Detail: Piccolo’s hand

As the great unveiling grows closer, “Dr. Toymangla” and his staff at IF Labs have been bubbling over with excitement about the new Dragonball Z and Dragonball toy lines, so much so that they were eager to answer some of our questions.

First, IF Labs would be the ones to produce toys from the Trunks and Bardock specials, but they currently do not have plans to do so. That, of course, may change based on feedback from fans.

Secondly, he clarified IF Labs’ desired distribution setup: the new toys are going to be a primarily specialty-market commodity. While mass-market chains may sell them eventually, you will always be able to get them first at your local comic/specialty toy shop. Also, there is a great possibility that there will be variants in packaging and/or the figures themselves for the specialty market, and perhaps even for the first editions of a figure released.

The Doc is extremely proud of the new figures, and sees them to be “raising the bar” in quality and detail. Many of the same people who helped revolutionize the toy-making process for McFarlane toys are involved in this venture, so it would be no surprise if the figures not only live up to, but are actually better than the hype (and the prototypes) when they are actually released. As for release dates, the first set of Dragonball Z movie figures is slated for January 15, and the first set of Dragonball figures should hit shelves in March.

Also, there was a typo on the survey page after the Lord Slug preview video—one of the characters you are able to vote for is supposed to be Turles, not Turtle. They were surprised at how many of you wanted a new Turtle figure, though… Also, they were impressed by the idea on the message board for a “battle area” playset, a generic battlefield with exploding mountains, etc. Kudos for coming up with that one.

And finally, the good doctor favored us with an exclusive scoop on the tentative lineups for series 3 of both the Dragonball Z and Dragonball lines! Please remember that the following is subject to change:

Dragonball Z Movie Collection Series 3

• Garlic Jr. (green giant form)
  
• Dr. Weelo’s Brain Machine (from The World’s Strongest)
  
• Bulma as Prisoner (from The World’s Strongest, ala “Slave Leia”)
  
• Goku with Power Pole and Infant Gohan (intended as a Father-and-Son set)

Dragonball Series 3

• Jackie Chun
  
• Krillin
  
• Ox King

And that’s that! Keep coming back for more exclusive information from Dr. Toymangla and IF Labs…

Posted by Jess Horsley on October 23, 2001 07:12 AM