Cell (Dragon Ball)

{{short description|Fictional character from Dragon Ball}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Cell (Dragon Ball)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox character

| name = Cell

| series = Dragon Ball

| image = Cell lithograph.png

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Cell's transformations/forms as drawn by Akira Toriyama; Imperfect (left), Semi-Perfect (middle) and Perfect/Super Perfect (right)

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

| creator = Akira Toriyama

| voice = {{ubl|Japanese:|Norio Wakamoto{{Cite web|url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Norio-Wakamoto|title=Norio Wakamoto (visual voices guide)|access-date=2023-06-06|website=Behind The Voice Actors}}|English:|Dameon Clarke (Funimation dub)|Dale Wilson (Ocean dub)}}

| species = Artificial life form ("Bio-Android")

| children = Cell Juniors

| family = {{ubl|Dr. Gero (creator)|Android 17 (brother)|Android 18 (sister)}}

| lbl22 = Abilities

| data22 = {{ubl|Super strength|Super speed, agility, reflexes|Stamina|Healing|Flight|Energy sensing|Energy projection|Energy absorption|Durability|Telepathy|Telekinesis|Teleportation|Size Expansion|Multiplication}}

}}

{{Nihongo|Cell|セル|Seru|lead=yes}}, later known as Semi-Perfect Cell, Perfect Cell, and Super Perfect Cell, is a fictional character and antagonist in the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama. He makes his debut appearance in chapter #361 "The Mysterious Monster, Finally Appears!!", first published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on 16 February 1992.{{cite web|url=http://mediaarts-db.jp/mg/magazines/322149|title=週刊少年ジャンプ 1992/02/16 表示号数11|website=Media Arts Database|publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs|language=ja|access-date=21 March 2017}}

Created by Doctor Gero, a significant member and founder of the Red Ribbon Army, Cell is an evil artificial life form created using the DNA and cells from several significant strong characters in the series, with them being Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, King Cold, and Frieza. He travels back in time from a different timeline so he can become a perfect being to defeat Goku. To reach this goal, he must absorb his siblings Androids 17 and 18, which have been killed in his timeline by Trunks. He was finally defeated by Gohan, who had just awoken newfound Super Saiyan abilities (Super Saiyan 2).

Creation and conception

File:Norio Wakamoto.jpg has been Cell's Japanese voice actor in every single piece of Dragon Ball media.]]

After Kazuhiko Torishima, Toriyama's former editor during Dr. Slump and early Dragon Ball, expressed dissatisfaction with first Androids #19 and #20 and later Androids #17 and #18 as villains, Toriyama created Cell.{{cite journal|title=Shenlong Times 2|journal=Dragon Ball 大全集 2: Story Guide|publisher=Shueisha|page=6|year=1995| language=ja}}{{cite book|title=DRAGON BALL 大全集 1 COMPLETE ILLUSTRATION|year=1995|publisher=Shueisha|pages=206–207|isbn=978-4-08-782754-5}} Toriyama has expressed some kind of regret regarding the design of Cell, calling it tedious to draw all the little spots on his body. In addition, he did not initially plan for the character to be able to transform, but gave him this ability after his then-current editor Yū Kondō described Cell as "ugly." Toriyama intended for Cell's second form to last longer than it did; Kondō found the form to be silly and urged him to hasten the first appearance of the next transformation."Dragon Ball Q&A" section, Dragon Ball Full Color Androids Saga volume 4, 2014

Norio Wakamoto is the Japanese voice of Cell and revealed that when he voiced the forms of Cell, the first form was monster-like, he used a raspy voice which he said was a pain. He toned it down for the second, and by the final form, he was able to perform comfortably.{{cite book|title=DRAGON BALL 天下一伝説|year=2004|publisher=Shueisha|pages=172–177|language=ja|isbn=978-4-08-873705-8}}

In the English Funimation dub, Cell is voiced by Dameon Clarke.{{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-12-07/dragon-ball-z-kai-buu-saga-to-air-on-toonami/.109619|title=Dragon Ball Z Kai's Buu Saga to Air on Toonami|work=Anime News Network|access-date=14 July 2017|language=en}} Clarke considers Cell one of his more "fun and entertaining" characters.{{Citation|last=Madman|title=Dameon Clarke (voice of Cell) talks DragonBall Z + Borderlands|date=17 December 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY-GosLQZzA|access-date=14 July 2017}} Clarke said that he based the voice of Perfect Cell off of Terence Stamp's General Zod from Superman II.{{cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGeH0eFzy6A&t=2017s&pp=ygUJZGJ6IHBhbmVs| title=Dragon Ball Z Cast Panel - Anime Riverside 2024 | @JimmyisaGeek| website=YouTube| date=12 June 2024}} Sometime around the release of Resurrection 'F', in which Frieza returned, Clarke said he began receiving questions about a film featuring Cell's return, which he supported.{{Citation|last=Florida Supercon|title=Borderlands Handsome Jack, Dameon Clarke Q&A at Florida Supercon 2015|date=24 August 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQdCPGMDhQs|access-date=14 July 2017|via=YouTube}}

Abilities

Thanks to being genetically created with the DNA of several of the Z-Fighters (specifically Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo), as well as the villain Frieza and his father King Cold, being spliced together; Cell has the superhuman abilities of all the aforementioned collective. What makes him distinct from other Android models is the ability to generate, manipulate, and strengthen himself with a life energy called ki very similar to most naturally-born organic users of it. He also can mask his presence to avoid detection and can generate an aura similar to a Super Saiyan. Along with telepathy and telekinesis, Cell knows how to use the special attacks the Z-Fighters uses, such as the Kamehameha and the Solar Flare. Cell is specifically designed to continuously evolve by absorbing Androids 17 and 18 to achieve his final and most powerful stage, with each form gaining monstrous boosts in overall physical strength, durability, and speed. He can also increase his power by using his tail to absorb bio-energy from any living creature.

Due to the Saiyan cells embedded in his being, Cell is able to imprint on a near-death experience and grow stronger, while memorizing new techniques at his disposal, such as Goku's teleportation move referred to as Instant Transmission.

Appearances

=''Dragon Ball Z''=

Cell is an artificial life form (referred to as a "Bio-Android") created by Doctor Gero's supercomputer from the cell sample of the universe's strongest warriors, possessing the genetic information of Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, King Cold, and Frieza in an underground complex beneath Gero's secret laboratory. Cell is designed to evolve into the "perfect" being by absorbing two Androids, #17 and #18. The Cell that appears as the primary antagonist of his titular arc is from the future, awakening after his development is complete to find that the Androids have been destroyed by Trunks. After he kills Trunks, Cell uses his time machine while regressing into an egg to travel back four years, to before the androids appeared, arriving in the present timeline.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=A Farewell to Arms|volume=31|date=3 March 1992}} After hatching and metamorphosing from his larval, cicada-like form into his insect-like Imperfect form, Cell kills off thousands of people and absorbs them to increase his power in preparation to absorb the Androids. After he has managed to absorb the energy of entire cities of people, Cell finds Android #17 during his fight with Piccolo. Cell then breaks Piccolo's neck{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=New Piccolo...Last Piccolo?|volume=31|date=21 April 1992}} before Android #16 holds the mechanized villain off. However, he can find an opening to absorb #17 and evolve into Semi-Perfect Cell. Cell quickly dispatches #16, but he is unable to absorb #18 thanks to the intervention of Tien Shinhan, who holds him back at the cost of his life force{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=The New Cell|volume=31|date=12 May 1992}} before being rescued by Goku, along with a surviving Piccolo.

Cell tries to find Android #18, destroying islands to intimidate her into showing herself, but before he can destroy the island that #18 is hiding on, Vegeta appears and overwhelms him with newfound power.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=Cell's Last Chance|volume=32|date=23 June 1992}} At the brink of defeat, Cell talks Vegeta into letting him absorb Android #18 so he can give him a better fight, and upon doing so, he assumes his final form, which is much more human-like. In this form, Cell easily defeats Krillin,{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=The Complete Cell|volume=32|date=14 July 1992}} Vegeta,{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=A Reversal|volume=32|date=21 July 1992}} and Trunks, but spares all of them so that they can come to his fighting tournament, the {{nihongo|Cell Games|セルゲーム|Seru Gēmu}} to find a worthy opponent to face him, intending to destroy Earth when he wins and wanting to enjoy the fear he causes in others.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=Cell's Idea|volume=33|date=1 September 1992}}

