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The '''Ocean Group dub''' (colloquially referred to as the '''Ocean dub''') was the very first English dub track produced for ''[[Dragon Ball Z]]''. The Ocean Group, a production company located in Vancouver, Canada, was contracted by Saban Entertainment/FUNimation in 1996-1998 to dub the first 53 episodes of the series. These episodes, which were recorded and produced at Ocean Studios (located in the same building as the Ocean Group headquarters), comprised the first two seasons of the series.
 
The '''Ocean Group dub''' (colloquially referred to as the '''Ocean dub''') was the very first English dub track produced for ''[[Dragon Ball Z]]''. The Ocean Group, a production company located in Vancouver, Canada, was contracted by Saban Entertainment/FUNimation in 1996-1998 to dub the first 53 episodes of the series. These episodes, which were recorded and produced at Ocean Studios (located in the same building as the Ocean Group headquarters), comprised the first two seasons of the series.
   
The show had difficulty finding its target market/audience during its formative years, due to poor marketing. Consequently, financing for the series worsened to the point where Saban Entertainment, the distributor of the series and its major financer, and FUNimation, the series' producer, parted ways. The series' target audience was eventually found, however, when the first two seasons aired on Cartoon Network's Toonami programming black in the summer of 1998. Ratings were positive and the series had found new life, thus, warranting its continued dubbing. FUNimation was now tasked with the responsiblity of continuing the show on their own. Lacking the financial backing of Saban Entertainment, FUNimation could no longer afford the services of the cast at Ocean studios nor could they afford the original musical score, present in the first 53 episodes (composed by Shuki Levy). Therefore, from episode 54 onward (the beginning of season 3), FUNimation began using their in-house talent, based in Ft. Worth, Texas, to dub the rest of the series.
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Due to poor marketing, the show had difficulty finding its target market/audience during its formative years. As a direct result, financing for the series worsened to the point where Saban Entertainment, the distributor of the series and its major financer, and FUNimation, the series' producer, parted ways. The series' target audience was eventually found, however, when the first two seasons aired on Cartoon Network's Toonami programming black in the summer of 1998. Ratings were positive and the series had found new life, thus, warranting its continued dubbing. FUNimation was now tasked with the responsiblity of continuing the show on their own. Lacking the financial backing of Saban Entertainment, FUNimation could no longer afford the services of the cast at Ocean studios nor could they afford the original musical score, present in the first 53 episodes (composed by Shuki Levy). Therefore, from episode 54 onward (the beginning of season 3), FUNimation began using their in-house talent, based in Ft. Worth, Texas, to dub the rest of the series.
   
 
When season 3 of the series hit the airwaves, an uproar was heard from the international audience. They were not pleased with the new actors introduced to the series citing, in particular, the American accents applied to the characters. They voiced their displeasure to FUNimation who, in an effort to maintain overseas markets, contracted back the Ocean Group to begin work on an "international" dub of Dragon Ball Z. Dubbing of this version commenced in 2000, starting at episode 108, and ended in 2002, finishing at episode 276; thus, completing the series. Episodes 108-276 of the international dub were recorded and produced, by the Ocean Group, at Westwood Media (another production studio located in Vancouver) as Ocean Studios was booked for other recording sessions at the time. It is worth nothing that this 108-276 dub was created solely for the purpose of TV airings and, therefore, had much lower production values than the Ocean/Saban collaboration of the first 53 episodes. For example, an original soundtrack was not produced for these episodes. Instead, musical tracks from other shows which the Ocean Group had worked on, primarily Mega Man and Monster Rancher, were recycled and incorporated into their 108-276 dub of Dragon Ball Z.
 
When season 3 of the series hit the airwaves, an uproar was heard from the international audience. They were not pleased with the new actors introduced to the series citing, in particular, the American accents applied to the characters. They voiced their displeasure to FUNimation who, in an effort to maintain overseas markets, contracted back the Ocean Group to begin work on an "international" dub of Dragon Ball Z. Dubbing of this version commenced in 2000, starting at episode 108, and ended in 2002, finishing at episode 276; thus, completing the series. Episodes 108-276 of the international dub were recorded and produced, by the Ocean Group, at Westwood Media (another production studio located in Vancouver) as Ocean Studios was booked for other recording sessions at the time. It is worth nothing that this 108-276 dub was created solely for the purpose of TV airings and, therefore, had much lower production values than the Ocean/Saban collaboration of the first 53 episodes. For example, an original soundtrack was not produced for these episodes. Instead, musical tracks from other shows which the Ocean Group had worked on, primarily Mega Man and Monster Rancher, were recycled and incorporated into their 108-276 dub of Dragon Ball Z.

