Thoughts on Dragonball Abridged (Android 16)

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[@KaiserNeko]

I'M TRYING NOT TO CRY WHILE I WATCH THIS Thanks man... You may not know how much I appreciate your take on us, our show, and our decision to end it, but I sincerely do.

[@PlagueOfGripes]

I hope my stammering rambling train of thought said the right things! You guys deserve all the love!

[@raw5889]

Do the buu saga mf!

[@KaiserNeko]

@@raw5889 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqHWq3qiZ8iflc0

[@feenickstv4209]

WE LOVE YOU SCOTT!

[@Notcrates]

​@@raw5889I think he released a good enough product for us to respect whatever decision he decided to make with it.

[@eastxsidexswagg]

They did a great job with all of the androids. 17-18 actually felt like siblings rather than just telling us so.

[@AtomicFire41]

I honestly can’t tell which of the siblings I prefer, they did them so well

[@millabasset1710]

Abridged treated them better than the source material. Growing up watching the show I always viewed them as a pair, one wasn't stronger than the other, even I liked 18's design more. So when Super gave 17 super park ranger powers and 18 was relegated to house wife, that was disappointing.

[@darkychao]

the choice to leave the reveal of them being siblings until the end of the end of the arc was one of the Cell Saga's bigger missteps, honestly. it really only serves to kinda make krilin's wish seem slightly less selfish, but it also just entirely gimps 17 & 18's early character development.

[@SonicmaniaVideos]

Them being siblings isn't a "reveal"... Not an actual one at least, I sure hope you could tell they were twins the moment they showed up.

[@darkychao]

@@SonicmaniaVideos I mean, none of the characters knew and it wasn't ever brought up in the story until after Krillin's wish. in any case, it certainly wasn't a meaningful part of their characters until after that point. also, what evidence is there that they're twins in the story before that? because they both have large foreheads and the parallelogram-shaped eyes that most of the other androids also have? there's really nothing given in the originals' text to assume that the two kids Gero kidnapped were twins and not just some Bonnie and Clyde types.

[@alittlebirdi]

DBZA and Lythero have made 16 one of my favorite characters. I am fully aware of how silly that statement is.

[@HenrythePaleoGuy]

Out of context it sounds ridiculous, but we get it, lol.

[@acetrigger1337]

Their efforts combined turned 16 into the Himbo he was always ment to be.

[@Dirty0o0Jester]

*D U N K*

[@chrissmith9167]

“I will NEVER stop dunking Gokus.” -Android 16

[@mr.goblin6039]

@@chrissmith9167”For the birds”

[@Gray963]

"Writing is about figuring out what you like and why, and if you aren't learning then you aren't doing it right." That is one hell of a quote to stew on.

[@just8or494]

I appreciate giving dr Gero a more personal reason to be hellbent on killing goku

[@asepsisaficionado7376]

And the Gero's son fan theory was canonized by the most recent movie.

[@fist-of-doom487]

@@asepsisaficionado7376 it wasn’t even a theory, it was in a book toriyama made years after he finished writing talking about all the stuff he either forgot to put in, couldn’t find a place to put in, or wanted to put in. One that’s less talked about is Buu actually being essentially for original God of Destruction because when the universe was made Buu was formed from what was left over. He killed for fun, for years until he basically brought himself into a coma and Bibadi just woke him up. The fact he’s a copy of Gero’s son was also in that book and Goku did kill him. It’s been brought up VERY briefly in FighterZ too.

[@xerxBreak]

Yeah the Kakarot game also took the same opportunity to expand on it in a very similar way to how the abridged guys did, made me actually wonder how aware of them the jp fandom is

[@minibotas9496]

@@xerxBreakconsidering Toei did their best to shut down the series, I bet very aware. With different amounts of love and hate of course, like with everything. But definitely not as popular as English speaking countries, I don’t think anybody in Japan has made a reference to it in official media of anything. In one of the Sonic comics, Sonic calls Eggman… an egg-head I think? And Eggman answers with “IT’S NOT FUNNY, IT’S NEVER BEEN FUNNY, IT’S NEVER GOING TO BE FUNNY” which the author confirmed it was a reference. However, Final Fantasy 14 (or the number that corresponds with the MMO) has a decoration referencing “All these squares make a circle”

[@xerxBreak]

@@minibotas9496 i hadnt really ever thought about it before noticing certain things i thought to be mainly growths of the western fandom, like the Gero's son thing, popping up in newer original stuff like Kakarot or super super hero

[@aPonderousChain]

Please DON'T feel pressured to dip into your old self for the sake of consistency. Grow, evolve, take us with you on that journey. People crave authenticity, even if they don't know it.

