’s Lookout. Episode 06 As the deadly Saiyan invaders approach Earth, Gohan makes slow, but steady, progress under the watchful eye of Piccolo, and Goku struggles with the “gravity” of his training under King Kai. Episode 07 To prove himself worthy of King Kai’s training, Goku must test his mettle against a fleet-footed monkey and a powerful cricket that’s big on respect. Meanwhile, in the land of the living, Gohan takes a beating from his monstrous master! Episode 08 Goku’s training under King Kai is finally complete, and he’s eager to return to Earth. Master Roshi uses the Dragon Balls to summon Shenron, but will Goku make it back in time to stop the Saiyans?

Episode 09 The Saiyans have arrived, Goku isn’t even on the planet, and the overmatched Z-Fighters represent Earth’s last line of defense. When Vegeta and Nappa unleash the gruesome Saibamen, Yamcha picks a fight that could be his last! Episode 10 Krillin’s furious attack wipes out the Saibamen, but the Z-Fighters are powerless against the Saiyan warlords. One by one, Earth’s defenders suffer devastating injuries – or fall in battle. Goku’s return is their only hope for survival. Episode 11 Piccolo hatches a desperate plan to prolong the battle until Goku’s arrival. When Vegeta senses an awesome source of power approaching, he orders Nappa to dispose of remaining Z-Fighters – starting with Gohan! Episode 12 Goku arrives in time to save Gohan and Krillin, and the resurrected warrior is eager to put the hurt on Nappa. When it becomes clear that Goku is no ordinary fighter, Prince Vegeta steps into to finish the fight himself! Episode 13 The stage is set for a final showdown between Vegeta and Goku. The Saiyan Prince is stronger, faster, and far more ruthless. Goku’s only hope for victory is a technique that may very well destroy him!

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