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Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Dragon Ball Z-3.4: Androids-Invasion (2000)

Dragon Ball Z-3.4: Androids-Invasion (2000)

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Released 24-Jan-2001
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Details At A Glance

General		Extras
Category	Anime	Notes-Previous Saga Info Biographies-Character Featurette-DBZ Web Promo Featurette-Preview Other Sagas DVD Credits
Rating
Year Of Production	2000
Running Time	80:28 (Case: 82)
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu	Cast & Crew
Region Coding	2,4	Directed By	Daisuke Nishio
Studio Distributor	Toei Animation Madman Entertainment	Starring	Sean Schemmel Christopher Sabat
Case	Amaray-Transparent	Starring	Sean Schemmel Christopher Sabat
RPI	$24.95	Music	Shuusuke Kikuchi Chiho Kikuchi Takeshi Ike

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	Full Frame	English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	None
16x9 Enhancement	No
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.33:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No	Miscellaneous
Subtitles	None	Smoking	Yes
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

After some serious thought about how the DBZ episodes have been presented on these DVDs, I have come to the conclusion that Madman works in very mysterious ways. They started with three episodes on both DBZ 3.1 and DBZ 3.2, then on DBZ 3.3 they only had two but now on this disc, they have four (!).

I received an e-mail from a DBZ fan shortly after reviewing DBZ 3.3, explaining to me that the reason Madman only put two episodes on DBZ 3.3 was because the new Android saga started on DBZ 3.4 and it would be a better idea to start the new saga fresh on a new DVD. Fair enough I thought...but then along came DBZ 3.4, and four episodes were featured on the one DVD.

Judging by the quality of this disc (pretty much identical to the previous entries in the series) it is possible to fit four episodes onto the one DVD, so why didn't Madman have four episodes on the first two DVDs? (Episodes 103-106 on the first disc and episodes 107-110 on the second). They could have then scrapped the documentary on DBZ 3.3 and instead made this disc into DBZ 3.3. Confused? So am I. Hopefully from now on we will have four episodes on each disc regularly.

Anyway, on to the episodes:

The Androids Appear (Episode 111): The reasons the Z warriors have been training for three years have finally arrived, the Androids. For those people who haven't seen DBZ in its uncut form and want to see the difference, this episode is a good place to start, as it is one of the most violent episodes I have seen. The Androids are after Gokuu after what he did in the original Dragonball series (as I stated in my first DBZ review, it's a little hard to just start watching the series - some background information is needed).

A Handy Trick (Episode 112): After nearly killing Yamcha, the Androids destroy the city and its inhabitants. Moving away from what was once the city, they move to a deserted island and the Androids tell Gokuu about Dr. Gero and his plan. But Gokuu has a surprise for them.

Double Trouble For Gokuu (Episode 113): Gokuu has transformed into Super Saiyan and is having his way with Android #19, but the crippling heart virus that Trunks spoke about finally catches up with Gokuu and Android #19 begins to attack. This episode also shows the Androids power to absorb for the first time.

Upgrade To Super Saiyan (Episode 114): Android #19 is really taking control of Gokuu at this stage and it looks like Gokuu may not make it, but then (in what is the best part of the DVD) Vegita appears. One flashback later and we have Vegita turning into a Super Saiyan! Of course, the episode ends soon after, leaving you begging for more.

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Transfer Quality

Video

Four episodes instead of three would have put a bit more strain on the DVD's compression, but it holds up accordingly. It is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 and is not 16x9 enhanced.

The sharpness of the transfer is up to its usually very good level and the animated characters are finely detailed at times, but the overall look still has that early nineties sheen of early morning animation. Shadow detail is represented faithfully, well, for the little shadow detail that is shown.

From what seems to be a very limited colour palette, the colours are vibrant and stand out well. No bleeding or chroma noise was exhibited.

I said in my last review that the amount of grain present in the transfer had somewhat lowered compared to the first two discs, but grain has become even more apparent in this transfer than on the first two DVDs. Madman really should be trying to do something about this problem. Aliasing was also increased, becoming very apparent in the second episode of the disc. Film or in this case, cel, artefacts were consistent but none really caused any disruption to the flow of the episodes.

*Video Ratings Summary*
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

The one audio track on this DVD is an English Dolby Digital 2.0 mix, encoded at 224kb/s.

Dialogue was easily distinguished at all times and audio sync was not a problem, Japanese/English translation withstanding.

As a soundtrack, the stereo mix was good. For the first time when watching a DBZ DVD I did notice some left/right imaging effects during the fight scenes which did add to the action quite a bit. The musical score was as forgettable as usual.

*Audio Ratings Summary*
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

The extras on this disc are identical to Dragonball Z 3.1 except for the trailers.

Notes - Previous Saga Info

Biographies - Characters (9)

Trailer - Dragonball Z Web Promo (00:13)

This has been changed from the last three DVDs. This time it is of better quality and looks like someone has made an effort in putting it together. This may be due to the fact that the official Australian website has undergone a cosmetic upgrade recently.

Trailer - Dragonball Z - Garlic Jnr. Saga And Trunks (01:47)

The first half of the trailer is advertising the Garlic Jnr. Saga (set before this one). The odd thing is that the titles advertised aren't available in Australia and have not been announced either. The second half is just some flashes of Trunks, advertising the first couple of DVDs, even though it has been done somewhat indirectly.

Notes - DVD Credits

R4 vs. R1

From what I can tell, this disc has yet to be released in Region 1, due to the discs being labelled differently compared to Australia.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.