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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 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

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

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.

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.

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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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: New Saiyan Adventure Is a Surprising Fun Ride

'Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero' isn’t afraid to spend quiet time away from the battles with some fan favorites.

If you had or were a child during the late 90s and early 00s, you’re bound to have seen Son Goku and his super saiyan friends and family pop up on one of your screens. If you are or have been a fan, however, it’s possible that you are more than familiar not only with the colorful characters from the Akira Toriyama universe, but also with some of the overdone tropes of the anime series, which has been on the air for the better part of the last 30+ years. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is well aware of that legacy, and uses that mileage to its advantage. Fan or not, it’s safe to say you’ll have fun with it.

Based on the latest spin-off of the anime series, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero centers around Gohan enjoying some quiet time on Earth while his father Goku and friend Vegeta train hard on the distant planet of Beerus, along with Broly from the previous franchise entry Dragon Ball Super: Broly . But, of course, Gohan’s peace soon gets interrupted as the revived Red Ribbon Army works to build two powerful androids in order to take revenge on Son Goku and saiyans in general.

One of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero ’s greatest merits is the direct involvement of series creator Toriyama, who once again pens the script. Even though some die-hard fans might shout “this isn’t Dragon Ball !” at the new 3D version of their favorite characters, they’re all being handled by a writer who knows what he’s doing – and surely knows his characters a lot more than we do. So there isn’t a single moment throughout the movie where you go “Gohan woudn’t do that”, or “Vegeta isn’t like that.”

RELATED: 'Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero': A Guide to the Red Ribbon Army

In fact, Toriyama and director Tetsuro Kodama are so confident in their material that we get a long introduction with none of the characters we love, and it efficiently establishes the plot, making it clear what type of villains are featured in the story, and what sort of attitudes we should expect from them. This kind of subversion of expectation permeates the entire movie, and it’s the adventure’s best quality.

First, Toriyama understands that we don’t need to have absolute fan-favorites Goku and Vegeta front and center all the time, and they’re not always going to be around to save the world when a massive threat emerges — there might not even be time to warn them about it! This allows some room for other character arcs, which includes a full first act that’s almost completely dominated by Piccolo (and his sweet relationship with Gohan’s daughter Pan), who single-handedly moves the plot forward with incredible efficiency. Or, as a guy who's more than used to dealing with growing threats and has his own competent protocol to deal with them.

As the movie progresses, it throws curveballs when it comes to plot decisions, from how the main characters are featured in the story to the duo of villains—albeit lazily named villains, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2—are distinct enough to have their own personalities and provide some fun battles, as well as fun cameos and a bit of self-aware humor. One of the most famous criticisms of the Dragon Ball anime saga is the length of most of its battles, and not only those lengthy fights are practically non-existent in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero , they are cleverly nodded at as a group of people watch Goku and Vegeta fight.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is also clever in grounding its characters, despite the universe where they live in: You really feel for Gohan when he admits he has neglected his training because he's finally gotten a stretch of time to study. And, at a certain point, Vegeta calls Goku out for his fighting style and the errors that the super saiyan made during their last epic battle with Broly.

The fights, of course, are another high point of the movie. Fans of the franchise largely didn’t like the idea of switching the animation style, but (I know I’m alone when saying this) the 3D works perfectly for the fights, and makes them even more fast-paced and fun to watch. Not only that, the fights feature some interesting attention to detail: Notice, for example, how you can hear the somewhat discreet sound of metal being hit whenever Gamma 1 or Gamma 2 are in a fight.

The biggest problem of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is one that you’re probably familiar with if you watched even one arc of the anime series or one of the franchise’s twenty movies. When the battles start coming to an end, it all comes down to transformation and finding new strength, which has definitely been done countless times throughout Dragon Ball history. The movie even tries to dodge this trope by switching gears when it comes to its villains and what they can do when push comes to shove, but ultimately, you realize that it just took the scenic route to arrive at the same destination.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a fun movie that knows how to use its humor and has fun with the fights, but it’s very conscious that you need to care about those characters to enjoy the ride. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero isn’t afraid to let go of brainless action in favor of developing its own plot and spending quiet time with some fan favorites.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is in theaters now.

Den of Geek

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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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

‘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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“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.

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.

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 ,” 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’ sets u.s. theatrical release date.

The previous film in the hit anime franchise, 'Dragon Ball Super: Broly,' earned $30 million in North America and over $120 million worldwide.

By Patrick Brzeski

Patrick Brzeski

Asia Bureau Chief

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The U.S. summer box office is about to get an anime bump.

