Cell

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Cell
Alias(es)	Perfect Cell; Super Perfect Cell; Ultimate Cell; Dark Cell; Majin Cell (Universe 17)
Species/Race	Bio-Android
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Originally Dr. Gero's Android project; later manipulated as a Dark Demon Realm experiment by Towa in one timeline
Status	Varies by timeline: the Despair Future Cell is killed; Dark Cell is annihilated; Majin Cell of Universe 17 is sealed
First Appearance	Chapter 186

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
First-stage Cell	186	Created by Dr. Gero's automated laboratory from the cells of numerous powerful fighters. He requires Androids 17 and 18 to attain perfection, but can also grow by absorbing human life energy.
Perfect Cell	264	Absorbs Androids 17 and 18 in another desperate timeline, attaining his complete form and declaring the Cell Games.
Super Perfect Cell	264	Survives self-destruction through regeneration, returns to Earth using Instant Transmission, and evolves beyond his previous perfect state.
Pearlescent life-force evolution	265	After draining Son Gohan and Krillin, his body develops a pearlescent shell and a denser, more destructive aura.
Ultimate Cell	267	Survives Bulma's attempt to destroy him, is transported by Towa to another timeline, restores himself with a Senzu Bean, and begins hunting the powerful lifeforms on a technologically advanced Earth.
Dark Cell	271	An ancient dark force erupts from his shattered core after Vegeta nearly destroys him, mutating him into a chaotic monster driven by malice, corruption, and absorption.

Background

Cell was Dr. Gero's ultimate Android project: a bio-engineered lifeform assembled through micro-robots that collected cells from fighters including Son Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Frieza, and King Cold. His intended path to perfection required absorbing Androids 17 and 18, though he could also feed on human life energy to increase his strength. 186

In the Despair Future timeline, Cell learns that Androids 17 and 18 have already been destroyed by Zhu Mang and Son Gohan. Unable to complete himself normally, he targets Bulma's time machine, intending to travel to an era in which the Androids still exist. He ambushes Bulma, Trunks, and Videl, but Videl bisects him with the Saiyan Light Circle Slash and Trunks finishes him with a Ki Wave. 187 188

A separate Cell from a more desperate timeline succeeds in becoming Perfect Cell and defeats the Z Fighters. After regenerating into Super Perfect Cell, he absorbs Son Gohan and Krillin, evolves into a pearlescent form, devastates Earth, and keeps Bulma alive solely to obtain her time-machine technology. 264 265

Bulma detonates herself and West City rather than allow Cell access to the time machine. Cell survives the blast, destroys Earth and the Sun in retaliation, and is then beaten into submission by a masked servant of Towa, a Dark Demon Realm scientist. Towa sends him into another timeline as an experimental subject. 266 267

Appearance

Cell's appearance changes drastically as he evolves, but his forms retain biological armor, insect-like traits, and a predatory tail or absorption appendages.

• First-stage form — A green, dark-spotted humanoid with a long tail; he leaves behind neatly arranged clothing after draining victims. 186
• Perfect and Super Perfect forms — Possess a refined carapace, compound eyes, insect wings, and a stinger-like tail. 264 325
• Pearlescent form — Develops a smooth, pearl-colored shell and a colder, metallic presence after absorbing powerful life force. 265
• Dark Cell — Mutates into a massive, warped creature with black tar-like carapace, twisted horns, an ice-blue vertical eye, numerous dark tentacles, and faces formed from corrupted absorbed souls. 271 272
• Majin Cell of Universe 17 — Retains a Perfect Cell-like body but can manifest purple-black Majin energy and deform his body through Majin Buu-derived traits. 336 338

Personality

Cell is calculating, arrogant, and obsessed with attaining a state he calls perfection. He studies opponents before acting, suppresses his Ki to remain hidden, and prefers ambushes when direct combat would be unfavorable. His pursuit of evolution overrides caution once he sees a route to greater power, such as Bulma's time machine or the life force of Saiyans. 186 187 267

He treats other beings as resources, prey, or tools. After evolving through life-force absorption, he dismisses ordinary humans as insufficient nourishment and keeps Bulma alive only for her technical value. 265 266

Dark Power magnifies the instability already present in Cell's absorbed cells and desires. Dark Cell becomes a being of indiscriminate destruction, while Majin Cell of Universe 17 loses control as his Perfect Cell consciousness clashes with Majin Buu's will. 271 338

Abilities & Skills

Cellular Absorption and Evolution

Cell can absorb living beings to replenish himself and increase his power.

• Requires Androids 17 and 18 to reach his intended Perfect Form. 186 264
• Can drain human life force as alternative nourishment; powerful Saiyans provide far greater returns than ordinary humans. 264 267
• Uses his tail or specialized absorption appendages to extract cells, energy, or life essence. 264 336
• His obsession with absorption becomes a weakness when it makes him abandon caution. 187

Regeneration

Through Piccolo's cells, Cell can regrow damaged body parts as long as his core survives.

