Why Was Cell Not Revived in Dragon Ball Super?

The absence of Cell's revival in Dragon Ball Super (DBS) has been a topic of discussion among fans. While Frieza was the only notable characterrevived, the question of why Cell, one of the most complex and formidable antagonists, was not revived remains intriguing. Let's dive into the reasoning behind this decision, both in-universe and out-of-universe.

Out-of-Universe Reasons

The Complexity of Cell: Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, famously admitted that he found it challenging to write Cell due to his intricacy. This complexity extends beyond his storyline to the way he was drawn. Cell's distinctive pattern of spots and the elaborate shading required for his appearance made the artwork more time-consuming for both Toriyama and his assistants. While the involvement of the anime and the manga adaptation being drawn by different artists might have changed, this historical complexity might have influenced the decision not to bring him back in DBS.

In-Universe Reasons

The Villain's Nature and the Z-Fighters’ Perspective: In the Dragon Ball Super series, Cell is depicted as a symbol of defeat rather than a future threat. The Z-Fighters have already passed the challenge Cell presented, and none of them harbor a desire to bring him back. Dr. Gero, the scientist who created Cell, is dead. Androids 17 and 18, who once allied with Cell, now despise him. The Z-Fighters' feelings towards Cell range from fear to disgust, but all recognize that reviving him would negate their significant victory over him.

The Children of Cell: The few characters who might have positive feelings towards Cell are the Cell Juniors, who were young and alive at the time of the Cell Games. However, they were severely beaten by Super Saiyan 2 Gohan, which likely repressed any positive memories they might have had. Also, the trauma of being sent to attack Gohan, only to be squashed by his powerful attack, might have further repressed their memories of their father. It's highly unlikely that these juveniles would wish such a villain back, especially after such a short and painful encounter.

Conclusion

The decision not to revive Cell in Dragon Ball Super was a combination of both artistic and narrative reasons. The complexity of his design made his inclusion more challenging, while the in-story reasons centered around the Z-Fighters' and the Cell Juniors' lack of motivation to bring him back. Despite his formidable nature, the narrative decided to keep Cell in his defeated state, reinforcing the overarching theme of victory and growth in the series.