Super Hero Release Date, Plot, Trailer, Characters & Everything You Need to Know

Just nearly three years after the release of Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Toei Animation announced that a new Dragon Ball Super feature film will be released in theaters in 2022, and the Dragon Ball Special panel at Comic-Con@Home 2021 revealed the official title of the film is Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

During the SDCC panel that featured executive producers Akio Iyoku and Hirihiro Hayashia as well as Goku voice actor, Masako Nozawa, we have some exciting details to share about the upcoming anime film.

Note that we will update this article with more information as Toei Animation releases more details about Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, so be sure to bookmark this page to get future updates.

Here’s everything you need to know about Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero plot: What is the story of this anime movie?

Toei Animation has revealed major plot details for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Akiyo Ikoyu, the executive producer from Shueisha, said that they really wanted to emphasize that the film is all about the superhero vibes. Does this mean that Gohan’s superhero alter-ego, Saiyaman will return?

Goku and Vegeta had their chance to shine in the previous Dragon Ball Super films, so based on what Toei Animation presented at the Comic-Con panel, other Z fighters will get get their chance to shine in the new movie. Akio Iyoku, one of the producers of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, revealed in Toei Animation’s presentation that the story will be focused heavily on Goku and Piccolo.

« It’s been almost 40 years since the start of the series but never has there been a work with so much heart, » he said. « We are using a different approach to express visuals this time. The story is also centered around the master-disciple duo of Gohan and Piccolo. »

Based on the character designs revealed so far, it looks like the plot of the next Dragon ball Super film will take place in the future, and at NYCC 2021, it was confirmed that it will take place after the events of Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie, but before the 28th Tenkaichi Budokai Tournament.

Another image of Krillin reveals the Z-fighter with his police uniform, helmet, and hover bike.

The panel also revealed Akira Toriyama’s original art featuring new characters, revealed to be the new androids Gamma 1 and Gamma 2.

Toei Animation shared a poster for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero ahead of the NYCC 2021 panel for Dragon Ball Super, and the image features the two new characters.

Here are more character designs revealed at NYCC 2021:

At SDCC, they also revealed a key art from Toriyama that features a top view of a waterfall location, and Piccolo’s house is seen in the area, but the studio hasn’t revealed the events that might take place in this location.

Based on this information, it looks like Piccolo’s home will be an important location in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. More details have been revealed about Piccolo’s home.

A new image of Pan and Vegeta was also revealed:

The NYCC 2021 panel for the anime also revealed that the Red Ribbon Army and Broly will play a role in the story of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. The clip also teased Pan’s Super Saiyan training.

The first trailer also revealed that Goku, Vegeta, and Buu being painted as villains, with the Saiyan Prince sporting his « Badman » shirt.

The trailer already revealed that Gohan will have an epic fight against Gamma 1 in the rain, a scene which went through a last-minute change.

You can check out a brief clip of the dialogue from the movie featuring the voices of Gohan, Piccolo, Gamma 1, and Gamma 2:

The clip was shared by DBHype from Jump Festa. It looks like the movie will put more spotlight on Gohan and Piccolo as they try to fight the Red Ribbon Army’s deadliest androids yet.

You can also check out this Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero V Jump March 2022 issue special feature that sums up the key story of the movie:

Why is the next Dragon Ball Super movie called « Super Hero« ?

According to Dragon Ball Super manga executive editor Akio Iyoku, the film will invoke more « superhero vibes » than previous installments, and that creator Akira Toriyama is more focused on the superhero aspects in this film. However, Z-warriors in Dragon Ball are not usually portrayed as superheroes in the traditional sense, despite their incredible powers, so the title makes fans wonder how the film will bring those « superhero vibes ».

However, there’s one Z-Warrior who played a superhero role in the past. Seven years after the Cell games, Gohan embraced the superhero life when he took the alter ego of « Great Saiyaman ».

Piccolo and Pan, two of the most important characters to Gohan are already confirmed to appear in the film, so there’s a strong chance that the movie’s « Super Hero » title refers to the return of Gohan’s Great Saiyaman alter-ego.

