Uzumaki

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero — The First Fully CG Dragon Ball Film

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero marked a significant production shift for the franchise — a full 3D CG animation approach rather than traditional 2D animation, which was notably divisive among longtime fans on release.

Unlike prior Dragon Ball films and series, which used traditional 2D animation, this 2022 film was produced using full 3D computer animation with a stylized shading approach intended to approximate a 2D look. This was a deliberate, publicized production choice, not an incidental style shift.

Reception to this visual approach was genuinely split — some viewers and critics praised the fluidity it enabled for certain action sequences, while others felt it lost some of the traditional 2D aesthetic longtime fans associate with the franchise. This divide is one of the most consistently discussed aspects of the film.

Story-wise, the film shifts focus toward supporting characters (particularly Gohan and Piccolo) receiving significant spotlight and power-up material, which was well-received as a change from Goku and Vegeta typically dominating recent film narratives.

Worth watching for the character-focus shift toward Gohan and Piccolo even if you’re uncertain about the CG animation style — go in aware the visual approach is genuinely divisive and judge it for yourself rather than assuming universal reception.

  • 1

    Full 3D CG animation

    A deliberate production shift from traditional 2D animation, using stylized shading to approximate a 2D look — genuinely divisive among fans.

  • 2

    Gohan and Piccolo spotlight

    Significant character focus shift away from Goku and Vegeta, well-received as a change from recent film patterns.

  • Is Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero fully CG animated?

    Yes — it was produced using full 3D computer animation with stylized shading intended to approximate a traditional 2D look, a notable production shift for the franchise.

  • Is Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero focused on Goku and Vegeta like most recent films?

    No — it notably shifts focus toward Gohan and Piccolo, giving them significant spotlight and power-up material instead.