The French dub is the French dub of the Dragon Ball franchise aired in French-speaking countries and that most European dubs of the franchise are based on.
S.O.F.I. dub
History
Club Dorotheé was a French variety show destined for youth and broadcast on the
TF1from September 2, 1987, to August 30, 1997, and produced by AB Productions. Presented by a team of five hosts (Dorotheé, Jacky, Ariane Carletti, Francois Corbier and Patrick Simpson Jones). The show is centered around the star host Dorothée, giving much space to her side as a singer, allowing her to promote her songs, albums and shows. The show was complemented by numerous cartoons, television series, sitcoms, games, competitions and educational sections. During its ten years of existence, it was marked by audience records and subject to numerous controversies.
The show introduced a number of anime and Tokusatsu to French audiences like the Shonen Jump's anime adaptations like Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z,
Saint Seiya(Les Chevaliers du Zodiaque),
City Hunter(Nicky Larson),
High School! Kimengumi(Le collège fou, fou, fou), Akira Toriyama's
Dr. Slump,
Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai(1991 series; Fly) and the controversial
Fist of the North Star(Ken le Survivant), the successful Rumiko Takahashi anime like
Maison Ikkoku(Juliette, je t'aime),
Urusei Yatsura(1981 series; Lamu) and
Ranma ½, and other anime like
Sailor Moon,
Georgie!,
Moero! Top Striker(L'École des champions) among others. The program also re-broadcasted anime from other channels like
UFO Robot Grendizer(Goldorak),
Candy Candy(Candy) that were inherited from Antenne 2 (currently known as France 2) and
Captain Tsubasa(1983 series; Olive et Tom),
Princess Sarah(Princesse Sarah),
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water(Nadia, le secret de l'eau bleue),
Kimagure Orange Road(Max et Compagnie)
Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel(Creamy, merveilleuse Creamy),
Ai Shite Night(Lucile, Amour et Rock 'n Roll) and
Attacker You!(Jeanne et Serge) were aired on the former channel
La Cinq. Meanwhile in the tokusatsu side was broadcast the Super Sentai series like
Choudenshi Bioman(formerly aired on Canal+; Bioman),
Hikari Sentai Maskman(Bioman 2: Maskman),
Choujuu Sentai Liveman(Bioman 3: Liveman),
Kousoku Sentai Turboranger(Turboranger),
Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman(Fiveman) and
Choujin Sentai Jetman(Jetman); Metal Series like
Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion(Jaspion),
Jikuu Senshi Spielban(Spielvan),
Choujinki Metalder(Metalder),
Sekai Ninja Sen Jiraiya(Giraya),
The Mobile Cop Jiban(Jiban),
Tokkei Winspector(Winspector) and their westernized versions
Mighty Morphin Power Rangersand
VR Troopers.
Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball first aired on March 2, 1988, as a show of the Club Dorothée program with the censored version, making it the first European country (and the second international country after Hong Kong, which aired on merely 1-2 weeks before, February 21, 1988) to dub the series. The French theme for Dragon Ball was performed by the Ariane Carletti. The song is about the fight between good and evil, the search for crystal balls and the characters of Gokor and Bulle and the evil Torak. In 1995, a new version of former Dragon Ball intro was created with Ariane participation. In the new version, the names of the characters have been changed to Goku, Bulma and Tao Pai Pai. Series had reruns on TF1 in 1990, 1994, 1995 and was later aired on TMC (from October 1993), AB Cartoons (April 2nd,1996-June 18,1997), RTL9 (from September 1998), Mangas (from 1999), AB1 (from January 2001), NT1 (from 2004), MCM (from 2007), IDF1 (from December 2008), Game One (from January 3rd, 2011).
Dragon Ball Z first aired in France on December 24, 1990 (making the first country outside of Japan to air the anime) also on the same channel, and ended on November 23, 1996. The French theme for Dragon Ball Z was also performed by Ariane Carletti and there exists 3 version - first one with clips from Raditz Saga (called "movie intro"), second with clips from Namek Saga (the most popular one called "basic intro") and 1995 version (called "Remix"). It was later aired on TMC (in 1996 and 1999), Club RTL (from 1996), AB Cartoons (from 1996) Mangas (from 1998), AB1 (from 2002), MCM (from 2003), NT1 (from 2005) and Game One (from 2011) and gained a high success.
Like the predecessor it was censored. During Dragon Ball Z's original airing on Club Dorothée, the anime series was the subject of controversy for its violence. This resulted in episode 274 being the last the air, on November 23, 1996. No reason was given, but it is suspected that it was due to a new rating system introduced in France, which would likely classify the series as inappropriate for children. However, the week later, AB Groupe began distribution of next episodes on VHS, called by fans "Yellow Cardboard Cassettes" and one included always 3 episodes. The video releases had We Gotta Power and We Were Angels, some with Japanese-vocal, other instrumental version.
