Name of Series:

Dragonball Z Imagination Collection Part 5

Manufacturer:

Bandai HG series

Date of release (estimated):

July 2005

Price (singly in ¥):

300 ¥

Sculptor:

Unknown

No. of Pieces in the series:

5

Secret (SP)/Chase:

None

Variants:

None

Size:

5-8 cm

Availability (in Singapore):

La Tendo

Other Remarks:

As predicted, Part 5 of the hugely-popular DBZ Imagination vignette series came half a year since the previous part. With the improvements Part 3 & 4, this part has been highly anticipated by many, including myself especially with only 5 pieces are scheduled to be featured in this set, one would not be faulted to ask for much better design and quality for this particular set.

Kyoui no Sentou Minzoku
(A Vicious Battle Tribe)

Being a Saiya-jin, one of the plight will be the fact that you will transform into a giant gorilla-like creature well capable to create vast amount of havoc, during full moon. It can be extremely dangerous to everyone, regardless of friends or foe, around a primate-mode saiya-jin as lives would be perished by indiscriminate and uncontrolled slaying of the monster which could only be stopped by dismembering the tail. Here Goku faced his adversary, the prince of the Saiya-jin planet, Vegeta who landed on earth and had much difficulty defeating Vegeta in his wild, primate mode. Action-packed vignette with a scary looking Vegeta upheave earth in attempt to grab Goku. The overall design is cool, and succeeded in what the sculptor is trying to express; the sculpt is very steady as well. Goku's pose is a bit too stiff but I really like the primate-mode Vegeta which has close resemblance to the manga/anime version. The full moon is nicely shown and it's crucial to be included. The earth upheaval is tastefully done as well.

Chou jyou Ketsen
(Duel at the Summit)

After Kid Buu destroyed earth, he went in search for Goku and Vegeta who elevate their powers to indicate their whereabouts which pitch the battle of all battles against their nemesis. During which Goku transformed into his Super Saiyan jin 3 with a huge mane to attempt to beat Buu into pulp.

Pretty atrocious done especially Goku's face which was horrendous as well as that thick mane of the Super Saiyan 3 mode. The backdrop looks moderate as we have seen it for too many times but did provide enough support to the 2 characters. I do like Buu's painful pose which was at the brunt of the power shot by Goku. The power shot looks ok but had problem connected to the tip of Goku's finger.

Getchaku! Genki dama
(Catch that! Genki dama)

One of Goku's most powerful move is the one known as "Genki Dama" imparted to by Kai Ou which can be as devastating as a few nuclear bombs, without the radiation of course.

One piece that is not easy to assemble due to the number of similar pieces of the mist surrounding the hovering Goku. Overall, a disappointing sculpt which see the entire piece tilting backwards as the weight is not sufficiently balanced by the base; Goku also has a tendency to fall out of place. The facial sculpt of Goku also looks extremely twisted and the pose seems very rigid. Finally I think the base is to show the aftermath of a launch of the destructive Genki dama but it's puzzling for one to figure out what they are trying to express with the backdrop.

Gohan Cho Kakusai!
(Gohan's Super Awakening!)

A product of a Saiyan father and an Earthling mother, Gohan has every potential to be the most powerful Saiyan warrior ever. However been peace-loving and having a kind heart, he constantly resisted fulfilling his full potential. However when face tough adversaries like Cell & Buu, Sun Gohan definitely needs to awaken the monster within him.

Perhaps the most mundane and worst piece of this set. The most noticeable shortcoming is that terrible facial sculpt of Gohan which looks too amateur to be true. The big Saiya-jin hair style and the ballooning forehead makes Gohan looks like some alien creature with a tumor on top. The pose is ok with nicely sculpted arms and I like the way his pants are torn. But the base had problem fixing firmly together despite having 2 plastic support to hold Gohan in place.

Piccolo vs Jinzou ningen 20 gou
(Piccolo vs Andriod 20)

The sinister Dr Gero of the Red Ribbon unleashed his latest line of Andriods to terrorize earth as a future Trunks came back in time to warn everyone. However he had no recollection of Andriod 19 and 20 who is Gero himself as they had been beaten soundly by the likes of Vegeta and Piccolo respectively.

My fave piece of the set sees a suave Piccolo finished off Dr Gero in Andriod 20 outfit grasping for air with his power bullet. Nice sculpt for the entire piece which manage to hold together especially Piccolo in place. Piccolo's facial sculpt looks a bit weird (a trend in this set) but still better than those featured above. But i really like the facial sculpt Gero as his stunned face from the brink of death is well represented her. I like the way one of Gero's limb is covered by another piece to form the base to hold Piccolo in place, quite unique design there.