Androids & Cyborgs

Lore & Background

The origins of this faction trace back to the Red Ribbon Army's desperate attempts to conquer the world. Dr. Gero, the chief scientist of the Red Ribbon Army, continued his research and development work on his line of Android operatives after the organization's downfall to seek revenge against Goku. He harvested biological samples from the greatest warriors he had encountered or observed, embedding their DNA into specific projects; notably, Cell's unique genetic composition includes Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Frieza, and King Cold, distinguishing him from standard Android models like 16, 17, or 18.

The resulting beings vary greatly: Androids 17 and 18 are human-based cyborgs enhanced with bio-organic components, while Android 19 is a fully mechanical android. The narrative arc of the Androids is defined by a tragic evolution. After Dr. Gero activated Androids 17 and 18, Android 17 killed him, and Android 18 activated Android 16. Android 16, very gentle and friendly despite his large and cold appearance, and the rebellious siblings 17 and 18 forced a reevaluation of what it means to be alive.

The culmination of this experimentation was Cell, a bio-android created from the DNA of multiple Saiyans, Namekians, and other Z-Fighters (plus Frieza and King Cold), intended to merge with his predecessors to achieve a perfect form.

Reader's Guide

Created primarily by Dr. Gero, their initial goal was singular: locate and eliminate Son Goku to avenge the Red Ribbon Army's defeat. The group is diverse in both composition and allegiance. The earlier models were Androids 19 and 20 (Dr. Gero himself). However, the later models—16, 17, and 18—are highly advanced, possessing near-perfect combat capabilities and distinct personalities. 16 did not take pleasure in fighting and was destroyed by Cell, while 17 turned on Gero and killed him; 17 and 18 later helped the Z Fighters. The faction's most dangerous member is Cell, a bio-android designed to absorb 17 and 18 to reach his Perfect Form. His existence represents the culmination of Gero's scientific hubris, combining the DNA of the universe's strongest fighters.

Did You Know?

• Dr. Gero deemed Android 16 a failure and kept him deactivated until Android 18 reactivated and released him.
• Toriyama revealed in 2014 that the real names of Androids 17 and 18 are Lapis and Lazuli.

Origins and Creative Development

Android 18, originally named Lazuli, was conceived as a direct response to editorial feedback regarding earlier villain designs in the Dragon Ball series. Creator Akira Toriyama developed her alongside her twin brother, Android 17, after his editor Kazuhiko Torishima expressed dissatisfaction with the initial android concepts. Toriyama found particular satisfaction in designing 18, noting she represented a character type he had not previously drawn and admiring her distinct slanted eyes.

Although initially intended as villains to fulfill Dr. Gero's vendetta against Goku, their narrative role shifted significantly. The editor eventually grew dissatisfied with them as well, prompting the creation of Cell to replace them as the primary antagonists. Despite this, 18 remained a pivotal figure, debuting in 1991 and evolving from a reluctant cyborg into a central character who defied her programming.

Cybernetic Nature and Biological Capabilities

Although frequently referred to as an android, Android 18 is technically a cyborg constructed from a human base enhanced with bio-organic components. According to technical analyses by Bulma, her only true mechanical parts consist of a perpetual energy reactor providing inexhaustible stamina, an emergency deactivation controller, and a self-destruction device which was later removed. This unique composition distinguishes her from fully robotic entities, as Gero's experiments modified her on a cellular level to achieve superhuman strength without compromising her biological functions. Most notably, these enhancements did not impede her reproductive capabilities, allowing her to give birth to a healthy daughter named Marron.

Narrative Arcs and Timeline Divergence

Android 18's story is defined by stark contrasts between two distinct timelines within the Dragon Ball universe. In the main timeline, she rejects Dr. Gero's orders to kill Goku, eventually becoming a major character who marries Krillin after he destroys her deactivation device out of love. Her journey involves surviving Cell's absorption and regurgitation during the Cell Games. Conversely, in an alternate future where Goku has died of heart disease, she becomes a ruthless killer alongside Android 17. In this darker reality, they slaughter the Z Fighters and terrorize Earth for twenty years until their eventual demise at the hands of an adult Future Trunks.

Voice Performance and Cultural Presence

In Japan, Miki Itō has consistently voiced Android 18 throughout the entire anime series and related projects. In English, Meredith McCoy voices the character in the Funimation dub of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT, except for Dragon Ball Z Kai, where she is voiced by Colleen Clinkenbeard. Other dubs, such as Ocean Group and Bang Zoom!, featured different actresses including Farrell Spence, Willow Johnson, and Tamara Ryan. In promotional material for Battle of Gods, Toriyama drew her with purple hair.