IMAX Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

IMAX Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
93%55 reviews

All reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

(It's) chock-full of popcorn nostalgia and fan favourite characters and villains and power moves exactly like what any fan of the long-running saga is looking for.

Full review

Super Hero is familiarity on top of familiarity, but with slight tweaks in perspective and style.

Full review

For this critic, who has been following Dragon Ball diligently since his teenage years, the fan service only added to the esoteric charm.

Full review

A must-see for fans that salutes one of the series’ best relationships, but newcomers... might want to check out some of the TV series first.

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Fan or not, it’s safe to say you’ll have fun with it.

Full review

If... you can relax and just let it wash over you, Super Hero’s eye candy animation is mesmeric.

Full review

The plot is held together with minced Senzu beans, but for a feature-length fight scene intercut with some hearty chuckles, it’s quite effective.

Full review

The film, while nothing groundbreaking, mostly finds a sweet spot between fan service and narrative heft.

Full review

Though it takes time to warm up, the occasional hiccups in pacing and any qualms with the new style melt away pretty quickly.

Full review

IMAX Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

IMAX Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

IMAX Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is now playing in 9 cinemas in Australia.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Japanese: ドラゴンボー超(スーパー)スーパーヒーロー, Hepburn: Doragon Bōru Sūpā Sūpā Hīrō) is a 2022 Japanese computer-animated martial arts fantasy/adventure film, directed by Tetsuro Kodama, produced by Toei Animation and written by Dragon Ball series creator Akira Toriyama. It is the twenty-first Dragon Ball feature film overall, the fourth produced with Toriyama's direct involvement, the second to carry the Dragon Ball Super branding, and the first to be produced mainly using 3D animation.[4][5] The film follows Piccolo and his former student Gohan as they go on a mission to save the world from the newly reformed Red Ribbon Army.

IMAX Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Theatrical release poster

Directed byTetsuro KodamaScreenplay byAkira ToriyamaBased onDragon Ball
by Akira ToriyamaProduced byNorihiro HayashidaStarring

  • Masako Nozawa
  • Toshio Furukawa
  • Ryō Horikawa
  • Yūko Minaguchi
  • Mayumi Tanaka
  • Aya Hisakawa
  • Bin Shimada
  • Hiroshi Kamiya
  • Mamoru Miyano
  • Miyu Irino

Music byNaoki Satō

Production
company

Toei Animation

Distributed byToei Company

Release date

  • June 11, 2022 (2022-06-11) (Japan)

Running time

99 minutes[1]CountryJapanLanguageJapaneseBox office¥2.49 billion (Japan)
$87.3 million (Worldwide)[2][3]

The film is the first to introduce a reiteration of Cell after the original Cell Saga. It was originally set for release in Japan on April 22, 2022, but was instead released on June 11 due to a cyberattack at Toei Animation.[6][7][8] It received positive reviews from critics, with praise for the nostalgia, character development, fan service, animation, story, humor, and relationship between Gohan and Piccolo, with many critics deeming it superior to its predecessor Broly.[9] The film grossed over $87 million worldwide, becoming the second-highest grossing Dragon Ball film to date.

Magenta, CEO of Red Pharmaceuticals, seeks to revive the Red Ribbon Army that his father Commander Red led and was ultimately destroyed by Goku. Magenta and his assistant Staff Officer Carmine seek to recruit Dr. Gero's surviving grandson Dr. Hedo, a superhero-obsessed mad scientist who was released from jail after serving a grave robbing sentence. Hedo accepts the offer despite his initial reservations after Magenta convinces him that Capsule Corp and the Z-Fighters are evil organizations. While Goku and Vegeta are training under Whis on Beerus' planet alongside Broly, who is being taught to control his power, Piccolo is annoyed over Gohan wasting his potential while training the latter's daughter Pan. Piccolo is then attacked by a Red Ribbon android named Gamma 2, but manages to elude the android by faking his death and follows him to the Red Ribbon Army's base.

