Who is the voice actor for Android 17?
Dragon Ball Z is a popular Japanese anime series that follows the adventures of Goku and his allies as they defend Earth against various villains. One of the major antagonists introduced in the Android Saga is Android 17, a cybernetically enhanced human designed by Dr. Gero to kill Goku.1 Along with his twin sister Android 18, Android 17 was originally programmed to be ruthless and bent on destroying Goku. However, he eventually rebels against his programming and becomes an antihero character.
About Android 17
Android 17 is a cybernetically enhanced human created by Dr. Gero as part of his Red Ribbon Army to destroy Goku. He was originally a human named Lapis before being turned into an android along with his twin sister Lazuli, who became Android 18. Together they were known as Android 17 and 18.
Android 17 has black hair and blue eyes. He wears a short sleeved black shirt with the Red Ribbon Army logo on the left side with olive green cargo pants and blue boots. He wears a blue denim jacket with the sleeves cut off over his shirt. Android 17 is cocky, confident, and cares for no one except himself and his twin sister Android 18 (Android 17 – Dragon Ball Wiki).
Android 17 was created to be a killing machine and carry out Gero’s vendetta against Goku. Despite this original purpose, Android 17 goes on to become an ally of the Z Fighters and helps defend the Earth against major threats. He also settles down and starts a family, showing his humanity (Android 17 – Ultra Dragon Ball Wiki).
Android 17’s Role in Dragon Ball Z
Android 17 first appears in Dragon Ball Z as an antagonist during the Android Saga. He was created by Dr. Gero to kill Goku as part of the Red Ribbon Army’s revenge against Goku for defeating them (Dragon Ball Z Fandom).
Android 17 makes his first major appearance when he is activated by Dr. Gero, along with his sister Android 18. They rebel against Dr. Gero and kill him, then proceed to activate Android 16 and set out to find and kill Goku. Android 17 ends up fighting against Piccolo and wearing him down considerably. He nearly kills Piccolo before the arrival of Tien Shinhan, who holds off Android 17 until Cell arrives and absorbs both 17 and 18 to achieve his perfect form (Villains Wiki).
Some of Android 17’s major battles and story arcs in Dragon Ball Z include:
- Activating alongside Android 18 and rebelling against Dr. Gero
- Fighting against Piccolo and nearly killing him
- Being absorbed by Cell to transform into his perfect form
- Being restored after Cell’s defeat and living peacefully on an island
Overall, Android 17 played a pivotal role in the Android and Cell Sagas as a major antagonist turned anti-hero in Dragon Ball Z (ScreenRant). His absorption enabled Cell’s transformation and set the stage for the Cell Games arc involving Goku and Gohan.
Android 17’s Voice Actor in Japanese
In the original Japanese version of Dragon Ball Z, Android 17 is voiced by veteran voice actor Shigeru Nakahara.
Nakahara has an extensive voice acting career spanning decades, having voiced prominent anime characters like Trowa Barton in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing and Mori Motonari in Samurai Warriors.
He is well known among Dragon Ball fans as the original Japanese voice of Android 17 starting from the Android Saga in Dragon Ball Z through Dragon Ball GT. His voice defines the character for Japanese audiences.
Nakahara’s cool yet aloof voice suits 17’s rebellious personality perfectly. He delivers the android’s lines with subtle hints of detachment and attitude befitting the character’s design.
His voice acting for 17 is considered iconic in Japan, on par with Nozawa’s Goku. Android 17 remains one of Nakahara’s most famous anime roles internationally.
Android 17’s Voice Actor in English Dub
In the English dubbed version of Dragon Ball Z, Android 17 is voiced by veteran voice actor Chuck Huber. Huber is an American voice actor and writer who has had a prolific career voicing characters in many popular anime series.
Some of Huber’s most well-known roles include Hiei in Yu Yu Hakusho, Dr. Franken Stein in Soul Eater, Pilaf in Dragon Ball, Shou Tucker in Fullmetal Alchemist, and of course Android 17 in Dragon Ball Z. His distinctive voice has brought many iconic anime characters to life for English speaking audiences.
For Dragon Ball Z specifically, Huber voiced Android 17 in the Funimation English dub that aired on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His sinister yet cool-headed portrayal of the cyborg character was well-received by fans.
