Two Of Dragon Ball's Most Underrated Characters Get A Heartfelt Moment Together In Moving New Fanart

Dragon Ball Z is packed with intriguing characters, but few are as tragic and underrated as Android 16, and through extension, his creator, Dr. Gero. As a former scientist for the Red Ribbon Army, Gero was capable of many ingenious feats, some of which led to the creation of the androids. Android 16 was created with the likeness of Gero’s son, Gevo, and as a weapon to use against Goku to exact revenge for the Red Ribbon Army's defeat. However, 16 defied his programming and became gentle and peaceful with an admiration for the world around him.

In a post on Reddit, user Cheripi-art, creates a comic that takes inspiration from Pluto by Naoki Urasawa to recreate Dr. Gero’s relationship with Android 16. In this touching and tragic scene, Gero reflects on his real Gevo and all the little details that made him unique. As the two sit over a meal, Gero recalls Gevo’s habits and in response, 16 readily agrees to adopt those same behaviors. Even so, by the end of the comic, Gero comes to the somber realization that if 16 was the exact opposite of Gevo and admittedly loved Gero, it would likely mean that his son hated him.

Android 16 Is A Direct Reflection Of Dr. Gero’s Son, Gevo

When Gevo Is Killed In Battle, Dr. Gero Commits Himself To Building Numerous Androids

When dissected, Dr. Gero and Android 16’s connection is one of the most tragic in Dragon Ball Z. Gero’s obsession with enacting revenge against Goku is what ultimately propelled him to create a series of androids, eventually leading up to the most unique one of all, Android 16. Unlike the others, 16 was modeled to be a mirror image of his true son, Gevo, who was killed in battle while serving in the Red Ribbon Army. Even though 16 was designed as a weapon, his gentle nature became a far cry from what Gero envisioned.

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The fanart taps into the emotional depth created by Dr. Gero and Android 16 as Gero’s attempt to immortalize his son through 16 deepens the tragedy at the core of their story. It reminds fans that Gero, despite being a villain, is also a grieving father, making him more sympathetic in the eyes of viewers. Dr. Gero’s recollections of Gevo in this fanart and 16’s willingness to adhere to those traits reveal a futile attempt to bridge a gap that could never be fully closed. Despite being drawn sitting across each other, the distance between them is palpable.

Dr. Gero’s Reflection Of Gevo Reveals A Deep Inner Sadness

And Android 16’s Attempt To Comply Adds To The Distance Between Them

Android 16’s compliance and willingness to bend to Gevo’s image and Gero’s continued monologue of Gevo’s traits reveal an underlying sense of overwhelming regret. The very act of modeling 16 after his deceased son shows fans that he never truly moved past his death. This fact is underscored in the fanart as Gero lists seemingly mundane habits, however, when revisited it becomes clear that it’s Gero’s unspoken longing being voiced. No matter how closely 16 tries to mimic Gevo, he will never truly be him, adding to the loss that Dr. Gero is unwilling to fully confront.

As for Android 16, by attempting to emulate Gevo’s habits, he exposes the inherent sadness of his existence. Android 16 was never created to be his own person, but instead a direct reflection of someone else that he could never live up to. In the anime, 16’s character arc is defined by his journey to autonomy, starting as a weapon into a character with a love for nature and humanity. This fanart takes that idea present in Dragon Ball and applies it to a connection with Gero where he is met with the realization he is not who Gero truly wants and can never be.