Kenji Yamamoto EXPOSED! Dragon Ball Plagiarism Story (Budokai, Kai)

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  • Опубліковано 25 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 137

  • @cyanidedemon93
    @cyanidedemon93 3 роки тому +126

    I would like to give respect to Kenji Yamamoto. He was likely responsible for many of our developed taste in music. So plagarism or not you created a path. Thank you.

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  3 роки тому +29

      The legend died for our sins.

    • @itsreallylikethattv1031
      @itsreallylikethattv1031 3 роки тому +7

      @@PressPlayNow he definitely did

    • @irondeathgaming9032
      @irondeathgaming9032 2 роки тому +3

      @@PressPlayNow not necessarily, he was hired to make the music for the DBZ Kai Anime. Although it definitely wasn’t good as Bruce Falcouner especially on the episode Goku transforms into a Ssj3 for the first time.

    • @jmcfar03
      @jmcfar03 2 роки тому +6

      @@irondeathgaming9032 have to come out and say that falconer's music is booty cheeks

    • @legendaryrareledgic
      @legendaryrareledgic Рік тому +6

      @@jmcfar03 damn right it is ass

  • @jenniferrannila1414
    @jenniferrannila1414 2 роки тому +35

    You know honestly I am still more shocked for how long he was able to get away with plagiarism than I am at his plagiarism.

  • @austinmitchell2652
    @austinmitchell2652 3 роки тому +17

    I loved the musical breakdown for the song comparisons! This video felt much more informative than others that just plays two audio tracks back to back. Excellent work on researching the recording process as well

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks, I’ve improved on a lot of things since (sound quality especially). This is a format I’ll definitely be returning to soon.

  • @shecklesmack9563
    @shecklesmack9563 5 років тому +18

    Though this is a bit late, it’s definitely the best analysis on the situation. Definitely the golden age of Dragon Ball games and it’s music. Lots of stuff I’ve never heard about before. Well done.

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  5 років тому +6

      Thank you! I love the Kenji music. I may do an additional one just covering Burst Limit to finish things off.

    • @shecklesmack9563
      @shecklesmack9563 5 років тому +3

      I adore it dearly myself. It’s inextricably tied to my childhood, plus it’s just really damn good in general. Another would be awesome.

  • @DNchap1417
    @DNchap1417 5 років тому +47

    It’s really sad that Yamamoto‘s pride and self-doubt destroyed his career. He was so talented, had great taste in music, and composed tracks with the likes of Toto and Tower of Power.
    In many cases, Yamamoto is like the Enron of the music world, a modern Shakespearean tragedy or a Martin Scorsese film.

  • @evan8654
    @evan8654 6 років тому +14

    Your channel is such a nice surprise! The Richard Benson video answered so many questions I had....I guess satire can also be tragic? ThAnks!

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  6 років тому +4

      Thank you, that means a lot. As soon as I saw Richard Benson I knew there would be more behind him. Hopefully it can change even a handful of people's thoughts about him.

    • @the1111machi
      @the1111machi 6 років тому +1

      Same feelings here.

  • @aortaplatinum
    @aortaplatinum 4 роки тому +16

    Could you maybe back up from the mic a bit and check out a pop filter? [If you haven't already]

  • @rikustorm13
    @rikustorm13 6 років тому +12

    Dang, you went all in with the music theory/analysis
    Also I'm so fucking mad he plagiarized because I love "Challengers" so much

  • @NorthSouthLights
    @NorthSouthLights 6 років тому +8

    Wow I half expected your sub count to be at the hundreds of thousands. Your Richard Benson video was tight man, you have a great format and unique narrative voice. You'll blow up soon my dude!

  • @PressPlayNow
    @PressPlayNow  6 років тому +12

    The online comparisons of Kenji Yamamoto’s music snowballed and the release of Kai brought it to the point of potential legal complications. This is a look at the rapid chain of events around this time. Plagiarism or not, Kenji Yamamoto was important to the DB video games and has earned a place in Dragon Ball history. Many examples of his work reflect this such as his arrangement work on Cha La Head Cha La and various opening and ending themes. The DBZ Kai Yamamoto score was fantastic and has built a cult following, allowing it to be preserved for download from various sources... Or should I say Stratovarius sources? Let's take a look at this scandal. I’ve received helpful feedback to take into future videos and based on that I've combined the Kenji videos into one and tweaked the voiceover. What would you like to see next?

  • @TheMisterFox5559
    @TheMisterFox5559 6 років тому +6

    I’m kinda triggered this video doesn’t have 100k of views,
    You really nailed it.