It is worth to mention that from 2001, newer broadcast uses better quality recordings and some episodes had other intro called Dragon Ball et Dragon Ball Z by Bernard Minet. The DVD releases from that time have used Japanese intrumental intros and the openings were often mixed up, so for example certain episodes from Namek Saga have "We Gotta Power" as intro, which is a thing that European dubs made after 2001 adopted.
Dragon Ball GT
When Dragon Ball GT aired in France, the unexpected cancellation of Dragon Ball Z there resulted in many confusing continuity errors, with some exceptions, such as Super/Kid Buu being destroyed by Goku's Spirit Bomb being shown as one of the flashbacks in the final episode.
Dragon Ball GT was supposed to be broadcast on the same channel as previous one, starting in Summer 1997. Bernard Minet even created an intro but unfortunately, the series was not aired there.
Dragon Ball GT was first released in 1998 by Mangas Power on VHS with 3 episodes on one cassette and later aired in France in 1999 with the same intro as the Japanese one. The series was broadcast on Mangas (in 1999 and 2001), TMC (from 1999), AB1 (from 2001), Club RTL (from 2002), NT1 (from 2006), MCM (from 2009), Game One (from 2011), RTL9 and Toonami (from May 1, 2023). Some of the later broadcasts replaced original intro with the one created by Bernard Minet. Judging from the sounds, it sounds like most of the screams in this version are dubbed, unlike the French versions of DB and DBZ. However, most of the actors from Dragon Ball Z only returned for 1 or 2 episodes (Goten even had a new voice actor who only voiced him for 1 or 2 episodes). Most of the cast have been replaced except for Brigitte Lecordier, Céline Monsarrat, Thierry Redler (Goku for the 1st 10 episodes of DBZ) and Julie Turin (Pan). Gérard Surugue (Dracula Man and Shu in Dragon Ball, and Raditz in Dragon Ball Z) is also present but voiced Master Roshi and Frieza. Other than those, no other voice actor from the French dub of Dragon Ball Z reprised their roles except for Eric Legrand and Mark Lesser, but only for the first three episodes, and the first near the end of the series. Antoine Nouel, who sometimes voiced Android 17, now voices Trunks and Mr. Satan.
Movies and TV Specials
The movies and TV Specials have been also distributed in France. Many of them were exported to other countries just like the series. They were also the basis for the creation of the Big Green dub.
Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball movies appeared in the edited version in 1990 and the normal version in 1995. Depending on version, they use original Japanese intro or "Vive Sangoku et Vive Dragon Ball Z" opening by Ariane Carletti.
- Dragon Ball: La Légende de Shenron (AB Video: 1990) (AK Video: 1995) - Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
- "Dragon Ball: The Legend of Shenron", is accurate to the original title.
- Dragon Ball: Le Château du démon (AB Video: 1990) (AK Video: 1995) - Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle
- "Dragon Ball: The Devil's Castle", removes the "Sleeping Princess" context.
- Dragon Ball: L’Aventure mystique (AB Video: 1990) (AK Video: 1995) - Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure
- "Dragon Ball: The Mystical Adventure". The original title translates to "Dragon Ball: The Great Mystical Adventure".
- Dragon Ball: L’Armée du Ruban Rouge - Dragon Ball: The Path to Power
- Original title: "Dragon Ball: The Way to the Strongest".
- "Dragon Ball: The Red Ribbon Army".
Dragon Ball Z
There are 5 intros used, depending on movie - first is DBZ anime intro by Ariane with clips from Raditz Saga, original Cha-La Head-Cha-La; intrumental or with vocal, Dragon Scatt or We Gotta Power.
- Dragon Ball Z: À la poursuite de Garlic - Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone
- Released on VHS in September 1994
- Original title: "Dragon Ball Z: The Movie", renamed "Dragon Ball Z: Give me back my Gohan-!!".
- "Dragon Ball Z: In Pursuit of Garlic", Garlic Jr. is mistaken for simply Garlic, and changes the goal of the movie from taking back Gohan to pursuing Garlic Jr.
- Dragon Ball Z: Le Robot des glaces - Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest
- Released on VHS in September 1994
- Original title: "Dragon Ball Z: The Strongest Guy in this World".
- "Dragon Ball Z: Ice's Robot" focuses on Dr. Uiro's situation as a robot trapped in ice, rather than the fact he seeks for the strongest person on Earth.
