S.H.Figuarts Super Android 13 Figure Dragon Ball Z

Back when I was a kid, I used to rewatch this Dragon Ball Z movie quite often. Personally, I always thought the three Androids featured in the film had their own distinctive personalities and designs, making them quite memorable in their own right. Interestingly, though, once they fuse into Super Android 13, the character somehow becomes a little less memorable overall. The one scene that has always stuck in my mind is his infamous “Nut Buster” punch...

Now, with the release of the S.H.Figuarts Super Android 13 Figure version, we finally get a figure that captures Super Android 13’s appearance and proportions from the movie pretty well. The overall sculpt is faithful to the original design, and the figure has a solid presence on display. As expected, the paintwork and plastic quality are both satisfactory, with no major issues to complain about.

However, just like the S.H.Figuarts Portgas D. Ace Marineford ver. I mentioned previously, the articulation is a little on the loose side. Fortunately, it is not quite as bad as Ace’s, but the looseness is most noticeable around the shoulders. This can make certain poses feel less secure than they should, especially when trying to recreate more dynamic battle scenes. It is not a deal-breaker, but it would have been nice to see tighter joints in this area.

As for accessories, the set is fairly basic. It mainly includes interchangeable hands and an additional facial expression for Goku. The funny thing is that Goku already comes with a similar expression in his own release; the main difference is the direction of his gaze, which gives the face a slightly different focus. It is a useful extra for recreating the battle scene, although the overall accessory selection does feel a little limited.

Overall, this S.H.Figuarts Super Android 13 is a decent representation of the character, with faithful sculpting, good paintwork, and satisfactory material quality. The slightly loose shoulder joints and modest accessory selection keep it from being a standout release, but for Dragon Ball Z fans who remember the movie fondly, it is still a welcome addition to the collection. And of course, having Super Android 13 on the shelf is a great excuse to revisit that classic movie—and relive the unforgettable “Nut Buster” moment! (laughs)