Toonami Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Toonami Wiki

DBZ Resurrection F

Dragon Ball Z Kai, known in Japan as Dragon Ball Kai (lit. "Dragon Ball Revised"), is a Japanese anime series that is a high-definition remastered and recut version of Dragon Ball Z, created for its 20th Anniversary. The series premiered on Fuji TV on April 5, 2009 and ended on March 27, 2011 with 97 episodes aired (with a 98th released direct-to-video). There were initially no plans for Dragon Ball Kai to reach the Majin Buu Saga, but the series returned to Japanese TV from April 6, 2014 to June 28, 2015 and the Majin Buu Saga brought the total episode count to 159 (167 for the international versions).

Funimation Entertainment licensed the series for an English dub release with most of the same cast as their in-house dub of Dragon Ball Z, except for a few re-casts for various reasons. The series aired on Adult Swim's Toonami block from November 8, 2014 to June 23, 2018.[1] The series returned to Toonami for a second run from September 29, 2018[2] to December 15, 2018. The series returned to Toonami for one night only on April 11, 2020, for a 3.5-hour marathon.[3]

Plot[]

Five years after the events of Dragon Ball, now a young adult and father to son Gohan, Goku meets his older brother Raditz, who reveals to him that they are members of a nearly extinct extraterrestrial race called the Saiyans. The Saiyans had sent Goku (originally named "Kakarot") to Earth as an infant to conquer the planet for them, but he suffered a head injury soon after his arrival and lost all memory of his mission, as well as his blood-thirsty Saiyan nature. Goku refuses to help Raditz continue the mission and must form alliance with Piccolo, and sacrifice his life, in order to defeat him. However, Goku is revived a year later by the Dragon Balls, after training in the Other World with King Kai, in order to save the Earth from the Saiyan prince Vegeta. However, in the battle Yamcha, Chiaotzu, Tien and Piccolo are killed. Due to Piccolo being one with Kami, the Dragon Balls no longer exist, resulting in Gohan, Krillin and Bulma traveling to Piccolo and Kami's home planet, Namek, in order to use the balls there to revive their friends. However, the galactic tyrant Frieza is already there doing the same, leading to several battles with his minions and Vegeta, the latter of which teams up with Gohan and Krillin to fight the Ginyu Force. After Goku arrives on Namek, the final epic battle with Frieza himself comes to a close after Goku transforms into a legendary Super Saiyan and avenges the lives of billions across the galaxy.

Later story arcs of the series involve Goku and his allies defending Earth from the threats of newer enemies that include the bio-android Cell and the magical creature Majin Buu.

Characters[]

Differences from the original[]

Dragon Ball Z Kai features remastered high definition picture, sound, and special effects as well as a re-recorded voice track by most of the original cast (from both the Japanese and English dub casts). The English dub by Funimation also features a more faithful adaptation of the Japanese dialogue than their previous dub of Dragon Ball Z.

As most of the series' sketches and animation cels had been discarded after the final episode of Dragon Ball Z in 1996, new frames were produced by digitally tracing over still frames from existing footage and filling them with softer colors. This reduced 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 filler material from the Dragon Ball Z anime that was not featured in the Dragon Ball manga has been left out in Kai, which significantly reduced the total episode count.

English dub re-casts[]

Previous Voice Actor Character(s) New Voice Actor
Kyle Hebert Narrator Doc Morgan
Stephanie Nadolny Kid Gohan
Baby Trunks
Baby/Kid Goku (flashbacks)
Colleen Clinkenbeard
Tiffany Vollmer Bulma Monica Rial
Christopher R. Sabat Mr. Popo
Turtle
Chris Cason
Zarbon J. Michael Tatum
Moori Barry Yandell
Grand Elder Guru Bill Jenkins
Burter Vic Mignogna
Jeice Jason Liebrecht
Monika Antonelli Chiaotzu
Puar
Brina Palencia
Brad Jackson Oolong (pre-Majin Buu Saga only) Bryan Massey
King Cold Jason Douglas
Linda Young Frieza (barring episode 1) Chris Ayres
Chris Forbis Dodoria John Swasey
Dr. Brief Mark Stoddard
Laura Bailey Kid Dende Maxey Whitehead
Bill Townsley Guldo Greg Ayres
Brice Armstrong Captain Ginyu R. Bruce Elliott
Phillip Wilburn Android 19 Todd Haberkorn
Meredith McCoy Android 18 Colleen Clinkenbeard
Melodee Lenz Marron Tia Ballard
Susan Huber Pan Elise Baughman
Megan Woodall Bulla Lauren Landa


  • Several minor characters' voices have also been re-cast by Funimation.

