Editing Android 16 (section)

=== Background ===
Android 16 is an incomplete android created by Dr. Gero, designed entirely from synthetic technology. Modeled after Gero's deceased son, Gevo, a high-ranking soldier of the Red Ribbon Army who was killed by an enemy bullet, Android 16 was made powerful out of Gero's affection for his son but was also designed to be gentle to prevent him from being destroyed in battle. Because his programming was incomplete, Dr. Gero decided not to activate him, fearing that he might destroy Androids 17 and 18. Dr. Gero even referred to Android 16 as a "prototype."

Android 16's primary malfunction, from Dr. Gero's perspective, is his inherently peaceful nature, which leads him to interact with the natural world instead of following Gero's orders. This makes him similar to Android 8, another gentle android. However, despite his calm demeanor, Android 16 remains committed to his original mission to destroy Goku. His peaceful outlook ultimately drives him to confront Cell, seeking to eliminate the threat that Cell poses to Earth. He is quiet, speaking only when necessary, and is notable for acknowledging that Androids 17 and 18 are not inherently evil.

Because of these traits, Android 16 was not intended to be activated. This is evident in [[Future Trunks]]' timeline, where Android 16 is not seen and is presumably not activated, likely due to his peaceful nature or the fact that Future Goku was already dead from the Heart Virus, making Android 16's mission unnecessary. When Future Trunks returns from the future, he does not recognize Android 16, suggesting he never encountered him in his timeline.

In "Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2," it is revealed that a Future Android 16 does exist in Future Trunks' timeline. He is discovered and reprogrammed by [[Towa]] in alternate timelines created due to the 2nd [[Future Warrior (XV2)|Future Warrior]]'s interference with Towa's actions. In these timelines, Future Android 16 is activated and allies with Future Androids 17 and 18 to kill Future Gohan in Age 780 and later attempts to kill Future Trunks in Age 785. However, he is defeated both times due to the intervention of the 2nd Future Warrior and is eventually destroyed.