Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – The Namekian Ascends, And It's Bloody Brilliant (Now Streaming!)
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Piccolo, long-sidelined in the *Dragon Ball* universe, finally takes centre stage in *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero*, delivering a wonderfully chaotic and visually stunning adventure that gives the Namekian hero his overdue moment in the sun. It's a genuine win for long-time fans, now streaming on Hulu and Crunchyroll.
Right then, gather 'round, because something truly magical (and a bit overdue, if we're honest) has just hit the streaming circuit. *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero* is now available on Hulu (and Crunchyroll, for our global mates), and while that's all well and good, the *real* headline here is what this film does for one of the franchise's longest-suffering, yet most beloved, characters: Piccolo.
For years, it's felt like our favourite green mentor has been stuck in the supporting cast dungeon. Always the bridesmaid, never the Saiyan-level bride, eh? From being instrumental against the invading Saiyans and then on Namek, to... well, let's just say his post-Cell Saga career wasn't exactly packed with 1v1 glory. Remember *GT*? Fans often joke it stood for 'Goku Time,' and honestly, you can't blame 'em. Our boy even went out like a bit of a chump in *Dragon Ball Super*'s Tournament of Power. A real shame for a character who taught us the true meaning of stoicism and, you know, wearing capes.
But hold onto your scouters, because *Super Hero*, the 2022 3D CG film, decided to blow a glorious hole through that narrative and give Piccolo his bloody well-deserved flowers. Fair dinkum, it mostly shunts Goku and Vegeta off to the side, letting Piccolo take centre stage as both a formidable fighter and the sagely mentor we all know and love. The Red Ribbon Army, those old-school baddies Goku wiped out as a kid, make a comeback with their new androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. Their conspiracy theory about Capsule Corp. and aliens taking over the world? Honestly, it's not *that* far-fetched for Dragon Ball, is it? Just a slightly less cosmic threat.
And speaking of old-school, the film absolutely embraces the silly, light-hearted shenanigans that defined early *Dragon Ball*. Piccolo, with his genius plan of infiltrating the Red Ribbon HQ in a soldier's uniform – because apparently, a giant green bloke with antennae just needs to blame 'stomach troubles' to blend in! It's utterly ridiculous, and it's brilliant. Like when you accidentally turn your familiar into a teacup, but it's still somehow useful. Other gags, like a character needing a dome on his car for his Johnny Bravo-esque hair and Gohan researching 'Super Saiy-Ants' (yes, really, ants that glow gold), just add to that chaotic charm.
But beyond the chuckles, *Super Hero* taps into the heart of what makes Piccolo truly shine: his bond with Gohan. Remember how he practically raised Gohan in *DBZ*? Or trained Goten in the Buu Saga? Now he's teaching Pan, Gohan's daughter, while also giving Gohan a proper bollocking for not keeping up his own training. Sound familiar? It's a classic trope, but it lands perfectly here. The core of the narrative is Piccolo trying to spark Gohan's fighting spirit again, because let's face it, Earth's always under threat, and someone's gotta keep the bad guys from wrecking the neighbourhood. Studies are important, sure, but so is not getting evaporated by a giant energy blast, eh?
Now, let's talk visuals. The 3D CG animation was a bit of a spicy meatball when it was first revealed. Some folks, including the sharp minds over at Polygon (where Austin Manchester originally covered this news), reckoned it looked a bit like a 'Nintendo Switch game.' And yeah, I get it. Changing a beloved anime's look can feel like messing with a perfectly good spell. But, and this is a big 'but,' it absolutely makes the fight choreography *pop*. The movement, the impact, the sheer kinetic energy of it all – it's electrifying. And those ki attacks? Bloody stunning. There are moments in the final act, when the big bad's charging up and Gohan's unleashing his counter, that genuinely feel like nothing we've seen in the franchise before. It's like watching a digital light show put on by a pissed-off wizard.
And our main man Piccolo himself? He's never looked better. The CG really brings out the vibrancy of his purple gi and those, uh, 'muscle things' are now yellow, harkening back to his OG look. But the real game-changer is his transformation into Power Awakened Piccolo, and then, the pièce de résistance, Orange Piccolo. Yes, 'Orange Piccolo' isn't exactly a masterclass in nomenclature – 'Super Saiyan Blue' had a similar creative spark, didn't it? – but who gives a damn when it's *this* cool? Was it a bit of an 'ass pull' from Shenron? Probably. But sometimes, mate, you just need a bit of a power-up to keep things interesting. Besides, there were androids to fight!
This new form, Orange Piccolo, isn't just a colour swap; it actually puts our Namekian hero on an even playing field with his Saiyan allies. It feels like a meta-acknowledgement, a wink and a nod from series creator Akira Toriyama himself, that Piccolo had been neglected for far too long. And considering *Super Hero* was the last film Toriyama worked on (and *Dragon Ball Daima* his final anime contribution as far as we know), it’s a brilliant way to solidify his legacy. Giving Piccolo such a glorious, starring role is a testament to the character's enduring appeal and a fantastic farewell from a true legend.
So, what does this all mean for us, the gamers and anime enthusiasts always wondering 'what if?' It means that sometimes, the most innovative move isn't a flashy new technology or a revolutionary monetization scheme, but simply remembering the core appeal of your characters and giving them the space to shine. *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero* isn't just another *Dragon Ball* flick; it's a love letter to a beloved character, a return to form for its light-hearted roots, and a visual spectacle all rolled into one. If you've ever rooted for the underdog, or just appreciate a good old fashioned tale of mentorship and kicking alien butt, then you absolutely owe it to yourself to check it out. It's streaming now, so go on, give it a gander!
*This analysis draws inspiration from Austin Manchester's original article, 'Dragon Ball: Super Hero, the best Piccolo movie, is now on Hulu,' published on Polygon.*
Tags: Dragon Ball, Anime Film, Piccolo, Action Anime, Streaming
Original article: Polygon