Gallery[]

Episodes[]

Color Saga Episodes Toonami Premiere Toonami Finale
Saiyan Saga 18 November 8, 2014 April 4, 2015
Frieza Saga 36 April 11, 2015 January 23, 2016
Android Saga 25 January 30, 2016 July 23, 2016
Cell Saga 19 July 30, 2016 December 17, 2016
Majin Buu Saga 42 January 7, 2017 November 18, 2017
Evil Buu Saga 27 December 2, 2017 June 23, 2018

Broadcast History[]

The series premiered in Japan on Fuji TV on April 5, 2009 and initially ended with the Cell Saga on March 27, 2011, with the final episode unaired and later released direct-to-video due to the Tōhoku offshore earthquake and tsunami. The Majin Buu Saga premiered on Fuji TV from April 6, 2014 to June 28, 2015. The series originally aired in the U.S. on Nicktoons from May 24, 2010 to January 1, 2012, in an edited format.[4] The series also aired on The CW's Toonzai block (later renamed Vortexx) in an even more edited format from August 14, 2010 to September 27, 2014.[5]

DBZ Kai began airing uncut on Adult Swim's Toonami block on November 8, 2014.[1] From February 21, 2015 to June 25, 2016, a rerun of the previous week's episode could also be seen each Saturday at 8:00 PM on the regular Adult Swim block.

The Majin Buu Saga of DBZ Kai made its U.S. debut on Adult Swim's Toonami, airing from January 7, 2017 to June 23, 2018 under the title Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters (airing concurrent with Funimation's dub of Dragon Ball Super).[6]

Reruns of the series returned to Toonami from September 29, 2018 to December 15, 2018 at 9:00 PM,[2] and continued to air on Saturday nights at 8:00 PM on the regular Adult Swim block until September 28, 2019. It returned to Adult Swim once again from April 22, 2019 to May 31, 2019, airing at 5:30 AM, and return yet again on September 30, 2019 to April 17, 2020 at 5:30 AM. and back to back on April 20-24, 2020 5 AM-6 AM. It returned to Adult Swim once again from January 4-25, 2020, airing at 8:00 PM, and returned yet again on March 14, 2020 in a back-to-back episode format, airing at 8 and 8:30 PM. Reruns of the series returned to Toonami for one night only from 11:30 PM-3:00 AM on April 11, 2020 for a 3 and a half hour marathon.

  • Japan (Fuji TV) — April 5, 2009[7] - March 27, 2011; April 6, 2014[8] - June 28, 2015
  • United States (Nicktoons) — May 24, 2010[4] - April 13, 2013[9]
  • United States (The CW) — August 14, 2010[5] - September 27, 2014[10]
  • United States (Adult Swim) — November 8, 2014[1] - June 23, 2018; September 29, 2018[2] - September 28, 2019; January 4, 2020 - January 25, 2020; March 14, 2020 - August 8, 2020
  • United Kingdom (Kix!) — December 26-28, 2012[11]; January 5, 2013[12] - 2014
  • Asia (Toonami) — December 1, 2012[13] - March 31, 2018[14]

Toonami Broadcast History[]

In Southeast Asia, Dragon Ball Z Kai was one of the original series aired on Toonami Asia on December 1, 2012[15] and was a mainstay on the channel until it ceased function on March 31, 2018.[16]

In the United States, Dragon Ball Z Kai began airing uncut on Adult Swim's Toonami block on November 8, 2014 at 12:00 AM, replacing Bleach in the lineup.[1] The series moved to the 11:30 PM time slot on July 29, 2017 and on December 2, 2017, the series moved to the 11:00 PM time slot.[17][18] After completing its run on June 23, 2018, the series was replaced in the lineup by Pop Team Epic the following week.[19]

Reruns of the series returned to Toonami for a second run on the block from September 29, 2018 to December 15, 2018 at 9:00 PM.[2] Reruns of the series returned to Toonami for one night only from 11:30 PM to 3:00 AM on April 11, 2020 for a 3 and a half hour marathon.[3]

  • Toonami (Asia) — December 1, 2012[15] - March 31, 2018[16]
  • Toonami (United States) — November 8, 2014[1] - June 23, 2018; September 29, 2018[2] - December 15, 2018; April 11, 2020[3]

Toonami Marathons[]

The following is a list of Toonami marathons in which at least one episode of Dragon Ball Z Kai appeared.

