The Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO release date in Japan is set for April 22, 2022. And with the film coming so soon, another set of teaser visuals are here, hinting at five new characters. Their involvement in the movie’s plot may be unknown as of now, but it’s enough to get fans’ minds spinning.
Among the new additions to the cast shown, fans were particularly excited for teenage Goten and Trunks. Posed together with Krillin, Android 18, and Bulma nearby, nothing may be confirmed but their prominent appearance in the promotional poster may speak to a crucial role in the film.
Similar to Dragon Ball Super: Broly, manga creator Akira Toriyama has had a deep involvement with the production team and wrote the original story and script as well as provided character designs which will debut in Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO.
At New York Comic Con 2021, Goku voice actress Masako Nozawa, executive producer Akio Iyoku, and producer Norihiro Hayashida took to the big stage to showcase recent developments in the film’s production and confirm Toriyama’s involvement.
Toriyama-sensei has been so invested in the creation of this movie, and he’s been pouring everything he’s got into it. So we are trying to match his energy to create the best production we possibly can.
Akio Iyoku
Voice actress of Goku, Masako Nozawa explained:
Regarding the story, Toriyama-sensei is always trying to come up with a twist and surprise us with how the story turns out.
Masako Nozawa
What characters will appear in Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO?
Going by the Japanese voice cast already announced, the film will feature:
- Masako Nozawa as Gohan, Goku, and Goten
- Toshio Furukawa as Piccolo
- Yuko Minaguchi as Pan
- Ryo Horikawa as Vegeta
- Mayumi Tanaka as Krillin
- Aya Hisakawa as Bulma
- Takeshi Kusao as Trunks
- Miki Ito as Android 18
- Bin Shimada as Brolly
- Ken Uo as Korin
- Aya Hirano as Dende
- Hiroshi Kamiya as Gamma 1
- Mamoru Miyano Gamma 2
- Miyu Irino as Dr. Hedo
- Volcano Ota as Magenta
- Ryota Takeuchi as Carmine
Along with series long stays such as Goku, Piccolo, and Vegeta, the film’s new villains have been shown off as well. While the antagonists may be fresh faces for long-time Dragon Ball fans, the red RR symbol on their clothes gives away their link to the Red Ribbon Army.
Now speculated to be led by a new president Magenta, Red Pharmaceuticals, the company responsible for the creation of Android 18 and Cell, has unleashed its latest creations under the guidance of Dr. Hedo. Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, revealed with matching costumes in red and blue, haven’t had much about their true motives divulged aside from an ardent desire to brandish their signature ray guns. But with the film’s release just two months away, more details are to come.
New characters are easy to spot, but concept art revealed interesting changes to classic characters as well. As guests remarked during the 2021 ComicCon panel, Toriyama’s involvement with the film has led to minor design changes to the cast to be more in line with their original manga designs. Piccolo now has yellow arms and a red obi, unlike the anime series which were pink and blue, respectively.
According to Piccolo voice actor Toshio Furukawa, Piccolo along with his mentee Pan will play a large role in the upcoming film. The ComicCon panel revealed concept art of a few scenes including Piccolo’s Namekian home situated at the bank of a waterfall. As to whether fans will get to see inside? Both Hayashida and Nozawa noted that viewers will have to see for themselves. Although, given that a piece of Piccolo’s house can be seen in the Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO trailer, it’s likely that it will be the stage for a fight between Piccolo and Gamma 2.
Because of Pan’s toddler age in the trailer and promotional art, it’s speculated that the events of Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO take place sometime after the events of the Broly movie and before the final arc of Dragon Ball Z that has Pan competing in the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament.
Along with Pan, a teenage Goten and Trunks further hint at this timeline. Whether Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO will explore the antics of the duo while they train to compete in the World Martial Arts Tournament is unclear, but that hasn’t stopped fans from taking to Twitter to express their excitement.
What is the Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO USA release date and other countries?
While April 22nd is the set release date for the Japanese version of the film, there is no current announcement for the worldwide release. As of August 10, 2021, producer Norihiro Hayashida stated that the US is still under negotiation, but he does hope for a date close to the Japanese release. Seeing as that’s just two months away, we might be getting another announcement soon.