The Android and Cell Sagas introduced a variety of villains to the Dragon Ball universe, with a host of antagonists coming into prominence in quick succession. Though Dr. Gero and Android 19 would start off as the Android Saga’s primary antagonists, the role would shift to Androids 16, 17 & 18 before finally settling on Cell shortly after their introduction. Fans were introduced to two versions of Android 17 & 18 during this time; the ones facing off against the Z Fighters in the prime timeline and the more sinister duo who terrorize Future Trunks’ world.
Though the two variants proved to be similar in many ways, fans noticed some glaring differences between the androids in the future and future timelines. Aside from slight behavioral differences, the one thing that stood out about the prime timeline androids was their incredible strength. Were the prime timeline versions really stronger than their future counterparts, or was there something else at play?
The Butterfly Effect
Future Android 17 & 18 stood as the strongest beings in Dragon Ball's future timeline, besting nearly all of earth’s greatest warriors and leaving only Future Gohan and Trunks to defend what was left of humanity. It’s hard to imagine them being any stronger than they were, but according to Future Trunks, the present androids were somehow more of a threat than their future counterparts.
Some fans have attributed this rise in strength to some kind of butterfly effect. In his first appearance following the end of the Frieza Saga, Future Trunks managed to alter the events of the prime timeline just slightly, potentially causing a chain reaction.
In the future timeline, it’s assumed that the androids got rid of the majority of the Z Fighters during their initial encounters with them. This resulted in the instant and devastating defeats of powerful fighters like Vegeta, Piccolo, Krillin, and Tien Shihan. The very same group is present when 16, 17, and 18 make their debut in the prime timeline as well. As one would expect, the duo effortlessly handled the opposing Z Fighters, which included two Super Saiyans in Vegeta and Future Trunks.
But rather than kill them, the androids instead left them with broken bones and bruised egos. With Goku still alive, the androids were less concerned with the considerably weaker Z Fighters and seemed focused on fulfilling their mission to find and defeat him. Thanks to Future Trunks’ medicine reducing the effects of Goku’s heart virus, the androids were able to first focus on their mission rather than be left with the remaining Z fighters as they were in the future.
Were The Future Androids Holding Back?
A much simpler explanation to the perceived difference in power between the present and future androids is that the duo intentionally held back when facing Future Trunks and Gohan. As seen with their present versions, Androids 17 & 18 seem more interested in alleviating their boredom than adhering to Dr. Gero or the Red Ribbon Army’s values. It’s entirely possible that after missing out on the chance to fight Goku, and having defeated the rest of Earth’s top fighters so easily, Future 17 & 18 decided to toy with Future Trunks and Gohan rather than fight them at full strength.
As was shown in Future Trunks’ flashbacks, the androids were able to easily defeat Future Gohan once they put more effort into their battle. Keeping Gohan alive up to that point was nothing more than a convenience, as they knew that he wasn’t really a threat to them. This also explains why Future Trunks was kept alive when trying to avenge his mentor’s death, as the duo likely viewed him in the same way they did Gohan.
This then brings to question just how reliable of a source Future Trunks was. Given his naiveté and inexperience when facing off against the androids in his timeline, it’s very possible that Future Trunks never realized that the androids were holding back, creating the misconception that those he encountered in the prime timeline were somehow stronger.