Sony’s Crunchyroll and Toei Animation revealed release details Tuesday for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero , the latest film in the blockbuster anime franchise. The film will open in North America on Aug. 19 in more than 2,300 theaters, including in select Imax cinemas. The first truly global theatrical release by Crunchyroll, Super Hero will also release in international markets throughout August and September, with Sony Pictures Entertainment partnering on the overseas rollout.

After decades of ups and downs in international popularity, Japanese anime has crossed over into the global mainstream in recent years, becoming a powerfully bankable genre in both cinemas and on streaming platforms.

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The previous film in the Dragon Ball Super franchise, 2018’s Dragon Ball Super: Broly was made for just $8.5 million but earned $30 million in North America and over $120 million worldwide. Other anime hits have put up big performances despite the challenges of the pandemic box office — the biggest among them: Aniplex’s Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train , the period fantasy anime that earned $48 million in North America, $365 million in Japan and $504 million worldwide.

Directed by Tetsuro Kodama and featuring an all-star Japanese voice cast, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was produced with the full participation of Dragon Ball’ s original creator Akira Toriyama, with the legendary manga creator involved in the development of the film’s original story, screenplay and character design. Toriyama’s original Dragon Ball manga debuted in Japan in 1984 and has gone on to sell an astonishing 260 million copies worldwide. The property has spawned scores of adaptations spanning TV animation, movies, games and merchandising.

The official synopsis of  Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero reads: “The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku. Individuals, who carry on its spirit, have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. These two Androids call themselves ‘Super Heroes.’ They start attacking Piccolo and Gohan … What is the New Red Ribbon Army’s objective? In the face of approaching danger, it is time to awaken, Super Hero!”

The film is being released in both subtitled and local-language dubbed versions.

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Dragon Ball Super: Broly

Where to watch.

Watch Dragon Ball Super: Broly with a subscription on Hulu, rent on Fandango at Home, or buy on Fandango at Home.

What to Know

Dragon Ball Super: Broly may seem like colorful chaos to newcomers, but for longtime fans, it represents this long-running franchise near its action-packed apogee.

Audience Reviews

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Tatsuya Nagamine

Vic Mignogna

Christopher Sabat

Jason Douglas

Sean Schemmel

Monica Rial

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Movie news & guides, this movie is featured in the following articles., critics reviews.

‘Dragon Ball Super' manga announces comeback plans after the death of Akira Toriyama

T he manga ‘Dragon Ball Super’ , which went into an indefinite hiatus after the recent death of its creator , Akira Toriyama , has just announced its return plans to reassure its fans. Thus, after weeks of silence from the publisher and speculation from its fans, the official website of ‘Dragon Ball’ has announced its official return to normality , although there is still no specific date for the publication of its next chapter; and with a handful of surprises !

‘Dragon Ball Super’ and its return to normality

Via the official ‘Dragon Ball’ website, the following message has been shared: “Until the Dragon Ball Super manga returns to start its new story , Jump will feature illustrations and commentary from Toyotaro , plus special features that’ll make reading the SUPER HERO arc even more fun! Part 1 of this special project focuses on the Red Ribbon Army ! From their members and machines to the androids they created, this is your chance to learn all about them in one spot!”

So, until the next return of ‘Dragon Ball Super’ to its usual publishing pace, Toyotaro will delight fans with new information and illustrations from the series, especially focusing on the Red Ribbon Army. Let’s not forget that recently, Toyotaro shared a special unpublished illustration of Dr. Gero’s dead son in his Red Ribbon outfit.

At the moment, however, we do not have a concrete date for the return of Dragon Ball Super in manga format, although it should not take much longer than a few months . However, at least we have an official announcement from those in charge, who continue to rely on Toyotaro to bring forward this unprecedented stage of Goku’s adventures, which spans the time between the end of the Majin Buu arc and the definitive end of Goku with Uub .

Follow the MeriStation USA on Twitter. Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more. Subscribe now!

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Dragonkeeper

The fate of ancient China rests on the shoulders of one young girl, who must find the last remaining dragon egg and fulfill her destiny. The fate of ancient China rests on the shoulders of one young girl, who must find the last remaining dragon egg and fulfill her destiny. The fate of ancient China rests on the shoulders of one young girl, who must find the last remaining dragon egg and fulfill her destiny.

• Jianping Li
• Salvador Simó
• Carole Wilkinson
• Pablo I. Castrillo
• Ignacio Ferreras
• Lucía Pérez
• Fernando Castro
• 6 Critic reviews
• 1 nomination

• (as César Díaz)
• Cara de rata
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RETRO REVIEW: Dragon Ball Episode 3, “The Nimbus Cloud Of Roshi,” Is Held Back By One Problematic Moment

Dragon Ball introduces one of its most unusual characters in its third episode, "The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi."

