Any meaning behind the head crushing?

[NitroEX]

One of the things I love about the series is going back and trying to find hidden meaning behind the more subtle and overlooked aspects of the story. For example I always noticed that Cell displays more of Android 17's personality after becoming perfect and this is also noticeable during the Cell games. My theory is 17's love of games and wanting to have fun likely spawned the reckless idea for the tournament in the first place and it's something I can't imagine the first form Cell wanting to do. Sure you could just say Cell's personality never changed and he was just more cautious before (which he was) but I think that's a rather boring way to look at and it doesn't give the androids (especially 17) much redemption at the end of the arc. Even if it isn't overtly displayed in any direct way I much prefer the idea of 17 and 18's flawed teenage human traits having a negative effect on Cell and counterbalancing the power increase. Perhaps this inadvertently causes his downfall by making him play with his opponents for the thrill of it. I do realize Goku's cells might also be seen as a cause for his personality but that's more of a stretch to me as I doubt such a small addition of Goku along with everyone else would have any major influence as opposed to absorbing the Androids and the transformation that brings both inside and out.

Anyway that aside I noticed the head crushing happening twice during the Android/Cell arc with 17 stepping on Gero's head and Cell doing the same to 16. Do you think this was some kind of intentional foreshadowing by Toriyama to later events? Was there some sort of symbolic meaning in it happening both times or just coincidence? I want to think there is something more to it but I'de like to hear what you guys think.

[Valerius Dover]

This is great!
Now adding to my personal headcanon! Totally agree with you there.

[Pantalones]

Another interesting thought: Toriyama mentioned recently that #16's appearance was was patterned after Gero's son, who died fighting as a Red Ribbon soldier at some point.

So if Cell's robot-head-stomping tendencies are coming from #17, that means that #17 technically is the one who killed Gero's entire family (Gero himself and the robotic "replacement" for his son.)

[DarkPrince_92]

Cell's eagerness for battle is definitely Saiyan-like. I never considered Android 17's personality affecting Cell's behavior. However, I personally think it was just coincidence. I don't think Toriyama had any hidden intention behind the constant head stomping other than "A head stomp puts one out of their misery".

[EXBadguy]

I say it's a coincidence. No offence or anything, but don't you think that's a ridiculous theory by saying that's foreshadowing? Heck, it could be 17's and Cell's style for all I know. When Frieza stomped Goku into a rock, did Goku pass out?

[NitroEX]

I say it's a coincidence. No offence or anything, but don't you think that's a ridiculous theory by saying that's foreshadowing? Heck, it could be 17's and Cell's style for all I know. When Freeza stomped Goku into a rock, did Goku pass out?

I'm not necessarily claiming the head crushing is foreshadowing exactly but just trying to see if there might be some significance to it since it does happen twice in two important moments to two fairly important characters during that arc of the story. Sure it probably is just coincidence on Toriyama's part but I like to think there could be more to it and it's fun to speculate and connect dots.

Knowing that 16 is apparently based on Gero's son is interesting. Whether Toriyama intended that from the beginning is another question but for now I can buy that.

Cell's eagerness for battle is definitely Saiyan-like.

True..

[Godo]

I would buy that if Cell also held the same pose as 17 did when he had crushed Dr. Gero's head. Otherwise I see it as a coincidence.

Also, I don't believe that Cell's personality traits did come from anyone, and that includes his will to fight.
Cell was programmed to be perfect, and when he achieved that level he wanted to show off his power and abilities, pride in other words. It wasn't about thirst for fight, IMO.

[TheUltimateVegito]

I've always wondered this, but came to the conclusion that it's just a coincidence.

[SingleFringe&Sparks]

I think its just for the shockvalue to emphasize how sadistic and inhuman these characters can be when they're intimidating.

[Marco Polo]

Another "hidden" symbolism is how Gohan's broken arm parallels Future Gohan's severed arm. In both cases it's the left one.

[SingleFringe&Sparks]

Another "hidden" symbolism is how Gohan's broken arm parallels Future Gohan's severed arm. In both cases it's the left one.

That could have been a parallel nod.

[DarkPrince_92]

Another "hidden" symbolism is how Gohan's broken arm parallels Future Gohan's severed arm. In both cases it's the left one.

I think Toriyama just hates left handed people. Whenever someone is "hurt" they always end up holding their left arm. Vegeta does this a lot.