DRAGON BALL - Son Goku - Figure Match Makers 1/2 12cm

This Banpresto figurine depicts Son Goku as a child during the final of the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai, facing Jackie Chun. Part of the Match Makers collection, it measures approximately 12 cm and has been specially designed to be displayed opposite the 13 cm Jackie Chun figurine (sold separately), with the two pieces allowing you to recreate one of the most iconic battles from the original Dragon Ball. 

Goku strikes a very low fighting stance, with his legs spread wide apart and both hands outstretched in front of him. His energetic expression, with his mouth open and eyebrows furrowed, captures his determination during the tournament. His famous spiky black hair and monkey tail are faithfully reproduced, the latter still present at this stage in the story. 

He wears his orange Turtle School dôgi, complete with a black belt, blue wristbands and blue and white shoes. On his back is the kanji for ‘Turtle’, symbolising the training he received from Kamesennin. The sculptor has paid particular attention to the folds in the trousers and the tension in the arms to give this small figurine a real sense of movement. 

The concept behind the Match Makers range is to offer two complementary figurines representing opponents in the same fight. This item forms the first half of the pair: it is designed to be paired with the 13 cm Jackie Chun Match Makers figurine.

Technical specifications

• Manufacturer: Banpresto / Bandai Spirits
• Range / Collection: Match Makers
• Licence: Dragon Ball
• Character: Son Goku
• Version: Child Goku / vs Jackie Chun
• Scene depicted: the final of the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai
• Set number: 1/2
• Companion figure: Jackie Chun (vs Goku), 13 cm, sold separately
• Type: pre-painted collectable figure
• Height: approx. 12 cm
• Material: PVC
• Outfit: orange dôgi from the Turtle School
• Special features: monkey tail and ‘Turtle’ kanji on the back
• EAN: 4580886903887

Character background and lore

Son Goku takes part in the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai after undergoing intensive training with Kamesennin alongside Krillin. In his first appearance in the tournament, he defeats Giran and then Namu, reaching the final. His opponent is Jackie Chun, who is none other than Master Roshi in disguise, wearing a wig and using a false name. The master entered the tournament to prevent his young pupils from believing they are already the strongest in the world. 

The fight between Goku and Jackie Chun proved particularly long and spectacular. Goku managed to counter his master’s Kamehameha with his own and used several improvised techniques, whilst Jackie Chun drew on all his experience to try to maintain the upper hand. When Goku spots the full moon and transforms into a giant monkey, Jackie goes so far as to destroy the moon with a full-power Kamehameha in order to restore him to his normal appearance.

The final ends with a double kick that sends both fighters to the ground simultaneously. Thanks to his longer legs, Jackie inflicts slightly more damage and manages to get back on his feet before Goku, thereby winning the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai. Goku thus finishes his first tournament as runner-up, but this defeat teaches him that there are always fighters capable of surpassing him and further fuels his desire to improve. 

This Match Makers figurine captures precisely this formative period of the character, when Goku is still a naive young fighter, still has his monkey tail, and is only just beginning to discover the breadth of the martial arts world.