Movie
Description
C-13 is an android created by the deceased Dr. Gero's supercomputer, which continued its programming to fulfill its creator's vendetta against the Saiyan warrior Son Goku. As the final model completed from Gero's designs, he is the leader of a trio that includes his fellow androids, C-14 and C-15. Like C-16, C-13 is a purely mechanical being, powered by a permanent energy reactor that does not require recharging. He stands at an imposing 213 centimeters in his base form, with long white hair, blue eyes, and a distinctive outfit consisting of a yellow-brown vest with the Red Ribbon Army logo, a matching cap, dark green trousers, and dark grey boots.
The primary motivation of C-13 is absolute and unwavering: to execute his programmed directive to terminate Son Goku. His personality is defined by this singular focus, though its expression varies significantly between different versions of the character. In the original Japanese version, C-13 is portrayed as serious, confident, and single-minded in his mission, showing little emotion beyond a diabolical grin and a calm, lethal efficiency. He deems anyone who interferes with his objective as worthy of destruction as well. Conversely, the English Funimation dub re-imagines his attitude as that of a stereotypical Southern United States brawler, complete with a thick accent and a habit of giving Goku nicknames like city boy or son. In this version, he even delivers a cynical lecture to Future Trunks about how humanity has misused its free will to perpetuate war and hatred, using this as a twisted justification for his own programmed mission.
Within the narrative of Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!, C-13 serves as the primary antagonist. He is activated last, joining the battle against the Z-Fighters on a northern glacier after C-14 and C-15 have already engaged Goku, Future Trunks, and Vegeta. Initially, he proves to be a formidable opponent, matching a Super Saiyan Goku blow for blow. When his allies are destroyed by Vegeta and Trunks, C-13 reveals his unique ability by absorbing their computer chips and power reactors, undergoing a dramatic transformation into Super C-13. In this bulked-up state, his skin turns blue, his hair becomes a spiky orange reminiscent of a Super Saiyan, and his power increases exponentially, allowing him to easily defeat Piccolo, break Future Trunks' sword, and overwhelm the Super Saiyans Vegeta and Goku with brute force.
His key relationships are with his immediate comrades and his creator. C-14 and C-15 are tools for him to use, whether as disposable allies or as components to be absorbed for his ultimate power-up. His connection to Dr. Gero is indirect, as he is a product of the scientist's lingering will, carrying out a revenge campaign that outlasted its originator. Goku is his sole target, and the entire character arc of C-13 is the pursuit of this one goal. The development of C-13 is linear and physical rather than emotional, marked solely by his evolution from a powerful but standard android into a mindless, raging behemoth. In his Super form, he becomes far more feral and maniacal, speaking only to roar Goku's name in his final moments, losing the calculated demeanor he had before the transformation.
Notable abilities include a technique called the SS Deadly Bomber, where he creates a large, homing red energy sphere capable of massive destruction. His signature power is the absorption of C-14 and C-15 to become Super C-13, which grants him immense physical strength, durability, and power that surpasses that of a standard Super Saiyan. In this state, he is strong enough to punch Goku into the ocean and withstand direct attacks from Vegeta with no visible damage. His ultimate defeat comes not from a conventional attack, but when a Super Saiyan Goku, having absorbed the energy of a Spirit Bomb, drives his fist through C-13's body, disintegrating him.
The primary motivation of C-13 is absolute and unwavering: to execute his programmed directive to terminate Son Goku. His personality is defined by this singular focus, though its expression varies significantly between different versions of the character. In the original Japanese version, C-13 is portrayed as serious, confident, and single-minded in his mission, showing little emotion beyond a diabolical grin and a calm, lethal efficiency. He deems anyone who interferes with his objective as worthy of destruction as well. Conversely, the English Funimation dub re-imagines his attitude as that of a stereotypical Southern United States brawler, complete with a thick accent and a habit of giving Goku nicknames like city boy or son. In this version, he even delivers a cynical lecture to Future Trunks about how humanity has misused its free will to perpetuate war and hatred, using this as a twisted justification for his own programmed mission.
Within the narrative of Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!, C-13 serves as the primary antagonist. He is activated last, joining the battle against the Z-Fighters on a northern glacier after C-14 and C-15 have already engaged Goku, Future Trunks, and Vegeta. Initially, he proves to be a formidable opponent, matching a Super Saiyan Goku blow for blow. When his allies are destroyed by Vegeta and Trunks, C-13 reveals his unique ability by absorbing their computer chips and power reactors, undergoing a dramatic transformation into Super C-13. In this bulked-up state, his skin turns blue, his hair becomes a spiky orange reminiscent of a Super Saiyan, and his power increases exponentially, allowing him to easily defeat Piccolo, break Future Trunks' sword, and overwhelm the Super Saiyans Vegeta and Goku with brute force.
His key relationships are with his immediate comrades and his creator. C-14 and C-15 are tools for him to use, whether as disposable allies or as components to be absorbed for his ultimate power-up. His connection to Dr. Gero is indirect, as he is a product of the scientist's lingering will, carrying out a revenge campaign that outlasted its originator. Goku is his sole target, and the entire character arc of C-13 is the pursuit of this one goal. The development of C-13 is linear and physical rather than emotional, marked solely by his evolution from a powerful but standard android into a mindless, raging behemoth. In his Super form, he becomes far more feral and maniacal, speaking only to roar Goku's name in his final moments, losing the calculated demeanor he had before the transformation.
Notable abilities include a technique called the SS Deadly Bomber, where he creates a large, homing red energy sphere capable of massive destruction. His signature power is the absorption of C-14 and C-15 to become Super C-13, which grants him immense physical strength, durability, and power that surpasses that of a standard Super Saiyan. In this state, he is strong enough to punch Goku into the ocean and withstand direct attacks from Vegeta with no visible damage. His ultimate defeat comes not from a conventional attack, but when a Super Saiyan Goku, having absorbed the energy of a Spirit Bomb, drives his fist through C-13's body, disintegrating him.