Cell (Dragon Ball)

Cell
Dragon Ball character
Cell by Akira Toriyama
First appearance	Issue #30 (DBZ Issue #14)
Created by	Akira Toriyama
Voiced by	Norio Wakamoto Dale Wilson (English, Vancouver dub) Dameon Clarke (English, FUNimation dub)
Profile
Aliases	Imperfect Cell Semi-Perfect Cell Perfect Cell Super Perfect Cell
Known relatives	Dr. Gero (creator)[1] Cell Juniors (offsprings)[2] Son Goku (cloned from cells)[1] Vegeta (cloned from cells)[1] Piccolo (cloned from cells)[1] Freeza (cloned from cells)[1] King Cold (cloned from cells)[1]

Cell (セル, Seru^?) is a fictional graphic novel supervillain who first appears in the Dragon Ball manga created by Akira Toriyama, followed by Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. He is the ultimate creation of the scientist Dr. Gero, cloned from the cells of several characters from the series.^[1] As a result of the cloning, Cell is labeled the "perfect warrior", possessing genetic traits from Dragon Ball characters such as Piccolo and Freeza.^[1] His seiyū is Norio Wakamoto and he is voiced by Dameon Clarke and later Dale Wilson.

Creation and conception

Early concept art of Cell

Series creator Akira Toriyama went through a plethora of drawings before settling on the design he used in his manga.^[3] Cell's appearance varies depending on which form he is in. Cell evolved from a cocoon-like form and his first form is insect-like in appearance. Both Cell's first and second forms have a tail that ends in a stinger-like appendage and allows him to absorb other organisms.^[4] His final form has a tail, albeit it is unclear whether it is able to absorb organisms. All forms, however, have spots.

Personality

Cell's demeanor changes substantially throughout his appearances in the series; he initially is single-minded in achieving his perfect form, even going as far to travel back in time.^[1] After absorbing #17, Cell's personality remains mostly the same save for the presence of a slightly more arrogant behavior.

Plot overview

Cell's existence is first hinted at when Future Trunks, Son Gohan and Bulma discover Cell's shedded skin. He is first seen when confronted by Piccolo, who learns of the creature's history, as well his goal of absorbing #17 and #18.^[1] After absorbing a sufficient amount of beings, Cell then found #17 and #18 and nearly absorbed #17, if not for #16 who was able to fight Cell one on one.^[5] He eventually manages to absorb #17 and changes into his second form.^[6] This second form would have absorbed #18 as well if Tenshinhan did not intervene. Tenshinhan is able to stall him long enough for #18 and #16 to escape. Cell gives chase to the two artificial humans and tries to flush them out of an island they were hiding in until Vegeta arrives to challenge Cell.^[7] Vegeta easily defeats Cell by utilizing his new Super Saiyan 2nd Grade abilities. However, Vegeta, wanting to battle a more challenging opponent, assisted Cell in absorbing #18.^[8] In this new form Cell easily defeates Vegeta and Trunks (who comes to assist Vegeta).^[9] Instead of killing the pair, Cell abandons the battle and announces that he would revive the Tenkaichi Budokai, a martial arts tournament not held since the end of Dragon Ball.^[10] Called the "Cell Games" the tournament would pit any fighters Earth could muster against Cell. Many of Earth's heroes enter the competition. The so called "World Champion Martial Artist" Mr. Satan is the first to fight Cell and the first to lose. The series protagonist, Son Goku, battles after Mr. Satan. Though he had become very powerful from training in the Room of Spirit and Time, Goku is not powerful enough to defeat Cell. However, Goku's child, Gohan, is thought to have latent abilities greater than that of Cell's.^[11] However, Gohan looks to have no chance at defeating Cell until Cell destroys #16, filling Gohan with rage that transforms him into a Super Saiyan 2. Instead of losing gracefully, Cell decided to blow himself up, a feature that many of Doctor Gero's creations possessed.^[12] Before Cell could kill himself, Goku uses his ability to teleport to transport Cell and himself to the planet of the North Kaio, saving Earth but killing Goku. However, Cell was able to regenerate and teleport back to Earth, and upon arrival killed Future Trunks. Gohan manages to destroy Cell with a Kamehameha that obliterates the tyrant completely.^[13] Cell also appears in Dragon Ball GT a series that takes place at the end of the second part of Dragon Ball.He battles against Goku but is easily beaten by Pikkon.In DragonBall GT's Super #17 saga he is helped by Frieza to battle Goku and piccolo in hell but Goku beat both of the villans in the end.

Abilities

Cell has a large set of powers due to the fact that he has the cells of many different beings. Cell has been shown to be able to do the Kamehameha, a technique that he gained from the cells of Son Goku.^[14] After self destructing, Cell also is able to use Goku's ability to teleport.^[15] Since he possesses Freeza's cells, Cell can survive in the vacuum of space as well as use several of Freeza's techniques.^[16] Due to his Saiyan cells, Cell is able to become more powerful after a near-death experience.^[15] From Piccolo, Cell gained the ability to regenerate. Unlike Piccolo, Cell is able to regenerate even if microscopic particles of him remain.^[15] Aside from these abilities, Cell is able to absorb the life force of other organisms through his tail. This ability is used by stabbing the victim with the end of his tail.^[4] After absorbing life force, Cell becomes more powerful.^[17] Cell's first and second forms are capable of this ability. Cell's final form, while possessing a tail it is unsure whether he has the ability to absorb other beings, instead the form's tail is capable of creating smaller and weaker versions of Cell called Cell Juniors.^[18]

Character reception

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In other media

Video games

Cell after absorbing Kuririn as seen in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai

Cell appears in various Dragon Ball video games. He is mostly a playable character in his final form, though newer games such as Budokai 3 and the Budokai Tenkaichi series feature Cell in other forms. He is also featured in many what-if scenarios in those games. In one instance in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai, a scenario depicted what would occur to Cell had he absorbed Kuririn.

Biblography

• Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 15 — ISBN 978-1-59116-186-8
• Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 16 — ISBN 978-1-59116-328-2
• Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 17 — ISBN 978-1-59116-505-7
• Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 18 — ISBN 978-1-59116-637-5
• Dragon Ball Z manga, volume 19 — ISBN 978-1-59116-751-8

References

External links

• Guide to Cell's transformations at http://www.daizex.com/
• Profile at http://www.absoluteanime.com/