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Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a victory lap for Piccolo — and for longtime series fans

And yet it’s also a ‘kick back and relax’ interval between giant plot arcs, and a newbie-friendly film

Piccolo snarls against a stylized backdrop of motion lines and dark colors in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

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This Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero review originally ran in conjunction with the movie’s launch in Japan. It has been updated and republished for the movie’s streaming release on Crunchyroll.

Originally set to be released in Japan in April 2022, the second Dragon Ball Super movie, subtitled Super Hero, was delayed until June after Toei Animation became the target of a ransomware attack . But if there’s a silver lining in what must have been a nightmare situation for the production company, it’s the fact that the new release date put the movie right round the corner from Father’s Day . That made Super Hero feel just a little more special, seeing as the film celebrates one of the most popular father figures not just in the Dragon Ball-verse, but in all of anime: the alien-slug warrior Piccolo.

It’s actually surprising that Super Hero ’s release wasn’t planned for Father’s Day all along, since the movie not only focuses on fatherhood, but also seems to have been specifically made for parents who’ve been too busy to keep up with Dragon Ball past the 1990s GT series. That’s the great thing about Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero — it requires zero knowledge of the 2015 revival series Super. It’s a 99-minute nostalgic throwback to the original Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z anime. Even people who’ve never watched a Dragon Ball show only need to know this to enjoy the film: There are alien warriors who sometimes go looking for magic orbs that grant wishes. They scream a lot when they’re fighting. They sometimes change color when they get stronger. That’s basically it.

Directed by Tetsuro Kodama (who also worked on the first Dragon Ball Super movie, Broly ), the new film takes place at some point after the Granolah Saga in the Super series manga. Super Hero acknowledges the events of Dragon Ball Super via a few scenes featuring Goku, Vegeta, Beerus, Whis, and Broly. But their appearances amount to little more than obligatory cameos. They have absolutely no relation to the main plot, which focuses on Piccolo and his (effectively) adopted son Gohan going up against a huge blast from the past: the Red Ribbon Army.

Supposedly defeated by Gohan’s biological father Goku back in the 1980s, the evil organization made something of a comeback in DBZ , as escaped Red Ribbon Army scientist Dr. Gero unleashed a series of android creations on the world. In Super Hero, the RRA has risen from the ashes and recruited Gero’s genius grandson Hedo (incidentally, both their names mean “vomit”) to help them take over the world.

There’s more to the plot, including the surprise return of a familiar villain in an unfamiliar form, plus a whole new chapter in Piccolo’s characterization that will hopefully carry on to the Dragon Ball Super series and future movies. But on the whole, the stakes here feel incredibly low compared to DBS , which has seen gods of destruction, characters fusing with the Earth, and entire universes being erased from existence. By contrast, in Super Hero, Dr. Hedo is shocked by the mere fact that aliens exist. His concern seems so quaint. But this dialed-down scope is actually one of the movie’s biggest strengths.

Gohan faces off against a new villain — literally, with their foreheads pressed against each other —in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Think of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero as a breather film. It’s a respite from massive storylines with all of reality on the line, and a chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy some Dragon Ball nostalgia. The only interruption in that dynamic is Super Hero ’s use of 3D animation, a first for a Dragon Ball movie. The style gives the film an unfamiliar look reminiscent of a Nintendo Switch game. But it’s a small price to pay for the story the audience gets in return.

Super Hero ’s unquestioned star is Piccolo, long hailed by Dragon Ball fans as one of the best anime dads ever. He sacrificed his life to protect Gohan. (He got better.) He’s the one who showed the most concern for Gohan’s safety during the Cell Games Saga. And he worked with Gohan during the Universe Survival Saga, while Goku was off doing his own thing.

Yes, Piccolo’s love for Gohan has often been of the “tough” variety, especially when they first started training together. But in a world full of beings who can blow up entire planets, Piccolo did the best he could to prepare the boy for the challenges of life, which is more than the absentee Goku ever did. These themes continue in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, where Piccolo still cares for the adult Gohan and even acts as a mentor to Gohan’s daughter, Pan. The Piccolo and Pan scenes are incredibly cute, but the Gohan-Piccolo relationship is still the real heart of the movie.

A masked villain in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero punches Piccolo with a mighty, stylized onscreen “DOKA!”

Two scenes in Super Hero illustrate their relationship perfectly. In the first, Piccolo devises a simple strategy to raise Gohan’s power level, showing a keen understanding of how his stepkid’s mind works. The second comes near the end, when Gohan has to make a choice that could honor either Goku or Piccolo. Naturally, he goes with the latter, because he’s smart enough to know the difference between a father and a dad, which is who Piccolo is at his core. That’s why Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama does the smart thing with the script here, showing off Piccolo’s non-warrior side, like how he lives and interacts with his found family on his off days.

But this is still a Dragon Ball story, so it isn’t all nostalgic throwbacks and lessons in superhero parenting. The movie has no shortage of humor, midair battles, and energy blasts, set against the backdrop of expansive locales. On paper, the settings and fights here shouldn’t compare to the galaxy-sized canvas of Dragon Ball Super . But Kodama uses every animation trick in the book to make, say, one building feel like one of the hugest things in the entire Dragon Ball franchise. Appropriately for a movie with two uses of “super” in its title, everything in this DB film looks and feels supersized. It’s a ton of fun to watch.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is now streaming on Crunchyroll , and is available for rental or purchase on Amazon , Vudu , and other digital platforms.

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Review: ‘Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’ Is Deluxe Fan Service

In the latest “Dragon Ball” outing, directed by Tetsuro Kodama and written by the series creator, Akira Toriyama, the menacing villain is a pair of state-of-the-art androids.

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By Calum Marsh

Between the original “Dragon Ball” and its sequel series, “Dragon Ball Z,” “Dragon Ball GT” and “Dragon Ball Super,” the popular anime franchise encompasses well over 600 episodes and two dozen theatrical features, but the stories reliably follow a simple arc: Some menacing villain appears, threatens the planet’s takeover or destruction, and fights our irrepressible heroes, including Goku (voiced by Sean Schemmel in the English dub), Vegeta (Christopher Sabat) and Gohan (Kyle Hebert).

In “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” the latest “Dragon Ball” outing, directed by Tetsuro Kodama and written by the series creator, Akira Toriyama, the menacing villains are state-of-the-art androids, Gamma 1 (voiced by Aleks Le) and Gamma 2 (voiced by Zeno Robinson), who have been built by an evil conglomerate called the Red Ribbon Army with the express purpose of overcoming our heroes. Gohan and the Namekian warrior Piccolo (also Sabat), upgraded to top billing, are responsible for the Earth’s defense, while the usual series leads Goku and Vegeta are sidelined, training on a distant planet. Gohan and Piccolo square off against the androids, and are summarily outclassed — until, of course, they power up and transform, and inevitably fend off their foes.

The “Dragon Ball” formula is repetitive and predictable. But it’s difficult to overstate how exquisitely gratifying that formula can be. Dramatic transformations from Saiyan to Super Saiyan — when a hero’s hair explodes into a luminous flare of yellow-gold, and their muscles swell and bulge outrageously — never fail to exhilarate, and recent advances in animation, which combine the style of classical anime illustrations with flourishes of computer-generated effects, have only made every punch, kick and superpowered kamehameha attack more vivid and spectacular. The battles in “Dragon Ball” have always been drawn and staged with thrilling gusto. In “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” they look better than ever.

I’m not sure what kind of impression this is likely to make on a series newcomer: The film is clearly intended for fans whose knowledge of these characters and their continuing adventures borders on encyclopedic, and references to the events of earlier films and series in the franchise, from “Dragon Ball” (1986) to “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” (2018), are deployed with casual frequency. But for this critic, who has been following “Dragon Ball” diligently since his teenage years, the fan service only added to the esoteric charm.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Rated PG-13 for cartoon action and violence. In English and Japanese, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes. In theaters.

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Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Reviews

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero offers what most fans of the saga come looking for: energetic action, new transformations, and the classic Akira Toriyama humor that works brilliantly in this film.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Jul 25, 2023

Incredibly impressed with the new animation style & overall had a blast with this film! The focus on side characters & characters who really haven’t gotten the spotlight in awhile made my inner childhood heart come out

Full Review | Jul 25, 2023

Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO mixes the best of everything there is to love about this fabled franchise...Most importantly, there are character moments that will make you remember why Dragon Ball is the Godfather of anime in the West.

