Who Made Dragon Ball Super: Heroes

Key Production Roles and Studio

Dragon Ball Super: Heroes is a 2022 Japanese animated film produced by Toei Animation. The film was directed by Daisuke Nishio, who also directed previous Dragon Ball features such as Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and Dragon Ball Super: Broly. The screenplay was written by Gen Urobuchi, with character design by Tadayoshi Yamamuro and music composed by Yuki Hayashi. As a Toei Animation production, the film carries the studio’s long-running lineage in the Dragon Ball franchise, from television to theatrical releases.

Studio and Distribution Context

Toei Animation is one of Japan’s largest and most established anime studios, responsible for long-running series such as One Piece, Slam Dunk, and of course, Dragon Ball. For Dragon Ball Super: Heroes, Toei led production, financing, and global distribution alongside partners such as Shueisha (publisher of the original manga) and regional distributors in international markets. The film benefited from Toei’s in-house resources, including animation, background art, and post-production, which are common across its feature slate.

Distributor and Release Notes

While Toei Animation produced the film, theatrical distribution varied by region. In Japan, Toei Company handled theatrical release. In English-speaking territories, distributors such as Crunchyroll (via its theatrical partnership with Funimation) and Madman Anime in Australia and New Zealand managed screenings. These distributors licensed the film for local release and marketing but did not create the underlying animation or story.

Creative Leadership Roles

Clear creative leadership defines Dragon Ball Super: Heroes. Director Daisuke Nishio guided the film’s pacing, action choreography, and tone. Gen Urobuchi, known for Fate/Zero and Psycho-Pass, shaped the narrative and dialogue. Character designer Tadayoshi Yamamuro maintained visual continuity with the Super series, while composer Yuki Hayashi scored the film’s sequences, balancing spectacle and emotion. Collectively, these roles translated Akira Toriyama’s original characters and world into a cinematic format.

Toriyama’s Role

Akira Toriyama, the original creator of Dragon Ball, remained involved as character concept designer. Though not directing or writing, Toriyama’s approvals ensured that designs, character expressions, and key story beats aligned with his long-term vision. This oversight is typical for Dragon Ball projects, preserving continuity across media.

Voice Cast and Localization Teams

Voice performances are critical to the film’s impact. In Japanese, the cast includes Masako Nozawa (Goku), Hiromi Tsuru (Bulma), and returning voices for Vegeta, Gohan, and Piccolo. In English, companies such as Funimation and Bang Zoom! Entertainment coordinated English dubbing. Localization directors and translators adapted jokes, names, and cultural references while preserving the tone and timing of performances.

Comparative Voice Teams

• Japanese cast: Masako Nozawa (Goku), Hiromi Tsuru (Bulma), Takeshi Kusao (Trunks)
• English dub (Funimation): Sean Schemmel (Goku), Monica Rial (Bulma), Robert McCollum (Trunks)
• English dub (Bang Zoom!): Kyle Hebert (Goku), Caitlin Glass (Bulma)

Production Timeline and Milestones

Production of Dragon Ball Super: Heroes followed the completion of Dragon Ball Super (manga and anime arcs) and the success of prior films such as Broly. Pre-production likely began in the late 2010s, with animation wrapping by 2021. The film was announced in 2021 and released in Japan in June 2022, followed by international rollouts through the rest of 2022. These milestones align with typical lead times for high-budget anime films, which often require 2–3 years of active production.

Frequently Asked Production Questions

Is Dragon Ball Super: Heroes canon to the main series?

Yes. The film exists within the same extended continuity as Dragon Ball Super, respecting established events, timelines, and design choices. While it is an original story rather than an adaptation, it aligns with the tone and power scaling introduced in the Super series.

Did Akira Toriyama write the story?

No. Toriyama contributed character concepts and oversight but did not write the screenplay. Gen Urobuchi is credited as the writer. This separation allows professional screenwriters to craft the narrative while Toriyama ensures visual and character integrity.

How does this film compare to Broly?

Both are Toei-licensed, theatrical Dragon Ball films released in the Super era, but they have different creative leads. Broly was directed by Tatsuya Nagamine and featured a story by Akira Toriyama, whereas Heroes is directed by Daisuke Nishio with a screenplay by Gen Urobuchi. Both aim to deliver high-stakes action tailored for cinema, yet each offers distinct storytelling approaches.

International Release and Localization Notes

International distribution involved licensing the finished film to regional partners. In North America, Crunchyroll managed theatrical windows following home video and streaming strategies. In Europe, Madman Anime handled key territories, ensuring marketing materials and subtitles respected local languages and cultural expectations. These partners do not influence the core animation or script, which remain under Toei and Urobuchi’s authorship.

Summary

Dragon Ball Super: Heroes was produced by Toei Animation under the creative direction of Daisuke Nishio and writer Gen Urobuchi, with character designs by Tadayoshi Yamamuro and music by Yuki Hayashi. Akira Toriyama provided overarching character and continuity oversight. International releases were licensed by partners such as Crunchyroll and Madman Anime, who handled distribution and localization without altering the core production. Understanding these roles clarifies how the film was made and who controlled its creative output.