Android #18: One of Toriyama's best designs?

[TheAldella]

I liked Second Form Cell's LOOK a lot, but I didn't like any of his voices.

[Retan]

Imo I think Final Form Freeza (not 100%) is Toriyama's best design.

+1

[B]

The Ginyu Squad has grown on me over time. They look nothing alike within the group, and they look like nothing like the other characters. Add in the oddball techniques(time freeze, body change, etc.) and it was most likely very intentional to have them stand out.

[SingleFringe&Sparks]

I dunno about being one of his 'best' designs, but I do find her to be one of his most attractive female characters (though I like Videl the most in the long run). And didn't Toriyama claim somewhere that he didn't feel like he drew very attractive females or something? If I'm remembering that right, I call BS. As far as one of his best designs period goes though...hmm...I'd have to say first form Cell myself, honestly. There's just something immensely creepy looking about the thing.

Personally I don't know whats so special about 18 that makes her one of his "best" designs, always draws beautiful females. Always.

I give him the respectable props for not sexualizing her as much as most modern shounin females are these days. You can't even tell she has boobs at all actually,

Though I find Zangya more elabourate design wise. 18 looks plain.

[WittyUsername]

I always think that the second form looks the best among his forms, but it seems that I'm in a minority.

It's my favorite, too. The facial expressions Toriyama drew are priceless. The full body panels are drawn with such a strong sense of anatomy and proportion, too. The second form really is very gorgeous.

Ditto to the N!gg@ Cell party.

Uh... okay.

[Daimo-Rukiri]

There are some pretty great cosplays out there of her too!

The great thing is that #18's clothes aren't really outlandish. Perhaps they are dated, but retro looks are always coming back.

I'd say they were a little dated from her first appearance, haven't seen shoulder pads comeback yet.

[Mr. Piccolo]

Personally I don't know whats so special about 18 that makes her one of his "best" designs, always draws beautiful females. Always.

I give him the respectable props for not sexualizing her as much as most modern shounin females are these days. You can't even tell she has boobs at all actually,

Though I find Zangya more elabourate design wise. 18 looks plain.

I agree that #18's design is simple, but her simplicity is her strong suit. She does not have too many "bells and whistles" going on. I really like your point about Toriyama not sexualizing her though. She is not drawn in revealing outfits and as you point out, she is not given wildly exaggerated features like huge breasts. Perhaps this is because she was meant to be a fighting character and not just eye candy?

Spoiler:

[Cursed Lemon]

I can't really separate 18's aesthetic design from her character personality, which is a total flatline and really rather boring.

[Mr. Piccolo]

I can't really separate 18's aesthetic design from her character personality, which is a total flatline and really rather boring.

I like to think that #18 has a "subdued" personality compared to many of the other characters in the series. Her relatively cold personality fits her design well. #18 does not seem like the kind to suffer fools gladly!

Spoiler:

It is a shame #18 appeared so late in the series, because Toriyama did not have enough time to really flesh out her personality. In the Cell arc, she quickly became a means to an end for Cell in his pursuit of his perfect form. She was also Kuririn's object of affection and eventually his wife. Both were somewhat passive roles. I think #18's best moment was her extortion of Mr. Satan during the 25th Tenkaichi Budokai. It was funny and keeping with her characterization as a tough cookie.

[CrimsonRex]

Ranfan, 18 and Oceanus Shenron have to be my favorite female designs in the series.

[Mr. Piccolo]

Ranfan, 18 and Oceanus Shenron have to be my favorite female designs in the series.

Yes, Ranfan is another great female design by Toriyama. The big hair and gym clothes look were nice touches.

[saiyanprimalforce]

My avatar speaks for itself in regards to my opinion. So I'll spare any words!

[Mr. Piccolo]

My avatar speaks for itself in regards to my opinion. So I'll spare any words!

Nice avatar! The “surprised” look is a good one. Toriyama’s design, especially #18’s eyes and the blond hair framing her face, makes her capable of nice expressions even though she is sometimes considered a “cold” character.

A couple screenshots of some #18 expressions below:

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

The underlying design allowed for some nice animation in the television series, and I am sure the artists found it interesting to work with a design that is somewhat dissimilar from Toriyama's other females.