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Jan 4, 2023

This is worth the watch if you're a Dragon Ball fan, the payoff when it comes to the story arc & even the character evolutions don't add to your need to watch this again. Piccolo (played by Chris Sabat) has the biggest character development & elevation

Full Review | Original Score: 6.5/10 | Dec 26, 2022

The action sequences are front and center in this anime film which explores a battle between good and evil.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Sep 2, 2022

The animation is also a unique combination of the traditional 2D anime style with computer graphics to create a fluid and exciting action adventure.

Breathes fresh air onto a saga that as it grows it becomes more difficult to create a believable threat. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Sep 1, 2022

All in all, it’s a joyride for those who’ve been attuned to the universe of this franchise. But even for an anime rookie, this is an engaging ride.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 31, 2022

Wholesome to the core and packed with nostalgia, it's a treat for any young or old fan of the franchise.

Full Review | Aug 31, 2022

The Dragon Ball franchises twenty first film puts the master and student combo in the spotlight.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 31, 2022

Piccolo steals the show in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero [and do] some of the other characters (e.g. Pan, Gohan and Bulma), [who] are just as good in their solid supporting turns.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 29, 2022

It's fun for fans and newcomers alike.

Full Review | Original Score: 3 stars | Aug 29, 2022

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero knows when to pull back the comedy & make room for drama & action. By the end, fans will feel both nostalgia & elation.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 28, 2022

Some of the art was a bit wonky but this is a really fun film. If you're a fan of these characters you should enjoy this!

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 28, 2022

It is exactly what Dragon Ball fans love.

Full Review | Aug 26, 2022

The use of CGI gave the animation more freedom of movement. Fans of the Dragon Ball series will definitely have fun with it.

If you’re a committed fan, you’ll probably enjoy “Dragon Ball Super: Super-Hero,” even if you have nits to pick with it. If you’re a newcomer to the property, you’re likely to be bewildered and bored.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Aug 25, 2022

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero offers a highly entertaining, rollicking story that is one of the best of the Dragon Ball anime movie series. Viewers don't need to be familiar with the Dragon Ball franchise to enjoy the film.

Full Review | Aug 23, 2022

An excellent film that is innovative, fun, filled with epic moments, unlimited action, and with its characteristic sense of humor, gives us a magical experience that Dragon Ball fans should not miss. [Full review in Spanish]

There’s a winking, self-aware humor to the proceedings that balances the warriors’ ultra-serious conversations about fighting and honor.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Aug 22, 2022

Cast & crew
User reviews

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

The Red Ribbon Army from Goku's past has returned with two new androids to challenge him and his friends. The Red Ribbon Army from Goku's past has returned with two new androids to challenge him and his friends. The Red Ribbon Army from Goku's past has returned with two new androids to challenge him and his friends.

Tetsuro Kodama
Akira Toriyama
Masako Nozawa
Aya Hisakawa
Ryô Horikawa
177 User reviews
51 Critic reviews
65 Metascore
2 nominations

All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Trivia The film presents a time skip, since Akira Toriyama stated that this film will be an original story instead of a remake or adaptation of the new arcs that were being written for the manga at the time. Apparently the film will take place after the Granolah Saga from the manga.

Pan : Piccolo, you kind of stink at driving.

Piccolo : Sorry, never got my license.

Crazy credits There is a scene at the end of the closing credits: Goku and Vegeta finish their fight.
Connections Featured in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Crazy Comic Con Coverages (2022)

User reviews 177

DragonBallSuperSuperDuperHero
Aug 17, 2022
How long is Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero? Powered by Alexa
August 18, 2022 (United States)
7 Viên Ngọc Rồng Siêu Cấp: Siêu Anh Hùng
Toei Company
Fox International Productions
See more company credits at IMDbPro
$38,112,140
$21,126,919
Aug 21, 2022
$86,562,140

Technical specs

Runtime 1 hour 40 minutes
Dolby Digital
IMAX 6-Track
Dolby Atmos

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‘Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’ Review: It Isn’t Over 9,000, But It Is Solid Fan Service

First-timers may be lost, but longtime “Dragon Ball” devotees will feel right at home in this strange world.

By Michael Nordine

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There’s a good chance you know more about “ Dragon Ball ” than you think you do. Whether through memes or references to terms like “Super Saiyan,” “Kamehameha” and “It’s over 9,000,” the 38-year-old franchise has achieved global popularity even as it’s remained something of a niche outside its native Japan. With 42 manga volumes, several animated series (including “Dragon Ball Z”), theme-park attractions, video games, an ill-fated live-action adaptation and billions of dollars in merchandising revenue, the series isn’t going anywhere soon. For all that, feature-length animated films have been rare — the new “ Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero ” is only the fifth, whereas there have been 15 running an hour or less that were usually shown as double features.

And though “Super Hero” opening in more than 2,500 U.S. theaters on Aug. 19 makes it one of the franchise’s more ambitious incursions into the American market, the film is decidedly a fans-only proposition whose lore-related nuances will be lost on first-timers. That isn’t a criticism so much as a warning: This should not be your entree into the world of “Dragon Ball.” The likes of Goku, Piccolo and Vegeta are all back, and though they’re compelling characters, much of what they do here has weight because of their individual and shared histories. Even “Dragon Ball Z” veterans could be at sea here, as the story follows that of the “Dragon Ball Super” manga, 131-episode animated series and 2018’s “Dragon Ball Super: Broly.”

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The rest of the ensemble includes returning heroes like Gohan and Piccolo, who are eventually called to action against Magenta and his would-be Army after sorting out their own ongoing issues. Gohan, the first son of Goku, also has something of an adoptive father in Piccolo — a relationship that serves as the film’s emotional center. Several of these characters can fly, and all have at least a touch of grandiloquence to them. “Dragon Ball Z” has always existed on a large scale, with plans for world domination existing alongside an often childlike sense of humor. In keeping with that, “Super Hero” is often super serious until it’s not — a tonal back-and-forth that elicits whiplash nearly as often as it elicits laughter.

The animation itself is quite striking at times, with vibrant background colors — especially the blue grass and purple trees of Beerus’ planet, the film’s most compelling location — and detailed shading emphasizing every character’s facial expressions. Those expressions, it will come as little surprise to learn, are often quite dramatic. “Dragon Ball” isn’t known for the subtlety of its characterizations, which is part of the appeal. Big personalities take part in even bigger battles, especially during the film’s climax.

The actual dragon balls, if you’re wondering, are mystical spheres with no individual power that can summon a wish-granting dragon when all seven are gathered — and, as you might imagine, not everyone with the wherewithal to seek them out has pure intentions. (It’s not always life and death, however, as when one character here uses two of her wishes on a firmer bottom and ever so slightly longer eyelashes.)

Whether you prefer subs or dubs — one of anime’s longest-running, most foundational debates — “Super Hero” won’t disappoint, as it’s being made available in both formats. (This writer prefers the subtitled version, for what it’s worth.) Longtime devotees are unlikely to be disappointed regardless, as the film, while nothing groundbreaking, mostly finds a sweet spot between fan service and narrative heft. And though not especially friendly to the uninitiated, it’s so damn out-there that even novitiates may find themselves motivated to seek out more “Dragon Ball” lore once it’s over — such is the appealing strangeness of this ever-expanding world.

Reviewed online, Aug. 10, 2022. Running time: 100 MIN.

Production: (Animated) A Crunchyroll release of a Sony Pictures Entertainment, Crunchyroll presentation of a Toei Company, Ltd., Toei Animation production. Producer: Norihiro Hayashida.
Crew: Director: Tetsurô Kodama. Screenplay: Akira Toriyama. Music: Naoki Satō.
With: Masako Nozawa, Toshio Furukawa, Aya Hisakawa, Ryō Horikawa, Mayumi Tanaka, Takeshi Kusao, Yuko Minaguchi, Miyu Irino, Hiroshi Kamiya, Mamoru Miyano, Volcano Ota, Ryota Takeuchi; Kyle Hebert, Sean Schemmel, Robert McCollum, Chistopher Sabat, Aleks Le, Zeno Robinson, Zach Aguilar, Charles Martinet.