[@sasaki999pro]

Exactly "Being A Cantankerous Asshole = Comedy Gold" Is really the kind of mentality that orbits around edgy twenty year olds, which alot of us were probably guilty of being at one point or another, I think TFS actually mentioned that quite abit in their commentary, as DBZA progressed they leaned less and less on characters just being mean spirited towards eachother for throwaway gags. Its literally just a phase that people go through and its perfectly normal to mellow out as you get older and realize there are more important things in life than being jaded, bitter or angry at topics you don't understand or just dont care for. At a certain point you stop and ask yourself "Is this behavior ACTUALLY making me happy? Is this what I want to be known for? Is this the legacy I want to leave behind?" Personal Growth is important, and the day you stop growing is when you actually, truly die.

[@Gray963]

@@sasaki999pro Well said.

[@Astrothunder_]

@@sasaki999prowell gosh diddly darn I’m out of luck. I found plagues channel like 6 years ago as a edgy teen and now I’m an edgy twenty-something! I can’t lose my grumpy gripes I haven’t even reached the peaceful old sage era of my life yet

[@Acacius1992]

@@sasaki999pro Welp then i died years ago already.

[@Jolynesimpnumber4]

@@sasaki999proThat was the legit mentality for everyone in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s

[@N00BSYBORG]

I've always loved 16 so I'm glad DBA got others to appreciate him even if it was for different reasons. I think 16 was my first exposure to the whole robot that loves nature trope and he's always been my favorite. 16's death being one of the few that has finality to it makes his sacrifice that much more meaningful. He doesn't even get an afterlife like everybody else. That's how much the world meant to him. His mom is also really hot.

[@NinetailsNinetales5TimesFast]

I knew we had to bring in Vomi at some point

[@DanceMonkeychg]

The last thing you see in the end credits of Episode 60 pt.3 (aside from the final joke of Krillin banging the Krillin Owned counter out of existence) is artwork of Android 16 sitting under a tree enjoying all the little critters of nature while wearing a halo. Watching the commentary of that ep was full of emotional moments from the TFS guys, and Scott (Kaiserneko) said it was really important to him that 16 gets into Heaven after all. So in DBZA that's canon, and it's beautiful.

[@rearedlogarithm]

When I think about 16 and nature I also think about Robo in Chrono Trigger, where he spent centuries helping a forest grow until he couldn't function any more. I think the idea of robots and nature coexisting is something Toriyama is deeply interested in.

[@iug5672]

@@DanceMonkeychg Technically canon in Toei's anime adaptation too, since android 19 is shown in hell despite being a full-on android. So being a machine doesnt stop you from having a soul

[@TheStoneyJackson]

“Not a dragon ball channel” eh plague?

[@orbboom6119]

PlagueOfBallz

[@skipg5183]

Biblical

[@drunkenbastard2324]

Tsun-plague

[@IRageMetal]

Bro can cover or talk about whatever without him being labled.

[@littlepullaz4875]

GripBallz

[@mrwri]

I like how they followed the trend of all good Abridged series on youtube by ending the show prematurely due to massive drama.

[@mr.j3rs3y]

I know this was 7 months ago, but I thought the show ended at the Cell Saga because they got too burnt out to finish the Buu Saga, and didn’t want to sacrifice the series quality?

[@KaoticReach1999]

​@@mr.j3rs3yI'm sure he meant another thing, in regards to your comment, the "burn out" thing was pretty much an excuse. TFS kept getting CONSTANTLY harrassed by Toei (not to mention Sean, the Eng VA of Goku making it clear he didn't support them making DBZA after Toei not approving either) That and they couldn't monetize it outside animations like HFIL, it just wasn't worth it. The work they put into it just wasn't worth it, which is why for the Buu saga they just did the equivalent of shorts for TNM's video aswell

[@mr.j3rs3y]

@@KaoticReach1999 Makes sense

[@leonix9882]

its always a shame to hear you struggle about your content, your videos always gave me ideas to reflect upon, doesnt matter if its an essay, mini-gripes or art, they are really interesting to reflect upon, i really hope one day i can hear you talk about everything doing better, even if it isnt in a near future. also, The 16 looks great but there is something odd about the nose, but i cant quite tell if its the nose itself or the eyes looking at the bird

[@orngcreator6115]

Hey Eli. Thanks for uploading this. That part about growing up and learning to adjust to who you really are especially so. Today I had a 13 hour long shift outside in the cold working off about 5 hours of sleep. And to top it all off I woke up with a cold. But when I got home I sat down on the couch. Wrapped up in a warm blanket. Re-heated some meatball soup and started playing this video. I don’t know if this gives you much peace or happiness but I want you to know that even just a video of you speaking your mind over footage of you drawing a silly robot from a 90’s anime makes me happy. Thank you for making peoples’ days better with your personality. It means more than you know.

