Story
Frieza the Summoning contains three episodes dealing with the wishes finally being granted by the Namekseijin Shenron, Porunga. Each warrior is still rushing to make their wish. Frieza learns of Dende's plan to tell the Earthlings how to use the Namekseijin dragon balls after Neil finally reveals the truth thinking Frieza is out of time to stop them. Once the dragon has finally been summoned, Gohan and Kuririn decide on what to wish for with the help of Kaio-Sama and Piccolo. Returning Piccolo to life and bringing him to Planet Namek, Piccolo finds the dying Neil and is convinced to merge with him. With his new power up, Piccolo's confidence becomes huge and he flies off to help with the Frieza battle.

Packaging
Basic screenshot yet again, I doubt this will ever change. The screenshot used is a picture of Porunga shortly after being summoned. The "DragonBall Z" logo appears as it always has, but the title for the DVD is given a good-looking text that is purple in color. The "dual-version" note is also purple text but appears to have been made smaller for this DVD. The back cover is as it always is, screen caps with episode titles and descriptions. No extras included within the DVD casing.

Menu
Something new? Yep, the menu for this episode is different, but let us start with the earlier parts of the DVD. The "FBI Warning" that appears first has been re-vamped and looks more computer-like in both text and image. FUNimation's logo is still the same but once that concludes, scenes from the "Rock the Dragon" opening begin to play and we are taken to the main menu. While this is going on and once at the main menu a new techno theme is played that isn't too bad, some may like it more than others, but I didn't particularly enjoy it. The layout for the main menu is pretty nice; the background image is of Goku's Capsule Corp. ship that he used to travel to Namek-sei. The three options (Episode Listings, Subtitles, and Extras) appear like a computer window opening. Above and to the right of that is a main image window where more scenes from "Rock the Dragon" play along with the techno music. Once you choose an option, the options move away and the screen slowly moves to the window playing the scenes and reveals your options for the episode. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the scenes played while you decide which option to choose are reflected on the ground below. (I didn't think FUNi knew how to do such things.) Anyway back to the new screen. Once you choose where you want to go, the screen appears with a screenshot of a character along with the Capsule Corp. logo in the upper-right hand corner; along with the C's spinning. The layout itself for the menu is much improved over that which FUNi has provided before. If only all DVDs after this contain a layout so nicely done (which they may). There is one problem with the menu that I could see, but that will be discussed in the Japanese language section of this review.

English
These were episodes from Season 3. Not much can be said other than complete waste of time to watch. Voices were new and so the actors were not comfortable with their roles just yet, making the acting very poor. Dialogue changes that were horrible and music that made me want slam my head against a wall.

Japanese
Always perfect in picture, subtitles, voices, music, and dialogue. However, changes were made that weren't too bad. The text is different and the black border surrounding the words is much smaller than before. One problem I noticed while watching the episodes however is that the subtitles go away far too quickly after sentences are stated. I had a hard time reading through the entire subtitle before they went away. 

Now to discuss what I was hinting at in the menu review. After each episode we are brought back to the menu window to choose the audio for the next episode. Very annoying but given time this is something you can adjust to deal with, but we shouldn't have to. If I chose Japanese as my audio with subtitles that is what I want for the duration of the time I watch. If I chose English (not bloody likely) that is the audio that I want for the time I sit and watch. I shouldn't have to remind the system of what audio should play. Further, I may be wrong, but I think that this DVD is the only one that allowed me to choose the Japanese ending; Zenkai Power is played with magnificent subtitles. I cannot remember other DVDs containing the option to play this.

Extras
More commercials for other VHS and DVDs. Anything new would be good.

Final Thoughts
Nothing greatly entertaining happens in the three episodes contained on the "Frieza: The Summoning" DVD. Of course the episodes are the first appearance of Porunga and Piccolo's merge with Nail, but DBZ has much more thrilling scenes than these. I recommend buying these only if the episodes are some of your favorites or you want to get a sneak peak of the new menu. Later minna!

© Eric.