Dragon Ball Z, Vol. 18: Gohan vs. Cell

Dragon Ball [ドラゴンボール] #34

by Akira Toriyama

The day of the Cell Game has come - the day when Earth's champions must compete to save the entire human race from destruction. All along, Cell has longed for a match with Goku, to crush the world's mightiest hero and establish its supremacy over all creation. Both of them have enough power flowing through their bodies to destroy the earth. But Goku knows something that Cell doesn't...he isn't the world's mightiest hero. That hero is Gohan, Goku's son...

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Shonen, Science Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 1993

About the author

Akira Toriyama (鳥山明) was a Japanese manga artist and character designer. He first achieved mainstream recognition for creating the popular manga series Dr. Slump, before going on to create Dragon Ball (his most famous work) and acting as a character designer for several popular video games such as the Dragon Quest series, Chrono Trigger, and Blue Dragon. Toriyama came to be regarded as one of the most important authors in the history of manga with his works highly influential and popular, particularly Dragon Ball, which many manga artists cite as a source of inspiration.
He earned the 1981 Shogakukan Manga Award for best shōnen/shōjo manga with Dr. Slump, and it went on to sell over 35 million copies in Japan. It was adapted into a successful anime series, with a second anime created in 1997, 13 years after the manga ended.
His next series, Dragon Ball, would become one of the most popular and successful manga in the world. Having sold 260 million copies worldwide, it is one of the best-selling manga series of all time and is considered a key work in increasing manga circulation to its peak in the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. Overseas, Dragon Ball's anime adaptations have been more successful than the manga and are credited with boosting anime's popularity in the Western world. In 2019, Toriyama was decorated a Chevalier of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contributions to the arts.
In October 2024, Toriyama was inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame.

Reviews

[Urbon Adamsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

EN The tournament organized by Cell has begun, and Son Goku is the first to face him.

Although he knows he isn’t strong enough to defeat Cell, Goku is certain that among them there is someone capable of doing so.

It’s also here that the character Mr. Satan makes his first appearance—a true source of laughter.

A frantic and thrilling read from start to finish.

--

PT O Torneio organizado por Cell está lançado, e Son Goku é o primeiro a enfrentá-lo.

Apesar de saber que não tem força suficiente para derrotar Cell, Goku tem a certeza de que, entre eles, existe alguém capaz de o vencer.

É também aqui que surge, pela primeira vez, a personagem de Hércules — uma verdadeira fonte de gargalhadas.

Uma leitura frenética, empolgante do início ao fim.

[Drew Canole · Rating 4 out of 5]

So after setting up a martial arts tournament and fending of the world's military force, the games begin. Humanity, still in the dark about Goku and his crew, send in Hercule as their hero. It's pretty funny as this guy is completely in over his head but pretends to have all the confidence in the world. The battle between Goku and Cell is great. Gohan has to step up and fight cell!

[Sam Quixote · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume 18 picks up with Son Goku stepping into the ring first with Cell and right away I was thinking that something was up. The guy who goes first never wins, and Son Goku’s the hero of the story, so it was an interesting choice of Akira Toriyama’s to open with the unexpected.

And, y’know what, Goku’s fight with Cell is awesome. It’s great, it’s exciting, it’s everything readers of this series have come to expect from Toriyama. So why wasn’t I as engaged as I usually am with Dragon Ball Z?

It comes down to repetition, which is a major factor in this series. It’s a fine line too because some repetition works really well - Cell as the unstoppable villain like Freeza and Vegeta before him, the Strongest Under the Heavens tournament model - but some of the repeated stuff in this book just didn’t click.

Goku suddenly calling a halt in the middle of the fight because he knows he can’t beat Cell, rather than be shocking, felt inevitable and reminded me of the final battle he had with (I think?) Tenshinhan in the original Dragon Ball series. Of course that’s why he went first. Then Cell unleashes a bunch of mini-Cells to fight the rest of the Dragon Ball cast to keep them busy and that felt a lot like Volume 2 of the series when Vegeta sets loose a bunch of monsters.

