So as I mentioned when I wrote about SSJ3 Goku, Bandai did a few other interesting things in 2021 to appease Dragonball collectors. There was the straight up reissue of the SSJ3 figure, which effectively destroyed aftermarket pricing for that release. There was also the release of two new Base Goku figures (or entry level priced Gokus), specifically Super Saiyan Goku and Goku Black. Up until this point, I believe the only true SS Goku 2.0 was the Awakening version, which is... expensive. Goku Black was also a Premium and Convention Exclusive, so you can imagine where the prices went from its already high starting point. Neither of these are particularly prestigious figures, but they do allow collectors to get some character representation without breaking the bank, which isn't a bad thing.
My order of these two came along for the ride across the US/Canada border with Super Sailor Moon, and have been sitting here for about a month now, though I think the actual release window was earlier, like early Fall 2021, if not before.
Being entry priced figures, there is as much reuse of existing parts as possible. Goku Black has fewer such parts, as it were, as most of them are specific to the Goku Black release itself, whereas SS Goku has parts that are used across several Goku figures. Which is probably why Goku Black costs a bit more.
Super Saiyan "Full Powered" Goku is really just a slight recolor of the SSGSS Goku release with a different belt and missing emblems on the top. Articulation, Paint, and Build Quality are all as you expect - functional and the same as the other Gokus. I guess that is to be expected when your character has multiple forms but is wearing effectively the same thing.
All the faceplates SS Goku comes with also looked familiar to me... except for this one. I don't exactly remember an episode where Goku was having epileptic seizures, and yet, here we are. It certainly sets this Goku apart from any of the other ones, Super Saiyan or not.
Goku Black is a character that is introduced in the Super series, and what happens to Goku in its original timeline (remember Trunks changed the future by preventing Goku from dying, allowing him to participate in the Cell games). His body gets hijacked by Zamatsu, masters its Saiyan capabilities, and ends up traveling to a different future to raze the Earth, only to be eventually cut down by the newly minted Super Saiyan Rage Trunks.
Elements of this figure set were also adopted from other sets, though the body itself is relatively unique (i.e. only used by Goku Black), though this one is more purple as compared to the black of the first release. He's missing many of the accessories of the Premium release, and the figure focuses on his super form. The faces are effectively the same as what we get with Goku, albeit recoloured and given the addition of the Potarra earring. Right hand features a ring, unique to this character.
Range of motion is reduced as compared to the standard Goku body, though expected due to the slight skirt over the pelvic area. Finishes on Goku Black were definitely better than with SS Goku. Not sure if it's due to clear coat, but at the very least the actual QC on the finished parts are nicer.
Overall, its nice being able to bring this visually distinct Goku piece into the collection at an entry level price, though I gotta admit I would have liked to have gotten that energy blade at least.
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