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like the title says, was cell going super saiyan when he powered up in all his forms, or was he using some kind of derivative powerup that is exclusive to him and just resembles super saiyan?

The 2nd one.

wut?

using some kind of derivative powerup that is exclusive to him and just resembles super saiyan

It think it's him legitimately using the SSJ powerup, tbh.

-Cell has Saiyan cells incorporated into his being.
-He can use energy attacks, like Goku's Kamehameha, because of the Saiyan cells.
-When the Z Fighters originally sensed his ki, they noted that was indistinguishable from that of Goku/Vegeta because of the Saiyan cells.
-He can receive zenkais because of the Saiyan cells.
-Perfect Cell's power auras were identical to the SSJ auras of the Saiyans themselves -- SPC even had the trademark 'lightning bolts' of SSJ2, for example.

TBH I always thought he was using super saiyan, cause of the aura.

He definitely was, especially evident when he was Super Perfect Cell, it was SSJ2.

Originally posted by Galan007
It think it's him legitimately using the SSJ powerup, tbh.

-Cell has Saiyan cells incorporated into his being.
-He can use energy attacks, like Goku's Kamehameha, because of the Saiyan cells.
-When the Z Fighters originally sensed his ki, they noted that was indistinguishable from that of Goku/Vegeta because of the Saiyan cells.
-He can receive zenkais because of the Saiyan cells.
-Perfect Cell's power auras were identical to the SSJ auras of the Saiyans themselves -- SPC even had the trademark 'lightning bolts' of SSJ2, for example. But then again, he was still weaker than injured SSJ2 Gohan even after the Zenkai and supposed SSJ2 transformation. 🤔

Originally posted by Adam Grimes
But then again, he was still weaker than injured SSJ2 Gohan even after the Zenkai and supposed SSJ2 transformation. 🤔

To be fair, he got distracted.

Originally posted by Adam Grimes
But then again, he was still weaker than injured SSJ2 Gohan even after the Zenkai and supposed SSJ2 transformation. 🤔

He got distracted tho, he easily hurt Gohan with a casual blast and broke his arm