Dragon Ball A
Project Overview
Given the surprising lack of any abridged series of the original Dragon Ball, I've decided to give making one a go. Things are still in the early planning stages, as I'd like at least one co-writer, but most characterisations for the first season (covering the Pilaf arc with the original quest for the Dragon Balls) have been decided upon, as have some plot points and gags. The general goal of this is to keep up a sense of wonder, whilst focusing more on cleaner jokes and character based humor, with more original characterisations and plot points. This is something that I'm willing to give anyone a shot for.
Dragon Ball A tells the story of the socially incompetent Son Goku, who has never had a conversation with anyone except his grandfather. The tale begins as he encounters Bulma, a runaway teen genius with a short temper but a heart of gold, on her quest for the seven Dragon Balls, artefacts that, when gathered together, will grant their finder any one wish. Along the way, they encounter the broke, irritable Master Roshi, a stoned turtle called Phil, the snarky coward O-Lon, the utter maniac Yamcha, his much saner batman Alfred, and the diabolical Olaf and his incompetent minions. I hope you can remember their names, because Goku sure as HFIL won't.
This is designed not to eat into everyone's time too much, but those in major roles should probably have more spare time. The series will be written, made, and distributed arc by arc, so that each finale can serve as a proper end should the series be cancelled, as well as allowing for a somewhat regular release schedule. I hope you can join us.
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Goku is naive, forgetful, and cheery. He's seven years old, and has never interacted with a single human being, aside from his grandfather. As such, he can't remember names very well and just makes up something vaguely similar, usually an item of food or drink (O-lon becomes Oolong, Olaf becomes Pilaf, etc.). He doesn't know anything about civilisation, so things like cars and the opposite sex are completely alien concepts to him. If Goku knows one thing, it's how to fight, though, so his first response to a situation is typically violence, although over time he quickly learns to ask first before fighting.
(happily, casually) Oh, are we discussing that bear I beat up earlier?
(as if it were a perfectly normal sentence) Grandpa found a note saying my head sweats conditioner.
(freaking out) How are you so cas-wal about this?
Bulma is 16, having recently run away from home. She has a short temper, but tries to be restrained about it with those she considers friends. Bulma serves as a sort of older sister to Goku, encouraging others to be nicer to him and trying to help him keep out of trouble. She often snarks at most of the cast, particularly Oliver, but this is more of her default setting to people, having few friends. She quickly stops snarking towards Goku and Yamcha, however.
(annoyed) It's a dangerous intoxicant that you shouldn't be drinking!
(heroically) Not so fast, matey! You're dealing with the owner of a "Save the Turtles" bumper sticker now!
(calmly) Humour him. It's his first week interacting with people.
O-Lon is a shapeshifting pig man. Yes, really. When the heroes first encounter him, he's been mistaken for a God by villagers and constantly being offered virgin sacrifices, although he's too nervous to tell them to stop. It gets to the extent that, by the time he leaves, he's been made to watch so many episodes of Sex Education by the sacrifices that he is absolutely terrified of the show. O-Lon is much snarkier than the other leads, but he's also very nervous and awkward, so he mostly keeps to himself unless directly spoken to, aside from making sarcastic comments under his breath. His fear of the obstacles on the quest for the Dragon Balls (and the fact that Sex Education is Bulma's favourite show) means he constantly tries to run off, but is usually foiled by Bulma. By the end of the season, he should have grown to the point where he can hold down a conversation, although he's still somewhat nervous because he has to talk to the dragon God, Shenron.
[frustrated] If I have to watch one more episode of Sex Education, I will turn into an A-Bomb and detonate, taking out this bloody town with me!
[phoning it in]Um... yeah. It is I, O-Lon. Cower before me, and stuff. Now give me my [groans quietly] girl of the month.
[sarcastically, under his breath] It's a good thing we're all such functional heroes, or this quest would be somewhat overcomplicated.
Despite living in the desert, Yamcha has convinced himself that he is a dreaded pirate. He's a very hammy and unstable individual, but his physical prowess means that nobody except his infinitely smarter batman, Alfred. His crush on Bulma is his main motivation throughout the series, going to any lengths except going up to her and asking her out. His plans typically involve such things as tracking devices and rocket launchers, so they don't usually go as well as he'd like.
