Android Creation by Dr Gero
Humanity's greatest weapons turned against their creator by the very heroes they sought to destroy.
The Androids represent Dr. Gero's most ambitious and terrifying legacy: a series of bio-engineered warriors designed to surpass even the legendary Saiyans. Originally conceived as tools for global domination, these artificial humans were created using cellular samples from Earth's greatest fighters, blending organic biology with limitless energy reactors. While some units functioned as mindless killing machines, others retained free will and complex personalities, becoming central figures in the saga that pitted Z-Fighters against threats born not of nature, but of human hubris.
- Creator
- Dr. Gero (Red Ribbon Army)
- Primary Purpose
- Assassinate Goku / Global Domination
- Power Source
- Infinite Energy Reactor (Models 16, 17 & 18) or Battery (Others)
- Key Units
- Androids 16 through 20
- First Major Appearance
- Dragon Ball Z: Android Saga
- Status
- Most deactivated, destroyed, or living in seclusion
Lore & Background
The creation process was not merely scientific but deeply personal for Gero, reflecting his obsession with revenge. He programmed the androids with specific directives, yet their human components often led to unpredictable outcomes. Android 16 stands apart as a purely mechanical construct; unlike his counterparts who were modified humans or cyborgs, he possesses no organic brain or biological remnants, making him unique in his total lack of human origin. Meanwhile, Androids 17 and 18 rebelled immediately upon activation, killing their creator and choosing their own path. This act of defiance highlighted the flaw in Gero's design: by using human DNA for other units, he inadvertently granted them the capacity for free will, rendering his control mechanisms useless.
In Their Own Story
The heavy steel doors of the underground lab groaned open, exhaling decades of stagnant air into a chamber bathed in the sterile hum of dormant machinery. Dr. Gero stood before the glass pod, his eyes reflecting the flickering blue light of a figure stirring within. "Finally," he rasped, adjusting his spectacles with a trembling hand. "The perfect weapon." Inside, the artificial human opened its eyes, a piercing azure glow cutting through the gloom. But there was no bow, no salute, only a casual flex that shattered the reinforced glass like paper. The infinite energy reactor in its chest pulsed—a silent, relentless second heart. Gero fumbled for the remote, his voice cracking as he barked the activation code: "Obey me!" The android tilted its head, a cruel smirk twisting its features before it crushed the control device into scrap metal. "I think not, old man." Before Gero could scream, the lab shook with a collision that would echo through history.
Reader's Guide
The Android Saga shattered Dragon Ball Z's established power ceiling, introducing a threat that brute force alone could not dismantle. Dr. Gero's laboratory was a graveyard of his own arrogance, filled with prototypes like the energy-absorbing Androids 19 and 20 (Gero in disguise), whose reliance on finite batteries made them vulnerable to stamina wars. His true masterpiece, however, lay in Androids 17 and 18. By integrating the perpetual infinite energy reactor—a technological leap that rendered traditional power levels obsolete—Gero created warriors who never tire, never need to eat, and possess strength that scales indefinitely with their rage. The narrative tension pivots from 'who is stronger' to a psychological clash: these are not mindless beasts, but former humans grappling with the horror of their own existence, turning Gero's quest for revenge into a tragedy of free will.
Did You Know?
- Dr. Gero originally intended for Android 16 to be his ultimate weapon; unlike other models, he is entirely mechanical with no human brain or biological components.
- In the main Dragon Ball Z and Super narratives, the former humans are referred to exclusively by their numbers, 17 and 18; the names 'Lapis' and 'Lazuli' originate from supplementary materials like the Dragon Ball GT ser
- Unlike most fighters in the series, Androids 16, 17, and 18 do not need to eat or sleep due to their infinite energy reactors.
- The number sequence of the androids strictly follows the order of completion; Android 16 was finished before 17 and 18, despite being activated later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the Androids in Dragon Ball?
Dr. Gero, a disgraced scientist from the Red Ribbon Army, engineered these warriors using his own genetic data and samples from Earth's strongest fighters. He programmed them with a singular mission to eliminate Goku and achieve global domination.
What powers do the Androids possess?
Most units feature infinite energy reactors that allow them to fight indefinitely without tiring, though some older models rely on limited batteries. They are bio-engineered or mechanical constructs designed to surpass Saiyan strength levels.
Which specific Androids appeared in the Dragon Ball Z saga?
The primary antagonists included Androids 16 through 20, with Dr. Gero himself transforming into Android 20. Notable survivors like 17 and 18 gained free will after their creator was destroyed.
Why were the Androids created?
Their original purpose was to serve as assassination tools against Son Goku due to Gero's personal vendetta against his past defeat by a child. This plan evolved into an attempt at worldwide conquest for the remnants of the Red Ribbon Army.
What is the current status of Dr. Gero's Androids?
Most units have been deactivated or destroyed during battles with the Z-Fighters, though some like 17 and 18 eventually lived normal lives in seclusion. The threat remains a significant part of Dragon Ball history due to their near-invulnerability.