Dragon Ball in Poland

Poland is one of the four countries to air the Dragon Ball series with a voiceover translation, alongside Lithuania, Romania and Mongolia.
==RTL7==
===Dragon Ball===
Like many other countries in Europe, Poland get Dragon Ball series from AB Groupe who was a European distributor of this brand. From 1995 to 1997 Polsat negotiated with AB Groupe on broadcasting Dragon Ball in Poland, but all of this ended up being canceled due to its violent content.
According to Marcina Dorosińskiego, a programming coordinator for the RTL 7 channel,initially, RTL7 was supposed to broadcast from September 1998 all movies and TV Specials only (this was really popular method around the world at the time, especially on VHS market), but at the end they decided to broadcast the series. Dragon Ball anime with French dub was sold to RTL7, but station was afraid that due to the French language, the Polish audience would not want to watch it, but they could not intervene.
The series was broadcast with Polish voiceover by Zbigniew Dobrzański (alias of Marek Robaczewski) and was recorded by Saga Studio with broadcast starting on October 1, 1999. All episodes were broadcast. The series had an average start, and the station admitted that it was counting on more viewers. The viewership of the series began to take off and it gained importance in the middle of the Dragon Ball Z broadcast. The series was broadcast again in 2001 on RTL7 and in 2002 on TVN7 (RTL7 was bought by ITI Group and renamed TVN Siedem, Siedem means seven in Polish).
Intros have two versions: short and long, all from French dub.
RTL7 broadcast two versions of the anime, both differing in image censorship. The first broadcast has the same cuts as the French one, the second and third broadcasts are additionally censored in several places, like in the episode 70 where Krillin's idea of helping Yamcha see the invisible man was cut and caused a plot hole.
===Dragon Ball Z===
Dragon Ball Z anime were aired in Poland with French dub with voiceover by Zbigniew Dobrzański from episode 1 and Zbigniew Raciborski from episodes 2 to 291 (both names being aliases of Marek Robaczewski). The version was recorded by Saga Studio. The DBZ began to gain popularity around the middle of the series when it had 500,000 viewers at its best times. It was aired in RTL7 from May 2000 until December 2000 and later aired again in 2001 by RTL7 and by TVN7 in 2002.
Intros have two versions - first one is regular French intro and second one is Ariane Remix. Episode 216 uses Japanese intro from Cell Saga with French song from unknown reason (fans speculate that the master tape could be broken, so instead RTL7 got a Japanese one).
As with first Dragon Ball, this one was also broadcast in two versions, the first broadcast has the same cuts as the French one, the second and third broadcasts have additional censorship, for example in the scenes where Tien Shinhan loses his arm or Frieza is cut in half.
===Dragon Ball GT===
Like other series Dragon Ball GT anime were aired in RTL7 from December 2000 to January 2001 with voiceover by Zbigniew Raciborski. The version was made by Saga Studio. In episode 1-36, French dub was used and from episode 37 Japanese version was used. This is because RTL7 didn't buy episodes one by one, but the entire series at once, and the French didn't dub the whole series at the time of purchase. All versions were bought from AB Groupe. 
The Intro was original Japanese version (some episodes have with vocal while others have instrumental version). This dub used I'm Not Alone as the ending to 63 episodes, with episode 64 ending at the "The End" sign after the long credit roll with DAN DAN Kokoro Hikarete 'ku playing.
It was aired again by RTL7 in 2001 and by TVN7 in 2002.