External Links[]

See Also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "11/8 TOONAMI LINE UP ANNOUNCEMENT ". toonami.tumblr.com. October 24, 2014. http://toonami.tumblr.com/post/100836673118/11-8-toonami-line-up-announcement. Retrieved on October 25, 2014. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Toonami’s starting earlier and giving you even more! ". facebook.com/Toonami. September 11, 2018. https://www.facebook.com/Toonami/photos/a.1442483259375850/2003721813251989/?type=3&theater. Retrieved on September 11, 2018. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "To help you all get through staying at home ". facebook.com/TOONAMI. March 26, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/Toonami/photos/a.1442483259375850/2392726284351538/. Retrieved on March 26, 2020. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 ""Top-Ranked Nickelodeon Announces Its 2010-11 Season Programming Slate at Annual Upfront Presentation" ". animenewsnetwork.com. March 11, 2010. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2010-03-11/top-ranked-nickelodeon-announces-its-2010-11-season-programming-slate-at-annual-upfront-presentation. Retrieved on May 24, 2014. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 ""Dragon Ball Z Kai to Air on TheCW4Kids on Saturdays" ". animenewsnetwork.com. April 26, 2010. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-04-26/dragon-ball-z-kai-to-air-on-thecw4kids-on-saturdays. Retrieved on May 24, 2014. 
  6. "Dragon Ball Z Kai's Buu Saga to Air on Toonami ". . December 7, 2016. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-12-07/dragon-ball-z-kai-buu-saga-to-air-on-toonami/.109619. Retrieved on December 8, 2016. 
  7. "Japan's Remastered DBZ to Be Called Dragon Ball Kai ". animenewsnetwork.com. February 19, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-19/japan-remastered-dbz-to-be-called-dragon-ball-kai. Retrieved on May 6, 2016. 
  8. "New Dragon Ball Z Kai Anime Series to Premiere on April 6 ". animenewsnetwork.com. February 17, 2014. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-17/new-dragon-ball-kai-anime-to-premiere-on-april-6. Retrieved on May 6, 2016. 
  9. "Dragon Ball Z Kai, GT Removed from Nicktoons Schedule ". animenewsnetwork.com. April 17, 2013. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-04-17/dragon-ball-z-kai-gt-removed-from-nicktoons-schedule. Retrieved on May 6, 2016. 
  10. Sullivan, Gail (September 30, 2014). "Saturday morning cartoons are no more ". washingtonpost.com. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/09/30/saturday-morning-cartoons-are-no-more/. Retrieved on May 6, 2016. 
  11. "Dragon Ball Z Kai TV Screenings on Kix! December 26 to 28 ". animenewsnetwork.com. December 24, 2012. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-12-24/dragon-ball-z-kai-tv-screenings-on-kix-december-26-to-28. Retrieved on May 6, 2016. 
  12. "Dragon Ball Z Kai Begins on Kix! on Saturday ". animenewsnetwork.com. January 2, 2013. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-01-02/dragon-ball-z-kai-begins-on-kix-on-saturday. Retrieved on May 6, 2016. 
  13. Dickson, Jeremy (November 27, 2012). "Toonami and Cartoonist to bow in Asia December 1 ". kidscreen.com. http://kidscreen.com/2012/11/27/toonami-and-cartoonito-to-bow-in-asia-december-1/. Retrieved on May 6, 2016. 
  14. "Toonami Asia shutting down notice ". ToonamiAsia Twitter. March 12, 2018. https://twitter.com/ToonamiAsia/status/973099478201716736. Retrieved on March 12, 2018. 
  15. 15.0 15.1 Dickson, Jeremy (November 27, 2012). "Toonami and Cartoonist to bow in Asia December 1 ". kidscreen.com. http://kidscreen.com/2012/11/27/toonami-and-cartoonito-to-bow-in-asia-december-1/. Retrieved on May 6, 2016. 
  16. 16.0 16.1 "Toonami Asia shutting down notice ". ToonamiAsia Twitter. March 12, 2018. https://twitter.com/ToonamiAsia/status/973099478201716736. Retrieved on March 12, 2018. 