A week later, in the first round of the Cell Games, he quickly defeats Mr. Satan before moving onto Goku, who quits upon realizing Cell is stronger than him.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=Last Resort|volume=34|date=8 December 1992}} Goku then nominates his son, Gohan, as Cell's next opponent, to everyone's surprise. Though Gohan puts up a good fight and proves himself his father's superior,{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=The Successor|volume=34|date=15 December 1992}} Cell easily takes the upper hand due to Gohan's pacifistic nature. Wanting to avoid killing Cell if he can help it, Gohan warns Cell that if he is pushed too far, he will lose control of his anger and kill him, which only drives Cell to torment him further, excited to see this power. He spawns {{nihongo|Cell Juniors|セルジュニア|Seru Junia}}, miniature versions of himself who begin to fight the heroes, causing Gohan's rage to slowly swell. It is only when Cell mercilessly kills #16 after he had encouraged Gohan to fight that Gohan snaps, transforming into a Super Saiyan 2.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=Gohan Unleashed|volume=34|date=2 February 1993}} Gohan effortlessly and violently kills all the Cell Juniors and then proceeds to effortlessly overpower Cell, aiming to prolong his suffering, dealing so much damage that Cell regurgitates Android #18 and reverts to his previous form.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=Cell, Brought to Bay|volume=35|date=23 February 1993}} In desperation, Cell tries to self-destruct and destroy the Earth, but Goku sacrifices himself by using his Instant Transmission technique to teleport himself and Cell to King Kai's planet, where Cell explodes, killing everyone there.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=The End of the Cell Game|volume=35|date=2 March 1993}}

However, Cell can survive thanks to his unique physiology, which allows him to regenerate from a special nucleus in his head and grow more powerful whenever he has almost been killed, returning to his Perfect form even stronger than before.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=Gohan's Pain|volume=35|date=9 March 1993}} He easily kills Trunks, and when Vegeta attacks him in retaliation, he easily swats him aside. Cell tries to kill Vegeta with an energy blast, but Gohan takes the blast in his place, which breaks his arm.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=The Tables Turn|volume=35|date=16 March 1993}} With victory in his grasp, Cell decides to destroy the planet with one last Kamehameha, claiming he has the power to destroy the entire Solar System.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=Father and Son|volume=35|date=23 March 1993}} Assisted by his father in spirit, Gohan retaliates with his own Kamehameha, ultimately overpowering Cell with Vegeta's help, destroying his cell nucleus and killing him once and for all.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=Kamehameha vs. Kamehmeha|volume=35|date=30 March 1993}} Mr. Satan, however, takes credit for the victory and becomes a hero.

Upon being resurrected by the Dragon Balls and returning to the future, Trunks destroys Androids #17 and #18, though realizes from his time travel that Cell is likely to emerge soon. Three years later, Trunks is confronted by the Cell of his timeline, who plans to kill Trunks and use his time machine in the same way his alternate self had. Future Cell realized Trunks traveled back already and learned of him in the past but thinks Trunks is no match for him. However, Trunks showcases his newfound power and easily kills him, finally bringing peace to the future.{{Cite comic|cartoonist=Akira Toriyama|story=Dragon Ball|title=Peace to the Future|volume=35|date=27 April 1993}}

In filler episodes of the anime, Cell makes numerous cameo appearances, usually as comic relief. Cell tries absorbing two siblings but is prevented from doing so by Krillin, giving chase to the three and nearly killing Krillin before he notices Piccolo and Tien Shinhan on the way and escapes.{{cite episode|title=Our Hero Awakes|number=146|date=1 July 1992|series=Dragon Ball Z}} In his posthumous appearances, he is shown causing trouble in Hell along with Frieza, King Cold, and the Ginyu Force. He is defeated by Goku and Pikkon and sent to prison and is later seen watching Goku's battle with Majin Buu on a crystal ball, openly wondering why Goku quit against him and then went on to fight Buu, whom he acknowledges to be a stronger opponent than himself.{{cite episode|title=Vegeta's Respect|number=280|date=18 October 1995|series=Dragon Ball Z.}}

