Action figure retrospective (Son Goku)

[Brad Redfield]

Well, I decided to put together this little article about DBZ's long history of action figures. This will focus on the various versions of Goku that's been released by Bandai and Irwin. (Don't own any of Jakk's horrible Goku figures, so they won't be included here.)

So, here we go!

Super Battle Collection - Volume One: Son Gokou



According to Daizenshuu 7, the first wave of these toys were released in 1991 by Bandai. The other figures in this wave were SSJ Goku, Vegeta, Freeza, Trunks and Piccolo. These figures were advertised quite a bit in video game magazines like Electronic Gaming Monthly way back when. Incidently, this was my initial exposure to DBZ.

Goku came with a removable snap-on shirt and a sheet of stickers that had the different emblems that he had. (Kame symbol, Kaio symbol, Go symbol) The snap-on shirt would become one of the main aspects of the Super Battle Collection.

The likeness is somewhat poor and the articulation is extremely limited with four points:

- Two swivel arms
- Two swivel boots

It wouldn't be until Irwin released DBZ figures of their own that we got much more articulated toys.

NOTE: There's actual two different boxes for this figure. I own the "Kaio-Ken" version which I believe is the re-release.

Additional pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... ld/4-1.jpg < Genki-Dama pose.

Super Battle Collection - Volume 00!!: Son Gokou Perfect Version



Unfortunately, I do not know the release date for this one. I assume it came out around 1996/97 when GT was ending in Japan. Apparently this was the final figure in the Super Battle Collection to be released. This was also a very popular toy for its alternate heads and arms and improved scultping.

This was actual a pretty damn cool figure at the time. You get not only Goku's normal head, but heads for SSJ, SSJ2 and SSJ3-- complete with golden colored hair to boot. He also came with alternate "powering-up" arms that could snap onto his shoulder pegs.

He has three points of articulation:

- Swivel neck
- 2 swivel arms

Unfortunately, they turned at an angle instead of the straight swivel arms of the previous figure so you couldn't really do any real poses with him.

Additional pictures:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... ld/8-1.jpg < About the only additional pose you can get out of him.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/10.jpg < SSJ head with alternate arms.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/11.jpg < SSJ2 head
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/12.jpg < SSJ3 head

Irwin/Dorda - Goku



Erhm...this is quite the enigma to me. I bought it around 1998 when Irwin was just releasing the Super Battle Collection/AB Groupe/Dorda figures in the US. Let's just say he's probably one of the worst Goku figures ever made. He can barely stand on his own, his sculpting is poor and the likeness is like if DBZ was animated by the people who did Rudolf the Red-Nose Reindeer.

EDIT: Thanks to ForestEquilibrium for correcting me on the company that made this figure.

He has six points of articulation:

- Swivel head
- Two swivel arms
- Swivel waist
- Swivel boots

I also own a similiar Piccolo figure that's even worse than this.

Additional pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... ld/6-1.jpg < Genki-Dama pose...gah.

Irwin Series Four - Goku



Man, I loved this one when it came out. Irwin was releasing new US-made figures when the dub became super popular in 2001. They released various supporting characters and villians that the SBC didn't. The figures also had a lot more articulation than any previous DBZ figures.

The only problem was that the proportions for the toys were quite poor throughout the initial five series and were a little more on the cartoon-ish side.

Goku's gi sported the "Go" symbol from his fight with Freeza on Namek. I always found it odd that they chose this incarnation as at the time they were releasing Cell saga figures alongside this one. Probably the most bizarre choice for a Goku figure is having his hair mirrored. I never seen any other figure have this.

The figure sports eight points of articulation:

- Swivel head
- Ball-joint arms
- Swivel waist
- Swivel legs
- Swivel knees

Irwin's release was pretty good, IMO. Its too bad they went bankrupt and had Jakks Pacific take over and create some of the lamest DBZ figures ever.

Additional pictures:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/14.jpg < Battle-ready pose
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/15.jpg < Genki-Dama pose

DX Action Figure - Son Gokou



I purchased this on this very forum. Its a pretty cool figure that was released in 2004 by Banpresto. Its very articulated but has some very bizarre proportions. Goku's head and arms are much too small.

EDIT: Thanks to Oldphan for correcting me on the company.

He came with alternate open hands with ki-blasts you could attach to them.

He has twelve points of articulation:

- Swivel head
- Swivel arms
- Swivel elbows
- Swivel wrists
- Ball-joint legs
- Swivel knees

Unfortunately, his right leg broke when I was taking pictures.