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Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero review – eye-candy anime is gloriously mesmeric

The immensely popular franchise is back with a cast of brightly coloured characters in a world of bad guys with outrageous quiffs

A big hit domestically where the whole Dragon Ball Super manga book/TV series/movie franchise is immensely popular – but beyond Japan and its near neighbours this feature, the second after Dragon Ball Super: Broly, will appeal mainly to hardcore fans. Uninitiated viewers will probably be utterly baffled by the bewildering cast of brightly coloured characters: a mix of humans, androids, aliens and a couple of creatures that look like bipedal versions of a chubby house cat and hairless sphinx, but in the latter’s case with a gold earring and the fierce attitude of a Drag Race contestant. Super Hero gamely tries to explain the backstory a bit at the beginning, but trying to keep up as we are plunged into a world of bad guys with outrageous quiffs, super-skilled preschoolers and green-skinned martial arts masters with droopy forehead antennae is quite futile.

If, however, you can relax and just let it wash over you, Super Hero’s eye candy animation is mesmeric. Blending traditional character design and finely rendered expressions with supersmooth computer effects and subtle lighting, the whole package offers a state-of-the-art shop window for the skills of its makers, director Tetsuro Kodama and production company Toei Animation. The set designs are especially glorious, all industrial chic but with a Montessori school palette.

As a bonus, the dialogue is properly funny in places, and viewers have a choice of catching versions with dubbed English voice tracks or the original Japanese with subtitles. Personally as a non-Japanese speaker, I prefer the latter because you get to glory in the rumbling baritone of the dragon characters and, if you listen closely, you can pick up a few phrases in Japanese such as: “Kill him!” “Whatever,” and “Stop this foolishness right away!”

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Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Review – A New High for Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball Super makes a satisfying cinematic return that embraces the anime’s super-powered past and puts some neglected heroes in the spotlight.

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Dragon Ball Super Super Hero Gohan Gamma Fight

This Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero review contains no spoilers .

“You have the potential to become the most powerful being on Earth. You need to believe in yourself and release that power!”

Dragon Ball is a totemic anime series that’s practically synonymous with heightened animated battles. The anime has exploded to the point where there are nearly 300 hours in the franchise’s combined works and there’s still no end in sight. Dragon Ball adventures are never in short supply, but the series has struggled to top the heights of its previous cinematic spectacle, Dragon Ball Super: Broly . This new movie, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero , is easily the biggest event in the series since Broly’s release four years back. However, it also uses this time away to cultivate a poignant story that improves upon Broly and might just be the best Dragon Ball movie in the franchise, period. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is the confident, triumphant return that the characters and series have desperately needed and the result is a rejuvenated Dragon Ball story that’s ready to break new ground.

The Red Ribbon Army represents one of the first real evils that emerge in Dragon Ball and their villainy becomes a generational hurdle for the heroes to overcome in each series. This is ripe territory for Super Hero to embrace as the ancestors of past tyrants attempt to reclaim their brutal birthrights through destructive manipulation. Dragon Ball movies can be sparse when it comes to story due to the pretense that everyone just cares about the combat. That being said, Super Hero feels bigger than past efforts and it reflects the franchise’s full history rather than some self-contained villain and battle. There’s such a lived-in feeling to the huge world that Super Hero shows off.

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The repetitive nature of previous Dragon Ball movies puts a lot of pressure on the featured villains. One of the stronger elements in Super Hero involves the deluded perspective of Red Ribbon, which culminates in Gamma 1 and 2 viewing themselves as heroes who are the world’s only hope to stop the megalomaniacal efforts of Capsule Corporation. The Gamma Androids have so much personality and are considerably more entertaining and complex than standard Dragon Ball movie antagonists. Super Hero also introduces other fascinating supporting figures, like Piccolo’s temporary Red Ribbon partner, who feel like they’d be absent in other Dragon Ball endeavors.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero isn’t afraid to let its world breathe whereas past movies sometimes make it feel like the heroes are the only people on the planet. Nearly 15 minutes pass in Super Hero before any standard Dragon Ball characters even emerge. This introduction is content to flesh out the Red Ribbon Army and provide some compelling backstory and development since the events of Dragon Ball Z’s Cell Saga, a period from the franchise in which Super Hero is highly indebted. It’s a serious change of pace for the series when Dragon Ball’s perennial protagonist, Goku, doesn’t show up until the movie’s half-hour mark and proceeds to mostly sit out this adventure. It cannot be expressed enough how helpful it is for Dragon Ball to get further away from Goku and Vegeta in an effort to better share the love with its powerful, diverse cast. It’s an effective structure that the films should use moving forward. Bring on the Krillin- and Tien-centric movies next.

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Most of the conflict in Super Hero is predicated on figuring out how Gohan can properly get his groove back–something that the character’s fans have been waiting for ever since his ascension to Ultimate Gohan. Super Hero explores some fresh, insightful ideas that stem from Gohan’s ambivalence towards training because he’s gotten so used to how Goku and Vegeta always step up to save the world. Meanwhile, Gohan’s reached a point where he can barely stand upright in his old weighted clothing.

Gohan has no problem with the domestication that he’s experienced, but Super Hero finds strength when it’s filtered through the context of his daughter, Pan, who’s never witnessed her father fight before. Pan functions as an effective audience surrogate for someone who’s never seen Dragon Ball . By the end of this endeavor both she and the audience understand why Gohan might very well be Earth’s greatest hero.

Pan serves as a valuable catalyst for the return of Gohan’s killer instinct, but her teamwork with Piccolo is another adorable asset of this movie. Piccolo’s proactive nature throughout Super Hero is consistently satisfying and his infiltration of Red Ribbon is one of the most fun and suspenseful Dragon Ball sequences in a long time. It feels so different from the rest of the series. Gohan, Piccolo, and Pan all flourish as a team, as well as individuals, and hopefully Pan’s growth under these mentors doesn’t get overlooked in the movie’s wake.

The major fights in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero –as well as the unprecedented transformations that come out of them–do a lot of the heavy lifting in the movie, but this isn’t purely a hyperbolized slugfest. It’s significant that Super Hero effortlessly balances action, comedy, and emotion between its complex characters. Furthermore, the fallout of the film’s final battle also hints towards an exciting future for the series and it’s appreciated that Super Hero doesn’t wipe the slate clean before the credits roll. A growing feud between Red Ribbon and a newly-empowered Capsule Corp. holds a lot of potential, as does an increased focus on Androids and artificial warriors.

A consistent perk with the Dragon Ball feature films is that TOEI Animation is able to deliver upgraded aesthetics that put the standard anime series to shame. Audiences have shared many reservations with the glossy CG aesthetic that Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero has turned to in contrast to the more traditional look for Broly. CG anime movies are not inherently broken, but they’re a challenging style to properly execute. There were some warranted concerns over the look of Super Hero , but the movie’s animation is surprisingly gorgeous and looks so much better when it’s in motion as opposed to distilled to production images.

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The movie’s action sequences and energy explosions are wonderful. There’s a fiery fight between Gohan and the Gammas that’s set during a raging rainstorm that’s a clear visual climax. There are also so many scenes that travel through different environments and pop because of how much work is put into their distinct looks. Super Hero doesn’t just recycle through old assets and locations. A five-minute conversation that’s set in an idling vehicle during heavy traffic becomes considerably more interesting due to the meticulous attention to background details. Similarly, there’s nothing awkward about the movie’s voice acting. Super Hero features the anime’s regular crew who have been voicing these characters for decades, as well as some new performers who fit right in, whether it’s Charles Martinet’s performance as Magenta or Johnny Yong Bosch’s powerful turn as the new voice of Broly.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a passionate burst of energy that’s likely to leave a strong impression on both die-hard Akira Toriyama enthusiasts as well as complete newcomers to the action franchise. It does everything right by Dragon Ball standards when it comes to the movie’s story, the characters that it showcases, and the return of a certain forgotten foe for the film’s final conflict. It’s full of the franchise’s signature action sequences, yet it’s a movie that leaves its audience inspired by the importance of family as the ultimate superpower. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a celebration of what’s made Dragon Ball great for more than 35 years, but it also leaves the franchise in a place that’s more liberated than ever before.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero will be available in limited theaters in both subbed and dubbed versions on August 19th

4.5 out of 5

Daniel Kurland | @DanielKurlansky

Daniel Kurland is a freelance writer and comedian, who has also produced and directed short films and pilot presentations for network consideration. Daniel recently completed work…

Review: The new ‘Dragon Ball’ movie shines a deserving spotlight on the franchise’s best dad

A man surrounded by glowing energy standing in the rain

‘Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’ delivers over-the-top action and plenty of comedy while celebrating Piccolo

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One of Japan’s biggest pop media franchises, “Dragon Ball” is synonymous with explosive brawls and over-the-top action sequences with dashes of comedy providing levity in between. “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” delivers these signature elements in spades in a story that celebrates how the green alien warrior Piccolo has long been “Dragon Ball’s” best dad.

