Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Synopsis

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is the 2022 theatrical film that made the daring creative choice to sideline Goku and Vegeta in favor of Gohan and Piccolo — a decision that paid off spectacularly, returning the franchise to its classic Earth-based roots. The Red Ribbon Army — the villainous organization that Goku dismantled as a child in the original Dragon Ball — has been rebuilt under the leadership of Dr. Hedo and the manipulative Magenta, who fund the creation of two advanced androids: Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, who genuinely believe they are heroes of justice fighting evil. When Gohan's daughter Pan is kidnapped and Piccolo infiltrates the Red Ribbon facility to investigate, the stakes escalate rapidly toward an existential threat requiring both teacher and student to push beyond their limits. The film is notable for being the first Dragon Ball theatrical film rendered almost entirely in 3D CGI animation — a bold artistic choice that divided fans initially but proved visually distinctive and well-suited to the more grounded, tactical nature of the combat. Super Hero delivers two of the most anticipated power-up moments in years: Gohan's Gohan Beast transformation, released in a moment of desperate protective fury, and Piccolo's Orange Piccolo form. Both are presented with genuine dramatic weight. The film also advances Piccolo's character meaningfully, showing that the once-villain has become the most genuinely nurturing parental figure in Gohan's life, a transformation as satisfying as any power escalation.