Does Anybody Collect The S.H. Figuarts DBZ Figures?

[DB_Fan1991]

I was just wondering if this is a good line to collect for DBZ. I have a few of the Figuarts Star Wars figures and am impressed with those, but I was wondering if the DBZ ones are of the same quality. I have noticed that some characters go for crazy prices. Kuririn goes for $115, Broly for $135, Freeza for $180 & Cell for $200, but would they plus the easier figures be worth buying?

[ErikB]

I have a handful of them. They're extremely nice. Solid quality, very poseable, good joints. If it weren't for how crazy the prices get past each figures original release window (as you mentioned) I would happily collect the entire line. I don't think they're worth $100+.

The only one I don't care for is Perfect Cell. His proportions are a little wonky and he, ironically, has too many joints in his torso which make it tedious to get a strong pose out of him.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

The quality used to be really nice, and my only real complaint once upon a time ago was that they couldn't scale their characters worth shit. Now that the main market has switched to being non-domestic though, quality has been slipping pretty bad for the more recent releases. To cut down on production costs, the plastic being used has gotten softer and less heavy, joints are either super stiff or too loose, and paint applications are all over the places these days (as in shading styles and whether they actually paint at all instead of using the plastic's natural color), etc. A lot, though not all, of the newer sculpts are also declining in quality/accuracy IMO as well. Whis, for an upcoming example, just looks terrible to me...

I've stopped collecting them and I'm honestly considering selling most of the ones I have off. If I pick up any future releases, it'd only be Beerus, a Pure Buu, and SSG & SS4 Goku. Though I've already let Beerus slip by and I don't seem to mind too much...

[Blade]

I keep up-to-date with every release, but I'm not overly fussed on chasing up historic releases that I missed (such as Super Saiyan 3 Goku or the Comic Con Exclusives) due to the ridiculous scalper market.

I have gripes, though. I haven't been impressed with the recent 'premium color' re-releases, and the inconsistency in packaging for the last few releases has been annoying (as a collector). I have no idea why Beerus and Super Saiyan Goku Awakening came in fancy new boxes, but everything else continues to be in the old style.

[DB_Fan1991]

The quality used to be really nice, and my only real complaint once upon a time ago was that they couldn't scale their characters worth shit. Now that the main market has switched to being non-domestic though, quality has been slipping pretty bad for the more recent releases. To cut down on production costs, the plastic being used has gotten softer and less heavy, joints are either super stiff or too loose, and paint applications are all over the places these days (as in shading styles and whether they actually paint at all instead of using the plastic's natural color), etc. A lot, though not all, of the newer sculpts are also declining in quality/accuracy IMO as well. Whis, for an upcoming example, just looks terrible to me...

I've stopped collecting them and I'm honestly considering selling most of the ones I have off. If I pick up any future releases, it'd only be Beerus, a Pure Buu, and SSG & SS4 Goku. Though I've already let Beerus slip by and I don't seem to mind too much...

If you ever do actually sell them keep me in mind as I would not mind buying them. The problems you're stating are not in the Star Wars line at all, but then again the Star Wars line is Japan only because Bandai doesn't want to step on Hasbro's toes. I have noticed the scaling issue in that line as Darth Vader is too short and is the same height as Luke which is not accurate, but it seems like they have Han & Chewbacca right based on the prototypes I've seen.

[WhiskersTheWonderCat]

I have noticed the scaling issue in that line as Darth Vader is too short and is the same height as Luke which is not accurate, but it seems like they have Han & Chewbacca right based on the prototypes I've seen.

That's why I bought the Mafex Darth Vader. He fits in perfectly with the S.H. Figuarts Star Wars line.

Spoiler:

If you want articulated Dragon Ball figures, then I'd say Figuarts is the way to go. I love most of them, and I would disagree about the quality getting worse over time. I think that Beerus and Super Saiyan Son Goku Warrior Awakening are the best in the line, and they're newer releases. There are certain figures that aren't very good, and they overuse that outdated Goku body mold, but overall they are worth it. If you missed out on purchasing a specific character, then it is hard to recommend paying for any scalped prices, but do note that they sometimes release color variations of characters later down the line, so it may be possible to get that older figure, albeit with some alternative colors (manga vs. anime colors).

the inconsistency in packaging for the last few releases has been annoying (as a collector). I have no idea why Beerus and Super Saiyan Goku Awakening came in fancy new boxes, but everything else continues to be in the old style.

I assumed that new sculpts receive the new style of package, but rereleases and recolors only receive a variation of the old style of package.

[Blade]

I assumed that new sculpts receive the new style of package, but rereleases and recolors only receive a variation of the old style of package.

Nope - Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Vegeta is coming in the old packaging.

