Android 8
Android 8 is an artificial human appearing in the Dragon Ball series, created by the Red Ribbon Army and serving as the first android Son Goku encounters. Built with immense physical power, he was nevertheless deemed a complete failure by the army due to his peaceful demeanor and intense aversion to fighting. After befriending Son Goku during the conflict at Muscle Tower, Goku affectionately nicknamed him Hacchan. Android 8 ultimately turned against his creators and settled into a quiet life in Jingle Village.
Overview
Android 8 is an artificial human appearing in the Dragon Ball series, created by the Red Ribbon Army and serving as the first android Son Goku encounters. Built with immense physical power, he was nevertheless deemed a complete failure by the army due to his peaceful demeanor and intense aversion to fighting. After befriending Son Goku during the conflict at Muscle Tower, Goku affectionately nicknamed him Hacchan. Android 8 ultimately turned against his creators and settled into a quiet life in Jingle Village.
Appearance
Android 8 resembles Frankenstein's monster, featuring a towering, heavily muscular body with a square, flat head and noticeable surgical stitches across his face. While his general physical shape remains consistent, his attire in the movie Dragon Ball: The Path to Power consists of an orange sweater paired with a dark green suit.
Personality
Despite his intimidating frame, Android 8 is exceptionally soft-hearted, gentle, and strictly pacifistic. He harbors a deep disdain for evil and refrains from taking lives or engaging in combat, even when directly commanded by his superiors. However, when his friends are unfairly harmed or threatened, he becomes fiercely protective and capable of tremendous anger. He is fiercely loyal and cares deeply for the well-being of innocent people.
Abilities
Constructed as a cyborg from a human male base, Android 8 possesses overwhelming physical strength and high durability that surpassed Son Goku's at the time of their first meeting. A single serious blow from him can launch an opponent into the distant horizon. He was originally equipped with an internal self-destruct device, which was later safely removed. In the animated film Dragon Ball: The Path to Power, he also demonstrated the ability to fly through the air while enveloped in a green aura.
Background
Stationed on the fourth floor of Muscle Tower under General White and Sergeant Major Murasaki, Android 8 refused his orders to execute Son Goku. After the army attempted to use a remote bomb detonator against him, Goku destroyed the control device, securing the android's freedom. When General White injured Goku through dishonorable means, Android 8 snapped and defeated White. He then handed over a Dragon Ball he had kept hidden to protect the locals and was invited to live peacefully in Jingle Village alongside Snow and the village chief. Years later, he contributed his energy to Goku's Spirit Bomb during the battle against Majin Buu.
Relationships
He shares a warm friendship with Son Goku, who lovingly gave him the nickname Hacchan. He stood up against his former commanders in the Red Ribbon Army, including General White and Sergeant Major Murasaki, refusing to obey their tyrannical orders. Following the downfall of Muscle Tower, he was taken in by Snow and the Jingle Village chief, who embraced his gentle heart. In various game adaptations, he also interacts with Goku's son, Son Gohan, as well as Android 16.
Trivia
While the original manga establishes Dr. Gero as his creator, early television anime adaptations introduced an original character, Dr. Frappe, as his inventor. Android 8 takes great personal liking to the nickname Hacchan given to him by Goku.