====Name changes====
Like in other European countries using French dub, many names were changed:
*Goku - Songo
*Gohan - Songokan
*Saiyans - Kosmiczni Wojownicy (DB, DBZ), Saiyanie (DBGT)
*Raditz - Radim
*Kakarot - Kaszalot, Pajac
*Dragon Balls - Kryształowe Kule, Kule Smoka
*Shenron - Boski Smok, Czarodziejski Smok
*Master Roshi - Genialny Żółw
*Power Pole - Magiczny kij, Magiczna włócznia
*Flying Nimbus - Magiczna Chmurka
*Oolong - Zły, Świński Ryjek, Prosiak
*Puar - Kotek, Krzykacz
*Krillin - Krilan
*Ox-King - Szatanus
*Chi-Chi - Cziczi
*Great Ape - Wielka małpa, Księżycowy Potwór
*Dr. Brief - Doktor Łebski
*Bikini - Mama Bulmy
*Commander Red - Generał Czerwony
*Staff Officer Black - Generał Czarny
*Dr. Flappe - Doktor Flat
*Ninja Murasaki - Fioletowy Ninja
*Android 8 - Numer 8
*Colonel Violet - Pułkownik Fiołek
*Captain Yellow - Pułkownik Żółty
*Chiaotzu - Kaoz
*Mercenary Tao - Kryminator
*Tien Shinhan - Tenszin
*Master Shen - Genialny Kruk
*Fortuneteller Baba - Baba Gula
*Yajirobe - Leśny Człowiek, Jaskiniowiec
*Korin - Karen, Kocur, Kot
*Ultra Divine Water - Nadpodziw święta woda
*Senzu - Czarodziejska fasolka
*King Piccolo - Szatan Serduszko
*Piccolo Jr. - Szatan Serduszko Junior
*Kami - Nasz Pan, Wszechmogący, Wielki Mistrz
*Mr. Popo - Pan Momo
*The Lookout - Pałac
*King Yemma - Wielki Sędzia
*King Kai - Kaito Północy, Dragonuis, Mistrz Kaito
*Nameless Namekian - Mega Serduszko
*Dende - Dendi
*Grand Elder Guru - Wódz Nameczan
*Namekians - Nameczanie
*Frieza - Frezer
*Ginyu Force - Specjalne Siły Ofensywne Frezera
*Burter - Siła Piekielna, Barta, Barter
*Jeice - Siła Czysta, Dżejs, Dżis
*Guldo - Siła Zwierzęca, Guld
*Recoome - Siła Absolutna, Rikum
*Captain Ginyu - Siła Zła, Kapitan Żino
*King Cold - Generał Kord
*Maron - Marlena
*Garlic Jr. - Gargulec Junior
*Cell - Komórczak
*Trunks - Tronk
*Android 16 - C16
*Android 17 - C17
*Android 18 - C18
*Android 19 - C19
*Dr. Gero/Android 20 - Doktor Żiro, C20
*Mr. Satan - Herkules
*Super Saiyan - Super Wojownik, Super Kosmiczny Wojownik
*Super Saiyan 2 - Hiper wojownik, Super Wojownik Drugiego Poziomu
*Super Saiyan 3 - Mega Wojownik
*Marron - Marlena
*Dabura - Dabla
*Pikkon - Paulo Kuhan
*Grand Kai - Pan Zaświatów
*Great Saiyaman - Międzygalaktyczny Wojownik
*Majin Buu - Bubu
*Gotenks - Gotronk
*Vegito - Vego
*Shin - Neptun
*Kibito Kai - Szibito
*Bulla - Brajla
*Uub - Ubub
*Tuffle - Tsufule, Tafelsi
*Pan - Pam
*Giru - Gil
*Gogeta - Govegeta
*General Rilldo - Generał Rild
*Baby - Mały mutant, Tsuful
*Super Saiyan 4 - Super Wojownik Czwartego Poziomu
*Super 17 - Super Siedemnasty
*Black Smoke Shenron - Czarny Smok
After buying the Japanese version, it was decided to leave most of the names as they were in the French version. Some names have been changed. For example: Mały mutant to Baby. 
====Techniques name changes====
*Kamehameha: Fala Uderzeniowa Genialnego Żółwia, Najwyższa moc
*Tri-Beam: Mocy Absolutna, Ayayayay, Kula Ognia
*Special Beam Cannon: Szatański Promień
*Kaio-ken: Technika Kaito, Niezawodna Technika Kaito, Kaitoken
*Masenko: Fala Demona
==Controversy==
In July 12, 2003 in the TVN's news magazine program Uwaga! (Attention!) blamed the Dragon Ball manga and Shin Yasuda (founder of the first Polish manga publisher, Japonica Polonica Fantastica and translator of the Dragon Ball manga published in 2001) for spreading child pornography. Japonica-Polonica Fantastica issued a statement accusing the station of spreading sensationalism and misinformation. Since then a misconception was born that TVN7 stopped airing the anime because of this. In actuality, TVN7's rights to broadcast the Dragon Ball franchise ended in December 2002.
