Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball series has done exceptional work to emerge as not only a foundational shonen series but also an anime that remains as popular today as it’s ever been. Dragon Ball has evolved in important ways over the years, but it’s always focused on Goku’s continued efforts to keep the world safe from evil forces.
Debate rages on over which of Dragon Ball’s various story arcs is the most successful, but the Cell Saga installments mark a crucial turning point in the series. Not only do these stretches of episodes introduce a formidable new foe, but they bring Androids back into the series in a very important way. These Androids are feared, but their lives are far from perfect.
10 They Have Self-Destruct Devices Inside Of Them
The Androids are very powerful and dangerous in their own right, but Dr. Gero also makes sure that even in a hopeless scenario, they’re still able to leave with a big bang. A certain safeguard that Gero builds into his mechanical creations is an Android Bomb, which can be detonated if the Androids rebel or are overwhelmed. Krillin eventually enlists Shenron’s help to remove these destructive devices, but the Androids must otherwise exist with some level of doubt that they could be detonated at any moment.
9 Their Energy Can’t Be Detected
Dragon Ball does a decent job with its breakdown of how ki energy works, as well as how it’s different from other energy forces in the universe, like magic. Androids, due to their mechanical nature, operate off of a limitless form of energy that isn’t detectable like conventional ki. In many scenarios, like the Tournament of Power, this undetectable energy can be an asset, but it just as easily can turn into a disadvantage. This makes it harder to tell if an ally Android is dead, or not and there are scenarios where locking onto an energy force is essential.
8 They Don’t Physically Age
Some of the Androids in Dragon Ball, like Androids 16, 17, and 18, are built off of a human foundation and are technically cyborgs that combine both human matter with mechanical components.
This means that many of the Androids do in fact look human, but because of their cybernetic ingredients, they’re no longer able to show signs of age, like regular humans. This may not bother some Androids, but it definitely poses complications for the Androids who have families. Android 18, for instance, will watch her daughter grow older than her.
7 They’re Under The Mercy Of Dr. Gero
There is no shortage of mad scientists in Dragon Ball, with a number of them affiliated with the evil Red Ribbon Army in some manner. The Androids aren’t brainwashed entities who must follow Dr. Gero’s every command, but there is a level of built-in loyalty that exists between the Androids and their creator. Dr. Gero makes reference to behavioral limiters in the firmware of the Androids, which he disables in Androids 17 and 18 in exchange for greater power, but the implication is that he’s able to exert deeper control over his creations.
6 They’re Ultimately Fuel For A Greater Evil
The Androids are incredibly efficient killing machines, and in Future Trunks’ apocalyptic timeline, they’re responsible for the end of civilization. Despite how the Androids can get a lot of damage done, they’re ultimately designed to be a means to an end for an even greater evil, Cell. Androids 17 and 18 are essentially fuel that helps Cell gain ultimate perfection. These Androids transcend above this purpose, but without this level of intervention, they’d always be hunted by Cell and have to worry that they might be absorbed.
5 They Used To Be Humans With Families
Some of the Androids that come into creation in Dragon Ball are completely mechanical and created out of nothing, but the series does explain that some of Dr. Gero’s more advanced models do make use of organic components from real humans.
Androids 17 and 18 are only ever known as Androids, but the implication is that they've had past lives and families who were left behind after succumbing to this grim fate. Not only do these Androids have to forget about their pasts and what made them human, but their surviving families are also left in doubt.
4 Some Feature Outdated Technology
Several different models of Androids get showcased in Dragon Ball, some of which are considerably more practical and efficient than others. However, the Androids have no say in this matter, and the older models are still forced to go out and fight against Earth’s strongest. Models like Android 19 have energy absorption sensors on the palms of their hands that are necessary for energy acquisition. Plenty of Androids are past this point, but some are still stuck with needing to lead with their hands in battle.
3 They Have No Souls
Spirituality is something that can be rampant or wholly absent in anime series,s and Dragon Ball explores some interesting territory when it comes to the afterlife and the existence of celestial deities. The concept of souls doesn’t play a big part in Dragon Ball, but they can still be a comforting idea to cling onto, especially when death can be so prevalent in the series. A disappointing truth that’s put out in the series is that Androids don’t have souls due to their mechanical nature, which in turn raises a lot of questions when it comes to their destruction.
2 They Can Be Used As A Tool To Fuse Together With An Evil Counterpart
There’s still a healthy amount of criticism that gets lobbied toward Dragon Ball GT, plenty of which is warranted, yet the sequel series does make some ambitious decisions and returns to old characters from the series. Dragon Ball GT returns to Android 17 through the reveal that Dr. Gero and Dr. Myuu have constructed an evil replica, Hell Fighter 17, who can fuse together with the regular 17. The result is the deadly Super 17. This is technically a risk for any Android, and Android 18 could be subjected to the same fate.
1 Food And Eating Is Unessential
Common territory that gets explored with any storytelling that revolves around robots or androids is biological activity and how it fits into the equation. Androids 17 and 18 look like regular humans, but they don’t need to eat anything to survive because of their robotic components. Androids do need to consume water for survival, but the glory of food is such a big part of Dragon Ball. The series is full of characters who consider Earth’s cuisine to be one of the universe’s greatest joys, yet it’s something that Androids aren’t meant to experience.
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