In the Dragon Ball figure market, some models are traded at **premium prices, selling for several times to several tens of times the retail price. This article provides a detailed ranking of representative figures that are traded at high prices, aimed at those considering purchases for collection or investment purposes, as well as those who want to know the value of their existing figures. By understanding the characteristics of **highly rare figures** such as limited production models, early lot items, and event exclusives, you will be able to make informed decisions for smart purchases or sales.
Dragon Ball high-value figures refer to figures that are traded at **premium prices significantly above the typical retail price. These figures have become highly sought after due to reasons such aslimited production, discontinued manufacturing, and event exclusives, resulting in increased rarity and high value in the collector market.
Generally, high-value figures are those traded at **twice the retail price or more, and some models can fetch a premium of over ten times. These figures are not only for display but are also gaining attention as investment targets, and those in good condition tend to appreciate in value over time.
There are several factors that contribute to the increasing value of Dragon Ball figures. The largest factor is **limited production**. Figures that are limited to sales at event venues or anime shops, or top prizes in lottery draws, inherently become more scarce in the market due to limited opportunities for acquisition.
The next important factor is the manufacturing period. Especially figures produced in the early 1990s to early 2000s may have inferior sculpting compared to current technology, but they are recognized for their value as vintage items. Also, being a **popular character** is an important element. Figures of characters particularly popular among fans, such as Goku in Super Saiyan form, Vegeta, and Broly, tend to be in high demand and often command premium prices. 【Related Article】: Dragon Ball Character Popularity Ranking | Official Vote 2025
Furthermore, the manufacturing company also affects the price. Limited items from manufacturers known for **high quality** such as Bandai's These figures are ranked based on a comprehensive evaluation of elements such as rarity, popularity, and condition. For those who want to learn more about the strength and popularity of the characters introduced here, the 【Related Articles】: Dragon Ball Strongest Characters Ranking | Comparing Battle Power and Strength is also a helpful reference.
Rank 1: S.H. Figuarts Super Saiyan Son Goku First Edition (Released in 2010)
The current buyback market price is **150,000 yen to 250,000 yen, and the selling price of mint-condition items can reach over 300,000 yen. The reasons for this figure's high price are that it is an early model from the S.H. Figuarts Dragon Ball series, produced in limited quantities, and its popularity has not waned even after more than a decade. Complete items that include the first promotion effect partsare particularly valuable**, and the condition of the box also significantly affects the price. Due to its beautiful sculpting and wide range of motion, it is still regarded as a top-tier figure among collectors.
Rank 2: MegaHouse Dragon Ball Gals Android 18 Limited Color Version
The buyback market price is **80,000 yen to 150,000 yen, and the selling price is around 200,000 yen. This figure was sold as a limited edition model at Wonder Festival in 2015, and due to its extremely limited production, it is traded at high prices. Featuring a different costume coloration from the standard version, the character's high popularity as a female character, especially Android 18, also adds to its value. Its delicately crafted design and realistic painting techniques have been praised,and unopened items** can fetch even higher prices.
Rank 3: Ichiban Kuji Dragon Ball Super A Prize Ultra Instinct Son Goku First Batch
The buyback market price is **60,000 yen to 120,000 yen, with a selling price of around 150,000 yen. This was the top prize of the Ichiban Kuji held in 2018, featuring the immensely popular "Ultra Instinct" form of Son Goku. Due to the nature of Ichiban Kuji, acquiring it requires luck, particularly
4th Place: S.H. Figuarts Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Goku Soul Web Shop Exclusive
The purchase market price is ¥50,000 to ¥80,000, and the selling price is around ¥100,000. This model was sold exclusively on Bandai's official online store "Soul Web Shop" and became hard to obtain because the reservation period was short. It features the popular form also known as "Super Saiyan Blue," characterized by its beautiful blue hair paint and multiple expression parts.
5th Place: Figure-rise Standard Super Saiyan Broly Full Power Limited Clear Version
The purchase market price is ¥40,000 to ¥70,000, and the selling price is around ¥90,000. This clear parts version was sold at event venues to commemorate the release of the movie "Dragon Ball Super: Broly." Unlike the regular version, the expression of muscles is recreated with transparent parts, providing a very high visual impact. Because it is a kit,
the price varies between unassembled and assembled products.
