Cell

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Cell (沙鲁)
Alias(es)	Perfect Cell; Perfect Form Cell
Species/Race	Bio-android created by Dr. Gero's supercomputer from collected cells of powerful fighters 41
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Artificial lifeform pursuing perfection; antagonist of the Cell Games arc
Status	Destroyed by Ye Bai after regenerating from his self-destruction 60
First Appearance	Chapter 39

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Incomplete form	40–42	Sustains himself by draining humans' biological energy; seeks Androids 17 and 18 to complete his evolution.
Enhanced after absorbing Android 17	43–46	Successfully absorbs Android 17, but is later subdued by Ye Bai, who forcibly extracts 17 from his body.
Perfect Form	49–50	Ye Bai permits his evolution on the condition that he await Goku's challenge; Cell's body becomes balanced and humanoid, and his transformation shakes the Earth.
Revived Perfect Form	60	His core survives self-destruction, allowing him to regenerate with power increased several times over before Ye Bai erases him.

Background / History

Cell was created by a supercomputer that Dr. Gero had set to collect and combine the cells of martial artists. Although Gero abandoned the research because it took too long, the computer continued independently, using tissue gathered by tiny insect-like spy robots. Its collection included cells from Goku, Piccolo, other fighters, and later Frieza's group. 41

In Cell's original future, Androids 17 and 18 had already been defeated by Trunks, preventing Cell from reaching perfection. He killed Trunks, stole his time machine, regressed himself into an egg to fit inside it, and traveled to the present era. After maturing underground for three years, he began absorbing humans for biological energy and resumed his search for the androids. 41

Appearance

In his incomplete state, Cell is a green, insect-like humanoid with a carapace, vertical pupils, a winged shell on his back, and a syringe-like tail used for absorption. 40 41

After attaining Perfect Form, his body becomes more proportionate and humanlike while retaining his biological armor.

• Green carapace with black armor-like sections across the shoulders, chest, and outer arms.
• Narrow red eyes and two pointed horns.
• Black membrane-like wings that store his tail.
• Five-fingered hands, longer legs, and yellow boot-shaped feet. 49

Personality

Cell is consumed by the desire to become the strongest and “perfect” being. He considers the pursuit of power its own justification, attributing his battle-driven instincts to the cells inherited from Saiyans, Frieza, and Piccolo. 41

He is arrogant, theatrical, and cruel. Rather than immediately finishing weaker opponents, he often toys with them to prove his superiority or provoke greater power from them, as seen when he brutalizes Gohan in an attempt to draw out the boy's hidden strength. 56 57

Despite his confidence, Cell becomes visibly fearful when confronted by opponents beyond his calculations, particularly Ye Bai. He also resorts to retreat, deception, and self-destruction when direct combat turns against him. 42 45 59

Abilities & Skills

Bio-Absorption and Evolution

Cell's tail is a biological weapon capable of draining living beings and absorbing Androids 17 and 18 into his body.

• Drains humans' biological energy to fuel his growth. 41
• Requires Androids 17 and 18 to achieve his Perfect Form. 41
• Cannot absorb purely mechanical beings such as Android 16. 44
• His tail can be restrained or severed; Android 16 tears it off during their battle. 44

Regeneration

Cell can restore severe bodily damage as long as his core remains intact.

• Recovers from devastating injuries sustained against Goku and Vegeta. 51 55
• Reveals that a tiny core inside his head preserves his life and permits regeneration. 60
• Survives his self-destruction because the core remains unharmed, returning stronger than before. 60

Inherited Techniques

Cell can use techniques derived from the fighters whose cells were incorporated into him.

• Kamehameha — Uses a version of Goku's signature energy wave. 41
• Special Beam Cannon — Replicates Piccolo's spiraling beam attack. 41
• Solar Flare — Blinds his opponents to escape from Piccolo and the other fighters. 42
• Energy Barrier — Creates a large transparent purple defensive sphere during his fight with Goku. 56

Flight and High-Speed Combat

Cell can fly using the wings hidden within his back shell and is capable of combat speeds that overwhelm even Super Saiyan Goku for stretches of their battle. 41 55

Relationships

• Dr. Gero's supercomputer — His true creator; it continued Cell's development after Dr. Gero abandoned the project. 41
• Android 17 — One of Cell's required components for perfection; Cell absorbs him before Ye Bai forcibly extracts him. 43 46
• Android 18 — His second required component; Cell seeks her relentlessly to complete his evolution. 40 49
• Android 16 — Opponent Cell attempts to absorb, only to discover that 16 is fully mechanical. 44
• Piccolo — First major opponent in the present era; Piccolo deceives Cell into revealing his origins and objective. 40 41
• Vegeta — A rival who humiliates Cell's weaker form, then agrees to let him become perfect for a stronger fight. 49 50
• Son Goku — Cell's intended target and the principal challenger of the Cell Games. 53 54
• Son Gohan — Cell attempts to break Gohan emotionally in order to force out his hidden power. 56 57
• Ye Bai — The opponent Cell fears most; Ye Bai repeatedly humiliates him, permits his Perfect Form under conditions, and ultimately destroys him. 45 49 60

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ginger Town and Piccolo's Investigation

Cell emerges after Kami merges with Piccolo and empties Ginger Town by draining its residents. He fights Piccolo, reveals that he is an incomplete bio-android, and escapes using Solar Flare after Piccolo uncovers his goal of absorbing Androids 17 and 18. 40 42

Hunt for the Androids

Cell interrupts Piccolo's battle with Android 17 and declares that the time has come to fuse with both androids. He defeats Android 16 after a difficult fight and eventually absorbs Android 17, but Ye Bai intervenes, overwhelms him, and later extracts 17 from his body. 43 46

Perfection and the Cell Games

After Vegeta's superiority exposes the limits of his current form, Cell begs for the opportunity to become perfect. Ye Bai permits his evolution on the condition that he establish a tournament and await Goku's challenge. Cell becomes Perfect Form and announces the Cell Games on live television, threatening to kill every human if Earth's fighters lose. 49 53

Battles with Goku and Gohan

Cell fights Goku in a prolonged, nearly even battle that tests both fighters' stamina and regeneration. After Goku surrenders, Cell turns his attention to Gohan, deliberately brutalizing him and threatening his companions to awaken the boy's hidden power. 54 57

Self-Destruction and Death

Outmatched by Gohan, Cell attempts to destroy Earth by self-destructing. Ye Bai contains the explosion with an energy barrier, but Cell's surviving core allows him to regenerate with increased power. Ye Bai then crushes Cell and erases him with an energy blast. 59 60

Notable Quotes

“The long-awaited day has finally arrived. The day I fuse with Android 17 and Android 18 and become complete.” 43

“I, Cell, have already become perfect. I won't lose to you!” 59

“You people are all finished! Just wait and see! I'm about to self-destruct!” 59