- Dragon Ball Z: Le Combat fratricide - Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might
- Released on VHS in September 1994
- Original title: "Dragon Ball Z: The Entire Earth Super Decisive Battle".
- "Dragon Ball Z: The Fratricidal Fight" mistakenly describe Turles as Goku's brother, and simply focuses on the fight between them rather than the fact that the Z-Fighters and the invaders using the whole Earth's energy (Spirit Bomb and Tree of Might).
- Dragon Ball Z: La Menace de Namek - Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug
- Released on VHS in September 1994
- Original title: "Dragon Ball Z: That's the Super Saiyan Son Goku".
- Initially printed with a spelling error as "Dragon Ball Z: La Menace de Namec" ("Dragon Ball Z: Namec's Threat"), "Dragon Ball Z: Namek's Threat" is a confusing and movie-spoiling title: either planet Namek is threatened, or Earth is threatened by some Namekian, which latter ends up being true. Being released later than the times when Toei and fans were wondering what Super Saiyan exactly was, the original title was probably replaced for this reason.
- Dragon Ball Z: La Revanche de Cooler - Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge
- Released on VHS in December 1994
- Original title: "The Extraordinary Strongest vs. Strongest".
- "Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge" may be used in English dub, but it doesn't talk about how Goku and Cooler are both incredible strongest beings fighting each other like in the original. Moreover, it's inaccurate since Cooler doesn't actually care for his brother's fate.
- Dragon Ball Z: Cent mille guerriers de métal - Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler
- Released on VHS in December 1994
- Original title: "Dragon Ball Z: Shock!! The Warriors with a Power of 10 Billion".
- "Dragon Ball Z: Metallic Hundred of Thousand Warriors" is a mistranslation of the original title, since it doesn't describe the fact there is a hundred of thousands of Metal Coolers, but their power is simply equivalent to that of 10 billion warriors. The number error stems from the fact that Japanese language use a different numeral system, making 10 billion be written as 100 hundreds of million (100,0000,0000 rather than 10,000,000,000).
- Dragon Ball Z: L’Offensive des cyborgs - Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!
- Released on VHS in December 1994
- Original title: "Dragon Ball Z: Utmost Limits Battle!! The Three Great Super Saiyans".
- "Dragon Ball Z: Androids' Offensive" focuses on the fact that new Androids are attacking the Z-Fighters, rather than the insane level of fighting of the movie featuring Goku, Vegeta and Future Trunks as a Super Saiyan trio.
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly le super guerrier - Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan
- Released on VHS in December 1994
- Original title: "Dragon Ball Z: Burn Out!! Hot Fight, Violent Fight, Super Fierce Fight".
- "Dragon Ball Z: Broly the Super Warrior", uses the "Super Warrior" designation for the Super Saiyans. This title is more explicit towards Broly.
- Dragon Ball Z: Les Mercenaires de l’espace - Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound
- Released on VHS in April 1995
- Original title: "Galaxy's at the Brink!! The Breaking Away Amazing Guy".
- "Dragon Ball Z: The Space Mercenaries", describe the Bojack group as "space mercenaries" instead of teasing Super Saiyan 2 Gohan as a "breaking away amazing guy".
- Dragon Ball Z: Le retour de Broly renamed as Dragon Ball Z: Rivaux dangereux - Dragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming
- Released in cinemas in October 1996 as Dragon Ball Z 2.
- Original title: "The Dangerous two! The Super Warrior doesn't Sleep".
- "Dragon Ball Z: Broly's Return", rather focuses on Broly's return.
- "Dragon Ball Z: Dangerous Rivals", mistakenly describe Gohan and Broly as rivals.
- Dragon Ball Z: Bio Broly! renamed as Dragon Ball Z: Attaque Super Warrior! - Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly
- Released in cinemas in October 1996 as Dragon Ball Z 2.
- Original title: "Super Warrior Crushing!! The Winner will be Me".
- "Dragon Ball Z: Bio Broly", like the English title, focuses on Bio-Broly rather than the fights themselves.
- "Dragon Ball Z: Attack Super Warrior", is a blunt title, since it randomly translates a word into English instead of French, thus barely making any grammatical sense.
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusions - Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn
- Released in cinemas in October 1995 as Dragon Ball Z, le film lit. Dragon Ball Z, the movie
- Original title: "The Reviving Fusion! Goku and Vegeta".
- "Dragon Ball Z: Fusions", imply that there are multiple fusions in the movie, which stands out to be true.
- Dragon Ball Z: L’Attaque du dragon - Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon
- Released in cinemas in October 1995 as Dragon Ball Z, le film lit. Dragon Ball Z, the movie
- Original title: "Dragon Fist Exploding! If Goku doesn't do it, Who's going to?".
