The Dragon Ball Official News page for this has been removed, but I'll update it if the article is reuploaded. Here's another news site with info and an X post with a screenshot of the original message.

Sorry for being so late 😭😭

Link to the wiki page

Lots of other interesting trivia on that page. I can't believe I never realized Videl is an anagram of Devil.

I'd appreciate it even more if someone can send the higher quality image. I wanted to use it as pfp but don't know what episode it's actually from.

I want to run through a little scenario as to how Bulma might be able to rebuild Android 16 after the Cell Games.

Introduction: When it comes to technological prowess in the Dragon Ball universe, few characters can rival the genius of Bulma. Renowned for her ability to create groundbreaking inventions, Bulma's skills are not limited to crafting advanced capsules or developing time-traveling devices. In a remarkable turn of events, we delve into the possibility of Bulma resurrecting Android 16, the gentle and powerful warrior who fought alongside the Z Fighters. Let us explore how Bulma's ingenuity could bring back the beloved android.

The Setup: Following the climactic events of the Cell Games, where the original Android 16 was tragically destroyed while attempting to protect his friends, the Z Fighters and their allies were left mourning the loss of a valiant comrade. However, the brilliance of Bulma offered a glimmer of hope as she pondered the potential resurrection of Android 16.

Scenario: After some time had passed, Bulma gathered the necessary resources and embarked on her mission to rebuild Android 16. Her extensive knowledge of advanced technology and access to a vast network of scientists and engineers provided her with a solid foundation to tackle this ambitious project.

Acquiring the Blueprints: Bulma began by scouring the remnants of Dr. Gero's laboratory, where she managed to uncover crucial blueprints and data pertaining to Android 16's original design. This invaluable information became the cornerstone of her mission.

Analysis and Reverse Engineering: Using her exceptional intellect and expertise, Bulma meticulously analyzed the blueprints, identifying the intricate components and mechanisms that made Android 16 so unique. She worked tirelessly, reverse-engineering the technology and unraveling the secrets behind his immense power and durability.

Procuring Materials: With the blueprint analysis complete, Bulma faced the challenge of acquiring the necessary materials to reconstruct Android 16's physical form. Drawing upon her extensive connections in the scientific community, she sourced rare metals, advanced alloys, and cutting-edge circuitry to ensure the android's resurrection would be a success.

Building from the Ground Up: Equipped with the required materials, Bulma set about constructing Android 16's physical body. She meticulously assembled each component, taking extra care to ensure precision and accuracy in recreating the android's original design. Bulma's engineering prowess and attention to detail were vital in the successful reassembly of Android 16's body.

Powering the Android: Assembling Android 16's physical form was just the beginning. The android's power source needed careful consideration. Bulma designed a state-of-the-art energy core capable of harnessing and amplifying energy in ways similar to the original model. This core would not only provide Android 16 with the strength to protect his allies but also offer improved efficiency and endurance.

Reinstating the Programming: One of the most critical aspects of rebuilding Android 16 was restoring his unique programming. Bulma delved deep into the complex coding, meticulously reconstructing his personality and programming while ensuring vital modifications were made to emphasize peace and protection over combat. This transformation would allow Android 16 to evolve into a guardian of the Earth (happy bird noises).

Conclusion: This is a speculative scenario envisioning how Bulma could potentially undertake the task of reconstructing Android 16 following the conclusion of the Cell Games. As a fan of Android 16, I find the concept of witnessing his reconstruction intriguing.

I would like to explore another hypothetical scenario in the Super series, where Bulma and Dr. Hedo collaborate to rebuild Android 16. I might write it next.

Hey everyone. I posted about the possibility of doing this a week or so ago, it didn't seem to garner much interest, but considering the influx of new Lemmy users I figured I'd take a shot at giving people some content to engage with.

Here's how this'll work: each week we'll watch 5 episodes. Everyone is free to watch the episodes at whatever pace they're comfortable with throughout the week. Post comments here after watching with your thoughts, discuss with others, etc. Feel free to watch either dubbed or subbed, I'd just suggest mentioning whichever version you watched in your inital comments just in case some translation differences cause confusion.

I'll be putting summaries, trivia, etc. in these initial posts for people to view, and discuss if they wish. I'll also be including a list of filler/non-manga material for each episode as well for those who may be interested by that.

