Mayumi Tanaka: Dragon Ball Z Kai to continue overseas, but not air in Japan

Voice actress Mayumi Tanaka reported on her blog on Monday that she is recording more dialogue for Dragon Ball Z Kai. However, she noted that the anime will no longer air in Japan, even though it will continue overseas.

Dragon Ball Z Kai (known as just Dragon Ball Kai in Japan) condenses the 1989-1996 Dragon Ball Z anime series to more closely follow Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga. The series features digital high-definition remastering, a re-recorded soundtrack, and select scenes updated with new effects or re-animated footage.

Tanaka revealed in her Monday post that she and the other cast members were recording the scene in Tenka'ichi Budōkai where Goten and Trunks sneak into the adults section by standing one on top of the other. Tanaka has played Kuririn (Krillin) in the original Dragon Ball anime, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball Kai.

Dragon Ball Z Kai ended its television run in Japan in March of 2011, and Toriko took over its timeslot. Funimation released the series on Blu-ray Disc and DVD in North America. The American channel Nicktoons completed the first run of Funimation's English release this year, and the series is also airing now on Saban Brands and The CW's Vortexx (formerly Toonzai) programming block on Saturdays.

Thanks to Mike LaBrie for the news tip.

[Via Kanzenshuu]

Image © Bird Studio/Shueisha, Fuji TV, Toei Animation