Dragon Ball fans rejoice (especially my fellow Gohan fans!)! We have a new movie that’s centered around Gohan and former mentor Piccolo in Dragon-Ball Super: Super Hero! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
The movie’s major plot involves the reborn Red Ribbon Army (the same evil organization that Kid Goku ended way back, in DragonBall, and the one that created the Androids and Cell). The next generation wants revenge on Goku and his allies for what they’ve done. However, the grandson of Dr. Gero wants to create superhero-inspired androids. They manage to strike an agreement and create a plan to gain their revenge. With Goku and Vegeta off-world, it’s up to Gohan and Piccolo to save Earth!
Man, when I heard that the next movie was going to be centered around Gohan and Piccolo, I was like FINALLY!!! Don’t get me wrong, I did Goku and Vegeta, but it’s only so many times where they can be the main characters. Plus, both Gohan and Piccolo have been kinda reduced to side characters. In the T.O.P arc in Super, we got a glimpse of the two getting some shine, but that’s quickly overshadowed Goku and Ultra Instinct. Here, though, Piccolo and Gohan both get new transformations! Piccolo gets a new form by wishing it with the Dragonballs to unlock his full potential. As for Gohan, while he’s still the same bookworm that we’ve seen throughout the years, he’s still able to go to his “Ultimate” form with no problem. But when the “ish” hits the fan, Gohan unlocked a new form. Called “Gohan Beast” (a wack name, but ok), Gohan, along with an aged-up Goten and Trunks, Krillen, Gamma 1, and Orange Piccolo manage to defeat the newly resurrected Cell Max!
It's also great to see Gohan’s daughter, Pan, get some training from Piccolo, who’s giving “grumpy uncle” vibes. The fight scenes are animated great but could be a bit longer. For those wondering where Goku and Vegeta are, when all of this is going on, there is an explanation. Goku and Vegeta with Whis and Beerus, training Broly. When Bulma (Vegeta’s wife.) tries to reach them, but can’t. There’s also a brief sparring match with Goku and Vegeta, but we don’t see most of it. However, we do know who won…VEGETA!!! After all these years, he finally got a clean win over Goku!
While I did enjoy seeing a Dragon Ball movie in the theaters, I gotta say, it’s the chemistry with Gohan and Piccolo that sells this movie. Throwbacks to the Cell Saga were nice, but when Cell Max is introduced in the finale, I felt slightly underwhelmed. Cell was my favorite villain in the Dragon Ball Z era, and for creator Akira Toriyama to just make Cell a big brute was hard to watch. Imagine the potential in bringing Cell back, and his training (much like how Frieza did to obtain his Golden Form.) to become stronger. But in Super Hero, Cell is reserved to being a mindless beast. What’s worse, this may be the last time we see him in canon.
Overall, Dragon- Ball Super: Super Hero gives us some much-needed shine on Gohan and Piccolo and presented a story with nostalgia and potential set-ups for future stories. I’m giving it an 8 out of 10. Post your thoughts below, and till next time fellow blerds!