[WhiskersTheWonderCat]

I assumed that new sculpts receive the new style of package, but rereleases and recolors only receive a variation of the old style of package.

Nope - Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Vegeta is coming in the old packaging.

Huh, sure enough. Maybe they created the package for him before the new style was designed, and they didn't want to redo it. Iono, I'm not personally concerned by it, just an idea.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

The figures receiving a regular release in Japan are probably getting redesign packaging, while the web exclusives (mostly an international release) are keeping the old style.

[Blade]

I dunno, either way, the inconsistency is annoying for someone as anal as me who collects them, keeps them within their packaging, and enjoys uniformity for display purposes.

If they had just rolled out the new packing for a specific range - such as the 'Super' branded figures, or even for the 'Premium' re-releases, that would have, at least, made a little more sense - but it's just ad-hoc logic by the look of things.

But hey, that's just me.

[B]

Are these drastically different than the Figuarts ZERO line(Freeza, Gotenks, Pure Buu)? From what I can tell, the only noteworthy difference is that ZERO figures come with plastic ki effects.

[Blade]

Are these drastically different than the Figuarts ZERO line(Freeza, Gotenks, Pure Buu)? From what I can tell, the only noteworthy difference is that ZERO figures come with plastic ki effects.

Figuarts Zero are more detailed sculptures but are fixed-pose models. S.H. Figuarts are opposable and customisable action figures, with changes of accessories, face plates, hair etc.

[ShadowDude112]

Are these drastically different than the Figuarts ZERO line(Freeza, Gotenks, Pure Buu)? From what I can tell, the only noteworthy difference is that ZERO figures come with plastic ki effects.

Figuarts Zero are more detailed sculptures but are fixed-pose models. S.H. Figuarts are opposable and customisable action figures, with changes of accessories, face plates, hair etc.

I'd like to add that I find them better than the Figuarts Zero line. Due to the articulation, and sometimes I'm not a fan of some of the faces for the Figuarts Zero's.

[Lookerman]

I have several. I honestly prefer posing my figures than just having a static figure really. Gives me something to do when I;m bored.

[DB_Fan1991]

Another question for you guys who own them. What is your personal top 5 figures in the line. I just preordered the reissue of Piccolo coming in September.

[WhiskersTheWonderCat]

What are your personal top 5 figures in the line?

Beerus
Super Saiyan Son Goku Warrior Awakening
Golden Freeza
Trunks (original over PC)
Super Saiyan Son Gohan (SDCC)

[Gonstead]

What is your personal top 5 figures in the line.

Beerus

The amount of personality and character in this figure is pretty great. He's one of the few figures I can say that he really looks like he jumped right out of the media he was born from.

Super Awakening Goku

What's a way to test the waters for bringing back retail releases for the future?

A: Make it a Goku figure
B: Make it iconic

Bandai really nailed it on this figure. No longer having to deal with the outdated drop-down hips and the surprising use of articulation in certain areas, he's definitely one worth owning if you can get your hands on him.

LSSJ Broly

Say what you will about his character in the movies and his fanbase but you would be hard pressed to find a decent amount of people who actively dislike the figure. Reports of people who loathe his character but absolutely love his Figuart and it's not hard to see why. You would think his massive bulk would get in the way of articulation but it really doesn't. He can balance really well which is also surprising.

Perfect Cell

Despite his face not looking too good, he was still one of my first Figuarts and was for quite a while. Generally fun to pose and made for some cool scenes with the included Kamehameha beam effect.

Android 17

Before Beerus, Android 17 really was one of the better ones when it came to looking like the manga / anime counterpart. Articulation isn't as good as some of the other figures but if you're a fan of him, try and hunt him down for cheap.

[DB_Fan1991]

Made my first purchase. I got the SSJ Goku Awakening from a local pop culture store.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

Of the released figures, LSS Broli, Freeza, Cell, SS Goku (SS Awakening) are my top favorites.

The final slot would fall between Preteen Gohan and Beerus, I guess. Gohan has a pretty great sculpt (and is an articulated SS2 figure), but he's just way, WAAAY too tall for me to ignore it. Likewise, Beerus is pretty good too, but most of his faces have too much of the Bobbidi-eyes-bad-art-thing going on for me to fully commit.

[DB_Fan1991]

Of the released figures, LSS Broli, Freeza, Cell, SS Goku (SS Awakening) are my top favorites.

The final slot would fall between Preteen Gohan and Beerus, I guess. Gohan has a pretty great sculpt (and is an articulated SS2 figure), but he's just way, WAAAY too tall for me to ignore it. Likewise, Beerus is pretty good too, but most of his faces have too much of the Bobbidi-eyes-bad-art-thing going on for me to fully commit.

I so agree on the Awakening Goku figure. I'm glad I bought him first.