  • @alexander18ism
    @alexander18ism Рік тому +2

    the question always remains, where does inspiration end and plagiarism start

    • @gespenst1329
      @gespenst1329 Рік тому

      20 year discography with tracing all over. Easy to tell which is which, I think.

  • @விஷ்ணு_கார்த்திக்

    That SSJ Goku's box Art by Nakatsuru looks freaking amazing, i'd buy a Copy just to have that picture!!!

  • @timgarza8028
    @timgarza8028 5 років тому +10

    10:10 Unexpected Megadeth! Great video.

  • @BakiX
    @BakiX 5 років тому +35

    Its good content, but you absolutely MUST back away from your microphone. I hear every single bit of lip smacking and saliva producing your mouth is capable of and its incredibly distracting. I couldn't help but feel my personal space was being violated while listening to this lol.
    Not trying to sound like an asshole, just think its something that will greatly help you grow an audience in the future.

    • @Megatron-xs2qe
      @Megatron-xs2qe 5 років тому +6

      It’s SO nasty 🤢

    • @iUsedToBeAMusician
      @iUsedToBeAMusician 5 років тому +6

      It made the very good and informative, well constructed video slightly hard to watch. Even when I turned down my volume. It sounds wet and breathy.

    • @jiroweiler5883
      @jiroweiler5883 4 роки тому +2

      On the bright side... now he's got ASMR content

  • @samkatawazi2274
    @samkatawazi2274 2 місяці тому

    I'm really sad to hear that you said Yamamoto would not be able to compose professionally anymore. My educated wish that hopefully Toei will rehire Kenji Yamamoto to make brand new music. Plagiarism or not, he is still a legend. Even switch back from replacement score in DBZ Kai to his original music that was originally broadcasted.

  • @S24Ultra-mt2bg
    @S24Ultra-mt2bg 5 місяців тому +1

    He didn't steal anything all he did was draw insliration and sample some riffs much like DJs do. He then created entirely new and better songs off them that sound nothing like the inspirations.

  • @dubisbetterthansub5254
    @dubisbetterthansub5254 Рік тому +1

    Not sure if I’d call it plagiarism, but Naruto’s OST draws heavy inspiration from metal bands. Need to be Strong is clearly based on Enter Sandman by Metallica, and one of the riffs in the beginning of that song is identical to a riff from the beginning of Wherever I May Roam. Also, Rising Fighting Spirit’s intro is clearly inspired by Iron Maiden’s Montségur.

  • @denjithechainsaw9769
    @denjithechainsaw9769 5 років тому +14

    All he had to do was give credit. It's as simple as that.

    • @Zephyr_Weiss
      @Zephyr_Weiss 5 років тому +8

      and pay for the damages

    • @gespenst1329
      @gespenst1329 2 роки тому +1

      And with at least as much detail as the way he lists his sound equipment in soundtrack CD releases.

  • @Code1Lyoko
    @Code1Lyoko 5 років тому +3

    Your voice sounds quiet i like it makes me fall asleep in a good way

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  5 років тому +2

      Haha. I hope you had a pleasant nap.

  • @Code1Lyoko
    @Code1Lyoko 4 роки тому +3

    I have episodes 53-95 with kenjis music score along with episodes 96-98 with his music too

  • @PhallicPhantom
    @PhallicPhantom Рік тому +7

    First and foremost plagiarism is dogshit and horrible. With that being said, I don't know if I would be the man I am today without games like Budokai one and the music in them. Although Kenji Yamamoto did something very disgusting and as an artist and musician should know it's one of the highest offenses, while its also the reason a lot of music exists in the world today. All in all I condemn what he did but I don't entirely hate him for it because it created a massively positive part of my childhood that I could never forget. Truly, he took the L for us all.

    • @majin2351
      @majin2351 Рік тому +2

      bro's acting like Plagiarism is a war crime 💀quit making a big deal out of stealing lmao

  • @ZSaber
    @ZSaber 5 років тому +2

    Amazing video!!!!

  • @IgnatRemizov
    @IgnatRemizov 4 роки тому +9

    Back away from the mic and speak up! Oh the lip-smacking horror. Like you're scared of being heard or something. It is very difficult to listen to this, but otherwise very informative video.

  • @nobafan7515
    @nobafan7515 9 місяців тому

    I'm curious what songs he made that aren't plagarism?

  • @AntheranStudios
    @AntheranStudios 4 роки тому +1

    We ever getting the sequel you promised or what man this was really good?

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  4 роки тому +1

      It's still on the way. I've made a lot of changes since this video to improve the audio and my voice over. It's been taking a while because someone contacted me with some inside info on Kenji and his current life, but I never heard back from them when I had follow up questions.

