Which Is The Best? - Dragon Ball Z VS Dragon Ball Kai (Comparison)

Many people wonder while watching the Z portion of Dragon Ball, which should you watch: Z or Kai? I go over this and hope to give some sort of objective answer to this.
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[@randyrhoades8751]

I don’t think I agree with the point of Kai having better animation. While yes, Kai does take moments and situations from the anime which were high quality shots and what not and the higher resolution is nice; but you forgot to mention that there are whole new animated segments that exist in Kai. Like Vegeta’s recoloring, that wasn’t just a recolor; that was a whole new animated segment that used elements from the original frames (the matte background for instance) but uses whole new line-art and coloring methods that in all honesty I feel stick out like a sore thumb and ruin the experience of watching something authentic. I like Kai overall but the strange new animated stuff really takes me out of it and makes me just wanna switch back to the old show instead. And yes, the pacing in the original show was slower and arguably not that great; but the filler and expanded moments in the series I think helped the show. I mean there is a reason the Japanese fandom felt the Anime saved the Cell and Buu arcs as well as a few characters like Vegeta by giving them better expansion and something to do. The flaws and complaints that people hate about Z such as it’s non-sensical writing is something that shines in Kai because of the cut down to Manga size.

[@animesavvy]

This, everyone, is what we call good constructive criticism. I appreciate the critique, and glad you weren’t an asshole about it. I definitely should have mentioned the new animated segments, so that was my bad. And while I do disagree with your opinion about those looking out of place, I can definitely see where you’re coming from on that. Thanks for taking the time to write this comment, since unlike some people in the comment section, you actually know what you’re talking about

[@evenfm97]

Never seen a better comment/review 💯🙏

[@randyrhoades8751]

@@evenfm97 thank you!

[@samueloak1600]

@@randyrhoades8751 Japanese Kai has all those title cards though, it's fun

[@Realkeepa]

​@@animesavvythats wrong.What i know...NOTHING IS REANIMATED....ITS THE SAME SHOW....JUST WATER INSTEAD OF WINE...NO BLOOD....CHILDS Z

[@sk8rmouse404]

Honestly, I'm just grateful to Kai for getting me into the rest of the franchise

[@dominiccraig9025]

kai is the best

[@kazi1]

Same

[@Marvelfanatic3658]

Ok

[@ashaqulalam9327]

The best thing about Kai is the updated english voice acting, and maintaining accuracy to the Z manga's original storyline.

[@Gutsybfh]

did you watch the og dragon ball before kai or did u jump in kai first? i cant decide where to start.

[@VGamingJunkie]

Probably the one caveat of Kai's artstyle is, because it removes filler, it results in episodes bleeding together. The reason that's a negative is episodes are done by different people so it can lead to a jarring shift in style within the same episode.

[@mkhanman12345]

The filler ain't that serious. You're not watching 15 Mins of filler with each episode. Dudes bring up filler because they know Kai is the original without some of the extra scenes. Every movie comes out with a filler version (the version that isn't in the theaters)

[@funtomental2823]

125 episodes of filler I'll pass.

[@d-_-b8558]

The original Z was done the same (different artists for the same episode), so that's not a valid point against Kai.

[@docmanhattan7675]

Dragon Ball Z. Hands down.

[@manny9789]

DBZ is definitely my favorite, its just a lot more raw and the episodes are more detailed.

[@MellowMutated]

💯

[@dylansmith1548]

I mostly agree I do think Kai did a better job with the first two seasons for the most part but the music and some of the voice acting was much better in Z the two frieza sagas aren't even comparable the original was so legendary

[@randyholmes2399]

4 sure👍

[@jennikifm2]

DBZ is my favorite out of the two, too! ^^

[@StevenJones851]

Z was better

[@JagoShogun]

I loved the filler. The Journey felt longer, and like I was part of their life. The world felt more interesting, too.

[@gregb8545]

I feel you, but knowing filler isn’t part of the original story ruins that aspect for me. Like we aren’t really seeing their lives, just non eventful side stories which were created to drag the series on as manga was written.

[@JagoShogun]

@@gregb8545 I can "pretend" its part of their lives.

[@t_tmad5293]

@@gregb8545you can always read the manga. Every media is its own thing.

[@ascendable7065]

Ye, boo getting an ice cream will be forever in my mind 😅

[@yourevilhalf1413]

I remember how as a kid I'd be running off the school bus on Fridays to make it to the house just in time for DBZ to come on. As far as I can remember DBZ was a lot more gritty, raw and dark, the fillers don't even feel like fillers, the music was amazing. Every major character has their own damn theme song it was so cool. Kai is nice and has a couple of nice soundtracks but no way compares to z and that's not just nostalgia talking, but of course this is just my opinion

[@jonathanfarley1660]

I watched Kai as a kid, and am currently watching Z now. I watched Kai on CW4Kidz, which actually only played up to the end of the Cell saga. That's really the reason why I'm watching Z in the first place, I thought Kai only went up to the Cell saga. I'll still watch Z though, might not be the most popular opinion, but I've genuinely enjoyed some of the filler I missed out on in Z.