For full transparency, I've... ahem, "borrowed" the majority of content in this post (as well as the whole idea for this rewatch in general) from this Kanzenshuu forum post, hopefully by next week I'll have time to come up with more stuff of my own.

This Week's Episodes:

===========================================

Episode 1: Bulma and Son Goku

Dub title: The Secret Of The Dragon Balls

Japanese Airdate: February 26th, 1986

English Dub Airdates (United States): January 1st, 1990 (Harmony Gold), September 9th 1995 (BLT/"Ocean"), August 20th, 2001 (Funimation)

In West City, Bulma learns from a book in her home of the existence of the Dragon Balls, said to grant any single wish if all seven are gathered. She builds a Dragon Radar that picks up the electric waves emitted by the Dragon Balls, and sets out on a journey to find them. Midway through her journey, she meets the peculiar tailed boy Son Goku! Bulma recognizes that Goku’s keepsake from his adoptive grandfather is the Four-Star Ball, one of the Dragon Balls. She invites him on her journey to collect the Dragon Balls, and the two set out for an adventure!!

Anime-only/filler content: Goku eats an apple and engages in some Looney Tunes shenanigans with a sabre tooth cat; the Pilaf crew find their first Dragon Ball and Mai explains the Dragon Balls.

Episode 2 - Ararara–! No Balls!

Dub title: The Emperor's Quest

Japanese Airdate: March 5th, 1986*

English Dub Airdates (United States): January 2nd, 1990 (Harmony Gold), September 16th 1995 (BLT/"Ocean"), August 21st, 2001 (Funimation)

Goku and Bulma continue their search, looking for the fourth Dragon Ball. Bulma brings a house out from a Hoi Poi capsule, and they spend the night in there. But Goku, who has always lived in the mountains, mistakes Bulma for a sorceress. As Goku is surprised at the interior lighting and television, Bulma remarks that he’s a hick! The next morning, a lost sea turtle appears before the pair!! At the turtle’s request, the two set out to carry him to the sea, but…?!

Anime-only/filler content: Shu and Mai are dispatched to a Dragon Ball sighting, where they meet Goku, and he fights a bunch of wolves.

Episode 3 - Kame-Sen’nin’s Kinto-Un

***Dub title: *** The Nimbus Cloud Of Roshi / Roshi's Nimbus Cloud

Japanese Airdate: March 12th, 1986

*English Dub Airdates (United States): January 3rd, 1990 (Harmony Gold), September 23rd 1995 (BLT/"Ocean"), August 22nd, 2001 (Funimation)

The party safely reaches the sea. In thanks, the turtle brings back an old man from the far side of the ocean who calls himself “Kame-Sen’nin”! In gratitude for saving his turtle, Kame-Sen’nin presents Goku with the Kinto-Un, which can fly as one wills it. Only the owner of a pure heart can ride on Kinto-Un, but the simple Goku manages to ride it! Meanwhile Bulma manages to obtain the Three-Star Ball that Kame-Sen’nin had by promising to show him her panties!!

Anime-only/filler content: Shu and Mai return from the woods, and the Pilaf Gang go to Kame House to try to get Kame-Sen'nin's Dragon Ball.

Episode 4 - The Kidnapping Demon, Oolong

Dub title: Oolong The Terrible

Japanese Airdate: March 19th, 1986

*English Dub Airdates (United States): January 4th, 1990 (Harmony Gold), September 30th, 1995 (BLT/"Ocean"), August 23rd, 2001 (Funimation)

Goku and Bulma arrive at a certain village, where the fifth Dragon Ball is located. Goku is mistaken for the freely shape-shifting monster Oolong, who raids the village, and is hit by a sudden attack from one of the villagers! Bulma makes a promise with the villagers that “We’ll take care of Oolong in exchange for the Six-Star Ball that’s in this village”. Goku disguises himself as one of the village girls, and the captured monster’s true identity turns out to be a piglet, of all things!! Bulma and Goku obtain the Six-Star Ball. Taking in Oolong as their ally, they continue their adventure to find the remaining Dragon Balls!!

No significant anime-only/filler content.

