TV-Series
Description
Android 18, originally a human named Lazuli, is a character who begins as a formidable antagonist before becoming a central member of the Earth's protectors. Along with her twin brother, she was kidnapped and forcibly remodeled by the Red Ribbon Army's Dr. Gero, transformed into a powerful cyborg designed to carry out his vendetta against the Saiyan warrior Goku. Despite being designated as an android, she is a cyborg, a human whose body has been enhanced with bio-organic and cybernetic components. These modifications grant her tremendous power and a perpetual energy reactor that provides her with limitless stamina, preventing her from tiring in battle. Her cells also deteriorate slowly, meaning she ages at a reduced rate, but her human origins remain intact, as she is still capable of eating, drinking, and even reproducing, which she later does.
In terms of personality, Android 18 is initially presented as cool, confident, and largely indifferent to the goals of her creator. After being activated, she and her brother quickly kill Dr. Gero, showing no loyalty to him. She possesses a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, often delivering cutting remarks with a calm and unreadable expression. A notable early example is when she nonchalantly kisses the terrified Krillin on the cheek after a battle, an act that confuses him and marks the beginning of their complex relationship. While she appears cold and detached, especially toward Goku, whom she was made to kill, she is not cruel. Unlike her counterpart in an alternate future timeline who is a remorseless killer, the main timeline Android 18 displays a sense of honor and curiosity, such as her insistence on activating the gentle android 16 against Dr. Gero's orders. Underneath her tough exterior, she is shown to have a kind heart and a protective nature, especially towards her family, though she has difficulty expressing her emotions directly.
Her role in the story evolves significantly. She is introduced as a major threat during the Cell Saga, easily defeating Super Saiyan Vegeta and toying with the other Z-Fighters. Her primary purpose is to be absorbed by the bio-android Cell, who seeks to achieve his perfect form. After a desperate struggle, Cell succeeds in absorbing her, but she is later regurgitated during his battle with Gohan and rescued. Following Cell's defeat, Krillin, who has developed deep feelings for her, uses the Dragon Balls to have the self-destruct bomb removed from her body, a selfless act that touches her. This marks a turning point, and by the next story arc, she has married Krillin and given birth to their daughter, Marron. She participates in the World Martial Arts Tournament primarily to win the prize money and later fights alongside the other warriors against the magical menace of Majin Buu, during which she is tragically transformed and eaten, only to be revived later.
Key relationships define her later character. Her bond with her twin brother, Android 17, is strong, though they are often separate. Her most significant relationship is with Krillin. His unwavering kindness, his decision to spare her life by destroying her remote deactivation switch, and his wish to remove her bomb ultimately win her over, leading to a stable, if unconventional, marriage where her assertiveness balances his devotion. She also has a pragmatic friendship with Mr. Satan, the Earth's champion, agreeing to throw a fight against him in exchange for a large sum of prize money, showing her practical and financially-minded side.
Android 18's abilities make her a uniquely powerful fighter. Her primary asset is her infinite energy supply, allowing her to fight at full power indefinitely, a stark contrast to the Saiyans whose power depletes with effort. She possesses immense superhuman strength, speed, and durability, capable of flying and projecting powerful energy blasts. Among her notable techniques are a powerful energy barrier and the Destructo Disk, a razor-sharp disc of energy capable of cutting through nearly any material, a technique likely learned from her husband, Krillin. One of her few weaknesses is her inability to sense ki, the life energy that other warriors use to locate and measure opponents, which can put her at a tactical disadvantage. Over the course of the series, she develops from a cold-hearted instrument of revenge into a sarcastic but caring wife, mother, and a trusted, if reluctant, hero.
In terms of personality, Android 18 is initially presented as cool, confident, and largely indifferent to the goals of her creator. After being activated, she and her brother quickly kill Dr. Gero, showing no loyalty to him. She possesses a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, often delivering cutting remarks with a calm and unreadable expression. A notable early example is when she nonchalantly kisses the terrified Krillin on the cheek after a battle, an act that confuses him and marks the beginning of their complex relationship. While she appears cold and detached, especially toward Goku, whom she was made to kill, she is not cruel. Unlike her counterpart in an alternate future timeline who is a remorseless killer, the main timeline Android 18 displays a sense of honor and curiosity, such as her insistence on activating the gentle android 16 against Dr. Gero's orders. Underneath her tough exterior, she is shown to have a kind heart and a protective nature, especially towards her family, though she has difficulty expressing her emotions directly.
Her role in the story evolves significantly. She is introduced as a major threat during the Cell Saga, easily defeating Super Saiyan Vegeta and toying with the other Z-Fighters. Her primary purpose is to be absorbed by the bio-android Cell, who seeks to achieve his perfect form. After a desperate struggle, Cell succeeds in absorbing her, but she is later regurgitated during his battle with Gohan and rescued. Following Cell's defeat, Krillin, who has developed deep feelings for her, uses the Dragon Balls to have the self-destruct bomb removed from her body, a selfless act that touches her. This marks a turning point, and by the next story arc, she has married Krillin and given birth to their daughter, Marron. She participates in the World Martial Arts Tournament primarily to win the prize money and later fights alongside the other warriors against the magical menace of Majin Buu, during which she is tragically transformed and eaten, only to be revived later.
Key relationships define her later character. Her bond with her twin brother, Android 17, is strong, though they are often separate. Her most significant relationship is with Krillin. His unwavering kindness, his decision to spare her life by destroying her remote deactivation switch, and his wish to remove her bomb ultimately win her over, leading to a stable, if unconventional, marriage where her assertiveness balances his devotion. She also has a pragmatic friendship with Mr. Satan, the Earth's champion, agreeing to throw a fight against him in exchange for a large sum of prize money, showing her practical and financially-minded side.
Android 18's abilities make her a uniquely powerful fighter. Her primary asset is her infinite energy supply, allowing her to fight at full power indefinitely, a stark contrast to the Saiyans whose power depletes with effort. She possesses immense superhuman strength, speed, and durability, capable of flying and projecting powerful energy blasts. Among her notable techniques are a powerful energy barrier and the Destructo Disk, a razor-sharp disc of energy capable of cutting through nearly any material, a technique likely learned from her husband, Krillin. One of her few weaknesses is her inability to sense ki, the life energy that other warriors use to locate and measure opponents, which can put her at a tactical disadvantage. Over the course of the series, she develops from a cold-hearted instrument of revenge into a sarcastic but caring wife, mother, and a trusted, if reluctant, hero.
Cast