Dragonball HG Gashapon – Bandai

Series: Dragonball / Dragonball Z / Dragonball GT / Dragonball Kai / Dragonball Super / Dragonball Heroes

Company: Bandai

Release: 1995+

Size: various

Main distribution: Japan / Europe

---

The HG series is a series of Gashapon sets of small Dragonball figures. Most you had to build as they came in pieces. HG stands for ‘High Grade’. They came out of a Gashapon machine in a capsule, although some come in boxes I believe. They were made by Bandai, and later redistributed by AB Groupe in Europe, where they were called Maxi Collection. Several series were made resulting in over 300+ figures including colour variants, and is still ongoing now. What’s cool about these is is that they are in scale with one another.

All figures have © B/S · T, B. CHINA on them. They also have the 4 dots Bandai stamp on them. They often come with a clear base to help them stand. They often have little numbers on them to help put pieces together, or to match bases, or distinguish between left and right feet.

They don’t come with instructions, so you have to puzzle them together yourselves. However, they are pretty straight forward. They also came with little leaflets displaying the rest of the series, as most Gashapon.

After High Grade, another series, Digital Grade was made which was a continuation of the line. These are also listed here (I might make it a separate section at some point if I own one of them). I have not listed the VS lines (Again, I might make it a separate section at some point if I own one of them). The box sets are listed here as well (I might make it a separate section at some point).
Newer lines regarding Dragonball Super and Heroes are also still being released. I have started to list these here as well, although it’s hard to keep up with these so likely will be out of date soon. I might make the new releases a separate section at some point too.

HG Dragonball Z
Release date: 1995

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Dragonball Z 2
Release date: 1996

6 figures were released in this set. I got 0/6.

HG Super Saiyan Legend
Release date: 1999

5 figures were released in this set. I got 1/5, Super Saiyan 3 Goku.

HG1
Release date: 2002

6 figures were released in this set. I got 0/6.

HG2
Release date: 2003

7 figures were released in this set. I got 1/6; Bulma.

I got her secondhand, and she is missing a little hair piece on the side of her head.

HG3
Release date: 2003

7 figures were released in this set. I got 0/7.

HG4
Release date: 2004

7 figures were released in this set. I got 0/7.

HG5
Release date: 2004

7 figures were released in this set. I got 2/7; Piccolo and Imperfect Cell.

These were re-released in Europe by the AB Groupe in 2006 and called the Maxi Collection Cell’s Game. These are the ones I got specifically.
My Piccolo is either from this set or HGSP3, I can’t remember.

HG6
Release date: 2005

7 figures were released in this set. I got 0/7.

HG7
Release date: 2005

7 figures were released in this set. I got 6/7; Super Saiyan 3 Goku, Super Saiyan Broly, Hercule, Majin Buu, Frieza (first form) and Goten & Trunks.

These were re-released in Europe by the AB Groupe in 2007 and called the Maxi Collection Super Saiyan 3. These are the ones I got specifically.

HG8
Release date: 2005

7 figures were released in this set. I got 0/7.

HG9
Release date: 2005

7 figures were released in this set. I got 0/7.

HG10
Release date: 2005

10 figures were released in this set. I got 1/10; Super Saiyan 3 Goku (HG7).
Super Saiyan Goku is a re-release of HG2. Super Saiyan 3 Goku is a re-release of HG7.

HG11
Release date: 2006

7 figures were released in this set. I got 3/7; Super Saiyan Goku (Yardrat outfit), Piccolo and Android #20 / Dr. Gero.

These were re-released in Europe by Bandai France in 2008 and called the Maxi Collection Saiyan from the Future. These are the ones I got specifically.

I got these second hand, and I’m not sure if the European re-release gave Goku its secondary alternative arm. I got them all in original packaging, gashapon balls and with leaflets.

HG12
Release date: 2006

7 figures were released in this set. I got 2/7; Super Saiyan Gohan and Frieza (Second Form).

These were re-released in Europe by Bandai France in 2008 and called the Maxi Collection -Breakthrough-. That’s the one I got specifically.

HG13
Release date: 2007

7 figures were released in this set. I got 1/7; Frieza (second form).

HG14
Release date: 2007

8 figures were released in this set. I got 0/8.

HG15
Release date: 2007

7 figures were released in this set. I got 1/7; Super Saiyan Goku.

HG16
Release date: 2008

8 figures were released in this set. I got 0/8.

