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For decades, Goku’s rise through increasingly powerful transformations has defined theDragon Ballseries, captivating audiences worldwide. However, as the series progressed, this reliance on the protagonist, Goku began to raise questions among fans: Could the franchise thrive without him at the center at some point? Well, yes, they somewhat can, asDragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the 2022 movie challenged this notion by shifting the spotlight to other characters — most notably, Piccolo.
On 1st January, the executive producer of theDragon Ballfranchise, Akio Iyoku revealed the driving force behind the creation ofDragon Ball Super: Super Hero, as he claimed the movie was developed to address a recurrent issue: the underutilization of Piccolo in terms of relevance and power.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero–Piccolo’s journey to relevance
For most ofDragon Ball‘s history, Piccolo has been a fan-favorite character. Introduced as a formidable villain in the originalDragon Ball, he evolved into a mentor and ally inDragon Ball Z, particularly through his crucial role in training Gohan during the Saiyan saga. However, as the series progressed, his significance gradually started to lessen. While characters like Goku, Vegeta, and even secondary Saiyans continued to grow stronger and gain new transformations, Piccolo’s development became very much stagnant.
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As@peraperayumeshared on X (formerly, Twitter), recognizing this issue, Akio Iyoku and the lateAkira Toriyamadevised a plan to make Piccolo relevant again. The solution came in the form of a new transformation inDragon Ball Super: Super Hero: Orange Piccolo. This transformation, achieved through the use of the Dragon Balls, granted Piccolo a significant power boost, placing him back in the ranks of the franchise’s top-tier fighters.
This movie’s narrative centered on Piccolo and Gohan, who teamed up to combat the Red Ribbon Army’s resurgence. By shifting the focus to a different character,Super Herooffered a refreshing change of pace, reminding viewers of the rich cast of characters in theDragon Balluniverse.
Astory beyond Goku and VegetainDragon Ballhistory
One of the most striking aspects ofDragon Ball Super: Super Herois its deliberate sidelining of Goku and Vegeta. While the duo has long been the backbone of the series, their absence in the central conflict allowed other characters to shine. This decision particularly resonated with fans who had grown weary of the series’ dependence on Goku’s constant power-ups and Vegeta’s relentless pursuit of surpassing him.
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This isn’t the first time theDragon Ballfranchise created a movie just to focus on other characters, such asDragon Ball Super: Brolymovie centered on Broly. However, theSuper Heromovie’s core theme was the mentor-student relationship betweenPiccoloand Gohan.
Gohan, who had largely stepped away from fighting to focus on his academic career and family life, found himself drawn back into battle with Piccolo’s guidance. Their partnership, combined with Piccolo’s newfound power, proved crucial in defeating the Red Ribbon Army’s latest threats, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, and the monstrous Cell Max.
As the franchise looks ahead with projects likeDragon Ball DAIMA, the success ofSuper Herodisplays the importance of exploring new perspectives and giving underutilized characters their moment in the spotlight. For fans, it was a bold step toward a more inclusive and diverse future for the series.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Herois currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
Moumita Chakraborty
Articles Published :931
Moumita Chakraborty is a seasoned Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 900 published articles. Passionate about the vibrant world of Japanese anime, she brings sharp analytical skills and cultural insight to every piece. From dissecting intricate plotlines to spotlighting the latest trends and releases, Moumita’s work resonates with both casual fans and seasoned otakus. Her writing aims to connect with fellow anime enthusiasts while contributing meaningfully to the ever-growing anime community.
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