The 16 backstory is a retcon that screwed up the original story.
Originally, 16 was a failure. The stuff about being programmed to be peaceful is pure nonsense, Gero put a fucking self destruct button in him.
So that's why he moved on to 17 and 18. The stronger models are harder to control, so he made them progressively weaker until he scrapped the infinite energy model and created his first success: 19.
After finally achieving success, he created his own body based on that model.
Cell not having a shutdown of his own is pretty easily explained: Gero never planned to get killed by his Androids.
Cell was purely biological anyway, unlike the remote.
he is literally a brain operating a machine. He needs to be able to control it.
edited 16th May '16 9:08:36 PM by Saiga
There's a shock.
I know Saiga's gonna say Toriyama isn't that forgetful! It's just a rumour, and I know as the Pope he knows what he's talking about, but to be frank, I have doubts about how well Toriyama really remembers his story.
There's also the fact that I'm pretty sure he'd change things as he pleases to tell the story he wants anyway.
One Strip! One Strip!I mean, it's not like there are any HINTS at the 16 backstory in the original. All we know about 16 is what Gero told us. You could say he was lying, or something. That's a stupid way of changing the story, I know, but you could still do that.
The only thing that bugs me about 16 is that Gero seemed to be afraid of reactivating him. I mean, why would he be scared of a creation who chooses not to fight?
edited 16th May '16 9:26:34 PM by LOLypop1224
The *Legendary* Super Saiyan is motivated by a crying infant! He is a literal giant f***ing baby!
What does that have to do with anything?
I mean, yeah, maybe he does. Wouldn't surprise me since he's a dick, but it's kinda irrelevant.
One Strip! One Strip!
x4 17 and 18 are using their bodies. Gero replaced his.
Gero chose energy absorption over infinite energy for his robot body because he could control it better. Upgrading his original body wasn't presented as an option.
x5
I would like the 16 story if it wasn't so goddamn nonsensical. I get what it's going for but it just falls flat on its face with the retcons and poor explanation.
...
Ok, that managed to make some sort of sense. You're off the hook this time Arha.
One Strip! One Strip!Because that's not what housewives do.
I mean, Chi-Chi knows how to fight, but the only ever sign we get that she actually enjoys it is that she trained Goten, I guess. Like, she entered the tournament seemingly just so she could meet Goku and try to marry him.
After that, it seemed like she was perfectly content with just staying at home and being a housewife.
The *Legendary* Super Saiyan is motivated by a crying infant! He is a literal giant f***ing baby!But flying and sensing energy and teleporting are all things she could do to keep track of her family that can fly, sense energy and teleport!
Being able to keep track of and go to them at all times would be relevant to her interests!
I mean.
Heck, asking Goku to teach her Instant Transmission would have made more sense than making him learn how to drive.
Not that I would take away Goku learning how to drive. For anything.
Chi-Chi is pretty dumb. Especially in the anime.
The *Legendary* Super Saiyan is motivated by a crying infant! He is a literal giant f***ing baby!I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a character that isn't dumb.
Even the super-geniuses. We've established Gero's idiocy.
Like. Bulma probably could have gathered the dragon balls to kill Gero on her own even when the others said no. They would have been disappointed but the only one that might have hurt her over it was Vegeta, and the others would have stopped him and protected her because they like her.
Establishing Gero's idiocy came about from misunderstanding and making complete assumptions, though.
Yes, it was after that. I'm not saying he didn't have the technology to enhance his human body, but I think it's a big assumption that his body would be fit for the same treatment when he went and abandoned it to begin with.
Because 16 only chooses not to fight people who aren't evil or Goku. He'd just straight up kill Gero, like he intended with Cell. Which is also part of why the retcon makes no sense.
It's not about existing backstory. 16's new backstory contradicted the main story of the manga, and quite obviously.
And no, there's more than just Gero's word - we have the title pages explain the process behind the Android's creation (including the real reason for their power), and Bulma backs up that there was a self-destruct bomb installed in him.
Aside from the direct contradictions, the backstory just creates a bunch of holes because it makes Gero's motivations nonsensical. The bomb wouldn't make sense in that case, neither would his supposed fear of 16 or why he'd choose to lie about it. Then the claims that he made 16 peaceful and powerful out of love for his fallen son don't humanize him - they make him look fucking idiotic. If he were able to control the Androids' personalities and power so well, he should have done that for all of them. And he shouldn't give a personality to an Android that was going to make things worse for his plans.
That tidbit feels like Toriyama tried to fill a plot hole that wasn't already present. In doing so, he just opened up a bunch of new plot holes.
I don't think that's her being dumb but that she figured if they were going to take the stupid path they should deal with it themselves. Mostly her being selfish as usual (although I guess, still dumb because the Androids pose a threat to her if the others fail, but in a way that's more in-line with her character).
Also, Vegeta would probably manage to kill her in that case. Goku's not proactive enough to realize "Bulma did something that will upset Vegeta, I should intervene". And Vegeta doesn't need much room to kill her if he was going to make good on his threat.
edited 17th May '16 6:29:57 AM by Saiga
...How does Goku know what Android 18 looks like in the Buu Saga.
He wasn't there when she was activated because he was dying.
He wasn't there when she got to Kame House because he already left to the Time Chamber.
She wasn't there when he rescued Tien and Piccolo because she and 16 were hiding.
I guess he could have seen her when Cell spat her up, but. She was covered in vomit and spit and I guess I assumed he was paying more attention to the fight. How Gohan wasn't finishing Cell.
Also she was face-down. And Goku's not the best at recognizing faces anyway.
I guess her haircut was the same, but. Lots of people could have that haircut?
So.
How does Goku know Android 18 is Android 18?

Yeah I mean that way he didn't have to worry about himself rebelling.