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This article is about the absorption of ki. For absorption through assimilation, see Absorption. For the 10th episode of the World Tournament Saga, see Energy Drain.

Directory: TechniquesSupportive Techniques

Energy Absorption (エネルギー吸収 Enerugī Kyūshū), also called Power Drain (パワードレイン Pawā Dorein), is a technique introduced in the Androids Saga by Android 19 and Dr. Gero. Energy Absorption is also used by non-androids with the style being much different, as shown in Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug and Dragon Ball GT.

Androids' Energy Absorption[]

Androids 19 and 20[]

YamchaOwnedByDr

Android 20 absorbs Yamcha's energy

Due to them having mechanical components, Dr. Gero (Android 20) invented a way for him and Android 19 to absorb energy from an outside source in order to power up their own energy reserves. This is accomplished through the use of a mechanism on each hand that absorbs energy blasts, or drains energy from a person through physical contact. Dr. Gero grabs his victims almost every time around the mouth, preventing them from calling for help.

Unlike the fully organic characters in the series, Energy Absorption is the only way for Android 20 and Android 19 to power up their reserves of energy when they are away from Dr. Gero's Lab. Consequentially, because of the Androids lacking a ki-signature for detecting them via Ki Sense or Scouter, Energy Absorption allows indirect means of detecting them via rapidly decreasing the ki-signature of their opponent.

Android19EnergyAbsorbing.Ep

Android 19 absorbs Goku's energy

This ability later reappears in Dragon Ball GT, where it is used by Super 17 during the Super 17 Saga.

In Dragon Ball Xenoverse, Android 17, Android 18, Cell, and the Future Warrior can use this method of absorption. In Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, the Future Warrior can also use this method of absorption.

In Dragon Ball Fusions, Android 33, Android 44, Android 55, and Android 76 can all use this method of Energy Absorption.

Cell[]

Cell is able to absorb energy or even entire beings through his tail, gaining all of the strength of the person he has absorbed. To absorb somebody's energy, he stabs his target with the sharp end of his tail, the tail will then extract all of the organic matter of the victim, leaving only the clothing behind (the process appears quite agonizing for the victim). According to Cell, this is how he feeds, as he often licks his lips before consuming a large population or an android.

CellAbsorbingPiccolo

Cell absorbs Piccolo's energy

He also states that the more he eats the hungrier and stronger he becomes. This is further demonstrated where, thanks in large part to his absorbing at least several thousand people beforehand (including the residents of Nikki Town and Ginger Town), he delivered a punch hard enough that he (at least in the Kai dub) accidentally broke Piccolo's neck before finishing him off. This form of absorption is unusable on mechanical beings like Android 16. During his first confrontation with Piccolo, acid dripped from his stinger, indicating that absorption happens by injecting a digestive enzyme into the victim and absorbing the dissolving genetic extract. This technique appears under the name Life Absorption in Xenoverse 2.

Cell's tail is also able to open up into a funnel shape in order to swallow the Androids whole, he covers the funnel part over the head of the android victim and proceeds to slowly swallow their entire body through into his own, forcing them to merge with him while still concious, and screaming.

Cell Max[]

Explosive Scream 3

Explosive Scream emitting a gravitational pull after growing in power through energy absorption in Super Hero

In the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero light novels, it is revealed Cell Max can absorb energy from his surroundings to make his Explosive Scream become even more powerful.

Super 17 and Android 17[]

Main article: Absorption Barrier In Dragon Ball GT, Super 17 gains a more advanced version of this ability, allowing him to absorb energy directly into his body and use it to increase his strength, speed and other abilities. This absorption is powerful enough to drain Goku's 10x Kamehameha, after which he was able to dominate even Goku's Super Saiyan 4 form. This ability works by creating a personal barrier around his body, causing him to absorb any form of energy that comes in contact with him. However, Super 17 is immobile while using it, and the barrier does not protect the android from physical attacks. These weaknesses would lead to his destruction; Android 18 forced Super 17 to maintain his barrier by bombarding him with a barrage of energy blasts, allowing Goku to critically damage him with a Dragon Fist. This ability is basically a combination of Android Barrier and Energy Absorption. This ability was added to Super 17 by Dr. Myuu without Dr. Gero's knowledge.

In Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2, in his story mode Dr. Gero develops this ability for himself where it is named Absorption Barrier.

XV2 - Absorption Barrier

Android 17 (DB Super)'s Drain Field in Xenoverse 2

In Xenoverse, the Future Warrior is also capable of using this form of Energy Absorption via the Drain Field Super Skill which can be obtained via a wish to Shenron.

In Xenoverse 2, the Future Warrior can also use this form of Energy Absorption via the Drain Field Super Skill. As part of the 1.15.00 Update DLC, Drain Field can be added to Android 17 (DB Super)'s custom skillset after purchasing it in Partner Customization.

Mira[]

In Dragon Ball Online and Xenoverse, Demonic Android Mira possesses the ability to absorb ki through his palm like Android's 19 and 20, in order to grow stronger and add their power to his own. Should his body be destroyed, while his core remains intact, he can be restored by absorbing more energy though he apparently requires the assistance of someone like his creator Towa, due to his core's immobility. Also, if he discovers his power is inferior to another, he will simply seek to absorb more energy to increase his power. One of his goals is to absorb the energy of legendary Z-Fighter, Goku. Mira's ability is called Drain Charge in Xenoverse and Xenoverse 2. In Xenoverse 2, Mira can also absorb Kili that has been collect using an Energy-Suction Device.

Fu[]

Main article: Time Cutter In Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 and Dragon Ball Heroes, the Demonic Android Mutant Fu possess the ability to absorb energy of history alterations using his sword, Time Cutter. In addition to absorbing the energy, absorption will dispel any history changes he or one of his allies makes within a time rifts, which even applies to Time Patrollers like Future Warrior and their partner during the Infinite History Saga.

Other Forms of Energy Absorption[]

Piccolo's Energy Absorption[]

In the dub of the original Dragon Ball anime, when preparing the Hyper Explosive Demon Wave, Piccolo would somehow forcefully absorb some of the energy of those around him to make himself stronger in preparation for the attack.

As Majin Piccolo, Piccolo absorbs Super Buu's energy in Supersonic Warriors 2 in order to get enough power to defeat Gohan, Vegeta, Goten, and Trunks.

Medamatcha's Energy Absorption[]

Medas1

Medas absorbing Gohan's energy

In Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug, Medamatcha drains energy through his Medas, a quartet of small, childlike versions of himself that emerge from his back. The Medas attack by leaping onto a person, draining them of their energy by direct contact. They then return to Medamatcha and re-enter his body, giving him the stolen energy. Alternately, Medamatcha can drain energy by piercing his target's skin with his large fangs.

Medamatcha successfully uses this attack on Gohan, taking the young Saiyan out of the fight. He later tries to use the same move on Goku, but Goku proves too strong to be restrained, even with the combined effort of himself and all four Medas.

Meta-Cooler nucleus' Energy Absorption[]

Coolers absorption

Goku's energy is absorbed by Meta Cooler (nucleus) in Ultimate Tenkaichi

In Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler, what remains of Cooler inside the Big Gete Star, Meta-Cooler Core, wraps his enemy in his wires in order to drain their energy. If he takes too much, he will overload and damage himself. Metal Cooler (nucleus) is also able to use this technique in Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi and Dragon Ball Heroes.

Goku's Energy Absorption[]

Main articles: Give Me Energy!, Spirit Bomb Absorption, and Spirit Bomb Super Saiyan

Baby Put to Rest - RDBF Absorb

Goku absorbs the Revenge Death Ball Final

In Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!, Super Saiyan Goku absorbs the energy from the Spirit Bomb he formed, enabling him to defeat Super Android 13.

During his fight on New Planet Plant, Super Saiyan 4 Goku absorbs the energy of Great Ape Baby's Revenge Death Ball Final and uses it to power a 10x Kamehameha.

In Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Super Saiyan God Goku is able to absorb the godly Ki of God of Destruction Beerus' Sphere of Destruction, dispelling the technique. The process leaves him exhausted causing him to concede the fight, although Beerus is impressed by Goku's potential and chooses to spare Earth.

Future Trunks' Energy Absorption[]

Main articles: Give Me Energy!, Spirit Bomb Absorption, Spirit Bomb Super Saiyan, Sword of Hope, and Final Hope Slash

Trunks Spirit Bomb

Future Trunks absorbs the Spirit Bomb.

In the anime, Super Saiyan Rage Future Trunks absorbs energy from the Spirit Bomb that he and the Future Earthlings formed. This gave him enough power to defeat Fused Zamasu once and for all; however, he evolved into Infinite Zamasu almost immediately after.

During the Warrior of Hope Saga in Xenoverse 2, Future Trunks is able to gather energy from people throughout history due to the The Work of the Gods Rift in Time created by Goku Black's misuse of the Time Ring and the scythe created while in his Supervillain empowered Super Saiyan Rosé form. This allows Future Gohan, teen Future Trunks, Time Patrol Future Trunks in Age 852, Gohan & Piccolo in the main timeline, as well as Goku, Pan, and Trunks of the GT timeline to contribute their energy to Future Trunks in Age 796 allowing him to slay the Supervillain empowered Half-Corrupted Fused Zamasu which helps restore the official history of Age 796 and Infinite Zamasu's erasure by Future Zeno.

Arbee and Jiku's Energy Absorption[]

In Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans, Dr. Lychee's minions Arbee and Jiku have the ability to drain power from their opponents.

Majin's Energy Absorption[]

Main articles: Energy-Suction Device and Majin Buu Resurrection Yamu uses an Energy-Suction Device to drain and collect pure energy for the resurrection of Majin Buu. Yamu's technique was named Energy Drain (エネルギードレイン) in Dragon Ball Heroes. It also appears in Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle.

Super Buu's Energy Absorption[]

Main article: Dangerous Liquid Bomb When in control of Vegito's body. Super Buu states that if Vegito tries to power up, Buu's power will increase due to having possessed him. In Xenoverse, Super Buu can grab opponents to absorb ki and Stamina via his Hyper Drain Super Skill.

Frieza's Evil Energy Absorption[]

In the story mode of Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai, Frieza absorbs large quantities of Janemba's evil energy in order to power himself up.

Vegeta's Energy Absorption[]

Main articles: Spirit Bomb Absorption and Spirit Bomb Super Saiyan

Spirit Bomb Vegeta

Super Saiyan 2 Vegeta with Spirit Bomb energy absorbed in Shin Budokai

In Shin Budokai as well, while not absorbing it willingly, the Spirit Bomb incorporates itself into Vegeta and gives him a power boost to defeat Janemba.

Janemba's Evil Energy Absorption[]

In Shin Budokai, Super Janemba has the ability to absorb the evil energy produced by life forms to become stronger. After Gohan fought and defeated Majin Vegeta, Super Janemba goes in and starts to absorb Vegeta (who is generating large quantities of evil energy at this point, as part of Janemba's plan). The absorption seems to be a very painful one, as Vegeta is screaming at the top of his lungs the entire time. Super Janemba later absorbs the evil energy from a fake Vegito and Kid Buu.

Later, in Shin Budokai - Another RoadFuture Janemba attempts to absorb Future Broly's evil energy in order to get stronger but fails and is defeated.

Akami's Energy Absorption[]

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Akami takes energy from Gohan, Usopp and Mr. Satan

In the Dream 9 Toriko & One Piece & Dragon Ball Z Super Collaboration Special, the sea monster Akami is capable of absorbing the energies of fighters using long pink tendrils, growing as it absorbed more energy. With a single touch, Akami is able to take the energy of Gohan, Piccolo, Gotenks and others. It is even able to consume energy from Goku's Spirit Bomb.