Boasting the involvement of “Dragon Ball” creator Akira Toriyama for its original story, screenplay and character design, “Super Hero” — directed by Tetsuro Kodama — revolves around heroes and villains who are all navigating the legacies and ambitions of their (absent) fathers and grandfathers. It’s a nuance that’s touched on in the exposition heavy introduction of the film, but best understood by those who are familiar with the “Dragon Ball” franchise, which launched with Toriyama’s manga series in 1984.

For the uninitiated, “ Dragon Ball ” primarily follows Goku , an orphan invader-turned-refugee of a powerful alien warrior race who grew up on Earth, and his perpetual quest to grow stronger as he faces off against humans, other aliens, androids and even different levels of gods. In between training, various tournaments and battles over the fate of the universe, Goku has made friends and enemies, gotten married and had a couple kids (who, unlike their father, have interests outside of becoming the most powerful warrior to ever live).

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a green alien getting punched by a grey android

“Super Hero” shakes things up by turning its spotlight on a couple of “Dragon Ball’s” popular but often underutilized supporting characters: Goku’s eldest son Gohan (Masako Nozawa in Japanese, Kyle Hebert in the English dub) and Gohan’s mentor Piccolo (Toshio Furukawa, Christopher Sabat), who especially shines as the heart of the film.

As explained in the movie, Gohan has long shown he has the potential to be an even greater warrior than Goku (Nozawa, Sean Schemmel). But the kindhearted half-human is more concerned with his scholarly pursuits than keeping up with his training, especially because Gohan knows his father will always jump up to handle whatever powerful threats arise.

It’s a fair expectation on Gohan’s part — Goku has always been a bit more focused on becoming the best fighter he could be over being the best father. But Gohan can always count on Piccolo, his intimidating grump of a mentor, to not only push him toward reaching his full potential as a warrior but also give him lessons on being a good dad. Piccolo’s heartwarming dynamic with Gohan’s 3-year-old daughter Pan (Yūko Minaguchi, Jeannie Tirado) is among the “Super Hero” highlights.

Anime fans who have kept up with “Dragon Ball” through its most recent series, “ Dragon Ball Super ,” will likely make up most of “Super Hero’s” U.S. audience. But besides a mostly inconsequential scene of cameos , even a casual fan who has watched only through “Dragon Ball Z” — the second “Dragon Ball” anime series, which started airing in the U.S. in the ‘90s — is plenty equipped to keep up with the film’s main story and will likely appreciate this focus on Piccolo’s bond with Gohan and his family.

a man with glasses and a cape standing in the rain

The movie’s main antagonists are the next generation of the Red Ribbon Army, an evil organization first thwarted by Goku when he was a kid. Although the new Red Ribbon Army’s leader Magenta and hired head scientist Dr. Hedo are also each contending with the shadows cast by their father and grandfather, respectively, the setup is more a cute novelty than a commentary on family legacy. Their story eventually takes a back seat to the spectacular action sequences that lead to various powerful transformations.

As the title suggests, “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” engages a bit with questions of what it actually means to be a hero beyond flashy poses and comic sound effects. It also touches on timely themes involving the powers of misinformation and lies to cast heroes as villains (and vice versa) in order to manipulate others. But “Super Hero’s” main priority is letting Gohan and Piccolo dazzle together in glorious combat against a couple of charming villains — Gamma 1 (Hiroshi Kamiya, Aleks Le) and Gamma 2 (Mamoru Miyano, Zeno Robinson) — and then an even more powerful, if familiar, foe. Even the film’s stylish 3D computer animation is best suited for these action sequences.

“Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” is a must see for fans that salutes one of the series’ best relationships, but newcomers interested in more than the fun of an action-packed visual spectacle might want to check out some of the TV series first.

'Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero'

Rating: PG-13 When: Opens Friday Where: Wide release Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

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Review: The new 'Dragon Ball' movie shines a deserving spotlight on the franchise's best dad

One of Japan’s biggest pop media franchises, “Dragon Ball” is synonymous with explosive brawls and over-the-top action sequences, with dashes of comedy providing levity in between. “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” delivers these signature elements in spades in a story that celebrates how the green alien warrior Piccolo has long been “Dragon Ball’s” best dad.

Boasting the involvement of “Dragon Ball” creator Akira Toriyama for its original story, screenplay and character design, “Super Hero” — directed by Tetsuro Kodama — revolves around heroes and villains who are all navigating the legacies and ambitions of their (absent) fathers and grandfathers. It’s a nuance that’s touched on in the exposition-heavy introduction of the film but best understood by those who are familiar with the “Dragon Ball” franchise, which launched with Toriyama’s manga series in 1984.

For the uninitiated, “ Dragon Ball ” primarily follows Goku , an orphan invader-turned-refugee of a powerful alien warrior race who grew up on Earth, and his perpetual quest to grow stronger as he faces off against humans, other aliens, androids and even different levels of gods. In between training, various tournaments and battles over the fate of the universe, Goku has made friends and enemies, gotten married and had a couple of kids (who, unlike their father, have interests outside of becoming the most powerful warrior to ever live).

“Super Hero” shakes things up by turning its spotlight on a couple of “Dragon Ball’s” popular but often underutilized supporting characters: Goku’s eldest son, Gohan (Masako Nozawa in Japanese, Kyle Hebert in the English dub), and Gohan’s mentor, Piccolo (Toshio Furukawa, Christopher Sabat), who especially shines as the heart of the film.

It’s a fair expectation on Gohan’s part — Goku has always been a bit more focused on becoming the best fighter he could be over being the best father. But Gohan can always count on Piccolo, his intimidating grump of a mentor, to not only push him toward reaching his full potential as a warrior but also give him lessons on being a good dad. Piccolo’s heartwarming dynamic with Gohan’s 3-year-old daughter, Pan (Yūko Minaguchi, Jeannie Tirado), is among the "Super Hero" highlights.

Anime fans who have kept up with “Dragon Ball” through its most recent series, “ Dragon Ball Super ,” likely will make up most of “Super Hero’s” U.S. audience. But besides a mostly inconsequential scene of cameos , even a casual fan who has watched only through “Dragon Ball Z” — the second “Dragon Ball” anime series, which started airing in the U.S. in the ’90s — is plenty equipped to keep up with the film’s main story and likely to appreciate this focus on Piccolo's bond with Gohan and his family.

The movie’s main antagonists are the next generation of the Red Ribbon Army, an evil organization first thwarted by Goku when he was a kid. Although the new Red Ribbon Army’s leader Magenta and hired head scientist Dr. Hedo each are contending with the shadows cast by their father and grandfather, respectively, the setup is more a cute novelty than a commentary on family legacy. Their story eventually takes a back seat to the spectacular action sequences that lead to various powerful transformations.

As the title suggests, “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” engages a bit with questions of what it actually means to be a hero beyond flashy poses and comic sound effects. It also touches on timely themes involving the powers of misinformation and lies to cast heroes as villains (and vice versa) in order to manipulate others. But "Super Hero's" main priority is letting Gohan and Piccolo dazzle together in glorious combat against a couple of charming villains — Gamma 1 (Hiroshi Kamiya, Aleks Le) and Gamma 2 (Mamoru Miyano, Zeno Robinson) — and then an even more powerful, if familiar, foe. Even the film's stylish 3-D computer animation is best suited for these action sequences.

"Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero" is a must-see for fans that salutes one of the series' best relationships, but newcomers interested in more than the fun of an action-packed visual spectacle might want to check out some of the TV series first.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times .

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Dragon ball super: super hero, common sense media reviewers.

Lots of fighting -- and laughs -- in brisk, thrilling anime.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Movie: Poster

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Promotes teamwork and shows that it's possible for

Characters are brave and selflessly donate their t

Aliens, androids, and humans intermingle comfortab

Several scenes of fighting, punching, kicking, sup

Male bottom shown several times after outfit torn

Occasional uses of "damn," "dumbass," "turd," "poo

A character constantly eats black-and-white cookie

Villain smokes cigars, blows smoke on others.