- "Dragon Ball Z: The Dragon Attack", caused the English title to talk about some dragon's wrath against the Z-Fighters, instead of the Dragon Fist, Goku's brand new technique in this movie.
- TV Specials
- Dragon Ball Z: Baddack contre Freezer called also Dragon Ball Z: Le Père de Sangoku - Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku
- Released on VHS in April 1995
- Original title: "The Final Decisive Battle all alone! ~Z-Warrior Goku's Dad who Challenged Frieza~".
- "Dragon Ball Z: Son Goku's Father" only teases about the fact the story is about Goku's father. The name "Sangoku", proper to the French dub is also used. Unlike the English version, it doesn't use the name of Bardock.
- "Dragon Ball Z: Bardock against Frieza". Using names proper to the French dub, "Baddack" and "Freezer", the title was also simplified for a solo fight against Frieza, when it's actually against his whole army.
- Dragon Ball Z: L’Histoire de Trunks - Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks
- Released on VHS in April 1995
- Original title: "Resistance to Hopelessness!! The Remaining Super Warriors, Gohan and Trunks".
- "Dragon Ball Z: Trunks' History". It only teases being about Trunks' history, when the original described the tragedic aspect of the future.
Dragon Ball GT
- Dragon Ball GT: Cent ans après - Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy
- Original title: "Goku Side Story! The Proof of Courage is the Four-Star Dragon Ball".
- "Dragon Ball GT: A Hundred Years After". It basically says out that the story is 100 years after the end of Dragon Ball GT.
List of changes
S.O.F.I. dubbing studio was licensed by AB Groupe for making the French dubs, using "Rythmo Band" technique. The studio was notorious for childish script adaptation choices, sub-par translations, frequent censorship, and cost-cutting tactics, seen in other animes translated by them. This was partly necessary due to the fact that the animes were shown on public television, where any stronger scene could result in outrage from parents or authorities and, in the worst case scenario, the program could be removed from the schedule. AB Groupe bought the animations in large quantities without knowing what they were, because the Japanese sold them at very low prices due to small intrest in serious distribution anywhere outside Asia. Also the dub was not translated directly from the original Japanese script, but was translated using Toei's "Engrish" scripts and translated by several translators. Later the audio, visual, and script materials were received in other European countries for their dubs of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT.
The dub is known for its infamous changes (which the AB Groupe dub, or the "Big Green" dub, heavily draws from), such as Goku always being called Sangoku/Songoku. Likewise, Gohan and Goten are called Sangohan/Songohan and Sangoten/Songoten, the Saiyans are renamed to Guerriers de l'espace (Space Warriors) and then Super Guerrier (Super Warriors) once they go Super Saiyan (but in DBGT dub they returned to Saiyan name instead of Space Warriors), King Piccolo is renamed Satan Petit Cœur (Satan Small Heart), Piccolo is renamed Petit Cœur (Small Heart), Kami is renamed Tout Puissant or Dieu (God, the meaning of "Kami") and although Vegeta's name is the same, it's spelled Végéta and pronounced differently (Ve-ji-tuh), hence why the "Big Green" dub decided to name Vegeta that. Goku is never called "Kakarot" but Sangoku or Cachalot (which means "Whale"), as a result, Vegito is called Vegeku. The Androids are accurately called Cyborg, but just with C's (i.e. C-18). Turles is called Thales and is now Goku's second brother, Trunks' name is pronounced as "Trunk", and Marron is called Maron (Maron herself is named Marlene). Additionally, Frieza is localized as Freezer, Majin Buu as Boubou, Shin as Neptune, Dabura as Dabla, Master Roshi as Tortue Géniale, Master Shen as Corbeau Géniale, Gotenks as Gotrunks, Mr. Satan as Hercule, Mr. Popo as Momo, Pikkon as Paul Kuhan, Baby as Bébé Mutant, Giru as Guigui and Ginyu Force as Les Forces Spéciales (The Special Forces). In their presentation, the Ginyu Force's members does not say their names and instead they say a different type of force: Recoome says Force absolue (Absolute force), Burter says Force infernale (Infernal force), Jeice says Force pur (Pure force), Guldo says Force animale (Animal force), Ginyu says Force du mal (Force of Evil) and in later episodes they introduce themselves with original names. Some of the characters doesn't even had names right away, but after few episodes or use name occasionally so many of them were called simply "This guy", "This one", "You" etc. Also, the Dragon Balls were called the Boules de Cristal (Crystal Balls), Power Pole was called Bâton Magique (Magic Stick), Senzu Beans were called Haricots Magiques (Magic Beans) and Flying Nimbus was called Nuage Magique (Magic Cloud). The same happened with the names of the attacks and most of them were renamed, some to the childish ones, for example Masenko to Magic Beam or Special Beam Cannon to Magic Needle Attack. The translation was not continuous, so names were changed from time to time, for example Tri-Beam had five different names in the series. Other attacks were completely replaced with normal lines like "Out of my Way", "Take that" and others. Only in a rare cases name was the same as in the original. For some reason, scouters are called "Detectors" (or "Portable computers", as seen in The Tree of Might), something that would carry over through the other European dubs. Also, since French dubbing rates are calculated according to how many lines of dialogue an actor records--and screams/vocal efforts are counted as lines--the French dub would save money by occasionally not dubbing several of the screams of the characters (in effect allowing people who have never watched the Japanese version to hear the voices).
