Why did Cell target Trunks?

[mystic trunks]

I never understood why Cell targeted Trunks when he came back in that cloud...

[MCDaveG]

He hated long haired playboys

[Kaboom]

As I recall, he didn't seem to know who it was. He came out of it wondering, "who did I hit...? Ah, it was Trunks."

[mystic trunks]

Oh. Because in the dub he said, "Ah, my aim is as good as ever".

[Kaboom]

Yep! Problem solved! Thank you, FUNimation dub script!

[Cold Skin]

Scenario-wise, he didn't know who it would be, and Trunks ended up being the victim.

Practical-wise, Toriyama probably chose Trunks cause he had never died so far and therefore could be brought back with the Dragon Balls at the end, on the contrary of other warriors in the Dragon Team, which is convenient to create a dramatic scene which can later be fixed.

Also, to have a character lose their mind and attack Cell out of rage so that Gohan has to sacrifice part of his health to protect him, Vegeta was perfect, and therefore losing was:

1. The perfect trigger so that he loses his mind and acts silly.
2. The perfect conclusion of the "I'm learning to care about my son" character arc.

[NightShroud_BE]

Some people say that Cell targeted Trunks because he's a half-blood saiyan just like gohan and he probably feared someone like that seeing he got his ass kicked by Gohan.
But just firing at someone sounds like Cell so I take it.

[The Time Traveller]

Oh. Because in the dub he said, "Ah, my aim is as good as ever".

Hahaha, wow, that's terrible...

[Savage68]

No, it isn't. Not for a dub line.

[B]

It shows a lack of concern for context, at the very least. It's also the reason this thread exists.

[Savage68]

Wait, wait, wait...

A dub line...that shows lack of concern for the context of the story?!

o_O

[Ultimate_DB_Fan]

Here we go...

[Kaboom]

Wait, wait, wait...
A dub line...that shows lack of concern for the context of the story?!
o_O

Yes, dub dialogue has a tendency to do that. But let's not let the topic veer too far off in that direction, hmm?