Mutchy's Energy Absorption[]

In Dragon Ball GT, Mutchy absorbs energy by lassoing his magical whip around an opponent and the whip will then absorb their energy and transfer it to him.

Baby's Energy Absorption[]

Baby Body Count

Baby has drained energy from several of his possessed victims.

In Dragon Ball GT, Baby was able to absorb energy from those he possessed, taking portions of their power for himself. He himself tells Trunks that he drained energy from everyone he possessed before coming after him.

Toki Toki City Hero's Energy Absorption[]

Main articles: Give Me Energy! and Absorption Barrier The Future Warrior in Xenoverse can utilize the Energy Absorption Super Skills Drain Charge (Ki Absorption), Super Drain (Stamina Absorption), Hyper Drain (Ki & Stamina Absorption), or Super 17's Drain Field.

The Future Warrior also utilizes Give Me Energy! as part of the Spirit Bomb Super Skill and Super Spirit Bomb Ultimate Skill.

Conton City Hero's Energy Absorption[]

Main articles: Absorption Barrier, Give Me Energy!, Sword of Hope, and Final Hope Slash Like their Xenoverse predecessor, the Future Warrior in Xenoverse 2 can utilize the Energy Absorption Super Skills Drain Charge (Ki Absorption), Super Drain (Stamina Absorption), Hyper Drain (Ki & Stamina Absorption), or Super 17's Drain Field.

They can also utilize Give Me Energy! as part of the Spirit Bomb Super Skill, Super Spirit Bomb Ultimate Skill, and the Sword of Hope Ultimate Skill. Additionally, they can also utilize Super Baby 2's Revenge Death Ball which functions like a chargeable Spirit Bomb as it allows the Future Warrior to absorb energy to charge their ki even further to increase the size of the energy sphere.

Waipa's Energy Absorption[]

"History alteration energy absorption device fully functional."
Waipa noting the History Alteration Energy Absorption Device's functionality in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2

In Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Legend Patrol Pack DLC, it is revealed that the CC Robot Waipa has an History Alteration Energy Absorption Device which was built-in to his Legend Patrol Mode System by Fu who uses him as a sleeper agent to gather energy from history alterations in Legend Patrols.

Moro's Energy Absorption[]

Drain Life Moro

Moro draining the life energy of an entire planet

Energy Absorption Moro

Moro targets Goku with the ability

Moro has displayed the most devastating and potent degree of energy absorption, far surpassing that of any other energy absorber in the series and one of the few in the series who uses magic for his energy absorption. His energy absorption is on a planetary scale, as he is actually able to suck the life energy from an entire planet, condense it into a small orb, and consume it, granting him an immeasurable increase in power. His Energy Absorption is normally unnoticeable but if he wishes to speed up the process, he can aim it at a specific target.

Moro is able to increase his lifespan by draining the lives of others, seemingly without end, and was able to survive 10 million years with the energy he gathered. However, he will eventually die of natural causes if he is kept from a source of life energy. When Goku describes Moro's ki as being like a whole lot of people screaming in pain, Merus notes it is a result of him using the stolen life energy as his own.

With Moro's copied powers Seven-Three is also capable of using this form of energy absorption. This form of energy absorption has no effect on either Majin Buu or Android beings such as 17 and 18. It can also be dodged via Autonomous Ultra Instinct.

Video Game Appearances[]

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Dr. Gero absorbs Goku's energy in Zenkai Battle Royale

Energy Absorption is one of Android 20's techniques, named Absorbing Attack (吸収アタック Kyūshū Atakku), and one of Imperfect Cell's techniques, named Tail Energy Absorb (尾力吸収 O-Ryoku Kyūshū), in Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden; Android 20 uses this as a defensive technique against Super Attacks.

Both Android 20 and Android 19 use it as part of their ultimate attacks in Dragon Ball Z: The Legend. In the Budokai series, the two versions Ki Blast Absorption and Life Drain are commonly used by Androids 19 and 20. The androids also use this technique in Dragon Ball Z: W Bakuretsu Impact, and 19 and 20 can also combine the attack in the game.

