TV-Series
Description
Android 17, also known as Artificial Human No. 17, is a character who first appears as an antagonist. His original human name was Lapis, and he is the twin brother of Android 18. The twins were notorious delinquents who were kidnapped by the Red Ribbon Army scientist Dr. Gero and forcibly transformed into cyborgs through cybernetic and biomechanical enhancements. Because they were originally human, Android 17 and his sister are technically cyborgs rather than purely mechanical beings. They retain the ability to grow stronger through training, do not need to eat but do require water, and age very slowly due to the gradual deterioration of their artificial cells.
In Dragon Ball Z Kai, Android 17 is awakened by Dr. Gero when the Z-Fighters track the doctor to his laboratory. Although created to serve Gero's vendetta against Goku, 17 immediately demonstrates his rebellious and independent nature. He destroys the remote control that could deactivate him, assists his sister in activating the fully mechanical Android 16, and then kills Dr. Gero by severing and crushing his head. Alongside Android 18 and Android 16, he sets out to find and kill Goku, treating the entire mission as a game and deliberately avoiding shortcuts or asking for directions to prolong the experience.
During his initial appearance, Android 17 possesses a personality best described as a reckless anarchist or a rebel without a cause. He finds joy in causing panic, acts on whims, and is overconfident in his power, believing nobody is stronger than him until witnessing the strength of Android 16 and Cell. He carries a pistol despite his immense power, using it against civilians in a sadistic display of amusement. Despite his cruel tendencies, he hates the cybernetic modifications forced upon him, a resentment stemming from the trauma of being kidnapped and experimented on by Dr. Gero. His sister notes that he is somewhat similar to Goku in his childlike attitude and tendency to seek fun in any activity.
Android 17's role in the story becomes critical when the bio-android Cell seeks to absorb him and Android 18 to achieve his Perfect form. After a fight with Piccolo, who has fused with Kami, Android 17 proves evenly matched with the Namekian. Sensing their battle, Cell arrives and overpowers both of them. Despite Android 16's orders to flee, 17 remains and is absorbed by Cell, allowing the villain to transform into his Semi-Perfect form. After Cell is defeated by Gohan, Android 17 is revived by the Dragon Balls as part of a wish that restored all of Cell's victims. He later makes a brief cameo appearance during the battle against Kid Buu, where he contributes energy to Goku's Super Spirit Bomb.
In the years following the Cell Games, Android 17 undergoes significant development. He becomes a park ranger at the Royal Nature Park, a job that channels his hyperactive and anarchistic tendencies into protecting wildlife from poachers. He marries a zoologist, has one biological child, and adopts two more children, living happily in an isolated house within the nature park. His personality matures considerably, becoming calmer, more casual, humble, and gentlemanly, with his primary motivations shifting from causing chaos to providing for his family and protecting nature. His love for the outdoors was likely influenced by his friendship with the nature-loving Android 16.
Key relationships define much of Android 17's character. He shares an exceptionally close bond with his twin sister Android 18, with whom he was kidnapped and transformed. He becomes brother-in-law to Krillin after 18 marries the former monk, and he shows warmth toward his niece Marron. His relationship with his creator Dr. Gero is one of contempt and violence, culminating in him killing the doctor shortly after being awakened. He also shares a friendship with Android 16, the gentle, nature-loving mechanical android.
Notably, Android 17 exists in stark contrast to his counterpart from Future Trunks's timeline. The future version of Android 17 is a murderous sociopath who, along with his sister, rampages across Earth, kills all the Z-Fighters, and shows no regard for human life. The main timeline's Android 17, while dangerous and reckless upon activation, proves capable of change and ultimately becomes a protector rather than a destroyer.
In terms of abilities, Android 17 possesses tremendous strength, speed, and durability. As an infinite energy type android, he has a perpetual energy engine that allows him to fight without ever becoming exhausted and to generate unlimited energy attacks. He is well-versed in martial arts and can fire powerful energy blasts. Because he is human-based, he can also grow stronger through training, a trait that distinguishes him from fully mechanical androids. His power is initially enough to fight evenly with Piccolo after the Namekian fuses with Kami, though he is ultimately no match for Imperfect Cell. He also possesses the ability to create an energy barrier for protection and has a self-destruct mechanism installed by Dr. Gero, though this is never activated in the main storyline.
