Red Ribbon Androids

Engineered for revenge, they are the enduring legacy of a fallen army.

The Red Ribbon Androids are a series of powerful artificial humanoids created by Doctor Gero following the defeat of the Red Ribbon Army. Originally serving as operatives for the military organization led by Commander Red, these beings continued the group's legacy through a personal vendetta against Goku. While some were deployed as weapons against the protagonist during his quest for the Dragon Balls, others like Android 8 turned kindhearted and defected. The most significant members, including Androids 17 and 18, were developed later after Toriyama's editor expressed disappointment with earlier models. These figures left a lasting impression on popular culture, marking a shift to a darker tone in the series.

Quick Facts

Primary creator: Doctor Gero
Original affiliation: Red Ribbon Army

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.

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 was deployed against Goku but defected due to his kindhearted nature, adopting the alias 8-Man ("Eighter" in the anime). 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?

Android 8 is seen towards the end of the original manga series, giving 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.