Hello all. It is a pleasure to be on the digital stage today. Many of you know who I am, but for those who don't know why they're here... I am Christopher R. Sabat and I am a Voice Director, Line Producer, and Actor for FUNimation. I am here to answer your questions about Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball, Lupin the Third, Blue Gender and any other FUNimation property you can think of. So uh... let's go!
Q: What is your favorite DBZ saga?
A: Androids... I love androids!
Q: Where can I get cool Vegeta stuff signed by you Chris Sabat?
A: Many people send me stuff to sign and usually I am happy to do so...BUT you MUST INCLUDE A SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE.
Q: What is your favorite episode with Vegeta?
A: I love most of his episodes, but my favorite episodes are of Majin Vegeta. The fight with Goku is unreal!
Q: Mr. Sabat, what is it like doing four different voices?
A: Four times as difficult... Try doing about 30.
Q: Do you ever find yourself thinking "Vegeta would have said this..." during real life situations or speaking like a character without even realizing you're doing it?
A: Yeah... right now. Just kidding. After a long session of recording Vegeta I am rude to EVERYONE!
Q: Out of Piccolo Kuwabara and Vegeta, who is the best to you?
A: The best to me...hmmm. Vegeta has the best lines. Piccolo is the easiest. Kuwabara is the most fun.
Q: How did you get started in the business?
A: Bribery... Blackmail... the usual. Actually, I auditioned. It was that simple. As an actor, you'll find you have to audition quite a bit. I was very lucky to get this job.
Q: Hey Chris, I would like to know when Vegeta will come back? Which episodes?
A: Wouldn't that spoil things?
Q: If FUNimation decides to dub Dragonball GT will you voice act?
A: No. I will refuse! Just kidding. I will accept any part FUNimation asks me to voice. If it happens to be on GT, then of course. I live for this stuff.
Q: Is Tien going to die?
A: Tien will live in our hearts forever!! Tien is invincible!!! Tien is my hero!!
Q: Do you know any martial arts?
A: Of course... and I borrow magazines from Master Roshi.
Q: When you're voicing characters, do you have to go in a different state of mind for each one, or is it just "part of the job"?
A: Every voice I do requires a different state of mind and a different state of voice. I have certain warm-up lines for each character...
Q: Does your real voice sound like Vegeta's?
A: Not at all. More like Yamcha, if he spoke as low as Piccolo. But if you make me very angry...
Q: Hey, how likely would it be for a fan fiction novel to made into a movie?
A: Very likely... in a perfect world, of course. If it is DBZ fan fiction... I'd say your chances are about .0000001%. My suggestion is to change the names and call it something else... Every studio is looking for a good story.
Q: Can you tell me who is the voice of Colonel Silver? I must know!
A: That would be me. I do his voice. Why?
Q: How do you like the fusion dance?
A: It's funky!! I think Trunks and Goten are hysterical... and Piccolo may be at his funniest during the Gotenks fusions...
Q: Do you enjoy various types of cheese?
A: Good question. Very appropriate. I like Swiss and Cheddar... Nothing stinky.
Q: How does it feel to play the most famous characters of all time?
A: I can't tell you how great it feels. When I first got this gig, I had no idea how big DBZ was going to be. It is a huge honor.
Q: Do you plan on being in the live action movie, or anything else besides DBZ, DB, YYH or BG?
A: I plan on playing the part of Mr. Popo in the live action movie. Or at least I'd want to be. I hope you will see me in many more shows.
Q: Hi Chris, I was wondering if there's going to be any signings in Michigan?
A: I'm not sure. Keep checking www.dragonballz.com for more info. Convention season has started, though.
Q: Do you think Yamcha is a wimp?
A: No. He is a tremendous wuss, though.
Q: Do you collect anything from DBZ?
A: I collect EVERYTHING from DBZ. I love the cards, the figures, posters... I'm not kidding. I save every badge from every convention. Every script... Everything. This is truly the time of my life.
Q: Which character do you like to perform the most?
A: Icarus.
Q: I would just like to know who is Kuwabara?
A: Kuwabara is a man of honor, integrity, and mad skillz. You can see him on Yu Yu Hakusho, Saturday nights at 11 PM eastern time on the Cartoon Network.
Q: Are they going to show other episodes of DBZ on TV because they keep showing the same sagas over and over?
A: I don't have anything to do with the TV schedule, bro.
Q: Will DBZ ever go off the air?
A: No. I am hoping that someday DBZ is on every channel, ALL DAY, EVERYDAY.
Q: How long have you been doing Vegeta's voice?
A: Three years, now.
Q: How is it acting as a person who is too much in love with his own power?
A: I think I know what you are getting at... I love ACTING the part of Vegeta. It stops there.
Q: What's a typical day like at work?
A: Arrive at 9:45am... Recording session from 10 - 1. Lunch from 1 - 2. Recording session from 2 - 6. After work -- meetings, episode reviews/previews... I work about 12 hours a day.
