The previously aired anime "Cells at Work!" was a story about human body cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which were personified and worked tirelessly inside the body every day. The charming and comical cells soothe the viewer, while also making them think about their own physical condition and health. Did you know that "Cells at Work!" has spin-off series? There are several, one of which is "Cells at Work! BLACK." It's been announced that this work will be adapted into an anime in 2021! We'll explain what kind of work it is and how it differs from the original "Cells at Work!".
What is "Cells at Work! BLACK"?
Like "Cells at Work!", "Cells at Work! BLACK" tells the story of cells working inside the body. Similar characters, such as red blood cells and white blood cells, appear. However, the biggest difference from "Cells at Work!", is that the body in which these cells work, belongs to a man who works at a highly competitive company. Daily stress, alcohol use, smoking, lack of sleep, and other factors gradually erode the body, directly conveying how these effects affect the cells. The story's content resonates deeply with adults living in modern society, making it a work aimed at adults.
"Cells at Work" is Fun for Kids Too
On the other hand, the previously aired anime version of "Cells at Work" was a show that could be enjoyed by a wide range of generations, from children to adults. Of course, there were difficult moments like colds and the flu, but the story was portrayed in a humorous and fun way. The main character, a female character called "Red Blood Cell," was also lively and energetic.
Gender Reversal? "Cells at Work! BLACK" also features different characters.
In the original "Cells at Work!", the story revolved around a cute new girl named "Red Blood Cell." Though she occasionally made mistakes, she steadily grew with the help of her seniors and the reliable male character "White Blood Cell." Also, "Platelets," who look like kindergarteners, are incredibly cute and hardworking, likely comforting many viewers. However, the characters featured in this "Cells at Work! BLACK" are completely different. It's set in a so-called "parallel world."
Red Blood Cell is Male, White Blood Cell is Female
First, to give you a clear idea, the main character, Red Blood Cell, is a male character, while White Blood Cell is a female character. While Red Blood Cell is still a new employee, he wears glasses and has a serious appearance. While he struggles to grow despite being overwhelmed by various things within the body of a man working at a black company, White Blood Cell is also noteworthy for being a sexy character. His overall appearance is white, with one eye hidden, similar to the original "Cells at Work" series. However, he has extremely large breasts, so large that the front of his clothes are unbuttoned. While they're still reliable and will help the red blood cells out in times of need, their sexy and charming battle scenes are also a highlight. True to their white blood cell roots, they defeat their enemies without caring if they're covered in blood.
Stress! The world of "Cells at Work! BLACK" is quite serious.
The original "Cells at Work!" series didn't have many serious elements, and the story progressed with occasional comedic moments. However, this isn't the case in "Cells at Work! BLACK." Repeated stress has left the body of the man in whose hands the cells live in a state of disrepair. In these harsh conditions, the cells are forced to fight for their lives, creating a rather serious worldview. Sometimes they witness the brutal deaths of their comrades, and sometimes their own lives are in danger, but they have no choice but to continue working 365 days a year. It's a somewhat hopeless situation.
The Cells Are Working Under Scrupulous Conditions
The man who owns the body works for a scrupulous company, but the body itself has also become a scrupulous company. It's a harsh situation where the cells have no choice but to carry out orders from above under overwhelming stress, constantly putting their lives at risk. It's ironic that not only the individual but also the cells themselves are working at a black company. Angry bosses and daily troubles. Bumpy blood vessels and poor footing make the cells' working conditions worsen with each passing day.
Unpleasant Working Environment
With adrenaline pumping through the body due to stress hormones, the orders of superiors become increasingly harsh. Nutrients are also becoming weaker overall, making it difficult for red blood cells to transport oxygen to peripheral cells. In order to sustain life, oxygen to the peripheral regions becomes a lower priority. Naturally, complaints arise from the bottom up, leaving us caught between a rock and a hard place. Other problems, such as the illegal dumping of cholesterol, are compounding our daily problems.
"Cells at Work! BLACK" teaches us the dangers of damaging our bodies.
For example, in the original version of "Cells at Work!", we learn how cells respond to our bodies' conditions, such as what happens when we sneeze, what happens when we catch a cold, and what happens when we're injured. This makes it easy to understand how our bodies work. Learning that our cells are actually working hard when we casually scrape ourselves or get infected with a cold virus, many viewers have likely become more aware of their own bodies. "Cells at Work! BLACK" depicts cells struggling for their lives against physical conditions that sting modern working people living in a stressful society.
Smoking
Take cigarettes, for example. While smokers may think they're smoking without much thought, the first episode of the comic brutally depicts what's happening inside the body. One day, the hemoglobin found in large quantities in red blood cells combines with carbon monoxide, causing a sudden increase in the number of oxygen-starved red blood cells. This causes the cells to become unable to transport oxygen, leading to the shrinking of capillaries. The body panics, sensing that some kind of poison has entered the body. And then, pneumococcus enters the bloodstream. The protagonist, the red blood cell, was somehow saved thanks to the appearance of a white blood cell and the destruction of the bacteria, but lost many of his companions.
Intentionally ingesting poison into his body
The surrounding area was covered in blood and the corpses of his companions, a horrific sight unbearable to look at. The cause was the man who owned the body, who had smoked for the first time in 10 years. The protagonist, the red blood cell, naturally wondered, "Why would someone intentionally put poison into my body?" However, reality is cruel, and cigarettes contain addictive substances. In other words, the fact that the body's owner has smoked for the first time in 10 years means that similar tragic events will occur frequently within the body in the future. He will have to witness the tragic deaths of his comrades again, and his own life is in danger. Faced with no other option, the red blood cell falls into despair.
【Cells at Work! BLACK】Summary!
This concludes the explanation of the differences between "Cells at Work! BLACK" and "Cells at Work!". Even from this perspective, the differences between the two are clear. "Cells at Work! BLACK" is not simply a spin-off work. As we live in a stressful society, this work makes us think, "I should take better care of my body" and "I should pay more attention to my health." At times, it can be painful to read. The warm and cozy atmosphere of the original is appealing, but I'm already looking forward to seeing how the compelling world of "Cells at Work! BLACK" will be portrayed in the anime!