Additional pictures:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/18.jpg < Ki-blast
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/19.jpg < Alternate hand
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/17.jpg < BROKE'D D:

Ultimate Figure Series - Son Gokou



Oh man. Until recently, I considered this to be the best Goku figure ever made. Hell, its still the best five-inch Goku ever. He was released in 2003 by Bandai along with many other characters. He is VERY poseable with over twenty points of articulation and his sculpting is good. His shirt, unfortunately, gets in the way of arm articulation.

His articulation is:

- Ball-joint head
- Ball-joint/swivel arms/shoulders
- Swivel triceps
- Swivel shoulder
- Swivel wrists
- Swivel waist
- Ball-joint legs
- Swivel thighs
- Swivel knees
- Swivel boots
- Swivel feet

He comes with alternate open hands and his shirt is a snap-on, just like the SBC Goku. Jakks Pacific released these guys over here and, oddly enough, left the package in its original japanese.

Additional pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/21.jpg < "Battle damaged"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/22.jpg < Kamehameha pose

And the best Goku action figure ever...!!

Hybrid Action Figure - Son Gokou



Oh man...oh man...oh man. This is a fantastic figure. This is Bandai's current toy line for DBZ and it is definitely worth it. These figures are extremely poseable, come with accessories and alternate hands.

This has the best likeness to Goku out of any figure I've seen. The hair has finally been perfected and looks good from nearly any angle. People complain about his gi being too bright of an orange (its border line yellow) and that would be my only complaint about this figure.

The figure is 3.75 inches tall; nearly the same scale as Hasbro's G.I. Joe and Star Wars action figures. Its the perfect size, IMO.

Goku has insane articulation and his shirt doesn't hinder any of it. He has over twenty-five points of articulation:

- Swivel neck
- Ball-joint head
- Swivel chest? (Hard to explain)
- Ball-joint shoulders
- Swivel biceps
- Swivel elbows
- Ball-joint wrists
- Swivel waist
- Swivel crotch
- Swivel thigh
- Swivel knee
- Swivel boot
- Swivel feet

You can do nearly any pose you want with him. He can finally do the Kamehameha pose.

The figure also comes with three interchangeable set of hands.

- Karate hands
- Fists
- Open hands

And a first for DBZ, he comes with this plastic stand that you can attach him to to simulate flight. Its a very cool and ingenious little accessory.

If you only want one Goku figure but don't want to spend a lot of money, get this one. Its still readily availible on eBay and HLJ.

Additional pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/24.jpg < Alternate hands
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/25.jpg < Ready to fight
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/31.jpg < Ready to fight part II
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/26.jpg < Powering up
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/28.jpg < Taiyo-Ken while flying
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/29.jpg < Genki-Dama pose
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/30.jpg < Kamehameha pose
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/32.jpg < VS Vegeta pose
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/B ... eld/27.jpg < Flight stand

And with that, this brings the retrospective to a close. I might do more for other characters if I find the time to.

I hope you guys enjoyed reading this!

[SSj_Rambo]

...Probably the most bizarre choice for a Goku figure is having his hair mirrored. I never seen any other figure have this...

Wow, that's what happens when you let people who don't know the series produce Dragonball material, it comes out like crap *cough*cough*Remastered Season Sets*cough*cough*.

Proper hair:

[Adamant]

I got the Battle Damage figure from the FUNi Vegeta Saga I set. Really, you're not missing much there. The figure looks okay-ish, but he's horribly unposeable. He's got a slew of articulation points (neck, both shoulders, both elbows, torso, both legs, both knees and both feet), but his right tit gets in the way of his right arm, and his pants get in the way of moving his feet and knees a whole lot. So, uh, he can raise his left hand! Yay!

Also, he falls over all the time, since the lack of knee movements makes it hard to put his legs in a very stable position.

[SSJ Helldog]

-Swivel crotch

Sold!

[SonGokuGT]

The hybrid figure, although it looks very posable looks very... weird...
I guess it's one of those figures you need to hold and play with to truly appreciate it.

[ForestEquilibrium]

I'm pretty sure the third one is made by Dorda, Irwin reissued some of their toys as well.

[Brad Redfield]

I'm pretty sure the third one is made by Dorda, Irwin reissued some of their toys as well.

You're right. I just checked Dragonballtoys.com and they are shown as figures on pull-back-skateboard thingys. Irwin must've just packaged just the figures for the US release.

Sold!

Zing!

@SonGokuGT: Trust me, the figure looks great in person. The Vegeta one I have is equally awesome.

