The Cell Saga
One Piece may be Shonen Jump’s current powerhouse. However, Eichiro Oda and other mangaka owe a lot to Akira Toriyama. While Toriyama wasn’t the first person in Japan to publish comics, he’s certainly one of the best. From Wonder Island to Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, Toriyama’s made quite a career for himself.
However, one of Toriyama’s greatest works was Dragon Ball. Inspired by the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, Dragon Ball follows Goku and his friends’ quest for the seven magic dragon balls. After facing countless foes and obstacles, Goku and his friends found peace.
At least for a while until certain alien warriors called Saiyans arrived to ruin it all. In this series of recaps, we’ll explore Goku and his friends’ adventures in Dragon Ball Z (Z). This article will cover Z’s third saga, the Cell Saga. While hardcore Dragon Ball fans consider the Androids Saga as a separate saga, we will cover that here too.
How does the Cell Saga begin?
The Cell Saga starts with Gohan, Krillin, and their friends waiting for Frieza to arrive on Earth. Frieza and King Cold arrive. The former wants to kill Goku’s friends before Goku arrives. Then, Future Trunks arrives. After some small talk, Future Trunks transforms into a Super Saiyan.
Future Trunks defeats Frieza. Vegeta leads the other Z-Warriors to Future Trunks’s location. Future Trunks defeats King Cold. Then, Future Trunks leads Vegeta and the others to the area where Goku will arrive on Earth. While they wait, Vegeta, Bulma, and the others interrogate Future Trunks.
They ask him questions regarding his origins. Future Trunks only shares his age with everyone. Eventually, Goku arrives on Earth. Our heroes catch Goku up on what happened with Frieza and Future Trunks. Then, Future Trunks and Goku head to a private location to chat.
What do Goku and Future Trunks discuss?
Future Trunks tells Goku that Goku was originally supposed to kill Frieza. Goku tells Future Trunks he learned a new technique called Shunkan Ido (Instant Transmission). He says he picked this up from the aliens on Yardrat. Seconds later, Future Trunks and Goku spar in their Super Saiyan forms.
Then, Future Trunks tells Goku he’s from the future. Future Trunks confirms he’s Vegeta’s son and that two androids will arrive in three years. He gives Goku the androids’ arrival date, time, and place. Additionally, Future Trunks says Dr. Gero created the androids.
Future Trunks confirms that Gero is from the defunct Red Ribbon Army. He speculates that Gero continued his research because he sought world domination. Future Trunks mentions Androids 19 and 20, claiming that they killed Gero. He confirms that two different androids remain in his timeline.
Future Trunks confirms he’s the only warrior left. Future Trunks explains what happened to his timeline’s Z-Warriors, Dragon Balls, and version of Goku. He tells Goku that Future Goku died from a heart virus. Future Trunks gives Goku medication so he can treat the virus.
After Future Trunks shares more secrets with Goku, Future Trunks departs to his time machine.
What intel does Piccolo share with the remaining Z-Warriors? Which androids do our heroes encounter at South City?
Goku returns and Piccolo tells Goku he heard everything. Piccolo relays Future Trunk’s warnings to the others. After that, Piccolo and the others plan to train. Future Trunks uses his time machine to head to his timeline. Eventually, Goku tells the others how he survived Namek’s explosion.
Goku also demonstrates the Shunkan Ido technique he learned on Yardrat. After that, our heroes agree to train for their upcoming battle with the androids. During that time, Bulma and Vegeta get together and Bulma gives birth to baby Trunks.
After three years pass, our heroes travel to South City, the spot Trunks warned Goku about. While our heroes converse, two androids, 19 and 20, arrive at South City. Our heroes learn they can’t detect the androids because they don’t emit ki. Goku and his friends split up to find 19 and 20.
19 and 20 hurt several citizens and Yamcha. Goku and the others find and confront these androids. Goku convinces 20 and 19 to take their fight elsewhere. 20 and 19 comply.
Who kills Android 19? What plan does Piccolo develop with his friends?
After Goku, his allies, and the androids arrive at a desert location, 20 discusses things with our heroes. 20 says an insect spy drone has been monitoring Goku’s battles since the Tenka’ichi Budokai event. 20 confirms that this research helped Gero create androids that could defeat Goku.
