Android 18 Dragon Ball Z - Figures

Dragon Ball Z Figures is the anime that took over the world, first aired in Japan from 1989 to 1996 and became one of the most recognizable anime franchises to ever exist. Based on the manga by world famous Dr. Slump author Akira Toriyama and running for an impressive 291 episodes, Dragon Ball Z not only features all the tropes of the shonen manga genre, but redefined them as well. Many modern shonen stories have been inspired by and pay homage to Dragon Ball. Akira Toriyama was notorious for most of the fighter characters being male and there not being any arguably strong female leads. This all changed in the November 12th, 1991 edition of Shonen Jump magazine when Android 18 and her brother appeared for the very first time. Though she instantly proved herself as one of the first female fighters in the series, Android 18 proved revolutionary for Dragon Ball Z by overwhelming Super Saiyan Vegeta and breaking both of his arms. Below are four of the most popular Android 18 figures in a variety of different costumes and poses.

Android No. 18 (Dragon Ball FighterZ Android Battle)

Featuring in the video game Dragon Ball FighterZ, Android 18 appears in her classic outfit, a matching blue denim jacket and skirt, black tights, and black and white shirt with brown leather boots. Android 18 wears this costume when she first appears at Dr. Gero’s lab. The jacket has a Red Ribbon army insignia on the back. She is posed like she is leaping straight up into the air with one leg lifted up and the other held straight out like it was used to push off of the ground.

Manufacturer: Banpresto
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale PVC & ABS figure with stand
Height (approx.): 170 m | 6.7"

Android 18 (Dragon Ball Gals Ver. IV)

Present timeline Android 18 gives up her mischievous ways after being saved by Krillin and the Z-Warriors and eventually goes on to marry Krillin and has a daughter called Marron. During the Majin Buu saga, Android 18 enters the World Martial Arts Tournament for the prize money and ends up being pitted against Mr. Satan and Mighty Mask in the final round in a triple threat match. Mighty Mask is immediately disqualified when it is discovered that it is actually Goten and Trunks in disguise. She lets Mr. Satan win the match and keep his fame in exchange for a large sum of money, to which he readily agrees. At this time, Android 18 wears her black and white striped sleeve shirt, but now with denim jeans and slightly high heeled shoes with yellow socks. Her hair is the same length and her attitude as cold as ever. This figure features a slightly exaggerated bust to enhance Android 18’s femininity.

Manufacturer: MegaHouse
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale PVC & ABS figure with stand
Height (approx.): 200 mm | 7.9"

Android 18 (Dragon Ball Girls Dragon Ball Z)

With a clearly enhanced bust and her original costume, Android 18 bends over to strike a somewhat arousing pose that resembles the scene in which she kissed Krillin on the cheek after fighting and defeating the Z-Warriors easily. The only difference is that she is wearing her jacket in this figure, whereas when she kissed Krillin it was damaged and therefore removed. Her outfit also seems to much more form-fitting as well, further accentuating her feminine form.

Manufacturer: Megahouse
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale figure
Height (approx.): 190 mm | 7.5"

Android No. 18 (Dragon Ball Z Glitter & Glamours: Vol. 2)

In this figure, Android 18 shows her more casual side by wearing jeans, a button-up shirt, and a pair of flip flops. Android 18 never appeared in this costume in the anime or manga. However, as can be seen in the history of Trunks, Future Android 18 had a penchant for clothes and clothes shopping (without paying of course). Two different color versions are available as well: one with a blue shirt and gray pants, and another with the colors reversed. Both figures pose leaning forward with one hand on a knee as she brushes her hair behind her ear.

Manufacturer: Banpresto
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale figure
Height (approx.): 23 cm | 9.1"

About Android 18

Android 18 (real name Lazuli) and her brother Android 17 (real name Lapis) were kidnapped by Dr. Gero as children and subject to cybernetic body modification. Even though they are called Androids in the English version of Dragon Ball and ‘man-made humans’ in the Japanese version, they can be more accurately described as cyborgs. The Future versions of Androids 18 and 17 killed all of the remaining Z-Warriors in Goku’s absence and continued to destroy cities and kill the populace until Future Trunks returned from the present timeline with enough power to defeat them. The present Android 18, however, was saved by Krillin and ultimately fell in love with him and had a daughter called Marron after they became married. She is very driven by money and can be cold and sometimes aggressive, but gradually becomes warmer and kinder over time. She joins the Tournament of Power to help Krillin (but also in the hope of getting paid). In Dragon Ball GT, Android 18 plays a minor role in trying to persuade Super 17 to stop his assault and she eventually learns to see eye to eye with Son Goku after having been programmed to kill him so long ago.

Reviews

Android 18 is praised by fans for her cool and collected character, as well as being one of the very few prominent female fighters in the series. In Dragon Ball Z, there are virtually no major female warriors other than 18, though Dragon Ball Super has few female fighters, especially in the Tournament of Power. Android 18 even appeared in 10th place in a poll of favorite Dragon Ball characters after the end of Dragon Ball Z’s run, showing that fans still enjoyed her character despite the large cast of other characters.