[Oldphan]

DX Action Figure - Son Goku



That figure was made by Banpresto, not Bandai. He was part of the DX Action Figure Series. More information here:

http://www.supersaiyantoys.com/banprestodxfigures.html

Be sure to check out the rest of that site to see pictures of hundreds of other Dragonball figures!

Also please let me know if you would be at all interested in selling your Dorda figures.

All the best,
Oldphan

[eienmic]

I assume you're only into collecting the original orange gi Gokus? Very cool collection I must say. By the way, did you get the DX Goku from me along with Vegeta? Cuz if you did, I'm a little embarrassed that they broke... oops.

[Brad Redfield]

I assume you're only into collecting the original orange gi Gokus? Very cool collection I must say. By the way, did you get the DX Goku from me along with Vegeta? Cuz if you did, I'm a little embarrassed that they broke... oops.

Nah, I'm a general DB figure fanatic. I just have more figures of orange gi Goku.

Check out my previous display of my collection (minus a few figures I can't find):



And yeah, I purchased these from you. Don't worry about it though man, I'm positive it fell off the shelf awhile back. It didn't break per say, the joints came loose on his leg joint and it popped off. Its a very minor thing that can be fixed with some glue.

Anyways, if I were to do another retrospective it would probably be focused on Vegeta or Piccolo.

[djkalteraphine]

Funny enough, because of my age, I had three of these when I was in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades, and they got a lot of love. Lemme break it down.

Super Battle Collection - Volume One: Son Goku

The second Goku figure I ever got. I got it in the original Japanese packaging from a comic book shop in the mall with Christmas money. I never thought it looked like Goku, and since I had other Goku figures, I'd always use this one as Goten (unless I actually got a Goten figure -- but I was getting on in age and growing out of my figures then). Still, it's always nice to have a figure that can have "battle damage".

Super Battle Collection - Volume 00!!: Son Goku Perfect Version

I loved the crap out of this one. This was my first online purchase, at the tender age of 11. I bought it with the SBC Cell and Super Saiyajin Four Vegeta, with birthday money I don't doubt. That was a fun summer. This figure survived being played with, for the most part, but my dog managed to knock it off where I had it on display and had her way with it. All of the heads are fine, except SSJ3 (which was on display and is my favorite).

Irwin/Dorda - Goku

My first Dragon Ball, well, anything. I had only watched the show on TV, being the original dub of seasons one and two, and rented early Dragon Ball stuff (including the first movie!) - I was new, but not unfamiliar, and Goku had become my favorite character, a status he maintains this day; And this is still my favorite figure. I know it isn't the most perfect sculpt, as you said, but I prefer the less articulation and the "rounded" look Goku has. He looks very Dragon Ball/early DBZ, and that's the Goku I had accepted into my 10-year-old heart. Unfortunately, this figure's in pretty bad shape. But it saw lots of love, for true.

[Brad Redfield]

That's the same way I feel about the SBC Vol. 1 Goku. It was my first import and piece of Dragon Ball merchandise. Had lots of fun with him despite having virtually no articulation.

I remember that the Ocean dub was running through Namek re-runs and I made Goku's spaceship out of cardboard. Great times. I also own the Irwin released version.

...man, I should start picking up the rest of the Hybrid figures before Bandai discontinues them.

[Sonicmark]

I had the SBC Goku, It was my favourite action figure ever and I played with it every day. Must've broke and got fixed about 5 times. Until one time it was beyond repair and I probably cried for days about it. I always wanted another Goku figure but I just had to use a Goten and say it was Kid Goku.
I remember thousands of attempts to get Perfect Goku, but I failed cos' the only place that ever had it was ebay

[djkalteraphine]

I still have a Super Saiyajin Goku from the SBC in near perfect condition on display, next to a Super Saiyajin Vegeta that does an electronic Big Bang. Goku doesn't have a shirt anymore, though. But he does have a Nyoibo! They strike a truly powerful sight - only trumped by my Freddie Mercury action figure.

[jajangmyeon]

There was also the Super Collection Goku from 1991.

The Super Collection is one of my favorite lines of DBZ figures. Not to be confused with the Super *Battle* Collection, the Super Collection is a line of Highly detailed Vinyl figures. While the SBC went on forever, the Super Collection was killed off after only Nine Volumes. All of them are really neat, but mostly the Gohan & Kuririn Set and Battle Damaged SSJ Goku.

Goku kicked off the line ofcourse. He comes with a sticker sheet and features articulation at the arms and waist.







I'd take more pics of him out of the box, but the twisty ties are a pain.