Dragonball HG Gashapon – Bandai

Dragonball HG Gashapon figures by 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.

Gashapon figure in pieces in packaging
In pieces in packaging

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.

Gashapon figure with L and R on its Left and Right foot respectively
L and R on the Left and Right foot respectively

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.

Gashapon figure laid out in pieces
In pieces but straightforward to put together

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 I have started to list these here as well, although it’s hard to keep up with these so likely will be out of date soon.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

HG Dragonball Z

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

HG Dragonball Z 2
Release date: 1996

HG Dragonball Z 2

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

HG Super Saiyan Legend
Release date: 1999

HG Super Saiyan Legend

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

HG Super Saiyan Legend - Super Saiyan 3 Goku

HG1
Release date: 2002

HG1

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

HG2
Release date: 2003

HG2

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

HG2 Bulma

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

HG3
Release date: 2003

HG3

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

HG4
Release date: 2004

HG4

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

HG5
Release date: 2004

HG5

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

HG5 Piccolo & 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.

HG5 Europe leaflet

HG6
Release date: 2005

HG6

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

HG7
Release date: 2005

HG7

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.

HG7 figures

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.

HG7 Europe leaflet

HG8
Release date: 2005

HG8

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

HG9
Release date: 2005

HG9

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

HG10
Release date: 2005

HG10

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.

HG7/HG10 Super Saiyan 3 Goku
HG7 Europe

HG11
Release date: 2006

HG11

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

HG11 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.

HG11 Europe leaflet

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

HG12

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

HG12 Super Saiyan Gohan and HGSP3 Frieza (second form)
Frieza HGSP3

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

HG12 Europe leaflet

HG13
Release date: 2007

HG13

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

HG13/HGSP3 Frieza (third form)
HGSP3

HG14
Release date: 2007

HG14

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

HG15
Release date: 2007

HG15

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

HG15/HGSP3 Super Saiyan Goku
HGSP3

HG16
Release date: 2008

HG16

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

HG17
Release date: 2008

HG17

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

HG18
Release date: 2008

HG18

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

HG18 Vegito

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

HG18 leaflet

HG19
Release date: 2008

HG19

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

HG20-I
Release date: 2008

HG20-I

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

HG20-II
Release date: 2009

HG20-II

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

HG21
Release date: 2009

HG21

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

HG21 - Salza

HG22
Release date: 2009

HG22

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

HG23
Release date: 2009

HG23

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

HGGT
Release date: 2006

HGGT

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

HGGT 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.

HGGT Europe leaflet

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

HGGT2
Release date: 2006

HGGT2

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

HGSP
Release date: 2007

HGSP

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

HG7/HGSP Frieza (first form)
HG7 Europe

HGSP2
Release date: 2007

HGSP2

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

HGSP3

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.

HGSP3 - Super Saiyan Goku, Frieza (second form), Frieza (third form), Piccolo

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

HGSP3 leaflet

HGSP4
Release date: 2008

HGSP4

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.

HG7/HGSP4 Goten&Trunks and Majin Buu
HG7 Europe

HGSP5
Release date: 2008

HGSP5

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.

HGSP5 Android #20
HG10

HGSP6 ~Movies&TV Specials~
Release date: 2009

HGSP6

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.

HGSP6 Broly
HG7
HGSP6 Bardock Bootleg
Bootleg

HG Special
Release date: 2009

HGSpecial

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

HG7/HGSP4/HGSpecial Majin Buu
HG7 Europe

HG+
Release date: 2008

HG+

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

HG+2
Release date: 2008

HG+2

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

HG+Ex
Release date: 2008

HG+Ex

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

HG Ex

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.

HG7/HG Ex Trunks
HG7 Europe

DG01
Release date: 2010

DG01

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

DG01 - Super Saiyan Future Trunks

DG02
Release date: 2010

DG02

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

DG03
Release date: 2010

DG03

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

DG Saiyan
Release date: 2010

DG Saiyan

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

DG Saiyan - Super Saiyan 2 Gohan

HG Movie Dragonball Super 01
Release date: December 2018

HG Movie Dragonball Super 01

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

HG Movie Dragonball Super 02
Release date: January 2019

HG Movie Dragonball Super 02

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

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

HG Dragonball Super 03 - Frieza edition

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

HG Dragonball Super 05 - Horror of the Cell Games

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

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

HG Dragonball Super 06 - Ultra Instinct

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

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

HG Dragonball Super 07 - SOS from the future

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

HG Dragonball 09 - ~Hot Battle · Raw Battle · Super Fierce Battle!!~

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

HG Dragonball Z + Resurrection of F - God Edition

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

HG Dragonball Super - Future Trunks Set A + B

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

HG Dragonball Super - Universe Survival

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

HG Dragonball Super - Universe 7 Warriors Edition

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

HG Dragonball Super - Tournament of Power Climax

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

HG Dragonball Super - Universe 6 Rivals Editio

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

HG Movie Dragonball Super - Enemy Set

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

HG Movie Dragonball Super - Goku! Vegeta! Fusion set

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

HG Dragonball Super - Ginyu Force set

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

HG Movie Dragonball Super - The End of the Battle

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

HG Dragonball - Gather! Bardock Corps

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

HG Dragonball GT - Ultimate set

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

HG Dragonball GT - Great Ape Awakening

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

HG Dragonball - Another Super Saiyan

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

HG Dragonball - Perfect Cell

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

HG Dragonball Z - Majin Buu

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

HG Dragonball - Great Demon King Crew

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

HG Dragonball Z - Broly

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

HG Dragonball Z - Android

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!

2 thoughts on “Dragonball HG Gashapon – Bandai”

  1. your summary is good, but I believe bandai keeps releasing new set even now. You can find a more complete summary at the dragonball figures forum here https://dragonballfigures.com/thread/30/bandai-gashapon-series-visual-guide . In terms of getting these figures, it is quite expensive to get the ones released between 2002-2010 as they are quite rare now. Most western sites sell these in bulk or full set so you don’t need to draw it. A more affordable option is to buy it from yahoo japan auction, if you don’t speak japanese, you can find it on the english version (buyee). But the downside is you need to have a shipping address in japan (aka physically living there or know someone there).

    1. Hi Hieu,

      Apologies for the late approval and reply. I had to step away from the site for a while.
      You’re right, after Dragonball Super more figures got made again and are still being released now. I gave up listing them all as it got quite overwhelming, and I might split this in some sections at some point in the future (I don’t want the page to be slow due to overload of images).
      I did get a new figure from the new sets though, so I’ve updated the page and added the new releases now.
      I’ll probably just try and get a few of my favourites second hand.
      Thanks for the comment and link!

      Kind regards,
      Jenny

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