[@kingbeast4914]

Kai has the Buu Saga Now. There Final chapters

[@markmagician2471]

I've seen both I prefer Z it feels like Kai was over censored at times

[@jennikifm2]

@@markmagician2471 I watched just a little bit of kai and I don’t like it as much. I love DBZ better. Only best thing about Kai is Frieza’s voice. R.I.P. Chris Ayres, brother of Greg Ayres (who also voiced Frost, Guldo, Ganta Igarashi, and more)

[@lilblanco7318]

@@markmagician2471 the voice acting is so good in kai tho

[@JohnSmithsu2006]

@@markmagician2471 only the nick toons and toonzai version

[@mvegetaxachilles7211]

I’ve been watching Dragonball for over 20 years as well. New fans not familiar with the series should watch Kai. The voice acting is more refined and the fast pace will keep them entertained. I still slightly prefer Z though. The Falconer soundtrack is just too epic.

[@Zerosenpai25]

Anyone remember perfect cell's theme ? That shit was fire

[@saiyanlives9872]

I Prefer Z but thats because in my head the more DB the better so i love the filler i also have huge nostalgia for Z since im 35 and grew up with it,my all time fav version that gives me warm feelings inside lol is the rock the dragon/ocean dub of Z with saban music man i love this version, KAI is cool with the redrawn scenes and stuff but thats it what also irritates me is you watch half the show in 4:3 and then suddently it jumps to 16:9 very anoyying and it bothers me.. Oh the voice acting i do agree kai is better but Z is not bad i still love it, Anyway Z all the way the handfull of redrawn scenes is not worth it and missing out on good music and suddently changes ratio lol ill pass...

[@SSJ491]

I watched Dragon Ball for 25 years since I was a kid back then. The original Dragon Ball Z is also that I remember fondly grew up with the Ocean dub and the Funimation dub (when they took over back in September 13, 1999) on both US television syndication and Cartoon Network's Toonami block in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Bruce Faulconer's background soundtracks from Funimation sound awesome and nostalgic of watching and listening to the cool music from the original Dragon Ball Z on the classic Toonami era was gorgeous. Then as years later around 2010, I watched, Dragon Ball Z Kai on the CW4kids, Nickelodeon's Nicktoons, and Adult Swim's Toonami block as a teenager and a young adult. When I watched Dragon Ball Z Kai on the CW4Kids, it was absolutely watered down and very censored. They've changed Mr. Popo's skin from black to blue, the halos when the Z fighters were in the Otherworld, they had circle light ball on the top on their heads, and worst of all...they changed the names of the technique like from Spirit Bomb to Spirit Blast. And I was like...they totally messed up Dragon Ball. Then Nicktoons version was alright, but the Adult Swim's Toonami version on Dragon Ball Z Kai was spot on, and amazingly uncensored. And everything was going so well. The script, the character's technique names were intact to the manga, and etc. Not the mentioned, the music. The music that Kenji Yamamoto was absolutely garbage, and I am glad that Toei Animation to change the background soundtracks to Shunuke Kikuchi's original Dragon Ball soundtracks to Dragon Ball Z Kai. Because I didn't even notice when I watched Dragon Ball Z Kai version, when the music soundtracks got plagiarized by Kenji Yamamoto. I was absolutely shocked. Dragon Ball Z Kai was good, but I like the original Dragon Ball Z, because of the nostalgia of watching DBZ on the classic Toonami days during my childhood years from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

[@StevenJones851]

Z was so good

[@mike_datzmag1c21]

Z is the best with the Falconer music(SSJ Vegeta, SSJ2 Gohan, and others) made the moments much more epic. I get Kai minus a lot of filler but they’re not all bad. Also the blood and more grittier version. Z is what I grew up with on Toonami after school and it’s what made my era of shoes really a time to be alive(same for WWF, overall vid games/consoles, etc) but when I show my kids Dragon ball it’ll be the OG DBZ.

[@torankusu3445]

There's an uncencered version of kai

[@guileniam]

Ssj2 gohan was shit with Falcouner music are you on crack? He just played the same talking background music. Ssj1 Goku was where his music shined along eith ssj3 and Vegetas music.

[@FullTiltBlitz]

DBZ just isn’t the same to me without the Faulconer soundtrack.

