Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Years after his father is defeated by an adolescent Gokuu Son, Magenta seeks revenge against Gokuu's family and allies. In his quest to resurrect the defunct Red Ribbon Army, Magenta drafts the services of Dr. Hedo, grandson of the evil legendary scientist Dr. Gero. Hedo embarks to invent a new line of superheroic androids to eliminate Gokuu after Magenta manipulates him into believing that Earth's most powerful heroes are actually alien villains.

While Gokuu and Vegeta train offworld, the alien Piccolo mentors Pan, Gokuu's toddler granddaughter, in the same way he once trained Gohan Son, her father. Gohan himself has forsaken his warrior lineage in order to pursue an academic career. Both Piccolo and Gohan must leap into action when their quiet lives are interrupted by the arrival of Gamma 1-gou and Gamma 2-gou—Hedo's new android creations.

While the Gamma androids believe they are fighting for justice, a more sinister project incubates beneath the Red Ribbon headquarters. Gohan and Piccolo take drastic actions to protect Pan and defend the planet against a new robotic menace.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Son, Gohan Main

Nozawa, Masako Japanese

Piccolo Main

Furukawa, Toshio Japanese

Gamma 2-gou Main

Miyano, Mamoru Japanese

Gamma 1-gou Main

Kamiya, Hiroshi Japanese

Son, Gokuu Supporting

Nozawa, Masako Japanese

Vegeta Supporting

Horikawa, Ryo Japanese

Broly Supporting

Shimada, Bin Japanese

Trunks Supporting

Kusao, Takeshi Japanese

Bulma Supporting

Hisakawa, Aya Japanese

Kuririn Supporting

Tanaka, Mayumi Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Hayashida, Norihiro Producer

Herek, Samantha Assistant Producer

Kodama, Tetsurou Director

Reviews

Nov 19, 2024

Adnash

Recommended

I remember that after seeing the first trailer for this movie, I was genuinely worried about its visuals. The CGI didn't impress me. The next clip, released some time later, looked better, but I was still unsure if CGI was the right choice for a movie belonging to the Dragon Ball franchise, especially after such marvelous spectacle that the Broly movie was. It was quite intriguing and worrysome to hear that the next Dragon Ball movie wouldn't be made in a 2D technique, but would be a CGI movie instead.

Well, it appears that, at least for the Super Hero movie, CGI turned out better than ... good. It looked simply awesome and offered detailed models, smooth animation, a good color palette, and stunning special effects (including those you can see when characters are powering up). I can understand that it might take a while to get used to it (longer or shorter, depending on a viewer's tolerance towards CGI), but at least in my case, it didn't take long to get used to it and stop noticing it, as if the movie was done in the same way as all the previous Dragon Ball movies.

The story focuses on Gohan and Piccolo, offering a refreshing change from the usual Goku and Vegeta-centric narratives. It was a pleasure to see a movie dedicated to other beloved characters, especially those that many fans (including me) have wished to see in the spotlight.
Super Hero's first half might feel a bit slow at times, but such pacing is understandable, given the need to introduce new characters and establish their motivations or goals. While a more dynamic approach wouldn't have hurt, of course, the slower pace was appropriate for setting up the main plotline.

While in general I don't consider this movie superior to the one about Broly, I admit that in terms of soundtrack it's on a slightly higher level. Not that much better, but I could memorize more tracks from it than from the Broly movie, including the main theme. They also felt more fitting to the general vibe offered by Super Hero. Hearing all the effects amplified by speakers at the cinema was simply a fantastic experience.

In terms of fighting choreography, the element that's very important when talking about anything related to this franchise, Super Hero might be the best Dragon Ball movie ever created. The action scenes were filled with intricate details and complexity, whether it was hand-to-hand combat or ki attacks. The well-directed fights, set against beautiful landscapes, were surely a visual treat for one's eyes.

Definitely, Super Hero is worth watching, and I'm saying it as a person who was not initially hyped. With its blend of humor, action, stunning visuals, and a great soundtrack, it's sure to entertain Dragon Ball fans of all kinds. I had fun both while watching it for the first time in the theater and re-watching it at home some months later.

Note: I originally reviewed this movie on September 13, 2022. However, after re-reading it two years later, I decided to make several improvements. As a result, I deleted the old review and submitted this revised version. I consider the new version way better than the old one.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Oct 11, 2024

AlHaixen

Mixed Feelings

i used to say " you can never fuck up Dragon ball that bad cuz the core still that good you could build upon it" super as awhole proved me wrong and this movie stomped on my nuts and slapped my cheeks goodbye nothing feels right and i hate about everything pretty much about it but the things i liked shoked me that they couldnt make them better ???? toei is a disgrace to this industry, hope Wit or someone else take the wheel in managment, honestly the only thing that i really enjoyed about this movie was the opening scene with original DB remade ... with beutiful animation that they really shoulg make a reality and drop super for good

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Jan 2, 2025

logic340

Not Recommended

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero attempts to revisit the nostalgic charm of the Dragon Ball franchise while exploring new territory. Unfortunately, the result is a disjointed, shallow experience that feels more like a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the series. From a paper-thin plot to disappointing character development, this movie struggles to stand out, even within its own universe.

