Akira Toriyama Dragon Ball resonates with fans for many different reasons, whether it’s the anime’s rich storytelling, vibrant visuals, or the impressive energy attacks and transformations that help its characters surpass their limits. Dragon Ball is a nuanced franchise that embraces various genres, but it is widely considered an action anime featuring larger-than-life fighting spectacles. Android 17 is a popular character who is initially introduced as a villain during Dragon Ball Z‘s Cell Saga, alongside its twin sister, Android 18.
Android 17 disappears from the spotlight after the end of Cell Saga. However, Dragon Ball has found clever ways to bring Android 17 back into the mix, whether as a villain in Dragon Ball GT or an essential ally when Dragon Ball SuperThe Tournament of Power. It will be very interesting to see how the story of Android 17 continues to develop in Dragon Ballespecially now that the new androids – Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 – are among the heroes. In the meantime, it never hurts to look back at the best Android 17 battles so far.
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Android 17 meets his rival against Piccolo
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 148 and 149, “The Monster is Coming” and “He’s Here”
Dragon Ball Z presents androids 17 and 18 with great fanfare. These two powerful antagonists become an effective way to show how far the heroes have come – and how far they still have to go – before the anime properly focuses on Cell as the ultimate evil. Android 18 properly humiliates Super Saiyan Vegeta, while Piccolo – fresh from his fusion with Kami – feels confident enough in his new strength to challenge Android 17. The fight between Android 17 and “Super Namekian” Piccolo is often singled out for not to be just one. of the best battles of Piccolo and Android 17, but a historic fight for Dragon Ball Z in its entirety.
This fight is so entertaining because Android 17 and Piccolo are evenly matched, unlike Vegeta’s previous fight against Android 18.. Piccolo takes full advantage of his wide array of advantageous Namekian techniques, while also christening new attacks, like his Hellzone Grenade. Meanwhile, Android 17 is able to match Piccolo blow for blow, all of whom hit with incredible intensity. It’s brutal to see Android 17 punch Piccolo in the chest and the impact of that blow come out of Piccolo’s back. Most humans would die from such power. Android 17’s fight against Piccolo sets a powerful new standard for battles to come Dragon Ball ZThe cellular saga.
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Android 17 teams up with his enemy to survive against an imperfect cell
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 150, “Until Piccolo”
Android 17’s intense battle against Piccolo is interrupted when Imperfect Cell reaches the battlefield and is eager to show off the power he has gained from thousands of exhausted civilians. There is a suspenseful quality to this confrontation as Android 17 is still largely unaware of who Cell is and the enemy’s goal. Imperfect Cell specifically targets Android 17 because its absorption is necessary for it to acquire perfection. Piccolo helps save Android 17’s life on several occasions, while explaining Cell’s agenda and why they must work against him.
There is a lot to appreciate in this battle on an aesthetic level regarding Imperfect Cell’s ominous aura and the dark energy he possesses. It’s also quite disturbing to see Android 17 being warned by Piccolo and Android 16 to avoid direct contact with Imperfect Cell because he’s out of his league. This fight is short-lived before Android 16 and Tien take over, but it remains an intimidating example of Cell’s strength, even in this incomplete form. It’s a chilling prelude to what’s to come once Imperfect Cell successfully absorbs Android 17.
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Android 17 rises above the little terror, Damom, who wipes out Universe 4 in the process
Dragon Ball Super, Episode 119, “Inevitable? The Ferocity of a Sneak Attack!”
Dragon Ball SuperThe Tournament of Power features dozens of diverse and powerful adversaries from across the multiverse. Universe 4 has some particularly cunning enemies, like Gamisalas, who gains an advantage with his stealth camouflage skills. Piccolo defeats Gamisalas, only to face a surprise elimination right after by Damom. Everyone assumes that Damom from Universe 4 is also invisible. However, it is Android 17 who discovers that the fighter is actually a small insect, rather than someone who cannot be seen. Damom has no wings and cannot fly, meaning he must jump to get around.
Goku bombards the arena with punches to limit Damom’s range. Android 17 then traps Damom with a small energy shield which he throws out of bounds. It’s not a particularly long fight, but it effectively showcases Android 17’s intelligence and strategic skills. It’s also satisfying to see him take down Piccolo’s winner and get revenge on his fallen friend, this which reflects Android 17’s journey as a character. The elimination of Damom marks the erasure and exit of Universe 4 from the tournament.