6th Place: Dragon Ball Z High-Quality DX Figure Vegeta Early Version
The purchase market price is ¥30,000 to ¥60,000, and the selling price is around ¥70,000 to ¥80,000. This is an early prize figure manufactured in the 1990s, which was provided as a prize in arcade centers at the time. While the sculpting seems rough by today's technological standards, it is traded at high prices due to its value as a vintage item and nostalgia. In particular, the Vegeta from the Saiyan saga is very popular, and items in excellent condition with boxes are rare.
7th Place: Mega House G×materia Vegito & Gogeta Set Limited Edition
The purchase market price is ¥30,000 to ¥50,000, and the selling price is between ¥60,000 and ¥70,000. This is a limited model combining the highly popular fusion warriors Vegito and Gogeta, and it is a special version of a series that is normally sold individually. Due to the nature of the two-character set, the value decreases if only one is considered.
Set storage is important**. The beauty of the sculpting and dynamic poses are highly regarded.8th Place: S.H. Figuarts Super Saiyan Son Gohan - Child Version - Anime Color Edition
The buying market price is **20,000 to 40,000 yen, and the selling price is around 50,000 yen. This model recreates the Super Saiyan 2 form of the popular child version of Son Gohan from the Cell Saga,with coloring faithful to the anime as its feature. While a standard version also exists, the anime color version isin limited production** and thus has high value. It has plenty of expression parts and wrist parts, making it attractive for recreating various scenes.
9th Place: Ichiban Kuji Dragon Ball BACK TO THE FILM A Prize Broly Figure
The buying market price is **20,000 to 35,000 yen** and the selling price is 40,000 to 50,000 yen. It reflects the popularity of the movie version Broly, trading at high prices, with excellent recreation of the muscular sculpting and angry expression. As a prize from Ichiban Kuji, it is relatively large, enabling a significant display.
10th Place: Banpresto Dragon Ball Super GRANDISTA Jiren Limited Color
The buying market price is **15,000 to 30,000 yen, and the selling price is 35,000 to 40,000 yen. This figure recreates the formidable Jiren from the Universe Survival Saga, featuring a limited color scheme different from the standard version. The popularity of the character Jiren, combined with thehigh sculpting quality of the GRANDISTA series**, is traded at a premium price. Due to its large size, ample space is required for unopened storage.
Dragon Ball figures differ in characteristics depending on the manufacturer and series, with each having models that trade at high prices. Here, we introduce representative high-value figures categorized by major manufacturers and series.
S.H. Figure Arts is a movable figure series developed by Bandai, particularly popular among Dragon Ball figures. **It balances high sculpting technology and a wide range of motion** and has received tremendous support from collectors.
What is particularly expensive in this series are the **early models released around 2010 to 2013. The initial lineup, including Super Saiyan Son Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo, is nowtraded at prices 5 to 10 times the retail price**. Additionally, the SoulWeb Shop limited models have a limited reservation period, so missing the chance to acquire them will force purchases at premium prices. Particularly, figures of the latest forms like the "Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan" series and "Ultra Instinct" tend to be traded at high prices immediately after their release. If you want to know in detail about various character forms, please refer to the 【Related Articles】:Comprehensive Guide to Dragon Ball Transformations | Transformation Patterns of All Characters.
Dragon Ball Gals is a figure series focused on female characters developed by Megahouse. **It features realistic sculpting and delicate painting techniques** designed for adult collectors.
In this series, popular characters such as Android 18, Bulma, and Launch are being traded at high prices. Especially the event-exclusive color variation versions are highly sought after, and it is not uncommon for their prices to reach **2 to 3 times the regular version's price. Limited models that can only be purchased at event venues like Wonder Festival and Hobby Show draw long lines at release. If they are **unopened items**, their value tends to rise even further, and many buyers purchase them for investment purposes.
Ichiban Kuji is a lottery-style prize figure sold at convenience stores and bookstores. There are multiple ranks from A to G, with the **A prize and Last One prize** particularly trending to be traded at high prices.
The Ichiban Kuji for the Dragon Ball series is extremely popular, with many stores selling out on the release date. Especially the A prizes of popular forms and characters such as "Ultra Instinct Goku," "Super Saiyan Broly," and "Vegito" often fetch more than **10 times the retail price as a premium. Additionally, the "Last One Prize," which can always be obtained after all the other prizes are out, comes with special colors and effects different from the regular A prize, making it highly valuable. When storing, the condition of the box** greatly affects the price, so careful handling is necessary after purchase. For more details on these characters and forms, see 【Related Article】: Types of Super Saiyans in Dragon Ball | Complete Guide to Transformations.