And then, of course, Son Goku’s son, Gohan, steps in, and you know what’s going to happen: Gohan’s going to beat Cell. It all seems very rote, predictable, and done-before. It’s not that this book is bad, it’s just that at this point, 34 volumes in, we might’ve come to the extent of Toriyama’s invention - he now can’t do anything new and has to go back and redo everything with different characters.

So it’s up to Gohan to defeat Cell and… I don’t really care! You know he’s going to, and then Goku will step back and the series focus will shift to Gohan and blah blah blah. I’ll keep reading of course but this whole Cell story arc has been very weak and it might mark the beginning of the downfall of the series - will it pick up after this or is it all downhill from here? Volume 18 is a decent continuation of the series but nothing overly surprising or special.

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Goku going first among the Saiyans against Cell, it was clear from the start that this wasn't going to end well for him. Unless... ;) What follows is Gohan's moment to shine, amidst the cries of Piccolo, as he reveals what he's capable of deep down.

I wish this volume had included the end of the battle with Cell...

[Ola G · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10 stars

This volume's structure was predictable, with Goku coming as the first to fight Cell it was obvious he wouldn't be able to win. The tension was somewhat lower, but the fight was still awesome - as was Gohan's. Yet what I loved the most here was the true extent of Piccolo's love for Gohan - not knowing Gohan's true power he was willing to get himself killed without a moment's hesitation, just to save Gohan whom he still viewed as a small kid.

I also really appreciate Toriyama's take on growing up within the relationship between parents and kids - at some point, you need to let the kids take the responsibility and make their own decisions. Goku believes in Gohan so much he's willing to risk it all - so it's very good that Gohan's actually up to the task ;).

Gohan the timid would-be scholar has enough of Saiyan blood to get into the battle rage state - but he doesn't want to kill anyone, nor does he really want to fight. What finally prompts him is not his own pain but the pain of others. I really liked how Toriyama incorporated Android #16 here - a final Blade Runner touch ;). Also, seeing the dilemma between dreams and duty playing out in Gohan's mind was very satisfying, indeed.

Lastly, can't believe I'm actually writing this, but I'm warming up to Hercule a little bit ;)

I'd just get rid of the little Cells - they were boring :P

[Subham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was fantastic! It starts off with Cell vs Goku and their battle is tremendous but we see even though he tries his attacks, it doesn't succeed as Cell is that powerful and he will destroy earth too but then the weirdest twist happens with Gohan as Goku is counting on his berserk mode and then it becomes even better when we have Cell Juniors, his friends attacked and the stakes at the line, Android 16 things and then SSJ2! Epic stuff! One of my favorite moments from the entire series! The art is incredible, the writing even more so and the connection too good!

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.55

This was a fantastic read. The story just gets better and better. Also, the characters are amazing and I love reading about the heroes that are in the Dragon Ball franchise. In the volume, the Cell Games continue. Mr. Satan gets knocked out by Cell. I am sorry but I couldn't stop laughing. Then, Goku fights him. This fight goes on for a lot of chapters until Goku decides to quit and hand it over to Gohan. I thought this moment was vital because it shows the amount of faith that Goku has in his son. Cell and Gohan begin fighting and Gohan is in trouble. So he turns Super Saiyan in order to beat Cell. Just to then go a step further and turned Super Saiyan 2. I did not like Mister Satan. I do not really care for his character. However, I can't wait to see his daughter, Videl, aka Gohan's high school girlfriend. Can't wait to see Cell get defeated. This was another amazing installment to the series. I can't wait for Volume 19. Overall, an incredible read.

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is it folks, if you asked me what my favorite battle in the entirety of the Dragon Ball series to date is, I will hands down forever say Gohan vs. Cell. It is one of the most exhilarating fights ever and it really showcases Gohan in every way.

