Dragon Ball GT Has Its Flaws, But the Super 17 Arc Has a Redeeming Quality You May Have Missed

Like Dragon Ball GT overall, a prominent portion of the fanbase has problems with the Super 17 Saga. Even though I am definitely more of a GT fan than most, I am not blind to the Super 17 Saga's many flaws. For instance, I never truly understood how the fusing of the two Android 17s would result in the creation of the eponymous supervillain, though, I did always find the concept intriguing. For the same reason, the explanation as to how to open the portal between Earth and Hell also feels forced.

Moreover, the fight between Super 17 and Super Saiyan 4 Goku isn't that exciting, even by GT's standards. This isn't even mentioning how the arc's quick pacing, much like the Shadow Dragon Saga, makes it feel much too rushed. Taking the time to flesh out the story would have been greatly beneficial to the arc's overall tone. But despite all of these flaws, the Super 17 Saga is actually still redeemable in my eyes. Specifically, how effectively the arc treats the various reunions between 17 and certain characters is enough to make the saga memorable.

Super 17's Various Character Reunions Make it a Rewarding Watch

Trunks and 17's Meeting Creates an Echo Effect When Combined With Future Trunks' Story

Due to his long absence after DBZ's Android Saga, the effectiveness of Android 17's reintroduction was contingent on how his presence would affect the characters he shared a past with. Probably the least obvious but still highly effective reunion during the saga is between Adult Trunks and Android 17 before the latter merges. Their brief interaction allows Adult Trunks to experience a different, yet still somewhat similar, version of Future Trunks' own unique past, as explored in the History of Trunks movie.

Future Trunks' timeline was completely devastated by Androids 17 and 18, in one of Dragon Ball's most shocking moments. What made his experience unique compared to the normal timeline was that he didn't have anyone from the future warn him they were coming or who they even were. The Super 17 Saga replicates this when Android 17 appears out of nowhere to attack Adult Trunks in the original timeline. It's appropriate that another version of Trunks would be the first victim that Android 17 chooses to attack and to impart the news of his return to everyone else.

Moreover, since this version of Trunks was born after 17's supposed destruction, he doesn't immediately recognize his assailant, just like Future Trunks didn't initially understand what was happening when Android 17 first appeared in his own timeline. In essence, the saga creates somewhat of an "echo" between both timelines by having Adult Trunks experience and lose against Android 17 before everyone else in the original timeline can -- just like Future Trunks.

This cyclical dynamic also encompasses the brief interaction between 17 and Dr. Gero in GT. In DBZ, 17 famously destroys Gero in an ultimate show of defiance, demonstrating how both he and his sister aren't under Gero's control. It's therefore fitting that Super 17 ends up killing Gero again in GT. Even though the android betrays Gero in service of Dr. Myuu, as opposed to an ultimate gesture of independence, it's still horribly ironic that Gero falls at the hand of 17 not once, but twice. It's hard not to at least feel for the guy.

The Meeting Between 17, 18, and Krillin Holds Up as a Great Scene

Super 17 murders the husband of his sister

The most obvious reunion is between Super 17 is with his sister 18 and brother-in-law Krillin. The defining moment of these interactions comes in the form of Krillin's death. Super Android 17 kills his sister's husband. This was truly the worst possible scenario that could have ever happened between these three characters, and it's even more effective that 18 didn't just marry anybody. All three of them have a shared history. But the saga goes beyond this initial dynamic by having 18 confront Super 17 again.

The first confrontation is defined by 18's devastation over Krillin's death, but it's enhanced by the history of 18 and Krillin throughout Dragon Ball. During these earlier scenes, 18 is indifferent and even unkind to Krillin, the knowledge of which haunts her all the more when Krillin is killed. The fact that GT allowed us to witness these moments in real time before Krillin's murder gave more weight to her shame.

In the second interaction between 17 and 18, she not only goes to avenge Krillin's death, but actually plays a major role in his death when Super Saiyan 4 Goku had initially failed to defeat him on his own. Before Super 17's defeat, 18's response to Goku's comment that her only strategy wouldn't work against Super 17 is especially poignant: "I have to at least try. He killed Krillin, Goku."

Although less emotional, 18's battle against Super 17 is also noteworthy because of how she articulates her disgust at 17 for allowing Dr. Myuu to control him. During DBZ's Android Saga, 17 and 18's independence from Gero defined them as characters, an image that 17 spearheaded by killing him in an absolute show of defiance. It's therefore highly appropriate that GT would make it a major theme during the Super 17 Saga by having 18 take offense to her brother's obedience to another doctor.

The Super 17 Saga Lets Readers Come To Their Own Conclusions

Super 17 is the Rare Dragon Ball Saga That Has Room For Interpretation

I was also greatly impacted by the ambiguity behind 18's victory against her brother. I've always felt that, for a story to be truly great, there must be room for interpretation, and GT provides this by keeping us out of Super 17's head. During the battle, Super 17 makes some obvious mistakes that help Goku realize how to defeat him. Afterward, Goku informs 18 that those mistakes could have actually been intentional to help them win against Super 17. GT smartly doesn't reveal how true this is though.

Ultimately, It's up to viewers to decide whether 17 didn't overcome Super 17 or intended to show his weakness, or whether he did and sacrificed himself for his sister.

Ironically, the strength of all these moments with Adult Trunks, Android 18, and Krillin highlights how the saga's other reunions feel lackluster, including between Goku, Cell, and Frieza. Interestingly, I am not as bothered by Cell and Frieza's reintroduction as I could have been because of how Goku wins. In a fun twist on world-building, Goku uses aspects of Hell that Frieza and Cell had originally used against him to defeat them. Frieza and Cell's initial plan failed because Goku was actually alive, which was the basis of his unique entrapment in Hell.

The reunion that does still bother me, however, is between Vegeta and Nappa because of how short and insignificant it felt. Incidentally, these underwhelming reunions are similar to how the franchise as a whole depicts these critical moments, underscoring just how well Dragon Ball GT portrays 17's reunions with Adult Trunks, 18 and Krillin in the Super 17 Saga.