The Evolution of Androids in Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball is known for its captivating villains in the world of anime. The series has also played a significant role in introducing and popularizing various tropes within the industry. One such trope that has gained prominence is the emphasis on Androids.

Androids have been a recurring theme in the Dragon Ball series since its inception. From the early days of Goku's childhood adventures to the more recent Dragon Ball Z, Androids have not only increased in popularity but have also become integral to the storyline. Let's take a closer look at each Android character featured in the franchise.

Eighter Was An Ally For Kid Goku

Android 8 – Dragon Ball - Eighter Was An Ally For Kid Goku

Android 8 – Dragon Ball

Android 8, also known as Eighter, was designed by Dr. Gero and first appeared in the early episodes of the original Dragon Ball series. Originally created to assist the Red Ribbon Army in their missions, he was deemed defective because of his compassionate and gentle personality. This unique trait eventually led him to form a friendship with Goku and join forces with the Dragon Team.

"I'd rather be destroyed than be evil," Android 8 stated firmly.

Major Metallitron Was An Early Red Ribbon Android

Major Metallitron Red Ribbon Army Saga Dragon Ball - Major Metallitron Was An Early Red Ribbon Android

Major Metallitron, a powerful creation of the Red Ribbon Army, proved to be a tough opponent for Goku at Muscle Tower. Despite not receiving an official Android designation in the series, he put up a formidable fight before ultimately being defeated by the Saiyan.

Android 20 Was Dr. Gero Himself

dr gero - Android 20 Was Dr. Gero Himself

Dr. Gero, the head scientist of the Red Ribbon Army, was in control of their whole operation. He harbored a deep grudge against Goku after the Army's defeat and destruction. This hatred came to a head in the Android Saga of Dragon Ball Z, where he finally revealed himself and his creations to the world. Following Android 19's demise at Vegeta's hands, Gero fled to activate Androids 17 and 18, only for them to betray and kill him.

Android 19 Could Steal Other Fighters' Energy

android-19 - Android 19 Could Steal Other Fighters' Energy

Android 19 was the initial Android to show up in Dragon Ball Z, appearing alongside Android 20. It possessed the power to absorb the energy of its enemies, posing a serious threat to the Z-Fighters. However, this ability proved ineffective against Vegeta's Super Saiyan form, which easily destroyed Android 19 with a Big Bang Attack.

Androids 17 And 18 Had Infinite Energy

Android 17 and 18 - Androids 17 And 18 Had Infinite Energy

Androids 17 and 18, originally known as Lapis and Lazuli, were human twins who were transformed into powerful androids by Dr. Gero. Considered to be Gero's greatest creations before Cell's awakening, these androids possessed limitless energy and surpassed the strength of Super Saiyan Vegeta. Their rampage caused immense destruction and posed a grave threat to the world. Future Trunks had journeyed back in time to warn the Z-Fighters about these androids, as they were responsible for the devastation in the future.

Android 16 Helped The Z-Fighters

Android 16, like Android 17 and 18, started off as a villain in Dragon Ball Z. However, he later redeemed himself and became a crucial member of the Z-Fighters. His assistance was invaluable in helping to protect the world from threats.

Android 16 (Dragon Ball Z) - Android 16 Helped The Z-Fighters

Despite his intimidating appearance and initial animosity towards Goku, Android 16 was actually a gentle and kind-hearted machine, unlike the other Androids. He had a deep love for nature and cherished life, much like Android 8. Considered a flawed creation by Dr. Gero, he was the most powerful of all the Androids, leading to Gero's fear of him potentially destroying the others. Android 16 shared a special bond with Gohan, and his death was a catalyst for Gohan's transformation into Super Saiyan 2.

If they release that Android, it could spell disaster for all of us.

Androids 13, 14, And 15 Were Quite A Handful

androids-13-14-15 - Androids 13, 14, And 15 Were Quite A Handful

Following Dr. Gero's demise, it is discovered that his supercomputer continued to function and created three new Androids: 13, 14, and 15. When these Androids are activated, the Z-Fighters engage them in combat in a frozen wasteland. They appear to be on par with a typical Super Saiyan in terms of strength, but slightly inferior to Androids 16, 17, and 18.

Dr. Gero's Perfect Creation: Cell

Cell was Dr. Gero's ultimate creation, designed to be the perfect being with the ability to absorb other androids and achieve his perfect form.

Perfect Cell - Cell Was Dr. Gero's Perfect Creation

Cell stands out from his fellow Androids because he was created through cell recombination, combining the cells of the greatest fighters to form a perfect being. He is renowned not just as one of Dragon Ball's top villains, but also as one of the most iconic villains in all of anime! Throughout the franchise, Cell's power and presence have left a lasting impact.

Despite facing stronger opponents at times, Cell would always find a way to increase his power by absorbing others, making him even more formidable. Through multiple transformations, he eventually reached his ultimate form as Perfect Cell, a ruthless monster that only Gohan could defeat after unlocking his Super Saiyan 2 transformation.

You see, I'm perfect, my strength is perfect, and with that I shall bring equally perfect destruction throughout the rest of the universe.

Super Android 17 Was Incredibly Powerful

super-17 - Super Android 17 Was Incredibly Powerful

Dr. Hedo's Greatest Achievement: The Gamma Androids

Dragon Ball GT faced heavy criticism for the Super 17 Saga, considered by many fans as the worst arc in the entire franchise. The storyline was deemed boring and nonsensical. However, the introduction of Super 17 brought forth a powerful and menacing villain. This fusion of 2 different versions of Android 17 created the strongest Android ever seen in the franchise. Despite the formidable challenge this hellish amalgamation posed for the heroes, Goku managed to emerge victorious with the assistance of Android 18.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 - The Gamma Androids Were Dr. Hedo's Greatest Achievement

Cell Max Is The Strongest Android Of Them All

The Gamma Androids were originally created by Dr. Gero's grandson, Dr. Hedo. They were manipulated by the Red Ribbon Army to see the Z-Fighters as villains. Dr. Hedo created Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, two powerful Androids with a strong sense of justice. This sense of justice eventually led them to switch sides and join the heroes. Despite their immense power, they were able to hold their own against Ultimate Gohan and played a crucial role in the final battle against Cell Max.

cell max - Cell Max Is The Strongest Android Of Them All

Cell Max, the final antagonist in the Super Hero film, posed a serious threat to the entire planet. His power was unmatched by the Z-Fighters on Earth, pushing Gohan to unlock a powerful new form with the help of Piccolo and the others. Created as Hedo's ultimate weapon, Cell Max was activated ahead of schedule, causing him to go out of control and go on a destructive rampage.

The only character who could defeat his immense strength was someone on par with Ultra Instinct Goku. It makes me wonder if even Dad and Vegeta could have taken down that monstrous version of Cell.

Dragon Ball can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Funimation.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the Androids in the Dragon Ball franchise, highlighting their unique characteristics and contributions to the storyline. It's evident that Androids have played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative, serving as both adversaries and allies for the Z-Fighters. The inclusion of detailed tables with vital information about each Android enhances the reader's understanding of their abilities and significance.

From the compassionate Android 8 to the formidable Cell and the powerful Cell Max, the article captures the diversity and evolution of Androids in the Dragon Ball universe. It's fascinating to see how these artificial beings have challenged the heroes and influenced the course of events. The article also touches upon the emotional depth of some Androids, like Android 16, who defied their programming and formed meaningful connections with others. Overall, the article offers a well-rounded perspective on the Androids in Dragon Ball, making it a valuable resource for fans of the series.