Return to Pojo's Dragonball

Q: Well, let's start this interview off with a great question.
Female.... Dragonball.....Web Page…. are three words you often do not use in the same sentence. What is it like to be a female in a world of Dragonball that is dominated by males? Also, do you feel that by being a female your contribution to the web community is even greater than if you were a male?

A: I think it's very interesting to be a female in the Dragonball world, to say the least. I think one of the advantages is that I get a lot of recognition, like it's some great feat to make a Dragonball web site (which it isn't). I've gone off on this subject before, but I think it's a little disconcerting that guys find it hard to believe that a girl can be a maintainer of a popular site. I just want to prove those people wrong. I don't think that if I was a male I'd get more respect in the web community. In fact, if I was a guy, I think I'd be ostracized for making a site all about Trunks. It just seems more "normal" to me for a girl to be running a Trunks web shrine.

Q: What made you want to build a web page?

A: I'm not really sure, actually. My first "web page" consisted of stolen DBZ images meshed together sloppily. This was kind of an experiment to learn how to use html. I think that was my main goal of my first "page", to learn html. Then I realized that everyone and their uncle had stolen DBZ images on their site, so I decided to make the "Temple O' Trunks". That was a subsection of my first "site", and was the result of me thinking Trunks was just a cute guy.

Q: There are a lot of interesting and original sections on your web page. How did you come up with all of them and did you have any help?

A: Thanks, I'm glad you like them. The sections are the result of my undying, twisted sense of humor and my belief that most DBZ sites are flat out boring. It's always the same material and information recycled over and over, and I just feel that the more weird, original, and interesting sections there are, the better. Most of the ideas I get for section occur to me when I'm really, really bored, or I get inspired by a friend or fan. I do almost all of the work myself, but my sister (a Trunks-hater herself, but knows some things about DBZ) helps out in the creation of the Trunks Feature Films.

Q: Talking about originality, what is your out-look on page pirates?

A: Being a former pirate myself, I can understand how people wanting to begin a page need to start somewhere. However, I think that over time, these people need to start developing their own ideas and finding ways to make their own original material. I haven't really seen that much of my own work stolen, with the exception of my Things DB People Never Say list and a few images here and there, so right now, it doesn't bother me all that much. However, I know of other web masters who get tons of their work stolen, so I definitely
feel for them. Page piracy is an awful thing considering all the work that web masters put out trying to entertain others.

Q: Moving on, what is your opinion of Season 3? Was it better or worse than you expected and is there any hope for FUNimation?

A: You know, I'm so corny, I actually really looked forward to Season 3. I love making comparisons between the Japanese and FUNimation versions. But more importantly, I love making fun of it. That's more or less my main purpose for watching the dubbed episodes, so I can laugh at them. I think it was a little worse than I expected, especially as far as the voice acting goes, but I think the funny dialogue and uncut violence made up for it's bad points. I hope there IS hope for FUNimation, since Trunks will be dubbed soon! I'd hate to see those episodes butchered!

Q: In my opinion your music videos are one of the best aspects of your site. What exactly goes into the making of the music videos and in the end is it all worth it?

A: Ah, the music videos. For the last two years or so, I've been making them the old fashioned way by hooking up 2 vcr's and recording clips together, yadda yadda. Recently, I've discovered the joy of making music video's on the computer! It allows me to edit clips together more precisely and make scenes go with the music. Anyway, I make the videos by using Adobe Premiere and RealProducer. I usually get an idea for a video when I hear a song and think "hey, this would make for an awesome DBZ video!". Then, I think of cool scenes that would fit, and then edit clips together. Sometimes, it's not all that hard to do. Other times it is. But I think it's always worth it in the end. I love seeing the final product of something that I worked really hard on.

Q: What is your favorite section on your site?

A: Hands down, Trunks Feature Films! I think it's my favorite because my sister Alyssa and I have so much fun making them together. We always end up cracking up when we come up with ideas...plus, it's what the fans like the most, so I really feel like I'm making the Films for them. It's original, and as far as I know, no other DBZ sites out there have something like it. That section was picked by the Anime Web Turnpike for one of their "Weekly Picks", so that's got to count for something. Also, I get to put all my DB action figures to good use!

Q: Why exactly is Trunks your favorite character? Was it always this way or have you had other favorites and if so who?

A: Good question. I don't know why Trunks is my favorite! I guess I'm just attracted to his personality. I think he's one of the most interesting
characters in the Dragonball world, based on his tragic past and the whole time traveling business. He's also nice, sweet and shy, but also very powerful. I adore the strong, silent types! Also, I think I just have a thing for anime guys with swords, I don't know. Before Trunks, I liked Vegeta the best, and at one point, I had a major obsession with #17! Other than Trunks, those 2 are my other favorite DBZ characters.

Q: Trunks vs. ????? What would be the best fight?

A: I conducted a recent Trunks Survey that kind of asked this question, and the winner was Trunks vs. Vegeta. I agree with that completely. ^_^ A good father/son brawl would definitely be worth seeing!

Q: Do you take to the fighting aspect of Dragonball or to the people,
personalities, and feelings. For me I would have to say the people,
personalities, and feelings (it isn't like I don't like a good fight though).

A: Fighting, what fighting? The only things I see are grunting, powering up, and staring! But seriously, the thing I like about Dragonball are the people, personalities, and things like that. I love how the people in DB actually age, and relationships build. That doesn't mean I don't like the fight scenes (when people actually get down to fighting).

Q: What do you think about fansubs? Do you think that they are hurting or helping the popularity of Dragonball in America and how much (if at all) are they hurting FUNimation?

A: I love my fansubs. Those things got me to where I am today! I think they help in creating fans, but I don't think they're so widespread that they would hurt a business like FUNimation. There are more kids than older fans out there watching the new dubbed episodes, so I think fansubs are just fine.

Q: If you had an opportunity to create the opening to Dragonball Z and
select the music would you do so?

A: Hell yeah, I would! <ahem>

Q: What is your favorite DBZ song?

A: Spacepeople DBZ, yeah baby, yeah! I also like Blue Velvet from DBGT. I like all of the fast, catchy songs.

Q: What do you think about Pokemon? Do you believe that it is a fad or here to stay?

A: I used to think Pokemon was cute....before it got popular. ^_^ Like all things, I believe it's a fad, but I can see it remaining popular for maybe another year or so.

Q: Out of all the people you can think of, would you give "newbie dragonball know-it-alls" the least respect?

A: I think that they're too naive in thinking that what they see in Cartoon Network's DBZ is all there is to it. While all kids can't be brainiacs, I think some have enough sense to go online and learn what the show is really like. Those kids I can tolerate because they have a desire to learn more about DBZ. What I think most people can't stand is how newbies think they know all about the show, and show off, even though they know nothing and are only making idiots out of themselves.