    • @AntheranStudios
      @AntheranStudios 4 роки тому

      @@PressPlayNow I see thanks

  • @encr3160
    @encr3160 3 роки тому +2

    Say it ain't so Yamamoto

  • @toxicghost6039
    @toxicghost6039 4 роки тому

    whats the background music on 3:26¿

  • @JagoShogun
    @JagoShogun Рік тому

    Man, tower of power. I remember that budokai 2 boardgame and island sound track just randomly popping into my mind. Or when Jonathan Young through Lyle Mcdouchebags suggestion covered the Budokai 2 theme.
    Edit/Add: Kegeyama is like the defacto singer for dbz, even in blazblue I wondered where his "Beat your nail with a hammer" went since bang shishigami is a slight nod to DBZ, I Love that he's best friends with Kenji, but it's a shame I haven't heard him around lately due to contract expirations.

    • @gespenst1329
      @gespenst1329 Рік тому

      At this point in time, it’s 100% clear that he was only still around for DBZ stuff thanks to Yamamoto.

  • @Malick-ix9io
    @Malick-ix9io 5 років тому +1

    Everything has been lost in a giant fog. Kageyama too? Damn it!

  • @theytpmvreuploader2010
    @theytpmvreuploader2010 2 роки тому +1

    This is nothing new. Fans knew of Kenji's plagiarism since 2010. It's a shame he wasted his talent this way.

  • @valesverga9
    @valesverga9 6 років тому +2

    I thought the score he did on DBZ was plagiarize... Until I read budokai...😅

  • @crabcakes448
    @crabcakes448 4 роки тому +2

    Is it asshole-ish of me to want a re-recording of this video? It's really good, and Press Play's current content doesn't have the same uncomfortable lip-smacking (which is excellent). Sorry haha, I know some aren't sensitive to that sound, but it's like nails on chalkboard for me, the kind where you grind your teeth in response

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  4 роки тому +1

      It's been on the to do list for a long time. I will hopefully re-record it next week.

    • @crabcakes448
      @crabcakes448 4 роки тому

      @@PressPlayNow Oh wow, I wasn't expecting a response! Thank you. It just seemed like such a waste of potential to have rare content like this and have most of the comments be about the position of the mic or anything of the sort. The newer videos are all pretty great, so this one is no exception when fixed up!

  • @tomcat6918
    @tomcat6918 2 роки тому

    The song at 6:02 sounds like Van Halen’s song - Right now

    • @falloutfan6649
      @falloutfan6649 Місяць тому

      Never realized it until seeing this comment. Wow

  • @obitx4221
    @obitx4221 4 роки тому

    DBZ Harukanaru Densetsu on NDS has also a few plagiarized songs.
    For example, in the HFIL level of the game, we can just hear like a copy of "Get Up Get Off" by The Prodigy.

  • @nightrunner4817
    @nightrunner4817 3 роки тому +4

    To me it didn’t seem like plagiarism, but inspiration from other musics, like it’s still wrong by taking other people’s properties and then making them your own, but if you’re inspired by it and that you’re trying to establish and level your vision on how you want your ideas to flourish then that’s okay, but if you’re going to borrow someone’s project and take some influence from it, you have to at least give credit, or just don’t make it too obvious, like there is this meme that is like can I copy your homework and then the person says like sure just don’t make it too obvious.

    • @SaberToothPortilla
      @SaberToothPortilla 3 роки тому +2

      I mean, that's all well and good, and I think most people agree that taking influence is a normal, natural, and probably inevitable thing. Every now and again, you have a similar sounding song, and that's flattery.
      That said... some of these examples were pretty drastic. Like, you have to make an explicit effort to get that close and not just make the exact same song. I'm someone who's pretty pro free-access, but even I'd call at least the more offending examples pretty blatant plagiarism.

    • @destructo3457
      @destructo3457 2 роки тому +3

      Kinda weird that half your music is inspired by others

  • @iUsedToBeAMusician
    @iUsedToBeAMusician 4 роки тому +11

    In my opinion, he took the songs and made them better. But plagiarism is plagiarism.
    HOWEVER, i don't see why this is getting a big stink in a generation of sampling beats and calling them your own is basically a norm.
    There are literally subcultures built upon that practice now. Even popular forms of media take part in it.
    And not all the time is there direct credit given. At least with Kenji's songs, you can hear a massive difference in the
    songs, giving the listener a very new experience.

    • @truthseekingtroll3575
      @truthseekingtroll3575 3 роки тому +2

      Wow thanks for the new perspective.

