Dragon Ball Android 8 was the first creation of Dr. Gero, preceding all his other androids. Although he may have been forgotten in the Dragon Ball franchise, it would be intriguing to reintroduce him as a character.
The second to the last significant storyline in Dragon Ball Z features Cell alongside the deceased Androids of the Red Ribbon Army. This arc elevated the Androids’ status as a formidable foe, but it wasn’t their initial appearance in the series. Regrettably, the forerunner of Dr. Gero’s inventions has all but faded from memory.
The original Android in the Dragon Ball series was Android 8, who first appeared in the classic version. Despite being initially sent to fight Goku, this character, nicknamed “Eighter,” ultimately proved to be an amicable ally who didn’t enjoy fighting. By reintroducing this character, Goku can reflect on his own past experiences, while also creating a more seamless connection to the franchise’s history than ever before.
Dragon Ball’s most forgotten android is called Eighter
In Dragon Ball’s Red Ribbon Army Saga, the introduction of Android 8 was meant to aid Murasaki against Goku. However, Android 8 was not the killing machine Dr. Gero had hoped for. Resembling Frankenstein’s monster, the mechanical being had a friendly nature that was initially concealed. When Murasaki hurt a child, Android 8, nicknamed Eighter, refused to fight Goku and instead knocked Murasaki out of a tower window. Further actions of Eighter revealed his kindness towards a nearby village, leading their elder to invite him to live with them in peace.
Interestingly, Android 8’s most noticeable appearance was in Android 8’s most noticeable appearance was in Dragon Ball. He did not have a significant role in the series, and was mostly seen in anime-only cameos, like in Dragon Ball GT, a non-canon sequel. Although he appeared in Dragon Ball: The Path to Power, it was simply a retelling of the original story. It’s unfortunate that he didn’t play a larger part in Dragon Ball Z’s relevant saga about new Androids, which could have been a missed opportunity. Given how different his life is from Goku’s, it would be intriguing to see Android 8 make a comeback that is not so monstrous.
In a New Dragon Ball Series, Android 8 Must Return
In the Android Saga of Dragon Ball Z, Dr. Gero and his latest Androids arrived, but Android 8 was not present. This is odd because Android 16 was similar to Android 8 in many ways. Although Android 16 was incredibly powerful, he had a love for nature and pledged to defend it, much like Eighter’s aversion to fighting. Unfortunately, even Goku appears to have overlooked his previous Android companion, who did not receive much attention.
It is possible that Goku could have followed in Android 8’s footsteps and left to live a peaceful life. This is because Goku’s son, Gohan, has chosen to become a scholar and avoids fighting unless absolutely necessary. The focus of the series has shifted solely to Goku and Vegeta due to the significant increase in their power. The series has evolved from a martial arts-themed adventure into a more cosmic one. If Android 8 were to return, it could lead to Goku reconnecting with his old friends and remembering the importance of protecting the people on Earth. Additionally, with the revival of the Red Ribbon Army through the new Androids in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, it would be a good opportunity for Android 8 to meet his successors and dedicate himself to protecting the innocent at a more grounded level after witnessing the destructive capabilities of Gero’s creations.
Looking back at the past can provide ideas to propel the franchise into the future while still staying true to its origins. This was not the case with Dragon Ball GT, which attempted to recreate the original series in an artificial manner. Although Goku cannot revert to the lower stakes of his earlier adventures, some of his less powerful allies can. Android 8 is a prime example of this, particularly since he was not given much attention in the first place. A return of this character could explore what happened to his friend Suno, who is now an adult, as well as the village where Eighter relocated. Just like all technology, sometimes a back-to-basics approach is necessary, and this should include the synthetic creations of the Red Ribbon Army.
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