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Android 17’s villainous merged form, Super 17, wages war against Goku and Android 18
Dragon Ball GT, Episodes 46 and 47, “Raising The Stakes” and “The Biggest Surprise”
Dragon Ball GT is the subject of much justified criticism, although it has been slowly re-evaluated in recent years. The Super 17 saga, which brings back Android 17, is widely considered to be Dragon Ball GTThe Weakest Story Arc There are certainly some rushed ideas and sloppy gaps throughout these episodes, but there’s still a level of wonder at a stronger, evil version of Android 17. Android 17 merges with Dr. Myuu’s Hell Fighter 17 to become Super 17. This brutal machine features some interesting upgrades, such as energy-absorbing palm sensors that make it considerably stronger.
Super 17 receives a powerful influx of energy due to Goku’s spam attacks which are all absorbed. Android 18, who is still emotionally raw following the death of her husband, Krillin, helps Goku understand Super 17’s only limitation. Super 17 is vulnerable and unable to attack while absorbing energy, so their Combined efforts ultimately give them a crucial advantage. It’s thrilling to see Android 18 bravely confront his brother, even though he’s become a distorted version of himself, and the grand finale where Goku destroys Super 17 with his rarely used Dragon Fist attack is equally incredible.
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Android 17 leads Team Universe 7’s attack on Universe 3’s fused powerhouse, Anilaza
Dragon Ball Super, Episode 121, “All-out war! The ultimate four-way union against the all-out offensive of the 7th universe!
One of the most exciting details of Dragon Ball SuperThe Tournament of Power is that most of the participating universes have different themes that differentiate their fighters. Universe 3 has many robotic fighters, but they also use fusion extensively to the point where their ultimate weapon, Anilaza, is a combination of the majority of their team. Anilaza is incredibly powerful and dominates the entire arena. This machine-like monster is so dangerous that its defeat requires the cooperation of Universe 7’s heaviest hitters: Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Frieza, and Androids 17 and 18. The climax of this fight features Anilaza who grows wings and generates enormous destructive energy. sphere to eliminate the entirety of Universe 7.
Everyone in Universe 7 reaches their peak transformation as they counter Anilaza’s attack with combined explosions. Android 17 sees the writing on the wall and changes strategy. He surrounds himself with an energy shield and launches himself through Anilaza’s Destruction Burst so he can shatter the crystalline energy reactor on Anilaza’s forehead, which is the opponent’s weakness. With the energy reactor deactivated, the rest of Universe 7 is able to knock out Anilaza and eliminate Universe 3. There is also an added level of emotional catharsis in Android 17’s role in defeating Universe 3. Anilaza, since this fused powerhouse took down Android 18 moments before.
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Android 17 and 18 regroup their Android aggression during their fight with Biarra
Dragon Ball Super, Episode 120, “A Perfect Survival Strategy! The Menacing Assassin of the 3rd Universe!”
There are so many simultaneous battles in play during Dragon Ball SuperIn Tournament of Power, it’s easy to lose track of some of them. Universe 3’s Biarra is a robotic opponent who doesn’t stand out much, but he becomes an intimidating obstacle that gets in the way of Android 17 and 18’s team strike on Ribrianne. Biarra intercepts Android 17 and crushes him in part of the arena thanks to his incredible mechanical strength.
Android 17 may look human, but he proves he’s just as durable as Biarra and he fights back with an even more intense strike. Android 17 and Android 18 work together, taking advantage of their infinite stamina, until they overwhelm the Universe 3 fighter and eliminate the threat. Android 17 and 18’s success against Biarra reflects how they can successfully multitask and take on a new fighter at any time before returning to their original target. It’s always satisfying when these two can work together.
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Android 17 and Android 18 persevere against the power of Ribrianne and Rozie’s love
Dragon Ball Super, Episode 117, “Love Showdown! Androids vs. the 2nd Universe!”
Tournament of Power’s Universe 2’s fighters are inspired by magical girl archetypes, and their core team, the Kamikaze Fireballs, are empowered by the power of love. Androids 17 and 18 simultaneously face Universe 2’s best fighter, Ribrianne, alongside fellow Kamikaze Fireball, Rozie. This battle becomes an illuminating metaphor for the power of love and how this intense emotion can strike at unpredictable times.
