Cell

The bio-engineered life form who traveled back in time to achieve perfection.

Cell is a fictional antagonist in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. He first appeared in chapter #361, "The Mysterious Monster, Finally Appears!!", published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on 16 February 1992. Created by Doctor Gero of the Red Ribbon Army, Cell is an evil artificial life form spliced with DNA from significant strong characters. He travels back in time from an alternate timeline to become a perfect being and defeat Goku. The character was born from editor dissatisfaction with previous androids; Toriyama initially found his spotted design tedious and did not plan for him to transform until his editor described the initial look as "ugly."

Quick Facts

Series

Dragon Ball

First

Dragon Ball chapter #361 The Mysterious Monster
Finally Appears!!
16 February 1992 (Weekly Shōnen Jump 1992)

Creator

Akira Toriyama

Race

Bio Android

Children

Cell Juniors

Family

Dr. Gero (creator)

Lore & Background

Cell is a Bio-Android created by Doctor Gero's supercomputer using cell samples from Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, King Cold, and Frieza. This genetic splicing grants him the superhuman abilities of all these warriors, including telepathy, telekinesis, and signature attacks like the Kamehameha. Distinct from other androids, Cell can generate ki similar to organic users, mask his presence, and absorb bio-energy via his tail. His specific design allows him to evolve by absorbing Android #17 and #18 to reach his final stage, gaining monstrous boosts in strength, durability, and speed. Embedded Saiyan cells allow him to imprint on near-death experiences to grow stronger and memorize new techniques, such as Goku's Instant Transmission.

Reader's Guide

Cell serves as the primary antagonist of his titular arc, defined by his ability to continuously evolve through absorption. His journey begins as an insect-like Imperfect form that grows stronger by absorbing human energy and specific androids. The transition to Semi-Perfect Cell occurs upon absorbing Android #17, while the final Perfect form requires Android #18. In this state, he hosts a global tournament where he spares defeated fighters to find a worthy opponent, intending to destroy Earth upon winning. His unique physiology allows regeneration from a nucleus in his head, enabling him to return stronger after near-death experiences like self-destruction. In later appearances, he is seen in Hell causing trouble with Frieza and King Cold before being imprisoned.

Did You Know?

Akira Toriyama expressed regret over Cell's design because drawing the little spots on his body was tedious.
The ability for Cell to transform was not initially planned; it was added after editor Yū Kondō described the first form as "ugly."
In the English Funimation dub, Dameon Clarke based Perfect Cell's voice on Terence Stamp's General Zod from Superman II.
Cell can absorb bio-energy from any living creature using his tail to increase his power.
Norio Wakamoto described voicing the first form of Cell as a "pain" due to the raspy, monster-like tone required.