This is due to Goku causing the Red Ribbon Army’s downfall in the past. 20 confirms that Gero died long ago and isn’t Gero himself. The bug spy drone didn’t record Goku’s battles on Namek. Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan and fights 19.
Then, Goku’s heart virus kicks in. 19 takes advantage of Goku’s illness and drains Goku’s energy. Suddenly, Vegeta arrives and saves Goku. Yamcha takes Goku home. Vegeta transforms into a Super Saiyan and defeats 19 with his Big Bang Attack energy blast.
20 flees the area and Krillin hands Vegeta a Senzu Bean. Vegeta eats the Senzu Bean and departs to look for 20. Piccolo tells the others that 20 is likely hiding in the Rocky Hills. He tells the others to alert him or Vegeta of 20’s location if they spot him. Our heroes flee to find 20.
What does Android 20 try to do to Piccolo? What does Android 20 do to Bulma’s ship?
Vegeta finds 20 hanging out near the mountains and fires a ki blast at him. 20 absorbs the blast and flees. 20 spots Piccolo, Gohan, and the others in different locations. He wants to drain everyone’s energy because he thinks it’ll help him fight Vegeta.
20 sneaks behind Piccolo to drain his energy. Piccolo alerts Gohan about 20’s actions. Gohan arrives and knocks 20 off of Piccolo. Krillin, Vegeta, and others regroup with Gohan and Piccolo. Piccolo receives a Senzu Bean from Krillin. He eats it and fights 20.
Meanwhile, Future Trunks returns to our heroes’ timeline. He senses someone’s ki and heads to that location. While Piccolo disarms 20, Future Trunks spots 19’s severed head on the ground. Future Trunks doesn’t recognize 19 at all.
Eventually, Future Trunks meets with our heroes. Future Trunks doesn’t recognize 20 either. He tells our heroes the androids they fought aren’t the ones from his timeline. Bulma, baby Trunks, and Yajirobe arrive via a ship.
20 tells our heroes Androids 17 and 18 will kill them soon. 20 fires a ki blast at Bulma’s ship. Bulma crashes her ship and 20 flees the scene.
Does Gero reach his laboratory first? Who kills Gero and activates Android 16?
Fortunately, everyone’s okay. Future Trunks and Vegeta argue about Vegeta’s lack of care. Bulma tells our heroes that 20 is Gero. She speculates Gero turned himself into an android. Future Trunks tells our heroes what 17 and 18 look like. Bulma argues Gero fled to his laboratory. She says it’s located in the mountains near North City.
Our heroes depart to find Gero. Vegeta departs to look for Gero. Future Trunks follows Vegeta. Piccolo asks Gohan to take Bulma and baby Trunks home. He says he and the others will look for Gero’s laboratory. Meanwhile, Gero spots our heroes in the air. He ponders and speculates Bulma told them about him.
Nonetheless, Gero is confident they won’t find his laboratory. Eventually, Gero reaches his laboratory and activates 17 and 18. He orders 17 and 18 to kill Goku’s friends. 17 notices the Emergency Shutdown controller for them. He steals and breaks it.
Our heroes break in. 17 and 18 refuse to follow Gero’s orders. 18 notices 16. Gero tells her not to activate 16 since he’s an experimental failure. 17 kills Gero seconds later. Future Trunks tries to stop 17 and 18, but the two androids flee with 16 and activate him.
What happens during our heroes’ fight with Androids 17 and 18? Why are Vegeta and Piccolo angry?
Some time passes. Vegeta confronts 16, 17, and 18 on a highway. He challenges 18 to a fight. Vegeta gives it his all, but 18 defeats him. During their brawl, Future Trunks and the others arrive at the scene. Future Trunks and the other Z-Warriors try fighting 18 and 17. The androids defeat our heroes.
Krillin’s the only one left. 17, 18, and 16 confront Krillin. The former tells Krillin to inform his friends to fight him and the other androids when they’re stronger. 17 tells 18 it’d be better to find Goku without intel. He, 18, and 16 depart.
However, Krillin asks them more questions. 17 says killing Goku is just a game to him and the others. 18 kisses Krillin on the cheek and the androids fly off somewhere. Krillin regroups with the others and hands them Senzu Beans.
As our heroes ponder their next move and situation, Vegeta leaves. Picollo argues Vegeta is mad because the androids crushed his pride. Future Trunks compares the androids in his timeline to the ones in our heroes’ timeline. Krillin angers Picollo by calling him a friend. Picollo departs.
Where does Krillin want to take Goku’s body? What do our heroes find inside the moss-covered time machine?
Krillin argues Piccolo fled to Kami’s Lookout to merge with Kami. Krillin, Future Trunks, and Tien fly off somewhere. Meanwhile, Chi-Chi and Yamcha give Goku his medicine. At the same time, Piccolo visits Kami. Kami refuses to merge. He wants to check if Earth’s situation worsens.
Chi-Chi welcomes Future Trunks and Krillin inside her home. Krillin convinces Yamcha and Chi-Chi to move Goku to Roshi’s home. Gohan tags along for the ride too. During the ride, Future Trunks reveals things in his timeline may not change even if they defeat the androids in our heroes’ timeline.
He delves into detail about his situation with our heroes. Chi-Chi comforts Future Trunks. Eventually, Bulma calls our heroes. Bulma tells our heroes that someone found a moss-covered variant of Future Trunk’s time machine. She sends our heroes a photo and they examine it.
Future Trunks is speechless. He wants to find the time machine. Bulma and Gohan tag along. Eventually, our trio finds the time machine. Future Trunks finds an eggshell inside it. He analyzes things further. He tells Bulma and Gohan that this time machine arrived four years ago.
What does the reporter say during the radio broadcast? Who does Piccolo encounter at Gingertown?
After Future Trunks, Gohan, and Bulma find a large insect shell, Bulma departs. Future Trunks and Gohan return to Roshi’s home. Bulma listens to the radio. A news reporter informs the public that all life in Gingertown is lost. Bulma realizes Gingertown isn’t too far from their location.
Bulma calls Krillin. Krillin and the others watch the news. The reporter shares new details about Gingertown’s situation. Krillin argues the androids are responsible but Bulma thinks otherwise. Meanwhile, Kami is convinced Earth’s situation won’t improve and merges with Picollo.
Future Trunks plans to leave Roshi’s home to investigate. Meanwhile, Piccolo confronts the insect who caused the Gingertown residents’ demise (Cell). Cell kills a human and powers up. Future Trunks and Krillin sense Cell’s ki and travel to Gingertown.
What does Cell tell Piccolo during their fight? What does Piccolo discuss with his fellow Z-Warriors?
Cell and Piccolo fight. He reveals he has Goku, Frieza, King Cold, Piccolo, and other Z-warriors’ cells. Cell confirms Gero achieved this by employing spy robots. He tells Piccolo he’s an artificial human Gero created. Cell claims he’s from the future. Piccolo destroys one of the robots.
Cell argues it’s pointless and tells Piccolo where this timeline’s Cell resides. In addition to consuming energy, Cell tells Piccolo that he must absorb 17 and 18 to achieve his perfect form. He would’ve consumed them in his timeline but the Future Trunks in his timeline killed them.
Cell confirms he killed his timeline’s Future Trunks and used his time machine to arrive in our heroes’ timeline. Future Trunks and Krillin arrive. Cell retreats and plans to absorb more energy from people. Eventually, Vegeta and Tien meet up with Piccolo’s group.
Piccolo informs everyone about Cell and his plans. Vegeta plans to achieve power beyond Super Saiyan and departs. Piccolo tells Future Trunks and Krillin to head to Gero’s lab. Meanwhile, Piccolo and Tien plan to locate Cell.
Does Goku recover from the heart virus? Where does Goku want to take Gohan to train?
Future Trunks and Krillin arrive at Gero’s destroyed laboratory. Then, Future Trunks finds an underground location and Krillin finds Baby Cell. Future Trunks investigates and finds 17’s blueprints. He and Krillin destroy the underground area and depart. Future Trunks gives Krillin the blueprints and asks him to bring them to Bulma.
Meanwhile, Future Trunks plans to train with Vegeta. Then, Krillin and Future Trunks part ways. Krillin hands the blueprints to Bulma and Dr. Briefs. Briefs and Bulma plan to inspect the blueprints to find 17’s weaknesses.
Days pass. Piccolo and the others watch the news. The reporter claims people in the southern district died and that some people saw a monster. Piccolo and the others head for the South District. Meanwhile, Goku recovers. Goku tells Chi-Chi and Roshi that he wants to take Gohan somewhere to train.
Chi-Chi refuses Goku’s request (at first) but complies seconds later. Goku meets up with Piccolo and the others. He picks up Gohan. Goku and Gohan teleport to Future Trunk’s location. Goku informs Vegeta about the Room of Spirit and Time. Vegeta tells Goku he wants to use the room first with Future Trunks.
Goku tells Vegeta he’s okay with that.
What happens during Picollo’s fight with Android 17? Does Cell absorb Android 17?
Vegeta and Future Trunks enter the Room of Spirit and Time. A day passes. Piccolo and the others continue watching the news. Then, Piccolo hears something outside. Piccolo learns that 16, 17, and 18 are outside. He refuses to tell the androids where Goku went.
Piccolo and the androids head to an island. He and 17 fight. Cell senses Piccolo’s ki and heads to his location. Cell arrives. He doesn’t recognize 16 but is eager to absorb 17 and 18. Cell tells Piccolo it’s fruitless to stop him. Meanwhile, Krillin, Tien, and Roshi are concerned about Piccolo.
Meanwhile, Bulma’s traveling to Roshi’s place with the androids’ shutdown controller. Krillin leaves to find Bulma and Tien leaves to help Piccolo. Piccolo assists 17 and informs him about Cell’s plan. Cell defeats Piccolo. 16 fights Cell to protect 17.
Cell catches 17 off-guard and absorbs him. Cell achieves his Semi-Perfect Form afterward.
Who rescues Tien and Piccolo? What happens after Vegeta and Future Trunks exit the Room of Spirit and Time?
After Cell achieves his Semi-Perfect Form, he sets his sights on 18. 16 tries to stop Cell, but Cell is too much for him. Fortunately, Tien uses his Shikoho attack to stop Cell. 16 and 18 use the opportunity to escape. Eventually, Tien faints and Goku saves Tien and Piccolo.
Meanwhile, Bulma hands Krillin a new shut-down controller. Bulma tells Krillin she made replicas of Vegeta’s battle attire to give to Goku and the others. Krillin tells Bulma to visit Kami’s Lookout and hand them to Goku and the others.
Krillin and Bulma part ways. Eventually, Vegeta and Future Trunks exit the Room of Spirit and Time. Bulma arrives and gives Vegeta, Future Trunks, Gohan, and Goku battle gear. Future Trunks and Vegeta depart to find Cell. Meanwhile, Goku and Gohan enter the Room of Spirit and Time.
Does Cell achieve his perfect form? Does Gohan achieve Super Saiyan?
Vegeta and Cell fight. Goku and Gohan discuss in the Room of Spirit and Time. The former wants to improve himself and help Gohan achieve Super Saiyan. Meanwhile, Vegeta showcases his Super Saiyan Second Grade form to Cell. Vegeta pulverizes Cell and the latter’s not happy. At the same time, Krillin arrives and heads near 18 and 16.
Meanwhile, Cell wishes he had his perfect form. After hearing Cell out, Vegeta says he’ll let him absorb 18. Krillin refuses to deactivate 18 because he’s in love with her. Then, Krillin destroys the remote. Cell locates 18. Future Trunks attempts to stop Cell but Vegeta interferes.
Cell absorbs 18 and achieves his perfect form. At the same time, Gohan achieves Super Saiyan in the Room of Spirit and Time. Goku awards Gohan with a haircut.
What details does Goku share about the Super Saiyan Second Grade form? Why doesn’t Cell kill Future Trunks and Vegeta?
Vegeta fights Cell. Despite Vegeta’s efforts, Cell knocks Vegeta out. Future Trunks fights Cell. During the fight, Krillin rescues Vegeta and departs. Meanwhile, Goku showcases his Super Saiyan Second Grade form to Gohan. Goku tells Gohan the extra mass makes him stronger.