'Tis not muggin', Alfred. 'Tis PIRACY! WE BE DASHIN' ROGUES, NOT COMMON THIEVES!
(distressed) This is what being in love feels like? No wonder all those 50 year old men like joking about how much they hate their wives!
Alright,Alfred. If it'll get ye to shut up, I'll tell 'er meself.
Alfred is very stoic and professional, serving as Yamcha's batman. They are very protective of his master, as irritating as he may be. They rarely lose their patience with anyone, and have simply become resigned to humouring Yamcha's requests to the best of their abilities, although they are prepared to say no to their master if what he proposes is particularly ridiculous. Being O-Lon's sibling (technically - they were given their powers and sentience by the same mad scientist at the same time), they tend to snark back and forth with each other particularly, although this is less malicious and they can work together and get along when necessary. Alfred is typically the strategist of the team, so gels well with the equally intellectual Bulma, who focuses more on science and social interactions, and tries to work with Goku in a similar manner to Yamcha in order to stay on her good side and keep the team from getting killed.
[frustrated] Sir, I'm a talking cat who can shapeshift. What is so hard to believe about a magic wish granting dragon?
[calmly] Miss Bulma, I believe Master Yamcha cares for you a lot more than you realise. I suggest you remember that the next time you speak to him.
[worried] Sir, are you really sure it's still a good idea for us planning to betray this child if he's on good terms with the Ox King?
Master Roshi is a wise kung-fu master who happens to be eternally tired and utterly broke because of his turtle Phil, who spends all his money buying weed. Roshi does not want Phil to forget it in a hurry. Roshi will take any opportunity to weasel money (or at least necessary goods and services) out of the rest of the cast, except for Phil. (Not for lack of trying, he notes) Roshi doesn't become a major character until the second arc, but he does help out quite a bit in the first season. Upon learning that Goku is his ex-pupil's grandson, he warms up to him much faster than the rest of the cast, in spite of the fact that Goku is even worse at remembering his name than he is with anyone else. Roshi is much less perverted here, focusing mainly on acquiring cash and trying to forget his previous experiences with the Dragon Balls.
Oh, Kami, I'm sorry about my roommate. I'll pay for all the damages, of course-
I'm sorry, are you suggesting that a literal Dragon Ball is adequate payment for escorting a turtle to the sea?
(nervously) Fine. Take it. Now please never contact me again.
Olaf is the villain of the first season, on a quest for the Dragon Balls so that they can release an ancient evil and not have to rely on their incompetent henchmen anymore. Olaf is absent minded, but certainly leagues above Goku and Yamcha. Olaf could be considered the smartest person in the series if they weren't this absent minded, which seems to have been caused by working with their henchmen for so long. Olaf has familial ties to this ancient evil, so nobody really wants to work with them other than their henchmen.
[frustrated] I swear, if you weren't the only 2 people willing to work with me, I'd have killed both of you 13 times each by now.
[diabolically] Very well then. If you won't tell me, I'll... well, I'll come up with it after I've become immortal. But then... oh boy, will you be in trouble.
[resigned] You know what? I'm not even surprised this plan failed, if only because I'm working with you two.
A series of minor characters, more for people who want to play multiple roles:
Phil the Turtle - An incredibly stoned jerkass who loves tormenting Master Roshi.
Ox King - Proud, uptight, rarely admits when he's at fault.
Chi-Chi - Naive and absent minded, similar to Goku, although more easily upset and with less violent tendencies, although quick to violence when frightened.
Monster Carrot - Casually mad. Speaks with a very reserved demeanour, but discusses absurd concepts and ideas.
Shu and Mai - Basically Richie and Eddie from Bottom
Also, random bystanders can be voiced by ensemble performers.
No, it's just the way my underpants have been ironed.
[realisation] You know, that explains why the ocean feels so... solid.
[embarrassed] Fine. The mountain's on fire because I left the oven on. It was my fault. Are you happy now?
The video editor should handle the visual aspects of the project - Lip flaps, censor bars, possibly editing characters out of shots, etc. Whilst I'll handle the sound design, it will be their job to make sure the animation properly synchs up with it - making sure fight scenes follow the backing music, informing of lengths of scenes so I can trim the audio properly, etc.
Say something you think would fit
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