[@torankusu3445]

@@FullTiltBlitz sometimes I just don't feel like it fits the scenes as much as the Kikuchi score

[@jonblaze55]

What if I say i have the files of kai with uncut and faulconer sound and music track...which is better now bc that is what i have

[@Noko1567]

trick question, dragon ball

[@animesavvy]

You know, you’re not wrong…

[@thewillofabeast9079]

DBZ KAI was actually the first anime I watched as a kid. I watched it on Adult Swim once when it was around the middle of the Namek Saga. It wasn’t until I got older when I compared Kai to Z and can see some major changes. The voice acting, the colors, the dialogue, the filler, soundtrack, etc. I respect Z for what it is and respect for others who like it but if I’m being honest, I prefer KAI. I just feel that the voice acting feels genuine like how when Goku first turned SSJ, he sounded furious, his whole personality had changed from a kind-hearted Saiyan to a vengeful being whose is filled with fury. Also, the dialogue feels rather natural with in Z, it kinda feels a little off, for me that is. I would also like to mention about Kid Gohan’s voice actor and the soundtrack for Kai. I may be biased since I watched KAI for years before watching Z but I always thought that Colleen did a great job for Kid Gohan. And the soundtrack sounded great to me. Once again using Goku’s SSJ transformation on Namek, I always liked how suspenseful it was. I also liked how they dialed down the filler immensely for Kai to keep the audience more focused on the main plot. The art style is also something I applaud as it really improves it for me. Also, Final Chapters was good in my opinion.

[@lozo1006]

I feel i'm happy with having both as a option. If I want to watch Kai I have the option and is still available. On the other hand I have the original DBZ and what it adds to the story. Like King Vageta's pre Buu saga episodes and my favourite of the series with Episode of Bardock. I like that the people behind DBZ haven't tried to actively remove it's history. A sort of Warcraft Reforged scenario. If you really like Dragon ball as a whole. Why not like a different take on something you enjoy.

[@RIPMIST]

Every 2 years or so I tend to come back to DBZ. Thanks for this vid, you get really in depth. Guess I’ll watch Kai this time around lol

[@SaberKing]

Good video dude! I really enjoyed how you broke each down Also props for being fair to both versions I’m the same way Objectively Speaking Kai is better But I’ll always have a nostalgia spot for Z cuz it’s what got me into the series Your gonna go far Don’t rush content Take your time and put everything into it :)

[@animesavvy]

Thanks man! I really appreciate the support

[@SaberKing]

@@animesavvy hey we lower KZbinrs gotta stick together 😉

[@animesavvy]

@@SaberKing very true

[@IllusArt]

DBZ easily the music, raw emotions and the feel surpasses Kai.

[@jordanglasper1064]

Finally, a real one. You’re absolutely right and you are being completely subjective to the comparison. Dragon Ball Z Kai wins hands down. Now let me say this DBZ OG has a lot of bad stuff. But it does have a lot of great moments. However, there’s more bad than there is good. That doesn’t take away from Cj. But I can make the experience less in tolerable. I would suggest for fans to watch old school DBZ first and then watch DBZ Kai. The voice dabbing for certain characters is beyond epic, but again like you said they need a mountain of patients to get through it. It’s unfortunate, that many fans will rather harbor and hold onto hatred for the new while praising the old as though it’s flawless. It’s weird, a lot of people will actually say we’re saying their negatives on old school DBZ, but the moment Chi came out there was so much negativity hate and criticism against DBZ Kai. I think a lot of people feel like this, if something new comes and takes the place of what is old they feel like they are betraying what they grew up on. And that’s not true. Just because Kai is fundamentally better in most ways, not always. Does not make it erase the origination of OG DBZ anime. You have a phenomenal video, you have a great subjective narrative and message. Keeping it real 100% of the time. And that is why I just subscribed, notifications bell on!!!

[@mephostopheles3752]

Z _does_ have some great filler. Like you said, the Gohan training with Piccolo stuff is great. I also really love Goku’s search for the Dragon Balls before the Cell Games, when he meets Tao Pai Pai after all those years. But overall, it’s going to Kai, no question. The only thing I think Z has over Kai in any respect is some of the music, particularly in the dub. Faulconer’s tracks have a sort of charm that EMBODIES the Z portion of Dragon Ball, from Raditz all the way to Buu. I literally grew up on Kai and still imagine some Z tracks when I think about the franchise. Super Saiyan Vegeta, Buu’s theme, the ambient song that plays during quiet moments, the Son household’s theme. They’re all so deeply Dragon Ball. It’s hard to hand it to Kai, especially after the scandal its own soundtrack went through; as much as I love the music through to the start of the Cell Saga, it’s tainted by that legacy. I will also say that The Final Chapters’ use of some music from Super felt both lazy and out of place, though its original music is fantastic. Other than that, Kai has Z best. Pacing, animation/polish, performances and dialogue in the dub, everything else about it is so clearly superior.

[@animesavvy]

Honestly, couldn’t agree more

[@MarcAlcatraz]

Except the Majin vegeta dialogue in Kai is trash in comparison. You don’t truly get a feel for why he’s so angry at goku

[@mephostopheles3752]

@@MarcAlcatraz Big disagree. Just the performance MORE than makes up for any flaws in dialogue, of which there are few. Sure he has a couple better lines in Z, but it’s not as well-performed, and Kai still hits.