Positive Messages

Promotes teamwork and shows that it's possible for villains to change their ways. Emphasis on learning to fight vs. studying, but the ability to control one's temper is valued.

Positive Role Models

Characters are brave and selflessly donate their time and skills to protect the world from monsters and threats. But their values are all over the place. Some believe that training and preparation are all-important, and one is praised for using his mind to control his temper during battle. Some cause rampant destruction with no consequences. And one is vain, obsessed with having a perfect bottom and other features (fewer wrinkles, longer lashes) that are perceived as attractive.

Diverse Representations

Aliens, androids, and humans intermingle comfortably. Movie originated in Japan, and while human characters aren't specifically Japanese, most viewers will likely infer that they are. While a 3-year-old girl is in training and promises to be a cool hero someday, few women get to be involved in the fight; they're definitely portrayed as sideline/secondary characters.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Several scenes of fighting, punching, kicking, superpowered attacks, characters flying and smashing into things, etc. Guns and shooting; characters shot. Superpowered 3-year-old training to fight; villain shoots at her. Characters knocked unconscious. Character killed. Brief severed arm (it grows back). Lots of destruction. Brief, comically portrayed zombies.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Male bottom shown several times after outfit torn during battle. Female characters in revealing outfits, with their bottoms outlined/emphasized, sometimes in close-up. Brief flirting ("you're cute," etc.). Character is obsessed with enhancing her figure and features. Very brief image of bikini-clad woman on billboard.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Occasional uses of "damn," "dumbass," "turd," "poop," "screw that," "idiots," and "dumb" (English subtitles) and "damn" and "crap" (several times), "dumbass," "turd," "slime," "idiot," "dumb," "screw with me," "screw it," "buns," and "morons" (English dub).

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

A character constantly eats black-and-white cookies that resemble Oreos, though the brand is never mentioned.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is part of a long-running anime franchise . It follows the series' heroes as they battle an upgraded version of the villain called Cell. This review is based on the English-subtitled and English-dubbed versions, both of which include uses of "damn," "dumbass," "idiot," "turd," "screw that," etc. Violence includes fighting, kicking, and punching, plus characters getting flung through the air and smashed into things. Guns are brandished and shot, and a character is killed. A superpowered 3-year-old is flung about and shot at, but she's never in lasting danger. Female characters -- who unfortunately have a distinctly secondary role to the male characters -- wear revealing outfits that outline their rear ends, and one is obsessed with "improving" her figure and features. A villain smokes cigars and blows smoke in other characters' faces. Overall, it's brisk, silly fun, offering fantastic animation, consistent humor, and themes of teamwork and courage. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Based on 2 parent reviews

Awsome animation!

What's the story.

In DRAGON BALL SUPER: SUPER HERO, Goku (voiced by Masako Nozawa in the Japanese original and Sean Schemmel in the English dub) and Vegeta (Ryo Horikawa/ Christopher Sabat ) are away on another planet training. The Red Ribbon Army, now under the control of Magenta (Volcano Ota/Charles Martinet), recruits the fresh-out-of-jail Dr. Hedo ( Miyu Irino / Zach Aguilar ) to build a powerful android warrior. Meanwhile, Piccolo (Toshio Furukawa/Christopher Sabat) is increasingly irritated at Gohan (Masako Nozawa/ Kyle Hebert ), who insists on reading and studying rather than training. Plus, Piccolo is frequently recruited to pick up Gohan's daughter, Pan (Yuko Minaguchi/Jeannie Tirado), from school. Hedo's new creation, the superhero-like Gamma 2 ( Mamoru Miyano / Zeno Robinson ), appears and engages Piccolo in battle. Believing Piccolo defeated, Gamma 2 returns to the Red Ribbon Army headquarters, with Piccolo secretly following. Piccolo disguises himself as a guard and discovers that Magenta is building a new, more powerful version of the villain Cell called "Cell Max." And to lure Gohan into battle, they also plan to kidnap Pan!

Is It Any Good?

While franchise familiarity is certainly helpful, this brisk, vibrant entry in the long-running series succeeds by juggling silly fun with gorgeously animated action, characters, and backgrounds. Mainstays Goku and Vegeta mostly sit out Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero , unreachable due to an ice cream-related glitch, but their occasional appearances are sure to please fans (be sure to watch all the way through for an after-credits bonus). Piccolo is arguably the driving force of this story, the head of a team of quirky characters taking on the big villain. And while there are plenty of fights, the movie isn't entirely about that. It does sometimes pause, if not for character depth, then at least for lots of playful banter and goofy humor.

That said, while examples of teamwork abound, there are some iffy messages here, too. Characters are able to wish for things they need, rather than working for them. Fighting is often valued above thinking. And one character, Bulma, is vain, obsessed with her physical appearance to the point of using magic to enhance her figure and features. Still, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero seems mostly interested in offering viewers a good time. The good-natured humor persists throughout, never taking a backseat to the action, and the action itself is expertly crafted, with detailed attention to speed, distance, and impact, as well as some breathtaking production design. It's a breezy, satisfying ride that should go down like a plate of cookies.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero 's violence . How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?

Should Gohan give up his studies for more training? Is a balance of the two possible? Why, or why not?

What is vanity? Why does Bulma think she needs to make "improvements" to her body? What message does the portrayal of her character send about body image ?

How well does the movie showcase teamwork ?

Piccolo and Bulma have the chance to wish for things using a magic dragon. Would it be possible to achieve their wishes in other ways? What would you wish for?

Movie Details

In theaters : August 19, 2022
On DVD or streaming : March 14, 2023
Cast : Toshio Furukawa , Masako Nozawa , Miyu Irino , Christopher Sabat , Kyle Hebert , Zach Aguilar
Director : Tetsuro Kodama
Inclusion Information : Asian actors, Female actors, Multiracial actors
Studio : Crunchyroll
Genre : Anime
Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Superheroes
Character Strengths : Teamwork
Run time : 100 minutes
MPAA rating : PG-13
MPAA explanation : some action/violence and smoking
Last updated : December 5, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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What dragon ball was like after all these years, how dragon ball measures up to the modern shonen, where dragon ball falls short today.

Dragon Ball is a long-standing and influential franchise created by Akira Toriyama that started in the 1980s.
Dragon Ball continues to impact modern shonen series with elements like transformations and enemy-to-ally character arcs.
Dragon Ball 's weak points include its reliance on pervy comedy, and the sheer amount of filler the uncut series possesses.

In the '90s, every little boy was entranced by the absolute phenomenon that is Dragon Ball --or at least, that's the way it felt to me. Unfortunately for me, I didn't have access to cable, and couldn't watch Dragon Ball , except for catching an occasional episode at a friend's house now and then.

By the early 2000s, however, that all changed, and I discovered the wonder that is anime. I was quickly into series on Adult Swim, like Cowboy Bebop , Fullmetal Alchemist , and Bleach , and it felt as if a whole new world opened up. Yet, even in spite of that, I never felt any compulsion to go back and see what I missed. I did once try to give Dragon Ball GT a shot, since it was airing at the time, but the show's relatively low quality (and my lack of context, having not seen Dragon Ball Z ) caused me to lose interest pretty quickly. Despite existing in the anime fandom for 15 years at the time, my secret became the fact that I'd never seen Dragon Ball .

Dragon Ball Holds Up Surprisingly Well

It wasn't until around the time that Dragon Ball Super was starting to come out that the buzz got to me, and I decided to finally learn about this enormous hole in my anime knowledge. I watched Dragon Ball Z Kai all the way through over a fairly long period of time, and while I wasn't particularly impressed at first, I soon found myself completely drawn in. Like my friends did in the '90s, I cheered when Goku finally went Super Saiyan against Frieza , and watched with terror as Buu killed each and every one of these characters I'd grown to love.

After that, I dove headfirst into Super , and watched it eagerly week-to-week, and came to enjoy it greatly, too. Beerus and Whis are excellent additions to the cast, and the show managed to make new power-ups exciting. I only watched the original Dragon Ball during COVID lockdowns, and while it's quite dated in a lot of ways, I was again surprised to see how well it stood the test of time. It was clear to me that Dragon Ball was a classic because of its quality, not just its influence on later series.

