On June 11, 2022, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was released in theaters in Japan. Two years later, a new illustration for the late Akira Toriyama's film has been revealed.

In the latest edition of Akira Toriyama Archives, the official Dragon Ball website shared a rare piece of concept art that Toriyama did for the animated film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. The illustration features Cell Max, a new but incomplete version of the original Cell, fighting against the superhero android Gamma 2. In the third act of the film, Gamma 2 sacrifices himself to defeat Cell Max. However, the devastating attack is only capable of destroying Cell Max's left arm. The monster was eventually defeated by Gohan in his new Gohan Beast form.

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The Dragon Ball website confirms plans to bring back the manga

Possibly to the delight of fans, the official Dragon Ball website confirmed that the Dragon Ball Super manga plans to return at some point.

Before Toriyama passed away in early March, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was the last Dragon Ball animated film he participated in. The film takes place in the Dragon Ball Super timeline but begins by recalling young Goku's attack on the Red Ribbon Army. Commander Magenta, son of the original commander of the Red Ribbon Army, is trying to revive his father's fallen empire. He recruits (i.e. manipulates) a young and brilliant but superhero-obsessed scientist named Dr. Hedo to help him rebuild the Red Ribbon Army.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is a notable departure from previous Dragon Ball projects

Unlike previous Dragon Ball projects, Super Hero intentionally left out Goku and Vegeta to focus primarily on former Demon King Piccolo, Gohan, and his daughter Pan. It also marks the first appearance of Gohan Beast – a new power-up transformation that brings Goku's son back to the playing field after his disappointing displays of power, such as the final story arc. of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'. Super Hero is also the first CG animated Dragon Ball movie. Tetsuro Kodama, director of Dragon Ball Super: Broly's CG sequences, directed the film.

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Akira Toriyama reveals his thoughts on the Dragon Ball Anime in a rare interview

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The Dragon Ball Super manga, written by Toriyama with art by Toyotarou, adapted Super Hero into a year-long comic book, fleshing out the film's story. However, the ending where Gohan tries out his new form against Goku and the rest of the Saiyans now serves as a final goodbye to Toriyama before his untimely death. Toriyama's suggestion that Toyotarou redraw Piccolo from flying away with everyone to waving goodbye to Pan's teacher—in a way that seems like he is waving goodbye to the reader—reads especially poignant in a post-Toriyama world.

Source: Dragon Ball official website