[Mr. Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor #16….And they never even tried reviving/rebuilding him or nuthin…

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

To find all my reviews: http://dancinginth3dark.blogspot.com

Previously on Dragon Ball Z

(I) This evil creature named Cell has appeared creating havoc in the world and has absorb Androids #17 & 18.

(II) Trunks who is the son of Vegeta and Bulma come from the future and help Goku in order to guarantee a better future.

(III) Goku will now fight against the evil Cell.

That is what you missed on Dragon Ball Z!

I originally was going to write a review for this volume asap but when that was going to happen I discovered that all the volumes that I was waiting to read had arrived at my library so I decided to marathon this series because I wouldn't be able to read the final volume without it and decided then to write the reviews as a tribute to this phenomenal series.

With this volume we get to see the epic fight of Goku vs. Cell. Cell has become this new monster that we have never seen in this series who keeps getting better and possibly might kill everyone and destroy the earth. We all know that Goku loves to fight and with Cell trying to become the strongest warrior ever it is fascinating how they are pushing their limits to destroy one another.

What I never thought or could imagine is how easily Goku has realized that his moment of shine has come and gone. It is not a bad thing but it goes to show you how humble Goku is and how he is one of the greatest fighters of all-time. Since he has been training with his son Gohan, he has noticed that Gohan is a superior fighter because he has been in deadly combat and training at an early age compare to Goku.

While Goku beat the daylight savings out of Cell, Goku isn't the one who can destroy him so he uses Gohan as his replacement in battle. Gohan cannot believe that his father is doing this and doesn't want to fight Cell because he is afraid.

Goku made the realization that the only way for his son to beat Cell is he has to tap in his inner power/angry in order to become indestructible and Cell uses that to his advantage. By advantage I mean beating and practically almost killing everyone in the battlefield using his creation of evil mini-cells.

As Gohan witness this atrocity he becomes a new person which is the fighter that he is destined to become and reaches Super Saiyan 2 and for the first time makes Cell nervous. Any of the deadly scenes we are about to witness with these two won't happen until the next volume so stay tuned for more Dragon Ball Z!...

[Nikhil Math]

Wow. I gotta say, Goku, you move with excellence, and you have been a good father to Gohan. The world is constantly ending, but you always do your best to take care of your son.

Gohan, I hope the pressure the world puts on you does not hurt too much. You help so many people, and I hope you understand what good you do.

[Blake the Book Eater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit this is the best fight of the series so far, surpassed only by Goku v. Freeza. Gohan is really coming into his own here and I love him so much!

[Recep · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Michael Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m with Gohan.

[Michelle (Witchy Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go Gohan!

[William Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way the author made the pictures very detailed and also added sounds like POW or BOOM and the story made sense because the characters we're talking to each other and tried to fight the monster

[Stijn Coppens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gohan!!

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this volume of Dragon Ball Z I feel like the torch has been passed on from father to son. I really like that Gohan is becoming this source of power but reading this story I felt like the story is just repeating too much. I've mentioned it before but it's getting to me now. I also thought that not much happened like I would have liked. This was really just a setup for the next story when we see Cell face off with the real competition.

[MajesticalLion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cool volume. Seeing Gohan go all out was really cool, and Goku giving Cell the senzu bean wasn't nearly as bad a moment as I'd been told. Certainly no worse than Goku letting Vegeta get away back in the Saiyan Saga. All in all, one of the best volumes of the series.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the mangaka himself says that Gohan is one of his favorite characters, it's clear that you'd expect his most important fight to be the best.

[isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gohan is easily top 3 in the story of Dragon Ball. His kindness from his patents nurture with the power and rage dwelling within him from his Saiyan nature. His yellow spiky hair of his Saiyan heritage, but wearing the Namekian uniform that both pays respect to his first mentor Piccolo, a Namekian whose planet he had experienced much of his life on while off world. It all makes for a very interesting Silhouette.

