First Form:
This is Cell's first form and the one that he looks most like an insect. He has a long tail with a stinger like end that he can expand to absorb the bodies of the Androids or use to extract the DNA of a person that he wishes to add to being. When Cell first hatches from the egg that Trunks and Krillin found near the abandoned time machine, he needs to increase his energy so that he can become powerful enough to confront Android 17 and 18. Cell must absorb these two androids in order to reach his most powerful form. In this form, Cell absorbs many humans to increase his power. He also confronts Piccolo in this form. His is powerful but is no match for Android 16, who fights him. It is not until Cell absorbs Android 17 that he reaches his second form.

Second Form:
Cell absorbs enough people to confront the Androids and heads to the island were Piccolo and Android 17 are fighting. He interrupts their battle and Android 16 steps in. Unfortunately, Cell is able to absorb 17 and transforms into his second form. He has more muscle and is beginning to look more human-like. He still has his long tail which he used to absorb Android 17. Seeing that Cell is going to attempt to absorb Android 18 also, Tien steps in. Tien is able to hold off Cell until Androids 16 and 18 escape and hide nearby. Tien, on the other hand, uses up all his power trying to stop Cell and is left defenseless. Cell is about to destroy Tien, when Goku appears, using his teleportation, and rescues both Tien and Piccolo. Cell is left confused but still intent on finding Android 18. He proceeds to blast all the islands until Vegeta, newly emerged from the Room of Sprit and Time, confronts him. Vegeta, who has trained for an entire year within one day, has become more powerful then the evil villain. Needless to say, Cell realizes that Vegeta's one weakness is his pride convinces him to allow him to find Android 18 and absorb her so that he can be at his most powerful when they fight.

Perfect Form:
Vegeta, who has reached a new level of Super Saiyan (Ultra Super Saiyan) allows Cell to pursue Android 18. Seeing what his father intends to do, Trunks attacks Cell, but is stopped by his father. Trunks is forced to attack his father in order to finish off the creature. Unfortunately, Cell spots the Android's hiding spot and attacks. Krillin, who is in love with Android 18 and destroys the devise that will immobilize her, attempts to protect her. Trunks again attacks but Cell uses Solar Flare and has enough time to absorb 18 and transform. He is not as big but is far superior in speed and power. His tail has shrunk down and now only the tip protruded from his back. He still has the ability to expand the end and uses it to spit out his creations, the Cell Juniors. Vegeta makes a grave error and is now no match for the final form of Cell.