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Drain Life Cell in Ultimate Tenkaichi

In the Budokai Tenkaichi series, absorption allows the androids to absorb enemy ki blasts and some energy-based Blast 1 and 2 attacks. The energy of the attack is then added to the player's own ki reserves for their own use. However, these select characters cannot power up on their own, relying on absorption as a means to gather energy. In the Raging Blast series, the energy absorption is relatively the same as in the Budokai Tenkaichi series, only the amount of energy absorbed is drastically reduced and it takes energy to use the energy absorption (since it is a signature skill).

Dr. Gero can also use this technique in Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2, he notably uses it during his team attack with Semi-Perfect Cell, Twin Drain. Cell can also use the technique in Dragon Ball Z: Taiketsu, Super Dragon Ball Z (called Drain Life), Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai and Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road (called Tail Shoot).

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Android 18 using Hyper Drain on Raditz in Xenoverse

In Dragon Ball Xenoverse, Energy Absorption appears in the form of three Super Skills along with Super 17's unique version.

DB Fusions Android 33 Super EW Absorption (Special Move - Pic 2)

Android 33 using Super EW Absorption in Fusions

In Dragon Ball Fusions, Energy Absorption is separated into two forms, Energy Wave Absorption and Energy Drain. Energy Wave Absorption acts as a counter to ki-based attacks allowing the user to absorb the opponent's ki blasts and ki blast attacks. Energy Drain allows the user to grab onto the opponent and drain their victim's health to restore their own. The game also features stronger versions of these two techniques. There is also a special move called Spirit Bomb Absorption which allows the user to absorb a Spirit Bomb they created to power-up granting them "Spirit" status however it functions independent of the Super Saiyan form as it can be used by non Super Saiyans such as the Earthling Quiche and Tekka's EX-Fusion with a Spirit Bomb Absorption user (regardless of Tekka's selected race or form). Goku however can only user it in his Super Saiyan form (DBZ, Super, & GT).

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Imperfect Cell using his Life Absorption Super Skill on Super Saiyan Future Gohan in Xenoverse 2

In Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, four Energy Absorption Super Skills from Xenoverse return. Additionally, Imperfect Cell's version also appears under the name Life Absorption as his own exclusive Super Skill.

Trivia[]

Piccolo Hit By Bionic Punisher

Piccolo absorbs the shock of Dr. Gero's Bionic Punisher

  • There are "Energy Absorption" Energy Combat cards in the Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game: one is called "Goku's Energy Absorption", and it allows the player to stop an energy attack. Another card is called "Black Power Absorption" and prevents all damage from an attack. Another card is called "Namekian Energy Absorbtion", and it depicts Piccolo getting impaled by Dr. Gero's Bionic Punisher; this may be named that way because Piccolo simply absorbed the shock of the attack and pretended to be knocked out.
  • In Xenoverse and Xenoverse 2, Android 17 and Android 18 can use Energy Absorption despite not being an Energy Absorption-model Android like Android 19 and Dr. Gero, the Bio-Android Cell, Android/Machine Mutant Super 17, or the Demon/Android Mira. In fact, Android 18 can use the 3 main Energy Absorption skills (Drain Charge, Super Drain, and Hyper Drain). Super Buu can also use Energy Absorption via his Hyper Drain skill.
    • Additionally, despite not capable being an Android (or Machine Mutant) the Future Warrior can use all four Energy Absorption skills (Drain Charge, Super Drain, Hyper Drain, and Drain Field). This was likely added due to the game's lack of an Android race option.
    • In the GT Pack 2 DLC, the hand clothing option of Super 17's Clothes features the same circular energy absorption mechanism in the palm that appears on the palms of Super 17 and the Energy Absorption-model Androids (Androids 19 & 20), though it purely cosmetic as an Energy Absorption skill must be equipped to absorb energy.
  • In Super Butōden, Imperfect Cell says Absorbing Attack in Japanese possibly, but before laughing.

Gallery[]

References[]

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