Unmasking the Enigmatic 'Big Green' Dub in Dragon Ball Z: Revealing the Hidden Secrets

Dragon Ball Z has a rich and intricate history in its American journey. Given its existence for over thirty years (yes, it has been that long), it comes as no surprise that the series has undergone numerous dubbing versions.

Before achieving its current state of perfection, there were several false starts and adjustments that needed to be made. However, among the various attempts to dub Dragon Ball Z into English, none have generated as much bewilderment as a particular dub known as 'The Big Green.' So, what exactly is this dub and what has contributed to its notoriety?

The History of Dragon Ball Z in English

Outside of America, another studio known as AB Groupe created an English dub for countries like the Philippines and France. This particular dub, often referred to as 'The Big Green' dub by viewers, is distinct from the Funimation cast that has become the gold standard for English dubs of Dragon Ball Z.

Why is the AB Groupe Dub Referred to as 'The Big Green?'

In the infamous and poorly produced English dub of Dragon Ball Z known as 'The Big Green', there is an ongoing debate on whether it falls under the category of 'so bad its good' or just plain bad. The dub was created by AB Groupe, a French-based company, after acquiring the rights to the show for international distribution. However, fans widely criticized the dub for its subpar voice acting, inaccurate script translations, and numerous editing errors.

In 'The Big Green' dub, several character names were changed, and the dialogue often deviated significantly from the original Japanese script, which was a common practice at the time. The voice acting performances were often considered to be below par, characterized by awkward delivery and mispronunciations. Interestingly, Nameckian Piccolo was renamed as The Big Green in the dub, while names like Goku and Kiririn remained the same. This decision by AB Groupe perplexed fans, as they believed The Big Green was not a suitable name for Piccolo, considering the alternative options available.

Despite its initial negative reception and the unusual name change given to Piccolo, the 'The Big Green' dub of Dragon Ball Z has gained a certain level of notoriety. It has become the subject of parody and memes within the fan community. While it is generally recommended for newcomers to watch the official English dub produced by Funimation or to watch the series with subtitles for a more faithful and enjoyable experience, 'The Big Green' dub offers a unique appeal for those who simply want to indulge in a dub that is hilariously off-key and cringeworthy at best.

Can Viewers Watch this Dub?

Believe it or not, the 'The Big Green' dub of Dragon Ball Z can be viewed, although its availability may vary depending on the region and platform. This particular dub, produced by AB Groupe for international distribution, is more commonly found in non-English-speaking regions where the rights were acquired. Consequently, if you reside in America or Canada, the dub may be less widely accessible compared to the official Funimation English dub.

'The Big Green' dub has developed a dedicated fanbase, attaining cult status due to its notoriety. It is occasionally available on unofficial or fan-uploaded video-sharing platforms, and may also be found on certain DVD releases or older VHS tapes. However, for those seeking the ultimate experience, we recommend exploring the numerous clip collections on YouTube. These compilations curate the most outrageous and amusing lines, condensed into ten-minute super cuts, ensuring a brief yet highly entertaining viewing experience for all.