Really, I think the best term for Nataku is construct. He's Frankenstein's monster, in a way, and what is Frankenstein's monster? Not a robot, not a clone, not a golem in the traditional sense. Not really a doll, with the implication of lifelessness, and not really a puppet, though that's the term Nataku himself uses, if I remember right.

Goku's also arguably a construct, but not one born of science. Goku is the child of the earth, and that seems to be literal. He sprang up on the mountain and from the mountain (maybe even in reaction to Nataku's creation? He's a character of balance, in a lot of ways), and was captured and brought to Heaven. And I just diverted myself once again with the question of why, when he didn't seem to be any threat to Heaven where he was, except of course that I have theories as to why and they're not germane to this discussion. *G* Anyway, I think Goku and Nataku are meant to serve as opposites in terms of imagery, right down to their guardian figures, and that could be another reason you connect Nataku with robot, because Goku is so darn organic.

I need a Gaiden icon for this LJ. Oh, well.

::uses what she has::