But what that hardened silhouette is detailed, there we find a boy, a child. This is a fact that even his own father seems to have forgotten given how much Gohan has experienced and grown. So Goku stakes his whole plan to defeat Cell onto the shoulders of a child. His plan? Put his son in a position of intense danger so that he may have his rage awaken and Gohan can turn into the warrior that resides in him. The problem is that Gohan, the young boy, isn’t in the slightest aware of his plan. Piccolo yells at Goku to bring him to the reality that he has gone too far, Gohan is facing death and in his mind he is confused why his father whom he trusts above all else is letting all this suffering come to him. There has been many moments in the Dragon Ball story where Gohan’s age has been a main factor how the reader perceives the brutality that he faces. But Piccolo yelling at Goku grounds the situation in an inescapable reality. Gohan is a child.

This moment hits Goku with the same realisation as he now must watch in horror the consequences of his recklessness. But then… Gohan transforms. This is easily one of the more effective “rage” states a hero has undergone in the medium (and there is a surprising amount of competition in this field). That being said I don’t love Goku’s reaction to how everything is panning out? His moment of realisation feels like a surprising step forward for his character, but AS SOON AS his plan starts working he instantly forgets this and starts celebrating. While it’s a good moment of him cheering on his son akin to a Saturday baseball match, for Goku’s character it does feel like 2 steps forward, 1 step back.

Out of all the reactions to Gohan’s abilities, Vegeta’s is definitely my favourite. Once again Gohan’s age becomes a VERY important role in this scene as Vegeta, proud Prince of the warrior Saiyan Race, someone who has time and time again proven to care nothing more than strength, believing himself to be at the top of the hierarchy, is now forced to accept that a human-mixed-Saiyan child has now surpassed any level of power he even thought possible in himself.

A couple of volumes I wondered if Toriyama might explore through training Gohan’s struggle to grow due to his fathers overbearing kindness which acts as a COMPLETE contradiction to the traditional training of Saiyans as their transformations seemingly come from rage. However, it seems like the story went in the absolute opposite direction as now I wonder if the reason Gohan is able to achieve such power is because of Goku’s (and possibly Piccolo’s) encouraging nurture. This would build beautifully towards the messaging of teamwork and companionship that has been the core of the entire story thus far. This could also become a catalyst to Trunks and Vegeta’s relationship to grow, as currently it stands in direct contrast to the former two.

[Yoyomaus Die Büchereule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zum Inhalt:
Endlich tritt der einzige Gegner, der Cell besiegen kann, in den Ring: Son-Goku soll erneut die Welt retten. Doch der hat ganz andere Pläne...

Son Goku will sich als Erster gegen Cell probieren und seine Freunde sind sich sicher, dass er den Kampf gewinnen wird. Doch Cell ist ein zäherer Brocken als alle dachten, denn als sich die Freunde sicher sind, dass Cell ein für allemal erledigt ist, rekonstruiert er sich selbst wieder. Dem Ganzen setzt Son Goku schließlich die Krone auf, als er sich aus dem Kampf zurück zieht und Son Gohan an dessen Stelle kämpfen soll. Damit der Kampf fair bleibt, gibt Son Goku Cell sogar eine magische Bohne, was seine Freunde schließlich an ihm zweifeln lässt. Was hat er nur vor?

Dieser Teil ist völlig anders, als man vielleicht erwartet hat. Nicht nur, dass man den Storyverlauf nicht vorher sehen kann, man muss sich auch recht wundern, weshalb Son Goku sich schließlich aus dem Kampf zurück zieht und Son Gohan in den Ring schickt, obwohl dieser scheinbar schwächer ist als sein Vater. Außerdem hat der Zeichner durch Cell noch weitere Überraschungen parat, mit denen man so nicht gerechnet hat. Das lockert die Kampfszenen auf und lässt die Geschichte nicht langweilig werden.
Was auch in diesem Teil wieder ungemein begeistert sind die verschiedenen Charaktere und die teilweise sehr detailliert ausgearbeitete Umgebung. Es ist schon wirklich ein Wahnsinn, welche Welt Akira Toriyama hier geschaffen hat.