    • @espurrseyes42
      @espurrseyes42 2 роки тому +5

      Plagiarism is plagiarism, and dude has a LONG history of taking other people's music, changing it a little, an passing them off as his own original compositions, not giving credit to his "inspirations". Plus some of these differences really aren't major at all. "Powerful Man from the Darkness" uses pretty much the exact same sample that "Sentinel Lab" from X-Men Legends uses, and "Capsule Obtain" and "Warrior from an Unknown Land" aren't even subtle about ripping off "September" by EW&F and "Infinity" by Stratovarius.

    • @gespenst1329
      @gespenst1329 Рік тому +1

      @@espurrseyes42And it all started when he plagiarized a whole album to make BPU back in 1991 (original Z series).

    • @NoraNoita
      @NoraNoita Рік тому

      Someone compared from Budokai 2 the 2nd Level music, don't know the name of it, to My Elastic Eye by the Chemical Brothers, and I must say, the song in Budokai 2 is much more pleasing to the ears than the Chemical Brothers track, that one is very hard to listen to, not pleasing to my ears sounding.

  • @sdf9255
    @sdf9255 Рік тому +1

    The thumbnail is scary😭😭

  • @solnacientez2210
    @solnacientez2210 4 роки тому +1

    Your voice is making me fall asleep.

  • @Hopper_Arts
    @Hopper_Arts 4 роки тому

    I really want to know who makes those terrible captions

  • @joshobrien1270
    @joshobrien1270 6 років тому +3

    Do some raging blast songs man.

  • @faheemscancer5374
    @faheemscancer5374 5 років тому

    Video at 2:00?

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  5 років тому +1

      It’s the opening from Dragon Ball Z: Budokai (PlayStation 2).

    • @faheemscancer5374
      @faheemscancer5374 5 років тому

      I was also wondering where that video from 0:52 was from?
      I’m extremely grateful, thank you so much.

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  5 років тому +1

      No problem friend. 0:52 is Shelter by Within War (ua-cam.com/video/jTJwVJj-SgE/v-deo.htmlm)
      That particular video was a part of footage shot for promotional use that never ended up being used.

  • @hassanxnassah3953
    @hassanxnassah3953 4 роки тому

    great video great ending

  • @Leo98pm
    @Leo98pm 5 років тому +1

    Nice video... But tbh I would have rather listened to the actual songs instead of listening to you play em... That was kind of disappointing

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  5 років тому +2

      It was to try and avoid copyright claims, but they just slapped me with them anyway for just playing chords.

  • @mathieud1256
    @mathieud1256 2 роки тому +1

    No need to whisper u can talk normally u know

  • @RyanALeonard
    @RyanALeonard Рік тому +2

    I never noticed anything. I liked his music and he should have kept him on for Dragon Ball Z Kai. It was a dumb decision just to get him off because of a little editing in the music.

  • @iUsedToBeAMusician
    @iUsedToBeAMusician 5 років тому +2

    Eh. He took the songs and made them better. (I know it's still wrong)

    • @gespenst1329
      @gespenst1329 2 роки тому +1

      Easy enough to do if you have their existing structure and aren’t making them from scratch.

  • @anthonyr4186
    @anthonyr4186 3 роки тому

    Cool video

  • @dubisbetterthansub5254
    @dubisbetterthansub5254 2 роки тому +2

    Further validation that the Funi dub with Faulconer team's OST was much better than Kai. They actually had skills and could write their own music.

    • @gespenst1329
      @gespenst1329 Рік тому

      Not a word on Solid State Scouter.

  • @juharon
    @juharon 3 роки тому +1

    Fuck.. I'm interested, but the mouth noises are driving me mad.. :(

  • @Lilhajxjk274
    @Lilhajxjk274 8 місяців тому

    I dont care because im a metroid fan, not a dbz fan and there is no proof of him using pagarism for metroid songs.

    • @jenniferrannila1414
      @jenniferrannila1414 6 місяців тому

      Don't worry about that. The composer for the Metroid games is just another guy with the same name. It is just a mere coincidence that they share the same name and occupation so the Kenji Yamamoto who worked on the DBZ games is a separate person from the Kenji Yamamoto who worked on the Metroid games.

  • @pakyip9267
    @pakyip9267 5 років тому +3

    Maybe try thoroughly rinsing your mouth with washer before recording, keep a bottle of water nearby, certain little things can make huge difference. All the best.

  • @-0.0
    @-0.0 Рік тому

    Slowest narrated video of all time. Could listen on 4x speed if it wasn't for the music...

