History Recap / DragonBallZAndroidArc

* BeamOWar: The climax of the arc with Cell and Gohan clashing with energy beams. The others help the best they can in distracting Cell and Vegeta manages to do so enough that Gohan can finish him off.

** Frieza claims that his rebuilt body is stronger than before, and it's stated by the main cast that King Cold is at least Frieza's equal in strength, but neither of these are demonstrated.

* YouCantFightFate: Trunks manages to prevent Goku's death from the heart virus, but Goku ends up dying anyway during the Cell Games. Subverted however in that Trunks did manage to prevent the deaths of the other Z Fighters, and since Goku didn't die of the Heart Virus, he is allowed to come back with the Dragon Balls.

* YouCantFightFate: Trunks manages to prevent Goku's death from the heart virus, but Goku ends up dying anyway during the Cell Games.

** Although Cell is ultimately slain and and the Earth is saved, Dr. Gero ultimately got what he wanted: Goku is dead. Unfortunately for Dr. Gero, he didn't live to see it happen.

* PyrrhicVictory: Played with for both sides. The victory over Cell comes at a heavy cost, as the Z Fighters lose [[TheHeroDies Goku]]. On the other side, Dr.Gero [[TheBadGuyWins gets what he wanted]], but he doesn't live to see it and Goku ends up [[DeathIsCheap coming back to life]] eventually.

** Trunks has to spell out to Vegeta that letting Cell go to absorb Android #18 to get a WorthyOpponent was a ''very bad'' idea, [[GenreSavvy and that he might grow stronger than the both of them]]. Vegeta is only amused by the prospect. He stops laughing once Cell starts beating the crap out of him.

* NextTierPowerUp: After some early success, the Super Saiyan Transformation eventually becomes SoLastSeason against the Androids, thus forcing Goku and Vegeta to seek out the power beyond that of a Super Saiyan. Vegeta and Trunks discover the Second and Third Grade Super Saiyan forms, which quickly prove useless due to the AwesomeButImpractical nature of the transformations. Goku decides to train the Super Saiyan state into a mastered form to some success, but it still isn't quite enough. Gohan is the one to have the breakthrough, unleashing his hidden power to unlock the true ascension, ''Super Saiyan 2''.

* TheBadGuyWins: Although Cell is ultimately slain and and the Earth is saved, Dr. Gero ultimately got what he wanted: Goku is dead. Unfortunately for Dr. Gero, he didn't live to see it happen.

* SoLastSeason: Vegeta finally achieves his lifelong dream of becoming a Super Saiyan, but against the androids it proves entirely useless.

* TheWorfEffect: Frieza gets hit with this big time, getting killed off moments after his re-introduction to show how powerful Trunks (and, by extension, the Androids) are.

Cell's desire to have a strong opponent swiftly backfires, as Gohan almost completely defeats him with two punches, even when the android was at full power. Although Gohan could easily kill Cell there and then, he decides to have some fun with him, despite everyone's pleas. Taking on a stronger but slower form like Trunks had done earlier, Cell is still no match for Gohan, with one kick to the stomach causing him to vomit out Android 18 and revert to his Semi-Perfect form. Enranged and with nothing to lose, Cell began to self destruct, threatening to take the planet with him. Goku, however, uses Instant Transmission to send himself and Cell to King Kai's planet before he explodes, sacrificing himself to save Earth. No sooner does everyone process what's happened when Cell, having regenerated FromASingleCell, reappears in his Perfect form and more powerful than ever, kills Trunks, overpowers a [[PapaWolf distraught Vegeta]], wounds Gohan's arm and prepares to destroy the Earth.

** Vegeta's decision to ''let'' Cell absorb Android 18 because he thought Cell might be a WorthyOpponent afterwards. He [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor got what wanted]].

* RevengeBeforeReason: Gohan becomes this, as well as a {{Sadist}}, upon transforming into a Super Saiyan 2, opting for [[spoiler:prolonging the fight just to see Cell suffer]].

Three years later, the Z-Fighters head to Sasebo, where the androids are due to first appear. After Goku nearly blows Trunks' identity, the two androids appear and fly into the city. Since the androids don't use ki, no-one can sense them, requiring them to split up and search for them. Before long, the androids - the fat, mime-like Android 19 and the old man Android 20 - begin terrorizing the populace and [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomp]] Yamcha (par for the course at this point), revealing that they can absorb the energy of others. Sensing this, the gang find them, rescue Yamcha and confront the androids, though not before bringing them to a desert away from innocent bystanders. Goku offers to fight 19 first, but he's obviously not feeling too well - little though he knows it, the heart virus is now afflicting him six months later than it was supposed to. Though the androids' strength was adjusted based on Goku's battle against Vegeta, him turning Super Saiyan is a surprse to them, since Dr. Gero never saw the battles on Namek. While Goku initially has the upper hand against 19, the virus worsens and takes its toll on him, and before long 19 almost drains his energy before Vegeta appears and saves him.