[@simtek3475]

On the music thing for Kai Final Chapters, you are incorrect. Super reused music from Kai TFC, not the other way around. Kai TFC was made in 2012/2013, and aired all over the world in 2014 except the US where it didn’t air until 2017. Those songs were made for Kai TFC, and reused in Super.

[@mephostopheles3752]

@@simtek3475 ….. Are you serious? We had to wait that long? Well I’ll be damned. Either way, it fits Super better, so even if it wasn’t lazy (at least, not in the way I was expecting) it doesn’t really fit Kai’s vibe.

[@Squidgyy_]

The only takeaway from Kai in my opinion is Gohan’s voice (OG VA will always be better)

[@kgkgaming06]

Kai will always be my fav. I just think the VAs are better (especially for Frieza) and it introduced me to the series. Also, opening (Dragon Soul) was fire

[@blue_wolfproductions12]

Dragon Ball Z Kai got me into the franchise. I am super nostalgic for Dragon Ball Z Kai on Nicktoons. Good times 😌 I watch the Buu Saga in Z because Kai ended with the Cell Saga in 2012. I am glad it came back in 2017. With Buu Saga.

[@mkhanman12345]

Kai is the original with crap music change. It's nothing new or different

[@daniuchiha3180]

@@mkhanman12345 voice acting and fire music and remastered quality animation. W Kai

[@businessaccount8455]

@@daniuchiha3180 there is no way you said Kai music is better than DBZ with Bruce Faulconer tracks 🤦‍♂️ I realize just how much older I am now. I’ve watched Kai when I got in high school it felt no where near the same excitement as DBZ

[@daniuchiha3180]

@Business Account that's prolly why, you had nostalgia of the old series cuz you grew up on it and then when you watched the new one and just didn't hit for you like it did before understandable. It's the same for me with Z as my first experience at 5 or 6 was Kai on Nicktoons and I fell in love with everything. When I was older I then Watched Z and I couldn't watch it because the voice acting was poor and the music was different. Now overall the music isn't bad, in fact Kai uses some of the older music in the Cell saga from what I remember, it just ain't what I grew up on fr as the music has a very 80s and 90s ish feeling to it compared to Kai that I personally couldn't get into. I'm sorry I woke up and wrote a whole essay lmaooo 😄

[@businessaccount8455]

@@daniuchiha3180 lol it’s good man that just means you had some good sleep! However, I figured this was the case with the whole Kai vs Z topic. Whichever one you grew up with will hit home most of the time which is where the debates begin. I understand your perspective for sure . Yeah I just remember as a kid watching Toonami on the weekends waiting for the Raw uncut version to play of DBZ and on week days it was come on at regular hours when I would be getting home from school man I miss those times for sure so I completely understand your take

[@chanyrose7439]

That one shot of Gohan driving a car was a reference to a Manga cover

[@sonofkami]

I watched Z as a kid but I'm in my 30s now and prefer kai

[@kazi1]

Kai is only good with it's music if you're watching the Yamamoto Version.

[@AdrianPothead]

There's no debate to be had. Kai absolutely clears the original. The dreadful pacing of Z makes it completely unwatchable bar the most impactful moments. Z is better with stuff like Gohans ssj2 transformation, some dialogues and music. Everything else and pacing ESPECIALLY is in Kai's favour.

[@asa-nicholaslindsay7940]

2:53 you forgot about Nathan Johnson (first 67 episodes of uncut DBZ) and Shuki Levy (first 53 episodes of Ocean dub DBZ)

[@animesavvy]

It seems I did. Sorry about that, that was my bad

[@willowbarrelmaker8269]

My partner was going to introduce it to me with Kai, but I specifically requested Z because I wanted to know what the full on experience was like back in the day. on the one hand, I feel like it would be easier for me to get into without things being quite so drawn out. On the other hand, it kind of feels like if I didn’t have the weird filler episode I wouldn’t have anything in the series to grab hold of.

[@skyhigh4623]

Z had better music(shunsuke kikuchi not Faulconer) like ICONIC level stuff, and if you don't have the patience to watch 10 episodes to pass 5 minutes (if you know you know) then maybe you shouldn't. Also anyone introducing people to DBZ through Kai will get throat punched, jk but not really...

[@yourboi1842]

Kai is better I am a dragon ball fan (original dragon ball) and think Kai is the better adaption by a long shot. I’m pretty sure Toyama writes the story as he goes which leads to massive plot holes. Which is why you can just start at z as the entire z plot was made up after the fact with the original characters. The filler in z was uneventful I don’t even remember it, Kai I remember it all. Just watch dragon ball then Kai if you are invested. Then watch db if you care. Do not watch gt or super under any circumstances. Super is cannon written by the author but it’s such just a bad fan fiction to the writers own story.

