Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a 2022 film directed by Tetsuro Kodama and produced by Toei Animation, serving as the direct sequel to Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Written by original creator Akira Toriyama, the movie is set roughly one year before the end of the Z saga and occupies a unique space in the Dragon Ball Super timeline following the Granolah the Survivor arc.

Years after their defeat at the hands of a young Goku, the Red Ribbon Army is clandestinely resurrected by Magenta, the son of Commander Red. Operating under the front of Red Pharmaceuticals, Magenta and his aide Carmine recruit the brilliant Dr. Hedo—grandson of the infamous Dr. Gero—to create a new generation of Ultimate Androids. Hedo, obsessed with superheroes, is manipulated into believing that Capsule Corporation and the Z-Fighters are actually an alien threat seeking world domination.

With Goku and Vegeta away training on Beerus' planet, the defense of Earth falls to Piccolo and an out-of-practice Gohan. Piccolo takes it upon himself to rekindle Gohan's fighting spirit while dealing with the arrival of Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, high-tech androids with a flair for the dramatic. The conflict escalates when the Red Ribbon Army kidnaps Pan to lure Gohan into a trap, forcing the master and student to push past their known limits to confront a dormant, catastrophic bio-android threat.

Production for Super Hero began in 2017, even before the release of the Broly film, with the final script taking two years to complete. Akira Toriyama was deeply involved, providing the original concept, character designs, and every line of dialogue. Breaking from tradition, the film was the first in the franchise to be produced entirely in 3D CGI animation, a decision showcased during the 2021 Comic-Con@Home panel. Interestingly, the film was originally intended to star Piccolo as the sole lead before Gohan was added as a co-star to heighten the emotional stakes.

The film was a commercial success, grossing approximately $102.5 million worldwide and becoming the second highest-grossing Dragon Ball film to date. Critics and fans praised the focus on Gohan and Piccolo's relationship, as well as the introduction of powerful new forms: Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo. While the shift to CGI was initially met with caution by the community, the fluid execution of battle sequences and the nostalgic return of the Red Ribbon Army cemented its legacy as a vital chapter in the Super era.

For collectors, Super Hero sparked a massive wave of high-demand releases, particularly within the S.H.Figuarts line by Bandai. The 'grails' of this collection are undoubtedly the Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo figures, which capture the scale and intensity of their new transformations. Collectors also highly prize the Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 set, known for their distinct 'superhero' aesthetic. In 2026, the S.H.Figuarts Collection was further celebrated with a special promotional manga by Toyotaro, highlighting the historical evolution of these figures and their connection to the film's designs.