What Dragon Ball Still Does Best

The impact that Dragon Ball has had on those series which have followed in its footsteps is undeniable. Everything from tournament arcs to transformations and power-ups can be traced back to Dragon Ball , and who knows how many villains have been directly inspired by Frieza or Cell. Watching Dragon Ball Z after many of the shonen which took after it was certainly an interesting experience; it's not often that you get to see exactly what inspired some of your favorite moments in fiction, after all.

There are a lot of things that, even now, Dragon Ball Z does better than those anime that came after it. One of the most interesting, to me, was watching Goku age. While anime series today aren't afraid of the occasional timeskip, it's hard to imagine a show like My Hero Academia allowing its protagonist to just suddenly become an adult. The characters' ages are too closely tied to that of the intended audience, so aging them up just doesn't necessarily work the same way. By having Goku age, we've gotten to see him mature from a curious young boy to a powerful and honorable man, and even into a father.

Dragon Ball definitely popularized the enemy-to-ally trope, and it arguably still does it best. From Yamcha in the original on down to Buu, Dragon Ball manages to redeem its villains with shocking ease. Characters like Vegeta and Piccolo in particular have great characters arcs based on them coming around to Goku, and there's no rivalry in any anime series that can match up to Vegeta and Goku's . Vegeta is a fascinating character, never fully free from his evil past, but he does good regardless.

A lot of this can be traced back to Toriyama's fairly loose writing style, with little detailed planning ahead. Toriyama just had such an incredible innate understanding of character development that, even without a plan, he could still sculpt a character like Vegeta into the complex man that he is. This also allowed Toriyama to respond to criticism quickly and easily, as seen in some arcs like the Android Saga, where the antagonists were changed several times before settling on 17 and 18. This style of writing is hard to pull off, and there's really no one today working like that, so far as I know.

Dragon Ball's Comedy has Aged Worst

Of course, no work of fiction is perfect, and that's as true of Dragon Ball as anything else. One of the biggest areas where Dragon Ball (especially the original series) falls flat today is with some of its comedy. Frankly, there are simply too many jokes about harassing Bulma for my taste ; Goku largely gets a pass due to his "innocence," but characters like Master Roshi become grating quickly. The more physical comedy holds up better, for the most part.

Another problem with the anime in particular is, of course, filler. I watched Kai , so filler wasn't a big deal, but even simply looking at what was cut out was rather overwhelming. The idea of entire filler arcs started with Dragon Ball Z , and it would become a plague upon later series like Naruto and Bleach . Filler is especially out of favor nowadays, with series like My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer opting for a seasonal-style approach, simply going off the air rather than producing filler. This is one area where I wish Dragon Ball hadn't blazed the trail.

Overall, Dragon Ball Z is still an incredible shonen series, one that can hang with the best out there today. It's a master of breaking tension without ruining the drama, and its world is a whimsical one with everything from magic to dinosaurs to spaceships, completely unlike any modern series. Perhaps most importantly, Dragon Ball is just plain fun, and that's true no matter what's going on. I may not have been a Dragon Ball fan since the beginning, but I am now, and I can't wait for DAIMA .

Dragon Ball

From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku's never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

Chainsaw Man Chapter 167 Review: Denji’s Love Life Comes to an Anticlimactic Climax With the One Person Fans Wouldn’t Expect

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Denji's first sexual experience is a traumatic and conflicting moment in CSM Chapter 167, adding to his already dark storyline.
A new complicated love triangle emerges between Asa, Yoru, and Denji, adding more layers to the characters' relationships.
Fujimoto continues to subvert expectations in Chapter 167, leaving fans surprised by the unexpected events that unfold.

The following contains spoilers for Chainsaw Man Chapter 167, "Super Smooch" by Tatsuki Fujimoto, available in English from Viz Media .

The following review covers sensitive topics, including sexual content.

Tatsuki Fujimoto's Chainsaw Man has gotten progressively dark for Denji throughout Part 2. Denji has lost everything: his sister, his pets, his home, and now he's even begun to question whether he should even be Chainsaw Man anymore. CSM Chapter 167, "Super Smooch", shows the end result of Denji's breakdown, and it's simultaneously painful and satisfying to witness.

CSM Chapter 166, "Rain, Brothel, Removal" , ended with Yoru infamously offering to "cut it off" for Denji, a suggestion which understandably led to a number of memes and predictions in the two-week break between chapters. Not only does Yoru not "cut it off" in Chapter 167, she gives Asa-Denji shippers the thing they've been waiting for, but in the one way they would've never wanted it to happen. As Asa snaps back into her body and is forced to contend with the reality of what Yoru has done, it's a conflicting result for everyone involved, and fans will undoubtedly have a number of questions to contend with in the series going forward -- as will Asa herself.

Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Look Back Shares an Uncanny Connection With Chainsaw Man

Tatsuki Fujimoto has connected his one-shot series to Chainsaw Man before, but the connection between CSM and Look Back is particularly symbolic.

Denji's First Sexual Experience is Hard to Watch

Denji has conflated pain with pleasure due to his past traumas.

The moment Denji woke up in Fami's hideout back in CSM Chapter 163, "Dream Balls", he was met with trauma and pain. The one person who treated him kindly was Asa, as she was shown having a normal conversation with him. Shortly afterward, he was beaten down by Yoru in Asa's body, whom Denji still hasn't realized isn't the same person. This mirrors the abusive relationship Denji had with Makima , as she showed him exactly the kind of affection he needed at the time, only to torture and traumatize him using all she had given him.

That confused relationship with abuse may be what caused him to want to go to Katana Man's brothel in the first place in Chapter 166, even when Asa and the rest of the group were giving him attention and affection. For Denji, close human connection has only led directly to pain; even his own father abused him as a child. Unlike at the start of the series when Denji was outcast from society against his will, in Part 2, Denji seems to be purposely separating himself emotionally.

In Chapter 166, Denji was even shown biting down on his own finger, reenacting the very thing he came to know Makima by. When Denji first met Nayuta, he recognized she was the Control Devil by how she bit on his finger. Denji biting on his own finger was likely a source of comfort for him, because things had literally collapsed all around him. From the buildings, to his personal relationships, Denji has literally lost all control of his life. The only time he seemed to have some semblance of control was when the Control Devil was around , and now that she's gone, he doesn't know how to process his pain. Even though the brothel being burnt down seemed like a trivial thing to everyone else, it was the last means of escape from the problems Denji had left, and he was forced to face it all head-on at the moment when he saw Katana's business burnt to the ground.

"Don't you want to be freed from your sex drive? Get it out."

It's in this context of trauma, pain and confusion that Denji's first real sexual experience takes place in Chapter 167. After Yoru offered to castrate Denji in chapter 166, the two went together into an alleyway to do the deed. However, Denji's conflation of passion with pain is never more apparent than on page 5 of Chapter 167, when he tells Yoru "you legit want to see my- to cut off my dick?!" This Freudian slip shows how Denji is both happy to have any kind of close contact with a woman, and also terrified of what might happen to him. Denji is so used to the same people who care about him also hurting him that even the notion of getting hurt is simultaneously arousing for him.

In the end, the non-consensual nature of Denji and Yoru's interaction is hard to watch. Denji refuses Yoru at first, but at a certain point, he gives in to his sexual urges, and the two share a passionate kiss. The entire sequence is, at once, painful, traumatic and gross, and it should ideally have been an emotional and heartwarming moment for Denji. The one thing Denji was always hoping to get -- sex, and by extension, love -- was essentially taken from him , leaving him and Asa conflicted and confused at the chapter's conclusion.

"I Was Crying From the First 5 Minutes": Chainsaw Man Creator's New Anime Moves Fans to Tears

Early impressions of the new Look Back anime, based on the title by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto, consist of strong emotional reactions.

Chapter 167 Gives Chainsaw Man Fans the Most Tatsukian Sex Scene Possible

Fujimoto makes fans sweat.

"What if I crush your balls? Will that get you in the mood?"

- Chainsaw Man

In the midst of Denji and Yoru's dark and confusing sexual romp, Fujimoto takes an interesting approach to the art of Chapter 167 that serves its purpose all-too-well. One of the most obvious stars of the show ends up being the excessive amount of sweat on both Denji and Yoru during their romantic scene. Fujimoto has employed this kind of excessive sweat in CSM before, particularly on both Denji and Asa to show how embarrassed and awkward they get in certain situations.