As Goku is brought back home, Vegeta takes on Android 19, revealing that he too can now become a Super Saiyan, and swiftly obliterates 19. Outclassed, Android 20 attempts to flee as the Z-Fighters take pursuit. Hiding within canyons, he plots to absorb the gang's energy to power himself up, and manages to goad Vegeta into firing a ki blast which he absorbs before fleeing again. His attempt to drain Piccolo's energy go sour, however, and the Namekian rips off his right hand to prevent him from draining more energy. As Android 20 realises how screwed he is, Trunks appears and tells everyone some shocking news - these androids ''aren't'' the ones he warned them about! Piccolo, in shock, reveals Trunks' name, and Vegeta learns the powerful Saiyan is his own son. When Bulma (carrying baby Trunks) shows up, 20 uses the opportunity to shoot her down and flee back to Dr. Gero's laboratory, where the real android threat, Androids 17 and 18, will be activated. Though no-one is badly injured, Vegeta doesn't cares for his family's wellbeing either way. Revealing that 20 is actually Dr. Gero himself, now a brain in a robot body, Bulma tells the Z-Fighters that his lab is north of North City and they race off to stop him.

* RememberTheNewGuy: Goku remembers ecountering Dr. Gero before, even though he never appeared in the original Red Ribbon Army arc.

** Krillin's refusal to deactivate Android 18 and kill her so Cell couldn't absorb her. Made worse by the fact that he could've just wished her back after Cell was gone.

After Krillin's wish to turn Androids 17 and 18 back to pure humans can't be done, he instead wishes to have their bombs removed, which 18 is thankful for despite her tough attitude towards him. Mr. Satan takes credit for thqe defeat of Cell and revival of his victims, Trunks returns to his own time to defeat his androids, Piccolo trains Dende to become a good Guardian, Goku remains in the afterlife with King Kai, and peace on Earth is established once again...

Cell's desire to have a strong opponent swiftly backfires, as Gohan almost completely defeats him with two punches, even when the android was at full power. Although Gohan could easily kill Cell there and then, he decides to have some fun with him, despite everyone's pleas. Taking on a stronger but slower form like Trunks had donew earlier, Cell is still no match for Gohan, with one kick to the stomach causing him to vomit out Android 18 and revert to his Semi-Perfect form. Enranged and with nothing to lose, Cell began to self destruct, threatening to take the planet with him. Goku, however, uses Instant Transmission to send himself and Cell to King Kai's planet before he explodes, sacrificing himself to save Earth. No sooner does everyone process what's happened when Cell, having regenerated FromASingleCell, reappears in his Perfect form and more powerful than ever, kills Trunks, overpowers a [[PapaWolf distraught Vegeta]], wounds Gohan's arm and prepares to destroy the Earth.

Meanwhile, the androids reach Goku's house, which has been abandoned. Realising the next logical place Goku could be is Kame House, they fly over there. As Krillin and Trunks return to Gero's laboratory to destroy the basement where the young Cell is being created, they find the plans for Android 17, taking them before destroying the lab in hopes of finding a weakness. As Trunks leaves to find Vegeta, Goku manages to recover from the heart virus, though is in no condition to fight the androids or Cell. Fnding Vegeta and Trunks, the three and Gohan leave for the Lookout, where the Hyperbolic Time Chamber - [[YearInsideHourOutside a room where a year inside is a day outside]] - lies. Since only two people can enter at a time, Vegeta and Trunks go in first, intending to surpass the power of the Super Saiyan state, as Goku and Gohan wait outside. As Cell's rampage is tracked on the news, the androids arrive at Kame House, and Piccolo challenges Android 17 to a one-on-one fight on a deserted island. Unaware of the Namekian's newfound power, 17 accepts and the two give their all. Cell senses Piccolo's energy and, realising it could only be so high if he were facing the androids, races towards it. Having absorbed so many humans, his power now surpasses that of Piccolo's, and he easily overpowers the two. However, Android 16 attacks Cell, who is unable to absorb the completely mechanical android, and is almost brought to a standstill, though 17 and 18 remain despite 16's orders for them to flee, and Cell absorbs the cocky 17, becoming Semi-Perfect.

