Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
The Red Ribbon Army, an evil organization that was once destroyed by Goku in the past, has been reformed by a group of people who have created new and mightier Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, and seek vengeance against Goku and his family.
The film earned $86.6M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022) exemplifies precise story structure, characteristic of Tetsuro Kodama's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Gohan lives as a mild-mannered scholar, having abandoned training. Piccolo trains Pan alone, showing the warrior has become the mentor while the hero has become domesticated.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The Gamma androids attack Piccolo and kidnap Pan. The peace is shattered and Piccolo realizes the Red Ribbon Army has returned with a new threat.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Piccolo chooses to awaken Gohan's fighting spirit rather than rely on Goku. He gets Shenron to unlock his potential and infiltrates the Red Ribbon base. Active choice to become the hero again., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Cell Max is activated prematurely. False defeat - what seemed like a manageable threat becomes a catastrophic monster. The stakes raise from stopping the Red Ribbon Army to surviving an uncontrollable beast., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Piccolo is brutally defeated and appears dead, crushed by Cell Max. Gamma 2 sacrifices himself. The whiff of death - mentors fall, hope seems lost. Gohan watches his teacher seemingly die., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Gohan's rage and love for Piccolo unlock Beast Gohan, a new form. He synthesizes the scholar's mind with the warrior's heart. The realization: his purpose isn't training OR family, it's protecting those he loves., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero against these established plot points, we can identify how Tetsuro Kodama utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Gohan lives as a mild-mannered scholar, having abandoned training. Piccolo trains Pan alone, showing the warrior has become the mentor while the hero has become domesticated.
Theme
Piccolo tells Gohan he's gotten weak and needs to keep training. "You have a responsibility to protect what matters." The theme: rediscovering your purpose and strength.
Worldbuilding
Red Ribbon Army backstory establishes the threat. Dr. Hedo creates Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 as "superheroes." Gohan's domestic life and Piccolo's mentorship of Pan are established. The world has moved on from the Z-fighters.
Disruption
The Gamma androids attack Piccolo and kidnap Pan. The peace is shattered and Piccolo realizes the Red Ribbon Army has returned with a new threat.
Resistance
Piccolo investigates the Red Ribbon base, discovers their plan to create Cell Max. He debates whether to call Goku/Vegeta or handle it himself. Realizes Gohan must step up.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Piccolo chooses to awaken Gohan's fighting spirit rather than rely on Goku. He gets Shenron to unlock his potential and infiltrates the Red Ribbon base. Active choice to become the hero again.
Mirror World
Dr. Hedo represents the thematic mirror - he believes he's the hero of his own story, manipulated by Magenta. The Gammas also think they're heroes fighting villains, reflecting the film's theme about purpose and identity.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Piccolo powered up, fighting the Gammas, and the comedic elements of the Red Ribbon Army's operations. Gohan begins to realize he's needed. Action-comedy balance the film promised.
Midpoint
Cell Max is activated prematurely. False defeat - what seemed like a manageable threat becomes a catastrophic monster. The stakes raise from stopping the Red Ribbon Army to surviving an uncontrollable beast.
Opposition
Cell Max dominates the battlefield. The Gammas realize they've been deceived and switch sides. Even combined, the heroes struggle. Gohan fights but isn't strong enough. Piccolo and the Gammas are overwhelmed.
Collapse
Piccolo is brutally defeated and appears dead, crushed by Cell Max. Gamma 2 sacrifices himself. The whiff of death - mentors fall, hope seems lost. Gohan watches his teacher seemingly die.
Crisis
Gohan processes the loss of Piccolo, the man who trained him, believed in him, and raised him. The dark night - has he lost his purpose forever by neglecting his training?
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Gohan's rage and love for Piccolo unlock Beast Gohan, a new form. He synthesizes the scholar's mind with the warrior's heart. The realization: his purpose isn't training OR family, it's protecting those he loves.
Synthesis
Beast Gohan dominates Cell Max with precision and power. Special Beam Cannon through the weak point. Piccolo revives. The heroes triumph. Dr. Hedo reforms and joins the good guys. The Red Ribbon Army is finished.
Transformation
Gohan returns to his family but now balances scholar and warrior. Piccolo continues training Pan with Gohan joining them. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows transformation - the hero has reclaimed his purpose.