Bandai America is offering series 18 of their popular Dragon Ball Stars line, which includes Janemba, Super Saiyan Bardock and Super Saiyan Vegito. Janemba was the main antagonist in the movie Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn, as well as other Dragon Ball media. Bardock is the father of Goku and led the rebellion on Planet Vegeta against Frieza. Vegito is the result of the fusion between Goku and Vegeta by the use of the Potara Earrings.
Thank you to Bandai America for providing their Dragon Ball Stars Series 18 – Janemba, SS Bardock & SS Vegito Figures for review.
Availability: November 2020
The figures are packaged in the standard window box packaging, with each figure protected in a plastic tray along with their accessories. The artwork on the packaging is nicely done, with images of the characters on the side, and images of series 17 and 18 on the back.
Janemba makes his debut in the line and is one of the more memorable villains that Goku faced. The figure is depicted from his appearance in Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn, with red skin, a purple outfit, light grey gauntlets and lower legs. The head sculpt looks great, with the horns underneath the purple head piece, pointy red ears, and a demon-like appearance. Included are three sets of interchangeable hand sculpts (closed fisted, open grip and open hand), and a sword.
Super Saiyan Vegito is a repaint of the previously offered black hair and Super Saiyan God (blue hair) versions. The figure comes in a dark blue outfit, with a dark blue belt, a dark purple undershirt, white gloves, white and yellow boots. There are some significant differences in deco compared to the earlier releases, as specified in the video and you can see those clearly in the photogallery below. His head sculpt includes the yellow Super Saiyan style hair, along with nicely done facial details, including the Potara Earrings on both ears. Included are two sets of interchangeable hand sculpts (closed fisted and open hand) and a energy effect piece that snaps into the wrist.
Super Saiyan Bardock is also a repaint of the previously offered black hair version, and comes in his Saiyan armor with a green-yellowish deco, dark blue and red gauntlets and lower legs. The head sculpt is brand new, with the yellow hair and nicely done facial details including the scar on his cheek. He also has a red bandana around his forehead, which you can also see in the back. The tail is also wrapped around his torso. Included with Bardock are two sets of interchangeable hand sculpts (closed fisted and open hand).
The articulation is standard for the line, including double jointed elbows and knees.
Overall, Bandai America has done a fantastic job on character selection, likeness and attention to detail on these figures. Getting Janemba in this line is surely a gift, and they have done a remarkable job over the years on this line. It’s a shame that the build-a-figure option is no longer offered, as even getting a small character like Garlic Jr. or Chiaotzu with a few points of articulation would have been great. Fans will definitely want to pick up this wave as it comes with essential characters and variations that you need to own.
Purchase:
