Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Android 17 (人造人17号) |
| Species/Race | Human modified into an Android 64 68 |
| Gender | Male 64 |
| Affiliation | Formerly created for the Red Ribbon Army; later allied with Son Wuling and the Z Fighters 64 68 71 |
| Occupation/Role | Fighter; protector of Mount Paozu’s animals and forests 176 |
| Status | Alive 258 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 64 64 |
Background and History
Android 17 and his twin sister, Android 18, were turned into Androids through Dr. Gero’s human-modification research. Their parents had sold them to Gero, who intended his creations to kill Son Wuling and Son Goku 49 61 68. Before 17 and 18 could be activated on Gero’s orders, Wuling Cell destroyed their laboratory and released them from their cryogenic chambers. On waking, 17 immediately destroyed a controller capable of shutting them down 64.
Although he hated Gero, 17 initially chose defeating Wuling and Goku as a goal for himself and the other Androids. Wuling proved stronger than 17, 18, and Android 16 together, trapping them in his Ultra Instinct Domain. He then explained that Cell intended to absorb the siblings and offered to help them live freely after defeating him. 17 accepted the alliance 64 65 67 68.
The three Androids helped Wuling stage a battle to lure out a Cell from another timeline, then joined in destroying him 68 69. When a second Cell remained at large, 17 stayed with the fighters searching for him. He helped expose Cell’s hiding place near North City and later saved Trunks from the blades released by a Spiral Destructo Disc 71 77.
After Cell’s defeat, a Dragon Ball wish removed the Androids’ unwanted controls and harmful modifications. 17 retained his inexhaustible energy source but regained human-like needs, including hunger, fatigue, and sleep 120 121. He later joined the fighters selected for the Tournament of Power after Super Shenron helped unlock more of his potential 213. Unlike 18, who developed a new Android cultivation path, 17 declined intensive training in favor of games and a more relaxed life 258.
Appearance
On emerging from Gero’s laboratory, 17 has long black hair and blue eyes 64.
- Wears a scarf and earrings when first introduced 64.
- Has a youthful appearance that contrasts with his sister’s later, taller Super Android 18 form 258.
Personality
17 rejects Gero’s control but initially struggles to decide what freedom should mean for him. He is confident and sometimes playful, yet recognizes when an opponent is beyond his strength: after fighting Wuling, he admits that the Androids cannot defeat him and gives up their original goal 64 65 85.
He enjoys video games and prefers balancing work with rest. His relaxed attitude does not prevent him from acting decisively in danger, whether hunting Cell, protecting Trunks, or helping shield Mount Paozu 71 77 85 110 176. He remains hostile toward the Red Ribbon Army and helps oversee Magenta after the surviving commander is captured 126 127.
Abilities and Skills
Inexhaustible Energy
- Can repeatedly fire Energy Blasts without the usual need to conserve energy 67.
- Retains his infinite energy source after the Dragon Ball wish, despite regaining fatigue, hunger, and the need for sleep 83 120 121.
Energy Barriers and Combat
- Uses a Protective Barrier against the glacier’s cold and forms a large barrier to shield people and buildings from Golden Cell’s attacks 97 110.
- Fights alongside the other Z Fighters in the pursuit of Cell and spars with Broly while preparing for the Tournament of Power 76 216.
- Has no detectable ki, a trait the fighters exploit when setting a trap for Cell 62 71.
Relationships
- Android 18 — His twin sister. They escape Gero’s control together; 17 frequently teases her about Son Wuling and later encourages her to enjoy her new relationship 49 64 85 130.
- Android 16 — Fellow Android released from Gero’s laboratory. They fight Wuling together and join his plan against Cell 64 68 69.
- Son Wuling — Originally 17’s chosen opponent; later an ally who promises to remove the siblings’ bombs and restrictions. 17 comes to believe Wuling’s sympathy for Androids is genuine 64 68 87 97.
- Android 8 (Eighter) — An earlier Android whose peaceful life helps convince 17 that Wuling has been honest about his intentions 97 98.
- Trunks — Trunks initially struggles to separate the present 17 from the murderous Android of his own future. Their relationship improves enough for 17 to save him during the pursuit of Cell 77 124.
- Rose — His niece, the daughter of Android 18 and Son Wuling 49 176.
Alternate Timeline
The Android 17 from Trunks’s future is a separate version who, alongside that timeline’s Android 18, terrorizes its survivors. Present-day 17 is not responsible for those actions. Trunks and Videl eventually destroy the future siblings with a coordinated attack 66 77 124 125.