Plot: 4/10
The plot is undeniably paper-thin and riddled with cheesy tropes that do little to add depth or intrigue. The resurrection of the Red Ribbon Army feels like a recycled idea with no innovation or fresh perspective. Their grand scheme, involving the creation of Gamma ... 1 and Gamma 2 as supposed "superheroes," leans heavily into silliness and undermines the stakes. The narrative spends an excessive amount of time rehashing past events, from the Red Ribbon Army's history to Gohan’s latent potential. This reliance on exposition creates an almost insulting feeling for long-time fans, as it assumes viewers need their hands held through decades-old storylines. It’s less a cohesive story and more a collection of loosely connected ideas intended to evoke nostalgia. The movie’s pacing is also inconsistent. Key emotional moments are glossed over, while trivial scenes are dragged out, creating an uneven experience. The climactic battle lacks the tension and emotional gravity of previous Dragon Ball finales, and the resolution feels rushed and unearned.

Characters: 4/10
The characters are where this movie falters most significantly. While Dragon Ball has always relied on archetypal personalities, the characters in Super Hero feel flat, forced, and underdeveloped. Piccolo takes center stage in a mentor and strategist role, which initially feels promising. However, his arc lacks depth, as the movie focuses more on comedic elements—like his attempts to blend in at Pan’s preschool—than meaningful character growth. Gohan, once a fan-favorite for his compelling journey from timid child to powerful warrior, feels like a shadow of his former self. While the story teases his return to greatness, the execution is underwhelming. His transformation feels less like a natural progression and more like fanservice, with little emotional buildup to make it satisfying.

The new characters, including Gamma 1, Gamma 2, Magenta, and Dr. Hedo, fall flat. Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 are intended to be noble but misguided, yet their over-the-top personalities and lack of backstory make them hard to take seriously. Magenta is a cartoonish caricature of a villain with no real menace or complexity. Dr. Hedo is even worse, as his one-dimensional motivations and quirky personality fail to make him a compelling antagonist. Fan-favorite characters like Vegeta, Bulma, and Goten and Trunks are sidelined or reduced to comedic relief, diminishing their impact. The movie’s focus on spectacle over substance prevents any character from truly shining, leaving both new and old faces feeling hollow.

Animation: 5/10
The switch to 3D/CG animation was a bold choice, but it doesn’t pay off. The character models lack the expressiveness and fluidity that defined the franchise’s earlier animation. Movements often appear stiff, and the 3D style fails to capture the dynamic energy of Dragon Ball’s iconic battles. While the fight choreography is a notable improvement compared to some recent entries, the overall visual style feels generic and uninspired. The once-vibrant world of Dragon Ball is reduced to sterile, lifeless environments, further detracting from the experience.

Sound: 7/10
The sound design is serviceable but unremarkable. While the familiar sound effects from Dragon Ball Z are a welcome callback, the soundtrack fails to leave a lasting impression. The OST lacks standout tracks, and the background music often fades into the scenery instead of enhancing the atmosphere. The voice acting is a saving grace, with seasoned cast members delivering solid performances despite a script filled with cringe-worthy dialogue. Unfortunately, even their efforts can’t elevate the lackluster material they’re working with.

Enjoyment: 4/10
The movie’s nostalgic elements and moments of humor might appeal to newer audiences or die-hard fans willing to overlook its flaws. However, for long-time viewers, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a frustrating experience. The over-reliance on rehashed ideas, the lack of meaningful stakes, and the shallow character development make it difficult to stay engaged. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a disassociating entry in the franchise, one that feels disconnected from the heart and soul of Dragon Ball. The movie’s thin plot, underwhelming characters, and polarizing animation style make it feel like a hollow cash grab, banking on the nostalgia of its fanbase rather than delivering a story worth remembering.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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	Poll: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) deg - Jun 13, 2022	145 replies	by Chris_Pirtle »» Mar 29, 4:28 PM
	Dragon Ball is creatively bankrupt -Hermit- - Oct 22, 2022	35 replies	by -Hermit- »» Feb 22, 7:57 PM
	Pan is the redeemer of this film, and all I want is a new gen Dragon Ball adventure starring her. middle_pickup - Dec 29, 2023	9 replies	by middle_pickup »» Dec 30, 2023 4:59 PM
	Thoughts on the cgi? TASM18 - Dec 25, 2022	23 replies	by middle_pickup »» Dec 28, 2023 7:06 PM
	Available on Prime Video JohanJ04 - Dec 2, 2023	0 replies	by JohanJ04 »» Dec 2, 2023 2:26 PM