=''Dragon Ball Super''=

A few years later, when Trunks travels back to the past again, Trunks reacts in confusion to seeing Goku alive as he remembers his death from Cell's self-destructing. Goku can inform him of his resurrection that occurred after. Not long after, Bulma is revealed to have retained the Time Capsule that Cell had stolen from Trunks to return to the present timeline. Cell is remembered by Trunks when he notes the differences between Gohan as a child, in particular when he fought Cell, and him as an adult upon meeting him for the first time in years.{{cite episode|title=Master and Pupil Reunited Gohan and "Future" Trunks!|number=52|date=17 July 2016|series=Dragon Ball Super}} An illusion of Cell appears in the Forest of Fear to Krillin and Goku,{{cite episode|title=Goku and Krillin Back to the Old Training Grounds|date=22 January 2017|series=Dragon Ball Super|number=75}} attacking the pair and growing in size before Krillin concentrates and dispels the illusion by confronting his fear.{{cite episode|title=Beat The Fearsome Foes! Krillin's Fighting Spirit Returns!|date=29 January 2017|series=Dragon Ball Super|number=76}}

Although the original Cell does not appear in the film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, his schematics were used by the revived Red Ribbon Army to create a stronger model designated as "Cell Max", being a red-armored variant of Cell's Semi-Perfect form that lacks the original Cell's ability to regenerate. Serving as the film's final antagonist, he was activated by a desperate Magenta before his mind was fully developed, coming across as a mindless, rampaging monster.

= In other media =

In Dragon Ball GT, after Goku is sent to Hell by accident, he confronts both Cell and Frieza, whose bodies have been rendered temporarily immortal due to the upset in the balance between the two worlds. Though Cell and Frieza trap Goku with their new joint attack and freeze him using a witch below them,{{cite episode|title=The Resurrection of Cell and Frieza|date=23 April 1997|number=43|series=Dragon Ball GT}} they too are frozen after foolishly venturing down to gloat at him, and due to being dead, they cannot thaw out as Goku did. Goku accidentally breaks the ice Cell and Frieza are trapped within to pieces, implying that Cell and Frieza have been erased from existence.{{cite episode|title=17 Times 2|date=30 April 1997|number=44|series=Dragon Ball GT}} However, in a future scene, Frieza and Cell are seen being taken away in a jail cell with tape over their mouths. Cell and Frieza also appear in the GT live-action show, with new forms.

Cell appears in a TV ad for Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, questioning why he is not in the film while Frieza brags that he is, Cell then remarks that Frieza only has a non-speaking appearance.{{cite web|title=2013 Dragon Ball Film's TV Ad Has Voice Cameo by Cell|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-03-21/2013-dragon-ball-film-tv-ad-has-voice-cameo-by-cell|work=Anime News Network|date=21 March 2013|access-date=20 March 2013}}

Cell appears in Dragon Ball Z Abridged, voiced by Curtis "Takahata101" Arnott.{{cite web|last=Davidson|first=Danica|title=A Chat with the Folks Behind DBZ Abridged|url=https://otakuusamagazine.com/a-chat-with-the-folks-behind-dbz-abridged|work=Otaku USA|date=February 16, 2012|access-date=February 16, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Ballard|first=Joe|title=Dragon Ball Abridged: How a Controversial DBZ Fan Show Trumped the Original|url=https://www.cbr.com/dragon-ball-abridged-fan-show-trumped-original|work=Comic Book Resources|date=March 28, 2020|access-date=March 28, 2020}}

== Video games ==

Cell appears in several video games as a boss and playable character, most notably the Budokai, Budokai Tenkaichi and Raging Blast series. He is also a playable character in the Dragon Ball Z: Collectible Card Game. In several games, Cell has forms that have been created specifically for the installment.

In the 1995 game Dragon Ball Z: Super Battle, after Goku defeats Cell, he gives him a Senzu Bean and allows him to live, Cell promising to return and win.

In Dragon Ball Z: Budokai, Cell has a nightmare where he accidentally absorbs Krillin and becomes {{nihongo|Cellin|セルリン|Serurin}}, with the form leaving him weaker.Dragon Ball Z: Budokai In the 2003 game Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2, Cell is revived by Bobbidi and becomes a Majin, his appearance being altered with the letter "M" on his forehead alongside black lining appearing under his eyes. This form is short-lived, as Majin Buu terminates Bobbidi, with Cell being absorbed afterward by Buu.Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2

In the 2005 video game Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, Cell defeats Gohan and confronts Super 17, defeating him when the two conflict over a shared interest in killing Goku.

