TV-Series
Description
Doctor Gero is a prominent antagonist in the Dragon Ball GT series, known as a brilliant but deeply malevolent scientist. His character is inextricably linked to the Red Ribbon Army, where he served as the head scientist and a founding member, effectively controlling much of the organization's technological direction. His ultimate goal, as revealed in GT, was far more grandiose and horrifying than simple revenge; he always dreamed of replacing the entire human race with artificial beings, a vision he held even before his army was defeated by the young Goku.
Appearing as an elderly man, Gero has slightly tanned skin, piercing blue eyes, and long, flowing white hair complemented by a large, bushy white mustache. A signature element of his attire is a black cap emblazoned with the Red Ribbon Army logo, which, after his transformation into an android, serves to conceal his exposed brain. His personality is defined by a cold-hearted and ruthless nature, willing to kidnap innocent people to serve as fodder for his experiments without a shred of remorse. He possesses an immense, almost fanatical confidence in his own intellect and technological prowess, believing unequivocally that his creations are superior and will always succeed. This pride is matched only by a deep-seated and obsessive hatred for Goku, whom he blames for the destruction of the Red Ribbon Army, though his underlying plan has always been global subjugation through artificial lifeforms.
In Dragon Ball GT, Doctor Gero's role is central to the Super 17 Saga. Having been killed in Dragon Ball Z by his own creations, Android 17 and Android 18, his soul resides in Hell. There, he encounters another diabolical genius, Dr. Myuu, the creator of the machine mutant Baby. Recognizing their shared vendetta against Goku, the two scientists form a powerful alliance. Together, they conceive and execute a plan to create the ultimate android. They build Hell Fighter 17, a powerful duplicate of the original Android 17, and manipulate events to open a rift between Hell and Earth, intending for Hell Fighter 17 to fuse with the living Android 17 to become the invincible Super 17.
This storyline provides Gero with a unique form of development. Previously a solitary genius, he is forced to collaborate with an equal, Dr. Myuu, leading to a relationship built on mutual ambition but fraught with distrust and a desire for ultimate control. His key relationships are therefore expanded to include this new, temporary partnership. His relationship with his original creation, Android 17, also comes full circle. In life, Gero saw Androids 17 and 18 as his finest works, yet they betrayed and murdered him. In GT, he seeks to use another version of 17 as a tool for revenge, only to be betrayed once more. In a final, ironic twist of fate, after Super 17 is created and proves to be overwhelmingly powerful, Dr. Myuu secretly reprograms the new being to obey only him, not Gero. When the moment comes, Super 17 callously kills Doctor Gero, mirroring his death at the hands of his rebellious creations in the previous series.
As an android himself, designated Android 20, Doctor Gero possesses a formidable array of abilities. He retains human-level intelligence and cunning, but his body is equipped with various mechanical enhancements. He can fly using a built-in anti-gravity device and attack with powerful eye beams capable of leveling a city. His most notable ability is energy absorption, facilitated by devices in his palms that allow him to drain the life force and energy attacks from opponents, converting that power into fuel for his own body. He also has a built-in tracking device that allows him to monitor the power levels of his enemies. Despite these enhancements, his arrogance and reliance on his creations ultimately lead to his downfall, cementing his legacy as a genius whose own ambition and creations repeatedly proved to be his undoing.
Appearing as an elderly man, Gero has slightly tanned skin, piercing blue eyes, and long, flowing white hair complemented by a large, bushy white mustache. A signature element of his attire is a black cap emblazoned with the Red Ribbon Army logo, which, after his transformation into an android, serves to conceal his exposed brain. His personality is defined by a cold-hearted and ruthless nature, willing to kidnap innocent people to serve as fodder for his experiments without a shred of remorse. He possesses an immense, almost fanatical confidence in his own intellect and technological prowess, believing unequivocally that his creations are superior and will always succeed. This pride is matched only by a deep-seated and obsessive hatred for Goku, whom he blames for the destruction of the Red Ribbon Army, though his underlying plan has always been global subjugation through artificial lifeforms.
In Dragon Ball GT, Doctor Gero's role is central to the Super 17 Saga. Having been killed in Dragon Ball Z by his own creations, Android 17 and Android 18, his soul resides in Hell. There, he encounters another diabolical genius, Dr. Myuu, the creator of the machine mutant Baby. Recognizing their shared vendetta against Goku, the two scientists form a powerful alliance. Together, they conceive and execute a plan to create the ultimate android. They build Hell Fighter 17, a powerful duplicate of the original Android 17, and manipulate events to open a rift between Hell and Earth, intending for Hell Fighter 17 to fuse with the living Android 17 to become the invincible Super 17.
This storyline provides Gero with a unique form of development. Previously a solitary genius, he is forced to collaborate with an equal, Dr. Myuu, leading to a relationship built on mutual ambition but fraught with distrust and a desire for ultimate control. His key relationships are therefore expanded to include this new, temporary partnership. His relationship with his original creation, Android 17, also comes full circle. In life, Gero saw Androids 17 and 18 as his finest works, yet they betrayed and murdered him. In GT, he seeks to use another version of 17 as a tool for revenge, only to be betrayed once more. In a final, ironic twist of fate, after Super 17 is created and proves to be overwhelmingly powerful, Dr. Myuu secretly reprograms the new being to obey only him, not Gero. When the moment comes, Super 17 callously kills Doctor Gero, mirroring his death at the hands of his rebellious creations in the previous series.
As an android himself, designated Android 20, Doctor Gero possesses a formidable array of abilities. He retains human-level intelligence and cunning, but his body is equipped with various mechanical enhancements. He can fly using a built-in anti-gravity device and attack with powerful eye beams capable of leveling a city. His most notable ability is energy absorption, facilitated by devices in his palms that allow him to drain the life force and energy attacks from opponents, converting that power into fuel for his own body. He also has a built-in tracking device that allows him to monitor the power levels of his enemies. Despite these enhancements, his arrogance and reliance on his creations ultimately lead to his downfall, cementing his legacy as a genius whose own ambition and creations repeatedly proved to be his undoing.