The 2015 film Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (Dragon Ball Z: Revival of “F”) sees its American theatrical release kick off next week. Stay tuned here at Kanzenshuu for a more complete review in the near future, but in the meantime, check out these quick facts: it is everything you actually wanted to know about this film!

What is Resurrection ‘F’?

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ is a new theatrical film for the Dragon Ball franchise originally released earlier this year in Japan. It is a follow-up and continuation from the 2013 theatrical film Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods.

Why are there multiple titles for this film?

The Japanese title for the film is 復活の「Ｆ」 (Fukkatsu no “F”), which Kanzenshuu has translated as Revival of “F”. Toei’s official English translation for the title is Resurrection ‘F’.

When did/will this film premiere?

Special preview screenings began in Japan 30 March 2015 with a wide theatrical release 18 April 2015. FUNimation held an American preview screening 11 April 2015 with the film in its original Japanese language track accompanied by guests from the Japanese production and English dub. FUNimation’s English dub of the film premiered 02 July 2015 in conjunction with Anime Expo. A wide release of FUNimation’s English dub will hit American theaters between 04 August 2015 and 12 August 2015. Various other countries throughout the world are also receiving the film.

Who produced this film?

The story for the film was crafted by original manga author Akira Toriyama, who stated he wrote it, “…as though it were a continuation of the manga when it was in serialization,” and that while it would, “…of course be a continuation of the previous Battle of Gods,” he has also, “…deliberately increased the amount of action scenes by a good deal.” Toriyama is credited as and with “Original Author, Script, & Character Design”. Tadayoshi Yamamuro, who worked for many years as character designer and animation supervisor on the Dragon Ball franchise, served as the film’s director and animation supervisor. Toei Animation produced the film in conjunction with their normal business partners and committee members (Shueisha, Bandai Namco, Fuji TV, etc.).

What music is used in this film?

Norihito Sumitomo has returned from Battle of Gods and the Majin Boo arc of Dragon Ball (Z) Kai for musical composition duties. Momoiro Clover Z contributed “Pledge of ‘Z'” as the film’s main/closing theme alongside Maximum the Hormone, whose “F” is used during the film (once as a vocal track, and again later as an instrumental). FUNimation’s English dub features the original Japanese version of “F” while Momoiro Clover Z has provided a new English version of “Pledge of ‘Z'”.

Which voice actors are used in this film?

FUNimation’s current Dragon Ball voice cast — with changes established via Dragon Ball (Z) Kai — are primarily used. This includes Chris Ayres as Freeza and Monica Rial as Bulma. As with the company’s English dub of Battle of Gods, Meredith McCoy returns as #18. Jason Douglas and Ian Sinclair reprise their roles as Beerus and Whis, respectively, from Battle of Gods. Todd Haberkorn joins the cast as Jaco the Galactic Patrolman. Jeremy Schwartz, Micah Solusod, and Brad Venable play the roles of Sorbet, Tagoma, and Shisami, respectively. Other returning voice actors include Sean Schemmel, Kyle Hebert, Christopher Sabat, Mike McFarland, Sonny Strait, John Burgmeier, and Kara Edwards.

Is the English dub script accurate?

While there are occasionally “punched-up” lines in the English dub script (e.g., “You’re ‘go’ for Krillin!”), overall it feels on par with the company’s Battle of Gods translation, which itself was an immense step up from the company’s original work in dubbing the franchise. It is in line with their work on the Dragon Ball (Z) Kai TV series.

Is the English dub good?

Yes.

Who produced the English dub?

As with most recent Dragon Ball English dub productions, Christopher Sabat was responsible for production and voice direction in conjunction with his Okratron 5000 studio. A translation of the original Japanese script was completed by longtime fan and FUNimation translator Steve Simmons.

Are the new characters’ names kept as-is?

Yes: Sorbet, Tagoma, Shisami, and even Jaco all keep their names from the original Japanese version. These new names are also pronounced correctly in the English dub.

Which “dub-isms” are kept?

Attack and technique name changes — “Destructo Disc”, “Tri-Beam”, “Special Beam Cannon”, “Instant Transmission” — are used. Beerus is referred to as “Beerus the Destroyer” (“God of Destruction” is not used in the dialog at all).

When will this film be available on home video?

Japan will receive their home release on DVD and Blu-ray 07 October 2015. An American home release has not been announced. FUNimation’s home release for Battle of Gods hit roughly two months after its theatrical screening. FUNimation’s eventual home release will contain both the original Japanese version (with accompanying English subtitles) as well as their English dub.

Some slightly SPOILERIFIC tidbits follow – read at your own risk!

“Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan” was a name attributed to the new, blue-haired form after the movie debuted in Japan. It was not named in the movie itself, even in the original Japanese dialog. This follows suit in FUNimation’s English dub. The line surrounding its explanation was changed slightly, however:

JAPANESE: “This is a bit different. It’s tough to explain, but this is a Super Saiyan who’s a Saiyan with the power of Super Saiyan God.”

ENGLISH: “It’s a little more complicated than that. You don’t have the patience for the full story, so let’s say I got a taste of something called Super Saiyan God, and now I’ve learned to tap into that power on my own.”

Perhaps worth noting is a line that was incorrect in Toriyama’s original script, but was corrected for the final Japanese language dialog, remains correct in FUNimation’s English dub of the film. Freeza states, upon Bulma addressing him by name:

ORIGINAL SCRIPT: “Oh, I remember you. We met very briefly on Planet Namek, didn’t we?…Where’s your friend Son Goku?”

JAPANESE: “Oh? Seeing as you know who I am, were you on Namek, too? If so, where is your friend Son Goku?”

ENGLISH: “Well there aren’t many humans who know who I am, so I can only assume you were on Planet Namek during my battle with your filthy Saiyan friend…?”

Kuririn’s ringtone is kept intact in FUNimation’s English dub.

Jaco mentions Tights by name (both in the original Japanese dialog and in FUNimation’s English dub). The jako/zako pun is adapted with Dr. Brief referring to Jaco as both “Taco” and “Paco”. The Planet Eruka pun (a rearranged kaeru or “frog”) is left unadapted (“Wow, those eyes are more like what you’d see on a Erukain bullfrog!”).

Whis’ “lifeform” line, #18’s “cool” line, Gohan’s “maybe” (re: Super Saiyan) line, and Freeza’s “Golden” description are all translated accurately and faithfully.

Yes, Chris Ayres belts out one of the most blood-curdling — in a good way — screams we’ve ever heard.

Remember that this is just a quick overview of the film’s English dub and some of your most frequently asked questions leading up to its launch — it is not a full review. A review is indeed coming, though, both in written form and on the podcast. Stay tuned for more!