Dragon Ball figures manufactured by overseas makers are also traded at high prices in the domestic market. Particularly, companies like China’s "Prime 1 Studio" and "Infinity Studio" produce **statues (non-articulated figures) that are very large and intricately detailed, with prices primarily over 100,000 yen**.
These expensive overseas figures are sculpted with a different approach than domestic manufacturers, displaying very realistic textures of muscles and combat effects. They often employ **limited production and made-to-order systems**, making it difficult to obtain them if the reservation period is missed. Additionally, as imported goods, customs duties and shipping costs may be added, sometimes resulting in even higher prices. However, due to its overwhelming presence and quality, it boasts high popularity among core collectors. Particularly, large diorama types that replicate famous scenes such as the confrontation between Son Goku and Frieza can sometimes trade for several hundred thousand yen.
When purchasing or selling expensive figures, it is important to understand how to distinguish between genuine products and counterfeits, as well as the factors that determine value. Here we will explain practical ways to identify them.
As the popularity of Dragon Ball figures increases, **counterfeits (copies)** are also entering the market. To distinguish between genuine products and counterfeits, there are several important checkpoints.
First, **check the packaging** is the most basic method. Genuine product packaging is clearly printed with the manufacturer's logo, barcode, and copyright notice. Counterfeits often have poor printing, dull colors, or blurred text. Also, the material of the packaging differs, with genuine products using high-quality thick paper, while counterfeits may use thin, cheap material.
Next, check the **stamp on the figure itself**. If it is a Bandai product, it must have stamps such as "BANDAI" or "©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA" in difficult-to-see places (such as the feet or back). Counterfeits may lack these stamps or contain spelling errors.
**The quality of the paint job** is also an important factor for judgment. Genuine products have no uneven paint, and the details are painted carefully. Particularly, the paint on the eyes is precise and symmetrical. In contrast, counterfeits often have shoddy paint jobs, with smudging or areas left unpainted. Also, the texture of the plastic differs; genuine products have a moderate gloss, while counterfeits may be overly shiny or too matte.
The value of expensive figures is determined by several factors. The most important of these is **the condition of the figure itself. If there are scratches, dirt, or paint chips, the value will significantly decrease.
Particularly, damage to the face or prominent areas can be fatal, leading to prices dropping to less than half. Conversely, if it is in unopened new condition, the highest value is recognized. **The presence or absence of accessories** also greatly affects the price. Action figures like S.H. Figuarts come with interchangeable wrist parts, expression parts, weapons, and effect parts, but if any of these are missing, the value decreases. Especially when parts that were initial bonuses are missing, the price significantly drops. It is important to match the list of accessories provided at the time of purchase and verify that everything is included. **The condition of the package (box) is also an important factor that influences value. Collectors tend to place high importance on the condition of the box, and without a box, the price can drop by 30% to 50%**. If the box has scratches, dents, or sun damage, the value decreases, but it is still considered better than having no box at all. Ideally, the inner box and blister (clear plastic) inside the box should also be present. **The manufacturing period and lot number** also impact value. Even for the same model, the initial production lot often has higher quality in paint and sculpt compared to later lots and tends to trade at a higher price. Sometimes you can verify this with the lot number printed on the package or body. Furthermore, receipts or flyers distributed at event-exclusive items can serve as proof of authenticity and increase value. When purchasing high-value figures, it is important to choose a reliable place to buy from and trade at an appropriate price. Here, we will explain the places to purchase and points to pay attention to. There are three main places to purchase high-value figures. First, there are stores specializing in buying and selling figures. **AmiAmi, Surugaya, Mandarake are major specialized stores that operate both physical stores and online shops, offering a wide range of stock to choose from. In these stores, authentication of authenticitySince it is being conducted, the risk of getting a fake is low, and it is recommended for beginners. Depending on the store,How to Purchase High-Value Figures
Recommended Places to Buy
Next, there are auction sites and flea market apps. On sites like Yahoo Auctions, Mercari, and PayPay Flea Market, there is a possibility of purchasing at lower prices than stores due to individual transactions. However, since there is also a risk of counterfeit items and items in poor condition, careful judgment is necessary, such as checking the seller's ratings, verifying product photos, and confirming through questions. Especially for high-value transactions, it is important to check the seller's past transaction history to assess their reliability.
