Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero shifts the spotlight away from Goku and Vegeta, placing Gohan and Piccolo center stage against a resurgent Red Ribbon Army. Released in 2022 and written by creator Akira Toriyama, the film breaks franchise traditions by prioritizing secondary characters and embracing full 3D computer-generated animation.
Understanding the core narrative requires looking at how the film revitalizes classic lore, introduces major power transformations, and resolves long-standing character arcs for Earth's defenders.
The Resurgence of the Red Ribbon Army
The plot kicks off when Magenta, the CEO of Red Pharmaceuticals and son of Commander Red, decides to resurrect the defunct Red Ribbon Army. Recognizing that brute force alone won't work against beings like Goku, Magenta recruits Dr. Hedo, a brilliant scientist and the grandson of the infamous Dr. Gero.
Dr. Hedo creates new, highly advanced androids named Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. Convinced by Magenta's manipulation that Capsule Corporation represents an alien threat to Earth, the Gammas view themselves as true superheroes. They target Piccolo and Gohan, setting off a chain reaction that forces both heroes past their previous limits.
Breaking Down the New Transformations
Power scaling reaches a fascinating turning point in this film, as both Piccolo and Gohan receive long-overdue power boosts that elevate them back into the upper tier of fighters.
Orange Piccolo
Frustrated by his inability to match the new android threats, Piccolo turns to Dende to squeeze extra potential out of his body, similar to Elder Guru's ritual on Namek. When Shenron grants the wish, he adds a "little extra" bonus. This transforms Piccolo into Orange Piccolo, a hulking form with deep orange skin, prominent brow ridges, and massively increased physical strength and durability. This form allows Piccolo to effortlessly shrug off attacks from Gamma 2 and hold his ground when traditional tactics fail.
Gohan Beast
Gohan's evolution marks the emotional climax of the film. For years, fans debated whether Gohan had neglected his training for academic pursuits. When Piccolo stages a plot to kidnap Pan and force Gohan into a corner, the ensuing battle pushes Gohan past his ultimate form. Witnessing what he believes is the death of Piccolo triggers a latent rage reminiscent of his awakening against Cell during the Android Saga.
The resulting transformation—dubbed Gohan Beast—features stark white hair, glowing red irises, jagged facial features, and an immense aura of concentrated ki. This form grants him the raw power needed to tear through the ultimate creation, Cell Max.
CGI Animation and Directional Shift
Directed by Tetsuro Kodama, the film represents a major technical departure for Toei Animation. Moving away from traditional 2D hand-drawn animation, the production relies heavily on 3D cel-shaded CGI.
While initial trailers sparked debate among purists, the final product uses dynamic camera angles and fluid choreography that make high-speed martial arts sequences pop. Action scenes feel kinetic and spatial, particularly during the multi-layered clashes inside the Red Ribbon base.
For more details on production and international distribution, check out the official Crunchyroll platform or read the comprehensive background on Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero fit in the timeline?
The movie takes place shortly before the final chapters of the original manga (often referred to as the "End of Z" arc). Pan is three years old during the events of the film, making her slightly younger than she is when she appears at the World Martial Arts Tournament in the original series finale.
Is Goku missing from the entire movie?
No, but he plays a minor role. Goku spends the majority of the runtime training off-world on Beerus' planet alongside Vegeta and Broly, completely unaware of the chaos unfolding on Earth until the very end.
How does Cell Max differ from the original Cell?
Cell Max is an incomplete, berserk prototype engineered by Dr. Hedo based on Dr. Gero's original blueprints. Unlike the original Perfect Cell, Cell Max lacks intelligence, speech, and tactical finesse, acting purely as a giant, mindless engine of destruction.
Who wrote and designed the characters for the movie?
Akira Toriyama wrote the screenplay, handled the dialogue, and designed several key characters, making this project one of his direct contributions to the franchise before his passing.
