The Real Reason Perfect Cell Was Created

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Contributed some of the most memorable and iconic villains in anime and manga lore, a number of which have become as popular among fans as the Z Fighters themselves. Notably, one of Dragon Ball’s cherished antagonists emerged from the unpredictable nature of Akira Toriyama‘s creative process and the tension between him and his editors during production. The Androids Saga stands out as one of Dragon Ball Z’s most captivating story arcs.

In the Trunks Saga, the events that set the stage for the Android Saga unfold as Future Trunks journeys to the past to alert Goku and his companions about a menacing group of androids manufactured by the Red Ribbon Army. These mechanical beings are destined to leave a path of destruction three years later. However, unlike the villains in the original Dragon Ball Z story arc, the main antagonist in the Android Saga is Cell, a character that Akira Toriyama hadn’t originally planned when crafting the initial tale.

The Androids Saga is Confusing By Design

The storyline of the Android Saga begins with the Z-Fighters confronting Dr. Gero and Android 19. However, this fight doesn’t last long due to the extensive training the Dragon Team has undergone. This advantage enables them to overpower the Artificial Humans. Super Saiyan Vegeta takes down Android 19 single-handedly, and comes very close to defeating Dr. Gero himself. Regrettably, Gero manages to flee to his laboratory, where he sets into motion the activation of the Androids that Future Trunks had warned Goku about: specifically, Androids 17 and 18.

16 (an Android) gets switched on prior to engaging in a mission to locate and eliminate Goku. This sequence of events triggers the Cell saga, where another adversary is introduced. Shortly after their previous encounter with the Androids, Kami reveals that Earth faces another danger, and Bulma discloses the discovery of another time machine, identical to the one used by Future Trunks. As they delve into this mystery, rumors spread about the disappearance of Gingertown’s populace, leading them to investigate and discover a connection to Cell – an insect-like villain who can assimilate life forms through his tail, eventually emerging as the true antagonist in the Androids Saga.

The Cell Saga’s Villain Juggling Obviously Wasn’t Planned

In the battle against Piccolo, Cell discloses that he’s a robot constructed by Dr. Gero, with a chilling twist: he was fabricated using cells taken from the universe’s strongest warriors, making him impervious to standard weaknesses. To make matters worse, he originates from an alternate timeline and traveled to the present by eliminating Future Trunks and seizing his time machine. Cell then reveals that his ultimate goal is to attain a transformation that will lead to his Perfect Form. After a series of grueling fights, Cell ingests Android 17 and adopts his Imperfect form, significantly increasing his power.

Shortly following this, he assimilates Android 18, transforming into his Perfect Form, which puts the Z-Fighters under immense pressure as they struggle more than ever to defeat him. To many viewers, the Androids and Cell arcs, despite their notable highlights, seem complex and puzzling, particularly in contrast to the Frieza sagas. The rapid shift between villains can be disconcerting, but there’s a compelling explanation for this inconsistency. As per Toriyama, he was uncertain about the direction of Dragon Ball Z due to having to alter the story and the main antagonist multiple times during production.

Toryiama Has Never Been Shy About The Rocky Road To Creating Cell

In the second installment of the Daizenshuu guidebook series, I stumbled upon a captivating supplementary booklet titled “Shenlong Times #2”. This intriguing publication hosted an engaging roundtable discussion between Akira Toriyama and the three editors he collaborated with during the Dragon Ball series. During their conversation, they disclosed some compelling insights into the behind-the-scenes aspects of the Dragon Ball production, particularly focusing on its meteoric rise in popularity during the Dragon Ball Z era.

Initially, crafting the story became more enjoyable than illustrating it for me. However, I mostly focused on each chapter as I went along, which led to some complications (laughs). It was particularly tough during Trunks’ time-travel arc. I found myself struggling to keep the drawings coherent.

Subsequently, Kazuhiro Torishima (the editor who collaborated with Toriyama on Dr. Slump until Dragon Ball’s 23rd Tenka’ichi Budokai) chimes in and points out:

It seems like you escaped unscathed due to Kondō being your editor. Frankly, I dislike such problematic situations.”