This version is also more emotional than the original Japanese version, as Goku/Bardock calls their sons "son" and Android 16's dying speech before he's killed by Cell is also more sorrowful. Other than that, some lines, such as Goku's "Super Saiyan" speech, make no sense (Goku is even more ruthless in this version, stating that he's a heartless man who only cares about his friends. He also adds "I summon the power of Kaio! Transformation!" during the "I am the Super Saiyan, Son Goku!" portion).
Interestingly, although in the original version of the show, Vegito and Gotenks had two voices, in the French dub, they are both played by one actor. (It made sense for Gotenks, as Goten and Trunks themselves were played by the same actress around this time)
This is also where Cui's infamous "look behind you!" remark to Vegeta originates from.
The first half of the Dragon Ball Z was subjected to major and very inconsistent censorship. Many violent scenes got removed altogether, thus messing up the pacing and leading to plot holes. The death of several characters got cut either partially or entirely, though on numerous occasions, episode recaps and flashbacks still showed these scenes unedited. However, none of Gohan's nudity or any references to Hell, religious figures, and talk of death got removed, because these were still seen as suitable for young children, the _target audience of the French version. After the Frieza Saga, the censorship radically decreased, and no material was cut from the entirety of the Buu Saga, including gore, sexual references and character's flipping off others. Instead, the dialogue was rewritten to sound more childish and easier to understand, and in particular, Master Roshi's lines were changed to remove all sexual references (even when the animation clearly showed what he was really talking about).
Broadcast outside France
In addition to distribution rights for France, AB Groupe easily acquired the rights for all of European nations and French-speaking regions. The license itself probably expired sometime between 2005-2007, after Toei established its branch in Europe. AB Groupe tried to sell the French version to many countries in order to get additional money, of course, this wasn't always possible so many countries have mixed versions (part in French, part in Japanese or other dub). In some of regions, the names have been corrected, although it is also possible that upon special request, AB Groupe help with corrections for additional money. Here is a list of regions that have used the French dub in at least one production:
- Germany
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Luxembourg
- Portugal
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Hungary
- Serbia
- Montenegro
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Poland
- Croatia
- Lithuania
- Greece
- Romania
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Canada
- Quebec
- Ivory Coast
- Senegal
- Niger
- Burkina Faso
- French-speaking Africa
- French Polynesia
- Guadeloupe
Voice cast (Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z Anime, Movies and TV Specials)
- Sangoku/Son Goku (bébé/enfant), Sangoku/Son Goku (Adult; Dragon Ball), Sangohan/Son Gohan (kid), Sangoten/Son Goten (kid), Végéta (kid), Trunks (bébé enfant), Gotenks, Kaio Shin, Chi-Chi (kid; as replacement in Dragon Ball), C-18 (Android 18), Maron (Krillin's daughter), Videl: Brigitte Lecordier
- Sangoku/Son Goku (adult): Thierry Redler (first 10 episodes)
- Son Goku (Adulte), Végéta (Vegeta) (1st voice), Bardock (Baddack), Zabon, C-16 (Android 16), Jeese (Jeice), Sharpner, Majin Boo, Future Sangohan/Son Gohan, Sangohan/Son Gohan (Present; as teen; one episode): Patrick Borg
- Végéta/Vegeta, King Vegeta, Yamcha, Mr. Popo, Tsuru Sennin (Crane Hermit), Martial Arts Tournament Announcer, C-16 (Android 16), C-17 (Android 17), Nail, Dende (adult), Vegeto, Sharpner, Tambourine, Sergeant Murasaki: Éric Legrand
