The changes made to Android 17 in Dragon Ball Super make sense of the Red Ribbon Army’s return in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. After being brought back into the fold by Goku, Android 17 emerged as Universe 7’s ticket to victory in the Tournament of Power story and a major addition to the Z-Warriors. Though not quite as powerful as Goku, 17 was able to survive until he was the last fighter standing. Android 17 missed out on Dragon Ball Super: Broly, and may sit on the sidelines for Super Hero too.
Although his status in the movie is unconfirmed, it is known his creators will have a presence. The man responsible for giving him life – Dr. Gero – is dead, but the organization that backed him will return once more. The Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero teaser trailer revealed the Red Ribbon Army will be behind whatever scheme Goku and his allies will have to thwart next. Scientists within the group were seen discussing Goku, Vegeta and Majin Buu and based on what was shown in the movie's trailer, the Red Ribbon Army will orchestrate a “conspiracy” to take down the heroes during the story. It also appears that the weapons of the Red Ribbon Army in the movie will include two new characters to the franchise known as Gamma 1 and Gamma 2.
Since the Red Ribbon Army is a technology-based organization consisting of humans, the prevailing theory is that Gamma 1, Gamma 2 and any other hidden Super Hero villain are androids made by the group. What’s surprising about that is the current direction of the Dragon Ball franchise. It seemed that the Z-Warriors are long past the point where humans can produce something capable of challenging them physically. However, what happened with Android 17 in Dragon Ball Super suggests otherwise. Upon his return, it was revealed he’s strong enough to fight evenly with Super Saiyan Blue Goku. Considering that 18 was well below that level and that 17 was previously weaker than Cell, Android 17’s unexpected power level increase was a massive development for his character and one that shifts perceptions of what androids are capable of.
Prior to Android 17’'s Dragon Ball return, it may have been difficult to imagine how humans could possibly create an android that can rival a being of divine power. After all, that’s what it would require for a character to be a match for the top Z-Warriors. Interestingly, 17 proved that reaching such an insanely high level isn’t unfathomable for an android. For now, 17 stands out as the only android who can pull this off, but if he can do it, it stands to reason that with enough training others may be able to do it too.
There’s no doubt that whatever the Red Ribbon Army builds in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero will have to be their greatest creation ever if it has any hope of standing a chance against Goku, Vegeta, Gohan or Piccolo. Even a resurrected Perfect Cell wouldn’t suffice unless he received a significant upgrade. But how far Android 17 has come in the Dragon Ball franchise serves as an indication that the scientists of the Red Ribbon Army really can rise to the challenge.