HG17
Release date: 2008

8 figures were released in this set. I got 0/8.

HG18
Release date: 2008

7 figures were released in this set. I got 1/7; Vegito.

Despite being in Europe, these came with the Japanese leaflet.

HG19
Release date: 2008

7 figures were released in this set. I got 0/7.

HG20-I
Release date: 2008

7 figures were released in this set. I got 0/7.

HG20-II
Release date: 2009

8 figures were released in this set. I got 0/8.

HG21
Release date: 2009

7 figures were released in this set. I got 1/7; Salza.

HG22
Release date: 2009

7 figures were released in this set. I got 0/7.

HG23
Release date: 2009

7 figures were released in this set. I got 0/7.

HGGT
Release date: 2006

6 figures were released in this set. I got 1/6; Super Saiyan 4 Vegeta.

These were re-released in Europe by Bandai France in 2009 and called the Maxi Collection Super Saiyan 4. That’s the one I got specifically.

It seems you could also get a special transparent version of the figures.

HGGT2
Release date: 2006

6 figures were released in this set. I got 0/6.

HGSP
Release date: 2007

6 figures were released in this set. I got 1/6; Frieza (first form).
Frieza is a re-release from HG7.

HGSP2
Release date: 2007

9 figures were released in this set. I got 0/9.
2 of these figures, Nappa and Vegeta, are re-colours.

HGSP3
Release date: 2008

7 figures were released in this set. I got 4/7; Super Saiyan Goku, Frieza (second form), Frieza (third form) and Piccolo.
Super Saiyan Goku is a re-release from HG15. Frieza (second form) is a re-release from HG12. Frieza (third form) is a re-release from HG13. Piccolo is a re-release from HG5.
My Piccolo is either from this set or HG5, I can’t remember.

Despite being in Europe, these came with the Japanese leaflet.

HGSP4
Release date: 2008

6 figures were released in this set. I got 2/6; Goten & Trunks and Majin Buu.
Goten & Trunks and Majin Buu are a re-release from HG7.

HGSP5
Release date: 2008

7 figures were released in this set. I got 1/7; Android #20 / Dr. Gero.
Android #20 / Dr. Gero is a re-release of HG10.

HGSP6 ~Movies&TV Specials~
Release date: 2009

6 figures were released in this set. I got 1/6; Broly. (I also got a bootleg Bardock on a black base).
Broly is a re-release from HG7.

HG Special
Release date: 2009

7 figures were released in this set. I got 1/7; Majin Buu.
Majin Buu is a re-release from HG7/HGSP4.

HG+
Release date: 2008

6 figures were released in this set. I got 0/6.

HG+2
Release date: 2008

6 figures were released in this set. I got 0/6.

HG+Ex
Release date: 2008

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG+Ex2
Release date: 2009

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Ex
Release date: 2009

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

8 figures were released in this set. I got 1/8; Trunks.
Trunks is a re-release from HG7/HGSP4.

DG01
Release date: 2010

5 figures were released in this set. I got 1/5; Super Saiyan Future Trunks.

DG02
Release date: 2010

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

DG03
Release date: 2010

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

DG Saiyan
Release date: 2010

5 figures were released in this set. I got 1/5; Super Saiyan 2 Gohan.

HG Movie Dragonball Super 01
Release date: December 2018

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Movie Dragonball Super 02
Release date: January 2019

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Dragonball Super 03 – Frieza edition
Release date: May 2019

4 figures were released in this set. I got 0/4.

HG Dragonball Super 04 – Start! Dragonball GT edition
Release date: August 2019

4 figures were released in this set. I got 1/4; Super Baby.

I bought him on eBay, but he was new in packaging. No leaflet sadly though.

HG Dragonball Super 05 – Horror of the Cell Games
Release date: March 2020

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Dragonball Super 06 – Ultra Instinct
Release date: May 2020

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Dragonball Super 07 – SOS from the future
Release date: July 2020

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Dragonball Super 08 – Android
Release date: December 2020

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Dragonball 09 – ~Hot Battle · Raw Battle · Super Fierce Battle!!~
Release date: June 2021

4 figures were released in this set. I got 0/4.

HG Dragonball 10 – ~Death Fight! Majin Buu~
Release date: December 2021

4 figures were released in this set. I got 0/4.

HG Dragonball Z + Resurrection F – God Edition
Release date: September 2015

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

6 figures were released in this set. I got 0/6.

