Red Ribbon Androids

Lore & Background

The origins of these androids trace back to Doctor Gero, the chief scientist of the Red Ribbon Army who survived its destruction by Goku. Following the army's collapse, Gero continued his research and development work on his line of Android operatives specifically to seek revenge against Goku. The group's hierarchy originally included Commander Red as the supreme leader, followed by Staff Officer Black and commanding officers like General Blue. However, the legacy shifted when Toriyama created Androids 17 and 18 after Kazuhiko Torishima expressed disappointment with Androids 19 and 20 being depicted as villains in the Android Saga arc. When Torishima also complained about this youthful duo, Toriyama decided to develop and introduce Cell instead. The Red Ribbon Army's membership comprises humans, anthropomorphic animals, monsters, and these androids, functioning as a military dictatorship where orders from superiors are absolute.

In Their Own Story

Goku's protracted struggle with the Red Ribbon Army began when he resumed his search for his Grandfather's Dragon Ball following a martial arts tournament. At that time, Commander Red directed his forces to raid settlements worldwide to find the Dragon Balls for world domination, though it was later revealed Red secretly coveted them to wish himself taller. During this conflict, Goku encountered and defeated Colonel Silver and General White at Muscle Tower. After the army's downfall, Doctor Gero continued his work on androids. The narrative took a specific turn when Toriyama faced editorial feedback: he first created Androids 17 and 18 after an editor disliked Androids 19 and 20 as villains, only to create Cell later when that same editor complained about the youthful duo. In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, it was decided the Red Ribbon Army would return as main antagonists with new characters driving its revival, as producer Akio Iyoku noted an organized group banding together offers differing agendas and personal motivations.

Reader's Guide

The Red Ribbon Androids are artificial humanoids created by Doctor Gero. The membership includes fully robotic units like Android 19 and 20 (who is also Dr. Gero), as well as cyborgs with human origins such as the twins 17 and 18. Android 8, the first operative seen, was deployed against Goku but defected due to his kindhearted nature, adopting the alias 8-Man or Hacchan. The group operates under a strict hierarchy where orders are absolute, yet members may act on their own ambitions. In terms of story arcs, the Red Ribbon Army served as opponents during Goku's second quest for the Dragon Balls. Later, in the film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, new characters serve as the driving collective behind the organization's revival, hinting at something going on with new Android creations.

Did You Know?

• Doctor Gero is identified as the chief scientist of the Red Ribbon Army in chapter 335.
• Android 8 was the first Red Ribbon Android seen in the series and later gave energy for Goku's Genki-Dama to destroy Majin Buu.
• Producer Akio Iyoku stated that bringing back an organized group like the Red Ribbon Army allows for characters with differing agendas and personal motivations.
• Androids 17 and 18 were created by Toriyama only after his editor, Kazuhiko Torishima, expressed disappointment with Androids 19 and 20 as villains.