Or, more casually:
“Looks like you got off easy because Kondō is your editor. I’m not a fan of dealing with annoying stuff like that.

Toriyama responds to this by saying:

Torishima-san, it wasn’t nice of you to say that back then. It was around that moment when Androids No. 19 and No. 20 made their appearance. Even though you weren’t my editor anymore, you called me to comment, “I thought the enemies had arrived at last, but aren’t these just an old man and a heavyset individual?” In reality, I hadn’t anticipated anyone else showing up besides No. 19 and No. 20. However, things turned out differently, so I introduced No. 17 and No. 18 instead. After that, you phoned me again and asked, “Is it just some kids this time?” So I summoned Cell.

Fuyuto Takeda, who was Toriyama’s third editor from Perfect Form Cell through Dragon Ball Z until its conclusion, inquired, “Were you not intending to have Cell appear at all?” To this, Toriyama responded:

“That’s right. I liked No. 19 and No. 20 just fine. And I liked the initial Cell fine as well.”

Cell Changed Several Times Due To Comments From Toriyama’s Editors

That’s correct.

Initially, I believed that character number 20 should be considered the true antagonist. However, my editor back then informed me that he was merely an elderly man, so I chose to disregard him.

It’s worth mentioning that in this book, Toriyama mentions that his editor at the time instructed him to alter the villains, although he stated during The Shenlong Times roundtable that it was Kazuhiko Torishima, his former editor. Given Toriyama’s tendency to confuse timelines in interviews, it is more probable that the Shenlong Times version is accurate. It’s important to note that translations of Toriyama’s interviews often use the term “editors” when referring to his coworkers, leading some fans to assume he had multiple editors concurrently, when in fact, he only had one editor at a time.

Initially, Cell’s introduction wasn’t the only change made at the last minute in the Cell saga. Toriyama revealed later on at a Shenlong Times round table discussion that he preferred the first form of Cell, but was forced to introduce the second form promptly due to criticism, communicating this to Fuyuto Takeda.

Indeed, Kondō-san stated, “He seems unattractive, yet he’s capable of transformation,” which left me with no other option but to facilitate his transformation into his secondary form.

This prompts Yū Kondō to ask if that is how it was, only for Toriyama to explain:

Then, Kondō-san, you seemed quite unkind towards him. You exclaimed, “Doesn’t he appear foolish now? Quickly, transform him into his ideal self.

Kondo justifies his decision swiftly, saying, “However, it seemed he resembled an individual lacking intelligence.” Later, Toriyama wraps up the discussion, clarifying: “In other words, he appeared rather foolish.

I found myself growing fond of the second form Cell too. However, I wished for a more significant part from him. Unfortunately, I was informed that he appeared foolish. Consequently, I felt compelled to alter him. Thus, I transformed him into his sleek and impressive final form, which happened to suit Kondō-san’s preferences.

The preference of Toriyama for his favorite artificial human character was reaffirmed in later interviews. Specifically, when asked this question during a Q&A session in 2014’s [Title], Toriyama named his favorite as [Character Name].

Second-Form Character! That bulky individual. When I presented it to my editor previously and explained that was my final choice, he responded, “Hold on, this guy looks foolish. Quickly, transform him into his optimal version”. It turns out, I had intended for him to have a more significant role in the story.

Toriyama’s creative freedom, combined with constant last-minute edits, is what gave Dragon Ball’s narrative its unpredictable and puzzling feel. While these circumstances may have led to some writing challenges he couldn’t easily untangle, the unique and quirky storyline along with the intriguing behind-the-scenes conversations make it all the more endearing.

Toriyama’s works stood out due to his unique style, which made it clear to readers that they were reading a work penned by him alone. His unpredictable shifts and sudden corrections were captivating, leaving one to ponder what might have been if editors hadn’t intervened. However, history has proven that the edits were justified as Perfect Cell is now among the most beloved characters in Dragon Ball. Conversely, Dr. Gero and Imperfect Cell have faded into obscurity, implying their suggestions were indeed sound.

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2025-04-23 02:05