HG Dragonball Super – Future Trunks Set A + B
Release date: June 2016

I believe these came in boxes rather than a Gashapon machine.

Set A has the 4 figures on the left and set B has the 4 figures on the right, making for 8 total figures. I got 0/8.

HG Dragonball Super – Universe Survival
Release date: October 2017

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

6 figures were released in this set (although 2 looks like dupes). I got 0/6.

HG Dragonball Super – Universe 7 Warriors Edition
Release date: December 2017

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

10 figures were released in this set. I got 0/10.

HG Dragonball Super – Tournament of Power Climax
Release date: March 2018

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

4 figures were released in this set. I got 0/4.

HG Dragonball Super – Universe 6 Rivals Edition
Release date: February 2019

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

10 figures were released in this set. I got 0/10.

HG Movie Dragonball Super – Enemy Set
Release date: March 2019

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine. Broly also comes with a light stand and power up effects.

4 figures were released in this set. I got 0/4.

HG Movie Dragonball Super – Goku! Vegeta! Fusion set
Release date: July 2019

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine. Vegetto also comes with a light stand and power up effects.

8 figures were released in this set. I got 0/8.

HG Dragonball Super – Ginyu Force set
Release date: October 2019

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine. This is a re-release from HG15 from 2007, with upgraded, more detailed molds.

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Movie Dragonball Super – The End of the Battle
Release date: January 2020

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

4 figures were released in this set. I got 0/4.

HG Dragonball – Gather! Bardock Corps
Release date: March 2020

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Dragonball GT – Ultimate set
Release date: April 2020

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

5 figures were released in this set. I got 0/5.

HG Dragonball GT – Great Ape Awakening
Release date: September 2020

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

3 figures were released in this set. I got 0/3.

HG Dragonball Super – Frieza’s Army Invasion
Release date: August 2020

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

4 figures were released in this set. I got 0/4.

HG Dragonball – Another Super Saiyan
Release date: December 2020

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

6 figures were released in this set. I got 0/6.

HG Dragonball – Perfect Cell
Release date: April 2021

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

7 figures were released in this set. I got 0/7.

HG Dragonball Z – Majin Buu
Release date: June 2022

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

8 figures were released in this set. I got 0/8.

HG Dragonball – Great Demon King Crew
Release date: November 2022

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

7 figures are released in this set. I got 0/7.

HG Dragonball Z – Frieza
Release date: February 2023

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

8 figures are released in this set. I got 0/8.

HG Dragonball Z – Broly
Release date: October 2023

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

8 figures are released in this set. I got 0/8.

HG Dragonball Z – Android
Release date: January 2024

I believe these came in a box rather than a Gashapon machine.

10 figures are released in this set. I got 0/10.

---

These figures I found in Gashapon machines in a shopping mall in Heerlen, the Netherlands. As my best friend had moved here at the time, I visited almost weekly. She was one street away from the mall, so I always stopped by there first to throw my saved up €1 and €2 coins in of the week.

I really liked these figures. Unlike other figures I had at the time, which were mostly Western action figures, these felt very Japanese. I fell in love with Gashapon, its game of chance, its cheapness (only €1 or €2!) and the miniature nature of its prizes.

I love small things so smaller figures of Dragonball were great. They were so detailed despite their size and I love the paint job of the Super Saiyans, as it has a slight metallic look to it. I also liked their bases, making them easy to stand yet it didn’t detract from the figure. They were so much better than the western stuff we usually got out of these machines, like bouncy balls or sticky hands.

I’m pretty sure I almost single-handedly emptied these machines over the weeks, trying to get full sets. I sold off the doubles, often for €3~5, making my own collection practically free. I never managed to get a full set though, although I came close with one.

Some of them can be quite fiddly with all the small pieces though. And some appear to be a bit top heavy, despite the base they come with. Some pieces leave a clear line, like in capes. I very much prefer the simple, standing ones. Less pieces, and they are full of attitude. They look nice lined up.

I wanted to get them all, but I never saw them again. When I looked them up later, I found there were so many; it’s overwhelming! I probably just try to get my favourites.

If you like Gashapon, or small Dragonball figures, these are great. They scale as well!
If you prefer bigger figures, these might not be your thing.

---

Got any more details / information you think I should add? Or did I get something wrong? Do you own any of these figures? Which one is your fav? Do you agree or disagree with my findings? Let me know in the comments below!