- Sangohan/Son Gohan, Krillin (replacement voice; as children): Jacky Berger
- Sangohan/Son Gohan (teen and adult/EoZ), Future Trunks/EoZ Trunks: Mark Lesser
- Sangoten/Son Goten (replacement) Videl (replacement voice) Maron: Annabelle Roux
- Sangoten/Son Goten (teen), Oob: David Lesser
- Trunks (Older; 2nd replacement voice), Mr. Satan, C-16/Android 16 (episode 152 only), Dabra/Dabura: Fredéric Bouraly
- Petit Cœur (Piccolo), Démon Piccolo (King Piccolo/Piccolo Daimao), Freezer (Freeza), West Kaio, Tenshinhan (Alternate voice), Oolong, Yajirobe, Babidi: Philippe Ariotti
- Krillin, Dende (child), Little Trunks (replacement), East Kaio, Puerh (Puar), Upa, Mrs. Brief, Lunch/Launch: Claude Chantal
- Tenshinhan, Narrator, Nappa, Colonel Black, Shu: Georges Atlas
- Cell, Dr. Gero, Narrator, Mr. Brief (Dr. Briefs), King Enma (King Yemma), Reacum (Recoome), Gyumao (Ox-King), Turtle, Colonel Black, Ginyu, Mr. Popo, Tao Pai Pai, General Red (Commander Red), Various Characters: George Lycan
- C-16 (Android 16), C-17 (Android 17): Thierry Bourdon
- Chi-Chi, Aralé, Bulma, Chaozu, Master Karin (Korin), Erasa: Céline Monsarrat
- Commander Blue (General Blue), Commandant White (General White), General Red (Commander Red), Grandpa Gohan, Tortue Géniale (Master Roshi), Baba, Kibito, Tout-Puissant (Kami), Piccolo, Old Kaioshin: Pierre Trabaud
- Oolong (1st voice), C-8 (Android 8), Master Karin (1st voice), Nam, Bacterian, Bola (Bora): Raoul Delfosse
- Chi-Chi (kid and adult in Dragon Ball), Mai, Lunch/Launch: Virginie Ledieu
- Puerh (Dragon Ball): Jacqueline Staup
- Mai, Lunch/Launch: Laurence Crouzet
- Raditz, Draculaman: Gérard Surugue
- Tortue Géniale (Master Roshi): Jean-Louis Costes
- Chi-Chi, Bulma (replacement voices): Stéphanie Murat
- Pan: Julie Turin
Voice cast (Dragon Ball GT Anime and TV Special)
- Sangoku/Son Goku, Giru, C-18/Android 18, Videl, Sangoku/Son Goku Jr.: Brigitte Lecordier
- Adult Goku (1st episode), Giru (1st voice), Baby: Thierry Redler
- Adult/SS4 Goku, Krillin, Dr. Gero: Thierry Mercier
- Pan: Julie Turin
- Trunks, Mr. Satan, Pilaf, General Rildo: Antoine Nouel
- Vegeta (1st 2 episodes), Vegeta Jr: Eric Legrand
- Vegeta: Luke Boulad
- Sangohan/Son Gohan, Oob: Mark Lesser (1st 2 episodes), Sébastien Desjours
- Sangoten/Son Goten (1st 2 episodes), Master Kaio (King Kai), Majin Boo, Petit Cœur/Piccolo: Marc Bretonnière
- Sangoten/Son Goten, Android 17, Kibitokai: Vincent Barazzoni
- Bra (Bulla), Mai, Palace/Valese (Goten's girlfriend): Naïke Fauveau
- Chi-Chi, Bulma: Céline Monsarrat
- Tortue Géniale (Master Roshi), Freezer: Gérard Surugue
- Shenlong/Shenron, Narrator: Serge Bourrier
- Narrator, Professor Myu (Dr. Myu)
- Palace/Valese: Joëlle Guigui (Baby Saga only)
- Mr. Popo: Claude Dasset
Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins
Infamous Taiwanese Dragon Ball movie from 1991, was distributed in France with dub from 2000 by Bingo Family on VHS as Dragon Ball Le Film - La Légende des 7 Boules de Cristal. It was re-released a few times on DVD by other distributors in later years.
Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z/Dragon Ball GT dub fixes
In 2005, GT was released on DVD in a Japanese remastered uncensored version but with no French subtitles.
From 2007 to 2008, all movies and TV specials were released on DVD sets, featuring the Japanese uncensored version with French subtitles.
Since 2009, Dragon Ball Z has been broadcast on the Mangas channel and released in DVD sets, in two versions: Japanese remastered uncensored version with French subtitles and remastered French dub with Japanese endings and openings (title of first episode was read by Patrick Borg). It was later broadcast by Direct Star (from 2012) and TFX (from 2021).
From 2010, Dragon Ball was broadcast on the Mangas channel, in a Japanese uncensored version with French subtitles. It was later broadcast by Direct Star (from 2012).
