Cell's 3rd or perfect form is an extremely powerful enemy that appeared in Dragon Ball. This is a transformation that Cell undergoes after absorbing the cyborgs 17 and 18 created by Doctor Gero. From his place in Toriyama's work to his role in the series and the expanded universe, here's a look back at 8 facts you (maybe) didn't know about Cell 3, or Perfect Cell.
#8 Can Cell 3 continue to evolve by absorbing other warriors? (canon and expanded universe)
Created from the DNA of Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Frieza, and King Cold, Cell's mission was to absorb cyborgs 17 and 18 to reach his third and final form. Once this goal is achieved, his tail—his primary absorption tool—retracts, suggesting that evolution is no longer necessary, but not necessarily impossible, thus casting doubt on his future usefulness. Whether Cell, in his perfect form, can still absorb other beings remains a matter of debate in the Dragon Ball universe. Officially, in canon, there is no clear indication that he retains this ability once he becomes Perfect Cell. In Dragon Ball Fighter Z, for example, it is even stated that he has lost this power.
Some theories suggest that Cell, who possesses the arrogance of certain warriors like Vegeta or Frieza, deemed it superfluous to absorb other fighters, either out of pride or because absorbing humans or weaker warriors no longer provides a strategic advantage. Other works from the expanded universe, such as Shin Budokai or Xenoverse 2, nevertheless suggest that he can still do so. The Dragon Ball GT series goes even further, showing Perfect Cell absorbing Goku. The result of this absorption is never truly revealed, since Goku manages to escape from the monster's entrails.
#7 Cell could have accessed the 3rd form by absorbing Krillin, but... (extended universe)
In Dragon Ball Z: Budokai, an alternative scenario explores an unexpected outcome: while Cell tries to absorb C-18 to reach his perfect form, Krillin intervenes and sacrifices himself. Cell absorbs him by mistake… but, far from becoming perfect, he transforms into a weakened version, nicknamed "Cellin": a sort of mini Cell Jr., with elements reminiscent of Krillin's appearance and voice. This original "What If" story plays with Cell's obsession with perfection and his greatest fear: "dirtying" himself by absorbing a weak human like Krillin. And indeed, in this form, his power level drops drastically, to the point that Yamcha almost manages to defeat him, before Ten Shin Han eliminates him. This story, which turns out to be Cell's nightmare while waiting for the Cell Games, has become a cult favorite among fans. It even inspired a mod in Sparking! Zero, where Cellin is playable.
#6 Here's why Cell 3rd form is surprised by Future Trunks' new transformation (canon)
During the heroes' first confrontation against Cell in his third form, Vegeta is quickly overwhelmed by the monster's power. Trunks then decides to intervene to save his father in difficulty, and reveals a new transformation: Super Saiyan 1 Grade 3. This form considerably amplifies the warrior's muscles, giving him an overpowered appearance. Moreover, at this point, even Cell admits that, although "it won't be enough" because Trunks remains too slow in this state, he is "probably stronger" than him in terms of raw power. Despite his confidence, Cell's surprise is genuine.
Indeed, although Cell was created over several decades thanks to the accumulation of data and DNA from the best fighters, Dr. Gero's supercomputer did not integrate Trunks' cells. Trunks had killed Mecha Frieza after the computer had already estimated that it had collected enough Saiyan DNA. Cell then understood that Trunks' potential had been underestimated. Once the surprise had passed, he realized that, possessing a large part of Saiyan DNA, he too could achieve this form. He will end up imitating this transformation later.
#5 Cell 3rd form is as much a Saiyan as Gohan (canon)
Cell is not just a synthetic monster: he is at least 50% Saiyan. Designed by Dr. Gero from the DNA of the most powerful warriors, Cell notably possesses the cells of Goku and Vegeta, and possibly those of Gohan. This makes him genetically at least as Saiyan as Gohan, Trunks, or even Goten. In combat, Cell displays clearly Super Saiyan-like attributes: a golden aura and blue lightning, typical of the SSJ2 transformation. Later, after exploding on Kaio's planet, he returns stronger, like a true Saiyan.