Meanwhile, Goku shows off a new trick he picked up while in space - Instant Transmission, allowing him to teleport almost anywhere. Discussing what to do, the gang agrees to train as hard as they can to stop the android threat three years from now (Bulma's suggestion of [[StatingTheSimpleSolution using the Dragon Balls to find Dr. Gero and stop him before he creates the androids]] is brushed off by the others). During the interum, Bulma and Vegeta grow more attracted to each other, eventually giving birth to baby Trunks.

Meanwhile, the androids reach Goku's house, which has been abandoned. Realising the next logical place Goku could be is Kame House, they fly over there. As Krillin and Trunks return to Gero's laboratory to destroy the basement where the young Cell is being created, they find the plans for Android 17, taking them before destroying the lab in hopes of finding a weakness. As Trunks leaves to find Vegeta, Goku manages to recover from the heart virus, though is in no condition to fight the androids or Cell. Fnding Vegeta and Trunks, the three and Gohan leave for the Lookout, where the Hyperbolic Time Chamber - [[YearInsideHourOutside a room where a year inside is a day outside]] - lies. Since only two people can enter at a time, Vegeta and Trunks go in first, intending to surpass the power of the Super Saiyan state, as Goku and Gohan wait outside. As Cell's rampage is tracked on the news, the androids arrive at Kame House, and Piccolo challenges Android 17 to a one-on-one fight on a deserted island. Unaware of the Namekian's newfound power, 17 accepts and the two give their all. Cell senses Piccolo's energy and, [[DangerouslyGenreSavvy realising it could only be so high if he were facing the androids]], races towards it. Having absorbed so many humans, his power now surpasses that of Piccolo's, and he easily overpowers the two. However, Android 16 attacks Cell, who is unable to absorb the completely mechanical android, and is almost brought to a standstill, though 17 and 18 remain despite 16's orders for them to flee, and Cell absorbs the cocky 17, becoming Semi-Perfect.

Cell's desire to have a strong opponent swiftly backfires, as Gohan almost completely defeats him with two punches, even when the android was at full power. Although Gohan could easily kill Cell there and then, he decides to have some fun with him, despite everyone's pleas. Taking on a stronger but slower form like Trunks had done earlier, Cell is still no match for Gohan, with one kick to the stomach causing him to vomit out Android 18 and revert to his Semi-Perfect form. Enranged and with nothing to lose, Cell began to self destruct, threatening to take the planet with him. Goku, however, uses Instant Transmission to send himself and Cell to King Kai's planet before he explodes, sacrificing himself to save Earth. No sooner does everyone process what's happened when Cell, having regenerated FromASingleCell, reappears in his Perfect form and more powerful than ever, kills Trunks, overpowers a [[PapaWolf distraught Vegeta]], wounds Gohan's arm and prepares to destroy the Earth.

However, Goku contacts Gohan from the afterlife and convinces him to keep fighting. While he manages to use a one-handed Kamehameha, Cell's own Kamehameha is signficantly stronger, though Gohan's gradually grows as the BeamOWar reaches a stalemate. Although everyone assists Gohan, Cell gradually starts to gain the upper hand before an attack from Vegeta momentarily distracts him, giving Gohan the opportunity to completely overpower Cell's Kamehameha, unleashing his full power as the android beaks apart and is completely destroyed. With the world at peace, Dende heals everyone and uses the Dragon Balls to revive Cell's victims (Trunks among them). However, Goku remains dead both because [[Recap/DragonBallZSaiyanArc he had already been revived once before]], and because he believes his presence brings powerful evil to Earth, ergo it would be better for him to remain dead.

After Krillin's wish to turn Androids 17 and 18 back to pure humans can't be done, he instead wishes to have their bombs removed, which 18 is thankful for despite her tough attitude towards him. Mr. Satan takes credit for the defeat of Cell and revival of his victims, Trunks returns to his own time to defeat his androids, Piccolo trains Dende to become a good Guardian, Goku remains in the afterlife with King Kai, and peace on Earth is established once again...

** Cell claims he could use the [[CombinedEnergyAttack Spirit Bomb]] if he liked, but he's never shown using the technique.

