Tamashii Nations has revealed Son Goku -Let the Battle Begin-, a new Figuarts ZERO STARTune figure recreating one of Dragon Ball Z's most iconic moments: Goku's arrival at the battlefield after landing on Namek. The figure is priced at 8,250 yen and is expected to ship in February 2027.
This marks the brand-new STARTune sub-line's first Dragon Ball entry, following its debut with One Piece's Luffy earlier this year.
STARTune is a new evolution within the broader Figuarts ZERO line, built around dioramic staging that emphasizes environment and moment alongside the character itself. Rather than a simple character portrait, this format recreates a specific dramatic scene, in this case Goku standing in the doorway of the ship he used to travel to Namek.
That environmental focus sets STARTune apart from standard Figuarts ZERO releases, which typically isolate a character in a dynamic pose without the same level of scene-setting detail.
Goku's arrival on Namek is one of the most replayed moments in Dragon Ball Z history, marking the start of the Namek arc and setting up the Frieza confrontation that would define the series for dozens of episodes. Choosing this scene as STARTune's Dragon Ball debut signals Tamashii Nations wants to lead with maximum nostalgia recognition rather than a more niche moment.
The figure stands around 250mm tall and is constructed from PVC and ABS, giving it enough scale to properly showcase the dioramic staging STARTune is built around.
The Luffy STARTune figure launched the sub-line with a One Piece-focused debut, and this Goku figure extends STARTune into Dragon Ball territory. Collectors following both franchises now have a direct comparison point for how the format translates across different source material.
Given how differently the two franchises stage their most iconic moments, it will be worth watching whether Tamashii Nations keeps expanding STARTune across other major shonen properties or focuses primarily on these two flagship franchises going forward.
A February 2027 ship date means a genuinely long wait from today's reveal, which is common for premium diorama-style figures requiring more complex production than a standard character portrait. Collectors should treat the current pricing and specs as reliable but be prepared for the release window to shift slightly as production progresses.
Pre-order windows for figures with this kind of lead time have historically stayed open for months, so there's no urgent rush to lock in a purchase within days of the reveal.
Launching STARTune with One Piece and then following up with Dragon Ball tells you Tamashii Nations is treating this sub-line as a flagship format rather than a one-off experiment. Both franchises carry enormous, decades-deep back catalogs of iconic moments that translate naturally into dioramic staging.
If the pattern holds, collectors of other major shonen properties may eventually see STARTune extend further, though Tamashii Nations hasn't confirmed any franchise beyond these first two entries. For now, Dragon Ball and One Piece fans have the clearest path into the format.
The most common mistake with dioramic figures like this is underestimating the display footprint needed. STARTune's scene-based staging typically requires more shelf depth than a standard character-only figure, so measure your intended display space before committing.
The second mistake is assuming STARTune figures are interchangeable in scale with standard Figuarts ZERO releases. The dioramic base and staging elements can meaningfully change the figure's overall footprint even at a similar character scale.
At 8,250 yen, this STARTune figure sits at a comparable price point to many standard S.H.Figuarts releases, despite the added dioramic staging and larger scale. That makes it a genuinely reasonable entry point into premium Dragon Ball collecting relative to some of Tamashii Nations' pricier limited releases.
Collectors weighing this figure against other upcoming Dragon Ball premium releases should factor in that STARTune's scene-based format offers a different display value than a standard character portrait, even at similar pricing.
A dioramic figure with this level of detail deserves display protection that accounts for its larger footprint. The EVORETRO Acrylic Modular Case offers configurable sizing well suited to STARTune's scene-based staging.
For a more compact single-figure setup, the EVORETRO Clear Acrylic Display Case provides solid UV and dust protection. The EVORETRO Clear Acrylic Figurine Case is a good budget-friendly alternative for smaller companion pieces.
Is this the first STARTune figure for Dragon Ball? Yes, following the sub-line's debut with One Piece's Luffy.
How tall is the figure? Approximately 250mm, made from PVC and ABS materials.
When does the figure ship? February 2027, though some retailers list slightly different windows into March or May 2027.
Is this figure part of a limited production run? Tamashii Nations hasn't confirmed a hard production cap; check your chosen retailer's listing for order-window details.
STARTune's dioramic approach to one of Dragon Ball's most iconic scenes makes this a genuinely different kind of collectible than a standard character figure. With a long lead time before shipping, there's plenty of runway to research display options and decide whether this fits your collection's scale and staging before committing to a pre-order.
Bookmark the official Tamashii Web listing and check back periodically for updated production photos as the February 2027 ship date approaches, since prototype images can shift meaningfully from final production quality.
For more on Tamashii Nations' recent Dragon Ball output, see our guides on S.H.Figuarts' 200th Dragon Ball figure and Figuarts ZERO STARTune Luffy.
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