Super Android Seventeen: A Flawed but Formidable Foe in Dragon Ball GT
Introduction
Dragon Ball GT, often debated within the Dragon Ball fandom, represents a continuation of the beloved Dragon Ball Z storyline, albeit one that departs from the direct involvement of creator Akira Toriyama. While some view it as a valiant attempt to extend the universe and character arcs, others criticize it for its perceived inconsistencies and deviations from the established lore. Within this controversial series emerges Super Android Seventeen, a major antagonist whose creation and power pose a significant threat to the Z Fighters. This article delves into the origins, design, abilities, and ultimate downfall of Super Android Seventeen, analyzing his role within the Dragon Ball universe and examining the criticisms surrounding his saga. Super Android Seventeen represents a compelling, albeit flawed, attempt to introduce a formidable new enemy, whose strengths and weaknesses expose the complexities of artificial power and the ever-evolving threat landscape facing Goku and his friends.
Origins and Creation of a Super Android
The genesis of Super Android Seventeen is a twisted tale of scientific ambition extending beyond the mortal realm. In the depths of Hell, two brilliant, albeit morally corrupt, minds converge: Dr. Gero, the mastermind behind the original Androids, and Dr. Myuu, the creator of the Machine Mutants. United by a shared desire for revenge against Goku and the Saiyans, they concoct a plan to create the ultimate Android, one capable of surpassing even the power of Cell.
Their scheme involves manipulating and merging two iterations of Android Seventeen. The first is the Android Seventeen familiar to Dragon Ball Z fans, the stoic and powerful cyborg originally designed to kill Goku. The second is Hell Fighter Seventeen, a duplicate created in Hell by Dr. Myuu. This duplicate possesses unique properties, serving as a conduit for the fusion process.
The merging of these two Android Seventeens results in a being far greater than the sum of its parts. Super Android Seventeen inherits the physical prowess and fighting skills of the original Seventeen, amplified to an unprecedented degree. More importantly, he gains the ability to absorb energy attacks, a trait that renders him virtually immune to many of the Z Fighters’ signature techniques. The scientific reasoning behind this fusion is rooted in the manipulation of energy signatures and the disruption of dimensional barriers, allowing the two Android Seventeens to coalesce into a single, supremely powerful entity.
Design and Appearance: A Machine of Menace
Super Android Seventeen’s design reflects his enhanced power and corrupted origins. While retaining certain features reminiscent of the original Android Seventeen, such as his signature bandana and similar facial structure, significant alterations mark his transformation. His attire shifts to a darker color palette, primarily black and grey, lending him a more menacing appearance.
Metallic enhancements become prominent throughout his body, emphasizing his artificial nature and the fusion with Hell Fighter Seventeen. Notably, a larger metallic plate covers much of his chest, suggesting reinforced armor and an enhanced energy core. The overall impression is one of a more imposing and aggressive figure, signaling the amplified threat he poses compared to his previous incarnation. The design choices effectively communicate his enhanced power and the sinister circumstances of his creation. The metallic elements symbolize his artificiality, while the darker color scheme suggests a corruption or perversion of his original programming.
Compared to other Androids in the Dragon Ball universe, Super Android Seventeen’s design strikes a balance between the sleek, almost human appearance of the earlier models and the more overtly robotic aesthetic of figures like Android Eighteen or Cell in his various forms. This blend reinforces the idea that he is a hybrid, a fusion of human and machine, representing a new level of artificial evolution.
Powers and Abilities: Energy Absorption Unleashed
Super Android Seventeen’s primary and most devastating ability is his capacity to absorb energy attacks. This power sets him apart from almost every other foe the Z Fighters have faced. Instead of simply deflecting or enduring energy blasts, he can actively absorb them, converting the energy into fuel for his own power. This makes him virtually impervious to attacks like the Kamehameha, the Galick Gun, and other signature moves.
Beyond energy absorption, Super Android Seventeen possesses immense physical strength and speed, far exceeding that of the original Android Seventeen. He can move at blinding speeds, delivering devastating blows with incredible force. He also retains the ability to generate energy blasts of his own, although these are often overshadowed by his energy absorption capabilities. He exhibits a strategic fighting style, often baiting his opponents into using energy attacks in order to bolster his own power.
However, this energy absorption has limitations. While he can absorb most forms of energy, sustained and overwhelming attacks can potentially overload his system. Furthermore, if his opponent can exploit the brief window of vulnerability while he’s absorbing energy, they might be able to land a critical blow. He cannot indefinitely absorb infinite energy.
Compared to other characters during the Dragon Ball GT timeline, Super Android Seventeen’s power level is exceptionally high. He easily defeats Super Saiyan Goku, Piccolo, and other powerful characters, establishing himself as a significant threat. His ability to negate energy attacks makes him a uniquely challenging opponent, forcing the Z Fighters to rethink their strategies and push their limits.
