NickToons and Dragon Ball Z Kai

NICKTOONS LAUNCHES U.S. SERIES PREMIERE OF HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED ANIME SERIES
DRAGON BALL Z KAI MONDAY, MAY 24 AT 8:00 PM

Re-Mastered for Dragon Ball Z's 20TH Anniversary, Series Kicks Off with Double Episode Premiere Week May 24-27 0

NEW YORK - May 5, 2010 - Coming off its most-watched and highest-rated first quarter ever with boys 6-11 and 9-14, Nicktoons launches the U.S. premiere of Dragon Ball Z Kai with a special premiere week of back-to-back episodes Monday, May 24, through Thursday, May 27, from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. ET. The latest chapter in the Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball Z Kai is a re-edited rendition of Goku's efforts to save Earth from destruction with the help of his friends and the seven magic Dragon Balls. The 99-episode series will continue to roll out Monday through Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET.

"We're excited to be the home and destination of first premieres in the U.S. for Dragon Ball Z Kai," said Keith Dawkins, Nicktoons Network General Manager, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon Programming Partnerships. "It's a fresh take on one anime's top all time TV series, and now a new generation of kids, as well as fans of the original series, can enjoy the series' suspenseful, exciting action that stays true to the story's initial manga form."

"Thanks to our partner, FUNimation, we are delighted that Dragon Ball Z Kai, a reinvented, enhanced version of Dragon Ball Z will make its U.S. premiere on Nicktoons," said Kanji Kazahaya, Director of Toei Animation Co., Ltd. "MTV Networks has been our strategic partner in the global market and this new relationship with Nicktoons in the U.S. will attract a new generation of fans to the Dragon Ball franchise."

Nicktoons just saw its most-watched first quarter performance ever with kids 6-11 (+2%) and tweens 9-14, as well as its most-watched and highest-rated first quarter ever with boys 6-11 (+9%) and boys 9-14 (+4%) year to date. Currently, the network continues posting gains with its key demos boys 6-11 (+7) and boys 9-14 (+5%).

From FUNimation Entertainment and Toei Animation Co., Ltd., Dragon Ball Z Kai is an anime series that follows the adventures of Son Goku and his ongoing battles to protect the Planet Earth from destruction by the last descendants of an evil race of warriors known as the Saiyans. The Saiyans are on a collision course with Earth and Goku - the strongest fighter on the planet - is all that stands between humanity and extinction. To save his friends and the world he loves, Goku must travel to a realm from which few return, but should he survive, he'll discover the power to face the villainous Saiyan warlord, Prince Vegeta.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the legendary series Dragon Ball Z, show creator and acclaimed Japanese manga artist Akira Toriyama, along with Toei Animation Co. Ltd. and Shueisha Inc. created Dragon Ball Z Kai in which the Dragon Ball Z story is retold to more closely follow Toriyama's original tale about a brave young warrior named Goku. A project personally overseen by Toriyama, Dragon Ball Z has been re-edited and remade using the latest in digital technology, including a full HD-re-mastering of the original film. The series features updated opening and closing sequences, renewed soundtracks and a re-recording of the series by key members of the original English-voice cast, including Sean Schemmel, Christopher R. Sabat (director), Justin Cook and Mike McFarland, among others.

FUNimation Entertainment will release Dragon Ball Z Kai Part One on DVD and Blu-ray on May 18.

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FUNimation Entertainment Press Release