“I guess everyone thought I had done this on purpose”: No One Dared to Ask if Akira Toriyama Had Made a Mistake With Dragon Ball That He Himself Confessed to be Wrong Later
Now a global box office success, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero marks a significant milestone in foreign markets. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is fantastic because it doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the 2015 revival series Super.
In an interview given by Akira Toriyama of the Dragon Ball franchise, the mangaka answered various questions about the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero film, including why the word “super” appears twice in the film’s title.
The Toei Animation hack on March 6 caused the release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero to be delayed in North America and be released on April 22 in Japan.
Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Title Was a Mistake, The Mangaka Admits
In an interview with DBSuperFrance, Akira Toriyama revealed the reason why the word “super” appears twice in the title of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Although dumb, the hilarious reason behind the mistake can only be attributed to the mangaka.
Here’s a translation of the Toriyama interview included in the DBS: SH movie pamphlet (thanks to @DBSuperFrance for sharing!). Some of this Q&A already appeared on the film’s Twitter account, but it’s mostly new. Learn the unbelievably stupid reason behind the film’s title! (1/3) pic.twitter.com/RmLuogW9Mc
— Todd Blankenship (@Herms98) June 11, 2022
Toriyama revealed that he forgot the movie’s main title was Dragon Ball Super and added the subtitle Super Hero. In an attempt to defend himself, Toriyama said that he was never countered by any of the staff members who were involved in the movie.
He laughed and said that it was his fault that the word “Super” appeared so many times in the title because they didn’t question him. He explained:
By the way, the subtitle is “Super Hero”. I totally forgot that the film’s main title is “Dragon Ball Super”, so there ended up being two “supers”. I guess everyone thought I had done this on purpose, because nobody pointed it out to me (laughs). So it’s my fault that the “Super” is so repetitive.
He also discusses how he wanted to make the next Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie a little different in the interview. He claims that because the Broly film is a fully realized combat film, it didn’t address the sentimental elements and upbeat vibe of the original Dragon Ball. Thus, he decided to go back in a lighter direction and create a new film that captured the joyous spirit of the original Dragon Ball.
Gohan Is Stronger Than The Other Z Warriors, Said Akira Toriyama
During the interview, Toriyama also addressed that Gohan is stronger than the other Z warriors. Although he said that Gohan is much stronger than the others, he hasn’t had much opportunity to show off recently. He thus gave Gohan more of his attention throughout the film.
Gohan is actually stronger than anyone…or so it’s said, but lately he hasn’t really gotten a chance to shine. In order to motivate Gohan, it takes his revered teacher Piccolo rather than his father Goku.
He went on to explain his decision to have Red Ribbon Army serve as the film’s primary antagonist. He claimed that the Red Ribbon Army wasn’t so terrifying in the original Dragon Ball. But he’s turned them lethal now.
As for the Red Ribbon Army, it didn’t seem so scary back when I drew it in the original series, but this time I’ve brought it back as an enemy organization that triggers the birth of powerful new foes.
He went on to say that his favorite character is Piccolo. He exudes such composure and is always calm and collected. However, in this film, he has been more vocal and engaging for the first time.