  17. "Time to update your calendars! ". facebook.com/TOONAMI. July 25, 2017. https://www.facebook.com/Toonami/photos/a.1442483259375850.1073741828.1440408039583372/1787160801574759/?type=3&theater. Retrieved on August 3, 2017. 
  18. "Want more Toonami? You’re in luck! ". facebook.com/toonami. November 17, 2017. https://www.facebook.com/Toonami/photos/a.1442483259375850.1073741828.1440408039583372/1830317907259048/?type=3&theater. Retrieved on November 18, 2017. 
  19. "You might just feel a little déjà vu with the newest show joining our line-up. ". facebook.com/TOONAMI. June 15, 2018. https://www.facebook.com/Toonami/photos/a.1442483259375850.1073741828.1440408039583372/1923922477898590/?type=3&theater. Retrieved on June 15, 2018. 
Toonami Series
Cartoon Network (1997-2008)
Thundercats Ring Roulette Ring Voltron Ring JQuest Ring Robotech Ring Beast Wars Ring Sailor Moon Ring DBZ Ring Super Friends Ring
Reboot Ring PPG Ring Ronin Warriors Ring GForce Ring Gundam Wing Ring Batman TAS Ring Tenchi Muyo Ring Tenchi Universe Ring Tenchi in Tokyo Ring
Blue Sub Ring Superman TAS Ring Outlaw Star Ring Big O Ring Star Blazers Ring Cardcaptors Ring Mobile Suit Gundam Ring 08th MS Team Ring Dragonball Ring
Batman Beyond Ring Zoids NC Ring Gundam 0080 Ring Harlock Saga Ring Record of Lodoss War Ring Patlabor Ring Hamtaro Ring Zoids CC Ring G Gundam Ring
He-Man Ring Transformers Armada Ring GI Joe Ring Samurai Jack Ring Hack Sign Ring Martian Successor Nadesico Ring Gigantor Ring Neon Genesis Evangelion Ring Dai Guard Ring
YuYu Hakusho Ring Rurouni Kenshin Ring Justice League Ring Cyborg 009 Ring SD Gundam Ring Dragon Ball GT Ring Clone Wars Ring Duel Masters Ring Astro Boy 2003 Ring
Transformers Energon Ring Jackie Chan Adventures Ring Gundam SEED Ring Megas XLR Ring Rave Master Ring Teen Titans Ring JLU Ring DICE Ring Zatch Bell Ring
The Batman Ring One Piece Ring Transformers Cybertron Ring Yugioh Ring Naruto Ring BoBoBo Ring IGPX Ring Wulin Warriors Ring Pokemon Chronicles Ring
Hikaru No Go Ring FF4 WGH Ring Pokemon Ring Yugioh GX Ring Prince of Tennis Ring MAR Ring Storm Hawks Ring Megaman Starforce Ring Eyeshield 21 Ring
Transformers Animated Ring Bakugan Ring Blue Dragon Ring Ben 10 Ring Kiba Ring
Adult Swim (2012-Present)
Bleach Ring Trigun Ring Astro Boy Ring Deadman Wonderland Ring Casshern Sins Ring FMA Brotherhood Ring GITS 2nd GIG Ring Cowboy Bebop Ring Samurai 7 Ring
Eureka 7 Ring GITS SAC Ring Symbionic Titan Ring Thundercats 2011 Ring Inuyasha Ring Tenchi Muyo GXP Ring Naruto Ring Soul Eater Ring IGPX Ring
One Piece Ring SAO Ring Big O Ring Star Wars The Clone Wars Ring FLCL Ring King Star King Ring Korgoth Ring Space Dandy Ring Shippuden Ring
Samurai Jack Ring Blue Exorcist Black Lagoon Ring AOT Ring Beware the Batman Ring Gurren Lagann Ring Hellsing Ring DBZ Kai Ring Inuyasha Final Act Ring
Kill la Kill Ring SAO II Ring Michiko & Hatchin Ring Akame Ga Kill Ring Parasyte Ring Samurai Champloo Ring Dimension W Ring HunterxHunter Ring Iron Blooded Orphans Ring
One Punch Man Ring JoJos Ring Dragon Ball Super Ring Gundam RE96 Ring Sand Whale Ring Tokyo Ghoul Ring Lupin the Third IV Ring Outlaw Star Ring Black Clover Ring
My Hero Academia Ring FLCL Prog Ring Pop Team Epic Ring FLCL Alt Ring Boruto Ring Mob Psycho Ring Megalo Box Ring SAO III Ring Promised Neverland Ring
Lupin the Third V Ring Food Wars Ring Gundam The Origin Ring Fire Force Ring GenLock Ring Dr Stone Ring Demon Slayer Ring Paranoia Agent Ring Ballmastrz Ring
Assassination Classroom Ring Gemusetto Ring Primal Ring SSSS-Gridman Ring Yashahime Ring Harley Quinn Ring Fena Pirate Princess Ring2 Blade Runner Black Lotus Ring Made in Abyss Ring
Shenmue Ring Lupin the Third VI Ring Housing Complex C Ring Unicorn Warriors Eternal Ring My Adventures With Superman Ring FLCL Grunge Ring FLCL Shoegaze Ring Lycoris Recoil Ring Uzumaki Ring
Advertisement