[@burundianfamily2982]

I grew up watching a mix of both Z and kai I prefer kai more, but Z does have this rawness to it that kai just lacks it's strange, but kai strives on the fact that sometimes less is more but for Z in certain arcs and episodes it can be the opposite the extra scenes like Trunks and Vegeta training in the hyperbolic time chamber for example kinda give Z a better richness to it and enhances the story a bit for me

[@creategreatness8823]

If they could just hook me up with a version of Kai that opens with Cha La Head Cha La and has the Faulconer music option...you would pretty much have the ultimate version of the show.

[@sonnywoods6846]

I Haven't seen Z in a long time so I don't remember. Since Dragon Ball is a Battle anime, what about the fights? I know a lot of the fights in Z was enhanced by Filler fight scenes, and since its been a long time since I saw DBZ I don't remember how many of the fights were eraced in KAi. So which series had the better Canon combined with Filler Fights? If this makes sense

[@Elote20]

Is there anywhere I can buy dragon ball Kai digitally? I want to watch Kai but don’t want to deal with all those DVD’s

[@solomonnesby6281]

Roku

[@businessaccount8455]

Dragon Ball Z forever made me love the franchise. It’s the only reason I ever even gave Kai a chance. When I was still in high school when Kai released it didn’t have that same feeling to me. I know they brightened and updated the picture quality but the way Dragon Ball Z put together everything is just undefeated. DBZ kept me interested. Imperfections and all. End of story.

[@bumblebeemer]

I think a factor in which one you prefer depends on how/what way you like to watch. Do you go in analytically and with a critical eye? Or do you just dive in, immerse yourself, and enjoy the ride? For me, it's the latter. So if I love a story, I want the most I can get. Filler is therefore more world-building, learning about the characters, and enjoying the side quests for me, than just delaying progression of the overarching plot. (Or buying time because the anime got ahead of the manga lol. That type of thing is meta, and just a trivia fact to me lol.) Can't get down with losing time with my boys Vegeta and Gohan, so long live Z!

[@ShockToYoSystem]

No personal preference but you gave multiple personal preferences 1 minute in the video🤔 videos like this i just exit and dislike

[@edwardjones1482]

😂😂 yea he did

[@Olifantenstaart]

You did not cover voice acting?

[@aka-fusion8909]

It’s so weird how in Kai raditz’s hair has a blue tint which it isn’t supposed to have, and vegetas hair is brown at times

[@Diamonddeath]

How did the Japanese version of Kai have less episodes than the international version?

[@happiness7544]

Its Weird For Me Because One Of The Few Things That Is Making Me Debate Which One I Wanna Watch Again (Just Finished Watching Original Dragon Ball) Is Frieza…His Original Voice In DBZ Is Good But Man His Kai And Most Recognizable Voice Makes My Heart Jump, I Love It So Much~

[@animesavvy]

Indeed. Chris Ayers was truly one of the best Freezas

[@mkhanman12345]

@@animesavvy he is OK. I prefer the original

[@arrownoir]

I think the original is way better,

[@vykuntapufangtxpreet9546]

If You Want To Watch *DBZ* In *ENGLISH* Then Watch *KAI* For *DB,* *DBZ,* *GT* Watch It In *JAPANESE* For *SUPER* Watch It In *JAPANESE* & Then *ENGLISH*

[@ShockToYoSystem]

filler as you called it was made for a reason and made in the manner it was made for a reason. Ps: it shows what goes on in the background that the manga cant display. Dbz English dub is what made db what it is not Kai or the manga, now and days people praise the manga and Kai but always get there facts from the filler episodes lol but want to downplay it. If your a new fan watch the original English dub or dub with filler it completes the story not the half ass so called better animation Nickelodeon non gory kai version.

[@ShortPuff]

Anyways watch kai. The superior version of dragon ball. 🤗 better pacing, terrible filler removed, and MUCH better voice acting.

[@barneynash6.]

Well said kai isnt even the original🗣😭, anyway kai isnt the better it took away all the depth and everything that made z z kai is more like tfs to me.

[@barneynash6.]

People who dont like the original and filler are mostly youths and new fans who come from tfs and dbsuper period. The real ones know db and dbz the original is the superior

[@ShortPuff]

@@barneynash6. ya'll need to put your nostalgia to the side. It is painful. 💀 Not every fan that prefers kai watched tfs or super first. Lmao

[@keymalik3684]

Nostalgia? Your copying other npc opinions typical,

[@spongeboymebob771]

I never grew up with DBZ, I was properly first introduced to it through Kai about 3-4 years ago so that's when I first watched it. Having close to zero emotional attachment to the series I think, for lack of sounding entitled, kept my judgement unclouded. Rather than think "This one is better because I was a child back then", I actually went and compared the two in almost every way to find out "what looks more modern? What sounds more natural? What is more faithful to the source?" I think by removing emotions and looking at it logically some people might come to a different conclusion than they originally did. Whether that's preferring Kai or Funi. I for one prefer Kai. But some people prefer Funi and though I disagree with the reasoning, in the end it doesn't really matter and it's okay.