Revision as of 07:35, 19 December 2008

The Ocean Group dub (colloquially referred to as the Ocean dub) was the very first English dub track produced for Dragon Ball Z. The Ocean Group, a production company located in Vancouver, Canada, was contracted by Saban Entertainment/FUNimation in 1996-1998 to dub the first 53 episodes of the series. These episodes, which were recorded and produced at Ocean Studios (located in the same building as the Ocean Group headquarters), comprised the first two seasons of the series.

Due to poor marketing, the show had difficulty finding its target market/audience during its formative years. As a direct result, financing for the series worsened to the point where Saban Entertainment, the distributor of the series and its major financer, and FUNimation, the series' producer, parted ways. The series' target audience was eventually found, however, when the first two seasons aired on Cartoon Network's Toonami programming black in the summer of 1998. Ratings were positive and the series had found new life, thus, warranting its continued dubbing. FUNimation was now tasked with the responsiblity of continuing the show on their own. Lacking the financial backing of Saban Entertainment, FUNimation could no longer afford the services of the cast at Ocean studios nor could they afford the original musical score, present in the first 53 episodes (composed by Shuki Levy). Therefore, from episode 54 onward (the beginning of season 3), FUNimation began using their in-house talent, based in Ft. Worth, Texas, to dub the rest of the series.

When season 3 of the series hit the airwaves, an uproar was heard from the international audience. They were not pleased with the new actors introduced to the series citing, in particular, the American accents applied to the characters. They voiced their displeasure to FUNimation who, in an effort to maintain overseas markets, contracted back the Ocean Group to begin work on an "international" dub of Dragon Ball Z. Dubbing of this version commenced in 2000, starting at episode 108, and ended in 2002, finishing at episode 276; thus, completing the series. Episodes 108-276 of the international dub were recorded and produced, by the Ocean Group, at Westwood Media (another production studio located in Vancouver) as Ocean Studios was booked for other recording sessions at the time. It is worth nothing that this 108-276 dub was created solely for the purpose of TV airings and, therefore, had much lower production values than the Ocean/Saban collaboration of the first 53 episodes. For example, an original soundtrack was not produced for these episodes. Instead, musical tracks from other shows which the Ocean Group had worked on, primarily Mega Man and Monster Rancher, were recycled and incorporated into their 108-276 dub of Dragon Ball Z.

The United States (CN:USA) and Canada (YTV) received the FUNimation dub from episode 54 onward. Canada, however, began receiving the Ocean dub from episode 168 onward due to a spat between FUNimation and YTV. The United Kingdom (CN:UK then CNX), and The Netherlands (Yorin) received the Ocean dub from 108 through to 276.

The first 53 episodes of the Ocean dub were released on VHS and DVD but the Ocean dub of episodes 108-276 have not, and will likely never be, released for DVD viewing.

FUNimation/Pioneer contracted Ocean Studios to dub the first three movies of Dragon Ball Z in 1997-1998. These three movies are often considered to be the most faithful English adaptations of Dragon Ball Z as they contain: the original Japanese BGM, no censoring, no editing, and quality voice acting. They have all been released to VHS and DVD.

