Debuting in 2018, the Cells at Work! anime (based off the manga of the same name written by Akane Shimizu) took fans of both anime and science by storm! The series follows a huge cast of characters, from red blood cells to immune cells, all working tirelessly to sustain the body they inhabit from well-known ailments like the common cold, cancer, and food poisoning. Many viewers may recognize this concept executed in other forms of media, with the most famous example being the 2001 animated film Osmosis Jones, but never before have we seen this premise worked into an anime.
Despite how original of a show Cells at Work! is, many anime lovers may gloss over the show in favor of more mainstream titles like My Hero Academia or One Piece, and while it may never be regarded as one of the greatest anime series of all-time, we've compiled a list of 10 reasons why every single fan of anime should take the time to watch all fourteen episodes of this short-lived series.
10 It's Very Educational
The main selling point of Cells at Work! is that all of the show's characters are based on cells in the body that viewers will instantly recognize from their fifth-grade health class. One of the main characters, AE3803 (referred to as Red Blood Cell), is a red blood cell intent on delivering oxygen to different parts of the body, just like they do in real life. U-1146 (referred to as White Blood Cell), is a white blood cell (more specifically, a neutrophil) that patrols the body, exterminating any pathogens he comes across.
In reality, these cells aren't actually running through cramped corridors or climbing mountains to get the job done, but their personalities and roles in the show are based on their real-life functions. Whenever a new cell or pathogen is introduced, the narrator takes the time to explain their purpose in the body before the viewer can have the chance to get confused. It shouldn't be a surprise that several individuals in the medical community have voiced their support for the show.
9 Catchy Theme Song
A killer theme song is not only crucial for setting the tone of a show, but it serves as an initial intro before the story gets fully underway. Cells at Work!'s theme song fits perfectly with the tone of the show, remaining lighthearted enough so that fans don't expect anything too serious from each episode. Red Blood Cell and White Blood Cell break down their responsibilities while singing, which is even better than having the narrator break them down for us mid-episode.
8 Developing Protagonists
While anime characters often develop as a show progresses, it's hard to believe that the characters in Cells at Work! can undergo dramatic changes, since cells in the body can't just decide to shift careers at the drop of a hat. Red Blood Cell is stuck delivering oxygen, no matter how bad at it she is, but like many of the other characters, she grows to distinguish herself from other cells with each episode. While she's completely clueless in the beginning, she starts to get the hang of things by the last few episodes, and even gets her own student in the final episode, a testament to how far she's come.
Even characters that aren't as central to the narrative, like Killer T Cell, Helper T Cell, and Natural Killer Cell, have their own complex histories, rivalries, and aspirations that make them more than just their jobs.
7 The Power Of Friendship
We can't think of many anime heroes who've defeated a villain without the help of their friends. The heroes in Cells at Work! are no exception. No major villain is defeated by a single cell. Usually, it takes a combination of several different immune cells to take down a threat. White Blood Cell even expresses a dream that one day all cells can coexist in peace.
During the final episode, "Hemorrhagic Shock (Part 2)", Red Blood Cell's memories of her friends is what pushes her to continue delivering oxygen even when it looks like all hope is lost, and in the special episode "The Common Cold", the cells are all seen playing a game of badminton together! Even a pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus, invaded the body in an attempt to avenge their fallen brethren, showing just how deep bonds run in this world.
6 Comedic Moments
No matter how serious, most anime series feature a few comedic beats to lighten the tension every now and then. Cells at Work! isn't at all short of these moments, from seeing other blood cells get tangled up in the Platelets' web, to witnessing the exaggerated bravado of the violent Helper T Cells and Neutrophils. Who said science couldn't be funny?
5 Emotional Transformations
Since the days of Dragon Ball Z, transformations have become a staple in anime. Just like Goku's iconic Super Saiyan transformation, or even the countless Digivolutions we've seen over the years, transformations are usually brought on by a need to step things up to the next level coupled with a deep emotional response. Shimizu has depicted cell changes in unique ways that hit our hearts just as hard as these characters hit these pathogens.
One of the most memorable transformations comes in the third episode, "Influenza". Without giving away too much, Naive T Cell's inevitable transformation into Effector T Cell is spurred by an intense emotion, which is why the payoff is so great (and hilarious).
4 Action-Packed Battles
Since the body is always under attack by foreign substances, there are no shortage of enemies in Cells at Work!. And with the diverse abilities of the immune cells and pathogens, viewers can be sure that no two fights will ever be the same.
From watching the neutrophils dual-wield their knives to slice through bacteria, to seeing the macrophages pound an enemy to death with their gigantic mallets and clubs, viewers will enjoy seeing the immune cells pushed to their limits with every new challenge they encounter.
3 Terrifying Villains
Anime villains have always been foreboding and monstrous, bent on destroying the world with their immense reserves of power. Most of the pathogens and parasites that invade the body are as far from human-looking as possible, which makes it easy to root for their defeat.
2 Unpredictable Plot Twists
While there are many predictable motifs in anime (for instance, fans know to expect a beatdown when an old man steps up to fight), a truly great series features some plot twists that no one could see coming.
Though Cells at Work! sticks to realistic solutions to whatever problem the body encounters, the show does a great job at building suspense with each illness and taking viewers by surprise with the solution.
1 Life Lessons At Every Turn
Though it's a guarantee that viewers of Cells at Work! will walk away with a bit more knowledge about the human body, they're also just as likely to walk away with some important life lessons. Without giving away too much, Red Blood Cell's perseverance and dedication to a job that she's not yet very good at can in turn inspire viewers to give their all if they find themselves in a similar predicament.
White Blood Cell's goal of creating a world where all cells can live in harmony can compel viewers to spread kindness to everyone they come across in their own daily lives. Even cells like Naive T Cell and Eosinophil, who discover their necessary purpose after doubting their own abilities for a large part of their respective episodes, both teach viewers to never put themselves down when comparing themselves to others. If viewers are paying close attention to every episode, they'll not only walk away with a bigger brain, but a stronger spirit as well.