[@vandad13]

Kinda odd that you didn’t bring up the Japanese or English dubs for both series

[@mkmishra.1997]

DBZ pacing is actually good if you can watch it at 2x speed.

[@jackbmh2320]

I grew up on kai so I might be a little biased, but I prefer the faster pacing it has. I’m rereading the manga in color right now and I really do appreciate how close kai gets to the original manga.

[@mkhanman12345]

Not close enough. Did they change goku in Kai because apparently he is different in the Manga

[@jackbmh2320]

@@mkhanman12345 The change you are talking about is because of the original Z dub, there is no change in Z sub or any version of kai

[@mwm5942]

I grew up watching Z on and I've watched it like 3 times i loved it so much both soundtracks.OG Dragon Ball is my favorite part of the story, so uplifting, fun, wholesome and aesthetically beautiful. I've watched Kai and I liked it more for the same reasons, except I do miss the same kid gohan training, saiyaman and other-world tournament episodes; we can pretend knock off pilaf never existed tho. I wish there was a bruce faulconer mix of kai, i do like that soundtrack the best. I would always lead someone towards watching kai instead of z after finishing dragonball.

[@smintili]

Just finished Dragon Ball and was uncertain if I should go for Z or Kai, but since I missed the original craze in the early 00s I thought I let nostalgia win and go for Z 😅 I can still watch Kai later when I need a freshening up course version 😄

[@ObeseMommy]

I choose Kai for the soundtrack ❤ plus there are no fillers

[@skyhigh4623]

shunsuke kikuchi DBZ soundtrack is amazing you don't know what tf you're talking about

[@ObeseMommy]

@@skyhigh4623 ever heard of opinions mf?

[@skyhigh4623]

@@ObeseMommy have you heard Kakuchi? Like do you know what you're listening to? kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5urn6VpecqWaas

[@skyhigh4623]

@@ObeseMommy some opinions are trash and based on ignorance, like it's not even close. Listen to Kakuchi soundtrack, Kai is trying to replicate what Kakuchi already did in Z

[@skyhigh4623]

@@ObeseMommy Kais sound track is a weaker version of a better soundtrack, so you like worse things that's fine

[@darthsidious4274]

I'm forever happy with my dbz madman collection, Kai is good maybe even better, but I just can't replace that 20+ year old set haha.

[@emilycolt9880]

Absolutely Z for the entire Saiyan saga and Absolutely kai for the entire Namek saga imo Also, Z music is SOOOO much better, kai music is often misplaced and jarring.

[@animesavvy]

While I don’t completely agree with your opinion on the Kai music, I do definitely agree that Z had a better Sayian saga. The filler for the sayian saga added so much

[@brandonking5111]

I prefer z over Kai because I prefer the z voices, the coloring, and filler episodes. I don’t think Kai should’ve even been made because it’s just the same show with less in it.

[@Patrick_Bateman_69]

The one thing I hate about the original z is the pacing, whenever I re watch episodes to workout to i gotta skim through 3 episodes just to find a good fight scene I wanna see

[@purposeinpresence4494]

It’s such a hard question. We will never get the perfect DBZ series. The music of Kai is kinda a buzz kill… Kai looks the best… but the fact that you can’t watch the og funimation run in the original 4:3.. they are cropped and colors blown out on all streaming services… and you watch the O.G. And you hate the pacing.. then it watch Kai.. and it’s too fast and you miss the pacing and filler… idk it’s hard. I think Kai wins for the looks.

[@SSJBartSimp]

What we need is one that has no battle filler but has all the character development filler.

[@expertofplaying6734]

I started watching all of Dragon Ball a year ago. I began with DB, then Z, then GT and now I am watching Kai (sort of as a reminder of what was happening in Z because I took a big pause after Z and after GT). I do realise that it may be a weird thing to say, but I don't think the animation is all too much better than in Z. Yes, it does look more *crisp*, but I expected way more of a difference, since there were 13 years worth of improvement in matters of animation inbetween those shows. Ironically, the animation during the intermissions as well as in the intro and outro in Kai is kinda what I expected the entire show to look like. I just started the Freeza Arc, so maybe it will improve by the time I get to Cell or Buu, but for now it is simply like Z, but with the fat cut off. (I can't really say anything objective about the music since I am watching the german dub, but the second DB Z intro in german my favourite intro of all time and I doubt that it will find its way back to Kai, so point to Z)

[@MaxiemumKarnage]

Kai is better for pacing and makes the first two sagas (plus skipping Garlic Jr.) a lot less of a huge investment and has some really great fight themes/intro, but Z absolutely dominates with the Cell arc, the GOOD filler and Falconer's soundtrack

[@mkhanman12345]

The investment is very little. Kai is the original with crap music change. There is nothing new or different about it.

