Getting the Unbelievable Power Goku Figure Right
I picked up the Funko Pop 827 Dragon Ball Super Unbelievable Power figure about six months ago after seeing it at a local game shop. The box art makes it look impressive, but getting the figure itself and keeping it in good shape requires knowing a few things that the packaging doesn't tell you. I have since handled several of these through shipping, store buying, and swapping with other collectors. This is Funko's Pop! Animation line featuring Goku in his Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan form from Dragon Ball Super. It comes with a display stand and a translucent energy effect piece that represents his attack output. The figure stands about 3.75 inches tall, which is standard for the main Pop line, not the larger Deluxe size. The paint application uses a mix of matte and gloss finishes, with the golden hair getting a slightly shiny coat and the gi staying flat matte. The energy effect piece attaches to the included stand via a small peg. It snaps in pretty tight when new, but that tightness changes over time as the plastic warps slightly from temperature shifts in storage.
Where to Acquire It and What to Watch For
You can find this at most major retailers that carry Funko product. Target, Walmart, and GameStop typically stock it during peak seasons. The specialty shops like ComicCon exclusive retailers sometimes carry it too, though those versions may have different variant colors. The main thing I look for when buying is the condition of the box window. These figures inside show any box damage immediately because the plastic window is clear and flat against the cardback. A creased corner on the box often means the figure's head got pressed against the plastic during shipping. The head on this particular figure is a loose fit, so even minor box pressure can shift it enough that it sits crooked when you take it out. I once bought one online from a third-party seller and the figure arrived with the energy effect piece already cracked. The listing photos didn't show the accessories at all, just the boxed figure. Always ask the seller to photograph the open box if you are buying used or from a reseller. One photo of the accessories takes ten seconds and saves you the return hassle.
Setting It Up Without Breaking Anything
Removing the figure from the box is straightforward but there is one detail people miss. The energy effect piece is pressed onto a small peg on the display stand base. When you first take it out, it resists removal because Funko uses a fairly aggressive snap-fit here. Do not pull the effect piece straight off. You need to gently rock it side to side while lifting. Pulling straight up is how I cracked my first energy piece before I figured out the rocking motion. Attaching the stand peg into the figure's foot also deserves attention. The peg goes into a hole in the bottom of Goku's sneaker. This hole is tight, and forcing the peg in at an angle will strip the plastic threads inside the foot. Slide the peg in straight, apply steady downward pressure, and stop when it feels seated. It should take about five seconds of firm pressure. If it takes longer than that, you are likely angling wrong. Once assembled, the figure with the energy effect attached stands about five inches tall. The translucent golden piece frames Goku nicely and gives the impression of motion even though the figure itself is static. I keep mine on a shelf behind glass in my living room, and it looks sharp from most viewing angles.
Get the Full Details
Common Problems and How I Fix Them
The most frequent issue with this figure is the head tilting. The neck joint on the Pop line uses a friction fit, not a mechanical hinge. Over time, especially if you handle the figure often or if the room gets warm, the neck softens and the head drifts to one side. The Unbelievable Power Goku head has more surface area around the hair sculpt than some other figures, which makes the imbalance slightly worse because the heavy golden hair acts as a counterweight pulling the head forward. My workaround is simple. I apply a tiny amount of clear nail polish to the neck peg where it enters the body. Just a single dot, applied with the brush tip, then let it dry for thirty seconds before reinserting the head. The nail polish fills micro gaps in the plastic and restores friction without making the joint permanently stiff. This method has held for months across multiple figures in my collection. I would not recommend using super glue because that fuses the joint and you will never be able to adjust the head again. The nail polish method is reversible if you ever need to loosen it back up. Another problem is the energy effect piece becoming loose on its peg. After a few months of being attached and detached during display adjustments, the peg widens slightly and the effect piece starts wobbling. I solved this by wrapping a single tiny loop of masking tape around the peg before snapping the effect piece back on. The tape adds bulk and restores the snug fit. It is nearly invisible once assembled.
Storage and Long-Term Preservation
If you plan to keep this figure long-term, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The golden paint on the hair will fade noticeably after sustained UV exposure. I learned this the hard way with an older Pop figure that spent two years on a windowsill shelf. The color difference between the sun-exposed side and the shaded side was clear enough to spot from across the room. Keep the original box if you intend to resell later. The box condition heavily impacts resale value for Funko figures. A box with a crushed corner can drop the price by thirty to forty percent compared to one in clean condition. Even if you do not plan to sell, the box protects the figure from dust and accidental knocks during storage. For display, a simple acrylic case works well. I use the standard 12 by 12 inch cases from a few different brands and they fit this figure without issue. Just make sure the case has enough height clearance since the energy effect piece pushes the overall height above the standard 3.75 inch figure body. The total standing height with the effect piece is closer to five inches, so a case rated for only four inches will not work.
What This Figure Gets Right and Where It Falls Short
The sculpt captures the God Super Saiyan form accurately with the red hair tint and the detailed gi markings. The paint job is generally clean with minimal bleed on the hair-to-face boundary, which is usually the hardest area to get right on a vinyl figure. The energy effect piece is a nice touch that adds visual interest without looking cartoonish. The downsides are mostly about durability and joint longevity. The neck joint will weaken over time regardless of how carefully you handle it. This is a material limitation of the PVC and styrene blend Funko uses, not a defect in this specific figure. Every Pop figure shares this trait. The energy effect piece, while visually appealing, is fragile. Dropping the figure or bumping the display shelf can snap it, and replacement pieces are not always easy to source from Funko directly. Overall this is a solid figure for Dragon Ball fans who want something more dynamic than the standard Pop lineup. It does not solve the universal Funko neck issue, and the accessory fragility is real. But for the price point and the visual impact on a shelf, it delivers what it promises.