  • @stefanurkell4720
    @stefanurkell4720 5 років тому +2

    YEAH E MINOR YEAH 👏👏👏

  • @eaglehawktigerbear_949
    @eaglehawktigerbear_949 6 років тому +2

    Okay? This has been common knowledge for years.

  • @DRAGONBLOODX
    @DRAGONBLOODX 5 років тому +1

    More of dragon ball anad anime please

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  5 років тому +1

      You’re in luck, I’m working on a huge 3 part video about Dragon Ball Z on Toonami in the 90s.

    • @DRAGONBLOODX
      @DRAGONBLOODX 5 років тому

      @@PressPlayNow Nice

    • @grimm_destroyer5566
      @grimm_destroyer5566 4 роки тому +1

      It was awesome on toonami now that it’s been everywhere including Nickelodeon it’s a laughable

  • @Squilliam737
    @Squilliam737 5 років тому

    I liked your commentary and story you told
    I just don’t want to hear the sound it makes when you open your mouth every time you talk.

  • @Masckerdoom
    @Masckerdoom 4 роки тому

    Can you back up from the mic tf

  • @alexlaurence
    @alexlaurence 3 роки тому +6

    Really sad how you destroy a good man like this. Who cares if he drew homage from other artists, he created GREAT music. Where do you think music even comes from? It does not come from thin air. We are all inspired by things that we hear. I am all in favour of remix culture, but I think this whole "he or she copied this and that" is complete BS.

    • @destructo3457
      @destructo3457 2 роки тому +2

      But he still did, and never gave credits to anyone.

    • @coryfice1881
      @coryfice1881 2 роки тому +1

      What's your view on shoplifting? Cause you seem to have a very liberal view on theft and plagiarism.

    • @megablueman
      @megablueman 2 роки тому +1

      I don't know how people who composed stuff for Sonic, Earthbound, and many other things get away with it but Yamamoto doesn't.

    • @johnhart8856
      @johnhart8856 6 місяців тому +1

      I'm pretty sure the artists he stole from would have cared a great deal. It might be a different story had he publicly acknowledged that he drew inspiration from the original artist and credited them, rather than just claim it as his own work and hope that nobody noticed

  • @eazylegend9614
    @eazylegend9614 6 років тому +4

    Db is anime not cartoon

    • @shecklesmack9563
      @shecklesmack9563 5 років тому +6

      Anime = cartoon, but Japanese.

    • @shecklesmack9563
      @shecklesmack9563 3 роки тому

      @Infinite Achilles I will not. I will go ahead and do whatever I damn well please, thanks very much.

  • @zack1634
    @zack1634 6 років тому +2

    Let me subscribe you before you growing bigger!

  • @meowtrox1234
    @meowtrox1234 3 роки тому +2

    I don't get it why people accuse plagiarism when music should be universal. Maybe it's all about the money, losing one's fame is drastic and desperation takes over time and will do everything to regain the glory once tasted.

    • @gespenst1329
      @gespenst1329 2 роки тому +1

      He should have given credit then.

  • @maximum9066
    @maximum9066 3 роки тому

    You sound highhhhh bro

  • @Zephyr_Weiss
    @Zephyr_Weiss 5 років тому

    wtf is with the whispering and mumbling???

    • @PressPlayNow
      @PressPlayNow  5 років тому +2

      I had a stroke before recording this.

    • @Zephyr_Weiss
      @Zephyr_Weiss 5 років тому

      @@PressPlayNow woooaaaahh :o you ok now?

  • @konjfful2963
    @konjfful2963 Рік тому

    Yeah sure go after the small time japanese composer, not all the copy cat garbage pop artists who have way more money and steal all of their melodies but make it way more obvious. There's more than a trillion examples of pop artists who steal 1 for 1 the exact melody and structure of other songs but Kenji, who while definitely used melodies, changed them up a lot to make them sound different and gamey.

    • @ZaCloud-Animations___she-her
      @ZaCloud-Animations___she-her Рік тому +1

      "Small time"? For one of the biggest franchises of all time? 🤣 And this dude stole for decades, quite obviously indeed. You can watch other videos about other artists if you want, this one was about this guy.

  • @Tristan-mv6lc
    @Tristan-mv6lc 9 місяців тому

    there is no plagiarism, people cannot own chord progressions this is ridiculous.

  • @dinogt8477
    @dinogt8477 2 роки тому

    your voice sounds creepy

  • @maxmeleca-f3v
    @maxmeleca-f3v 4 роки тому

    Cancelaram o cara por algo comum na indústria, isso não muda o talento do compositor!