[@nightlydata2181]

@@mkhanman12345 there's a version of kai wit the kikuchi score released after yamamoto got caught

[@sippinjuice4lyfe]

This is a great video! I can already tell it’s gonna blow up remember me when it does. I seen you haven posted in awhile before this so I hope you keep it up and make some more good videos.

[@animesavvy]

Thank you so much man! It’s already the most popular video by far that I have lol. I’m scripting another video right now, and I’m hoping I can be finished with it within a couple weeks

[@zantiquechm3960]

I grew up watching Z and I say watch Kai. I do prefer Bruce Faulconer's music though.

[@tylerstarnes7030]

Eh of the 2 Z is better than Kai for me. Watched Z first something I can't approve of with Kai is censorship less blood, no holes blood Goku/Raditz chest. I just prefer authentic original experience vs something taken away thus making Kai the inferior version. Even Super holds back compared to original Dragonball and Z.

[@nightlydata2181]

there's an uncut version of kai that has all the blood & swears. it was censored for the tv release cus it was on channels like nicktoons but if u look it up u'll find the uncensored version

[@LookingForBucho]

The original run of Ocean dub will always rule all.

[@NeonNightmares]

Is Dragon Ball Kai available in an uncensored version?

[@kazi1]

Yes, on Blu-ray

[@aprilstegall6002]

I myself grew up with dbz kai since that's what got me into the franchise, tbh its hard for me to say which one is superior

[@mkhanman12345]

Kai is the original without the crap music

[@TheCrain]

I used to watch BDZ on Tunami I'm pretty sure(It was after school) and it took for eeeeevvvvvv errrrrrrr for the Freiza/Goku fight. I recently just watched DBZ in its entirety over a couple months and I agree with you that I love most of the filler. It had so much charm and just added to the characters. Yet, I did get fatigued a few times when it just went on and on. I was really itching to get to the Android saga as that was the saga I was least familiar with.

[@metalhandboi6681]

Super Saiyan 3 being in the Faulconer score automatically wins me over

[@mike_datzmag1c21]

As well as Gohan’s SSJ2 moment….the music really does build that intensity as well as when Vegeta’s theme

[@iam_maixxv6800]

@@mike_datzmag1c21 dbz is way way better because of faulconer

[@mike_datzmag1c21]

@@iam_maixxv6800 that’s exactly my point, Goku turning super sayain, the dragon music(when wishes are made), the SSJ2 Gohan music, Vegeta’s music while cell was getting destroyed was pure Greatness. I’m rewatching cell saga now gettin nostalgia. I love the Majin music as well esp when Vegeta was turning Majin

[@oliwer2540]

Does DBZ Kai not have fullscreen "without the black bars"?

[@kazi1]

Kai has 16:9 in the Buu saga only I believe

[@havefaith4382]

this guys humor and voice gives me wendigoon vibes

[@deityjc]

Growing up with Kai I think it's better for new viewers who haven't seen the original Dragon Ball or are relatively new to anime.

[@michaelrivera4299]

Just watched both. Z has better music so that how it's able to push threw the slower fights and filler. Art is 50/50. It's cool to see the clean art in kai, but it's nice to see that rough grime in Z. Kai is definitely the way to enjoy going into super, but Z is the way to enjoy DB and GT.

[@grandadmiralthrawn66]

Kai or manga IMO, and this is coming from someone that grew up with Z.

[@marvelboi3416]

I grew up with the original Dragon Ball Z but to be honest I prefer Dragon Ball Kai especially on home media and streaming. It is much better for me to rewatch with awesome dubbed dialogue, animation and cut unnecessary stupid boring long filler episodes. Plus the series is a little more faithful to the manga counterpart. In Kai there also a lot more swearing which I like and fit my favorite character Vegeta personality😂 lol.... The editing in some of the episodes in DBZ Kai fits perfectly.

[@koammudo43]

Vegeta and nappa looking different would make sense since it was a different planet the sun ray probably didn't reflect light the same as earth 🫨

[@MADKapo]

I think Kai was great up to the Cell saga. I hate how it looks in the Buu saga, they switched to a 16:9 aspect ratio instead of 4:3, cutting a lot of stuff from the image, and it had that awful green tint all over it too. Also, as much as I like Sugimoto's soundtrack in Super, I think his work in Kai TFC was pretty lackluster.

[@kazi1]

Agreed

[@jennikifm2]

Dragon Ball Z all the way. Grew up with it anyway. Plus it has more humor and other badass stuff.

[@guileniam]

People don't like Gohan in High school? The fuck? Who are these people?