In Dragon Ball Z Kai, Android 17 is awakened by Dr. Gero when the Z-Fighters track the doctor to his laboratory. Although created to serve Gero's vendetta against Goku, 17 immediately demonstrates his rebellious and independent nature. He destroys the remote control that could deactivate him, assists his sister in activating the fully mechanical Android 16, and then kills Dr. Gero by severing and crushing his head. Alongside Android 18 and Android 16, he sets out to find and kill Goku, treating the entire mission as a game and deliberately avoiding shortcuts or asking for directions to prolong the experience.
During his initial appearance, Android 17 possesses a personality best described as a reckless anarchist or a rebel without a cause. He finds joy in causing panic, acts on whims, and is overconfident in his power, believing nobody is stronger than him until witnessing the strength of Android 16 and Cell. He carries a pistol despite his immense power, using it against civilians in a sadistic display of amusement. Despite his cruel tendencies, he hates the cybernetic modifications forced upon him, a resentment stemming from the trauma of being kidnapped and experimented on by Dr. Gero. His sister notes that he is somewhat similar to Goku in his childlike attitude and tendency to seek fun in any activity.
Android 17's role in the story becomes critical when the bio-android Cell seeks to absorb him and Android 18 to achieve his Perfect form. After a fight with Piccolo, who has fused with Kami, Android 17 proves evenly matched with the Namekian. Sensing their battle, Cell arrives and overpowers both of them. Despite Android 16's orders to flee, 17 remains and is absorbed by Cell, allowing the villain to transform into his Semi-Perfect form. After Cell is defeated by Gohan, Android 17 is revived by the Dragon Balls as part of a wish that restored all of Cell's victims. He later makes a brief cameo appearance during the battle against Kid Buu, where he contributes energy to Goku's Super Spirit Bomb.
In the years following the Cell Games, Android 17 undergoes significant development. He becomes a park ranger at the Royal Nature Park, a job that channels his hyperactive and anarchistic tendencies into protecting wildlife from poachers. He marries a zoologist, has one biological child, and adopts two more children, living happily in an isolated house within the nature park. His personality matures considerably, becoming calmer, more casual, humble, and gentlemanly, with his primary motivations shifting from causing chaos to providing for his family and protecting nature. His love for the outdoors was likely influenced by his friendship with the nature-loving Android 16.
Key relationships define much of Android 17's character. He shares an exceptionally close bond with his twin sister Android 18, with whom he was kidnapped and transformed. He becomes brother-in-law to Krillin after 18 marries the former monk, and he shows warmth toward his niece Marron. His relationship with his creator Dr. Gero is one of contempt and violence, culminating in him killing the doctor shortly after being awakened. He also shares a friendship with Android 16, the gentle, nature-loving mechanical android.
Notably, Android 17 exists in stark contrast to his counterpart from Future Trunks's timeline. The future version of Android 17 is a murderous sociopath who, along with his sister, rampages across Earth, kills all the Z-Fighters, and shows no regard for human life. The main timeline's Android 17, while dangerous and reckless upon activation, proves capable of change and ultimately becomes a protector rather than a destroyer.
In terms of abilities, Android 17 possesses tremendous strength, speed, and durability. As an infinite energy type android, he has a perpetual energy engine that allows him to fight without ever becoming exhausted and to generate unlimited energy attacks. He is well-versed in martial arts and can fire powerful energy blasts. Because he is human-based, he can also grow stronger through training, a trait that distinguishes him from fully mechanical androids. His power is initially enough to fight evenly with Piccolo after the Namekian fuses with Kami, though he is ultimately no match for Imperfect Cell. He also possesses the ability to create an energy barrier for protection and has a self-destruct mechanism installed by Dr. Gero, though this is never activated in the main storyline.