Von mir gibt es weiterhin eine Leseempfehlung für den Manga. Auch wenn die Kampfszenen hier wieder stark überhand nehmen und die Story dadurch etwas stockt, so hat sich Akira hier trotzdem so Einiges einfallen lassen. Wirklich lesenswert!

5 von 5 Sterne


Taschenbuch: 192 Seiten
Verlag: Carlsen (15. Februar 2001)
Sprache: Deutsch
ISBN-10: 3551736243
ISBN-13: 978-3551736246
Vom Hersteller empfohlenes Alter: 10 - 12 Jahre
Größe und/oder Gewicht: 11,5 x 1,4 x 17,7 cm

[Logan Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only gripe with this whole volume is that I wish Cell didn’t blow up his arena. It would’ve been nice to see the fights take place in a more aesthetically pleasing environment than rocks and plains. We’ve had enough rocks and plains already, and there’s still a lot more to go.

But other than that, we all know that this one kicks ass. Gohan is such a conflicted little kid, the weight of the world on his shoulders. Of course he doesn’t want to fight. And it doesn’t help that he has an idiot for a father. God, why does he give Cell a senzu? That still drives me nuts.

I love that Goku has way too much faith in his son, and I love that Piccolo seems to care even more about his well-being. I love that 16 tries to sacrifice himself and I love that Hercule helps him.

I would like to ask though, what happened to Goku’s Turtle logo? His basic ass Gi is lame without it. And what happened to the Kaio-Ken? I always thought that the Kaio-Ken is one of the coolest tricks in his arsenal. The risk/reward factor I think is much more exciting than a blanket power boost that the super saiyan grants you.

And why can’t Tenshinhan or Piccolo or even Vegeta put up a fight? I like having them there but it makes me sad to see them get wailed by more Saibamen.

I know it sounds like I’m complaining a lot, so why is this a perfect volume? Do I even need to say it? Gohan’s awakening has always had much more oomph to me than Goku’s first transformation back on Namek. Even though Gohan doesn’t really have ties to 16 the way Goku does to Kuririn, he has the same love for peace that 16 does. I think the two see each other. They were born with too much power that they don’t want to use. But it’s not a crime to fight for good.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cell Games are heating up! Goku admits defeat to Cell and literally gives up...after a blow for blow fight in the sky. Things were intense this whole volume as the entire Z-Warriors are overwhelmed and feel hope is lost...until Goku names Gohan as the one to take Cell down. Gohan, surprised himself, admits he thought Cell and Goku were holding back due to the low powers...but they weren't. Goku is convinced that once Gohan goes rage-mode he'll be unstoppable. One of my favorite scenes is Piccolo showing a better understanding of the young Sayian than his own father cause Piccolo is so heart-warming! But Cell gets it...he realizes Gohan won't lose it with his own pain but if his friends are hurt...different story. Little Cells that he shot out of his tail stub are attacking his friends and weakening them...but Gohan still doesn't lose it...until Android 16 gives him a pep talk. Android 16 tried to sacrifice himself but his bomb was removed and Cell decimated him...and Hercule, in one of his few redeeming moments realizes the gravity of the situation and bravely brings the head to battle field. 16 tells Gohan he's not doing a bad thing for fighting for the right reasons. And then Cell crushes his skull in a disgusting depiction. Annnnnnd Gohan finally unleases his full power!

This arc is about to wrap up in the next volume and it was real neat seeing Gohan finally get his bad ass moment. One of the best volumes yet!

[Natalie]

Despite myself not interested in Dragon Ball Z I do have a large amount of respect for the franchise.