[@TigerTzu]

I found your channel through your first Gripe Balls video, and as much as I liked that videos I was very pleasantly surprised to find a whole ass human behind it who posted authentic and thought provoking content, and who didn't treat their channel like a product. Your art gripes are what got me back into making art, myself.

[@SpecialJess2]

watch his darksouls lets plays too they are a treat

[@FeviviViper]

@@SpecialJess2the one from 9 years ago?

[@SpecialJess2]

@@FeviviViperboth of them are good

[@FeviviViper]

@@SpecialJess2 I only saw the one from 9 years ago. Is there a newer one? I’ll check them out. I really love this guys perspective on things

[@SpecialJess2]

@@FeviviViperhe had one where he talked about darksouls1 environmental lore speculations and then one where he just talked about what ever he wanted both are really good

[@AnthonyRinguette]

"It might not even have any fighting, depending on who was writing it." Imagine doing a DB series about a bunch of gym bros trying to out lift each other. Cell winds up being someone who hooks up all the weights to like a Bowflex or something, strung up all over the room, doing reps that blow people's minds, and Goku has to find a way to keep up without breaking gym codes of conduct.

[@mr.j3rs3y]

That sounds like a really funny concept XD

[@UnwantedGhost1-anz25]

Four Star Bento have one more episode left. I'll enjoy every second of the video once uploaded. I can't believe it's already been a year since they did commentary. And 15 years since the series began.

[@imitationpitaya]

Unless something changes, it’s actually (the epilogue and the plan to eradicate Christmas)

[@Amirifiz]

There's also Kai 3 part 1 and 2

[@WaspinatorsLeftKnee]

The older I get, the more I appreciate your introspective videos. Thank you for being so willing to speak your mind against the tide of content creation. It means a lot to me to hear your thoughts on things, even if sometimes we aren't on the same page.

[@jackfrench6509]

always felt that plague was one of the most sincere and genuine "essayists" on the youtube. Despite his persona in a lot of his anime gripes, videos like this and other commentaries are very refreshing. I will always return to watch his video on The Thing once every few months. Not sure if he'll see this but I appreciate his stuff a lot.

[@mirchiamemeina1524]

I have no idea why I wasn’t already subscribed. My first exposure was your Dark Souls 1 animations, which I loved to bits, and now seeing these thoughtful lovely art rambles? Lovely. ❤

[@MrNoremac208]

16 has probably my favorite jokes in all of DBZA hands down.

[@DegmoGrandfather]

Go unreasonable buff bird

[@An_Actual_Rat]

He performs the finish on my favourite brick joke in the series. "Hello bird. What is your name? (Bird chirp) Toriyama? (Bird chirp) I would love to see your dinosaur! (Bird chirp) It does WHAT?"

[@gliscaradu1424]

@@An_Actual_Rat what does brick joke mean?

[@aeririahelmold]

"He want's p**sy like I want Goku"

[@An_Actual_Rat]

@@gliscaradu1424 A brick joke is basically when you set up a joke very far ahead of the actual punchline. The joke in question was set up in "Revenge of Cooler" and then later completed in the Android Saga.

[@EpicVideoMaster11]

I love this stuff, thank you for what you do. I'm a viewer that sometimes watches your art content but always watches your commentary on whatever you post. I love when creators get to be expansive and don't have to stick to one small niche

[@sofistdecaydead]

Bringing some philosophy into this. Check out Marshall McLuhan's book: Understanding Media. He also remarks that shows that leave story elements incomplete invite the audience to fill in the void. Whereas something like Berserk says so much it leaves no room for input. It's also why heavy Seinen series are exempt from rule 34, but Shounen is a treasure trove.

[@MontySlython]

Not sure I agree with seinen being exempt because of this, I'd put that more down to the art style difference, seinen doesn't tend to draw overly exaggerated bodies unless its for horror or disturbing imagery, so the art style in general and the tone of the show keeps rule 34 from being as common, and even then that doesn't apply to many seinen Attack on Titan being a primary example of this.

[@scrittle]

Not forgetting pubescent teens are the primary audience of most r34 so only popular shows will get the treatment. Seinen isn't so mainstream so it's not thought of.

[@dankwaifu2093]

@@MontySlython Attack on Titan's a shonen series, not seinen. It ran in Bessatsu, a spin-off of Weekly Shonen.

