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Discover why Cell is one of the best villains in Dragon Ball. Explore his motivations, powers, and what sets him apart from the rest.
Considered the most influential shonen anime ever, Dragon Ball has several intriguing elements that help elevate its storyline. Among them, the villains stand out, captivating viewers with their powers and ambitions. When discussing the best among them, names such as Frieza, Zamasu, and Majin Buu are common suspects. However, an equally amazing and unique antagonist in the series is Cell.
As a combination of most elements in Dragon Ball, Cell has stood the test of time, becoming iconic in anime history. His design, journey to power, and philosophy distinguish him in a series filled with memorable antagonists. Here is a closer look at why Cell is one of the best villains in Dragon Ball.
Who Is Cell in Dragon Ball?
Cell is Dr. Gero’s greatest creation, made by the scientist’s supercomputer in an alternate timeline. He was created using the DNA of the greatest figures in Dragon Ball, including Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo and Frieza.
As a result, Cell was blessed with ultimate potential right from the beginning. Unlike most in Dragon Ball, however, he had to work to get stronger. Starting from an incomplete state, he gradually tested his limits, facing off against the likes of Piccolo, Krillin, and the Androids.
His creepy, insect-like first form, where he absorbed humans for sustenance, was straight out of a horror movie, making his early appearances especially terrifying. However, his appearance kept changing with his evolutions.
With each of his forms, Cell displayed a different personality to complement his design. He was initially sneaky and cunning, before becoming confident and arrogant. This mode of showing various facets of an antagonist through a storyline, making them evolve alongside the protagonist is still rare in anime.
Cell’s Unique Motivations in Dragon Ball
We have had a glimpse into why Cell is so memorable, but what makes him truly unique are his motivations. Unlike others who crave domination or act with a specific grand ambition, Cell’s goal is much simpler.
All he wishes to do is to test his own strength against the strongest in the universe and prove his superiority. Possessing the genetic makeup of formidable warriors, it is no surprise that he finds comfort on the battlefield. Cell believes this is the most “fun” way for him to live, and he would be more than willing to destroy the world if it would help show off his power and entertain him.
While this motivation is surprisingly innocent, it is also extremely terrifying. It means that every evil act committed by Cell isn’t out of malice but rather pure curiosity and amusement. His love for battle mirrors that of Goku and Vegeta, but it is twisted by his own monstrous nature.
Rather than picking off his opponents one by one, he organized the Cell Games to make a spectacle out of it. He was also powerful enough to kill the majority of the characters he fought against. However, considering his warrior spirit, he wished to gain the most satisfaction out of each battle. This is a characteristic that distinguishes him from most other villains, making him very hard to predict.
Most importantly, even though Cell is eventually defeated by the end due to his own vanity, it is hard to say that he didn’t achieve his goal. The villain merely wished to achieve a perfect state, fighting against the strongest of characters. He was able to do this, though he may have been dissatisfied at his defeat at the hands of Gohan’s powerful Kamehameha.
The Evolution and Immense Power of Cell
It is rare to see a villain evolve and gain power over the course of the story similar to the hero. This is not just unique in Dragon Ball but in all of anime. It is also another factor that sets Cell apart from the rest. Rather than showing power right from the beginning, Cell was originally in his Imperfect Form.
At this stage, he had to act more cleverly due to his lack of strength. By exterminating towns and absorbing people, he could slowly increase his physical abilities. Through this, he gained enough power to face off against Piccolo and Android 16.
During their battle, he could also shift his attention and absorb Android 17. This caused him to evolve to his next form, Semi-Perfect Cell. In this stage, Cell became more narcissistic and obsessed with achieving perfection. He destroyed multiple islands, searching for Android 18 with great fervor. While Semi-Perfect Cell was undoubtedly powerful, he wasn’t strong enough to defeat Super Vegeta.
However, sensing his opponent’s obsession with battle, Cell invoked Vegeta’s curiosity to fight his perfect form. Hence, after being spared, he finally evolved to his Perfect Form. He was extremely self-confident, easily defeating Super Vegeta and Future Trunks with this evolution.
Later, Cell gained an even stronger form – Super Perfect Cell. This final version of his was strong enough to face Super Saiyan 2. While he started as a character who struggled against the likes of Piccolo, Cell ended up as an antagonist who could face both Goku and Vegeta. He had immense regeneration and physical prowess and could wipe out entire solar systems.
Each transformation of Cell’s wasn’t just a power-up but a shift in personality and approach. This constant evolution made him one of the most engaging villains in the series, as viewers never knew what he was truly capable of.
The Spectacle of the Cell Games
The Cell Games is one of the most iconic sagas in Dragon Ball, showcasing the pure exhilaration the series can generate. In order to show off his newly gained powers, Cell set up an arena to face the greatest warriors in the world.
Despite being challenged by Earth’s army and Satan, the antagonist defeats them easily. While his battle against Goku, Vegeta, and the other Z Fighters proved to be more of a challenge, he could emerge victorious against impossible odds as well.
This eventually even resulted in the death of Goku, who prevented Cell from exploding and destroying Earth. However, when victory seemed all but guaranteed, Gohan finally showed off his immense potential.
Motivated by Goku’s passing and given the burden of protecting the world, he surprised the villain, killing him with an overwhelming Father-Son Kamehameha. This led to one of the most emotional and satisfying climaxes in any anime arc, giving chills to most viewers.
It ended the tale of Cell, a character who started as an underdog and became strong enough to defeat most main characters. However, he also indirectly pushed Gohan to awaken, creating the new protagonist of the Dragon Ball universe.
What Separates Cell from the Other Best Villains in Dragon Ball?
Cell is different from all other villains in Dragon Ball because of most facets of his character. He is a self-made villain unlike Frieza who was introduced with power or Buu who naturally awakened. Cell had to work hard to gain strength, facing danger constantly. This made fans connect with his journey on a deeper level.
He was also a very clever fighter, showing off his resourcefulness in most battles. He used Vegeta’s personality against him to evolve and also knew the strategies of all his opponents since he had their genes. As a result of having the DNA of most notable heroes and villains, Cell’s personality was also distinctive and complex. It went through a journey of change just like his powers and appearance.
Due to all of this and the deep exposition he received in the series, he naturally became a more memorable character. He had a bond with everyone from the main cast, albeit a negative relationship. His dangerous existence and the people he killed helped make his death much more meaningful.
Hence, while the defeat of Frieza and other villains may have been satisfying, Cell’s was emotional. Fans rejoiced at the growth of the main characters but also felt bittersweet at parting with such an excellent villain.
Conclusion
Cell isn’t just one of the best villains in Dragon Ball; he is one of the most well-crafted antagonists in anime history. His evolution, intelligence, motivation and impact on the story make him a standout among the franchise’s many threats.
His legacy in the series is indelible, and the story has tried replicating him through figures such as Cell Max. This stands as a testament to the original Cell’s influence and how iconic his place is among antagonists.
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