The Perfect Cell Saga is ninth saga in the Dragon Ball Z manga and in the anime. These episodes are produced by Toei Animation, and are based on the final 26 volumes of the Dragon Ball manga series by Akira Toriyama. The saga is about Semi-Perfect Cell continuing his quest to reach his Perfect Form. It also features the ascension of the four Saiyans (Goku, Vegeta, Gohan and Mirai Trunks) while they try to come up with ways to defeat the growing Jinzoningen threat. It occurs between the Imperfect Cell Saga and the Cell Games Saga.
The 13-episode saga originally ran from August to November 1992 in Japan on Fuji Television. The first English airing of the series was on Cartoon Network where Funimation Entertainment's dub of the series ran from October to November 2000. The episodes also aired in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. This saga is a part of U.S. season five.
Episode 153 / 138 – August 19, 1992 / October 23, 2000
明日はオメエを叩きのめす！！悟空の挑戦状; Ashita wa Omee o Tatakinomesu!! Gokuu no Chousenjou; Tomorrow I am Going to Pulverize You!! Goku's Challenge
SACRIFICE
Tien takes matters into his own hand...and head! With an onslaught of psychic blasts, Tien drives back Cell and gives Android 16 and 18 a chance to escape. But Tien's powerful move is rapidly draining his strength, and the brave fighter is about to collapse. Tien may have saved the androids, but can he save himself?
Episode 154 / 139 – August 26, 1992 / October 24, 2000
全てオレが片付ける！！新生ベジータ親子出現; Subete Ore ga Katazukeru!! Shinsei Bejiita Oyako Shutsugen; I Will Dispose of Everything!!; A Reborn Vegeta, Father and Son, Sally Forth
SAIYANS EMERGE
Trunks and Vegeta emerge from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber after a year of intense training. What new powers do these Saiyans posses? Goku and Gohan are next in the room, but with Cell hunting down Android 18 and nearing his completion, can the fighters afford to wait another day?
Episode 155 / 140 – September 2, 1992 / October 25, 2000
いきなり全開！！光り輝くベジータの超パワー; Ikinari Zenkai!! Hikarikagayaku Bejiita no Choupawaa; Suddenly Full-Throttle!! The Super Power of a Radiant Vegeta
SUPER VEGETA
Anxious to find 18, the heartless Cell obliterates a chain of inhabited islands, with each explosion bringing him closer to the android's hideout! But heading Cell's way is Vegeta! He's fresh from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and ready to test his new strength. Is Vegeta really stronger than a Super Saiyan?
Episode 156 / 141 – September 9, 1992 / October 26, 2000
セルよひざまずけ！オレは超ベジータだ！！; Seru yo Hizamazuke! Ore wa Suupaa Bejiita da!!; On Your Knees, Cell! I am Super Vegeta!!
BOW TO THE PRINCE
It's show-and-tell for Vegeta as he demonstrates just how much difference a year of hard work can make! Watching from the sidelines, Trunks recalls the intense time he spent training with his father. And up in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, the pressure falls on Gohan as he tries to become a Super Saiyan. That's no easy task, especially for a kid!
Episode 157 / 142 – September 16, 1992 / October 27, 2000
危険なプライド！！完全体セルへの挑戦; Kiken na Puraido!! Kanzentai Seru e no Chousen; Dangerous Pride!! A Challenge to Cell's Perfect Form
HOUR OF TEMPTATION
Goku and Gohan continue to push themselves forward, but will they even be needed? In his powered-up state, Vegeta is quickly pounding Cell six feet into the ground! With his back against the wall, the ever-clever android attacks Vegeta's weakest point, his unbridled arrogance! Can the Saiyan Prince resist Cell's tempting challenge?
Episode 158 / 143 – September 23, 1992 / October 30, 2000
オレ悩んじゃう！！クリリンの１８号破壊工作; Ore Nayanjau!! Kuririn no Juuhachigou Hakai Kousaku; I'm So Distraught!! Kuririn's Handiwork in Destroying No. 18
KRILLIN'S DECISION
With the beautiful 18 in his sights, Krillin clutches the controller that will shut down the android forever. But at the moment of decision, Krillin hesitates! Cell looms just overhead, hungry for perfection. Can Krillin find the courage to do the right thing?