Miscellaneous facts

  • The Ocean/Saban collaboration of the first 53 episodes was heavily censored. Any references to death, scenes of excessive violence, or other content deemed offensive was completely censored or edited out. The Ocean dub of episodes 108-276 also had censoring although to a significantly lesser extent. Contrary to popular belief, the Ocean Group had absolutely nothing to do with this censoring. They were strictly responsible for ADR work.
  • Most actors from the episode 1-53 dub returned for the 108-276 dub. However some of the original cast had left the series by episode 276. The most notable were Peter Kelamis, who played Goku, and Saffron Henderson, who played young Gohan.
  • When the Ocean Group returned to dub the series, they began at episode 108 and not where they initially left off, at episode 53. It is not known exactly why they skipped over episodes 54-107, however, it is likely they began at episode 108 as that is where FUNimation was with their dub in 2000. A fan petition, created in 2003, was made in an effort to get the Ocean cast to dub episodes #54-107. There are currently just over 1000 signatures in support of it.
  • Ian James Corlett stopped voicing Goku after the Saiyan saga (his final episode was #37). This was because he wasn't being compensated for the character's, several, now trademark yells. Many fans, to this day, regard him as the ideal representation of an English Goku.
  • Peter Kelamis stopped voicing Goku during the Cell saga (his final episode was #143) as he decided to go on the road as a comic, instead. Kirby Morrow was Kelamis' replacement and the final voice of Goku for the Ocean dub. He began work on episode #144 and stayed through to the end of the series (episode #276).
  • Saffron Henderson, who voiced young Gohan from the very beginning, had to leave the series due to her wedding conflicting with her alotted work schedule for the series. Her final episode was #150.
  • Production values for the 108-276 dub seemed to increase significantly in the Fusion and Kid Buu sagas. Casting was far better, the quality of voice work from the actors improved quite a bit, and new musical tracks finally began to appear.
  • Interestingly enough, this 108-276 Ocean version still has the closed captions for the FUNimation dub whenever dialogue is changed. For instance, in Kibito Kai's flashback where Buu nearly kills Bibidi, in the FUNimation version Bibidi says "I'm the one who created you, you stupid idiot!" But in the Ocean version he says "I'm the one who created you, you ungrateful fool!" However, the closed captions say "stupid idiot" instead of "ungrateful fool".

Voice actors

Character Name Ocean Studios Voice Actor
Goku Ian James Corlett (ep. 1-37)
Peter Kelamis (38-53), (108-143)
Kirby Morrow (144-276)
Young Gohan Saffron Henderson (ep. 1-53), (108-150)
Jillian Michaels (151-179)
Adult Gohan Brad Swaile
Goten Jillian Michaels
Piccolo Scott McNeil
Vegeta Brian Drummond
Bulma Lalaina Lindbjerg (ep. 1-53)
Maggie Blue O'Hara (108-253)
Jane Perry (254-276)
Future Trunks Allistair Abell
Trunks Cathy Weseluck
Krillin Terry Klassen
Yajirobe Brian Drummond
Yamcha Ted Cole
Tien Matt Smith
Chiaotzu Cathy Weseluck
Chi-Chi Laara Sadiq (ep. 1-53), (108-269)
Moneca Stori (270-276)
Master Roshi Ian James Corlett (ep. 1-37)
Don Brown (38-53)
Terry Klassen (108-276)
Oolong Doug Parker
Puar Cathy Weseluck
Hercule Don Brown
Videl Moneca Stori
Fortuneteller Baba Helen Kennedy (ep. 1-53)
Brian Drummond (108-276)
Dende Andrew Francis
Ox-King Dave Ward
Dr. Brief Scott McNeil
Mrs. Brief Jane Perry
Mr. Popo French Tickner
Korin Ted Cole
Kami Michael Dobson (ep. 1-53)
Dale Wilson (108-276)
King Kai Don Brown
Social Worker Janyse Jaud
Farmer Scott McNeil
Raditz Jason Gray-Stanford
Nappa Michael Dobson
Frieza Pauline Newstone
Zarbon Paul Dobson
Dodoria Ward Perry
Cui Jason Gray-Stanford
Appule Terry Klassen
Orlen Scott McNeil
Bund Michael Dobson
Vug Scott McNeil
Blueberry Mark Oliver
Raspberry Doug Parker
Strock Michael Dobson
Captain Strong Adam Henderson
Goose Ward Perry
Oggers Terry Klassen
Recoome David Kaye
Burter Alec Willows
Jeice Scott McNeil
Guldo Terry Klassen
Captain Ginyu Richard Newman
Guru Lee Tockar
Dr. Gero Brian Dobson
Android 19 Patricia Drake
Android 17 Ted Cole
Android 18 Enuka Okuma
General Tao Scott McNeil
Cell Dale Wilson
Kilah Scott McNeil
Supreme Kai Michael Dobson
Babidi Terry Klassen
Dabura Scott McNeil
Yakon Michael Kopsa
Majin Buu Scott McNeil
Super Buu Brian Dobson
Elder Kai Scott McNeil
Lemlia Jane Perry
Shenron Don Brown
Narrator Doc Harris

