Ask John: How Many Androids are there in DBZ?

Question:
About DBZ again, exactly how many androids exist besides #18?

Answer:
I’ll try to answer this question without slipping any spoilers, but if you don’t want to know anything whatsoever about future episodes of Dragonball Z, stop reading now. The androids in Dragonball Z actually originated in Dragonball. They first appeared as soldiers for Goku’s nemesis, the Red Ribbon Army. Android #8, Hatchan, who looked exactly like Frankenstein’s monster, was first young Goku’s enemy, then became one of Goku’s life-long friends. Android #8 even appeared in brief cameo appearances at the end of Dragonball Z. Although Goku destroys the Red Ribbon Army in Dragonball, Dr. Gero and his androids reappear in Dragonball Z, seeking revenge. Numbers 16, 17 & 18 make up the main characters of the Dragonball Z android saga. #16 is actually a robot, but 17 and 18 are humans modified by Dr. Gero. Number 19 is the fat android that fights Vegeta near the beginning of the Cell saga, and Dr. Gero himself is actually android/artificial human #20. Androids 13, 14 & 15 appear in Dragonball Z movie 7. After the android/Cell storylines, Juhachigo, #18, became a regular cast member in Dragonball Z. Many of the other androids, including Dr. Gero, make cameo re-appearances throughout the rest of the Dragonball continuity. Most notably, Android 17 returns in Dragonball GT, powered up as Super #17.