Is Android 21 Dr. Gero's wife in Dragon Ball? Explained

Modified Sep 07, 2024 02:30 GMT

Dragon Ball and the answer to the question "Is Android 21 Dr. Gero's wife?" (Image via Arc System Works)

Dragon Ball fans often ask the question, "Is Android 21 Dr. Gero's wife?" because of her role in the series canon and how she came to be. She is the main antagonist of the FighterZ videogame, so it is difficult to claim that she is canon, although it is worth pointing out that her origins, to a degree, have become a part of the main story in recent years.

It was revealed during the 2022 Super Hero film that Dr. Gero had a wife named Vomi, who looked much like Android 21. Therefore, it is safe to say that her origins are strongly tied to Gero and Vomi, although this doesn't mean she is canon in the Dragon Ball universe, which is something that is reflected through her backstory in the FighterZ video game.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series. Any opinion expressed here belongs to the author and not Sportskeed as a whole.

Android 21 and Dr. Gero's relationship, explained

Expand Tweet

Android 21 was based on Dr. Gero's wife, Vomi, as confirmed during the Super Hero arc of Super, both in the manga and the 2022 film. Much like he did with his son and Android 16, Gero created 21 as a way to cope with the loss of his wife, although it was never revealed how she died in the story while some assumed she was a casualty during Goku's assault of the Red Ribbon Army headquarters.

It is also worth pointing out that, as mentioned earlier, Vomi recently became canon in the franchise while Android 21 is yet to receive said treatment. She was introduced as the main villain of the FighterZ game and has an evil persona as well, although that side of her holds physical similarities to that of Majin Buu.

Regardless of her evil persona, Android 21 represents Dr. Gero's inability to cope with losing his loved ones and never-ending hatred of Goku and his friends. However, it is worth pointing out that this Android doesn't have any romantic connection with Gero, which is a confusion many people have had throughout the years.

Android 21's origins in Dragon Ball

Android 21 as her evil persona (Image via Bandai)

Another interesting detail worth highlighting is how her backstory seems to have been altered throughout the years, to the point that she is not even 100% sure of how she came to be. While most of the Dragon Ball fandom knows by now that Vomi, Dr. Gero's wife, inspired her, it was initially established in FighterZ that she was an Earthling modified by the doctor, much like Android 17 and 18.

Android 21 suffers from a double personality throughout most of her run in the game, eventually giving in to her evil, Majin Buu-like side. However, she also seems to share memories of Vomi, yearning to see a son who looks like Android 16, based on the young man who was the offspring of Gero and his wife, thus making the connection even stronger.

She has become a bit of a fan-favorite in the Dragon Ball community because of her design and how her origin and abilities connect her to the Cell and Buu sagas. However, as of this writing, she is still not canon. That also answers the question, "Is Android 21 Dr. Gero's wife?"

Related articles

Edited by Toshali Kritika