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SpectralTime Since: Apr, 2009
11/07/2023 05:20:15 •••

The Buu Bits: All Killer, No Filler

Speaking as someone with comparatively little nostalgia for the Buu story (I bowed out about when the big pink dumb-dumb got loose back in the day), I really sympathized when Team Four Star, already clearly struggling under the weight of their growing ambitions, the limitations of the original footage, and the troubles with monetizing something they could never truly own, bowed out after Cell.

But, you know, I was also someone who loved the fanmade gag-dub craze, and I know multiple people only familiar with Dragonball Z through the internet phenomenon that was its abridged series. So from that perspective, and just because, hit or miss, Team Four Star could often be relied upon for some good belly laughs, I was also kind of sad that it meant we'd never get more.

The machinima shorts in the years since were a pretty good consolation prize though, made not just with comedy but with a mature tenderness. And then, years later, I heard about something called "The Buu Bits." I was worried that I would just be getting enough of a taste to wish there were more... but in the end, I couldn't resist giving them a look.

I'm so glad I did.

While I do have enough familiarity with the source material that they were coherent, and while I'm sure that several great and/or heartfelt jokes or moments would have come up in the creation process that would've improved them further, "The Buu Bits" are, by and large, all A-grade material, put together by people with over a decade of experience and polished to a mirror sheen. Awkward exposition or any mediocre stuff is largely absent, and what's left is amazing. Comedy often intertwines with genuine affection for the characters; Videl is so charming that more of her would've been great, and most of the returning cast gets to show off their development.

I do think that Goku's general stupidity, obsession with fighting stronger opponents, and carelessness are a bit much... but then, that's basically how I feel about the source material. And I do think that Vegeta is a bit too much of an asshole to care about... but then, that's also how I feel about the source material, and they put a lot more effort into justifying it than the source material ever did. Some more dramatic Buu Bits wouldn't've hurt, but hey, they do have a couple of those, albeit with a bit more comedy than they might've had otherwise. And honestly? It's probably the closest I've ever come to liking the ending to any version of Dragonball outside of the first series.

As a "highlights reel" of what probably would've been the best parts anyway, it's a fantastic send-off. Highly recommended, though, again, with the asterisk that it probably requires some familiarity with the source material, more than the series usually does.

SkullWriter Since: Mar, 2021
11/05/2023 00:00:00

I do agree. I watched their interviews when they decided to close the DBZ Abridged on a high note after Cell, and it was clear that the TFS was **tired** of working in the series. It was quite interesting to see how they came up with the material, why it took so long to crank out new episodes, and how it would put an immense strain on the team (especially due to constant threats of being cut for various reasons). I was a bit sad since by then, Super was around and considering how awful it was, it would have given a lot of good material to work with. But it was quite understandable.

But then, snippets of the Super Series with the TFS brand of humor and VA quality showed up and I felt... hopeful? And then the Buu Bits come out seemingly in the same \'snippets\' format. Frankly I think its the best thing that could have came out from this situation, where the TFS team was tired, but at the same time they had some material to give and there was a whole fanbase that would have loved to see some more. Everybody sort of understood each other and we had good material.

By the way, Four Stars not only agrees with you about Vegeta, but they hate him far more than you and I could ever do (and I loathe the bastard). Not only from interviews, but also special lists (they consider him the most detrimental protagonist in animes), Lanipator saying how even if he voices Vegeta most of the time, he is far from his favorite, and the sheer gauntlet of misery he (deservedly) goes through.

SpectralTime Since: Apr, 2009
11/06/2023 00:00:00

Honestly, I should probably actually watch the multi-part Cell finale one of these days... keep putting it off.

SkullWriter Since: Mar, 2021
11/07/2023 00:00:00

Yes you should, its quite fun! Also I suggest you to seek \"Team Four Star Fight Counseling\", its one of the tidbits they did for Super and its hilarious (and they make Vegeta even more pitiful and miserable).

SpectralTime Since: Apr, 2009
11/07/2023 00:00:00

I did watch a bunch of the super shorts.


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