Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’s animation, while visually distinct, is perceived as “bad” by many due to its heavy reliance on 3D CGI animation that often lacks the fluidity, impact, and expressive character designs associated with traditional 2D animation, a departure that clashes with established expectations and series aesthetics. This choice, while potentially cost-effective, sacrifices the dynamic energy and hand-drawn charm that defined previous Dragon Ball installments, leading to a perceived downgrade in animation quality and a significant point of contention among fans.
The 3D Elephant in the Room
The core criticism levied against Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero lies in its extensive use of 3D CGI animation, a stylistic shift from the 2D animation that characterized the franchise’s most iconic moments. While CGI has become increasingly prevalent in anime production, its implementation in Super Hero is often seen as detrimental to the overall visual experience.
Lack of Fluidity and Impact
One of the primary concerns is the reduced fluidity of the animation. 2D animation, with its carefully crafted keyframes and in-betweening, can achieve a level of dynamism and impact that is difficult to replicate in CGI. Movements in Super Hero often appear stiff, lacking the weight and momentum that made classic Dragon Ball fight scenes so captivating. The energy blasts, punches, and ki attacks, once visually stunning displays of power, now feel less impactful due to the limitations of the 3D models.
Uncanny Valley and Expressiveness
Another issue is the “uncanny valley” effect, where the characters, despite being rendered in 3D, still aim for a 2D aesthetic. This can result in unnatural facial expressions and body movements, detracting from the emotional resonance of the scenes. The expressiveness of the characters, a crucial element of Dragon Ball’s appeal, suffers in translation to CGI, making them appear less nuanced and engaging. The subtle nuances of facial expressions, so critical in conveying emotions, are often lost in the translation.
Clashing with Legacy
Perhaps the most significant reason for the negative reaction is the departure from the established visual style of the Dragon Ball franchise. Fans have come to expect a certain level of quality and aesthetic from the series, and the sudden shift to CGI feels like a betrayal of that legacy. The hand-drawn charm and dynamic energy of the original series and Dragon Ball Z are simply not present in Super Hero, leading to a sense of disappointment and a perception of lower quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the issues surrounding the animation of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero:
1. Why did they switch to 3D CGI animation?
The switch was likely driven by a combination of factors, including cost considerations, faster production timelines, and a desire to experiment with new animation techniques. CGI animation can potentially be more cost-effective in the long run, especially for complex scenes with intricate details. It also allows for faster production, as 3D models can be reused and modified more easily than drawing each frame by hand. The studio probably wanted to see if it could create something different and appeal to a wider audience.
2. Was the entire movie animated in 3D CGI?
Yes, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was animated entirely in full 3D CGI. This is in contrast to previous Dragon Ball anime and films, which primarily utilized 2D animation with occasional CGI enhancements.
3. Did the animation team lack the skills to do traditional 2D animation?
It’s highly unlikely that the animation team lacked the skills. Instead, the decision to use CGI was likely a strategic choice driven by the aforementioned cost and production factors. Toei Animation has a long history of producing high-quality 2D animation, so a lack of talent is improbable. They employed a different team and pipeline.
4. Does the 3D animation look bad on all platforms?
The perceived quality of the 3D animation can vary depending on the viewing platform and screen size. Issues like stiff movements and unnatural expressions may be more noticeable on larger screens or in high-definition formats. Some viewers find it more acceptable on smaller screens or mobile devices.
5. Are there any redeeming qualities to the 3D animation?
Despite the criticisms, the 3D animation does offer some advantages. It allows for more complex camera movements and dynamic action sequences that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional 2D animation. The models are consistent and the lighting and shading are generally good.
6. Is there any possibility of future Dragon Ball projects returning to 2D animation?
While there’s no guarantee, the negative reception to Super Hero’s animation might influence future decisions. Fan feedback is often taken into consideration, and a strong preference for 2D animation could potentially lead to a shift back in future Dragon Ball projects. The studio will weigh the cost and production time compared to the fan reaction.
7. Did the director or animation team address the animation criticisms?
The director has acknowledged some of the criticisms, stating that they were aware of the risks involved in using 3D CGI animation but felt it was a necessary step to push the boundaries of the franchise. He also mentioned that they learned valuable lessons during the production process that could be applied to future projects.
8. How does the animation compare to other CGI anime movies?
The quality of the CGI animation in Super Hero is comparable to other CGI anime movies, such as those in the Berserk franchise or certain Final Fantasy films. However, it falls short of the visual fidelity achieved in more polished CGI animated films like those from Pixar or DreamWorks.
9. What’s the difference between 2D and 3D animation, really?
2D animation involves drawing each frame individually, creating the illusion of movement when the frames are played in sequence. 3D animation, on the other hand, involves creating digital models and manipulating them using computer software. 3D models are created and then “posed” with key frames to guide the software on what should happen in between.
10. Does this mean all future Dragon Ball will be CGI?
It is unlikely that all future Dragon Ball projects will exclusively use CGI. Toei Animation will likely evaluate the performance of Super Hero and fan feedback before making any definitive decisions about the animation style for future installments. It is possible that they may opt for a hybrid approach, combining 2D and 3D animation techniques.
11. Are there any particular scenes where the animation is especially problematic?
Many viewers have pointed to the fight scenes involving Gohan and Piccolo as being particularly problematic, due to the stiff movements and lack of impact in their attacks. The transformation sequences, which are typically visually stunning, were also criticized for looking less impressive in CGI.
12. Beyond the animation, did the movie have other issues?
While the animation was the primary point of contention, some viewers also criticized the pacing and story elements of the movie. Some felt that the plot was predictable and lacked the emotional depth of previous Dragon Ball stories. Others found the character designs to be uninspired. These issues, combined with the subpar animation, contributed to the overall negative reception. Ultimately, the jarring animation overshadowed the film’s other aspects, contributing to its mixed reception.