Piccolo disguises himself as a Red Ribbon soldier to infiltrate a Red Ribbon meeting, learning that Gamma 2 was created by Hedo along with Gamma 1 as superheroes to deal with the Z-Fighters and that Hedo reluctantly used his grandfather's schematics on Cell to create an improved version, known as Cell Max. Piccolo informs Bulma of the situation and asks her to contact Goku and Vegeta, while convincing Dende to upgrade the Dragon Balls so he can use a wish from Shenron to unlock his full potential. After completing the wish while learning that Bulma has been unable to contact Whis, Piccolo learns of Magenta's scheme to kidnap Pan to force Gohan to face them. Piccolo volunteers himself for the kidnapping party and talks Pan into playing along. Enraged upon learning of his daughter's "abduction," Gohan reawakens his Super Saiyan form, launches a full-scale assault on the Red Ribbon base and fights Gamma 1. Gohan powers up to his "Ultimate" form during his fight with Gamma 1 while Piccolo discards his disguise to face Gamma 2, with his full potential manifesting in a new form dubbed "Orange Piccolo." Piccolo manages to convince Gamma 2 that Magenta was lying about the Z Fighters, and the Gammas have a change of heart. Carmine is knocked out by Pan after attempting to kill her, while Magenta runs off to prematurely activate Cell Max.

Hedo kills Magenta but is unable to stop Cell Max's activation. Cell Max emerges as a giant, rampaging monster, while Bulma arrives with Goten, Trunks, Android 18 and Krillin as reinforcements. Gohan, Piccolo, the Gammas, and the other fighters battle Cell Max. Goten and Trunks try to fuse into Gotenks, but their fusion technique is imperfect; however, Gotenks does manage to crack Cell Max's skull, revealing that he does not have a regeneration ability like the original Cell. Gamma 2 sacrifices himself in an attempt to kill Cell Max, but only succeeds in destroying Cell Max's left arm. Piccolo battles Cell Max by combining his "Orange Piccolo" and "Great Namekian" forms but is overwhelmed and brutally beaten. This causes Gohan's inner rage to erupt, and he transforms into a new "Beast" form. Piccolo restrains Cell Max while Gohan charges up a Special Beam Cannon, which pierces through Cell Max's head and kills him. With the battle over, Gohan is reunited with Pan, while a repentant Hedo and Gamma 1 are given positions in the Capsule Corporation.

In a post-credits scene, Vegeta and Goku reach the end of a lengthy sparring match in which they have both used up all of their energy and are completely exhausted. Vegeta lands the match's final blow and Goku collapses first, prompting a delighted Vegeta to celebrate his victory. Whis finally discovers Bulma's earlier message, while Broly and Lemo are awestruck by the sparring match, much to Cheelai's irritation.

Character Japanese English[10]
Gohan Masako Nozawa Kyle Hebert
Goku Sean Schemmel
Goten Robert McCollum
Piccolo Toshio Furukawa Christopher Sabat
Vegeta Ryō Horikawa
Gamma 1
(ガンマ1号, Ganma Ichigō)
Hiroshi Kamiya Aleks Le
Gamma 2
(ガンマ2号, Ganma Nigō)
Mamoru Miyano Zeno Robinson
Dr. Hedo
(ドクター・ヘド, Dokutā Hedo)
Miyu Irino Zach Aguilar
Magenta
(マゼンタ, Mazenta)
Volcano Ōta Charles Martinet
Carmine
(カーマイン, Kāmain)
Ryōta Takeuchi Jason Marnocha
Trunks Takeshi Kusao Eric Vale
Android 18 Miki Itō Meredith McCoy
Broly Bin Shimada Johnny Yong Bosch
Kuririn Mayumi Tanaka Krillin
Sonny Strait
Yajirobe Mike McFarland
Pan Yūko Minaguchi Jeannie Tirado
Videl Kara Edwards
Bulma Aya Hisakawa Monica Rial
Karin Ken Uo Korin
Christopher Sabat
Dende Aya Hirano Justin Cook
Shenlong Ryūzaburō Ōtomo Shenron
Christopher Sabat
Beerus Kōichi Yamadera Jason Douglas
Whis Masakazu Morita Ian Sinclair
Cheelai Nana Mizuki Erica Lindbeck
Lemo Tomokazu Sugita Bruce Carey
Cell Max Norio Wakamoto Dameon Clarke
Fat Gotenks Masako Nozawa
Takeshi Kusao
Robert McCollum
Eric Vale