Follow along with CBR's official Dragon Ball Rewatch podcast , now on YouTube and Spotify !

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball continues to entertain and amaze its dedicated fans, but it’s particularly fascinating to revisit the franchise’s earliest adventures. The original Dragon Ball hit the ground running with Goku and Bulma’s incredible exploits, and there’s already a clear sense of development just three episodes in. Dragon Ball ’s first two episodes set the scene and developed its central characters, but Episode 3, “The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi,” is a major turning point that introduces one of the series’ most important characters.

Dragon Ball Episode 3 is still dense in broad comedy and absurd situations – especially where Pilaf and Bulma are concerned – yet a stronger emphasis on story helps connect Dragon Ball ’s disparate dots. “The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi” makes it feel as if all of this silliness is building to something big, and that there will be real danger if Goku and Bulma can’t collect the Dragon Balls before their impish antagonist.

Dragon Ball Rewatch Episode 3: The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi

Mother nature gives goku a piece of her mind, a bristly bear thief becomes an early obstacle for goku, retro review: dragon ball episode 2, "the emperor's quest," braces for bigger adventures.

Dragon Ball got a lot of mileage out of Goku taking on whatever Mother Nature threw at him, and “The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi” is no exception. Goku, once again, battles the elements in this weird, wild world rather than directly facing Pilaf or his minions. There’s slightly more panic and peril in this episode since the Bear Thief that Goku took on was decked out in tactical gear and battle armor. He’s not just some wild animal who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when Goku comes around. The Bear Thief brandishes a massive blade that’s bigger than Goku’s entire body. This results in some playful sword dodging that beautifully highlights Goku’s precise reflexes and natural martial arts skills, as well as his quirky, careless attitude. His life is in danger, and he nearly gets cleaved in half, yet Goku acts as if he’s in some playground game. On that note, this episode also features Dragon Ball ’s first use of “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” which becomes a recurring exercise for Goku .

Goku’s clash with the Bear Thief also becomes another worthwhile opportunity for Dragon Ball to showcase more heightened reactions from terrifying animals who are suddenly humbled by Goku’s unexpected strength. The Bear Thief is a genuine threat who wants to cause chaos and terrorize Skull Valley. He still comes across as a perfunctory enemy who amounts to less than nothing in the grand scheme of things, but he does demonstrate a sliding scale of danger in Dragon Ball's world. It’s only a matter of time until Goku is put in harm’s way by legitimately dangerous villains instead of an imposing monster whose bark is worse than his bite. And speaking of non-threats with delusions of grandeur, “The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi” also features plenty of Emperor Pilaf as he progressively reaches his breaking point.

Dragon Ball’s Villain Continues To Excel & Develop His Voice

Pilaf’s megalomania reaches new and disturbing heights, retro review: dragon ball z is still akira toriyama's magnum opus 35 years later.

Pilaf continues to function as Dragon Ball ’s secret weapon. There’s a gloriously ridiculous dream sequence where he imagines himself as the ruler of the world. This sequence dipped so far into broad fantasy in the best ways possible. Pilaf’s dream is beautifully animated, but this playful detour into the villain’s subconscious works as well as it does because it’s not afraid to go for broke and feature wild visuals. Case in point, Pilaf riding an elegant white horse as if he’s Prince Charming. Somehow, this isn’t even the most outrageous Pilaf moment in the episode.

There’s also a seriously unhinged moment where Pilaf threatens an alligator with a switchblade. It's the wildest thing to happen so far in Dragon Ball . It comes out of nowhere and is so intense, but also becomes a brilliant distillation of Pilaf’s wicked character . “The Emperor’s Quest” was rich in wild Pilaf-isms and “The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi” went even further in this regard. It’s so interesting to see how entertaining this villain can be and the rich personality that he puts forward. All this makes it genuinely disappointing that Pilaf eventually drops off of Dragon Ball ’s radar for so long and doesn’t become a permanent part of the franchise. He’s a true blast, and there’s a strong case to be made that he’s the series’ best character at this point.

A New Player Presents A Problematic Proposition

Dragon ball’s master roshi stands out for the right & wrong reasons, 10 times the original dragon ball went too far.

Picking up from the last episode’s conclusion, Goku and Bulma successfully return Turtle to the sea. Turtle is grateful for their help, and it’s not long before he returns with Master Roshi. Master Roshi's entrance is truly epic and he wastes no time in proving that he’s Dragon Ball ’s greatest oddball. Master Roshi is clearly designed to be an homage to the ornery and lecherous martial arts masters of yesteryear's kung-fu fiction, which is already quite the foil to Goku and Bulma’s younger demeanors.

