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| “ | Sacrificing myself to help other people. Look at me, being all human. | „ |
| ~ 17's last words before apparently sacrificing himself to save the rest of Team Universe 7 from Jiren |
| “ | I've got an island of creatures needs to protect. Can we move this along? | „ |
| ~ Android 17 after wishing all the universe that was erased to be restored. |
Android 17, born as his human name Lapis, is a major character of the Dragon Ball franchise. He is Dr. Gero's seventeenth android creation, designed to serve Gero's vendetta against Goku who overthrew the Red Ribbon Army as a child. Unlike his future counterpart, who is completely evil but much weaker, this 17 is much more powerful and more honorable than his future counterpart.
Despite his interests not initially deviating from this expectation, Android 17 takes it upon himself to kill Dr. Gero, who is uncooperative with Android 18's curiosity in activating Android 16. He and 18 attack the Z-Fighters and defeat them. 17 later fights with Piccolo (who turned into a Super Namekian), but they are evenly matched. Eventually, he redeems himself and aids Piccolo's fight against Cell before being absorbed.
Seven years after the events of the Cell Saga, he maintains a peaceful life as a Park Ranger and is currently married with three children (two of which are adopted). Eventually, he helps Goku later so he can gather more energy for the Super Spirit Bomb against the pure evil Kid Buu. In Dragon Ball Super, he becomes an active participant in the Universal Survival Tournament alongside the other Z-Warriors and ultimately becomes the last remaining participant and earns the right to use the Super Dragon Balls for one wish, which he uses to revive all of the universes erased by Zen-Oh since he is very busy in his job at the forest.
History[]
Early life[]
Android 17 was originally a human named Lapis, along with his twin sister Lazuli. The twins were notorious delinquents, who Dr. Gero would meet by chance while looking for fresh material for his experiments. He kidnapped them and restructured them into Android 17 and Android 18.
Android 17 is the first artificial human created by Dr. Gero to be a biologically modified human being as well as being an infinite energy model, along with his sister Android 18. The nature and mechanisms of their infinite energy source has not been made clear. Since they are human-based androids, they can become stronger if they train.
Also their artificial cells made them stop aging and their appearances remain the same as well before they were turned into androids.
Dragon Ball GT[]
In Dragon Ball GT Android 17 was used by Gero and Dr.Myuu to merge with another Android 17 designed by them in hell. The fusion resulted in the creation of a new villain Super Android 17, while Gero believed he was controlling the Android but Dr.Myuu was actually the one giving orders Gero was Killed by Super Android 17 who also killed Dr.Myuu later after being confronted by Android 18 about taking orders from others and not being able to make his own decisions. He was defeated by Goku and Android 18 working together, 18 distracted him while Goku used Dragon Fist attack on 17 to finish him.
Dragon Ball Super[]
17 works for a wildlife reserve and is battling with some poachers and is confronted by Goku who offers to help but with 17 replying not to kill the poachers. Eventually, the poachers are retreat. Goku, wanting to see how strong 17 is, offers to fight with 17 of which he accepts.
Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan and clashes with 17 but is overwhelmed. Goku decides to transform into a Super Saiyan Blue. They fought an even match until 17 decided to stop the match due to the dolphins breaching. 17 and Goku later have a conversation with Goku asking 17 if he once to join the Universe 7 team at which 17 refuses but later joins after Goku helps 17 defeat an alien boss.
In the Universe 7 saga, 17 along with his Universe 7 teammates battle the opposing teams with 17 battling the Pride Troopers and beating them.
