Why is Super Perfect Cell considered a rival to SSJ2 Gohan?

[GSM123]

All Cell does is hurt an off guard Gohan who underestimated him and get stalled by a weakened Gohan. I doubt Cell was toying because he took his time charging the Kamehameha and he literally screams “Die!” before firing it. Gohan holding his own is a genuine feat here.

 

[SIAD]

I think SPC is at the level of Kid Gohan SSJ2 (Relaxed), Kid Gohan SSJ2 (Enraged) should be much more powerful.

I think it's what you said, Gohan got overconfident and took that beam. Maybe that beam had a small amplifier.

As for the clash of Kamehamehas, Cell's Kamehameha was serious, maybe not at 100%, but a relatively close percentage.

Gohan finally unleashes his true power when he uses a Rage Blast and finishes off SPC.

 

[SSJ2]

Cell says he powered up like Son Gohan.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

Cell says he powered up like Son Gohan.

& all the visual evidence from a story-telling perspective, such as having SSJ2 electricity. Clearly that was to give you a hint. He’s SSJ2 level now.

 

[SSJ2]

Yeah exactly. The context is that Cell is a threat now. Cell himself is confident in his chances upon returning. Gohan's own confidence doesn't invalidate Cell being around his level. Cell dishing out that much damage with a weak blast is what makes Gohan wake up to the fact that he is in fact that strong.

 

[GSM123]

@SSJ2 @Fantastische Hure that just means he powered up. It’s too vague to say they’re rivals just because they’re both SSJ2s.

Toriyama nerfing Gohan right before they clash seems unnecessary if Cell was already a threat to FP Gohan. Goku had no doubt that Gohan had the advantage and would win as soon as he went all out.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

AT could have just had him power-up with-out the electricity. What was the point of it, if not for that? Cell also has Saiya-Jin DNA. The electricity could hint at him having un-locked SSJ2.

Then there’s also Gohan saying Cell had powered more than he thought later-on.

Then there’s also Cell coming-back right-away after being revived. Why would he come-back if he didn’t stand a chance? For reference, he was going to blow himself-up before just because he was on the losing-end. Are you saying Cell was suicidal?

 

[SIAD]

@GSM123 Exactly.

I realized that Goku in the CG would be Gregg Braden, since Goku knew that Gohan would defeat Cell, but he didn't know how or when; he only knew that Gohan would defeat Cell.

 

[GSM123]

AT could have just had him power-up with-out the electricity. What was the point of it, if not for that? Cell also has Saiya-Jin DNA. The electricity could hint at him having un-locked SSJ2.

Then there’s also Gohan saying Cell had powered more than he thought later-on.

Then there’s also Cell coming-back right-away after being revived. Why would he come-back if he didn’t stand a chance? For reference, he was going to blow himself-up before just because he was on the losing-end. Are you saying Cell was suicidal?

Toriyama could also have given us a more direct statement instead of drawing sparks.

Because Gohan thought he could take Cell’s attack and come out unharmed.

I mean, Cell also wanted to challenge SSJ2 Gohan… and thought he could beat Super Vegeta…

 

[Pakl]

& all the visual evidence from a story-telling perspective, such as having SSJ2 electricity. Clearly that was to give you a hint. He’s SSJ2 level now.

I remember the old days where noobs were going out with the Gohan beat Cell at less than half power. Critical thinking isn't a strong side of lots of Dragon Ball fans.

 

[Warmmedown]

@SSJ2 @Fantastische Hure that just means he powered up. It’s too vague to say they’re rivals just because they’re both SSJ2s.

Toriyama nerfing Gohan right before they clash seems unnecessary if Cell was already a threat to FP Gohan. Goku had no doubt that Gohan had the advantage and would win as soon as he went all out.

Goku's not gonna tell Gohan he can't do it. In the end Gohan needed Vegeta's distraction.
Cell was nerfed too, because he had to use ki to regenerate.

 

[SSJ2]

Toriyama could also have given us a more direct statement instead of drawing sparks.

Because Gohan thought he could take Cell’s attack and come out unharmed.

I mean, Cell also wanted to challenge SSJ2 Gohan… and thought he could beat Super Vegeta…

These are different scenarios though. Semi Cell is more akin to Full Power Perfect Cell in terms of their confidence. They both seemingly failed to sense the ki of Vegeta and Gohan respectively, yet were fully confident in their abilities. They both lost and came back stronger than before as Perfect Cell and Super Perfect Cell, both of which had newfound confidence thanks to losing in their prior forms. His previous arrogance doesn't invalidate his newfound confidence.

 

[DBZAOTA482]

Not really... he's at best a distant rival.

 

[DBZAOTA482]

The fact SPC crippled Gohan without serious intent tells us he's at least somewhat close to SSJ2 Gohan's level.

 

[ahill]

Because he was a fucking boss when he came back. But he was killed in like 3 chapters so rival in power but not rival like... Yeah I think you can call him a rival because he pushed Gohan to his limits.in terms of power tho close but not as strong as Gohan. Let's say SSJ2 Gohan was a 100 and SPC was a 90. Enough to put up a tough fight and give Gohan a fucking run for his money but Gohan would ultimately put him down if they fought in a direct hand to hand fight with SSJ2 Gohan at FP

 

[sei'taer]

Because people have been using a bunch of vague statements that don't really mean anything to argue against Gohan stating that he lost half his chi for like ten years.

Still the stupidest thing argument y'all brought to pojo.

 

[Power Level Guy]

Cell says he powered up like Son Gohan.

Cell literally states it and even has a matching aura to Gohan's. It couldn't be clearer.

 

[Power Level Guy]

Toriyama nerfing Gohan right before they clash seems unnecessary if Cell was already a threat to FP Gohan. Goku had no doubt that Gohan had the advantage and would win as soon as he went all out.

It's for drama.

Cell is as strong as Gohan. Oh no!

Cell caught Gohan off guard, it's all over!

Miraculous Rocky-styled comeback making the peak anime moment of all time. It was super necessary.

 

[Spiral-Force]

Both were capable of causing serious harm to the other when defense is lacking. A fighter can have a FP blast win-con and still be faced with a high-diff battle (ex. Goku vs Kid Buu).