Cell is known as the powerful android created by Dr. Gero back in Dragon Ball Z for the precise purpose of defeating Goku. To achieve his goal, Cell had to use a little time-gimmick to become more powerful. He had to travel in time using a time machine and absorb Android 17 and 18. The villain also succeeded in absorbing even innocent people to gain more strength.
Cell was also one of the strongest villains in Dragon Ball Z. He even lands in the top 3 most terrifying villains, along with Frieza and Majin Buu. Dragon Ball is well-known to bring back former villains in some way or another, meaning that it could do the same with Cell.
The Dragon Ball Super anime will return with a brand new season pretty soon, and we can’t help to speculate what could be coming next. We strongly believe that Cell will come back in Dragon Ball, and here are our top arguments:
All major villains from DBZ have been brought back except for Cell
From the big trio of major villains from the Dragon Ball Z anime, only one of them hasn’t been brought back in Dragon Ball in one way or another. Yes, you’ve guessed it, his name is Cell.
Frieza has been revived three times in Dragon Ball Super. First, when he used his “Golden” form to match Goku’s Super Saiyan Blue powers. Second, when he was brought back from Hell in order to help the Z warriors save the entire universe from being erased by Zeno. Therefore, Frieza participated in the Tournament of Power along with many other fighters from different universes, and he did a great job! No, Frieza didn’t do it for the sake of his Universe, he did it because he was promised by Goku that he’ll be fully restored to life with the dragon balls. The third time when Frieza was revived was when he was given a gift by Lord Beerus for his participation in the tournament. The former intergalactic tyrant didn’t hesitate to return to his diabolical plans, however, as we’ve seen later on in the “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” movie.
Majin Buu was another major DBZ villain who was brought back, even towards the end of the show. But in his case, it was something totally different. Buu was brought back as a good individual, being reincarnated into a human by King Yama and being given the name of Uub.
Cell “helped” Gohan become a Super Saiyan
It was the mere wish to defeat Cell that helped Gohan become a Super Saiyan. And what a case he was! Shortly after Gohan first transformed into a Super Saiyan, he managed to take a significant step forward, tapping into the powers of a Super Saiyan 2. At that time, nobody could stand a chance against Gohan’s new powers. Not even his father. However, Goku still made a genius move in the Cell Saga that saved the entire planet along with the Z warriors. The beloved Saiyan sacrificed himself, and without that decision, Gohan would have never been able to defeat Cell.
Cell hasn’t been seen in the entire Dragon Ball franchise since he was defeated by Super Saiyan 2 Gohan, except for some brief appearances in the “other world”. Cell clearly deserves to be brought back, as he has left behind an arc full of exciting battles. We can remember Piccolo vs. Android 17, Goku vs. Cell, and of course, the grand finale: Gohan vs. Cell.
We can even speculate that the writers of the manga arc dedicated to Moro in Dragon Ball Super have drawn some inspiration from the Cell Saga. Both Moro and Cell can get stronger by absorbing energy from outer sources, which is an idea that we’ll probably see again in Dragon Ball.