Android 18

Lore & Background

Android 18 was conceived after editor Kazuhiko Torishima disapproved of earlier android villains #19 and #20. While initially dissatisfied with her too, the character persisted until Cell's creation. Toriyama noted he liked her unique design and slanted eyes, later revealing her birth name as Lazuli in 2014. In the main timeline, she and her brother were activated by Dr. Gero to find Goku. After Gero was killed, 18 easily defeated Vegeta and outmatched Trunks, Tenshinhan, and Piccolo. She nearly joined Cell after he absorbed Android 17, but escaped thanks to Tenshinhan's sacrifice. Hidden on an island, she refused to leave 16 until Krillin destroyed her deactivation remote, realizing his love for her. Although she was subsequently absorbed by Cell to reach his 'Perfect' form, Gohan regurgitated her after defeating the bio-android. In a tragic alternate future, she and 17 killed most of Earth's defenders over twenty years before being slain by adult Trunks.

In Their Own Story

Seven years after the Cell Games, 80% of the main timeline's Android 18 is married to Krillin with a daughter named Marron. She convinced Krillin to enter the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament for prize money, disguising her strength by lightly tapping the Punching Machine. During the event, she defeated the duo 'Mighty Mask' (Goten and Trunks) by default after they revealed their Super Saiyan forms. Facing Mr. Satan, she threw the fight to share the winnings, preserving his reputation. Following Majin Buu's release, 18 joined the search for Dragon Balls but was killed alongside Marron when turned into chocolate and eaten. She was later revived via the Dragon Balls and contributed energy to Goku's Genki-dama. In Dragon Ball Super, she attended Bulma's birthday party in Battle of Gods, where she attempted to fight Beerus but was defeated by a single neck strike. During the Tournament of Power, she fought for Universe 7 alongside Krillin and 17, defeating Sorrel, Shosa, and Tupper before engaging Ribrianne.

Reader's Guide

Android 18 is technically a cyborg rather than a pure android; her human base was enhanced with bio-organic components while only specific parts like the deactivation controller and energy reactor remain mechanical. This perpetual reactor grants her inexhaustible stamina, allowing her to fight indefinitely without fatigue. Gero's modifications did not hinder reproduction, as evidenced by her healthy daughter Marron. Her voice in Japanese is provided by Miki Itō across all media. In English, Meredith McCoy voiced the character in Funimation's Dragon Ball Z and GT (and returned post-Battle of Gods), while Colleen Clinkenbeard took the role for Dragon Ball Z Kai. Other dubs include Farrell Spence and Willow Johnson for the Ocean Group, and Tamara Ryan for Bang Zoom!. Her combat effectiveness remains high even when disguised; she often demands payment but fights with lethal precision when protecting her family or accepting a challenge.

Did You Know?

• Akira Toriyama revealed her real name is Lazuli in 2014.
• Her only mechanical parts are the emergency deactivation controller, a removed self-destruct device, and a small perpetual energy reactor.
• In the alternate future timeline, she and Android 17 ruled Earth as ruthless killers for twenty years before being killed by Trunks.
• She defeated Vegeta in their first encounter, breaking his arm while sustaining only clothing damage.
• During Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Toriyama originally drew her with purple hair in promotional material.