• Attempts to rejoin his bisected body to conserve stamina after Videl's attack. 188
• Regenerates from severe damage after self-destruction and later reconstructs himself with a Senzu Bean. 264 267
• Regeneration consumes substantial stamina when rebuilding major portions of his body. 188
• Vegeta's final attack leaves residual energy in his body that prevents effective regeneration. 271

Ki Control and Martial Arts

Cell possesses the collected combat knowledge and traits of multiple martial artists.

• Can suppress his Ki to hide from stronger opponents and launch ambushes. 186 187
• Possesses advanced theoretical martial-arts knowledge, though his early form lacks practical combat experience. 187
• Uses techniques copied from his genetic sources, including Kamehameha, Solar Flare, Ki Circle Slash, and Instant Transmission. 264 270 325
• Generates energy shields capable of blocking Dabura's petrifying saliva. 325

Dark Cell Mutation

After near-destruction, a dark force within Cell's core transforms him into Dark Cell.

• Combines Cell's biology with corrupted remnants of absorbed Earthlings, Namekians, Saiyans, and other lifeforms. 271 272
• Produces dark tentacles, corrosive energy, force fields, and an aura that instills fear across Earth. 271 272
• Is powerful enough to injure Super Saiyans and corrupt Son Goku through a tentacle impalement. 272
• Remains vulnerable to Broly's overwhelming Rage Super Saiyan power, which destroys each regenerating fragment before it can reform. 274 275

Majin Cell Traits

The Universe 17 Cell possesses Majin Buu-derived characteristics in addition to his Perfect Cell abilities.

• Can liquefy and reshape his body to evade or reposition. 336
• Uses Majin Devour, creating energy tendrils that bind targets and drain their power. 336
• His Buu cells resist his attempt to absorb Sun Bra's Legendary Super Saiyan energy. 336
• Dark Power destabilizes the balance between his Perfect Cell mind and Buu's will, causing a destructive internal struggle. 337 338

Relationships

• Dr. Gero — Creator; designed Cell as an ultimate Android using genetic samples gathered by micro-robots. 186
• Android 17 and Android 18 — Intended absorption targets required for Cell's perfect evolution; their destruction prevents the Despair Future Cell from completing himself. 186 187
• Videl — Defeats the Despair Future Cell's ambush by bisecting him as Saiyan Ultraman. 187 188
• Future Trunks — Lured by Cell's attempt to seize Bulma's time machine; destroys the already-bisected Cell with a Ki Wave. 186 188
• Son Gohan — In the more desperate timeline, Cell drains Gohan's life force and uses it to evolve further. 264 265
• Bulma — Cell preserves her for her time-machine knowledge; she attempts to deny him that route by detonating herself and West City. 265 266
• Towa — Dark Demon Realm scientist who has Cell beaten, uses him as an experimental subject, and sends him to another timeline. 266 267
• Vegeta — Nearly destroys Ultimate Cell through a self-destructive Super Saiyan 2 attack, inadvertently triggering the emergence of Dark Cell. 270 271
• Broly — Completely annihilates Dark Cell and its regenerating fragments in Rage Super Saiyan form. 274 275
• Zhu Mang — Seals Majin Cell of Universe 17 when Dark Power drives him toward self-destruction. 338

Story Role / Major Arcs

Despair Future Timeline

Cell emerges as the remaining danger after Androids 17 and 18 are eliminated. He attempts to use Bulma's time machine to find living versions of the Androids in another era, but Zhu Mang's preparation allows Videl and Trunks to kill him before he can escape. 186 187 188

More Desperate Time and Space

In another timeline, Cell achieves perfection, wins the Cell Games conflict, absorbs the remaining powerful defenders, and turns Earth into a ruined husk. Bulma's self-sacrifice fails to kill him, but prevents him from using her time machine. 264 265 266

Ultimate Cell and Dark Cell

Towa relocates the surviving Cell to a stronger timeline. He attacks Earth, is defeated by Vegeta, and mutates into Dark Cell when an ancient dark force erupts from his core. Dark Cell overwhelms Vegeta and injures Goku, but Broly destroys him completely. 267 270 271 272 274 275

Super Dimensional Martial Arts Tournament

Perfect Cell of Universe 17 defeats Dabura with contemptuous ease, employing Solar Flare and Ki Circle Slash. He later battles Sun Bra, attempts to absorb her Legendary Super Saiyan power, and is corrupted further by Mekkapula's Dark Power. Zhu Mang seals him before his internal conflict can destroy the arena. 325 336 337 338

Notable Quotes

“Too slow, too weak.” 325

“Dinner is served...” 267