Dragon Ball’s next big theatrical film is here in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Focused on long time fan-favorites Piccolo & Gohan, the Red Ribbon army has been plotting a years long revenge against Son Goku while masquerading as a pharmaceuticals company. Upon the group enlisting the aide of Dr. Gero’s super genius grandson Hedo a duo of Androids named Gamma 1 & Gamma 2 arrive as Goku & Vegeta train off-world.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a 2022 shounen anime film, it is produced by Toei Animation and distributed by Toei Company. It is currently in theaters in the U.S.

Editor’s Note: A review screener for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was provided by Toei Animation & Crunchyroll in support of this review. Medium spoilers may be present within this review.

Following the release of 2018’s Dragon Ball Super: Broly the franchise went on another hiatus. As plans had been reportedly underway for the anime to make a full comeback Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was announced in celebration for the Dragon Ball anime series’ 20th anniversary. Featuring an anime first CGI animation style the film follows Piccolo and his student Gohan whom the former tries to get to understand the importance of continuing his training as greater enemies continue to threaten Earth. With Goku & Vegeta training on Beerus’ Planet this lesson comes to a head as Piccolo & Gohan face the returning Red Ribbon Army. 

THE GOOD: Sometime following the Tournament of Power and events of DBS: Broly, Goku has taken Broly under his wing to train him in calming his mind and taming his rage on Beerus’ Planet. Vegeta, still wary of Broly’s lack of control watches the two intently while mental training. Whis commends Vegeta for noticing the way Jiren the Gray fought and following suit he then suggests he spar with Goku in base form with no use of ki. Whis initially invites Broly to join, but Vegeta refuses due to his lack of control which Goku agrees. The two begin their fight as Broly, Lemo, Cheelai, Whis, and Beerus watch. Back on Earth, Piccolo has officially begun training Gohan’s daughter Pan in martial arts.

Pan wants to learn how to use ki for blasts, but Piccolo says she’s not ready as she can’t even fly yet. Meanwhile, the Red Ribbon Army has revealed itself under the guise of a pharmaceuticals company. Led by Commander Magenta & Staff Officer Carmine the group had been plotting a new plan of revenge for Son Goku and his family & friends. They’ve become aware of his friendship with Majin Buu and other previous events while in hiding. Magenta learns that the former head scientist of the Red Ribbon Army Dr. Gero has a grandson named Hedo who may be even more genius than he was. After successfully recruiting Hedo who was tricked into believing Goku & co. are evil they release new Androids; Gamma 1 & Gamma 2 who are supposed to rival Goku & Vegeta in power. 

Gamma 2 attacks Piccolo who was meditating at his mountain home. Piccolo fakes his death and follows Gamma 2 back to the Red Ribbon base where he learns that they have a “secret weapon” to defeat Goku and everyone that’s in the final phases. Piccolo uses the Dragon Balls to be granted new power on par with Goku & Vegeta’s divine powers. He then stages a kidnapping of Pan which inspires Gohan to act. Gohan attacks the base and faces Gamma 1 while Piccolo faces Gamma 2. Realizing that the tides of battle have changed Magenta attempts to unleash the weapon and is killed by Hedo who fails to stop him. The Gammas recognize the Red Ribbon as evil and join forces with Piccolo & Gohan. The weapon causes mass destruction and Krillin, Goten & Trunks (now teens), and Android 18 join the fight & while escaping the weapon Pan successfully flies. Gamma 2 sacrifices himself to weaken the weapon and Piccolo uses his Great Namekian form to battle it but is defeated. 

An enraged Gohan attacks the weapon with new power and defeats it with a Special Beam Cannon. Hedo & Gamma 1 mourn the loss of Gamma 2 with the others commending him as a true superhero. As Hedo plans to turn himself in he’s stopped by Bulma who offers him & Gamma 1 jobs at Capsule Corp. as the head of a new cosmetics line and member of security respectively which is accepted. Recognizing Piccolo was correct in his warnings Gohan relents and re-commits to his martial arts training. He comes to realize that future powerful threats may come to Earth without aide from Goku or Vegeta being presently possible much to Piccolo’s joy. In a post-credits scene Vegeta finally defeats Goku after both completely exhaust themselves of energy from their sparring match. Vegeta celebrates which moves Broly, Lemo, and Whis but annoys Cheelai. 

Before I get to the film and all that let me just say that Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is probably one of the most approachable of the four theatrical films for brand new fans looking to get started. It does an excellent job of not only referencing and alluding to past events from Dragon Ball Super but the original Dragon Ball & Dragon Ball Z as well through short but impactful flashback clips. If you’re a newcomer or lapsed Dragon Ball fan you’ll be pretty caught up in regards to all the plot threads connected to the film outside of some moments like Ultra Instinct & Golden Frieza. Toriyama recently announced plans being put in place for the anime to be brought back and ‘Super Hero’ feels like a first step into making that opportunity a reality along with more accessibility to anyone wanting to be caught up. 

The animation is way better than I initially thought it’d be, but I’ve never been a fan of traditionally 2D animated IP being changed to 3D or CGI. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’s sudden change didn’t really bother me too much as it’s almost certainly a one off as this film was not only a continuation of the anime but also a celebration project for the 20th anniversary. It’s a rather typical form of celebration in Japanese animation so it didn’t bother me too much the Astro Boy film from a decade or so ago comes to mind in this regard. That being said I do understand people being worried over a potential permanent change in animation for Dragon Ball as CG is much cheaper to produce compared to 2D. 

A recurring meme for Dragon Ball the last decade or so has been that it’s become the “Goku and Vegeta Show” and that meme was never more accurate than in Dragon Ball Super. Something fans have taken issue with of the franchise lately is it’s lack of focus on it’s legendary support characters which was a staple in DBZ. It’s for that reason that ‘Super Hero’ feels like a much needed breath of fresh air for the series with Piccolo & Gohan as the starring leads. Nearly every Dragon Ball fan loves the two even more so as a duo and it’s one of the many smart decisions that make Super Hero such an appealing entry into the series. Honestly, it feels like Akira Toriyama, Toyotaro, and Shueisha are becoming much more open to focusing on other characters outside of the lead Saiyans. With Super Hero being as successful as it is at the very least it shows the idea is worth taking some time to look over.

THE BAD: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’s ambitious CGI animation is neat to look at, but there’s times where it can be a bit off putting. As is the case with a move from 2D to CG it won’t be for everybody. However, if you’re willing to give it a chance it it looks great for about 95% of the movie. And honestly the promotional work doesn’t really do it much justice compared to watching it in full execution. The final villain while nostalgic isn’t really that impressive in the grand scheme of things. 

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is an excellent return to form for Dragon Ball from a storytelling perspective. It opens itself up to not only renewing it’s roots for the modern age but also new experiences. The animation won’t be for everyone, but if you can set that aside you’ll most likely be leaving the film with a huge smile and returned interest in the franchise moving forward. Otaku Dome gives Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero a 90 out of 100.