Dragonball Evolution
Dragonball Evolution hit theaters on April 1, 2009.
Dragon Ball Z Kai
In 2011, Dragon Ball Z Kai first aired in France on Nickelodeon, like how the U.S first aired it on Nicktoons, but since it's a kids' channel, it was censored, but in January 2012, the uncensored dub aired on another Paramount-owned Game One and even aired Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters and the last episode aired on February 3, 2016. This version aired the Kikuchi music due to this dub airing after the Yamamoto lawsuit.
This French dub of DB Kai is more accurate than the original DBZ dub, as the scripts are more faithful to the original. Several of the characters' names are fixed too, such as Goku is called "Goku" on several occasions instead of "Sangoku" (same thing with Gohan and Goten, who went from Sangohan/Sangoten to Gohan and Goten). Kami is still called "Tout-Puissant"; however, this is because it means "Almighty", Piccolo is called "Piccolo" instead of "Petit Cœur" and the Saiyans go from being called "Space Warriors" to "Sayens" (pronounced "Sai-yen"), but this one was already corrected in Dragon Ball GT dub. Trunks' name is now pronounced correctly, and Mr. Satan is called "Monsieur Satan". Vegeta now calls Goku "Kakarot" (though the first French manga edition used to spell it "Carot") instead of "Sangoku" and "Cachalot". The actors now dub their screams as well. Majin Buu is simply called "Boo". It even sounds like the Dragon Balls are called the "Dragon Balls" instead of the "Crystal Balls", and Shenron is called "Shenlong" like in the original Japanese version.
Unlike GT, most of the cast for Dragon Ball Z reprised their roles, but there are some actors who didn't. For example, Georges Atlas (Tien Shinhan, the Narrator for the first 34 episodes and more) died in 1996, Georges Lycan (the Narrator, Cell and more) died in 2006, Pierre Trabaud (who also voiced Master Roshi, Master Kaio/King Kai and others) died in 2005, and Claude Chantal did not return as Krillin. However, there were certain actors that returned, but chose not to voice certain characters. For example, Céline Monsarrat went from voicing Chi-Chi and Erasa to Bulma, Brigitte Lecordier reprises her roles as Goku (Kid), Gohan (Kid), Goten (Kid), C-18 and Infant Trunks, but she did not voice Videl and Kid Trunks, and Philippe Arroti reprises his roles as Piccolo, Oolong and Frieza, but not Yajirobe, and Mark Lesser voices Future Trunks and Adult (in the End of 'Z' Saga) Gohan but not Adult Trunks, he is voiced by Antoine Nouel, who voiced him in GT. It's unknown why this is, as both Trunks look exactly the same. Also, some reason, Goten is still voiced by Lecordier in the End of 'Z' Saga, instead of a male actor like David Lesser (Goten and Uub), but Bulla and Erasa are also now voiced by Lecordier. Antoine Nouel also voices Zarbon instead of Patrick Borg. The voice of Shin also is no longer done by Lecordier. Most of the cast changes that didn't involve death were probably due to wanting the expand the cast and not make the cast look so small. For the fusion characters, Vegito and Gotenks, they used one actor, but a double echo effect to make it sound like two characters.
Voice cast
- Goku, Bardock, Boo: Patrick Borg
- Vegeta, Yamcha, Mr. Popo, Cell Games Cameraman, Martial Arts Tournament Announcer, Vegeto: Éric Legrand
- Goku (Kid), Gohan (Kid), Cyborg-18, Goten (Kid and Teen), Gotenks, Erasa, Bra: Brigitte Lecordier
- Trunks (Kid): Anouck Hautbois
- Future Trunks, Teen and Adult/EoZ Gohan: Mark Lesser
- EoZ Trunks, Cyborg-19, Shenron, Gregory, Raditz, Zarbon, Dabra: Antoine Nouel
- Cyborg-17: Thierry Bourdon
- Piccolo, Freezer, Oolong, Babidi: Philippe Arroti
- Krillin: Monique Nevers
- Tenshinhan, Yajirobe, Cyborg-16, Dr. Brief, Guymaoh (Gyumao/Ox-King), Nail, Enma/King Yemma, Bora, Mighty Mask, Ottokoski, Pintar, Spopovich, Additional Voices: Marc Bretonnière
- Chi-Chi, Puar, Videl: Jennifer Fauveau
- Bulma, Chaozu, Baba, Master Karin: Céline Monsarrat
- Nappa, Grandpa Gohan: Éric Peter
- Master Kaio/King Kai, Tortue Géniale (Master Roshi), Burter, Guldo, Cyborg-8, Mokekko, Old Kaio-Shin: Gilbert Levy
- Dende, Bulma's Mom, Pizza (Ms. Piiza): Marie Millet
- Cell, Cyborg-20: Julien Kramer
- Mr. Satan: Frédéric Bouraly
- Ginyu: Emmanuel Karsen
- Nappa, Dodoria, Grandpa Gohan: Eric Peter
- Narrator, Tout-Puissant (Kami): Michel Ruhl
- Reecom: Thierry Mercier
- Cyborg-17 (episode 163), Kaio Shin, Sharpner, Upa: Vincent de Bouard
- Pui Pui: Renaud Durand
- Idasa: Philippe Siboulet
- Killar: Franck Sportis
- Jeece: Benoît Dupac
- Additional Voices: Brigitte Virtudes
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
The French dub of this movie was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on February 11, 2015, like in the English dub, the cast is mostly the same from Kai, with Beerus and Whis as new characters, as well as the Pilaf Gang as kids.