Dragon Ball reveals another magical relic – the Flying Nimbus – which continues the series’ tradition of adding fantastical elements that further heighten its reality. Master Roshi explains that only purehearted individuals can ride upon the Flying Nimbus, which results in some fun gags when Bulma realizes that she doesn’t make the cut. It’s entertaining to see Bulma and Master Roshi falter in this area, but Goku’s ability to ride this special relic further hints at his heroic nature and growing potential. This will no doubt be a vital means of transportation for Goku, but it also solidifies that he’s truly a hero and not just some boy who’s out on an adventure. The acquisition of the Flying Nimbus would be enough to make this episode a success, but it’s not the only treasure in Master Roshi’s possession. Bulma clocks that he also has a Dragon Ball, and she’s determined to get a prize of her own. This leads to one of Dragon Ball's most infamous moments, and cemented Master Roshi as one of the anime's most problematic characters.

In brief, Master Roshi was a pervert whose antics had to be frequently censored and edited around during the anime’s original dubbed run. His inappropriate impulses were on full display in “The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi,” when he offers to give Bulma his Dragon Ball in exchange for a look at her underwear. This is already a controversial arrangement, but it reached immortal levels of notoriety due to an unfortunate “wardrobe malfunction” that’s seemingly slipped Bulma’s mind . The infamous flashing scene only gets worse in hindsight, especially considering Bulma’s age (she was around 16-years-old at the time) and the obsession that it triggers in Roshi for the rest of the franchise. Some Dragon Ball fanservice sequences are routinely mentioned among fans, but they're ultimately blown out of proportion. This one, however, is the exception to the rule. It deserves to be constantly discussed, and it remains one of the original Dragon Ball ’ s most iconic moments — albeit not necessarily for the right reasons.

A Busy Episode Sets The Stage For Future Fun

Goku and bulma move forward, while pilaf falls behind, 10 biggest changes from the original dragon ball to dragon ball z.

Goku and Bulma are now one step closer to their goal to collecting the Dragon Balls, which may or may not be worth the emotional damage that it caused, depending on who’s asked. During this enlightening and embarrassing interaction, Pilaf targeted Master Roshi’s Kame House to steal the gift that he just gave to the heroes, only to leave empty-handed. It’s surprising that Master Roshi and Pilaf actually encounter each other, rather than Master Roshi coming back home right after the villains left. There’s a very entertaining exchange between the two where neither wants to concede. Master Roshi has no fear or shame in this moment, especially since he’s already given away his Dragon Ball and has nothing to hide. Pilaf’s failure incites a powerful rage inside of him. This becomes even more chilling, considering that the audience knows that he almost skinned an alligator into a pair of boots earlier.

Pilaf is clearly growing more irate and unstable, and this is only Dragon Ball ’s third episode. It's a big, bold moment that's only topped by the tragically comical conclusion where Pilaf's boat springs a leak and sinks to the bottom of the ocean. Pilaf and his gang tapped into many different modes in Dragon Ball 's three episodes. However, at this point, it's clear that they're meant to be viewed as the Time Skeletons ( Time Bokan ) or Team Rocket ( Pokémon ) of the series . Basically, they’re lovable losers, even if they do pose a legitimate danger at times.

“The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi” is easily the best Dragon Ball episode at this point in the series. It’s still early on in Dragon Ball ’s run, but there’s endless personality in this entry. More importantly, it feels like this is the truest expression of what Toriyama has been going for up until this point. The episode excels when it comes to character development, pacing, its sense of humor, and plot progression. There’s not a wasted moment here, but the fact that Goku and Bulma also acquire the Three-Star Dragon Ball – which now gives them a grand total of three – is the icing on the cake. This episode is an extremely promising Dragon Ball chapter that set a new benchmark for what the series should be going for as it moves forward. It’s still an anime that’s more focused on absurdist comedy than suspenseful action or galactic world-building, but that’s not a problem when it’s able to stick the landing with such silly setpieces. It’s a shocking surprise that a lecherous, old martial arts hermit is evidently the missing ingredient who made the Dragon Ball recipe a success.

Dragon Ball is now streaming on Crunchyroll.

Dragon Ball Episode 3, "The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi"

Son Gokû, a fighter with a monkey tail, goes on a quest with an assortment of odd characters in search of the Dragon Balls, a set of crystals that can give its bearer anything they desire.

