Dragon Ball Z Kai/Episodes

Dragon Ball Z Kai (known in Japan as Dragon Ball Kai) is a revised version of the anime series Dragon Ball Z, produced in commemoration of the original's 20th anniversary. Produced by Toei Animation, the series was broadcast in Japan on Fuji Television from April 5, 2009 to March 27, 2011. It features remastered high definition picture, sound, and special effects as well as a re-recorded voice track by most of the original cast. As most of the series' sketches and animation cels had been discarded since the final episode of Dragon Ball Z aired in 1996, new frames were produced by digitally tracing over still frames from existing footage and filling them with softer colors; thus reducing visible damage to the original animation. Some frames were selectively cropped, while other frames feature new portions added to scenes that were hand drawn to conform to the designated picture ratio. Much of the material from the Dragon Ball Z anime that was not featured in the Dragon Ball manga has been left out in Kai; significantly reducing the total episode count to 159 episodes. The first Blu-ray and DVD compilation was released in Japan on September 18, 2009, with individual volumes releasing monthly as well as Blu-ray box sets.

In 2010, Funimation licensed Kai for an English-language release in the U.S. Funimation's dub of Kai features most of the voice actors from their in-house dub of Dragon Ball Z (though also several re-casts), as well as a more faithful adaptation of the Japanese dialogue than their previous dub. The series aired on Nicktoons, in addition to The CW's Toonzai programming block (later renamed Vortexx). Furthermore, Funimation has also released bilingual uncut Blu-ray and DVD volume and season box sets of the series in North America. In the U.K., the kids TV channel Kix! aired the opening edited episodes in December 2012, followed by a full series run of the first 98 episodes commencing in January 2013.

In November 2012, Mayumi Tanaka, voice of Krillin in the series, announced that she and the rest of the cast are recording for more episodes of Kai of the Majin Buu story arc. In April 2013, voice actors Sean Schemmel and Kyle Hebert, the English voice actors of Goku and Gohan, announced that they have started recording for these episodes. In November 2013, when questioned about it on their Facebook page, it was stated by Australian anime distributor Madman Entertainment that the Buu Saga of Kai should be released sometime in 2014, as they are just waiting for dubs to be finished. In February 2014, despite earlier news that the show was not going to continue on Japanese television, V-Jump confirmed that Kai would continue broadcasting on Fuji TV on April 6, 2014.

On May 25, 2014, Funimation and Adult Swim announced that the uncut version would be airing on Toonami starting November 8, 2014.

As of 2015, only the first 4 seasons (98 episodes) of DBZ Kai have been released on DVD and Blu-Ray in North America by Funimation.