NEW Funimation Dub FAQ
*Topic last updated February 25th, 2013. For additional info and more questions, please visit the Funimation DVD Discussion Thread in this same form.
[Original Info Compiled by TakinawaTonfa. Additional information added by Darkstorm and myself]
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History
One Piece was originally licensed in America by 4Kids Entertainment who released the show on the "Fox Box" block on public TV, which later was moved to Cartoon Network and their Saturday Toonami Block. The 4Kids dub, after receiving many negative criticisms, was eventually cancelled after completing the Alabasta Arc (Episode 143 in the Japanese Episode Count, Episode 104 English Count). Many episodes were heavily cut, censored, and sometimes skipped entirely which lead to the english count being only 104 total episodes. The DVD releases 4Kids released were equally censored, and One Piece overall had a poor standing in english entertainment.
And then, as the forum name suggests, Funimation Entertainment acquired the rights to our beloved series in 2007. They continued the TV run on Toonami with their own dub, releasing the Skypeia arc to the public viewing audience with a better and higher quality dub. As well as the 8th Movie on DVD, to give fans a proper dub of Alabasta as the Season 2 release would not come for some time. But alas, Cartoon Network decided to drop One Piece from their lineup. This would be the first of many anime they would drop, and eventually they canceled Toonami itself. This did not detour Funimation however, as they proceeded to dub the entirety of the series prior to their Season 3 license, and release it to the public on uncut DVDs. The soundtracks were back to normal, the terms were properly translated, and Zoro kept his original name. Now with over 200 episodes released on DVD, Funimation strives to give the fans what they want - more One Piece! Be sure to support the series by purchasing the official DVDs as they're released, and if you attend an anime convention with any of the staff present be sure to thank them!
DVD information
The first 241 episodes and the 8th movie have been released uncut by Funimation and are available at RightStuf.com, Best Buy, Amazon, etc. These are available in 11-14 episode "Voyages" or 26 episode "Collections" as listed below.
Currently available:
Spoiler:
Questions
Important or commonly asked questions are in bold.
Q: How far along is FUNi in the dub? How many episodes have they translated?
A: Funimation has dubbed through the end of Water 7 (206-263). In addition, they have acquired "Season 5" which spans the entire Enies Lobby Arc and ends with the Ice Hunter Arc. This season will encopass Episodes 264-336, and will be released in the summer of 2013.
Q: What about the movies?
A: FUNimation's original license included Movie 8 (Episode of Alabasta) and it was dubbed and released on both DVD and Blu-ray. They have also acquired the rights for "One Piece Film: Strong World", and will release it sometime in 2013.
Q: Are episodes 207+ in widescreen?
A: Yes, Funimation has those masters.
Q: In what format are the DVDs? IE: How many episodes per set?
A: There are currently two release formats for One Piece. First a set of 12-14 episode "Voyages" comes out as the initial release for a given season. Then, shortly after the season finishes its run, FUNimation re-releases the series on lower priced "Collection" sets which are each comprised of two voyages in new packaging (22-26 Episodes Each). Despite this, the disc contents are exactly the same as the voyages right down to the menus. Each collection has an MSRP of $34.98, but prices may vary depending on the outlet you purchase from. As the voyages for Seasons 1-3 have finished being released prices will vary on those. Starting with Season 4 however, Voyages will be priced with an MSRP of $39.98.
Q: Are FUNimation's releases Uncut?
A: Yes, Absolutely no in-episode animation content has been changed whatsoever from the Japanese DVD release.
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Q: Are there any differences at all then?
A: FUNimation has a new "Gold" logo that they use for their releases, the Logo has been replaced wherever it appears. (IE, opening and closing themes and Eyecatches) Also, the episode title cards (Reading off the name of the episode) have been rendered in English and no Japanese option is available for them. Other than that, the material is left alone.
Q: Can Mato answer any question about the show?
A: No. Mato is contractually bound to not speak on certain things, so do not be surprised if Mato can't answer some of your questions. Mato is a translator, which means that Mato's knowledge of things outside the translating department is limited, but so far Mato has tried to speculate answers for some questions. So don't be offended if you don't get the answer you're looking for. Remember, Mato is on these boards by choice, so please don't heckle or flame Mato.
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Q: Who is this "Mato" guy, specifically?
A: Mato is a translator that works for FUNimation. He's also responsible for helping with the movement to bring more Earthbound games to the U.S.
Q: What about Blu-ray? Will the series ever be Re-released in HD?
A: Episodes 1-206 Were produced in Standard Definition via digital ink and paint, therefore an HD Master of these episodes does not exist. For this reason, any Blu-ray that could be relased of this material would be an upscale, which most Blu-ray players already do automatically to SD DVDs. For this reason, while a Blu-ray release of this material is possible, it isn't exactly sound. Either way, there is no information whatsoever about such a release.
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Q: But what about 207+ then?
A: That is the point by which the series began to be produced in Native HD. FUNimation has revealed in their press release that they have the 16:9 Widescreen HD masters of those episodes.
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Q: Then, will we get a Blu-ray of that?
A: FUNimation currently doesn't have Blu-ray rights for those episodes but noted it was possible and they would be looking into the release format. Most likely, if a Blu-ray release happens it will either be a dual-release (IE: Both a DVD and A Blu-ray release simultaniously) as they have done with Dragon Ball Kai or they will do a Blu-ray/DVD "Combo Pack" with both formats in one box as they have done with Fairy Tail.
Q: What's the word on a UK release of the Uncut One Piece DVD's?
A: As of February 2013, Manga Entertainment announced they would be releasing the first 103 episodes of Funimation's One Piece on DVD (of course including the original Japanese dub with subtitles). These DVDs will be released via Collection format at 26 episodes per set.
Q: Why did they change the name of Zoro's attack from "36 Pound Cannon" to "36 Caliber Phoenix"?
A: The Attack as he says it is actually "Sanjyuu Roku Pondo Hou." Hou means 'cannon,' but it can also mean Phoenix (Any Pokemon Fans, Remember how there is a Pokemon that looks like a Phoenix named "Hou-Ou"? "Hou-Ou" Is literally "Phoenix King"). It's a double pun and the meaning "Cannon" was only brought on because he says "I have a Cannon Pointed at you" (Cannon Being "Tai-Hou" the way he says it here) during it's first use, and thus the double pun is established. Cannons have Calibers, take this Hellsing quote for example: "Seras uses the 30-Caliber Harkkonen Cannon."
Cast
Spoiler:
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Originally Posted by ThegreatPirateKing