==AXN==
===Dragon Ball GT===
In 2011, Animax acquired the rights to broadcast Dragon Ball GT in Central and Eastern Europe (including Poland). New version which was based on Japanese version was aired in AXN Spin from January 11, 2012, to March 20, 2012, with voiceover by Andrzej Gajda, made by Synthesis Media. The script was taken from the American version, which means that dub uses international names.
It was also aired in AXN Sci-FI from December 28, 2012, to September 8, 2013.
===Dragon Ball Z Kai===
The Dragon Ball Z Kai anime aired in Japanese version with Polish voiceover by Andrzej Gajda, made by Synthesis Media. The script was taken from the American version which means that dub uses international names. It was aired in AXN from November 8, 2012, to April 1, 2013. It was later re-broadcast on other AXN related stations until 2015. Majin Buu Saga was not aired.
==Polsat Games==
===Dragon Ball Super===
In 2018 Poland saw dub of the Dragon Ball Super. First channel that aired Dragon Ball Super, Polsat Games, offered an option to change from dub to sub version.
The Dragon Ball Super anime was also available on Crunchyroll from 2017.
===Dragon Ball Z Kai===
In 2023, Polsat Games began broadcast a dubbed version of Dragon Ball Z Kai, now with Majin Buu Saga.
==Gametoon==
From September 2, 2024 Gametoon began airing first Dragon Ball series with subtitles (Japanese version). From September 12, 2024, this version is available on Canal+ VOD service. 
==Movies and TV specials==
===Planet Manga===
Three of DBZ movies were launched on VHS in 2001. They were made by Kwartet Studio for Planet Manga and sold by Ultima. This was French version with voiceover from RTL7. The most notable change is that Songo returns to Son Goku and Szatan Serduszko to Piccolo, but rest of the names are like in RTL7 version. The reasons for the changes are unknown.
*Dead Zone - Dragon Ball Z: Martwa Strefa
**The names of Son Goku, Piccolo, Sansho, Ginger and Nicky were left in the Japanese version.
**Instead of Cha-la Head Cha-la and Detekoi Tobikiri Zenkai Power!, the French movie intro was used.
*The World's Strongest - Dragon Ball Z: Najsilniejszy wojownik na Ziemi
**The names of Son Goku, Oolong, Dr. Wheelo, Dr. Kochin and the names of the attacks were left in the Japanese version
**Cha-La Head-Cha-La, Pikkoro-san Da-isuki and Ikusa were used in the instrumental version.
*The Tree of Might - Dragon Ball Z: Największy pojedynek na świecie
**The names of Son Goku and Piccolo were left in the Japanese version.
**Turles has been translated into Tares/Tales. He was portrayed in the movie as Son Goku's brother (like in the French dub).
**Cha-La Head-Cha-La and Marugoto were left unchanged.
**Piccolo speaks famous words from AB Groupe dub - Let that Child Alone
===ITI===
ITI Home Video released 12 and 13 movies of Dragon Ball Z, based on French dub, but translation is different from RTL7 version.
===AXN===
Between episode 41 and 42 of DBGT, AXN Spin shown Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy (Dragon Ball GT: Ostatni rozdział! Poszukiwanie smoczej kuli).
===Dragonball: Evolution===
Dragonball: Ewolucja hit Polish theaters on April 17, 2009, and was distributed by Imperial Cinepix. For its home video release, it was offered with a Polish voice-over translation over the original English audio narrated by Paweł Bukrewicz.
===Super Hero===
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was released with Polish dub.
==References==
Category:Dubs
Category:Non-english dubs