Dragon Ball Z began to incorporate additional science fiction elements into its narrative for its third major storyline while looking for inspiration from the original Dragon Ball anime series. What resulted was the Cell Saga, a story arc that put the Z Fighters on a time-bending adventure while tackling questions of causality and fatalism as a familiar foe from Goku's past decided to wreak mechanical revenge.
By the time the dust settled from the Cell Saga's final battle, the heroes would never quite be the same as they suffered their greatest tragedy in the franchise to date. Here is a complete overview of the Cell Saga, including memorable moments, power players and how the storyline continues to reverberate in Akira Toriyama's iconic Dragon Ball franchise.
Dragon Ball Z Spoilers: The Cell Saga's Plot
After saving the universe from the evil Frieza and resurrecting their fallen friends with the Dragon Balls, the Z Fighters enjoyed a period of peace before being shocked at the revelation Frieza was recovered and revived by his military as a cybernetic warrior. Fortunately, the heroes were saved by a mysterious Super Saiyan from the future named Trunks. But, unfortunately, he also revealed that Goku would die from a heart virus shortly before the arrival of murderous androids programmed by Red Ribbon Army scientist Doctor Gero in retaliation for dismantling the criminal syndicate in the original Dragon Ball.
After diligently training for three years in preparation for the androids, and with Goku taking medication to save his life from the eventual disease, the fateful day arrived but not without its twists and turns. And as Trunks returned to the past and began contemplating if his interference with the timeline had caused unforeseen consequences, a synthetic warrior designed by Gero named Cell surfaced and started the destructive rampage that would lead him on a collision course directly with the Z Fighters.
DBZ: The New Powers and Final Forms in the Cell Saga
While the Frieza Saga introduced the legend of the Super Saiyan as the pinnacle of the Saiyan race, the Cell Saga would reveal others could attain it and that it was merely the tip of the iceberg to progressively more powerful forms. Thus, Goku was joined by Trunks, Vegeta and Gohan as fellow Super Saiyans. Still, while the strength-focused Ultra Super Saiyan mid-grade transformation was introduced, we'd later see Gohan unveil the Super Saiyan 2 transformation for the first time.
Not to be outdone, Piccolo fused with Kami and was, for a brief time, the strongest Z Fighter of them all from the fusion. Cell would showcase different transformations of his own as he absorbed Androids 17 and 18 to achieve significantly more powerful forms. Plus, as a composite being formed by the DNA of various fighters, Cell was capable of replicating attacks like the Kamehameha Wave and Special Beam Cannon.
Regarding new combat techniques, Goku revealed he learned how to teleport with a technique called Instant Transmission he learned while traveling back to Earth following his battle with Frieza. Likewise, Vegeta would unveil the Big Bang Attack after achieving the Super Saiyan transformation, while Piccolo developed the Light Grenade and Hellzone Grenade after fusing with Kami. And upon his initial arrival from the future, Trunks introduced his signature technique, the Burning Attack, which he used to distract Mecha-Frieza long enough to dismember him with his sword.
Every Death in DBZ's Cell Saga
While the deaths of Goku and the Z Fighters -- namely Gohan -- in Trunks' alternate future kicked off the Cell Saga, the actual body count in the prime Dragon Ball timeline would be considerably less. Vegeta would easily destroy Android 19, while Gero was betrayed by Androids 17 and 18 and destroyed by his own creations. Cell revealed he killed his timeline's Trunks in his other divergent timeline before traveling to the main timeline to absorb the androids to achieve his perfect, final form.
The resulting Cell Games, a martial arts tournament ostensibly in the original Dragon Ball series tradition, saw numerous killed throughout the fierce competition. Cell brutally destroyed Android 16, triggering Gohan's Super Saiyan 2 transformation and, when he threatened to destroy the Earth, Goku sacrificed his life -- along with King Kai -- to save the planet. Even with Android 17 destroyed, Cell was able to reform in his perfect state and return to Earth, viciously killing Trunks before Gohan destroyed the villain with his deceased father's encouragement from the afterlife. After being revived, Trunks returned to his timeline, now sufficiently strong enough to destroy his timeline's androids and Cell.
The Cell Saga: Pros Vs. Cons
If the first two storylines in Dragon Ball Z perhaps placed too much emphasis on Goku being an overpowered fighter that constantly swooped in at the last possible second to save the day, the Cell Saga helped share the wealth between several main characters. Multiple Super Saiyans hinted they could give Goku a run for his money as the most powerful and, not to be left behind, both Piccolo and Tien would get their moments to shine in the story.
While the further incorporation of science fiction elements into the franchise is undoubtedly appreciated, the esoteric nature of the androids and Cell created some interesting plot holes that were never entirely resolved throughout the franchise. These include inconsistencies in the androids' strength, which would continue into the sequel anime series Dragon Ball Super. Plus, some slightly convoluted questions stemming from the reliance on time-travel in the story.
The Cell Saga Was Pivotal to DBZ's Popularity
With its balance of traditional martial arts fights and cinematic sci-fi inspirations apparent from the start, the Cell Saga is arguably the best storyline in Dragon Ball Z, with some truly epic battles and the most emotional moments in the entire franchise. In addition, the idea of progressively more powerful Super Saiyan transformations continues to drive the franchise forward decades later, and time travel would resurface in a significant way in Dragon Ball Super, including a return of Future Trunks, who has since become a franchise staple.
The Cell Saga is a story about not being satisfied with one's apparent limits, the true cost of consequences and about fathers and sons -- Trunks is a character trying to live up to his father's example while Goku trusts that Gohan will exceed his own. And in this dichotomy is the backdrop of one ghost from Goku's past crying out for villainous revenge, personified by Cell and with only Goku's son able to end this evil retribution before it can consume the world.