[@emptyaccount9647]

The whole idea of doing the job you wanna do is interesting to me specifically as an artist fresh out of high school, and fresh off my first breakout project. Like, yeah, I'd love to do art as a job. But now that I'm in that mindset of "You need to draw right now. Every second counts. Your fans are ravenously waiting." I'm reevaluating my wants and needs. My focus is now on getting a normal job, so that whenever I do art, I don't have to care about the fans. I draw when I want, I say what I want through my art, and hopefully I'll leave behind a body of work I can say is truly mine rather than one I soullessly pumped out to satiate a crowd who probably only liked me for the one breakout hit I made.

[@bananashoplifter3440]

Always a pleasure Eli, even if I'm not fond of TFS nowadays, this was a treat Hope you have a merry christmas man, and a good new year 💜

[@ethantaylor9613]

I wrote a complete rework of the Sayian saga for a senior project in Highschool. Considering how cool so many aspects of the series are, and how garbage the writing can be I think it’s a series that’s right for fan fixing.

[@somefella6989]

Link?

[@HenrythePaleoGuy]

The Saiyan saga is the one that needs the less fixing. Practically everything there is key and neccessary.

[@TheInfiniteAmo]

I resent the idea that Toriyama's writing is garbage. The basic concepts and storytelling are fantastic, and a huge part of why these ideas stick with us fans and motivate us to want to 'fix' Toriyama's material. It's more that the writing just isn't there - ideas are presented but not developed, characters are set up but have little or no arc or payoff, and vast amounts of potential is missed because of Toriyama's simplistic approach.

[@HenrythePaleoGuy]

100%. Dude can ride by the seat of his pants and still make a fantastic manga. He's one of the greats for a well-deserved reason. That does lead to those kinds of slipups, but the story and series still being as good as it is is a testament to how good it is inspite of all of that.@@TheInfiniteAmo

[@fist-of-doom487]

@@HenrythePaleoGuy the mark of a good writer is flexibility, being able to pull a good story almost entirely out of your ass especially. I’m sure I’m a minority but I enjoyed the Buu arc, sure it stretched on but it was fun

[@waluigiwa8576]

You should do more content like this! It’s very nice to hear genuine perspectives !

[@muamua101]

I'm just here for you Gripe, in what ever form you decide to come in.

[@randibillett472]

You know what, Plague? Regarding what you said around the six minute mark, about not wanting to complain as a career but not really having a choice because it's your youtube personality... Years ago I watched through the whole of the first Dark Souls playthrough you made. I don't really remember all that much of it. Except when, about halfway through, I started to notice moments where the persona dropped, and you just became... encouraging to your viewers. Almost like a little reward for watching everything around it. It was kind of striking in a way, and I really dig it. While the 'complaining' is something I can put on to listen to for the sake of it, I find I associate this channel with a desire to see improvement in the media we consume, and as well as life advice. But really, as long as the 'griping' is you talking about something you are passionate about, and something you want to see better in, I find I can't tell the difference between when you're putting on an act or just getting really into the subject. Do what you gotta, Plague, but always keep sprinkling in the life lessons and other heartwarming stuff. It's just good shit.

[@joshbrown4702]

Your analysis videos are the ones I watch. The what makes a villain, the horror essay, and yes the anime gripe. This one too. A unique take on something will always get some views, even if its not the limits of where you could be.

[@Mister-Thirteen]

Two videos in a row?! What magic is this?

[@anjetto1]

I'm going to spend 15 mins talking about what I definately going to talk about when I get to talking about it and then wonder why I don't have time to discuss what I wanted to discuss. Classic gripes. Don't change

[@icewolf9067]

Always loved your stuff man. More hope to you and your endeavors.

[@ivanbluecool]

With cell saga we fans who think we could write it better need to understand how tori was basically being forced to keep coming up with new ideas each time each week with dr gero to android 17-18 and cell. Sure it probably came out much better at the end getting to gohans big moment but that like yyh with togashi was more so how they managed to bring it all together Hindsight is never a good way to say for anyone to know how to write something better as most only say they would do something better AFTER the fact and if they were put in the spot most would crash and burn

[@TheInfiniteAmo]

Very appropriate that you mention Togashi, since Meruem from HxH is exactly a rewrite of Cell from a man who at one time competed with DBZ for broadcast ratings and built his magnum opus, Hunter x Hunter itself, around commentating on and deconstructing the Shonen genre that Dragon Ball created. Hindsight and critique of existing works are major motivating factors for many if not ALL artists.

