Superhero Media: Dragon Ball Z - Super Android 13

Contrary to the opinions of many Dragon Ball Z fans, I don't enjoy Super Android 13 all that much, probably for the exact same reasons that many do enjoy it, just to be contrary. Whilst on a shopping spree in what I'm assuming to be Central City, the Z Warriors are attacked by two new Androids and a fight ensues for the better part of an hour. For me, it's a problem of motivation, in that the Androids are simply programmed to destroy Goku and friends, and lack too much personality beyond that. It's not that I don't enjoy the action and fighting of the DB series, but i do like a little more context than "we're programmed to hate you"; Androids 13, 14 and 15 don't even have the rebellion against their creator that 17 and 18 did to give them more to be. So, basically, Super Android 13 is one big fight, but at least it's an interesting one?

Again, I don't feel that there's all that much to Androids 13, 14 and 15 beyond the typically interesting Toriyama design work, but the fight is well choreographed and seeing Vegeta, Trunks and Piccolo get their licks in is nice, even if Goku gets the biggest moments. It's a bit of a shame that Gohan is still relegated to the sidelines, but that will change from the next film on, so I can live with it here. As always with the Movies, Super Android 13 doesn't really fit into the overall DB canon, as there is no time where all of the characters are alive, in the same place and not fighting someone else already when the events depicted could happen. Unlike many other entries, however, some fans bend over backwards to make Super Android 13 fit in to the broader narrative somehow. Honestly, I feel it's down to the fact that the film is just a big fight that enamors so many, as well as just the design of the main antagonist in his "Super" form. 

If you're of the kind to find the filler episodes of DB uninteresting, Super Android 13 may just be the outing for you; there's plenty of violence, not much dialogue and the whole thing is done in under an hour. In fact, as a superhero fight reel, the film does pretty well, even if most of the DB characters have essentially the same powers when you boil it down. For those curious on the ongoing quest for more DB miniatures, Androids 13, 14 and 15 are way down the list, below quite a bit of more obscure and less popular stuff, as, again, I just don't find them all that engaging. Perhaps some kind of "Android Force" game in the distant future, or an elite squad for a Red Ribbon force, but certainly not a major want for me. Now, the next film in the series? I'm pretty excited for.