Unfortunately, Gero makes his way to the lab and activates 17 and 18; cyborg teenagers who, unlike 19 and Gero himself, [[PerpetualMotionMonster run on infinite energy]]. However, the two don't follow orders well, and as the Z-Fighters arrive Gero meets his end as 17 kills him. As they plan to activate Android 16 - an android Trunks had never known of - Trunks completely destroys the laboratory, but to no effect. The androids are unharmed and 17, 18 and the newly-activated 16 fly off. Vegeta, eager to battle them, pursues them to a highway. He challenges Android 18, but eventually tires out while the perpetually-powered girl breaks his arm with no problem. The other Z-Fighters meet similar fates from her and 17, though Krillin and Android 16 stay out of the fight. Revealing to him afterwards that they intend to kill Goku as per Gero's orders, the androids leave them beaten, but alive (18 kissing Krillin before leaving). Recovering via Senzu Beans, the gang ponder what to do next, especially as these androids are much stronger than the ones in Trunk's time. Vegeta flies off in a rage, while Piccolo leaves for the Lookout and confronts Kami, who is aware that he wishes to fuse with him to deal with the android crisis.

The ''Android Arc'' is the third story arc in the ''Manga/DragonBallZ'' series.

* ''Android Saga''
Frieza's brief return, Goku retuning and learning of the bad future. The fight against 19 and 20, and then 17 and 18.

* ''Cell Saga''
Cell makes his appearance terrorizing and absorbing humans. The Z-Fighters try to stop him while also dealing with the androids. Cell absorbs 17 and 18, becoming Perfect Cell.

* ''Cell Games''
Cell initiates his own World Martial Arts Tournament with the world's best fighters (and Mr. Satan) against him. Leading into the final confrontation against him.

* BadFuture: The future where Trunks comes from. 17 and 18 have pretty much ravaged the Earth just for kicks and the Z-Warriors were powerless to stop them. Eventually Trunks returns from the past with a massive power up and wastes them ''and'' Cell.
** The future Cell comes from is even worse: Although Trunks had deactivated the androids, but Cell is around, and civilization is still ruined. Cell even kills his timeline's Trunks before stealing his time machine. As it's told by Cell's point of view, [[ExpendableAlternateUniverse we never even hear about what happened in his timeline after he left]].
* BaitAndSwitchBoss: Starts off with Android 19 and 20 (A.k.a Gero) then 17 and 18 before finally ending with Cell as the BigBad for the remainder of the arc.
* BeamOWar: The climax of the arc with Cell and Gohan clashing with energy beams. The others help the best they can in distracting Cell and Vegeta manages to do so enough that Gohan can finish him off.

* {{Cyborg}}: Most of the "androids" that appear actually some variety of this. Cell, Dr. Gero's ultimate creation, fights #16, and attempts to drain his life force, and is shocked to discover that he can't because he actually ''is'' an android.

* FromASingleCell: This arc is the TropeNamer. However, it's a case of LostInTranslation, as what Cell is actually saying in Japanese is that he uses the cells from his core, ie brain, to regenerate. This line was added in since his head was destroyed by Goku but he was still able to regenerate.
* FusionDance: Kami and Piccolo merge back into the nameless Namekian they originally were in this arc (though for simplicity's sake he still calls himself Piccolo). Which makes Piccolo strong enough to fight on an even level with Imperfect Cell.

* InformedAbility: Frieza claims that his rebuilt body is stronger than before, and it's stated by the main cast that King Cold is at least Frieza's equal in strength, but neither of these are demonstrated.
** Cell claims he could use the SpiritBomb if he liked, but he's never shown using the technique.
** Docotr Gero/Android #20 claimed that he was mightier than #19, but since [[DirtyCoward he ran away shortly]] after this claim from Vegeta, and noting him getting a beatdown from Piccolo (even ''after'' he absorbed some of his ki), we can hardly confirm this to be true.

** The protagonists refusal to use the Dragonballs to stop Gero from releasing the Androids in the first place. Bulma calls them out on this.

** The rest of the Z-Fighters when they sense Freeza heading towards Earth.
** Freeza upon seeing Trunks turn Super Saiyan.

* {{Revenge}}: The whole arc is a result of Dr. Gero's desire to get revenge on Goku for destroying the Red Ribbon Army way back in the original Dragon Ball series.

* TheBadGuyWins: Although Cell is ultimately slain and and the Earth is saved, Dr. Gero ultimately got what he wanted: Goku is dead. Unfortunately for Dr. Gero, he didn't live to see it happen.
* TheHeroDies: The second time Goku is killed and once more through a HeroicSacrifice, proving that Goku only dies when ''he'' says so.

* YearInsideHourOutside: the Hyperbolic Time Chamber is introduced in this arc, giving the main characters (in particular, Gohan) more time to train than the few days that Cell gave them.
* YouCantFightFate: Trunks manages to prevent Goku's death from the heart virus, but Goku ends up dying anyway during the Cell Games.