Dragon Ball Z - Special Version by Banpresto (1995)

This time Banpresto tried something new and left aside the usual Super Deformed look of UFO plushes and approached a more "real" representation of the characters.

The result was this set named "Special Version"

The "Special" thing about this set is how the characters look specially ugly.

Son Goku Super Saiyan 3

Face and hair don't look too weird but those arms and hands? Is that ball a Kame-hame-ha or a dragon ball?

Son Gohan

Not sure if that expression is because he's worried or just angry for being that weird-looking.

Goten and Trunks

Yes, they are attached as one single prize. I prefer the SD versions made after this one, though.

Piccolo

In my opinion this is the only one from the set that looks just fine. The body proportions and face are quite right for a realistic version from character.

Majin Boo

Again those arms and hands make the plush look weird. Also, I don't remember him having that long nose!

Tags

So random image. Why 2 Trunks and a Goku SSJ2 which is not in the set?

Maybe with that background diorama the set looks cooler than it is! The upper text says "Relive the hard and exciting battles!!"

Dragon Ball Z - Taffeta Set by Banpresto (1995)

During Majin Boo saga in Japan, Banpresto launched a DBZ set made from a different fabric than plush and polyester: taffeta.

I'm not a fan of this kind of shiny fabric, but the characters look funny enough to give them a chance, right? :)

All set had to be taken in 2 pictures since figures are a little bigger than usual (around 25-30 cms.)

It's Mr. Satan's debut in this UFO toys!

It's also Goten and Trunks debut as well. Although Goten could be mistaken as a Son Goku in SD form...

Son Goku (after-life version) 

Well, it's Goku with an aureole. What did you expect? SS3? Nah....

Son Gohan (Supreme Kai Planet version)

He looks pretty good. When you see next post, you'll really miss this version....

Son Goten

Trunks

What's with the ribbon instead of a belt???

Piccolo

Mr. Satan

I really think Mr. Satan is the star of this set along with Majin Boo (which I haven't found yet)

Tags

In this case, tag is folded so you can open it to check the picture of the complete set inside.

Here's Majin Boo! I can't open the tag completely unless I cut it out from the plastic attached to the toy. And that's not gonna happen...

Here says something like "From Banpresto Corporate Sales Agency" and below there's the Tokyo address.

Dragon Ball - Variety Set by Banpresto (1993)

This time I'll start with the tag picture so you can get an idea on what to expect about this set:

Below the logo you can see the name of the collection "Variety Set" That means....

But then, we flip the tag to see the characters and we find....

I mean, what's the point to launch a Dragon Ball (first part of the series) if you throw in a Super Saiyan Gohan and a Kaioh Sama there? What about Yamcha, Bulma Roshi, Krillin?? I mean, like the ones in the front picture.

Not just the characters are from very different parts of the story. The materials in the plushes are also very distinct between them, which looks kind of strange.

Son Goku

First version of kid Goku with Tenkaichi Budokai uniform in plush form. He even has his tail!

Oolong

One of my favorites DB plushes from all series! The expression and the panty over his head are priceless

Puar

Puar looks fine being more plush fabric than poliester like other ones.

Karin

I read that USA fans know him more as Korin but LATAM and original Japan name is Karin

Super Saiyan Son Gohan

This figure looks great but as I was saying... what does he has to do with a (first part DB) set?

Kaioh Sama

No, he also doesn't belong to the picture on tag T_T

Tags

Dragon Ball Z - Super Saiyan Set by Banpresto (1993)

The second Dragon Ball set from Banpresto continued the same character design as the first one, but this time had 7 instead of 5 characters including a villain. In this case, the set is from Cell saga.

Again just serious faces, except Cell, who is more confident about being a SD character than the other ones :P

Son Goku

Super Saiyan Son Goku - Freezer saga version in a Cell saga set? Yeah, well, he looks cool at least.

Son Gohan

Fortunately, Gohan has his Cell saga look instead of Freezer one with that Beatles-like hair..

Vegeta

You must love that "don't f*ck with me" face!

Super Saiyan Vegeta

This one has more like a stomach-ache face. I prefer the previous one better.

Trunks looks just ok. He has a little sword on his back which is a great deal compared with the simplicity of the overall set

Super Saiyan Trunks

Not much to say. At least is a better face than his father's Super Saiyan version.

Cell

Yes, I'm perfect... Cell.

 Tags

Different from the first set, this one has paper tags. This helps a lot to check how many figures completes it. Here's where you can see the set name below DBZ logo.

Dragon Ball Z by Banpresto (1992)

With the beginning of UFO plushes popularity in Japan, Banpresto launched their first of many DBZ set during 1992. Let's take a look on their first try:

Why is everyone so angry? Even Bulma!

First thing to note is that these figures are a little smaller than the average UFO plush (15 cms vs 22 cms from most of other ones) so their bodies are a little simpler in terms of fabric and details.

I assume this set is based on the first part of Dragon Ball Z although Bulma has the Freezer saga outfit. Unfortunately there's no villain in this set (at least that I've seen before)


Son Goku

As you can see, there's almost no detail in the body and clothes. The character's features come with the "iron-transfer" stickers on his face.

Krillin

At least Krillin looks almost exactly as the original one! Haha.....

Piccolo

I need to give credit to this design. Piccolo's serious face is as funny as those Slam Dunk plushes

Master Roshi

In case you wonder, if you move the shades you can see the Roshi's pervert eyes. The problem is that sunglasses are sewed on the sides to the head so you can't completely remove them.

Bulma

I know that hairstyle is from Freezer's saga but that outfit with her name is from.. I don't know. Also, the tag says more like BLUMA instead of BULMA. I don't know if this is a mistake on all production or just mine :(

Unfortunately there's no paper tag in this set. Just the sewed ones:

This one just says Dragon Ball Z - Plush number - Piccolo Daimaoh - Copyright info and Difficulty Level to get this ones in the UFO Arcades.