[@UltaFlame]

This is why writers edit

[@ivanbluecool]

@@UltaFlame you can't edit a manga chapter. See berserk in how the mangaka had to go say a chapter he drew was not canon as it revealed too much he wanted to reveal later but he still put his time and effort into the drawings. Manga isnt the same as normal writing or getting the anime to boost up a product or drop it's quality with the op-LA or B-tyby Dbz-CS is basically that in a nutshell Plus proved my point on thinking with hindsight you can fix something when you would only do a worse job even if you had his skills at drawing. Remember mangaka can be kicked out when they don't get results in. Little time to think eat sleep or edit. Try doing anything with less than 4 hours of sleep everyday then come back to me and tell me how'd you fix something

[@darkychao]

no one's saying that they could have done better than Toriyama. saying that you could edit/adapt the Cell Saga to be more coherent and well paced isn't the same as saying you could have done better than Toriyama given the same situation. you're also allowed to like an adaptation more than the original without that invalidating the work put in to make the original.

[@ivanbluecool]

@@darkychao again that's literally just saying "I could do better" after the fact. Not sure why it's being repeated with different words. Liking an adaption more than the og is not something new to say. Fmab people mostly talk about the anime rather than the manga and the anime missed out on a lot of detail especially in the ishbalen war. Vn and ln are usually better with the anime or manga especially shounen combat going from manga to anime as it's a visual spectical. So again more of the same I'm seeing. Tfs basically had that time in spades and still only did a bare minimum like fixing plot holes but that's also after the fact mentality again

[@pajamapantsjack5874]

16 is a very important character for me as a bird lover.

[@Feasco]

which is your favourite bird

[@pajamapantsjack5874]

@@Feasco Kauai o’o.or if you’d prefer alive ones black capped chicadees

[@Jolynesimpnumber4]

Same

[@OGManScout33]

Truly enjoy your content boss. Everything you make does resonate with me personally and your ability to of the cuff convey your thoughts so succinctly is a true talent. Not to mention your ability to draw is muy bueno. My one gripe just comes from where you were talking about the plumber who was in your chat. I feel a lot of content creators are so caught up with there own situation that they can’t fathom that others that don’t do what they do obviously have no concept of having to grind at there “normal person” job as well. I have been an HVAC contractor for over 20 years and I can assure you that it is very rare, if not ever the case, that my day is dictated by what I feel like doing or that our days are full of just tightening a screw and then looking busy. My situation may be a bit different than most since I am running the business as well as being in the field everyday, but I do find it a bit disrespectful when people have a “well all you do is..” or “you have a do what you want freedom” mentality towards tradesmen. I can assure you this week as I was leaving my house at 730am and getting home around 11 to make sure people had heat that there was very little freedom involved or making it look as though I was being busy when I wasn’t. This week was certainly no anomaly. Weekdays are work as are weekends, problems don’t care if it’s a Wednesday or thanksgiving day breakdowns and issues always happen. If doing this were so easy, everybody would do it. Looking at the labor pull in are industry, people are not wanting to do this. I hear content creators talk about how they have people ask them to do certain topics and if they don’t want to they don’t, I respect them for that. When I get the rare day off and someone I don’t know somehow gets my cell number, and they have an HVAC issue they want me to drop what I’m doing to solve, much harder to say “I’m not interested in that I only want do what I’m passionate about”. If I did I would hear how I’m lazy, don’t care about them, and with all my freedom what would it hurt to take care of them. I say all this to give some perspective, I feel most people just don’t know or understand. I am not writing this to have a pissing contest at all, more to say that us average joes can understand the pressures involved in having to put aside what we want/need to do for ourselves to put work first. My head hits my pillow at night with the thoughts of what work I need to do every night, I feel ya. Again great content, and I live in the same world you do sir.

[@TheLoneReni]

As someone who has felt that moving passion for something and the need to create for it, it is an addicting feeling. But its as said, hard to dip back into. When you writing a story and the passion changes vibe or you learn new things, that original spark can be hard to find again and keep the story the same. Beautiful art though and a good ramble as well!

[@wrathisme4693]

*I'm quite certain copyright was a massive reason they stopped.* I mean you had that DBG taken down for having a fraction of the footage they had in any given episode

[@lugialover09]

To this day, I still remember your comment from years ago on one of their videos about how much you liked how they characterized Imperfect Cell.