Ribrianne specifically targets Android 18, especially when she learns that the 18-year-old’s husband, Krillin, inspires her to exceed her limits. 17 arrives to help Android 18 when it matters most and she is able to break through Ribrianne’s ultimate form and defeat the magical girl monstrosity. Android 18 does the heavy lifting here and this fight against Universe 2 has more symbolic importance for her than Android 17, but her cooperation with her sister is essential to Universe 2’s defeat.
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Android 17 proudly defends her sister when she is caught in Catopesra’s crosshairs
Dragon Ball Super, Episode 115, “Goku vs. Kefla! Super Saiyan Blue Defeated?”
Universe 3’s Catopesra, who proudly presents himself as the Envoy of Justice, functions as a tokusatsu or sentai hero. Catopesra activates various combat protocols throughout the Tournament of Power and he uses Whirling Speed mode when he crosses paths with Android 18. 18’s leg is still slightly injured from her previous fight, putting her at a disadvantage.
Without missing a beat, Android 17 shows up to help his twin sister and sends Catopesra flying away with an effective punch and energy blast. Android 17 and 18 – or “Android 35”, as Shin coyly calls the duo – fight together during the Tournament of Power. There’s a playful quality to this confrontation where Android 18 says she didn’t ask Android 17 for help, only for him to casually state that he was just passing through. Catopesra is then eliminated by the combined attacks of Vegeta and the Gamisalas of Universe 4. However, her previous confrontation against Android 17 leaves just as much of an impression.
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Android 17 and Frieza work together to overthrow Toppo
Dragon Ball Super, episodes 124, 125 and 126, “An onslaught of storm and stress! Gohan’s last fight!”, “An imposing presence! The advent of Top The Destroyer!” & “Surpass even a God! Vegeta’s sacrificial strike!”
Universe 11’s Jiren receives a lot of attention in the Tournament of Power, but his Pride Trooper partner, Toppo, proves to be almost as dangerous of an opponent. An engaging altercation breaks out between Android 17 and Top, where 17 takes advantage of his boundless energy. He attempts to run the timer and bombard Toppo with endless ki blasts to distract him so his team can win. Toppo discovers this strategy and unleashes a deadly explosion that leads to a memorable beam fight between the two fighters.
Frieza senses that Android 17 is in trouble and he distracts Toppo with attacks so that Android 17’s explosion gains the advantage and overwhelms him. It appears Toppo was defeated, only for the Universe 11 fighter to trigger his God of Destruction mode, which puts him in a whole other class. Android 17 and Frieza do their best to survive against the Destroyer Form Toppobut it’s not easy. Goku and Vegeta’s simultaneous fight against Jiren interrupts their fight and Toppo soon turns his attention to Vegeta, who is able to narrowly eliminate him with his final explosion. It’s a suspenseful fight that also reflects the strength of Android 17 and Frieza as fighting partners.
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Android 17 seemingly sacrifices himself for the greater good in his all-out assault on Jiren
Dragon Ball Super, Episode 127, “The Wall Approaching! A Final Barrier of Hope!”
Dragon Ball SuperThe Tournament of Power quickly establishes Universe 11’s Jiren as Universe 7’s ultimate obstacle and the key character preventing them from conquering the competition. Dragon Ball SuperThe latest episodes showcase Jiren’s full power, which is enough to collectively conquer Android 17, Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-Ken Goku, Super Saiyan Blue Evolved Vegeta and Golden Frieza. There’s a particularly poignant part of this fight that reveals Jiren’s story, which is juxtaposed with that of Android 17 taking over to help his teammates survive. Jiren launches a Power Impact that should eliminate the entire Universe 7 team, without Android 17’s courageous strategy.
Android 17 creates energy barriers around Goku and Vegeta, only to trigger a self-destruct that negates Jiren’s attack and leaves him injured.. These energy barriers not only protect Goku and Vegeta, but give them the opportunity to recover some of their stamina so they can continue fighting. It’s deeply heroic for Android 17 to sacrifice himself and put the team’s interests ahead of his own. It is later revealed that Android 17 did not actually self-destruct, allowing him to win the Tournament of Power after Jiren’s elimination. It nevertheless remains a remarkable fight, even without this final twist.
Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball tells the story of a young warrior named Son Goku, a peculiar young boy with a tail who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when once the 7 reunite , grants any wish of choice.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- First film
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Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Ruby
- Latest movie
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Dragon Ball Super: Super Heroes
- First TV show
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Dragon Ball
- Latest TV Show
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Dragon Ball DAIMA
- First episode broadcast date
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April 26, 1989
- Cast
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Sean Schemmel, Laura Bailey, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil