Although most of the foes in Dragon Ball Z are aliens or unearthly monsters, the villains of the Android Saga are a lot more technological. Created by Dr. Gero, these cyborgs and humanoid robots are the cutting edge of human gadgetry. In fact, one of them shares quite a bit in common with its "creator."

Android 20 is actually Dr. Gero himself, having had his brain transplanted into an android body. However, this begs a question about 20's true identity -- namely, whether he can truly be considered the same as Dr. Gero. Though their appearances might be identical, the strange biology of the Dragon Ball Universe might say otherwise.

RELATED: Dragon Ball Z: Gohan Isn't Actually Named After Goku's Grandpa (In-Universe)

Bulma Recognized Android 20 as the Red Ribbon Army's Dr. Gero

Dr. Gero was once a member of the Red Ribbon Army, which was an organization dedicated to world domination. Their plans had long ago been foiled in the original Dragon Ball anime by a young Goku, who had grown increasingly powerful since facing their machinations. Seeking revenge and having a fascination with artificial robotic lifeforms, he sought to create the ultimate android fighting machines. The numbered android series had already been started by fellow Red Ribbon Army scientist Dr. Flappe, who himself created the Frankenstein's Monster-esque Android 8 (referred to by Goku as Eighter). Gero would pick up on this research, making his androids powerful enough to decimate the Z Fighters.

Androids 17 and 18 were once human, having been turned into cyborgs by Dr. Gero. Android 16 and 19 were completely robotic in nature, being based on Gero's deceased son and a porcelain doll respectively. Android 19 would also complete the operation to place Gero's brain into his Android 20 body, which was identical in appearance to his human form. Bulma even recognizes him as the same, though this doesn't simplify the question of the creature's identity. The dub has Android 20 refer to Dr. Gero in the past tense, suggesting that he sees himself as separate from him. Such a hypothesis is backed up by the ensuing storylines in the franchise, not to mention Dr. Gero's return in a now non-canon sequel.

RELATED: Why Dragon Ball Isn't Considered a Shonen 'Big Three' Anime

Dr. Gero Was Separate From Android 20 – Cell and Majin Buu Prove It

cell and majin buu

Having Gero's appearance is one thing, but outright housing his brain would seemingly close the book on whether Android 20 was one and the same as his "creator." Having someone's attributes, clothes and even body doesn't mean much in the Dragon Ball Universe, however, as shown by Cell and Majin Buu. Cell absorbs Androids 17 and 18, yet he's never considered as "being" those characters despite having their bodies inside his own. The same goes for Majin Buu, who outright eats some of the Z Fighters and even takes on some of their physical attributes. This can be seen in the original Majin Buu becoming fat and jolly after eating the Grand Supreme Kai or Super Buu absorbing the powerful Mystic Gohan and getting his clothes. These forms are still considered separate from whatever character was absorbed, so it's easy to designate Android 20 and Dr. Gero as two individual villains.

This is pretty much confirmed in the much-maligned Dragon Ball GT, where Dr. Gero and Machine Mutant Dr. Myuu meet each other in Hell. Conspiring to work together, they create a villainous Android 17 that combines with the real deal to become Super 17. It's worth noting that 17's co-creator refers to himself as Gero and not Android 20. Likewise, when Super 17 turns on him, he's very easily defeated by attacks that he could have absorbed as Android 20. This would suggest that only Dr. Gero had a soul that could be damned and that such a spirit died when his body shut down after having his brain transplanted. Thus, when he escapes Hell, he's merely the mortal Gero, not the powerful android that his brain had been put inside.

This theory is of course shot down by the fact that the aftermath shows Gero's body was robotic in nature. It could be that the physical form of Android 20 was the only way for the once-human Gero's soul to leave Hell. Even if that's not the case, he never calls himself Android 20, cementing that said villain was gone for good. Such a development is likely shocking to Dragon Ball fans who always regarded the two as the same person, but it actually fits better, making the androids the true succeeding legacy of Dr. Gero's evil.