[@The_Salad]

One of my favorite videos on KZbin by far, not because this is a dragon ball video, but because this is you. Don't stop doing what you love❤

[@TreeEmmisary]

I've been enjoying the more positive spin on your content, its alright to comment and critique problems with a media, especially if its one you enjoy. Instead of it being for the purpose of just being ornery but rather from a place of wanting things to improve

[@Goomenstein]

You know you saying that you wish you had Scotts emotions is relatable. When he started crying a couple times in the creator commentaries my initial reaction was a dismissive "What a dramatic guy" But then I thought about it for a few seconds and kinda sorta wished that I was just as honest with my feelings. I've just kinda grown up to be stone cold and even now that there are no consequences to displaying my emotions, I still don't do it likely due to some deeprooted conditioning. Scott is "based" in the trueest sense of the word for overcoming that

[@manjiimortal]

The notion that some content creators reach an impasse once they've done everything they had thought about doing it, and decide to just stop is something I don't see being brought up a lot, but it's a concept I've long thought about. Nice thoughtful, sort of, ramble, Plague.

[@Jslicer13]

Two uploads from plague in one day feels like a Christmas gift

[@FNGalcatraz]

I like watching you videos man it helps to see this type of content and constantly move forward with that dream

[@RJ_Ehlert]

I liked the DBZA Cell saga more than the official anime. If I ever happened to watch the original anime, I'd wish I was watching the abridged.

[@HenrythePaleoGuy]

It was so nice seeing the DBZA TFS team going back over their work. Excellent work by them, and so much of their work has been firmly imprinted into my brain, lol. Really great video too. Nice to hear you talk about the whole "monetising your life" aspect of youtube. I personally always feel like I need to be working on my channel when I have time off from uni, and I love doing it, but damn can you get lost in the sauce over time.

[@patrickvillegas5511]

I love your little talks Plague. You've really matured as a person, or at least, it feels like you have, and your words have really reminded me why I create in the first place. Thanks.

[@FreshSandwich]

I’m always glad to see an art gripe in my feed, thank you Plague

[@hyugaclan204]

I've been following for years, I love the fact that the content you create comes in different forms and you're passionate about it. Honestly just want to say thanks❤

[@drunkdonkeydude]

Always loved hearing you talk and express yourself creatively since your earliest appearances on TBF/SBF Play. Scripted and edited, or just rambling commentaries. Just have fun with it Plague, best of luck always.

[@travis_biscuit]

Thank you for saying what you say, doing what you do, and wanting to improve.

[@ethangnasher3848]

Man, I just love listening to you regardless of the topic because of your unique way of putting things, be rambling about Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's design issues, about villains, about growing older... Whatever content you decide to upload, I'll be here, listening intently to you papa Plague.

[@AtomicF0x]

...This was good to listen to while drawing. I really respect your insight into how we change as we get older. It really is a struggle trying to achieve success without sort of becoming someone else/a parody of ourselves. But besides that, I definitely feel like I want to watch more of your stuff now, especially since I've already enjoyed a good amount of what you've already done in the past. My brother really likes your anime videos about Dragon Ball and Naruto, too (So do I, of course). We've known about you for years---and I'm just glad you're still here! And I'm sure I speak for a lot of us when I say we all look forward to hearing and seeing more from you in the future.

[@takingdownconjopi]

y'know, with this new year i've been intending to work on my art and myself more, and you have some interesting perspectives and obvious skill. hopefully i can engage more with your community and yourself over time but for now you've earned a sub. hopefully i can learn a thing or two along the way myself.

[@wanderersnightmare8745]

You feel that what you've done hasn't been impactful and won't matter centuries into the future. But it was impactful to me. What you do, the art you make, the words you say, and how dedicated you are to what you've done is meaningful to me. I'm just one person so my own opinion might not matter in the grand scheme of things either but to me you matter and have impacted my life more than you or anyone else could ever know. Keep living your best life and I look forward to having you remain an important part of mine.

[@APsaull]

Tbh I don’t know how much I need the “cantankerous gripes” personality to be personally entertained but I feel like I generally toon in because I like how careful and thought out you’re art gripes and some of the older videos are. The sassiness, I guess is just a nice cherry on top

[@justwungo]

I know this content may be niche but I do want to say that Art Gripes is my genuinely favourite content you put out, I just love hearing what you have to say about things this way. I'm aware that I'm only one guy, but I wanted to say anyway.

[@DanielZ5]

Yay the latest daily dragonball upload from the No.1 Dragonball youtuber in all the land haha no but really its nice to check in on your channel now and then and check a few vids as a burnt out former artist its good to watch someone that didn't get there love of drawing almost completely ripped from them keep doing you guy

[@dreamhollow]

"The way that narrative would be delivered by their closest confidant could be delivered; it's not them" I think you've perfectly nailed how art works on a very personal basis. Unless two people share nearly identical lives and feelings about situations, there's always going to be some aspect of their art that is uniquely theirs and no one elses. The art or writing of the original creator is not necessarily going to be interpreted the same way by others.