Overseas shopping sites are also an option. On eBay and AliExpress, you may be able to purchase overseas limited models that are difficult to obtain domestically. However, there are disadvantages such as language barriers, high shipping costs and customs duties, and difficulties with return policies. Additionally, since there is a high circulation of counterfeit products, it is recommended to thoroughly check the seller's ratings and use payment methods with buyer protection systems such as **PayPal**.
The most important factor when purchasing expensive figurines is **conducting prior market research**. By comparing the prices of the same model across multiple sites and understanding the fair price, you can avoid overpaying. Referring to price comparison sites and past auction price data on sites like Auction Fan will help you grasp the market sentiment.
**Verification of product condition** should also be thorough. When purchasing online, make sure to check multiple photos of the product and, if possible, request photos that show the condition of the box, all angles of the figure, and whether there are any included accessories. It is also important to check the return and refund policy in advance for any scratches or missing items that are not mentioned in the description.
Additionally, as a measure against counterfeits, it is necessary to be cautious of products that are priced too low compared to the market. If an item is listed as "new and unopened" at a price below the retail price, there is a high possibility that it is a counterfeit. Especially for items shipped from overseas, or when the seller has few or poor ratings, it is safer to avoid them. Asking the seller questions before purchasing and requesting the serial number or proof of authenticity is also an effective measure.
When selling your Dragon Ball figures, it is important to know the tips for getting the highest price and choosing the right selling destination.
The first point to sell figures at a high price is to **maintain their condition. It is recommended to avoid direct sunlight and prevent dust accumulation by storing them inglass cases or dedicated cases. Storage in a smoking environment should be avoided, ascigarette smell** can significantly lower the buying price. Figures are also vulnerable to humidity, so using dehumidifiers and regular ventilation are important.
**Complete storage of accessories and boxes is also an essential condition for high buying prices. Keep the original box, instructions, accessories, blister (fixing plastic), etc., in good condition. If the box is missing, the buying price maydrop by 30% to 50%**. Additionally, if there are any initial bonuses or limited edition bonuses, be sure to keep those as well.
The timing of the sale also affects the price. **The release period of new movies or the start of anime broadcasts** tends to increase the demand for related character figures, which can raise the buying prices. Furthermore, the end of the year and New Year’s holidays, as well as bonus seasons, are suitable times for selling due to an increase in buyers. Conversely, if a re-release of the same model is announced, the value may drop, so it’s essential to pay attention to re-release information.
Choosing a selling location for your figures should depend on the value and quantity of the figures being sold. **Specialized buying stores for high-priced figures are likely to provide accurate evaluations of value. Major chain stores such as Suruga-ya, Hobby Off, and Buy King** have locations nationwide and offer online buying services. It's wise to get evaluations from multiple stores and choose the one offering the highest buying price.
If you use flea market apps or auction sites, there is a possibility of selling at higher prices than store purchases. On platforms like Mercari, Rakuma, and Yahoo Auctions, you can set your own prices, so if you list at a fair price, you often sell for more than at buyback stores. However, you need to consider the effort of listing, shipping, communication with buyers, and fees. Additionally, for high-priced items, there is also the risk of fraud, so prioritize transactions with highly-rated buyers.
When selling multiple figures together, you can aim for an increase in the buyback price through bulk sales. Many buyback stores offer services that increase the assessment amount as the number of items increases. However, mixing expensive figures with cheap ones can sometimes result in a lower overall assessment, so it may be more effective to sell high-priced items individually and sell cheaper items together. For general figure selection guidelines, see [Related Article]: 18 Recommended Dragon Ball Figures | Introducing Popular Series.
High-priced Dragon Ball figures are attractive items that offer both enjoyment as a collection and asset value. As introduced in this article, limited production models, early lottery items, and figures of popular characters are traded at high prices, and their value can be maintained and enhanced through proper storage and management.
When purchasing, it is important to conduct prior market research, choose reliable purchasing sources, and take thorough measures against counterfeits. Furthermore, when considering selling, maintaining the condition, keeping accompanying items intact, and selling at the right timing can lead to higher buybacks. Whether you think of figures purely as a collector's enjoyment or as an investment target, having the right knowledge will allow you to have a more fulfilling figure life. It is recommended to constantly check market trends and cherish your collection as you nurture it.
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