Cell also displays a muscular form similar to Trunks' Super Saiyan Grade 3, as well as an arrogance very similar to Vegeta and Saiyans in general. Even without a transformation as obvious as Goku's, he clearly uses the power of the Saiyans. Cell 3rd form may not have a monkey tail or a flamboyant hairstyle, but he has everything he needs in his cells to claim his belonging to the people of Planet Vegeta.
#4 Cell 3rd form enhanced the powers of the Saiyans (canon)
As we just saw, the third form Cell's form is closer than ever to the Saiyan population. Yet, after deciding to self-destruct, Cell regenerates and comes back more powerful than ever, contradicting a rule established by Vegeta: a Saiyan only gains power after surviving an injury inflicted by an opponent, not self-inflicted. However, Cell clearly gets a power boost after his own self-destruction. This anomaly could be explained by his unique nature: artificially created, Cell is neither truly a pure Saiyan, nor an ordinary half-breed like Gohan.
The most likely explanation is that Dr. Gero's supercomputer may have optimized this power to surpass natural limits. Additionally, by regenerating, Cell integrates new cells from Goku, accessing an even more powerful version of himself, capable of triggering a transformation close to Super Saiyan 2. If this evolution is not a simple typo, then Cell would have a very practical ability here, allowing him to increase his power as many times as he wants — in short, the ultimate evolution of Saiyan power.
#3 Cell's 3rd form has unexpected origins (extended universe)
In Dragon Ball Online, some Nameks appear with a skull shape similar to Cell's in his Semi-Perfect, Perfect, and Super Perfect forms (and by extension, Cell Max). This suggests that Cell's iconic transformation may actually have come from Namekian cells. Over time, Akira Toriyama, as well as the writers of the Expanded Universe, have developed the Nameks' powers. Some, such as the Super Nameks or those using the "God Class-up" in the Expanded Universe, reach a level close to Super Saiyan God. It is therefore plausible that Dr. Gero's supercomputer integrated evolved Namekian genes into Cell, explaining his extreme regenerative ability and his unique head shape. The idea of a Namekian influence on Cell's physiognomy is interesting: these Namekian origins offer an explanation for the monster's unusual appearance and the promise of discovering more about this race in the future.
#2 Cell 3rd form merged with a crystal ball (expanded universe)
In the parallel universe of Super Dragon Ball Heroes, an alternate version of Cell, called Xeno Cell, defeated all the Z-Fighters, including Gohan in Super Saiyan 2. However, this already powerful Xeno Cell becomes even more dangerous after merging with a two-star Dark Dragon Ball. This fusion profoundly alters his power and appearance. Once the Dragon Ball is embedded in his chest, his eyes turn yellow and dark lines run through his body. The fusion with the Dark Dragon Ball grants Cell immense but unstable power, making him a threat that even the Demon Gods prefer to eliminate to reclaim the precious ball. However, despite his terrifying power, he is surpassed by Xeno Vegeta, then eliminated by the fusion Xeno Vegeks (a fusion between Xeno Vegeta and Xeno Trunks) and the demon Gravy. It is also this Xeno Cell that benefits from a new transformation imagined by Akira Toriyama himself, which we talked about here.
#1 A Human Has Become the Equal of Cell 3rd Form
In the extended universe of Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission, Bio-Androids have become a species in their own right. It is in this context that Genome appears, a human who has become a Bio-Android thanks to avatar technology. As an avatar, Genome is controlled by a young Earthling who is participating in a tournament in the virtual universe of Heroes. Genome adopts a hybrid appearance between Cell Jr. and Imperfect Cell, sporting wings, white skin, a purple shell, and the Red Ribbon logo.
As he evolves, he takes on features increasingly similar to Perfect Cell, even wearing a skull crown and a cape. Much more than a simple player, Genome establishes himself as a strategic figure, even sending Super Saiyan 4 Broly to face the evil Dragons. Interesting detail: although he has the appearance and specificities of a Bio-Android, Genome defines himself above all as the Android Berserker.
And to find out more about the world of Cell, check out our file on Cell, Cell 2nd form, or even Doctor Gero.
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