[@rambones3378]

The 16 you did looks awesome, music you played and just your voice over all is great.

[@VileVeilt]

As long as you're living the best life you can and doing the things you enjoy with that life you're making the most of it. passion and love for something you do feels good but there's always going to be something in between that life, work, family even your own passions may go away. but if what you feel like you're doing your life is good or bad hell even at your worst days then make the most of it what you do in life with time and people around you. that's all you need I hope you take care of yourself gripes. make the most of your life.😊 (if you choose read this..... heh)

[@oakalquine5484]

just speaking as someone who became a fan through those anime videos, and was compelled to stick around, the subject of anime itself wasn't what drew me in. it wasn't even necessarily the cranky persona, though i did enjoy it. i think 'can you ruin the original' is a great example of this x factor you seem to have. the performance was toned down, but there's a very distinct identity you preserved. something about your inflections, your advice, your oddly optimistic cynicism, it all just gels together really well. i know very little about audience retention, and building a viewerbase, but i think there's this element there that you could guide the people who like those anime videos into. maybe it could be like daima, and loop back around from the idea that took off to a compromise you can enjoy long-term.

[@Space_Reptile]

art gripes are my favorite video series of yours, wich might be counter intuitive but i find them the most enjoyable to just watch casually

[@williamstrobert9852]

Two plague videos in one day? Christmas came early

[@LukeCarvalhoo]

Plague, your artstyle is really good! I really like your take on the characters, you're most defnetly not a baby in comparison to other people stuff! I really apreciate your vídeos!

[@afonsodealbuquerque1879]

I like the talks you do about anime and other topics such as games, I don't feel you need to be angry or complaining, you make good points and that's why your analysis is so entertaining.

[@Desparil]

A BG3 commentary vid and an Art Gripe in the same day, what a treat!

[@SuperCrazyfin]

One thing you kinda missed is that they *did* kind of continue. It wasn't the same as the full abridged stuff but they had other series like "HFIL" and "DragonShortZ" that allowed them more creative freedom for their jokes as they could come up with ideas that weren't restricted by what happened in Dragon Ball. They didn't *really* move on in the same way that you make it out to be, especially with them eventually coming back to do Buu Bits for Mark's channel.

[@jesush7662]

We all get older. I just hope I can keep learning while I get older

[@elevate07]

6:27 I understand this entirely. During my younger years I used to get off on things like RLM dunking on star wars. Or worse C*nemaS*ns. Even if over time they aged badly it was just entertaining to tear stuff i didn't like down. But I'm older now and my interests have changed from sh tting on things I hate to understanding why I like the things I do. More to the point, I totally understand that you've built a persona and because KZbin is what it is, you're sort of married to being a 10,000 year old lich who complains in between drawing furry women. But i also think it's more important to maintain authenticity. If the people who were only around to hear you complain choose to leave because you decided to switch gears, they were probably going to leave anyone once the sensed that you were forcing it.

[@jacobsharpe7039]

Okay first off I have not watched the video yet I just want to say you better be careful, 16 is a precious treasure

[@AE1OU]

The boys crying for Chris Aryes was touching.

[@RaptinDinon-mn4ps]

I empathize with how you feel with going about some stuff in life. Don't fret about anything it only leads to evil. Always look forward to hearing you discuss subjects. Have a good one man.

[@vitore.sanches7712]

On the subject of working with something you love, I don't know why but it made me think of what the philosopher Rousseau wrote on his Emile, a treatise on education. In his book, his idealized student, Emile, would end up working as a carpenter because it was a well rounded profesion: had artistic value, is practical, and needs both physical and mental effort. It wasn't choosen because either Rousseau or Emile loved carpentry, but because it was a profession that you would find different ways of fulfilment.

[@parkih]

Having gone through some of the older videos you've made recently, the change in your style of rambling is clear. And one change that is welcome since it shows a clear interest in improving and being more than you were. I enjoy it all, the old for what it was and what it meant/mean for me through time and the new as I am coming to terms with age that I myself am gaining. Your videos have helped me through some dark times in the past and your animations are something I return to multiple times a year, always bringing a smile. Unlike you though where you have... Mellowed out, I suppose is a decent expression for it, I have slowly starting to do the opposite... With a childhood that where the phrase "Let the others take your place if they want to." was something I could hear almost daily I resigned myself to that role. As a back-up or filler or what not. A "Someone" that could take most spots and help with most things without taking too much space... That is slowly changing, I am slowly learning to let myself take up space and be a contesting person again. Sooo.. T.L.D.R: Thanks for being around and know that you have at least made my life better. :D

[@xtysonz]

These Videos where you just talk and draw may be niche but I appreciate them. You are one of my favorite content creators.

