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Probably the most well-known of al Abriged series, even surpassing Yugioh abriged, Team Four Star’s DagonBall Z Abriged has to be one of the best ones I’ve seen. Is is just me, or has Mystery Science Theater 3000 inspired most if not all internet comedians? The vibe courses through every Abriged series, as well as most comedic reviewers I’ve seen. The combination of nostalgia and comedy seems to strike a chord with people of my generation.
Nevertheless, all Abridged series I have seen are, perhaps counter intuitively, based on a love of the source material instead of a disdain for it. I think that I read an early interview with LittleKuriboh (creator of Yugioh Abridged) where he had said as much, and from what I’ve seen is true. After all, isn`t one of the definitions of love to love regardless of faults, while still acknowledging that said faults exist?
On to the series itself, DBZ Abridged does a wonderful job of exaggerating character traits in a comedic fashion, such as Gohan’s nerdiness, Goku’s innocence, Krillin and Yamcha’s always failing, and even the seriousness of Tien. They play off of each other very well, and added effects are used sparingly and always to great comedic effect. Bit characters often have their personalities completely changed, but I don`t think anyone really would care enough about them to be offended.
Sometimes, to some characters which barely had a presence in the original show, their character is completely changed. Little Kuriboh first did this in Yugioh Abridged with Tristan, who in the original series is basically a copy of Joey, except without all the things that make Joey Joey, such as his dueling skill and his sister. In other words, he’s a completely pointless and useless character in the show that did next to nothing of import. LK noticed this and gave him a goofy voice and made him a complete buffoon, and it worked, turning a character no one ever cared about in his original form to a fan favorite.
Team Four Star has done this with not one but two characters, both to great response. The first was Nappa, Vegeta’s crony who did little in the original show but buy time for goku to get there to fight vegeta. He was completely forgotten after his death and no one ever cared. In DBZ Abridged, they gave him a hilarious voice and a lovably stupid personality while still being “evil” and everyone loved him. They even gave him a minor subplot in the second season, after his death! Nappa worked great in his new persona as a Funnyman-Straightman comedy duo with Vegeta.
The second character they did this with was Guru, originally the Kindly old leader of the Nameks. In the Abridged series, Takahata101’s voice acting as Guru really makes him simply hilarious with his constant shouts of “NAIIIIIIIILL!” and otherwise non-caring about his people. He steals the show completely in Season 2, and will certainly be missed.
DBZ Abridged also handles serious moments well, taking things seriously when they need to be. I dare say that Little Kuriboh makes an even better Frieza than the original voice actor, as both his comedic moments (as straightman to Goku and various others) and serious evil ones, are handled completely without missing a beat. Really great acting skill there to be able to switch gears so fluidly. All in all, if you are a fan of DBZ, I definitely recommend checking this out.
Watch Series: http://teamfourstar.com/