You can read more about the meaning of the movie’s title here.

In December 2021, a poster for the movie featuring the film’s key characters went public ahead of the Jump Festa 2021 event, and it features Gohan sporting his classic purple gi outfit.

The official Dragon Ball website also shared a blurb, teasing Gohan’s big battle in the movie.

« With their capes fluttering, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 can be seen striking a couple of slick poses! Plus, there are some all-new original characters who we’ll just have to wait and find out more about, no matter how tough that may be! Wearing his uniform and taking center stage is Gohan, who looks to be gearing up for the fight of a lifetime alongside Piccolo, Goku, Vegeta, and Pan! »

The blurb makes it clear that Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is super hero-themed. We already know that Gohan has a super hero alter-ego known as the Great Saiyaman, but it looks like the character is going back to his roots as he is seen dressed in his purple gi outfit.

In Feb. 2022, producer Akio Iyoku explained the origin of the « Super Hero » title: « So, Earth is the stage this time. ‘How will the people on Earth stand up to this threat?’ is how we came up with this story. The title was decided after we had finished the story. There was a lot of discussion about having ‘Super’ in the title, but we wanted to convey the idea that everyone is a hero, which is why we decided on this title. It may be a bit cliche, but that’s what we came up with. »

Dragon Ball Super Character Profiles: Who are the key characters?

Official character descriptions for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero characters have been released to give us an idea which key characters the anime film will focus on. Check them out:

• Goku – A Saiyan raised on Earth. He is still improving after his battles with Jiren and Broly! He is currently training under Whis.
• Gohan – The eldest son of Goku. Despite having potential that surpasses that of both Goku and Vegeta, he does not like to fight and lives a gentle life as a scholar.
• Piccolo – He’s a Namekian and the offspring of the Great Demon King Piccolo. He used to be Goku’s arch-enemy. He trained Gohan and now trains Pan.
• Vegeta – The proud prince of all Saiyans and Trunks’ father. He trains with Whis in order to one day defeat Goku.
• Pan – Gohan and Videl’s first-born daughter. Although she is only three years old, she’s been training under Piccolo and shows signs of having great potential.
• Gamma 1 – The first of the new Android series created by Dr. Hedo. He puts on a red cape and has a strong sense of loyalty with a calming personality.
• Gamma 2 – The second of the new Android series created by Dr. Hedo. He puts on a blue cape and is sometimes chided by Gamma 1 for his slightly flippant attitude.
• Dr. Hedo – A genius scientist employed by the Red Ribbon Army. Dr. Hedo possesses highly advanced Android technology.
• Magenta – President of Red Pharmaceuticals, the current public face of the Red Ribbon Army. In order to rebuild the army, he gets in touch with Dr. Hedo.

• Carmine – Magenta’s confidant and his driver, characterized by his large pompadour.

According to a recent update to the voice cast of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Takeshi Kusao was added to the roster. For those unfamiliar, Kusao is the voice of both Kid Trunks and Future Trunks. The creators of the film haven’t officially confirmed the appearance of either version of Trunks, but fans are expecting that Trunks from the main timeline will show up. Since Pan and Gohan are confirmed to appear in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, it just makes sense that Vegeta’s son will also appear, and Goten will most likely show up as well since he’s the best friend of Trunks.

Shenron, the legendary green wish-granting dragon, was also confirmed to appear in the movie, and his new look was revealed in a promo.

Update: In January 2022, images of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero merchandise surfaced online, and it revealed Gohan’s new look and teased two hidden characters. Who could they be?

In February 2022, another merch for the movie blacked out two mysterious characters. But could they be the grown-up Goten and Trunks that were just revealed on Feb. 19?