[@Thoray]

An unexpected surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

[@AuriofTheHooligans]

"I'm just a baby when it comes to drawing DB characters" > Produces insanely hard picture of 16.

[@Gray963]

The way you say things has a way of making me think about them differently.

[@jacobcross1376]

Go for it plague, always love your content.

[@Adu767]

You don't have to feel like your content is boxed into one emotion just because of your brand, people love hearing people talk about what makes them happy.

[@jaysonata3211]

This is a very thoughtful video. Have a blessed day, Plague.

[@TheOracleofClocks]

Thanks for the video, Plague. I hope your attempt to press on with more structure goes well.

[@TemeriaForever]

What a great fucking topic. Was just discussing abridged with the homies the other day. Shit is timeless

[@Flippopotamus]

You're one of my favorites. Keep doing you. Please. You had a positive impact on me.

[@benjaminpeters6729]

Android 16 used the 7 second visual ritual that was advertised in this video to have 20/20 vision.

[@shrekneutron1587]

I think you're my favorite "media" channel these days bro, a variety of content covering stuff I'm familiar and unfamiliar with

[@valmid5069]

Can’t wait for more content!

[@PleasantLeech]

For as difficult as dragon ball characters are for me, this looks incredible. Great video as well, I found it very relaxing and inspiring at the same time.

[@armageddon845]

A very interesting introspective on fan works!

[@millabasset1710]

Abridged went from comedy to alternative English dub. TFS created their own little world within dragon ball, it’s quite impressive for a redub

[@willichtenstein7071]

When copyright expires "fan edits" are going to multiple and coalese into multiple "perfected versions of the original. Over 100 years of debate on the story and animation, and new fan takes on the IP will create a series of the same show all unique and even in different genres. Death of the author isn't a bad thing. The original will always be there along side the variants.

[@offthedeepend3996]

Android 16 was always my favorite of the Android characters in DBZ when I actually used to view the show. He always appeared to me as the android with the most personality despite his strong silent type character archetype. Other android characters like 18 never really got a lot of characterization until DB Super surprisingly.

[@afrothekobold]

From what I understand TFS stopped for basically all three reasons you mentioned, at first they were going to TRY and keep going, but they were going to try with original animation (like what they're doing now with H.F.I.L) but that didn't pan out, and they felt they couldn't go back to editing the OG footage because it's a copywrite minefield and pretty much every episode they put out would be taken down, then after hashing it out they decided to just end on a high note rather than keep going with it till it started to really suck.

[@loadeddice4696]

The eternal refrain of the Star Wars fan - "Man, Star Wars would be so much better if it was actually GOOD"

[@theheretic4636]

I started makin music because I got to a point of not having any idea of what I was gonna do with my life. I always had a passion for music but it was turned down pretty quickly by my parents because art is an unrealistic career to them. After a while of going to college for some HVAC certificate I kinda just had a moment where I was like "nah fuck this" and just got a regular job at home depot and focused the rest of my freetime on myself and music. Videos like these are mostly why I even considered going that route. I had no faith in myself but seeing my favorite creators advocate for others to create just inspired me and made me feel less worthless. Good shit

[@igodreamer7096]

Android 16 was the best android, and I cried like a baby when he got destroyed. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@MiloKuroshiro]

The Androids are such a good vibe in DBZA. Love their version of the three (18, 17 and 16)

[@PapaWolfDogZeus]

This doesn't look like a furry video to me. I'm starting to think this IS a Dragonball channel!

[@tostisgood]

Good discussion. It was great watching DBZA improve over time to become its own narrative.

[@copperCCSD]

This was a really thought provoking video.

[@anon123214]

I don't normally disagree with Plague, but there's two things I most certainly do disagree with, and I will give examples as well. First off, fans add to the mangaka's perception of their own story, especially Shonen mangaka. The Q&A questions, however creative or dumb, let's the writer see what the fans are focusing on or obsessing over. For example, Eiichiro Oda listens to his fans officially over a Q&A as well as looks at youtube fan theories. The idea that the community would not be able to create a better or even substantially equal to what the writer could just varies on when the question is being asked during the material's life. This is because most of the mystique has been cleared up and the potential for it has subsided. When a story is done and over with, like Star Wars was, all of the material is there to expand upon, however conclusive the details are. The force has its own will? Well, should we listen to all of it, or just the good side? What dictates what is good? Etc. Star Wars expanding into Kotor was not George's doing, but authors and fans building and creating a more philosophical structure to Star Wars. I wholeheartedly believe that fan input brings more potential to a story, and broadens the experience far more than most stories would achieve on their own.