How Android 17 Got Stronger In DBS

Summary

Android 17 transitioned from a villain to a fan favorite.
He protects animals and trains as a park ranger in Dragon Ball Super.
Android 17 trains rigorously and becomes Universe 7’s MVP.

Android 17 may have started off as a villain in Dragon Ball Z, but his transition into a good guy, alongside Android 18, has made him a fan favorite in the Dragon Ball franchise. Introduced as an android, part human and part robot, Android 17 has unlimited stamina and managed to not only keep up with his Saiyan and Namekian opponents, but at times he bested them. Whether he paired up with Android 18 or fought solo, Android 17 was a truly remarkable fighter.

Fast-forward to the Dragon Ball Super series, Android 17 is now living a peaceful life as the Park Ranger for the Royal Nature Park. Protecting animals from poachers and providing them with a sanctuary to live a life free from danger, Android 17 is also training every day and keeping his body in top form.

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Android 17’s Strength Before Dragon Ball Super

A Killing Machine Turned Good

Whether it was from Trunks’ future timeline or the one set in Dragon Ball Z’s main story, Android 17 was programmed for one thing: destruction. In the future, Android 17 and Android 18 are unstoppable forces running havoc on Earth, murdering every Z-Fighter, Piccolo, and even Vegeta. Only a one-armed Gohan and teenage Trunks stand in their way, and they’re no match either, as Gohan loses his life in battle while Trunks flees. Despite going up against two hybrid Saiyans capable of releasing amazing power, Android 17 shrugs off their limits and boasts about how limitless his own powers are.

In the current timeline, not much has changed. Android 17 is still the threat he was in the future, and he and Android 18, along with the help of Android 16, are able to defeat anyone that gets in their way. However, with a bomb implanted into their bodies, Android 17’s only limitation is that of being at the mercy of whoever is holding the kill switch. When Cell is introduced into the story, Android 17 is but a footnote in the ultimate android’s quest to become perfect. After being absorbed, Android 17’s unlimited power is one of the ingredients in the recipe that is Perfect Cell.

After Perfect Cell’s defeat at the hands of Gohan, Android 17 and Android 18 retreat to live a life of solitude, thanks to their lives being spared, and the bombs removed from their bodies thanks to a wish. Android 18 went on to begin a family with Krillin, while Android 17 chose a peaceful life alone as a park ranger. Though his powers and android body remain intact, his murderous intentions and villainous ways were cast away.

Android 17 During The Dragon Ball Timeskip

Establishing Himself as a Peacekeeper

Towards the end of Dragon Ball Z, Android 17 doesn’t play much of a part in the story. The Majin Buu saga centers around Goku and Vegeta’s struggle to save Earth, but we do get one final glimpse of Android 17 that holds future implications of his role in Dragon Ball Super. As Goku requests the energy from the planet in order to set up his Spirit Bomb, we catch a shot of Android 17 in a forest-like area, noting that he hadn’t heard that voice in a while. The many trees in the background are important here, as Dragon Ball Super introduces Android 17 as a Park Ranger.

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During the time between Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, not only did Android 17 become a park ranger, he also managed to provide animals of all species with a sanctuary that can roam around freely, without fear of danger or consequence. Android 17 not only discovers new animals to give a home to, he also keeps pesky poachers away, proudly boasting about never losing a single animal during his time serving the park as its toughest ranger.

However, that doesn’t quite explain his power boost at the start of Dragon Ball Super. While Android 18 also lives a peaceful life as a mother and wife, she was nowhere near the power level of her brother, and as such, it’s time to explain why Android 17 not only got stronger, he became the MVP of Universe 7 during the Tournament of Power.

How Did Android 17 Get Stronger?

Universe 7’s Most Valuable Player

During his time as a park ranger, Android 17 was busy perfecting his craft as a fighter. From constantly putting his body through rigorous training acts, to fighting herds of poachers, and even expending as much stamina as possible, Android 17 never took a day off. Faster, stronger, and possessing a higher battle IQ, Android 17 is as perfect as Dragon Ball fans could expect, and this is shown quite nicely with his sparring session with Goku.

As Android 17 powers up, and Goku turns Super Saiyan, the two exchange fists in the air before Android 17 easily dodges a heavy punch and sends Goku flying. The maneuver surprises Goku so much that he takes note that Android 17 is on another level, a remark that Android 17 scoffs at as he wasn’t taking the fight seriously. After transforming into his Super Saiyan Blue form, Goku is met with the harsh reality that Android 17 is not only still on an equal level, but stronger too.

This is a surprise. This power is nothing like what I’ve been told. Is this all you have for me?

What’s remarkable about the reveal is that Android 17 appears to still be holding back, even as Goku reveals his trump card. A full-blast Kamehameha was not only resisted, but turned aside by Android 17’s forcefield, and the battle continued with Android 17 remaining quiet while matching each blow. It’s this battle that encourages Goku to add Android 7 to the Universe 7 team for the Tournament of Power, a decision that would pay off in the long run.

Dragon Ball

Release Date: 1986 – 1989
Directors: Minoru Okazaki, Daisuke Nishio
Writers: Akira Toriyama

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