A promo from an issue of Weekly Shonen Jump also featured the key characters of the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, showing Gohan at the front and center. Check out this scan from Twitter user @DBSHype:

A merchandise for the movie also teased the return of Ultimate Gohan, a powerful form that debuted in Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga. Gohan’s powerful form was unlocked by Elder Kaioshin. Dragon Ball Super also showed Gohan’s Ultimate form get an upgrade, so he can join Universe 7’s team in the Tournament of Power. It’s still unclear how strong Gohan’s Ultimate form will be compared to Goku’s complete Ultra Instinct form or Vegeta’s Ultra-Ego form, but it looks like the young Saiyan will not be holding back in his battle against Gamma 1 and Gamma 2.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero trailers: Is there a teaser or trailer for the movie?

A short teaser for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero premiered at the Comic-Con panel, but it doesn’t feature any actual footage from the upcoming film. It only shows Goku (in base form) looking pumped-up and ready to battle, teasing the film’s animation style that’s said to use different technology to create a mind-blowing experience we’ve never seen in any Dragon Ball film before.

At New York Comic-Con 2021, the Dragon Ball Super panel revealed the first trailer for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, teasing a new crisis and evil organization from the shadows. The trailer featured 3D animations, and gave us a glimpse at the new alien characters, including Gamma 1 and 2 as well as the return of Broly. The trailer also shows a powered-up Pan, so we might see Gohan and Videl’s daughter unleash her Super Saiyan powers in the movie.

In November 2021, producer Norihiro Hayashida teased the movie’s epic visual effects. « Now, as you all know, the much-anticipated new movie Dragon Ball Super: Superhero will be released in 2022, » the producer wrote. « This movie will feature new production techniques and will be filled with spectacular visuals, so please look forward to it! »

On Dec. 17, 2021, the special panel for the anime at Jump Festa 2021 debuted a new trailer that confirms Son Gohan’s major role in the movie. Watch the trailer below:

Several clips from the movie have also been released by Toei Animation, including this scene with Dr. Hedo, the genius creator of Gamma 1 and Gamma 2:

A clip of Piccolo vs. Gamma 2 fight was also revealed:

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Release Date: When will the movie come out?

As the first teaser revealed, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero will be released sometime in 2022, noting release schedule may differ depending on the countries and regions. Toei Animation hasn’t release exact release dates for Japan or any other country, but the film will likely like premiere in Japan first before it hits U.S. theaters.

Related:Here’s How Vegeta’s New God of Destruction Form Might Look Like in Dragon Ball Super Anime

At the anime’s NYCC 2021 panel, the creators confirmed that the film be released in Japan in 2022, but they still have to finalize the official release dates for North America and other regions.

At Jump Festa 2021, Toei Animation confirmed that Dragon Super: Super Hero will be released on April 22, 2022 in Japan, but it’s still unclear when exactly it will be released in theaters worldwide.

On Jan. 6, it was confirmed that the movie will be released in theaters in Thailand on June 2.

On Feb. 19, the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2022 event announced that Dragon ball Super: Super Hero is coming to North American theaters this summer.

Hopefully, Season 2 of the Dragon Ball Super anime series will also be released along with the new film.

What about the CGI animation in the movie?

During the shonen’s online panel about Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in Feb. 2022, director Tetsuro Kodama did a brief Q&A session, and according to the filmmaker, the movie’s CG animation came from their mission to innovate the shonen franchise created by Akira Toriyama.

« We also grew up right in the middle of the Shonen Jump ‘Dragon Ball’ generation and since then, the fandom has just gotten bigger and bigger to become this huge phenomenon. But we have a mission to break new ground and help cultivate new fans. So what type and style of animation would help to achieve that goal? That’s where this project got started, » he said.

« When it comes to this new style, the biggest thing that distinguishes it is the shadows. We took an approach to make them look like they’re blurry or have a more gradual blend which gives a softer impression overall. That’s one of the big differences, » Kodama explained. « I also want to point out that characters in this film move a lot. »

Is there a manga adaptation for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero?

If you’re wondering if Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou have created a manga adaptation for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, you may want to check out the reasons why the manga is different from the anime here. At this time, Shueisha, the official publisher of the Dragon Ball manga series, hasn’t confirmed if they will release a manga adaptation for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, but assuming that the movie will follow previous trends, it’s likely that there will not be any manga adaptations.