A Fond Farewell to Dragon Ball Z Abridged

As I type this, I’m listening to Takahata101’s rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” as Cell and remembering the good times. For you see, Dragon Ball Z Abridged, the web-based parody that helped to revitalize the Dragon Ball Franchise, has come to its end. A few days ago, Team Four Star announced they had made the difficult decision to end their famous series. After hearing them promise to make a Season 4, this news came as a shock to many fans, myself included.

In a post on Patreon and a recently uploaded YouTube video, Lanipator and KaiserNeko explained their reasons for ending the series. First, they’re feeling the burn out after Season Three, and they refuse to Simpsons their beloved creation. Second, they felt they reached the ending they wanted with the Cell Saga. Finally, they still have to deal with those pesky copyright rules, and getting their channel taken down several times in the past interferes with their ability to make money off of it.

I, like many fans of the series, am so unbelievably bummed out by this news. However, I will respect their decision to end it on a high note. After all, this is the series that helped breathe new life into Dragon Ball.

The Impact of DBZ Abridged

In 2008, Dragon Ball had been off the air for several years. Kept alive only by the memories of the fans and video games, the franchise was in danger of being forgotten. Then a group of fans in Texas and Canada got together to join the abridged series craze that was going on. Thus, Dragon Ball Z Abridged was born.

From the outset, the series set itself apart from other abridged series. It didn’t just parody the show; it celebrated everything about the beloved anime, faults and all. In some ways, I think it improved on the base that the anime set up. As a result, the series became a hit in the fledgling YouTube community, and propelled Team Four Star to success.

The series success did not go unnoticed, either. Cast members from the original series admitted they loved DBZ Abridged. Some of the voice actors got to do lines in the Xenoverse games. Then we got this on Toonami:

Toei wouldn’t let it air again due to copyrights.

The point is, Dragon Ball Z Abridged helped rekindle interest in the popular franchise. As a result, the series got a second wind with Battle of Gods, Ressurection F, and Dragon Ball Super. As for DBZ Abridged, it kept getting better and better.

By the time the Season Three Finale aired in 2018, I think it’s safe to say that Dragon Ball Z Abridged was no longer a mere parody. It had risen above to become a dub in its own right. Which makes it all the more depressing to know that the series is now finished.

The Future

Do I think that Dragon Ball Z Abridged is gone for good? Maybe, maybe not. I wouldn’t be surprised if, a few years from now, Team Four Star decided to pick the series back up. I know many fans would be very happy to hear that. However, if they decide to end it here, then I’ll understand. Ironically, the Cell Saga was where Toriyama wanted to end Dragon Ball. Thus, in a way, Team Four Star is fulfilling Toriyama’s original intentions.

So, farewell for now, Dragon Ball Z Abridged. It’s been a long road, and I’m glad I got to get on the ride before the end. I’ll drink a Hetap in your honor. You did it your way.

Click here to read my FANDOM article on which characters DBZ Abridged did better.

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Jay’s Month of Scares, Day 7- Hellsing Ultimate Abridged

I wanted to do something different for today’s Halloween viewing. So instead of outright watching a Halloween special, I watched something that’s equal parts hilarious and funny. Introducing one of Team Four Star’s greatest creations, Hellsing Ultimate Abridged.

I covered this more in my post that was originally meant for FANDOM, so I thought this would be a good chance to explain why I included this.

It’s All About Vampires

If you’ve read the manga or seen the OVA’s, then you know what Hellsing Ultimate is about. It stars the ultimate vampire hunting and killing other vampires. Few entities are as associates with horror as vampires, and Alucard stands at the top of their world.

Alucard is a vampire forced to serve the Hellsing Organization, a group working for the British Government that hunts the things that go bump in the night. As their leader, Sir Integra Hellsing, puts, who better to hunt vampires than another vampire? Vampires and Halloween are perfect for each other, so why not watch this?

Bloodbaths That Make Slasher Films Jealous

Both the official and abridged series are filled to the brim with carnage, gore, and straight up bloodbaths. Since Hellsing Ultimate Abridged shortens the OVA’s, though, the bloodbaths are a lot more noticeable. While the official series plays it straight as part of the horror genre, the abridged series goes the black comedy route. The main ingredient to this is their version of Alucard

Alucard is Hilarious

As I said in my FANDOM article, TFS’ Alucard is a complete and utter troll. He knows that no one can stop him, and is not afraid to remind people of that fact.

Despite this version of Alucard essentially a hilariously psychotic man child, Hellsing Abridged does a good job of reminding us why he’s so scary. Case in point:

Happy Halloween

Today’s post was unconventional, but I think that Hellsing Ultimate Abridged is perfect for the spirit of Halloween. It’s got horror, gore, and over the top, supernatural violence in it. If you haven’t seen it yet, than go watch it on YouTube right now. Click the link to binge the entire series. You can finish the whole thing in about three hours or so. Check back tomorrow for our regularly scheduled Halloween posts! Happy Halloween!

Click here to see the FANDOM Article I did for Halloween last year.

Click here to see my other animation stuff. Or here to see all holiday related posts.