Production of Super Hero began before the release of Dragon Ball Super: Broly.[11] It is the first film in the franchise to be produced largely in CGI,[4][12] and the fourth to have heavy involvement from series creator Akira Toriyama, who provided the original concept and character designs. The use of CGI visuals was a decision made by Kodama, who is experienced with using them.[13]

To differentiate the movie from prior films, Piccolo and Gohan were made protagonists (as opposed to Goku and Vegeta) and the Red Ribbon Army were brought back as villains. Toriyama personally designed the characters of the Red Ribbon Army, as well as their vehicles. Kodama explained the narrative would further explore human drama, most notably the idea of Gohan being a warrior and a scholar at the same time.[13] Toriyama said that he wanted the plot to focus on the Gohan-Piccolo relationship, given Piccolo motivates Gohan to fight even more than his father, Goku.[14]

The film introduces new transformations for Gohan and Piccolo. Gohan Beast (孫 悟飯・ビースト, Son Gohan Bīsuto), a form unique to Gohan, is based on the awakening of his powers ("the wild beast", per Toriyama) as a boy. Toriyama attempted to draw Gohan Beast with a "scary face", but finding this did not fit his character, gave him upturned hair as well.[15] Orange Piccolo (オレンジ・ピッコロ, Orenji Pikkoro), which Toriyama considers Piccolo's first transformation, was made orange and extremely muscled to distinguish him from Piccolo's regular form.[16]

Hiroshi Kamiya and Mamoru Miyano voice the androids Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. Miyu Irino voices their creator, Dr. Hedo. Kamiya was surprised by his casting, as he was a fan of Miyano, and also because the two would be a duo of villains. Despite the similarities of both androids, Kamiya looked forward to potential differences in their personalities, as it would bring an element of surprise to the narrative.[17]

A sequel to Dragon Ball Super: Broly was officially announced on May 9, 2021.[18] At 2021's San Diego Comic-Con, a short clip of Goku with the film's logo was shown, revealing its title as Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.[11] Character designs for Piccolo, Pan, Krillin, Gamma 1, and Gamma 2 were also shown, as well as the design of Piccolo's home.[19][20] The first trailer was released on October 7, 2021. The Japanese release date was announced with a new trailer at Jump Festa 2022.[5][21]

Novelization

A novelization of the film written by Masatoshi Kusakabe was released on June 14, 2022. In its first week, it sold 3,946 copies, making it the 9th best-selling light novel in Japan.[22][23] As of June 26, it had sold 10,365 copies, the 10th-most that month.[24]

The film was originally scheduled to be released in Japan on April 22, 2022, but it was postponed to June 11 after Toei Animation was affected by ransomware.[7] The film was released in IMAX, 4DX, Dolby Cinema, and MX4D.[25][6][8]

Distribution

The film is distributed in Japan by Toei Company.[26] In addition, due to the influence of Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, 20th Century Studios (formerly known as 20th Century Fox) will no longer participate in the distribution cooperation of this work as their Japanese division was dissolved on September 1, 2020, so this film will become the first part of the series to be completely independent by Toei itself since Dragon Ball: The Path to Power (1996).[26]

Crunchyroll is distributing the film outside Japan with Sony Pictures Entertainment, except in North America, where they will release it on their own.[8][27] It was released in theaters worldwide in August and September 2022.[27] This will be the first Dragon Ball film distributed under the Crunchyroll brand after Sony Pictures acquired Crunchyroll in 2021 and merged it with Funimation.[28]

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero topped the Japanese box office on its debut weekend, selling about 498,000 tickets and earning around ¥670 million (about $4.98 million).[29] In its second weekend, the film's gross dropped 55% to ¥300 million (about $2.2 million), placing it second behind Top Gun: Maverick.[30][31] After 12 days of release, the film had sold over 1 million tickets.[32] In its third weekend, the film remained in second place, earning about ¥232 million (about $1.71 million) from 166,000 tickets. It had cumulatively sold 1.21 million tickets and earned about ¥1.64 billion (about $12.11 million).[33][34][35][36]