Voice Actor’s Background
Android 17’s English voice actor is Chuck Huber. He was born on May 8, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois. Huber got his start voice acting in anime in the late 1990s. Some of his earliest roles included minor parts in Dragon Ball Z and Yu Yu Hakusho.
In 2001, Huber landed his breakout role as Android 17 in the Funimation dub of Dragon Ball Z. He has continued to voice the character in various Dragon Ball media over the past two decades. According to an interview (https://fandomwire.com/dragon-ball-super-exclusive-interview-with-chuck-huber-the-voice-of-android-17/), Huber says 17 is his favorite character that he has ever played.
Beyond Dragon Ball, Huber has voiced hundreds of characters in popular anime series. Some highlights include Hiei in Yu Yu Hakusho, Kurz Weber in Full Metal Panic!, Akaya Kirihara in The Prince of Tennis, and Jin in Samurai Champloo (http://frictioninfo.com/facts-about-android-17/). He is considered one of the most prolific voice actors in the anime industry today.
Voice Actor’s Other Roles
Chuck Huber, Android 17’s English voice actor, has had a prolific voice acting career spanning over 20 years. Some of his most notable anime roles include:
Hiei in Yu Yu Hakusho – Huber voiced the popular fire demon Hiei in the English dub of this classic anime series. Hiei is known for his brooding, aloof personality and dark powers.
Kuroudo Akabane in GetBackers – Akabane is an eccentric villain who can control his blood as a weapon. Huber’s sinister yet playful voice performance suited the character well.
Frank Archer in Fullmetal Alchemist – Archer is a rigid, morally bankrupt military officer who undergoes a disturbing transformation. Huber evoked Archer’s growing madness and cruelty.
Shou Tucker in Fullmetal Alchemist – As the disturbed alchemist Tucker, Huber chilled viewers with his detached, amoral delivery. Tucker’s experiments on his family made him one of the anime’s most infamous villains.
Ivan Karelin in Shakugan no Shana – Karelin is a Russian “Flame Haze” with superhuman powers and a bold, flashy attitude. Huber’s accent work and boisterous performance brought him to life.
With his wide vocal range and flair for villainous, eccentric characters, Chuck Huber has left an indelible mark on anime English dubbing through roles like these.
Reception to Voice Acting
Chuck Huber’s portrayal of Android 17 has received positive reviews from fans and critics alike. Many praise Huber for capturing 17’s cocky yet cool personality. His performance brings an edge and attitude to the character that resonates with audiences.
In an interview with ComicBook.com, Huber discussed the fan response to his voicework as 17, saying “The reaction to 17 has been nothing short of amazing. I’m thrilled that so many people have embraced the character.”
When 17 returned in Dragon Ball Super, some fans were disappointed that Huber did not reprise the role for the English dub. However, Huber showed no hard feelings, commenting “I’m happy for Hiroki Takahashi to be the new voice of 17. He brings wonderful new life to the character.”
While the voice change was controversial at first, Takahashi’s portrayal has won over many critics and fans. Anime News Network wrote that he “does a fine job inheriting the role” and captures 17’s laidback personality well.
Overall, Huber’s turn as the original English voice of Android 17 is remembered fondly by the Dragon Ball fanbase for bringing attitude and flair to the deadly android.
Impact and Legacy
Android 17 has had a lasting impact and legacy among fans of the Dragon Ball franchise. Despite starting out as a villain in Dragon Ball Z, he became a popular character due to his cool personality and design. His eventual redemption and return as a hero in Dragon Ball Super cemented him as a fan favorite (Abhinaba, 2022).
Many fans were excited by Android 17’s power boost and return to relevance in Dragon Ball Super, as he had largely been overlooked after the Cell Saga. His strong performance in the Tournament of Power earned him newfound respect (Reddit, 2022). Android 17’s story reinforces the themes of redemption and personal growth in the Dragon Ball franchise. His lasting popularity is a testament to the resonance of his character arc from villain to hero.
Summary
Android 17 is a character in the famous anime Dragon Ball Z. He is voiced in Japanese by Shigeru Nakahara and in English by Chuck Huber. Nakahara is an accomplished voice actor who has voiced many anime characters over a long career. Huber is best known as the English voice of Android 17 but has also voiced characters in other popular anime. Both actors have brought Android 17 to life with their iconic voice acting performances over the years. Android 17 remains one of the most beloved characters in Dragon Ball Z thanks in large part to the talented voice work of his Japanese and English voice actors.