In the 2015 game Dragon Ball: Xenoverse, Cell appears as a mentor for the player, teaching the Perfect Kamehameha, Perfect Shot, All Clear and Gravity Impact to the player. Within the context of the game's story mode, Cell defeats Gohan until the player intervenes in their fight,{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball Xenoverse|developer=Dimps|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=24 February 2015|quote=Cell: Oh, I'm sorry! Are you scared at my return?}} and the version of the character from Trunks' timeline can reach his Perfect form thanks to Towa's strengthening, though he is destroyed by the player and Trunks.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball Xenoverse|developer=Dimps|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=24 February 2015|quote=Cell: Did you bring your friend along for the ride? Is he from the past, too? I'm warning you, interfere and I'll exterminate you.}}

In the 2016 game Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Cell shows up in his Perfect Form and fights Trunks, also meeting Android 16 for the first time and fighting alongside him.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2|developer=Dimps|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=25 October 2016|quote=Cell: So it would seem this stranger is my ally. You know, to be honest, I didn't think there were any more left alive...}} Cell can reach his Perfect form after defeating both Piccolo and #16 and absorbing #17 and #18 at the same time.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2|developer=Dimps|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=25 October 2016|quote=Android 17: You gotta be kidding me!}} When an empowered Android #17 fights Piccolo, Trunks warns the player Cell that succeeding in absorbing him would mean an even larger power boost than in the main timeline.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2|developer=Dimps|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=25 October 2016|quote=Trunks: If Cell absorbs 17 in this state, he'll grow terrifyingly strong!}} Cell himself shows up empowered, easily dominating Android #16. Cell later fights alongside the corrupted Cell Juniors, and welcomes Metal Cooler to the Cell Games.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2|developer=Dimps|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=25 October 2016|quote=Cell: Heh.. Ha ha ha... Very well. Allow me to welcome you to the Cell Games.}}

In the 2018 game Dragon Ball FighterZ, Cell defeats Android 18{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ|developer=Arc System Works|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=26 January 2018|quote=Krillin: What have you done to my wife?!}} and is confronted by Goku and Krillin while aiming a beam at her and Android 21.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ|developer=Arc System Works|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=26 January 2018|quote=Cell: Well, if it isn't Goku and his annoying, nose-less sidekick...!}} After being defeated,{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ|developer=Arc System Works|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=26 January 2018|quote=Krillin: Cell! You're through!}} Cell uses the Solar Flare to escape.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ|developer=Arc System Works|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=26 January 2018|quote=Cell: Solar Flare!}} Cell laments his lack of power before being confronted by Frieza,{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ|developer=Arc System Works|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=26 January 2018|quote=???: Ha ha ha! A sorry sight you were, Cell.}} who offers him a deal where the two divulge information to each other.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ|developer=Arc System Works|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=26 January 2018|quote=Frieza: What say you to a deal? Tell me what you know... and I'll be happy to tell you what I know.}} The player becomes connected to Cell after Goku is shot by Android 21,{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ|developer=Arc System Works|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=26 January 2018|quote=Android 21: Don't tell me... You're the one who was linked with Goku earlier.}} and fights Android 21 while controlling Cell's body.{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ|developer=Arc System Works|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=26 January 2018|quote=Android 21: Very well... More fun for me, I suppose. And it saves me the trouble of hunting you down!}} Cell escapes from Android 21 with another Solar Flare, and the player returns to Goku{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ|developer=Arc System Works|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=26 January 2018|quote=Goku: Wha? Hey, you're back!}} from the strain on Cell's body{{cite video game|title=Dragon Ball FighterZ|developer=Arc System Works|publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment|date=26 January 2018|quote=Android 21: But... judging from the amount of his fatigue, the link won't hold much longer.}}.

Cell is also a playable character in the crossover fighting games Battle Stadium D.O.N. and Jump Force, as well as a supporting character in Jump Ultimate Stars.

In Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, Cell appears with several playable forms each with unique special attacks.{{Cite web |last=Robelo |first=Alfredo |date=2024-11-30 |title=Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero - Cell Character Guide |url=https://www.thegamer.com/dragon-ball-sparking-zero-cell-character-guide/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}