In its fourth weekend of release, Super Hero dropped to fourth place at the box office, earning about ¥155 million (about $1.13 million).[37] In its fifth weekend, the film surpassed the ¥2 billion yen ($15.04 million) mark, although it also dropped to fifth place with earnings of ¥121 million (about $879,900).[38][39][40] In its sixth weekend, Super Hero dropped to sixth place, earning about ¥72.4 million (about $523,900).[41][42] In the film's seventh weekend in theatres, it earned about ¥44.3 million (about $324,600), dropping to 8th place.[43][44]

Cumulatively, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero has earned ¥2.3 billion (about US$17.03 million), surpassing The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie to become the fourth-highest grossing Japanese anime film of 2022.[37][45][44][43]

Other territories

In the United States and Canada, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was released alongside Beast, and was initially projected to gross $13–15 million from 3,130 theaters in its opening weekend.[46] After making $10.74 million on its first day, including $4.3 million from Thursday night previews, estimates were raised to $21–23 million. It went on to debut at $21 million, topping the box office.[47] In its second weekend, the film dropped 78% to $4.7 million, finishing fifth.[48]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 55 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's consensus reads, "Blending beautifully animated action with fresh character development, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is everything fans of the franchise will be looking for."[49] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 65 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[50] American audiences polled by PostTrak gave the film an 85% overall positive score, with 75% saying they would definitely recommend it, while Japanese audiences on Filmarks, the Japanese survey firm, gave Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero a ranking of 4.0 out of 5.0.[51][52][53]

Richard Eisenbeis of Anime News Network gave Super Hero a B−. He noted its extensive callbacks to prior Dragon Ball moments and appreciated its exploration of Piccolo, who he considers a neglected character. He also praised the film's animation. However, Eisenbeis criticized Cell Max for being a lackluster villain.[54] Cezary Jan Strusiewicz of Polygon described the movie as nostalgic, remarking on its accessibility to casual fans and people who have never watched Dragon Ball before. Unlike Eiseinbeis, Strusiewicz disliked the animation, which he found to be unusual for the series.[55]