The sweat takes on new meaning in a scene like this, especially because it's not Asa that Denji is getting "intimate" with , but Yoru herself. The excessive sweat shows just how embarrassing and disgusting this scene is meant to be, taking a good amount of the sexuality out of it . This isn’t a "hot" sex scene by any means, but an embarrassing moment for Denji and Yoru both, for different reasons.

For Denji, the embarrassment stems from the fact that he still believes he’s talking to Asa, a girl he has gone on dates with and even had a romantic attraction to. Nevertheless, he has never actually been that close and intimate with a woman before, at least not enough to pull down his pants in front of her. Unfortunately, it's not in the way he ever wanted it to happen, and he is entirely forced into a situation that he doesn't feel comfortable with at all.

For Yoru, her own feelings have slowly been becoming more and more deeply intertwined with Asa because they share the same brain. Every time Asa felt affection for Denji, Yoru was forced to feel it too, and that’s what likely makes it confusing for her when she kisses Denji in the alleyway. Even though Asa was the one with feelings for Denji initially, it's clear by this scene that despite Yoru denying her feelings and claiming she only wants to fight Chainsaw Man, her choice to kiss Denji instead of cutting him is telling another story.

At the end of the scene, Yoru reverts to Asa, leaving her in utter shock and disgust at what she finds . This was ultimately a masterful way for Fujimoto to use Asa and Yoru as characters, as it places them in an exceedingly difficult situation that's just as confusing for them as it is for fans. Does Yoru actually care about Denji, or is she simply messing with Asa? And where does this leave Asa's relationship with Denji going forward? These are just a few of the myriad of questions fans are certain to have after what happened between Yoru and Denji, and the most troubling thing of all is that Denji is entirely unaware of any of it.

Chapter 167 May Have Revealed a Bad Omen For Nayuta

Yoru remembering her kiss with denji may prove that nayuta is actually dead or in bad shape, everything chainsaw man fans need to know before the reze arc.

The Reze Arc will be covered in the first Chainsaw Man movie, and looking at Season 1's ending and the manga can give fans an idea of what to expect.

When Yoru grabs Denji in the alleyway, she inadvertently has a memory of kissing Denji. The two kissed during Asa and Denji's second date, because Yoru intended on turning Denji into a weapon. However, Nayuta erased all of Asa's memories of Denji in order to prevent her from liking him, causing Asa to believe Denji stood her up.

"Kissed... we've kissed."

The fact Yoru remembered Denji after touching his member could hint at a few possibilities. It either means that Yoru has some kind of power to tap into another person's memories when she touches them – which would mean that her remembering how she kissed Denji was actually her seeing Denji's memories instead of her own – or it could be a much darker omen for Nayuta.

Because Nayuta used her powers of control on Yoru to make her and Asa forget their date with Denji, now that Nayuta's powers wore off, it could possibly indicate that Nayuta is actually dead . There may also just be some limit to Nayuta's powers as the Control Devil is not as strong as she once was as Makima. Considering how dire things looked for Nayuta, as well as the fact that she’s still missing, this could have been Fujimoto's subtle way of hinting at the fact that Nayuta's fate was just as terrible as Fami and the others thought.

Too Much Subversion Becomes Predictability, Which is What Makes Chapter 167 Great

Fujimoto's "cliffhangers" have become a meme in the fandom lately.

Fujimoto is a master of subverting expectations. From Chainsaw Man to his most obscure one-shot series, Fujimoto's storylines are all about coming completely out of left field, doing something readers would never expect, but still having it make sense in the context of the story. However, in the chapters leading up to CSM Chapter 167, it became a bit of a meme in the CSM fandom that Fujimoto likes to present a cliffhanger that subverts expectations in the next chapter. That's what makes Chapter 167 particularly interesting, because no matter how much fans would have expected something different to happen than what the cliffhanger suggests, no one could have ever expected the events to unfold how they did .

When Denji reaches his climax, the chapter ends on a sobering note. Asa's hand is covered in semen, and neither Denji nor Asa's face is shown. This final page highlights how embarrassing this entire chapter was for both characters, as Fujimoto can't even show their faces, yet their feelings are clear in their body language alone. There is no cliffhanger at the end of Chapter 167, just the most unexpected climax of all.

Chainsaw Man Chapter 167, “Super Smooch”

Denji agrees to go into the alleyway with Yoru, but things don't go as planned for either of them. As Asa snaps back to reality, the dark truth of what Yoru did with Denji is sure to lead to drama between a newly formed love triangle.

Fujimoto somehow manages to subvert expectations despite fans expecting him to do just that.
Denji finally has his first sexual experience and it?s just as conflicting as CSM fans would expect from the series.
A new complicated love triangle seems to have emerged between Asa, Yoru and Denji which could make things even more interesting going forward
This chapter has scenes and subject-matter that may be difficult for some fans to witness.
Fujimoto doesn?t do anything groundbreaking with the art though it serves its intended purpose.
Chainsaw Man

How To Watch Every Dragon Ball Series In Release Order

Anushree Arora

Official JustWatch writer

When it comes to anime, few series stand the test of time as well as the Dragon Ball franchise. Ranking as one of the most popular anime since its release, the franchise is easily one of the most well-known and long-running anime franchises out there. Read on to discover where to watch every series in the Dragon Ball franchise online in India.

The original series, Dragon Ball , first premiered on television in 1986 and went on to have 153 episodes. The series followed the adventures of a young monkey-tailed boy named Goku and his quest to find seven magical dragon balls spread across the Earth to grant his one special wish. The series chronicles the first 194 chapters of the manga and shows a young Goku using his fierce strength and martial arts to fight off powerful enemies.

This series was followed by Dragon Ball Z, the most popular series in the Dragon Ball franchise. Picking up five years after the events of Dragon Ball, the series shows Son Goku as a young adult with a family of his own. The series aired from April 1989 to January 1996 and featured 291 episodes spread across five different sagas. The series begins with Goku discovering he belongs to a near-extinct elite alien warrior race called Saiyans and learning more about his origins and super-strength. Thereafter, each saga follows Goku’s journey as he interacts with aliens from different planets and finds new ways to save the Earth from being destroyed. Dragon Ball Z is followed by a sequel titled Dragon Ball GT and a midquel titled Dragon Ball Super.

Dragon Ball GT is an anime-exclusive series that aired for one season in 1997. The series shows Son Goku being turned back into a child as he joins his granddaughter Pan on a quest to find Black Star Dragon Balls, a more powerful set of Dragon Balls hidden throughout the galaxy.

After nearly a decade, the franchise released Dragon Ball Super in 2015, a midquel series that covers the events that took place in the ten-year timeskip after Goku defeats Majin Boo in the Dragon Ball Z series. The series ran for 131 episodes and was followed by the last series in the franchise, Super Dragon Ball Heroes.

Super Dragon Ball Heroes is a web-exclusive anime series that was released on streaming in 2018 and is presently still running. The series is set outside the main storyline of the Dragon Ball franchise and instead covers a series of alternate scenarios within the franchise.

Where can I watch every series in the Dragon Ball franchise online?

Interested in binge-watching the entire Dragon Ball franchise and don’t know where to start? Check out the list below to find out where all the Dragon Ball shows are streaming and how you can watch them. This list is categorized based on its release order from oldest to newest.

Dragon Ball

Long ago in the mountains, a fighting master known as Gohan discovered a strange boy whom he named Goku. Gohan raised him and trained Goku in martial arts until he died. The young and very strong boy was on his own, but easily managed. Then one day, Goku met a teenage girl named Bulma, whose search for the dragon balls brought her to Goku's home. Together, they set off to find all seven dragon balls in an adventure that would change Goku's life forever. See how Goku met his life long friends Bulma, Yamcha, Krillin, Master Roshi and more. And see his adventures as a boy, all leading up to Dragonball Z and later Dragonball GT.

Dragon Ball Z

The adventures of Earth's martial arts defender, Son Goku, continue with a new family and the revelation of his alien origins. Now Goku and his allies must defend the planet from an onslaught of new extraterrestrial enemies.

Dragon Ball GT

Ten years have passed since Goku left his friends and family to hone his skills. But Goku soon finds himself helpless against the mystical power of the Dragon Balls and an accidental wish made by the devious Emperor Pilaf. The wish; that Goku once again become a child! Goku, together with Trunks, and his own granddaughter Pan, blast off into the outer reaches of space in search of the mysterious Black Star Dragon Balls. But these Dragon Balls have a fatal secret: if not collected within one year Earth will be destroyed.

