The question “Is Android 17 a villain or hero?”is frequently pondered by Dragon Ball enthusiasts due to his multifaceted character in the franchise. At times, he acts as an antagonist, as evidenced in the Cell saga, but there are also instances where he proves to be a valuable ally to Goku and his companions, as demonstrated during the Tournament of Power arc in Super.
It can be confidently stated that Android 17 underwent a significant transformation in Dragon Ball, transitioning from a villain to a protagonist over the course of the narrative. Additionally, it should be noted that the current version of Android 17, in contrast to the one from Future Trunks’ timeline, has always shown reluctance towards causing harm to others, a fact even acknowledged by Kami during the Cell saga.
Please note: This article includes spoilers for the series.
Analysis of Android 17’s Alignment
Initially portrayed as a villain in the series, Android 17 eventually evolved into a hero as the story unfolded and demonstrated his heroic qualities during the Tournament of Power arc in Super. However, during his debut in the Cell saga, he was unquestionably a villain, although as his character was further explored, fans discovered more nuances about him.
Android 17 was created by Dr. Gero as a means of revenge against Goku for destroying the Red Ribbon Army. However, tired of being a servant, Android 17 eventually turned on Gero and pursued Goku out of boredom rather than a desire to kill him.
After being absorbed by Cell, this character reached his Imperfect state and was later revived when Gohan defeated Cell. He eventually became a ranger and lived a peaceful life, playing a crucial role in Goku’s Genkidama against Kid Buu in the final chapters of the original manga.
In addition, he participated as a fighter for Universe 7 in the Tournament of Power in Super, completing his transformation from antagonist to protagonist.
The Explanation of Android 17’s Villainous Role in Dragon Ball Z
Despite his actions in Future Trunks’ timeline, Android 17 is still often viewed as a villain rather than an antagonist by many people.
There, he was witnessed alongside his sister Android 18, as they destroyed the entire planet and claimed the lives of most of the Z fighters. Only an adult Gohan and Trunks were able to survive and fight against them for a prolonged period of time.
Nevertheless, Kami himself, speaking to Piccolo, suggests that his actions during the Cell saga in the present era may be open to interpretation. He explains that during the battle against Vegeta and the remaining Z Fighters, 17 and 18 were defending themselves.
Throughout the manga, they refrained from participating in the destruction of innocent lives. In fact, the former even agreed to a one-on-one fight with the fused Namekian at a later point.
Therefore, one could argue that in the Cell saga, Android 17 plays more of an antagonistic role rather than that of a villain.
Explaining Android 17’s Heroic Role in Super
In Dragon Ball Super, Goku enlists the help of Android 17 for the Tournament of Power arc, marking the character’s long-awaited return to the franchise since his brief appearance in the Buu arc during the Genkidama.
In the anime, he plays a crucial role in the tournament and ultimately emerges as the winner, using his wish to bring all the universes back to life.
Additionally, he is regarded as a source of support for his fellow members of Universe 7 and has gained a considerable number of new fans as a result. This has led to the question of whether Android 17 should be considered a hero or a villain.
It has been confirmed that he is a family man and cares for nature on the island, further demonstrating his heroic nature that he has embraced throughout the story.
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