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  3. ^ Megan Peters (12 September 2022). "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Crosses $85 Million at Box Office". ComicBook.com. ViacomCBS. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  4. ^ a b Raymond, Nicholas (November 9, 2021). "Dragon Ball Super: Why Super Hero's Animation Style Is So Divisive". ScreenRant.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Cao, Caroline (October 7, 2021). "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero shows off long-awaited trailer". Polygon.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Loo, Egan (March 18, 2022). "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Film Delayed Due to Toei Animation Hack". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Result of Investigation of Unauthorized Network Access". Toei Animation. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Harding, Daryl (2022-05-20). "Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO's Japanese Release Battles Its Way Onto IMAX, 4DX". Crunchyroll.com. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  9. ^ "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
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  11. ^ a b "Dragon Ball Special Panel | Comic-Con@Home 2021". Retrieved July 23, 2021 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ Raymond, Nicholas (October 17, 2021). "What Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero's Human Villains Mean For The Movie". ScreenRant.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Brogan, Joseph. "Dragon Ball Super: Super Heroes interview confirms Gohan and Piccolo as main characters". SportsKeeda.com. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  14. ^ Gupta, Abheet (28 May 2022). "Dragon Ball Super: Gohan Is The Strongest, Says Akira Toriyama". High on Cinemaa. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  15. ^ "Herms' translation of Toriyama's comment". Twitter. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Herms' translation of Toriyama's comment". Twitter. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Interview with the Voice of Gamma 1 from Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO, Hiroshi Kamiya!". Dragon Ball Official. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  18. ^ "A big announcement! New "Dragon Ball Super" movie is planned for 2022! Take a look at author Akira Toriyama's comment!". Dragon-ball-official. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  19. ^ Harrison, Will (July 23, 2021). "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero character concepts revealed at SDCC 2021". Polygon.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  20. ^ Peters, Megan. "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Is Coming to New York Comic Con". ComicBook.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  21. ^ Lacerna, Michael (December 14, 2021). "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Art Puts Gohan in a Classic Costume". Cbr.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  22. ^ "TOP Best-Selling Light Novel Series 13–19 June · Japan : Mahouka maintain the lead followed by new releases". Twitter.com. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  23. ^ "R/LightNovels - Japan's Weekly Top 10 Light Novel Ranking on Jun 13-19". Reddit.com.
  24. ^ "TOP Best-Selling Light Novel Series June 2022 · Japan : COTE 2nd year leads this month thanks to the new volume that came just in time to enter into the aggregation period hahahah And as always, Kirby making into the top 5!". Twitter.com. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  25. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 18, 2021). "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Film Reveals Trailer, More Cast, April 22 Premiere (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  26. ^ a b "21世紀FOXジャパン、解散公告を官報に掲載 | オタク産業通信 :ゲーム、マンガ、アニメ、ノベルの業界ニュース". Otakuindustry.biz (in Japanese). 2020-09-01. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  27. ^ a b "DRAGON BALL SUPER: SUPER HERO GLOBAL THEATRICAL RELEASE DATES". Toei Animation. 2022-06-14. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  28. ^ Egan, Toussaint (2022-03-01). "Funimation folds into Crunchyroll to create one giant anime platform". Polygon.com. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  29. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 13, 2022). "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Film Earns 670 Million Yen in 1st 2 Days". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  30. ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu (June 20, 2022). "Japan Box Office: Top Gun Maverick Returns to No.1, Defeating Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO". Crunchyroll.com. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
  31. ^ "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Film Drops to #2, Shin Ultraman to #4". Anime News Network. June 21, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
  32. ^ "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Film Sells 1 Million Tickets After 12 Days (Updated)". Anime News Network. June 23, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
  33. ^ "Japan Box Office: Fullmetal Alchemist: Final Transmutation Makes Its Disappointing 8th Place Debut". Crunchroll.com.
  34. ^ "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Stays at #2, 33rd Anpanman Film Opens at #4". Animenewsnetwork.com.
  35. ^ "Dragon Ball Super Stays Strong While Fullmetal Alchemist Bombs at Japanese Box Office". Cbr.com. 28 June 2022.
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  37. ^ a b "Laid-Back Camp Film Opens at #3, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Drops to #4". Animenewsnetwork.com.
  38. ^ "Japan Box Office: My Boyfriend in Orange Live-action Film Ranks 4th in Its Debut Weekend". Crunchroll.com.
  39. ^ "The live-action My Boyfriend #4 in Orange movie opens on Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Falls #5. Feather". Deluxe.news. 12 July 2022.
  40. ^ "Live-Action My Boyfriend in Orange Film Opens at #4, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Drops to #5". Animenewsnetwork.com.
  41. ^ "Live-Action Kingdom Film's Sequel Opens at #1". Anime News Network.
  42. ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu. "Japan Box Office: Kingdom Live-action Film Sequel Makes Its No.1 Debut with Strong 797 Million Yen". Crunchyroll.
  43. ^ a b "Live-Action Kingdom Film's Sequel Stays at #1, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Drops to #8".
  44. ^ a b "Japan Box Office: 2nd Kingdom Live-action Film Keeps Its Top Position for 2 Consecutive Weeks".
  45. ^ "Japan Box Office: Laid-Back Camp: Movie Makes Its 3rd Place Debut". Crunchroll.com.
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  48. ^ Pamela McClintock (August 28, 2022). "Box Office: 'The Invitation' Leads Horrifyingly Slow Weekend With $7M". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
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  50. ^ "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  51. ^ "映画『ドラゴンボール超 スーパーヒーロー』の感想・レビュー[5479件]". Filmarks.com.
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  53. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (20 January 2018). "'Glass' Now Looking At Third-Best MLK Weekend Opening With $47M+ Despite Cracks In Tracking – Sunday Final". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2019-01-18. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  54. ^ "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero". Animenewsnetwork.com.
  55. ^ "The new Dragon Ball Super movie honors anime's best dad ever". Polygon. 5 July 2022.

  • Official website
  • Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (film) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
  • Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero at IMDb

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