As the April release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero draws ever closer, Toei Animation has dropped a few pieces of information that have audiences speculating about a certain character. The solar system-busting villain Cell has come back into relevancy as fans theorize about his possible revival during the new feature film.
With Frieza and Broly being brought into the modern franchise via their own films, Cell's appearance in Super Hero is a possibility, raising the question of whether the cyborg cicada could even threaten the aged cast of god-tier Z-fighters. In truth, as the unification of every concept introduced prior to the "Cell" saga, Cell possesses more potential than any other character in Dragon Ball.
Cell Has Earthling Potential in Ingenuity
Cell, the twenty-first and ultimate creation of the Red Ribbon Army's Dr. Gero, represents the pinnacle of human achievement through science. Imprinted with the schematic of his own design, Cell could easily be augmented with advancing Earthling technology, be it Red Ribbon or Capsule Corp, in order to access god-tier strength beyond his inferiors, 17 and 18.
The organic android, named for the amalgamation of cells from the universe's mightiest warriors that were used to produce him, can wield the techniques of all those who compose his genealogy. It is implied by Akira Toriyama and canonized in Dragon Ball Kai that Cell possesses the cells of Tien, meaning he should have access to the god-negating ultimate Earthling technique, the Evil Containment Wave, or Mafuba.
As an Earthling hybrid, Cell also has the potential to tap into the power of ikari, or rage, as demonstrated by his fellow Earthlings Gohan and Trunks. Gohan has demonstrated his ability to 'rage boost' on numerous occasions from his crippling of Raditz to his transformation into Super Saiyan 2, while Trunks manifested the power of rage to combat Zamasu and Goku Black. If Cell were to manifest his rage, he may be capable of multiplying his power over a hundredfold.
Cell Has Saiyan Potential in Strength
Possessing the genetic code of both Goku and Vegeta, Cell has the ability to access the aura of the Super Saiyan, highlighted as he amplified his golden aura with electric energy in the vein of Gohan's SSJ2. This not only makes Cell capable of unlocking the four hundred times multiplying Super Saiyan 3 but also makes him eligible to participate in the Saiyan "god ritual," making a Super Saiyan Blue Cell a possibility.
Some would call the ability to undergo zenkai boosts the defining trait of the Saiyan race and as a member, Cell has been confirmed to experience this since the original Dragon Ball manga. This means the monster cicada is capable of undergoing the same exponential growth as Goku and Vegeta, given the chance to experience more battles than he had in his brief existence in Dragon Ball Z.
Cell Has Namekian Potential in Mysticism
The most vital member of Cell's parentage is undoubtedly the Namekian Piccolo, who, despite his impressive battle power, unwillingly passed down all his abilities as a member of the Dragon Clan. Even Cell himself likely isn't aware that as a Dragon Clan Namekian, he possesses the potential to create his own dragon balls. This means that, like Granolah the Survivor, he too could wish for ultimate universal power using his own personal dragon.
Likewise, were the ultimate android ever to take a note from Grand Elder Guru, Cell could potentially master an entire gambit of mystical abilities to supplement his innate fighting power. Most importantly, he could one day learn to unlock his own hidden potential, using his mystic abilities to create his own full-potential form rivaling that of Gohan's Ultimate ability.
Another skill Cell would surely discover is the healing beyond the typical Namekian regeneration, due to his capabilities as a Dragon Clan member. Not only would this allow Cell to heal his body and ki in battle, but he could even exploit his aforementioned zenkai ability by applying his Namekian healing after each near-death encounter.
Cell Has Frieza Race Potential in Evolution
The brilliant Dr. Gero even went so far as to incorporate the genetic code of Frieza and King Cold into his ultimate creation, ensuring that Cell would inherit the durability and physicality to travel through space. Just as Cell flexed his ability to endure an interplanetary explosion as he drifted, unaffected, through space, the android could easily travel the stars to planets like Yardrat, learning unconventional techniques to enhance his skillset.
In the vein of his most villainous donor, Cell should also possess the same genetic mutation that make Frieza and Cold so prodigious among their otherwise unknown race (sorry, Cooler). Frieza was able to attain god-tier strength and the gaudy new Golden form in Dragon Ball Super; in the same way, Cell should be able to achieve the Frieza Race's god-tier transformation, presumably suited with a flashy color of his choosing.
From Mystic Cell to Platinum Cell, Toriyama's "Cell" saga creation has been the big dog among Dragon Ball villains for years, even after Super Saiyan 2 Gohan wiped the Red Ribbon masterpiece away in its youth. With so many avenues of untapped potential, it only makes sense for Toei Animation and co. to bring the bug man back in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