Dragon Ball Super

With Majin Boo defeated half-a-year prior, peace returns to Earth, where Son Goku (now a radish farmer) and his friends now live peaceful lives. However, a new threat appears in the form of Beerus, the God of Destruction. Considered the most terrifying being in the entire universe, Beerus is eager to fight the legendary warrior seen in a prophecy foretold decades ago known as the Super Saiyan God. The series retells the events from the two Dragon Ball Z films, Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F' before proceeding to an original story about the exploration of alternate universes.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

The Red Ribbon Army, an evil organization that was once destroyed by Goku in the past, has been reformed by a group of people who have created new and mightier Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, and seek vengeance against Goku and his family.

Netflix's New Show Led By House Of The Dragon Actor Climbs Global Chart

Geek Girl, led by Emily Carey, is a hit on Netflix's global charts, showcasing her talent as Harriet Manners from the YA novel.
The show, directed by Declan O'Dwyer, has generated positive reviews for portraying a neurodivergent story with care.
Geek Girl debuted at #7 on the global chart, arriving ahead of shows such as Baby Reindeer and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

Geek Girl , the new Netflix show led by House of the Dragon actor Emily Carey, is climbing the streamer's global charts. Carey, who played the young Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon season 1 , has had key performances in the recent Tomb Raider and Wonder Woman movies as the younger version of the titular characters. Now, with the well-reviewed Geek Girl , Carey steps into the spotlight and takes the lead role.

Since it arrived on Netflix on May 30, Geek Girl has begun making waves on the streamer's global Top 10 chart for English-language television shows. The series took the #7 spot overall for the week of May 27 through June 2 with 3.4 million views and 18.9 million hours viewed . It came in ahead of established hits like Baby Reindeer and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story , while the newest season of the latter property, Bridgerton season 3, took the top spot on the list.

What To Know About Netflix's Geek Girl Series

It's based on holly smale's novel.

Geek Girl sees Carey in the role of awkward high schooler Harriet Manners. Spotted by a London modeling agent during a field trip, Harriet jumps at the chance to reinvent herself. However, she moves from one fashion disaster to the next and soon begins to realize that the key to self-acceptance comes from well beyond the runway. The series is based on the 2013 young adult novel by Holly Smale , making it the latest in a growing line of YA shows and movies on Netflix.

Other popular YA titles include My Life With the Walter Boys, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, and The Kissing Booth.

This show arrives as House of the Dragon nears its return, albeit without Carey, as it will no longer flash back to a younger Alicent. Along with Carey, the cast of Geek Girl includes Emmanuel Imani, Liam Woodrum, Daisy Jelley, Rochelle Harrington, Tim Downie, Jemima Rooper, and Zac Looker. Behind the camera, the show is co-created by Smale and Jessica Ruston. Declan O'Dwyer, who also worked on Merlin and Killing Eve , directed all ten episodes. It is not yet clear if the show will return for a season 2 or not.

New On Netflix: All 96 Movies & TV Shows Arriving In June

May on Netflix is packed with new TV shows and movies including Bridgerton, Sweet Tooth, A Family Affair, and Hit Man.

Geek Girl has garnered largely positive reviews, though there haven't been enough to generate a Rotten Tomatoes score. Though some critics caution that the adaptation may appeal more to the target young adult demographic, there has been a lot of praise for Carey's performance and for telling a neurodivergent story with care but without limiting the narrative to only that purview. Though it is early days so far, the light and joyful fashion romp looks like it has the viewership to match with the acclaim.

Source: Netflix

Geek Girl (2024)

Cast Madeleine Price, Hebe Beardsall, Sandra Yi Sencindiver, Emily Carey, Alana Boden, Sarah Parish, Tim Downie, Jemima Rooper

Release Date May 30, 2024

Genres Drama, Comedy

Main Genre Comedy

Netflix's New Show Led By House Of The Dragon Actor Climbs Global Chart

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‘geek girl’ review: emily carey shines in netflix’s wholesome ya fashion comedy.

The 'House of the Dragon' star plays a self-described 'geek' who becomes a modeling sensation in this adaptation of Holly Smale's series of novels.

By Daniel Fienberg

Daniel Fienberg

Chief Television Critic

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One of the trickiest aspects of HBO’s House of the Dragon was the way viewers spent roughly half of the drama’s first season with “younger” versions of our two heroines — Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower — before a time jump brought longer-term stars Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke to the screen.

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COMMENTS

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 18, 2022 Full Review Manuel São Bento FirstShowing.net Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero offers what most fans of the saga come looking for: energetic action, new transformations ...
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a victory lap for Piccolo
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Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Review
Fuminobu Hata gave Dragon Ball Super: Broly an 8.5/10 for IGN, writing that it "delivers in terms of awesome action, but more than that, it uses the fathers of Goku, Vegeta, and Broly to link back ...
Review: 'Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero' Is Deluxe Fan Service
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Rated PG-13 for cartoon action and violence. In English and Japanese, with subtitles. In English and Japanese, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero offers what most fans of the saga come looking for: energetic action, new transformations, and the classic Akira Toriyama humor that works brilliantly in this film ...
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero: Directed by Tetsuro Kodama. With Masako Nozawa, Aya Hisakawa, Ryô Horikawa, Takeshi Kusao. The Red Ribbon Army from Goku's past has returned with two new androids to challenge him and his friends.
'Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero' Review: Solid Fan Service
Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. 'Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero' Review: It Isn't Over 9,000, But It Is Solid Fan Service. Reviewed online, Aug. 10, 2022. Running time: 100 MIN ...
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Review
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a rejuvenating addition to the feature-length Dragon Ball canon.Abandoning Goku as the main character was wise and made way for a well-deserved Piccolo (Christopher Sabat) arc. With the Namekian at the forefront and plenty of new characters, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero feels like a condensed arc of the show — one that is void of filler.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero review
A big hit domestically where the whole Dragon Ball Super manga book/TV series/movie franchise is immensely popular - but beyond Japan and its near neighbours this feature, the second after ...
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Review
The repetitive nature of previous Dragon Ball movies puts a lot of pressure on the featured villains.One of the stronger elements in Super Hero involves the deluded perspective of Red Ribbon ...
Review: The new 'Dragon Ball' movie shines a deserving spotlight on the
It's a fair expectation on Gohan's part — Goku has always been a bit more focused on becoming the best fighter he could be over being the best father. But Gohan can always count on Piccolo ...
Review: The new 'Dragon Ball' movie shines a deserving ...
"Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero" delivers over-the-top action and plenty of comedy while celebrating the franchise's best dad, Piccolo. ... Review: The new 'Dragon Ball' movie shines a deserving ...
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Review: Super!
At last, after a delayed release Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is finally here! This movie latest instalment in the much celebrated Dragon Ball series. In this particular adventure, the sinister Red Ribbon Army are back and out for revenge. But with Goku and Vegeta off-world, it falls to Piccolo to try and get to the bottom of it.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Movie Review
Parents need to know that Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is part of a long-running anime franchise.It follows the series' heroes as they battle an upgraded version of the villain called Cell. This review is based on the English-subtitled and English-dubbed versions, both of which include uses of "damn," "dumbass," "idiot," "turd," "screw that," etc. Violence includes fighting, kicking, and ...
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Review: The new 'Dragon Ball' movie shines a deserving spotlight on the franchise's best dad. One of Japan's biggest pop media franchises, "Dragon Ball" is synonymous with explosive brawls ...
Super Hero Review (No spoilers). : r/dragonball
ADMIN MOD. Super Hero Review (No spoilers). DBS Movie 2. Super Hero is a fantastic Dragon Ball movie. Toriyama brought back elements from OG Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super. And in my opinion, he even brought back a couple of elements from GT. Overall it was fantastic, a lot of fun, and everything the fans have been asking for ...
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Zeno Robinson, left, and Aleks Le attend the after-party for the Los Angeles premiere of "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero" at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Aug. 10, 2022, in Los Angeles.
Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO
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Dragon Ball. 1986. 8.5 (66k) #1. Long ago in the mountains, a fighting master known as Gohan discovered a strange boy whom he named Goku. Gohan raised him and trained Goku in martial arts until he died. The young and very strong boy was on his own, but easily managed.
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Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a victory lap for Piccolo — and for longtime series fans

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