Major Metallitron

Major Metallitron, also known as Sergeant Metallic (メタリック軍曹, Metarikku Gunsō) in the original Japanese version, is an android created by the Red Ribbon Army and serves as Goku's second opponent in the Muscle Tower.

Names	Major Metallitron, (メタリック軍曹, Metarikku Gunsō), Sergeant Metallic, Full Metal Jacket, Major Fist (Harmony Gold dub), F.M.J
Gender	Genderless (Referred to as Male)
Race	Android
Occupation	Military Android Soldier
Origin	Dragon Ball Chapter 58: "The Flexing of Muscle Tower"|マッスルタワーの恐きょう怖ふ|Massuru Tawā no Kyōfu|lit. "The Terror of Muscle Tower" January 21, 1986 (Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1986 #08)
Alignment	Evil
Age	Unknown
Created By	Akira Toriyama
Height	226 cm (7ft 5in)
Weight	Not Stated

Appearance

Metallitron's design and mannerisms strongly resemble the T-800, the iconic antagonist from the 1984 film The Terminator, portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger. This homage becomes particularly apparent when Goku asks, "You're back?" and Metallitron replies, "I'm back!" Additionally, in the game Dragon Ball 3: Gokuden, an enemy inspired by Metallitron is explicitly named "Terminator."

Personality

As an android, Metallitron is programmed to be stoic and unwaveringly loyal to his orders. His primary mission is to prevent anyone from advancing beyond the third floor of the Muscle Tower, even if it means lethal force. Despite his mechanical nature, he displays hints of emotion, such as visible frustration during his battle with Goku. True to his inspiration, Metallitron speaks in a thick, monotone Austrian accent, further emphasizing his connection to the Terminator archetype.

Biography

Dragon Ball

Background

Major Metallitron was one of the earliest successful androids developed by Dr. Gero, a leading scientist of the Red Ribbon Army.

Red Ribbon Army Saga

Major Metallitron debuts in Dragon Ball when Goku is scaling Muscle Tower to rescue the Jingle Village Chief. Encountering Goku on his floor, General White commands Metallitron to eliminate the intruder. Metallitron initially tries to crush Goku, but the young Saiyan escapes. During the battle, Goku's Kamehameha blows off Metallitron's head, revealing a metal plate in his chest, but the android remains operational. Even after losing his head and both wrists, Metallitron persists in his assault, attempting to stomp Goku repeatedly. Goku counters by piercing Metallitron's back with his Power Pole and headbutting him, creating a large hole in his torso. Despite the severe damage, Metallitron only ceases his attack when his batteries, which hadn't been replaced since the previous spring, run out of energy. This fight marks the first instance in the series where a villain withstands multiple direct hits from Goku, including a Kamehameha, and continues fighting.

Fortuneteller Baba Saga

Metallitron is briefly seen in a flashback when Bulma recounts Goku's past accomplishments to Grandpa Gohan.

Dragon Ball Z

Androids Saga

Metallitron appears again in a flashback when Master Roshi narrates the history of the Red Ribbon Army to Maron.

Dragon Ball GT

Super 17 Saga

Metallitron escapes from Hell alongside several other defeated villains during the Super 17 Saga. He causes significant destruction by launching his Rocket Punch into a building, but Pan quickly destroys him with a single kick. Later, Metallitron is seen in Hell approaching Piccolo alongside General Blue, Nappa, and Staff Officer Black.

Super Dragon Ball Heroes

Supreme Kai of Time Saga

A version of Major Metallitron participates in the Super Space-Time Tournament alongside other Red Ribbon Army members, including Mercenary Tao, Ninja Murasaki, Colonel Silver, General White, General Blue, and Buyon. After his team fails to progress to the second round, Metallitron and his timeline are erased.

Films Appearances

Mystical Adventure

Major Metallitron serves as one of Emperor Chiaotzu's soldiers and plays a role in Master Shen and Mercenary Tao's plot to overthrow the Mifan Empire. When the Mifan Army encounters Bora, Upa, Goku, and his friends at a restaurant, Metallitron engages them in battle. He effortlessly throws Krillin into a wall and shrugs off Launch's gunfire. However, when Goku kicks him, his head detaches from his shoulders, though he quickly reattaches it.

Later, when an alarm is triggered at Mifan Castle, Metallitron and the Mifan Army confront Goku and his allies. Krillin briefly knocks Metallitron to the ground before he captures Upa on Shen's orders. Following Shen's defeat by Tien Shinhan, Metallitron attempts to kill Upa by smashing him to the ground but is ultimately defeated when Goku flies through his stomach.

The Path to Power

In the 10th anniversary Dragon Ball movie, Major Metallitron receives a significant redesign by Akira Toriyama. This version features darker skin and no hair.

