Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Lore & Background

The film received positive reviews for its nostalgia, characterization, fan service, action sequences, and humor. It grossed ¥13.8 billion worldwide, becoming the second-highest grossing Dragon Ball film to date. A novelization by Masatoshi Kusakabe was released on June 14, 2022. In a post-credits scene, Vegeta defeats Goku in a sparring match on Beerus' planet.

Reader's Guide

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero marks a significant shift in the Dragon Ball franchise by centering on Piccolo and Gohan rather than Goku and Vegeta, and by being the first film produced largely in CGI. It is notable as the final Dragon Ball film supervised by Akira Toriyama before his death. The film's success at the box office, becoming the second-highest grossing Dragon Ball film, demonstrates the enduring popularity of the franchise. The introduction of new forms—Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo—expanded the series' lore. The film also revived the Red Ribbon Army as antagonists, tying back to the original series. Its release was delayed by a cyberattack on Toei, highlighting vulnerabilities in the animation industry. The film's international distribution by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment marked a change from previous 20th Century Studios involvement.

Did You Know?

• The film was originally scheduled for release on April 22, 2022, but was delayed to June 11 due to a ransomware attack on Toei Animation.
• It is the first Dragon Ball film to be produced mainly using CGI animation.
• The film introduces two new transformations: Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo.
• Gamma 2 sacrifices himself in an attempt to kill Cell Max, but only destroys its left arm.