Exploding out of theaters on August 19, Dragon Ball Super: Superhero is an epic anime adventure that beautifully reinvigorates the Dragon Ball franchise, following the brave Z-Fighters and their allies as they train to master their unique powers and face off against the Red Army and various other antagonists.
Set roughly four years after the events of the series Dragon Ball Z, the film follows Commander Red’s Grandson Magenta, featured as an unseen background antagonist in the Tv series, who seeks to bring back the Red Ribbon Army. Magenta and his assistant Carmine recruit the help of Dr. Hedo, the grandson of the former head scientist who worked for Magenta, Dr. Gero. The young superhero-obsessed Hedo agrees to help Magenta and Carmine after they convince him that the Z-Fighters are an evil race of aliens hell-bent on conquering Earth.
Meanwhile, Piccolo and Gohan, minor protagonists of the TV Series, have returned to a normal life, where Gohan is an overworked father who spends little time with his wife and daughter, Pan. Piccolo takes it upon himself to train Pan and to allow her to master her powers. Unfortunately, Piccolo is soon drawn into a battle with Gamma 2, a superhero android designed by Hedo. Following the battle, Piccolo is able to infiltrate the Red Ribbon facility, where he discovers a massive plot to eliminate the Z-Fighters and their allies. Unable to reach Goku and Vegeta, who is away training with their mentor Whis, Piccolo is forced to help Gohan recognize his true potential if he is to defeat the Red Ribbon Army and their latest devious creation, Cell 2, an upgraded version of Cell, who was defeated by Goku years ago in the series.
Though the film runs at 99 Minutes, it feels almost the same as a standard 20-minute Dragon Ball Episode. It’s an enjoyable ride that gives longtime fans the story they’ve been waiting for, but it’s also a great place for new and interested fans to jump in if they feel they might be ready for the Dragon Ball Universe. Altogether, it’s a well-crafted film that offers a new take on the story that still feels surprisingly genuine and true to the Dragon Ball Story that many have come to love.