Powers and Abilities[]
Due to the bio-mechanical and cybernetic enhancements Dr. Gero gave him, including an unlimited supply of energy that grants him limitless stamina and an accelerated recovery rate, he has power well-surpassing the standard capacity of Super Saiyan. He was also powerful enough to easily murder his modified creator, Dr. Gero, in three blows and be an even match for Piccolo fused with Kami. During their battle it was said by Piccolo that 17's punches were quite light, but that he possessed very high speed. However, he still had a long way to go, because he is said to have great potential, but this potential was never unleashed because of his absorption by Cell; it is after 10 years of training and working his life as a park ranger at the same time, that he was able to access much of it. According to Future Trunks, his power far exceeded his alternate timeline counterpart, even more so after he trained within the ten-year gap after the Cell Games. During the Imperfect Cell Saga, he was no match for Imperfect Cell, after having absorbed hundreds of thousands of people to increase his power. In Dragon Ball Super, after meeting and fighting with Goku, 17 admits that he would have lost to Goku if Goku was present when he was awakened. He is also stronger than his sister, Android 18.
Appearance[]
Android 17 is a handsome young man who is short, slim build, much like his twin sister, Android 18. He has shoulder-length black hair and thin, blue eyes. Underneath his hair, he has two gold hoop earrings. He wears an orange bandanna around his neck. He wears a short sleeve black shirt with the Red Ribbon Army's logo, and, underneath, he dons a long-sleeve white shirt. He wears a belt to hold up his blue jeans which have a tear just above the knee of the left leg. Just below the first belt he wears another belt with a gun holster and another pouch, although he discards it by the time the Androids arrive at Goku's house. Android 17 wears green socks and blue and white sneakers
Personality[]
Initially a reckless anarchist, Android 17 later turns out to be little more than a causeless and very capricious rebel. Most of his choices during his initial appearance were motivated by what he simply called "The Game", referring to their quest to find and face Goku.
While reveling in his enhanced might setting him apart from others, Android 17 hated his cybernetics that were forced on him, as Android 18 revealed when refusing Semi-Perfect Cell's attempts at convincing Android 18 into merging with him. This is likely because of the trauma he experienced due to being kidnapped by Gero. It may also be due to his love of nature, as he was no longer a natural being after Gero turned him into an Android.
When he is revived by Shenron because of a wish that restored both the lives of all of Cell's victims and all the damage caused during the Cell Games, Android 17 goes on to live a life of peace in obscurity. At the end of Dragon Ball Z, Android 17 provided energy for Goku's Super Spirit Bomb to destroy Kid Buu. He reappears in Dragon Ball GT when the scientists Dr. Gero and Dr. Myuu brainwash him telepathically, and he is eventually fused with Hell Fighter 17, a Machine Mutant version of himself created by the scientists in Hell, to form Super 17. Even without the ability to maintain his mind, however, 17 still exhibits sensitivity, mostly towards his sister. This is in stark contrast to Future Android 17, where he is a murderous sociopath who cares for no one but himself and his sister. While under Dr. Myuu's control, he forces his transformed self to reveal his own weak point, thus allowing Goku to kill him. On a related note, Android 17 also showcases some moral restraints, as when witnessing Cell brutally dispatch Piccolo, he, with clear horror and disgust, denounced Cell as a beast for what he did to the Namekian.
Android 17 has a somewhat rebellious and carefree nature. He tends to have a laid-back and nonchalant attitude, often displaying a sense of humor and a love for sarcasm. He enjoys challenging opponents and engaging in battles, often displaying confidence in his abilities.
Despite his initially antagonistic role when he was introduced as a villain in Dragon Ball Z, Android 17 undergoes significant character development. After being resurrected and merged with his alternate timeline counterpart in Dragon Ball Super, he becomes a park ranger and protector of an island. As a result, his personality becomes more responsible and protective, showing a genuine concern for the environment and the wildlife on the island.
Android 17 is also depicted as having a strong sense of justice, as he willingly defends the innocent and fights against those who threaten peace. He values freedom and independence, often rejecting offers to join forces with others unless he believes in the cause or sees a personal benefit.
External Links[]
- Android 17 on the Villains Wiki
- Android 17 on the Dragon Ball Wiki
- Android 17 on the Inconsistently Admirable Wiki
- Androids 17 and 18 on the Villainous Benchmark Wiki
