Another Dragon Ball World Collectable figure review again! Son Gokou Saiyan Saga for the review now! Son Gokou or “Goku” is the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball metaseries created by Akira Toriyama. Goku is a Saiyan originally sent to Earth as an infant with the mission to destroy it. However, an accident alters his memory, causing him to grow up pure-hearted and later become Earth’s greatest defender, as well as the informal leader of the Dragon Team. The figure line was called Dragon Ball World Collectable (DWC) but, more recognizeable as World Collectable Figure (WCF), is a line of smaller scale Prize figures by Banpresto. The figures also features them in deformed/chibi style with a single display base. DWC SonGokou was sealed with orange colored box with some promotional pictures of him, the front one features him with Kame house background in Dragon Ball artwork style. While the back only has warning signs for this figure, the full words of “Dragon Ball World Collectable” only written in Japanese but, the short name of “DWC” appeared on the top of the box along with small Son Gokou promotional photo and gold colored Toei sticker (Japan import). DWC SonGokou was released somewhere in February 2009 and the product line is Dragon Ball Z World Collectable Figure Vol. 01, his product number is 001 and he was released as set with other 7 characters such as Pikkoro Saiyan Saga (002), Kid SonGohan Saiyan Saga (003), Radittsu (004), Yamcha Saiyan Saga (005), Vegeta Saiyan Saga (006), Nappa (007) and Saibamen (008). The front box looks interesting although, I’m not fond with windowless box. Let’s open the box!
The contents consists of 2 part of Goku figure and his base display.
Goku was included with clear red display stand with 2 pegs, to make him standing without having worried of falling. Alas, his footing position did not match to the base’s pegs and I could only attach 1 foot on him while the other one didn’t….
This Goku is an adult version of him in the early DBZ series, Goku still wears his trademark orange colored gi outfit with small Kame symbol on the chest, blue undershirt, arm bands, obi belt with 2 loose tie and dark blue with yellow lining and brown strings boots. In this figure, Goku is posing standing with slight open legs, his arms bend to the front with his hand gripping into fist. The pose was like he’s ready to power up for battle like using Kaio-Ken or go Super Saiyan. The pose looked very simillar to Tamashii Buddies standard pose on male characters. He was done in deformed style so, I’m not going to discuss much of his proportions but, for a chibi figure he still retained his adult appearance. Goku was done pretty awesome except the missing Kame/Kaio symbol on his back, in Saiyan Saga his gi has 2 symbols. The small one on the chest which is present and the large one on the back which is missing. Banpresto messed up this one, forgetting this part which is quite important for his appearance in Saiyan saga. But, then again it’s a prize figure so, every slight missing part is tolerable, right? Other than that, he’s perfect for me. Overall sculpt work of him is very well made because of his neck, arms and fabric details, I have to admit he feels meticulously made. Atleast, Banpresto still did an outstanding work despite the missing symbol on the back and comparing to him promotional pictures, the actual figure looked exactly the same. The whole figures was made from hard plastic.
Eventhough his base display didn’t match, Goku can still stand nicely but, still… A single shake might hurt him.
Like other Goku figures, his normal counterpart’s appearance has him with unique spiky black hairstyle and black eyes. Yeah, Goku’s most iconic looks is his spiky black hair, he has 4 bangs hanging to the right of his forehead and 3 bangs hanging to the left. His hair also stands up with 3 spikes on the right side, 2 spikes on the center and 3 spikes on the left side. His expression is shown smirking with his left side of mouth hanging to his cheek, he also lowering his eyebrows to show slight meaner looks but, feels friendly. Goku’s irises are painted simple black, he is looking up to the front view. Unfortunately, the finishing wasn’t that good as there’s a minor paint transfer.
COMPARISON
Comparing the figure between his anime/manga counterpart, DWC Goku was done closely perfect. They did captured his appearance in Saiyan saga but, they missed his Kame/Kaio symbol on the back because in Saiyan saga Goku’s gi has either 2 different kanji symbol on the back. His early appearance in Saiyan saga has the kanji symbol is written Kame like on the chest but, after he trained under Kaio-shin the symbol on the back changed into Kaio symbol. Goku actually dislike the Kaio kanji but, unaware with the changes.
Of course comparing to SHF, DWC is a midget but, what I’m trying to compare is his overall looks. Their hair, faces looks pretty closely the same but, surprisingly… DWC Goku got more intense detailed hair than SHF version. You can see that the DWC Goku has more spikes on his hair but, the tip weren’t sharp as SHF one. However, DWC Goku has rounder face and more detailed mouth since his mouth has a lining while SHF don’t. Their gi is also different, SHF Goku’s gi was based from his appearance in Android saga until Buu saga which the gi doesn’t have any symbol or loose obi tie.
Well, quite happy with the figure’s looks but, disappointed with that unfitting base display and the missing symbol on the back. Due to his old release date and rare status, this Goku also became so expensive but, luckily I got him less pricey than Mai one. It’s Goku, man… It’s not strange anymore if he became so expensive although, not all of Goku figures was expensive lol… However, despite my bad luck on his defects, I still recommend this anyway. If you like DWC/WCF, then this is a great addition for your Dragon Ball collections, Goku is more well made than Mai or even Ranfan. Anyway, another DWC review on the way!
Pros:
- Good and more detailed sculpt work.
- Good for displaying the figure in the cabinet or detolf.
- Good looking box.
Cons:
- Some paint transfer and the missing symbol on the back but, it’s tolerable for a prize figure.
- Expensive price but, it’s understandable by his current status.
Dragon Ball World Collectable: SonGokou Saiyan Saga
Design: 4/5
Movement: 0/5
Small Parts: 1/5
Substance: 4/5
Accuracy sculpt: 4/5
OMAKE:
Thank you for reading! 🙂