olloquially referred to as the Ocean dub) was the very first English dub track produced for Dragon Ball Z. The Ocean Group, a production company located in Vancouver, Canada, was contracted by Saban Entertainment/FUNimation in 1996-1998 to dub the first 53 episodes of the series. These episodes, which were recorded and produced at Ocean Studios (located in the same building as the Ocean Group headquarters), comprised the first two seasons of the series. Due to poor marketing, the show had difficulty finding its target market/audience during its early years. As a result, financing for the series worsened to the point where Saban, the distributor of the series and its major financer, and FUNimation, the series' producer, parted ways. Eventually, however, the first 53 episodes (dubbed by the Ocean cast) found new life on Cartoon Network's Toonami programming block in the summer of 1998. Soon after, FUNimation was tasked with the responsiblity of continuing the show on their own. Lacking the financial support of Saban, FUNimation could no longer afford the services of the cast at Ocean studios nor could they afford the original musical score, present in the first 53 episodes (composed by Shuki Levy). Therefore, from episode 54 onward (the beginning of season 3), FUNimation began using their in-house talent, based in Ft. Worth, Texas, to dub the rest of the series.

When season 3 of the series hit the airwaves, an uproar was heard from the international audience. They were not pleased with the new actors introduced to the series citing, in particular, the American accents applied to the characters. They voiced their displeasure to FUNimation who, in an effort to maintain overseas markets, contracted back the Ocean Group to begin work on an "international" dub of Dragon Ball Z. Dubbing of this version commenced in 2000, starting at episode 108, and ended in 2002, finishing at episode 276; thus, completing the series. Episodes 108-276 of the international dub were recorded and produced, by the Ocean Group, at Westwood Media (another production studio located in Vancouver) as Ocean Studios was booked for other recording sessions at the time. It is worth nothing that this 108-276 dub was created solely for the purpose of TV airings and, therefore, had much lower production values than the Ocean/Saban collaboration of the first 53 episodes. For example, an original soundtrack was not produced for these episodes. Instead, musical tracks from other shows which the Ocean Group had worked on, primarily Mega Man and Monster Rancher, were recycled and incorporated into their 108-276 dub of Dragon Ball Z.

The United States (CN:USA) and Canada (YTV) received the FUNimation dub from episode 54 onward. Canada, however, began receiving the Ocean dub from episode 168 onward due to a spat between FUNimation and YTV. The United Kingdom (CN:UK then CNX), and The Netherlands (Yorin) received the Ocean dub from 108 through to 276.

The first 53 episodes of the Ocean dub were released on VHS and DVD but the Ocean dub of episodes 108-276 have not, and will likely never be, released for DVD viewing.

FUNimation/Pioneer contracted Ocean Studios to dub the first three movies of Dragon Ball Z in 1997-1998. These three movies are often considered to be the most faithful English adaptations of Dragon Ball Z as they contain: the original Japanese BGM, no censoring, no editing, and quality voice acting. They have all been released to VHS and DVD.

