Artificial Human No. 14
| Artificial Human No. 14 | |
|---|---|
| 人造人間14号 (Jinzōningen jūshi-go) | |
 | |
| English Name(s) | Android 14 |
| Manga Debut | None[note 1] |
| Anime Debut | Dragon Ball Z Movie 7 |
| Japanese VA | Hisao Egawa |
| Funimation VA | Chris Rager |
| Death | Early Summer, Age 767[note 2] |
| Classification | Artificial Human |
Artificial Human No. 14 is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball universe by Akira Toriyama. He is one of the antagonists of Dragon Ball Z Movie 7, a film written by Takao Koyama although based on a character design provided by Akira Toriyama. Artificial Human No. 14 was destroyed Future Trunks, although portions of his body were subsequently absorbed by Artificial Human No. 13 before he too was destroyed.
Biography
Main Timeline
In the main timeline of the series, Doctor Gero created and discarded a model called Artificial Human No. 14, although details are scarce. Artificial Humans No. 13 through No. 15 were close to the final form, but had various flaws and were ultimately abandoned.[1] Shortly after being reactivated, No. 17 remarks that units prior to No. 16 appeared to have been discarded.[2].
Movie Timeline
In an alternate timeline postulated by Dragon Ball Z Movie 7, No. 14 was an eternal-energy and fully robotic Artificial Human, similar in many respects to the main series's Artificial Human No. 16. His internal workings were designed to be compatible with (or possibly even to augment) those of No. 13 and No. 15, who were developed in adjacent pods. Although initially discarded, after the death of Doctor Gero, his computer continued to perfect No. 14, as well as his counterparts, before unleashing them to attack Son Goku in early summer of Age 767. No. 14 and No. 15 were completed first, but joined by their lab-sibling a few hours later.
No. 14 first engaged with Son Goku at a Good Fortunes shopping center after marching through the city in a straight line, ignoring the chaos that he and his counterpart were causing. Flying up an elevator and positioning themselves just under Son Goku and his friends eating at a skyscraper restaurant, Nos. 14 and 15 attempted to assassinate Goku with a sneak attack. Goku and his friends survived and were able to lure the Artificial Humans to the glacial belt. There, after a prolonged battle, Future Trunks, fighting as a Super Saiyan, was able to cut down No. 14 and destroy him.
Two parts, a microchip and an unidentified cylinder, were subsequently merged into Artificial Human No. 13, allowing him to transform into a more powerful form before he too was defeated by Son Goku.
Name
Like all of Doctor Gero's Artificial Humans, No. 14 was given a number representing his place in the development timeline as the fourteenth unit. Toriyama's idea for numbered robots may have originated in Dr. Slump Chapter 67 with Dr. Mashirito and his Caramel Man creations.[3]
Production
No. 14's final design was initially produced by Akira Toriyama, although initially identified as being No. 15. It is unknown whether this switch was made due to a miscommunication or a change in the film during production.[4]
No. 14's overall design resembled that of "Native American" characters used in the series, especially Bora who shares his overall size and hairstyle. On his left shoulder, he wears a leather spaulder, but is otherwise unarmored. He wears a green kilt-like garment which is sometimes associated with Iroquois warriors.[note 3]
Notable Skills
TBD
Performance
Artificial Human No. 14 is played by Hisao Egawa, a Japanese voice actor who had played only bit roles in the series up to this point. He would become the primary voice of Piroshki and Spopovitch, among others.
Notable Appearances
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 7 - Artificial Human No. 14's introduction and only appearance to date.
Notes
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z Chapter 368's title page mentions Artificial Human No. 14, but he is not directly depicted.
- ↑ The events of Movie 7 do not take place in the established anime continuity.
- ↑ The "kilt" worn by No. 14 is a stereotypical aspect of Iroquois ceremonial garb, but may not be based on an actual tribal practice. In any event, Toriyama and the other designers likely would not have known or have been interested in the historicity of the outfit.
References
- ↑ Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball Chapter 368: "Cell Creeps Up". Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1992 #18. Japan: Shueisha, 07 April 1992.
- ↑ "Too Late to Do Anything?! The Ultimate Weapons to Kill Goku". Dragon Ball Z. Episode 134. Japan: Fuji TV, 01 April 1992.
- ↑ TODO: Cite Dr. Slump Chapter 67
- ↑ Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 6: Movies & TV Specials. Japan: Shueisha, 04 December 1995. ISBN 4-08-782756-9. (p. 185)