[@michaelkirschner6009]

I've watched both and like both.

[@gillysummerss]

I never realized how many fans Kai on Nicktoon created

[@Hana.78v]

I think I'm gonna watch the Kai version instead of the original since I prefer the animation and no fillers.

[@monstermunch8670]

i feel kai is slightly hard to watch considering the fact that theres new polished art and oldie art and it just doesnt work together when the new scenes look beautiful while the old looks well old an raw. puts me off since its just not consistent enough, kinda hurts my eyes too

[@rockkzillatv444]

Definitely Z for me, I like the z fighters vs android in Kai tho

[@collider12]

Great moments in Z, but I can watch clips on KZbin for the og voice acting & score, scenes like Gohan’s masenko after Piccolo’s sacrifice is so much better in Z, but overall as I grow older I’d rather rewatch Kai

[@dreamalitymangacreator5891]

Kai was the best for sure. Better voice acting and dialogue and is faster paced

[@kaoricarillo6434]

Kai basically wins on every aspect but One thing i hate is that some if the iconic things on Z is removed in kai

[@308lastname3]

Kai with the original voice lines and faulconer score would be the best

[@xthesaiyan7933]

I watch the original Z for the blood and unedited stuff. I’ll watch Kai for the better screams/voice acting. I’m on the Namek Saga right now watching the original Z, but when it gets to Frieza vs Goku, I’m switching to Kai, and then back to Z once it’s over. Mainly because I don’t like how Frieda’s original Z VA sounds, and Sean has Goku screaming better in Kai than Z. Only thing I won’t like is that I won’t see any blood along with the better screams, but I’ll deal with it

[@nightlydata2181]

there's an uncut version of kai that has all the blood & swears. it was censored for the tv release cus it was on channels like nicktoons but if u look it up u'll find the uncensored version

[@lordenma4449]

Dbz kai has some great moments too it has the best voice actors the best animation yet Its just perfect The only thing dbz had was a bunch of brutal scenes and weak voice acting and yeah some not bad dialog and that's it Kai is still my fav even tough some of the techniques names are stupidly aged

[@muigokublack6487]

I have both original Z and Kai so I can choose both (also the Dragon Boxes but that's another story) and while I will always have a special place for Linda Young as Frieza, Chris Ayres is just objectively the better Frieza.

[@tenshi7784]

A lot of the filler (aka stuff not written by Toriyama) adds so much more characterization than the manga. I love Toriyama and the manga, but I have to admit that Toei sometimes writes the characters and dramatic moments much better than Toriyama. For example, History of Trunks is better than Trunks the Lone Warrior (I don't really remember the manga name).

[@brickmoney4152]

Saiyan Saga- Ocean Dub, Namek/Cell saga- Funimation. Kai is pretty good though , I would take Funimation with Kai fighting animation for Namek-Buu saga. Also take some of the filler out of Dbz , not all of it.

[@DARS_04]

Bro why are you using Dragon Box footage for OG DBZ. That shit just looks bad, at least when compared to the Dragon Boxes, I grew up with Kai but I like some the filler in some sections of DBZ

[@quanmichel3747]

If we’re talking Japanese version, I got original z because the music, if we’re talking English Kai clears easy, because the voice acting

[@mkhanman12345]

Didn't see much with the voice acting. Seems like a made up point. And they managed to ruin goku turning super siayan and gohan killing cell. Go with the original because Kai is the original without the crap music

[@nightlydata2181]

there's a version of kai wit the kikuchi score that was released after yamamoto got caught

[@mrtimjitsu]

I grew up on Z. I remember coming home from school excited to see a fight FINALLY, only to get more talking. Now that I'm a father, I want to torture my kids, and make them experience the same frustration. So I bought the Z DVD series lol

[@davidhutchinson88]

DragonBall Z Abridged... Piccolo are, are you a Yoshi?... Can, can I ride you?

[@MoarRobots]

i think for the dub, kai is better to watch. In terms of sub, the original series got a lot of good qualities

[@applepie1911e]

6:23 gohan in school was fun

[@alvinandchipmucks5834]

I watched z I think I will watch Kai now

[@Godsamurai341]

As a kid DBZ Kai makes me become a fan of dbz series specially when Goku went kaioken and super Saiyan the animation is damn good. And yeah compare to DBZ Kai, DBZ is really slow at story pace ngl 😂

[@insertcity2508]

Missing the Ocen Dub episodes is an experience all its own. Goku vs Vegeta Ocean dub is better than the remainder of Z and Kai

[@KimidoriGreen]

i like the original Z but only when its the original Japanese dub or Latino Dub, its just the English dub has such a weird music choices and the VA is always lacking, while the Spanish dub kept the music and the feeling is well attached from the JP dub.

[@HornyHamster]

DBZ Kai for saiyan-cell saga and DBZ for the Buu saga