As I said before in my review of Dragon Ball, this kickstarted the trends for later Shonen manga and that's something to admire about the entire Dragon Ball series. Shonen manga series have taken elements from the Dragon Ball series and use it for inspiration for their own work like battles, art, character design, and plot. I feel like I was a bit too old when I was first introduced to the starters of Shounen and Shojo. Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon were introduced to me a bit too late after I had started reading & watching series like InuYasha, Ouran High School Host Club, Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Code Geass.

Again, I still think it's an admirable franchise despite my personal feelings towards it. (I don't hate it but I didn't love it either) It's extremely popular worldwide and for the anime to still be watched and loved to this very day I think that says a lot about it. There are many things to like and admire about it because of the legacy that it brought with its creation.

While I don't love Dragon Ball Z, it has done a lot for a very popular art form and will continue to be great and loved for years to come.

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love Dragon Ball, I have been watching it since I was a little kid with my Dad. I'm even watching the new series "Dragon Ball Super" which is in Japanese with English subtitles. There are so many events that happen in dragon ball in which the survival of the earth is a risk. Goku(main character) and his friends which are called the "Z Fighters" are very obsessed with achieving higher feats of power, but also do there part in protecting their family and the planet. In this book are great foe by the name of Cell had been created on earth to kill Goku and take over the universe. Goku knows that he is to weak to fight cell, but he knows his 11 year old son has great potential. Goku and friends put all their trust into Gohan as they all believe in what Goku says his son can do. The concept of power is one of the best parts to me; seeing the characters breaking through their limits and achieving new feats to protect the ones they love. It gives me chills even just thinking about it. Dragon ball anything is great, and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know ChiChi gets a lot of hate for being a helicopter parent, but Goku is so hilariously nonchalant about throwing his son into danger that you can't really blame her. It's good to have faith in your kid, but this volume takes the biscuit really. I actually love it though - Goku isn't a selfless superhero type, he has a thoughtless, prideful streak that can get him and the people closest to him hurt. I like that parallel with Vegeta's hubris too. A lot of conflict comes to a head in this installment, which is satisfying, and also there's a lot of punching and explosions that make me embarrassingly happy.

[Gustavo · Rating 4 out of 5]

El Cell Game continúa luego del humorístico intento de Mr. Satán intentando vencer a Cell, con Gokú subiendo a la plataforma. La pelea es muy interesante y la forma en que Goku da paso al siguiente peleador es interesante, pero me molesta un poco el hecho de que Toriyama lo haya planteado como un Tenkaichi Budokai, cuando solo pelean Cell y dos o tres más... Se siente un poco barato, una excusa para hacer pelear a los personajes que podría haber sido cualquier otra. Sin embargo como ya dije, las peleas son excelentes así que realmente no importa.

[Rangga Sukmawijaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pertarungan di arena yang dibangun oleh Cell dimulai. Tentu saja yang maju pertama adalah Mr. Satan yang tidak sadar kalau pertarungan itu disediakan untuk kekuatan yang jauh melampauinya. Untunglah dia tidak mati. Pertarungan sebenarnya pun dimulai. Tapi kenapa Son Goku memilih untuk maju pertama kali? Bukankah ia biasanya menjadi andalah penutup yang akan mengalahkan musuh besarnya? Di nomor ini tampaknya Akira Toriyama mulai menggeser peranan Son Goku sebagai "senjata pamungkas" dan mewariskannya pada Son Gohan.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goku vs. Cell. This battle is brutal but the biggest shock is that the Goku and Cell don't fight to the death!?!? Who is fights who in the second half of this book with the world at stake? This volume is pure action and a page turner. You may turn them too quickly to appreciate the beauty of the artwork but I recommend don't get caught up in that...and take your time to enjoy this brutal but cool battle! Saying more about this volume ruins the surprises but it is highly entertaining and shocking all in one!