Metallitron appears as one of the obstacles in Muscle Tower. Upon Goku's arrival, Metallitron praises him for making it so far but vows to stop him. The two engage in a brief battle, during which Goku lands a punch that detaches Metallitron's head, ultimately destroying him.

Metallitron In The Path to Power

Super Hero

Major Metallitron makes a cameo during a recap of the Red Ribbon Army's history in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

Powers and Statistics

Tier: 8-C

Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Expert Hand-to-Hand Combatant, Inorganic Physiology (Type 2), Explosion Manipulation (Via Missiles), Immortality (Type 2; He could continue to attack after having his head vaporized and having holes put in his body, only stopping when his batteries ran out of power), Longevity (Due to being a Robot), Body Control (Via Rocket Punch)

Attack Potency: Building level+ (Was able to give Goku some trouble, which led him to believe that Major Metallitron was strong enough to take part in the 21st Budōkai. It is unknown if he could have defeated Goku if he did not run out of batteries)

Speed: Unknown

Lifting Strength: Class K (Via scaling to Goku)

Striking Strength: Building level+

Durability: Building level+ (Did not take much damage from Goku's punches and kicks, before the latter fired a Kamehameha which blew his head off)

Stamina: Superhuman (Could still fight after losing his head and hands, having a metal plate in his chest exposed, and having holes blown through his body)

Range: Extended Melee Range (Via sheer size), Several Meters with Ki blasts and attacks.

Standard Equipment: None notable

Intelligence: Expert in combat otherwise Average

Weaknesses: Does not work without batteries, batteries can run out of power

Attacks and Techniques

• 3D Scan Mode – A sophisticated scanning ability allowing for the analysis of opponents. In Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo, this scanner identifies Goku as an "alien."
• Flight – Major Metallitron possesses the ability to fly, as demonstrated during the Super 17 Saga in Dragon Ball GT.
• Blaster – A powerful energy beam fired from his left arm. To activate, he disconnects his left elbow, revealing a cannon that shoots a green energy wave. This technique appears in Dragon Ball: Origins 2.
• Rocket Crush – Major Metallitron can launch his fist off his arm to strike an opponent from a distance. The technique is named in the Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game.
• Mouth Missile – A missile fired from his mouth, used as a destructive ranged attack.
• Crushing Grip – Metallitron grabs his opponent with immense strength, attempting to crush their bones with his mechanical hands.
• Machine Impact-like Technique – In Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo, Metallitron uses a move resembling Android 16's Machine Impact, showcasing his powerful melee combat abilities.

Trivia

• Major Metallitron is a clear homage to Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator character, reflected in his sunglasses and his identity as a cyborg.
• Among Red Ribbon Army officials, Metallitron is one of three high-ranking members not directly named after a color. However, part of his name ("Metallic") alludes to a type of coloration, such as metallic gray or metallic yellow. The others are Captain Dark (whose Japanese name, "Captain Dock," references a structure) and General Copper.
• He is the only known Red Ribbon official who is not organic.
• Major Metallitron is an unnumbered android, sharing this trait with the Prototype Androids, Super Prototype Androids, Bio-Androids (like Cell and Cell Max), and Mira from Dragon Ball Online. However, unlike most of these, Metallitron is entirely mechanical, akin to the Prototype and Super Prototype Androids.
• He is the only android to hold a leadership rank in the Red Ribbon Army, unlike Android 8, who served under Ninja Murasaki and General White. This excludes Android 20 and 21, who assumed leadership post-Army downfall.
• In Dragon Ball: Origins 2, it is implied that Metallitron outranks Android 8.
• Major Metallitron is notable as the first successful Red Ribbon Android from the Army’s perspective. Unlike Android 8, he followed his programming and was loyal. This aligns him with other obedient androids like Androids 9, 13, 14, 15, 19, and Hell Fighter 17. However, rebellious androids like 8, 16, 17, 18, 21, and Cell lacked loyalty to Dr. Gero or the Red Ribbon Army.
• Metallitron shares several traits with Android 16:
  • Both are fully mechanical androids.
  • Both were programmed to target Goku, although Android 16's motivation stemmed from his Goku Termination Program, while Metallitron's orders were tied to his defense of Muscle Tower.
  • Both feature rocket-powered fists that can detach from their arms.
  • Both have ties to The Terminator. Metallitron’s connection is direct, while Android 16’s mannerisms in the English dub, including an Austrian accent, parallel Schwarzenegger.
• A character resembling Metallitron appears on a poster in Bulma's room in the episode "Master Thief, Hasky," notably without sunglasses.
• In the VIZ localization of the manga, his name is "Full Metal Jacket," referencing both a type of bullet and the 1987 war film.
• The scan text in Metallitron's analysis of Goku resembles dialogue from the 1979 film Alien between Ellen Ripley and the computer "Mother."