Sacrifice (Perfect Cell Saga episode)

"It's up to me now. I must stop Cell. I can't give up." — Tien Shinhan

Sacrifice
Japanese Name	明あし日たはオメエを叩たたきのめす!! 悟ご空くうの挑ちょう戦せん状じょう
Romaji name	Ashita wa Omē o Tatakinomesu!! Gokū no Chōsenjō
Literal Name	Tomorrow I am Going to Pulverize You!! Goku's Challenge
Series
Saga	Perfect Cell Saga
Episode #	153
Chapter counterpart	Goku Meets Cell
Japanese airdate	August 19, 1992
English airdate	October 23, 2000
Previous episode	Say Goodbye, 17
Next episode	Saiyans Emerge

"Sacrifice" (明あし日たはオメエを叩たたきのめす!! 悟ご空くうの挑ちょう戦せん状じょう, Ashita wa Omē o Tatakinomesu!! Gokū no Chōsenjō, lit. "Tomorrow I am Going to Pulverize You!! Goku's Challenge") is the first episode of the Perfect Cell Saga and the one hundred fifty-third overall episode in the uncut Dragon Ball Z series. This episode first aired in Japan on August 19, 1992. Its original American airdate was October 23, 2000.

Summary

Tien prepares to blast Semi-Perfect Cell

The episode starts where the last episode left off, Tien Shinhan firing away at the newly evolved, second form of the evil Cell with his Neo Tri-Beam. Tien's volleys of energy continue to keep the villain at bay, but Tien is getting weaker with each blast, he looks to his left and notices that Android 16 and Android 18 still have not left the battle field. He screams out to them to go, and they finally depart as Semi-Perfect Cell watches on, growing angrier as he is pushed further into the huge hole in the ground created by Tien's powerful attack. Tien pauses briefly to catch his breath, and giving Semi-Perfect Cell the chance to exit the hole and attempt to follow the androids, but Tien, despite being so weak, fires another blast at Semi-Perfect Cell, creating another hole deep into the earth, and blowing the villain into it. Back at Kame House, Yamcha and Master Roshi look on, sensing Tien's dwindling power. As they discuss what may happen, Chiaotzu returns, and voices his fears of what may happen. Chi-Chi then appears from a nearby window and demands to know.

At The Lookout, Gohan, Goku, and Mr. Popo sit and wait for Vegeta and Future Trunks to finish their training, while Gohan and Goku become more and more worried about their friend Tien. Mr. Popo tells the two that there is no way for Tien to continue, and that his life force is diminishing greatly, he may give out at any moment. Goku is obviously disturbed by Mr. Popo's comment.

As the battle rages, Tien continues to grow ever weaker. The immense discharge of power starting to take its toll on him. He summons up one last attack and blasts Semi-Perfect Cell back into the hole a final time. Overcome with exhaustion, he finally falls to the ground. On Kami's Lookout, Goku senses the danger his friend is in and becomes enraged. Semi-Perfect Cell exits the hole, annoyed by the fact that such a 'pitiful man' kept him at bay long enough for the Androids to escape. Semi-Perfect Cell flies down to Tien, and kicks the warrior in the side, Tien is thrown back, and is stopped when his arm and shoulder go slamming into a nearby rock. Semi-Perfect Cell smirks and floats into the air. He begins to power up and raises his hand to blast him. Goku, sensing Cell's power level rising, stands up, enraged, and disappears in a flash using the Instant Transmission. Gohan wonders where his father went.

Tien uses the Neo Tri-Beam to stall Semi-Perfect Cell

Semi-Perfect Cell, still smirking, fixes his sites on the wounded Tien, but before he can snuff out the brave warrior's life, Goku appears before Tien. Semi-Perfect Cell is surprised by the appearance of the legendary Saiyan, and lowers his hand. Goku demands Semi-Perfect Cell to leave Tien alone, but does not wish to fight because he knows he is not yet powerful enough. Semi-Perfect Cell laughs at the fact that Goku is 'afraid' to battle him. Suddenly, Goku senses another power, that is Piccolo, still alive after the See Ya! blast from Cell. Goku picks up Tien, and uses his teleport move to get to the edge of the island. There, he finds Piccolo, unconscious, but alive. He pulls Piccolo from the water, as Cell realizes carelessness on not killing the Namek. Goku puts him on his back, promising help for his friends but before he can teleport again, Semi-Perfect Cell makes his intentions known. He wants to battle Goku, here, and now. Semi-Perfect Cell launches himself at the defenseless Goku, who holds his two friends. Just as Semi-Perfect Cell is about to deliver a devastating blow, Goku disappears with his friends to safety, leaving Semi-Perfect Cell surprised, and wanting to know how to do the move Goku had just done. Cell then decides to pursue his targets and goes off.

Tien onto the ground after using the Neo Tri-Beam

Back at Kami's Lookout, Goku has returned with Piccolo and Tien. He tells Gohan to get some Senzu Beans from Korin to aid their friends. During all this, Krillin is still on his way to meet Bulma. Finally, he finds her and gets the Shut Down Remote from her. Bulma also has a gift for Krillin and the others: battle suits like Vegeta's. Krillin tells her to take them to Kami's Lookout, as the others are there. Bulma flies off on her plane, leaving Krillin with the daunting task of getting within 10 meters of the Androids in order to use the device. Now fully healed by the power of the Senzu Beans, Tien and Piccolo stand up. As Piccolo gives them the bad news of Semi-Perfect Cell being too powerful for any of them, Mr. Popo interrupts, telling the group that Vegeta and Future Trunks may finally be exiting the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. The five rush to the entrance to the room, and it slowly begins to open (adding to the suspense), as they look on, Future Trunks exits, his clothes torn and his hair grown long. Vegeta exits after him, his clothes also torn.

Major Events

• Goku comes face to face with Cell for the first time and saves Piccolo and Tien Shinhan.
• Krillin receives the Shut Down Remote from Bulma.
• Vegeta and Future Trunks leave the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

Battles

• Tien vs. Cell (Semi-Perfect Cell)

Appearances

Characters

Goku Gohan Krillin Yamcha Master Roshi Chiaotzu Chi-Chi Mr. Popo Bulma

Trunks Tien Shinhan Piccolo Future Trunks Vegeta Android 16 Android 18 Cell

Locations

• Tropical Islands
• Kame House
• The Lookout

Objects

• Airplane
• Shut Down Remote

Bruce Faulconer tracks

• "The Dragon Theme" - When Tien Shinhan uses the Neo Tri-Beam on Cell.

Differences from the manga

• Chiaotzu urging Yamcha and Master Roshi to help Tien is exclusive to the anime.

Trivia

• This is the second episode with the title "Sacrifice", and both episodes involve Tien Shinhan using his Tri-Beam and putting his life on the line to stop a villain. The uncut dub of the episode in the Vegeta Saga with the same title was named after this one.

Gallery

Cell Tien attacks Cell with the Neo Tri-Beam Tien continues his relentless assault against Cell Cell, pounded by Tien's Neo Tri-Beam Cell struggles against the Neo Tri-Beam assault Cell hurt by Tien Cell realizes Android 18 and Android 16 are escaping Goku at Kami's Lookout Tien, exhausted from the repeated attacks Tien prepares to launch another attack Cell Cell attempts to escape Tien fires a final attack Cell is hammered by the Neo Tri-Beam Tien after finishing his assault Tien collapses Yamcha, Chiaotzu and Master Roshi feel Tien's life force diminish Cell infuriated Goku stares at Cell Goku comes to Tien's rescue Trunks sees Krillin heading towards him and Bulma Future Trunks coming out from the Time Chamber