Miscellaneous facts

  • The Ocean/Saban collaboration of the first 53 episodes was heavily censored. Any references to death, scenes of excessive violence, or other content deemed offensive was completely censored or edited out. The Ocean dub of episodes 108-276 also had censoring although to a significantly lesser extent. Contrary to popular belief, the Ocean Group had absolutely nothing to do with this censoring. They were strictly responsible for ADR work.
  • Most actors from the episode 1-53 dub returned for the 108-276 dub. However some of the original cast had left the series by episode 276. The most notable were Peter Kelamis, who played Goku, and Saffron Henderson, who played young Gohan.
  • When the Ocean Group returned to dub the series, they began at episode 108 and not where they initially left off, at episode 53. It is not known exactly why they skipped over episodes 54-107, however, it is likely they began at episode 108 as that is where FUNimation was with their dub in 2000. A fan petition, created in 2003, was made in an effort to get the Ocean cast to dub episodes #54-107. There are currently just over 1000 signatures in support of it.
  • Ian James Corlett stopped voicing Goku after the Saiyan saga (his final episode was #37). This was because he wasn't being compensated for the character's, several, now trademark yells. Many fans, to this day, regard him as the ideal representation of an English Goku.
  • Peter Kelamis stopped voicing Goku during the Cell saga (his final episode was #143) as he decided to go on the road as a comic, instead. Kirby Morrow was Kelamis' replacement and the final voice of Goku for the Ocean dub. He began work on episode #144 and stayed through to the end of the series (episode #276).
  • Saffron Henderson, who voiced young Gohan from the very beginning, had to leave the series due to her wedding conflicting with her alotted work schedule for the series. Her final episode was #150.
  • Production values for the 108-276 dub seemed to increase significantly in the Fusion and Kid Buu sagas. Casting was far better, the quality of voice work from the actors improved quite a bit, and new musical tracks finally began to appear.
  • Interestingly enough, this 108-276 Ocean version still has the closed captions for the FUNimation dub whenever dialogue is changed. For instance, in Kibito Kai's flashback where Buu nearly kills Bibidi, in the FUNimation version Bibidi says "I'm the one who created you, you stupid idiot!" But in the Ocean version he says "I'm the one who created you, you ungrateful fool!" However, the closed captions say "stupid idiot" instead of "ungrateful fool".

Voice actors

Character Name Ocean Studios Voice Actor
Goku Ian James Corlett (ep. 1-37)
Peter Kelamis (38-53), (108-143)
Kirby Morrow (144-276)
Young Gohan Saffron Henderson (ep. 1-53), (108-150)
Jillian Michaels (151-179)
Adult Gohan Brad Swaile
Goten Jillian Michaels
Piccolo Scott McNeil
Vegeta Brian Drummond
Bulma Lalaina Lindbjerg (ep. 1-53)
Maggie Blue O'Hara (108-253)
Jane Perry (254-276)
Future Trunks Allistair Abell
Trunks Cathy Weseluck
Krillin Terry Klassen
Yajirobe Brian Drummond
Yamcha Ted Cole
Tien Matt Smith
Chiaotzu Cathy Weseluck
Chi-Chi Laara Sadiq (ep. 1-53), (108-269)
Moneca Stori (270-276)
Master Roshi Ian James Corlett (ep. 1-37)
Don Brown (38-53)
Terry Klassen (108-276)
Oolong Doug Parker
Puar Cathy Weseluck
Hercule Don Brown
Videl Moneca Stori
Fortuneteller Baba Helen Kennedy (ep. 1-53)
Brian Drummond (108-276)
Dende Andrew Francis
Ox-King Dave Ward
Dr. Brief Scott McNeil
Mrs. Brief Jane Perry
Mr. Popo French Tickner
Korin Ted Cole
Kami Michael Dobson (ep. 1-53)
Dale Wilson (108-276)
King Kai Don Brown
Social Worker Janyse Jaud
Farmer Scott McNeil
Raditz Jason Gray-Stanford
Nappa Michael Dobson
Frieza Pauline Newstone
Zarbon Paul Dobson
Dodoria Ward Perry
Cui Jason Gray-Stanford
Appule Terry Klassen
Orlen Scott McNeil
Bund Michael Dobson
Vug Scott McNeil
Blueberry Mark Oliver
Raspberry Doug Parker
Strock Michael Dobson
Captain Strong Adam Henderson
Goose Ward Perry
Oggers Terry Klassen
Recoome David Kaye
Burter Alec Willows
Jeice Scott McNeil
Guldo Terry Klassen
Captain Ginyu Richard Newman
Guru Lee Tockar
Dr. Gero Brian Dobson
Android 19 Patricia Drake
Android 17 Ted Cole
Android 18 Enuka Okuma
General Tao Scott McNeil
Cell Dale Wilson
Kilah Scott McNeil
Supreme Kai Michael Dobson
Babidi Terry Klassen
Dabura Scott McNeil
Yakon Michael Kopsa
Majin Buu Scott McNeil
Super Buu Brian Dobson
Elder Kai Scott McNeil
Lemlia Jane Perry
Shenron Don Brown
Narrator Doc Harris