Episode 5 - The Strong Villain of the Desert, Yamcha

Dub title: Yamcha The Desert Bandit

Japanese Airdate: March 26th, 1986

*English Dub Airdates (United States): January 5th, 1990 (Harmony Gold), October 7th 1995 (BLT/"Ocean"), August 24th, 2001 (Funimation)

Goku and the others aim for Mt. Frypan. Because Bulma dropped her capsules into a river, they end up having to cross a desert on foot! Completely exhausted, Bulma rests there. At this point, the desert bandit Yamcha appears, and tries to seize Oolong’s capsules. Goku battles Yamcha, but he has no power on account of his empty stomach. At the critical moment, Bulma wakes up and Yamcha, who can’t bear to be around women, runs away with a few sharp parting remarks.

No significant anime-only/filler content.

===========================================

Trivia:

• Large portions of this initial plot were worked out far in advance of even the manga's debut in November 1984; June 1983's Dragon Boy, along with its second half in September, serves for some very interesting background reading, as it is a clear prototype for the early portions of Dragon Ball, though the female lead was arguably a lot meaner to the male lead than Bulma would end up being to Goku. In November the same year, there was the second prototype, The Adventures Of Tongpoo, which essentially reads like a bizarro melding of the first Dragon Ball storyline and parts of the Namek arc, except that the male lead is a robot. Both of these prototypes were published before the end of Dr. Slump.

• In Japan, Episode 1 of Dragon Ball aired precisely one week after the final episode of Dr. Slump, an anime adaptation of Toriyama's previous manga of the same name. The two further installments of Dragon Ball would follow a similar pattern, with Dragon Ball Z's first episode airing precisely one week after Dragon Ball's final, and Dragon Ball GT's first airing one week after Dragon Ball Z's final. GT's final episode would be followed by the first episode of a Dr. Slump remake series. As a result of all of this, Toriyama anime adaptations occupied the same timeslot on Fuji TV for almost 20 years (April 8, 1981 - September 22, 1999).

• At this point, the anime was two years behind the manga, so technically it may not be correct to refer to anime-only material at this time as filler; they weren't necessarily seeking to pad out runtimes, and one could argue certain anime-only scenes like Pilaf's explanation of the Dragon Balls made the story tie up in a slightly more cohesive way, introducing the villains of the first arc at the beginning.

• Pilaf's henchman Shu would go by the name Soba for most of the manga run, while Mai was not given a name at all at this point by Toriyama. The Pilaf Gang were given a far greater role in the anime adaptation of this arc, and when the anime staff asked Toriyama for the character's names, he gave them the names Shu and Mai, collectively a pun on "shumai", a traditional Chinese dumpling served in dim sum, evidently having forgotten he already gave Soba a name.

• By a similar note, Bulma's hair is blue in the anime, as it is in the first couple of chapters of the manga, however Toriyama either forgot or changed his mind by the next color chapter, and her hair would be purple for the rest of the manga's run. (This is also why Trunks's hair is inexplicably purple while Bulma's is blue, and why Future Trunks's hair was changed to match Bulma's in the Super anime.)

• These first few episodes of the Dragon Ball anime use a different musical track for the Next Episode Previews than the rest of the series would. It seems that the preview music the majority of the run would use wasn't recorded yet, so the first ~7 episodes just use a shortened, instrumental mix of the opening song, Makafushigi Adventure. By a similar note, in the first episode, the two jingles used for the eyecatch are swapped around, compared to how they would be in every other episode.

• In the manga, Bulma's car hits Goku's fish, whereas in the anime, she hits Goku himself. This change would persist into the first Dragon Ball movie, The Legend of Shenlong (or Curse of the Blood Rubies in the dub), which was a loose adaptation of this arc. It would later be corrected for the 10th anniversary movie, The Path to Power, in 1997.

The Kanzenshuu forums did something similar a few years ago: basically creating a new thread at the beginning of each week, 5 episodes per week which users are free to watch at whatever pace they'd prefer, and discuss them. The original post on each thread would contain trivia and facts about each episode.

I think this would be a great way to bring more activity to the community on here, and I'd be willing to help coordinate it, get trivia for the threads, etc. Ideally I think we should start with the original Dragon Ball and go from there.

Dragon ball is near and dear to my heart and deserves to have a Lemmy community. Reddit's Dragon Ball community is great, but an alternate place is needed.

Cold off the presses!!

Y'all know the drill. Time for this month's reading 😎