Episode 159 / 144 – September 30, 1992 / October 31, 2000
全宇宙に衝撃！！セル、完全体へ驚異の進化; Zen'uchuu ni Shougeki!! Seru, Kanzentai no Kyoui no Shinka; A Shock to the Entire Universe!! Cell, A Spectacular Evolution Toward His Perfect Form
THE LAST DEFENSE
With the remote control smashed and Vegeta giving Cell the go ahead, the stage is set is for Cell's terrifying completion. Now it's up to Krillin and Trunks to save 18 from Cell's power-hungry grasp. But Vegeta isn't going to let Trunks ruin his plan! Will Trunks strike against his own father to save the earth from Cell?
(No Episode Aired – October 7, 1992; Broadcasting was suspended for a special program)
Episode 160 / 145 – October 14, 1992 / November 1, 2000
戦闘力無限大！！セルという名の破壊神誕生; Sentouryoku Mugendai!! Seru to Iu Na no Hakaishin Tanjou; Battle Power Infinity!! Birth of the God of Destruction Named Cell
CELL IS COMPLETE
Dr. Gero's dream has been realized, and the Earth's greatest fear has come true. Cell is complete! Can anyone stop the android nightmare in his final, perfect form? As the heroes nervously line up, a glimmer of hope shines from above. Gohan is a Super Saiyan!
Episode 161 / 146 – October 21, 1992 / November 2, 2000
超ベジータ危うし！！完全無欠の恐怖が迫る！！; Suupaa Bejiita Ayaushi!! Kanzen Muketsu no Kyoufu ga Semaru!!; Super Vegeta in Peril!! An Absolutely Perfect Terror Closes In!!
VEGETA MUST PAY
After allowing Cell to reach his final form, Vegeta is ready for the challenge he was promised. But as Cell becomes a brick wall to the Saiyan's every blow, it's clear that Vegeta has more than he bargained for!
Episode 162 / 147 – October 28, 1992 / November 3, 2000
超サイヤ人の限界突破！！嵐を呼ぶトランクス; Suupaa Saiyajin no Genkai Toppa!! Arashi o Yobu Torankusu; Breaking Through the Boundaries of the Super Saiyan!! Trunks Summons a Storm
TRUNKS ASCENDS
Vegeta doubles as a punching bag as Cell demonstrates his amazing power. But the Saiyan Prince never surrenders! Tapping into the deepest wells of his energy, Vegeta leaves Cell with one last hit, the Final Flash! All the while, Trunks struggles to decide whether or not to help his father. Vegeta's pride is at stake, but so is his life!
Episode 163 / 148 – November 4, 1992 / November 6, 2000
父を救え！！天をも焦がすトランクスの怒り; Chichi o Sukue!! Ten o mo Kogasu Torankusu no Ikari; Save Your Father!! Trunks' Fury, Which Scorches Even the Heavens
SAVING THROW
Vegeta lies unconscious after an intense battle with Cell, and Trunks unleashes his hidden powers to save his father's life. With Goku and Gohan still training and the other fighters clearly out-leagued, Trunks is the only person standing in the evil android's way. Just how far can the young Saiyan's power go?
Episode 164 / 149 – November 11, 1992 / November 7, 2000
絶望の未来！！地獄を生き抜いた男トランクス; Zetsubou no Mirai!! Jigoku o Ikinuita Otoko Torankusu; A Future of Despair!! Trunks, the Man Who Lived Through Hell
GHOSTS FROM TOMORROW
As apocalyptic visions haunt his mind, Trunks vows to stop his horrible future from repeating itself. But Cell remembers those dark days in a different light, and can't wait for history to follow its course. It's all up for grabs as the two warriors prepare for battle. Only one future will survive. Whose will it be?
Episode 165 / 150 – November 18, 1992 / November 8, 2000
超トランクスに弱点！！セル、衝撃の爆弾発言; Suupaa Torankusu ni Jakuten!! Seru, Shougeki no Bakudan Hatsugen; Super Trunks Has a Weakness!! Cell, A Shocking Bombshell Declaration
THE CELL GAMES
Trunks quickly realizes that his Super Saiyan powers are no match for the mighty Cell. Trunks accepts defeat, only to be given a second chance when Cell proposes a tournament! Is Cell really interested in competition, or does he have a more sinister plan in mind?