Funimation Productions has announced that the original Dragon Ball TV series will begin airing on the Cartoon Network's Toonami block on June 25th in a one hour block with Dragonball Z. A few episodes of the original Dragon Ball series were broadcast on U.S. TV during the 1990s, but Funimation has completely redone the episodes so they are much closer to the Japanese Dragon Ball series. Funimation will be releasing both edited and uncut versions of the original Dragon Ball series on video and DVD, so fans and collectors will have access to the original uncut Japanese version of the series (with English subtitles and a Japanese soundtrack).
The original Dragon Ball series was created before the popular Dragonball Z animated show, and it presents the popular characters in their younger preteen and teen years. DBZ has a stronger history than the original series in the US, currently topping the ratings on the Cartoon Network (see 'Toonami Ratings Soar'). Dragonball Z was back on the top of the Lycos Top 50 list of Internet searches once again, this time for the week ending April 28th. DBZ has been on the Lycos list for 89 straight weeks, and has been hovering near or in the top spot for months.
In related DBZ news, Irwin Toys, the master toy licensee for DBZ in North America is about to launch its most extensive lineup of DBZ toys ever. Irwin's twelve-inch figures of Trunks and Tien, which come complete with cloth costumes are shipping to stores now. The Trunks Time Capsule, which comes complete with a 5-inch Trunks action figure will follow shortly. Trunks is one of the most popular DBZ characters as evidenced by the quick sell-out of the 'Trunks Saga' expansion for the DBZ CCG (see 'The Trunks Saga Sells Out').