Q: Chris Sabat, are you here, or is this a computer?
A: I will self-destruct in 20 minutes.
Q: How does it feel to work for FUNimation, the company that has a bad rep with some hard core anime fans?
A: Whew... tough question there. I like working for FUNimation, of course. Where else could I work on Dragon Ball Z?
Q: Is it awkward when you're "grunting" in the recording studio for some scenes?
A: At first, it is strange. Everyone is a bit freaked out by it at first. But I've seen and heard about 500,000 'huh's and grunts in the four years I've been here.
Q: What kind of preparation do you do before voicing Vegeta?
A: I scream a lot. I talk in his voice... In fact I always say the same line to warm up..."Kakarot... unbelieveable!"
Q: What is your favorite attack?
A: Special Beam Cannon. ( also Yamcha's Mega-Wuss Attack )
Q: How old is Vegeta?
A: By now he must be in his thirties. I bet someone in the chat room knows the exact year. No one knows how old Vegeta was when he showed up on Earth.
Q: Do you ever wish you had antennas like Piccolo?
A: Sure. I'd stock them up with donuts and never be hungry again...
Q: What is the voice of Goku like?
A: Sean Schemmel? Always interesting. He likes to talk... fast.
Q: What is your opinion of the other voice actors? (Are they as good as you?)
A: I love the other voice actors. I cast them, you know. I think they are extremely talented. I suppose you would have to judge who is better.
Q: Many other VA's have side jobs outside of voice acting, do you have one?
A: No. I am a full-time employee of FUNimation. My side job is trying to keep my girlfriend, Agent Mai, happy.
Q: Who's your favorite female character in DBZ?
A: Android 18. She is so very hot.
Q: Are you working on any other projects besides DBZ and Yu Yu Hakusho?
A: Yes... Blue Gender. It is one of the coolest, darkest shows I've ever worked on. Eric Vale (the voice of Trunks) and Laura Bail (the voice of chibi Trunks) are the leads.
Q: I have a question, what is with the picture of you in the lobby?
A: It is called a headshot. It is a photo of me... screaming. I thought that was obvious. I do more screaming at FUNimation than anything else when I'm in the recording booth.
Q: Does piccolo ever find love?
A: Yes... After DBZ, he marries an iceberg.
Q: Chris, what is your favorite DBZ moment?
A: Every moment Hercule (Mr. S) is on the screen.
Q: Which show do u like best, Dragonball Z or Yu Yu Hakusho?
A: That is tough... Yu Yu is pretty new to me... but I love it. It is tough to compare the two.
Q: How old are you?
A: 28
Q: What is it about you characters that people love?
A: I think people like Vegeta because EVERYONE wants him to cheer up. He is the Darth Vader or Han Solo of Dragon Ball Z. Piccolo... I think people like him because he is green. And green is good, right?
Q: When did you realize you had a talent?
A: Man... these questions are tough... I started getting great parts in plays, choirs, and cartoons. I figured I must be doing something right.
Q: Is your hair naturally bald looking or did you make the decision to do that?
A: I made the decision to make my hair look as bald as possible. I use it much like Krillin's Solar Flare to confuse my enemies.
Q: Do you agree with the edits that FUNimation makes?
A: I have to, and, like you, I wish FUNimation didn't have to. But it must be done, like it or not. Until society allows it to be on television...
Q: If Vegeta was a motivational speaker, what would he say to beginner martial art students?
A: You losers! You suck! Go home and cry into your pink sheets!! But first -- PAY UP!
Q: Do you sing?
A: Not regularly. But I will, if necessary. I did study Opera that the University of North Texas.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Anything bad for me.
Q: I'm 24 and a female fan of DBZ/general anime and I was wondering, would you marry me?
A: I can tell you are certainly interested in the "real me", and not the character I play on television. But sure... Feel free to submit marriage proposals to the FUNimation address.
Q: Have you ever made any of the other voice actors cry?
A: Yes. Sean Schemmel cries EVERY session. Eric Vale cries BEFORE every session. Meredith McCoy cries when I ask her to leave. Dameon Clarke is at home crying right now.
Q: Do you think that Funimation will re-do the episodes 1-53 that pioneer did?
A: I've heard a rumor that we may... cross your fingers... Pioneer owns the rights to those episodes for another year or so... If you guys are still watching, I wouldn't doubt we'll do it.
Q: About how much time passes between when you record the episode and when it airs?
A: It depends, really. Usually several months... up to 8 months.
Q: Do people recognize you off the street and say something like "Hey, it's Vegeta"?
A: Funny, but yes... Oftentimes at grocery stores...
Q: Can you perform the fusion dance?
A: I just fused with FUNMAN to form the most politically correct Director EVER!
Q: What do you think is the saddest part of Dragonball Z?
A: The end.s
Hey guys, I must go now. Goodnight and I will see you around....