New characters
- Beerus: Bruno Magne
- Whis: Bruno Méyère
- Pilaf: Benjamin Pascal
- Mai: Joséphine Ropion
- Shu: Stéphane Marais
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
This movie first came out on June 29, 2015. The cast is the same as in Battle of Gods but introduces Jaco into the Dragon Ball world as well as some of Frieza's minions.
New characters
- Jaco: Benjamin Pascal
- Sorbet: Antoine Nouel
- Tagoma: Stéphane Marais
- Shisami: Marc Bretonnière
Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super has been licensed in Toei Animation Europe as of January 17, 2017, and both censored and uncensored version (in PAL speedup version) airs on Toonami France, and then on NT1 in NTSC uncut version. The cast is mostly the same from Kai and the recent movies, but Bikini is now voiced by Marie Giraudon instead of Marie Millet.
As of October 2019, all episodes were dubbed and aired in France.
Recasts/New characters
- Bikini, Dende: Marie Giraudon
- Champa, Piroshki: Marc Brettonière
- Vados: Marie Millét
- Hit: Antoine Nouel
- Goku Black: Patrick Borg
- Future Mai: Joséphine Ropion
- Vegito (Vegetto): Eric Legrand/Patrick Borg
- Zeno: Brigitte Lecordier
- Jiren: Boris Rehlinger
Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Broly was released on January 23, 2019, in France premieres; and was released nationwide on March 13, 2019. Broly's voice actor is the same from the movies, while King Vegeta (who was previously played by Eric Legrand, Vegeta's voice actor), he now has a new voice actor.
Recasts/New characters
- Broly: Mark Lesser
- Berryblue, Kid Raditz: Brigitte Lecordier
- Paragus: Thierry Mercier
- Gine: Claude Morin
- Cheelai: Audrey Sourdive
- Lemo: Charles Germain
- King Vegeta: Patrice Melennec
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was released on October 5, 2022.
Recasts/New characters
- Gamma 1: Phillipe Bozo
- Gamma 2: Donald Reignoux
- Dr. Hedo: Romain Altché
- Magenta: Éric Peter
- Carmine: Antoine Tomé
Trivia
- Before release, Dragon Ball promotional materials used the intro sung by Francine Chantereau, but when show premiered, song was performed by Ariane Carletti.
- Around 1990, Japanese television released episode showing the work on translating and dubbing the French version of Dragon Ball. At the end of the episode, Brigitte Lecordier and Masako Nozawa together dubbed the scene from the first episode of Dragon Ball Z.
- The scenes with The Dictator were completely removed in the French dub of Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn.
- According to an interview with Japan Expo 2008, Patrick Borg confirmed that he was not called in to voice Adult Goku in GT.
- For some reason, Goku is still voiced by Brigitte Lecordier by the end of Dragon Ball, rumors say it's because the script editors/writers or the dub director didn't know Goku had grown up.
- Or perhaps they wanted Adult Goku to sound like his Japanese self.
- In "The Return of Uub", the flashback of "A Devastating Wish" where Goku bids farewell to Uub were suffered this problem too.
- Or perhaps they wanted Adult Goku to sound like his Japanese self.
- Similarly, in Dragon Ball Z Kai, by the "End of Z" (Ep. 166), Goten, a 17-year-old teenager is still voiced by Brigitte Lecordier, it's unknown why this decision was made, as he was voiced by a male voice actor, David Lesser in the original Z dub.
- It is also unknown why EoZ Trunks in Kai and Trunks in GT are voiced by Antoine Nouel instead of Mark Lesser (GT episodes 2/3 to be more specific), seeing although they're from different futures, as they look almost identical.
- The voice actress of Pan reprised her role for GT.