The latest Dragon Ball movie, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero has been delayed indefinitely from its release due to a hacking incident at Toei Animation. The project's story had been developed by the series' original author Akira Toriyama. The film had been scheduled for release in Japan in April 2022.
The latest movie in the longrunning anime franchise, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero follows the much loved cast of Saiyans, androids and aliens in an all-new adventure. Centering on Son Gohan (Masako Nozawa) and his Namekian martial arts mentor Piccolo (Toshio Furukawa),the film sees the return of classic series enemy faction, the Red Ribbon Army for vengeance against Goku (Nozawa) and his loved ones. With a pair of new, even more powerful androids at their command in the form of Gamma 1 (Hiroshi Kamiya) and Gamma 2 (Mamoru Miyano), Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero's first trailer revealed that the film would bring the series into a whole new style of 3D animation in 2022. However, recent events at production company Toei Animation have forced the company to reconsider the upcoming film's release.
First reported by CBR, Toei Animation have updated the film's official website, notifying fans that the film will no longer debut in Japan on its previously scheduled April 22nd, 2022 release date. The post stated that the delay was made in response to the recent hacking incident at Toei Animation, which saw the companies' private network be accessed by an unauthorized third-party, and a number of files being compromised. This led to projects like the ongoing popular anime One Piece being placed on an indefinite hiatus. Toei Animation apologized to fans for the delay, and that while they could not confirm a new release date, they assured fans their pre-purchased tickets would be honored when the film finally releases.
After producer Akio Iyoku confirmed the focus on Gohan and Piccolo during Toei's Lineup Presentation in February, it appeared that the film would build upon events depicted in prior series. Iyoku revealed that they decided to set the film on Earth to showcase how strong each character had finally become in the face of the returning, stronger threat that the returning Red Ribbon Army and new androids brought. The producer emphasized that while the student-master duo of Gohan and Piccolo would be the focus, each character would have an opportunity to shine, stating that the film's title reflected the cast's role in the story.
With recent events causing Toei Animation's productions to be paused, it feels inevitable that Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero would be delayed. While exact details of what was compromised are unknown, it is possible sensitive details regarding the film may have been leaked or lost. While the franchise's debut on Crunchyroll was a much-celebrated moment for the Dragon Ball franchise that gave fans new and old a chance to return to the classic stories they loved before the film releases, they will have to wait for some time longer for the next chapter in Goku and his friends' adventures
Source: CBR