The Super Seventeen Saga: Story and Impact
The Super Seventeen Saga unfolds as a period of unexpected chaos and peril. Super Android Seventeen’s emergence plunges the world into turmoil as he embarks on a destructive rampage, effortlessly defeating many of the Z Fighters, including those who had achieved Super Saiyan transformations. His initial appearance catches the Z Fighters completely off guard. His ability to absorb their energy attacks renders their signature moves useless, leaving them vulnerable and struggling to mount a defense.
The Z Fighters are forced to scramble for new strategies, realizing that conventional energy-based attacks are ineffective. The saga involves a desperate search for solutions, alliances are formed, and familiar characters are pushed to their limits. The narrative attempts to introduce new elements of suspense and intrigue.
However, the saga also faces its share of criticisms. Some viewers find the storyline repetitive, particularly the reliance on recycled villains and the lack of originality in Super Android Seventeen’s motivations. The pacing is often criticized as being uneven, with moments of intense action interspersed with stretches of uninspired dialogue and plot development. Some also argue that the power scaling feels inconsistent, with characters fluctuating in strength seemingly based on the needs of the plot.
Super Android Seventeen’s existence leaves a lasting impact on the Dragon Ball universe, though its significance is often debated. His ability to absorb energy attacks presents a new challenge to the Z Fighters, forcing them to adapt and evolve their fighting styles. While he is ultimately defeated, he serves as a reminder that new threats can emerge from unexpected sources, and that the Z Fighters must remain vigilant in their defense of the Earth.
Weaknesses and Defeat: The Android’s Undoing
Despite his formidable power, Super Android Seventeen possesses weaknesses that ultimately lead to his downfall. His reliance on energy absorption, while a great strength, becomes his undoing. His absorption process is not instantaneous. A brief window of vulnerability exists when he’s actively absorbing energy. Exploiting this moment becomes key to defeating him.
Furthermore, Super Android Seventeen suffers from internal conflict and a lack of true intelligence. Dr. Gero’s and Dr. Myuu’s clashing personalities and conflicting programming create a degree of instability within him. He struggles to reconcile his human emotions with his artificial nature, leading to moments of hesitation and vulnerability. Android Eighteen’s presence becomes pivotal. Fueled by anger and grief over her brother’s manipulation and fusion, she attacks Super Android Seventeen, causing him significant pain and disrupting his concentration.
Goku, realizing the potential of Android Eighteen’s intervention, leverages her attacks to expose Super Android Seventeen’s weakness. He then focuses on delivering physical blows during the short moments when the Android is trying to absorb energy. He exploits the vulnerability with the Dragon Fist technique, a powerful physical attack that bypasses the energy absorption. The Dragon Fist concentrates all of Goku’s power into a single, devastating blow. It pierces through Super Android Seventeen’s defenses, ultimately destroying him from the inside out.
Analysis and Interpretation: A Villain of Flawed Design
Super Android Seventeen’s effectiveness as a villain is a point of contention among Dragon Ball fans. Some view him as a compelling antagonist due to his unique abilities and the challenge he poses to the Z Fighters. His ability to absorb energy attacks disrupts the established power dynamics and forces Goku and his friends to adapt their strategies.
Others, however, criticize him for his lack of depth and originality. His motivations are largely driven by the recycled ambitions of Dr. Gero and Dr. Myuu, and his personality lacks the complexity and nuance of villains like Frieza or Cell. He serves primarily as a powerful obstacle, rather than a fully realized character with compelling motivations. The overarching themes of the saga, dangers of unchecked ambition, the consequences of scientific arrogance, and the importance of family and teamwork, are present, but not as thoroughly explored as in previous Dragon Ball arcs.
The existence of Dragon Ball GT is controversial, so the presence of Super Android Seventeen is also under heavy scrutiny within the fandom. Some appreciate the attempt to introduce new characters and storylines, while others feel that the series deviates too far from the core essence of Dragon Ball.
Conclusion
Super Android Seventeen represents a fascinating but ultimately flawed addition to the Dragon Ball universe. His unique energy absorption abilities and imposing design make him a formidable foe, posing a significant challenge to Goku and the Z Fighters. However, his weaknesses, coupled with the criticisms surrounding the Super Seventeen Saga, prevent him from achieving the same iconic status as some of the series’ more memorable villains.
Despite his flaws, Super Android Seventeen serves as a reminder of the ever-present threats facing the Dragon Ball world. His creation highlights the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition and the potential consequences of tampering with the delicate balance of nature. While the Super Seventeen Saga may not be universally loved, it undoubtedly contributes to the ongoing narrative and evolution of the Dragon Ball universe, leaving a lasting, if somewhat divisive, legacy.
