Android #20 then works on developing a better android model. Meanwhile, he unleashes two of his other creations, Android #17 and Android #18. Androids #17 and #18 get annoyed with Dr. Gero. As a result, they kill Dr. Gero. However, the doctor had finished creating another android in a different timeline. That android stole Trunks' time machine and came to the present three years before Trunks arrived. His programming was to absorb the two rebellious androids that betrayed Dr Gero. Android #17 and Android #18 then leave the lab (which got blasted by Trunks' Burning Attack) and unleash Android #16. But as it turns out, Android #16 is a peaceful android. As time passes, the Z Warriors become aware of the new androids as they battle again and again but always reach a stalemate. However, the Z Warriors are still no match for the androids because they are androids they do not tire in a long battle while the Z Warriors eventually run out of energy. The Saiyan's do not continue to fight the androids. Instead, they train in the hyperbolic time chamber to get stronger. Meanwhile, Piccolo fuses with Kame, his half father, to become stronger. Dende, a Namek child, replaces Kame as guardian of the dragonballs. The new, much stronger Piccolo, goes in pursuit of the "other android" that is known as Cell, Piccolo is stronger than Cell, but fails to defeat him, and so Cell continuously plagues the cities. Androids #16, #17, and #18 try to find Goku to destroy him. Piccolo finds the androids first and begins to fight them. Cell tries to find Androids #17 and #18. On his way devours the bodies of the unlucky civilians he passes to become stronger. Finally, he meets with the other androids and to the heroes' surprise, they learn that Androids #17 and #18 know nothing about Cell. Cell and Android #17 threaten to kill each other. Android #17 heads out to fight him. But, he does not stand up to Cell and is easily defeated. This is when our heroes learn the great powers of Cell. Android #18 is now worried, but Android #16 flies out to fight Cell. To everybody's amazement, Android #16 is able to stand up to Cell. However, he is still destroyed. Cell now heads for his goal and absorbs Android #17 with his tail. Cell now changes into Cell-form 2. With the power of Android #17 combined he becomes stronger than ever. Then, he heads over to devour Android #18. At this moment and time, Vegeta and Trunks come out of the Room of Spirit and Time to do battle with Cell. To everyone's amazement, Vegeta can easily destroy Cell. Yet, with Vegeta's goal to be the most powerful entity in the universe he lets Cell go and find #18 in order to make himself a worthy opponent. Even though Trunks wouldn't allow it, Vegeta kept Trunks from saving #18, She is devoured, and now Cell changes into Cell form 3, and becomes Perfect Cell.

After Cell is gone, Bulma collects the body parts of Android #16 and repairs him. But, he is re-programmed to fight on the Z Warriors' side. Our heroes now head out to fight Cell. But, Android #16 is once again destroyed. Cell grows strong enough and reproduces. From his body came 7 Cell Juniors, young, blue duplicates of Cell. After a few more battles, Gohan, now teenager watches Cell crush #16 and Gohan reaches Super Saiyan level 2. He then destroys all the Cell Juniors. In one of the battles that follows, Cell is kicked and Android #18 is spit back out. Cell turns back into form 2 and is defeated. But, he activates his self-destruct mode so that when he dies, the world will blow up with him. To save the Earth, Goku teleports Cell away from the Earth and on to King Kai's planet, where Cell blows up. Thus, Goku, King Kai, Bubbles, and Gregory die as well.

The Z Warriors mourn the loss of Goku, but at the same time they cheer at the victory over Cell. Unexpectedly, a fireball flies out of nowhere and pierces through Trunks. Upon Trunks' death, Cell, in form 3, appears. He says that when he blew up, a brain cell survived. From that cell, other cells multiplied and he was once again formed. Cell happily laughs as he says that he is amazed he is able to rebuild himself into form 3, though because of the Saiyan DNA, he was able to drastically improve his power after facing death, making him Super Perfect Cell! Then, Cell threatens to destroy the earth. Vegeta tries to take on Cell, but is knocked down in one blow. Cell fires a shot at him that would have killed him, but Gohan rushes over and takes the blow, injuring his arm. For the first time ever, Vegeta apologises. Now it was up to Gohan to try to save Earth. With one arm, Gohan prepares a Kamehameha wave. He fires at Cell and Cell fires back. A stalemate is meant, but with King Kai's help, Goku is able to talk to Gohan and encourages him. Meanwhile, Kuririn protects the unconscious Android #18 and Yamcha, Tienshinan, Piccolo and Vegeta attack Cell in hope that this will help Gohan and distract Cell. Kuririn eventually joins them. With the help of the now dead King Kai, Goku is able to communicate with Gohan and tells him to use all his power to defeat Cell. Gohan overpowers Cell and Cell is disintegrated by Gohan's Kamehameha wave. But, Mr. Satan takes credit for Cell's death and lies to the reporters.