• This is easily the series? best episode so far, due to its excellent character work, tight pacing, and ludicrous Pilaf sequences.
• It finally feels like Dragon Ball finds the right rhythm and atmosphere for its broad gag comedy and battle shonen storytelling.
• There?s a strong sense of story progression as Goku and Bulma acquire another Dragon Ball.
• Master Roshi, while a significant character, is an acquired taste.
• Bulma?s infamous ?flashing scene? is inherently problematic and sets a worrisome precedent with the character.

Screen Rant

Akira toriyama's unmade dream project proves he was more forward thinking than some think.

If Dragon Ball’s Akira Toriyama had been given the opportunity to run his own anime production, he would have crafted a story unlike any he told.

• Toriyama's interest in animation goes beyond Dragon Ball, as he revealed his desire to create an anime for all ages and audiences.
• COWA! (1997-1998) and Sand Land (2000) showcase Toriyama's attempt to craft stories that appeal to a wide range of audiences.
• Despite his success with Dragon Ball, Toriyama sought to create works that emphasize friendship, trust, and universal themes of good vs evil.

Over the years, Akira Toriyama has endeavored to give the Dragon Ball fandom insight, understanding, and perspectives on the story, its characters, and himself, that are not readily found in the manga. In an October 1995 interview, the last of his "Super Interview" series, which was translated and posted to Kanzenshuu , Toriyama - among other topics - discusses his interest in and fascination with animation.

When a manga, like Dragon Ball , reaches a certain level of success and popularity, one of the next steps in its evolution is an anime adaptation. However, while the story is the same, since manga and anime are completely different mediums, the original manga creator rarely heads and is sometimes completely uninvolved in, the anime productions. But, as Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama revealed, this doesn't mean that the original manga creator is not interested in the adaptation or, more importantly, not interested in anime in general.

In the interview, Toriyama stated that while his role in the Dragon Ball anime series was largely relegated to the role of advisor, he did, on occasions, have some direct input into the production, such as being tabbed to design several characters, including Bojack and Brol. Even more interesting in his conversation, however, were his thoughts on anime in general.

How Akira Toriyama's Art Style Revolutionized The Manga Industry

Toriyama wanted to make the ultimate crowd-pleasing anime.

Referring to a previous Kanzenshuu Super Interview , where he spoke about the unlimited possibilities that animation gives to an artist to create, Toriyama admitted to wanting to do an original anime story that everyone could enjoy.

I think “a work that young and old, boy and girl alike can enjoy would be nice”. - Akira Toriyama

Coming from the creator of a legendary manga that caters to teenage boys and young men, and is published in a magazine - Shōnen Jump - whose title literally refers to its target audience as adolescent boys, Toriyama's answer is quite surprising. It certainly raises eyebrows to see the master of a "macho" martial arts and battle manga like Dragon Ball wanting to produce an anime that caters to a wide range of audiences.

On the other hand, and more importantly, Toriyama's interest in making an anime for all audiences is also quite telling of his mindset towards the manga and anime industries at the time. It reveals and highlights Toriyama's very forward-thinking and progressive attitude - a refreshing contrast to the traditionally conservative Japanese shōnen manga and anime industry.

After Dragon Ball, Did Toriyama Finally Get The Anime He Wanted?

Also, if possible, if I do a comic myself first before it becomes animation, I’d like to make it so that it’s easy to convey the work’s feeling when it’s animated. By drawing it myself, I’d be able to tell whether it’s enjoyable or not; a one-shot would be fine, so I’d like to draw it. - Akira Toriyama

This is not to say that Toriyama was not up to the task of bringing his vision to life. In fact, in two works he completed after the conclusion of Dragon Ball in 1995, and then after the debut of Dragon Ball Super in 2015, Toriyama comes as close as possible to crafting a story that everyone can enjoy. He also had that personal input that he believed would allow him to get the right feel for the story.

The first is COWA! (1997-1998). The series follows the adventures of three monsters and a human on a quest to obtain a cure for a sickness that is decimating the monsters living in the village near a human city. The second, and more well-known work is Sand Land , which was originally published in 2000, and most recently adapted into an anime for Disney in 2024. Sand Land follows three characters from a perpetually drought-stricken village in their quest to find a new source of water and freedom from the King, whose hoarding of water has done untold damage to the village and its inhabitants.

Both series tell classic "hero's journey" stories that emphasize the friendship, trust, and camaraderie that develops between the team during the quest. Both also include those universal themes of good versus evil, courage, growth, transformation, and empowerment that - as Dragon Ball 's Toriyama wanted - appeal to audiences across ages, genders, and cultures.

Sources: Kanzenshuu ( 1 ), ( 2 )

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.