However, Goku claims he’s a lot slower. Meanwhile, Future Trunks concedes in his fight with Cell. Before Cell kills Future Trunks, he asks Future Trunks numerous questions. Cell spares Future Trunks and the others’ lives. Then, Cell tells Future Trunks he wants to hold a tournament.
Cell explains why and departs. Future Trunks relays this news to Vegeta and Krillin. Krillin plans to take 16 to Bulma so she can repair him. Some time passes. Cell builds his tournament’s arena and interrupts a news broadcast.
What does Cell announce during the news broadcast? What happens after Goku and Gohan exit the Room of Spirit and Time?
Cell announces the Cell Games and explains its rules and format during the broadcast. He tells everyone that if all challengers fail to defeat him, he’ll kill everyone on Earth. Some time passes. Vegeta, Piccolo, and the others discuss the Cell Games on Kami’s Lookout.
The former is waiting for Goku and Gohan to finish their training. Eventually, Goku and Gohan exit the Room of Spirit and Time in their Super Saiyan forms. After Goku and Gohan change clothes, Goku visits Cell. Cell tells Goku the Cell Games will begin in 9 days.
Goku tells Cell not to kill anyone and departs. He returns to Kami’s Lookout and tells his friends Cell may be stronger than him. Piccolo tells Goku to use the Room of Spirit and Time again. Goku refuses. He tells Piccolo and the others that he and Gohan will train elsewhere.
After Goku shows off half his power to Karin, he and Gohan arrive at Roshi’s home. Gohan’s concerned about Cell, but Goku tells him not to worry about him.
Who replaces Kami as Earth’s new God? Does Goku collect all the Dragon Balls before the Cell Games?
More time passes. Cell defeats several officers and Goku heads to Kami’s Lookout. Goku discusses Kami and the Dragon Balls with Piccolo. Piccolo tells Goku he and Kami can’t “un-fuse.” Goku understands and suggests picking up a Namekian from New Namek. He argues the new Namekian could replace Kami as their deity so Earth’s Dragon Balls can return.
Goku visits New Namek and chats with Moori, the Namekian’s current Grand Elder. Moori tells Goku Dende would be great as Earth’s new God. Goku and Dende depart to the Lookout. Meanwhile, we get introduced to Mr. Satan, Earth’s Martial Arts Champion.
Mr. Satan tells a reporter he can defeat Cell. At the same time, Goku brings Gohan and Krillin to the Lookout. Krillin, Dende, and Gohan catch up. Then, Dende makes a new set of Dragon Balls and adds minor touches based on Piccolo’s feedback.
Goku departs to search for the Dragon Balls. Some time passes. During that time, Goku collects all the Dragon Balls before the Cell Games begins.
What happens during Satan and Goku’s fight with Cell? Why does Goku give Cell a Senzu Bean?
Goku visits the Lookout. Krillin tells Goku that Dende’s Dragon Balls can’t bring back those who died in the past. Satan arrives at the Cell Games and mocks Cell. Eventually, Vegeta, 16, and the remaining Z-Warriors arrive. Goku wants to fight Cell first, but Satan insists Goku let him fight Cell first.
Satan attacks Cell and Cell defeats him. Then, Goku steps into the ring and fights Cell. During their battle, Cell destroys his arena and removes the out-of-bounds rule. Cell and Goku continue fighting. During their brawl, Goku teleports behind Cell and uses his Kamehameha to destroy Cell’s upper body.
Cell regenerates seconds later and Goku quits for several reasons. Goku tells Cell that Gohan will be his opponent. Everyone’s flabbergasted. Goku argues Gohan is way stronger than he could imagine. Gohan confronts Cell and Goku hands Cell a Senzu Bean.
Goku wants Cell and Gohan to have a fair match. After Cell eats his Senzu bean, he and Gohan fight.
What happens during Gohan’s fight with Cell? What causes Gohan to become a Super Saiyan 2?
During Gohan and Cell’s brawl, Gohan shares details about his rage and power with Cell. This entices Cell to make Gohan angry so Gohan can demonstrate this inner strength. Cell tortures Gohan and Piccolo wants to help Gohan. Goku tells Piccolo to believe in Gohan.
