Movie · 2022 · Animation, Science Fiction, Action · 1h 40m · PG-13 · Japanese
Curator score: 6.1/10 (21.4K ratings)
A super awakening and calamity is born.
Overview
The Red Ribbon Army, an evil organization that was once destroyed by Goku in the past, has been reformed by a group of people who have created new and mightier Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, and seek vengeance against Goku and his family.
Masako Nozawa, Toshio Furukawa, Yuko Minaguchi, Hiroshi Kamiya, Mamoru Miyano, Miyu Irino, Ryota Takeuchi, Aya Hisakawa, Mayumi Tanaka, Ryo Horikawa, Takeshi Kusao, Koichi Yamadera, Masakazu Morita, Bin Shimada, Tomokazu Sugita, Nana Mizuki, Aya Hirano, Uoken, Norio Wakamoto, Volcano Ota
Where to watch
Hulu, Crunchyroll
Curator Review
Verdict
A funny, crowd-pleasing Dragon Ball entry that shifts the spotlight to Piccolo and Gohan, with a lighter, more character-driven energy than many franchise films. The CG-heavy look is divisive on paper but generally lands well in motion, and the action pays off with colorful set pieces and a satisfying team-up finale.
Best for
Dragon Ball fans who want a Piccolo/Gohan-centered story
Viewers who like fast, joke-heavy action anime
Audiences open to CG animation with comic-book energy
Fans of underdog character arcs and legacy sequels
Skip if
You want Goku and Vegeta to dominate the story
You dislike broad comedy or shonen-style pacing
You prefer hand-drawn animation over CG
You need tightly structured plotting over momentum and fan service
Overview
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero works best when it remembers that the franchise’s heart is bigger than its biggest punches. By centering Piccolo and Gohan, it finds a warmer, more playful rhythm than many of the series’ recent outings, and that shift gives the movie a welcome sense of personality. The humor lands often, and the film leans into character dynamics instead of simply escalating power levels.
Worth noting
The CG presentation is more confident than many fans expected, with expressive staging and bright, readable action. It still has the familiar shonen-movie issue of pacing that rushes between setup and payoff, but the movie’s energy keeps it moving. The Red Ribbon Army angle gives it a nostalgic villain framework without feeling like a mere retread.
Bottom line
What makes it memorable is the emotional rebalancing: Gohan gets a real chance to matter again, and Piccolo emerges as the film’s anchor. If you come in expecting a Goku showcase, you may be disappointed; if you want a lively, affectionate franchise detour with strong comic timing, it’s one of the more enjoyable Dragon Ball features.
Top Letterboxd reviews
CosmonautMarkie (4★) · 2188 likes
Was gonna make a quickie but don’t have time. Here are the bullet points from the script
- Genuinely funny. Probably funniest db movie- Animation looks much better than expected. Don’t be put off by it because it looks pretty cool in a lot of areas- Pacing is pretty bad but that’s how every dragon ball movie is (and every shonen movie in general) - Goku and Vegeta are not really in it. Piccolo is the main… more
Sabrina 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (3★) · 1294 likes
The entire theater erupted during the Bulma ass shot.
esther (4.5★) · 1092 likes
piccolo is the soul of cinema
adambolt (4★) · 676 likes
Piccolo uses a phone like my 84 year old grandpa
Tanner1495 (4★) · 450 likes
Piccolo isn’t a step dad, he’s the dad that stepped up.