Reception

In 2004, fans of the series voted Cell the fourteenth most popular character for a poll in the book Dragon Ball Forever.{{cite book|title=Dragon Ball Forever|year=2004|publisher=Shueisha|isbn=978-4-08-873702-7|language=ja}} In 2015, Jacob Yothment ranked Cell No. 3 on his list Top 10 Villains of the Dragon Ball Franchise,{{cite news|url=http://thelatestpull.com/2015/04/top-10-villains-of-the-dragon-ball-franchise/|title=Top 10 Villains of the Dragon Ball Franchise|date=9 April 2015|publisher=thelatestpull.com}} Shawn Saris of IGN ranked Cell No. 7 on the list Top 13 Dragon Ball Z Characters,{{cite news|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/03/top-15-dragon-ball-z-characters|title=Top 13 Dragon Ball Z Characters|date=3 August 2015|publisher=IGN}} and Otakukart.com ranked Cell No. 2 on the list Top 10 Dragon Ball Villains.{{cite news|url=http://otakukart.com/animeblog/2015/12/25/top-10-dragon-ball-villains/5/|title=Top 10 Dragon Ball Villains|date=25 December 2015|publisher=Otakukart.com}} In 2016, Cell was ranked No. 6 on the saikoplus.com list 10 Most Popular Characters in Dragon Ball Z.{{cite news|url=https://www.saikoplus.com/2016/02/25/10-most-popular-characters-in-dragon-ball-z/|date=25 February 2016|title=10 Most Popular Characters in Dragon Ball Z|publisher=saikoplus.com|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220173121/https://www.saikoplus.com/2016/02/25/10-most-popular-characters-in-dragon-ball-z/|archive-date=20 February 2017|url-status=dead}}

Michael Zupan assessed Cell as the Dragon Ball villain with the most buildup, writing, "The Z Fighters throw everything they have at this character, and just when you think he's beat... he transforms into something more powerful."{{cite news|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/64223/dragonball-z-season-5/|title=Dragon Ball Z: Season 5 (Blu-ray)|date=23 June 2014|publisher=dvdtalk.com|first=Michael|last=Zupan}} Dennis Amith of J!-ENT described Cell as "the toughest enemy that the team has fought yet" and liked how the efforts of the other characters trying to stop Cell is the main focus of that part of the series.Amith, D. [http://j-entonline.com/blu-ray-dvd-reviews/anime-reviews/dragon-ball-z-season-5-a-j-ent-anime-dvd-review/ Dragon Ball Z - Season Five DVD Review] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612035801/http://j-entonline.com/blu-ray-dvd-reviews/anime-reviews/dragon-ball-z-season-5-a-j-ent-anime-dvd-review/|date=12 June 2012}} J. Steiff and T. D. Tamplin used Cell as an example of the concept of "leveling up" in anime and believed Cell follows this concept well.{{cite book|last=Steiff|first=J.|author2=Tristan D. Tamplin|title=Anime and philosophy|publisher=Open Court Publishing|series=Popular Culture and Philosophy|year=2010|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F7nMkop_urUC&pg=PT131|isbn=978-0-8126-9713-1|chapter=Cell's Game and the Darwinian Model}}

The concept of the Cell Games and its execution were criticized. D. F. Smith of IGN criticized Cell's decision to hold a fighting tournament instead of destroying Earth as a sign that the author has run out of ideas.Smith, D. F. [http://dvd.ign.com/articles/933/933046p1.html Dragon Ball Z - Season Six DVD Review] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429134011/http://dvd.ign.com/articles/933/933046p1.html|date=29 April 2009}} Reviewer Josh Begley had disapproval toward the tournament as he believed it would feature "endless fighting and no real plot progression."{{cite news|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2015/03/03/dragon-ball-z-season-5-blu-ray-anime-review/|title=Dragon Ball Z Season 5 Blu-ray Anime Review|date=3 March 2015|publisher=The Fandom Post}} Luke Ryan Baldock took issue with the tournament based season for its lack of plot and high amount of action.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2013/02/27/dragon-ball-z-season-6-dvd-review/|title=Dragon Ball Z Season 6 DVD Review|date=27 February 2013|first=Luke Ryan|last=Baldock}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • {{cite journal|title=Creating Character Connections from Manga|journal=Icaart 2011|year=2011|first1=Harumi|last1 =Murakami|first2=Ryota|last2=Kyogoku|first3= Hiroshi|last3=Ueda| pages=677–680|doi=10.5220/0003196506770680|isbn=978-989-8425-40-9|s2cid=32113590|doi-access=free}}

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Category:Genetically engineered characters in comics

Category:Fictional mass murderers

Category:Fictional mixed martial artists

Category:Male characters in anime and manga

Category:Male supervillains

Category:Martial artist characters in anime and manga

Category:Shapeshifters in comics

Category:Time travelers

Category:Video game bosses