During Gohan and Cell’s fight, 16 grabs Cell. 16 apologizes to our Z-Warriors and plans to self-destruct to destroy Cell. Krillin tells 16 he can’t self-destruct because Dr. Briefs removed 16’s bomb. Cell obliterates 16’s body. Only 16’s head remains.
Then, Cell gives birth to seven Cell Juniors and orders them to harm the remaining Z-Warriors. While Cell Juniors torture our heroes, 16 asks Satan to bring him to Gohan. Satan throws 16 near Gohan. 16 gives Gohan advice and Cell kills 16.
Enraged, Gohan transforms into a Super Saiyan 2.
Who kills the Cell Juniors? Who protects Vegeta from Cell’s attack?
Gohan confronts Cell. He steals the bag of Senzu Beans from Cell and defeats the Cell Juniors. Gohan gives Future Trunks the bag of Senzu Beans. Cell fights Gohan but Gohan’s too much for Cell. During their fight, Gohan kicks Cell in his stomach, causing Cell to throw up 18.
Cell returns to his Semi-Perfect Form and initiates his self-destruct sequence. Goku teleports Cell to King Kai’s place. Cell explodes and murders Goku, Kai, and Bubbles in the process. Then, Kai tells Goku that Cell didn’t die.
On Earth, Cell kills Future Trunks with an energy blast. Cell explains he survived the explosion because of his head’s core. He argues if the core remains intact, his body can regenerate. Vegeta attacks Cell for Future Trunks’s sake. Before Cell harms Vegeta with an energy blast, Gohan protects Vegeta but at the cost of one of his arms.
Does Gohan defeat Cell? What do our heroes wish for with the Dragon Balls?
Before Cell fires his Kamehameha at Gohan, Kai helps Goku communicate with Gohan. Goku convinces Gohan to use his remaining strength to fire his Kamehameha at Cell’s. During their beam clash, Vegeta fires an energy blast at Cell. With Cell distracted, Gohan kills Cell with his Kamehameha.
Yamcha and the others congratulate Gohan. The Z-Warriors bring Gohan to Dende so Dende can heal him. The Z-Warriors depart, leaving Satan and some reporters behind. Satan tells one of the reporters that he defeated Cell and the other fighters praised him for it.
Some time passes. Dende heals 18 and Gohan reveals Krillin likes 18. Our heroes summon Shenron with the Dragon Balls. They wish to bring everyone Cell killed back to life. Cell grants the wish and Future Trunks comes back to life. Yamcha tries wishing Goku back to life, but Shenron says he can’t.
Goku chats with everyone again. He tells everyone he’s fine with not coming back to life. Krillin asks Shenron to remove the bombs inside 17 and 18’s bodies. Shenron grants Krillin’s wish and Shenron disappears with the Dragon Balls.
How does the Cell Saga end?
Meanwhile, 18 saw everything unfold. She tells Krillin she and 17 are twins. 18 departs but says something to Krillin, indicating that Krillin may have a chance with her. Piccolo tells Gohan he may make the Lookout his new home and tells Gohan he can visit him occasionally.
Gohan and the others part ways. Future Trunks learns Vegeta fought Cell after Future Trunks passed away. One day later, Future Trunks returns to his timeline and chats with Future Bulma. During their conversation, a reporter informs the public about Future 17 and 18’s whereabouts.
Future Trunks departs and locates Future 17 and 18. After some small talk, Future Trunks defeats Future 17 and 18. Three years later, Future Trunks confronts his Cell. Cell wants to absorb 17 and 18 but Future Trunks tells Cell that 17 and 18 are gone.
Future Trunks and Cell head somewhere to fight and he defeats Cell. The Cell Saga ends with the narrator claiming the future and present timelines are at peace.
Conclusion
Dragon Ball is a brilliant manga with an entertaining anime adaptation. While Akira Toriyama may no longer be with us, the future of Dragon Ball looks bright. We’ll discuss the Majin Buu Saga next. Many crazy events happen during this one.
Nevertheless, follow our story recaps if you want to know what happens next!
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Are you a big Dragon Ball fan? What was your favorite moment from the Cell Saga? Let us know in the comments below!