The popular manga "Cells at Work!", whose long-awaited anime adaptation began in July 2018, is a unique work that depicts the daily lives of the trillions of cells that reside within the human body.
Source: Cells at Work © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
In this manga, each cell carries out its assigned role every day. Some cells, like red blood cells, carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, while others, like white blood cells, have the role of eliminating bacteria and viruses that invade the body from outside.
One of the highlights of "Cells at Work" is the constant troubles that occur within the body. Every time this happens, the cells inside the body fight desperately, from bacterial invasion to injuries and illnesses.
Source: Cells at Work! © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
So, you're probably wondering, who is the strongest character in "Cells at Work!"? This time, I'd like to present my subjective and biased ranking of the strongest characters in "Cells at Work!". Let's find out which character is the strongest and find out the ranking below.
Ranked characters include cells, bacteria, viruses, and more.
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
This ranking covers all characters that appear in volumes 1 through 5 of "Cells at Work!". This includes not only the cells themselves, but also the bacteria that invade our bodies.
It's interesting to see how the rankings turn out.
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
Now, let's take a look at the strength rankings for "Cells at Work!" characters.
"Cells at Work" Strength Ranking: #10: Platelets
Source: Cells at Work © Shimizu Akane / Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
He looks like a young elementary school student, so he doesn't look strong at all. It's true that he doesn't actually participate in combat against bacteria, and even when he does fight, he's not very strong.
However, platelets' 10th place ranking is due to their unique abilities. Their primary role is to form clots to seal wounds when blood vessels are damaged by abrasions or other injuries.
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
Sealing wounds helps prevent the entry of bacteria from outside the body. This function can sometimes turn the tide between bacteria and white blood cells in the body, allowing the cells to emerge victorious.
Although it may look weak, it has been ranked 10th because of its important role in crucial situations.
Platelets also produce the familiar scabs
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
You've probably seen scabs form when you get a scrape or other injury. This is also caused by the action of platelets.
Scabs form when a secondary clot, formed by collecting red blood cells and other blood cells around a clot made of fibrin, dries.
The scabs you see every day are also made by platelets.
"Cells at Work" Strength Ranking: 9th Place: Pneumococcus
Source: Cells at Work © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
This is the bacterium that appeared in episode 1. This is a bacterium that invades the alveoli, destroying red blood cells and causing pneumonia. In the anime, it also targeted red blood cells. It puts up a good fight against white blood cells, and eventually reaches the lungs by blending in with the red blood cells' cargo.
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
However, thanks to a strategy by the white blood cells, the pneumococcus was guided to the bronchi and expelled from the body through a sneeze. While the bacteria is strong enough to be defeated by white blood cells, it has unique characteristics of pneumococcus, and can sometimes be overwhelmingly powerful against red blood cells, which is why it ranked 9th.
Fighting Using the Capsule
Source: Cells at Work! © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a type of bacteria known as an encapsulated bacterium. This type of bacterium uses something called a capsule to protect itself.
In the battle against white blood cells, the capsule can be used to block attacks and immobilize the enemy.
"Cells at Work!" Strength Ranking: 8th Place: Eosinophil
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane / Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
Eosinophil is a female character with blonde pigtails. He wears a pink jumpsuit and fights with a forked spear. He has a strong sense of justice and immediately challenges bacteria when they appear, but he's completely powerless against them. So why is eosinophil ranked 8th?
Source: Cells at Work © Shimizu Akane / Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
The reason lies in eosinophils' specialties. Eosinophils are also specialists in fighting parasites. Compared to bacteria, parasites are large and therefore formidable opponents for cells. However, eosinophils are good opponents and prevent parasites from infecting the body.
The Turn of the Shield After Defeating a Parasite
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
Completely ineffective against bacteria, eosinophils are considered weak by surrounding cells. However, after defeating a parasite, the surrounding cells turn on them with a bang.
Eosinophils aren't used to receiving compliments, so they're beaming when they receive praise from those around them.
"Cells at Work" Strength Ranking: 7th Place: B Cells
Source: Cells at Work © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
The function of B cells is to create antibodies (antibodies) to combat antigens based on the information contained in the antigen. These antibodies allow them to wipe out surrounding bacteria. No matter how hard white blood cells and other cells are fighting, as long as B cells produce antibodies, they can turn the situation around in one fell swoop. Although they don't have basic fighting abilities, they have characteristics that other cells don't have, which is why they're ranked 7th.
The Combination with Memory Cells is Important
Source: Cells at Work © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
In order for B cells to produce antibodies, they need information about antigens. When bacteria invade the body, they cannot act until they receive antigen information from dendritic cells or other sources. However, if the bacteria have previously invaded the body, the antigen information is recorded by memory cells, and they can obtain the antigen information from there.
Therefore, the combination of B cells and memory cells is extremely important for the body. However, memory cells often forget antigen information.
"Cells at Work!" Strength Ranking: 6th Place: Neutrophil
Source: Cells at Work © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
This white blood cell is the protagonist of the story. It is said that there are approximately 3,500 to 7,000 white blood cells per μL in the body. When bacteria or viruses invade the body, they react immediately and go into battle. In the story, neutrophils are usually cool-headed, but when it comes to fighting bacteria in particular, they display a fierce fighting spirit.
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
Due to their appearance, they are seen as eccentric by the surrounding cells, but their ability to eliminate bacteria and viruses earned them sixth place.
Neutrophils Have Various Abilities
Source: Cells at Work! © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
Neutrophils have acquired various abilities to protect the body from bacteria and other microorganisms. For example, they possess "receptors," which act like radars and detect bacteria. They also have the ability to absorb and break down bacteria (phagocytosis) and move freely within tissues (migration).
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
As internal combatants, they have versatile abilities.
"Cells at Work" Strength Ranking: 5th Place: Cancer Cells
Source: Cells at Work © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
Cancer cells rank 5th among pathogens. Cancer cells originate in the body, but when genetic abnormalities occur, they grow uncontrollably, eroding the body and eventually threatening life.
Cancer cells not only multiply and grow in power, but also possess high combat power. In the story, they fight evenly against neutrophils, killer T cells, and NK cells. They can also hijack regulatory T cells to prevent them from attacking them.
Source: Cells at Work © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
Cancer cells are humanity's greatest enemy. Even within the story, they boast unrivaled strength.
Holding a grudge against immune cells
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
Cancer cells were originally created due to genetic abnormalities, but in the story, there are scenes where they are unreasonably pursued by immune cells despite doing nothing. As a result, they harbor a strong grudge against immune cells and plot to take over the human body.
Even when he is defeated by neutrophils, NK cells, and killer T cells, he thinks of his sad fate, "I was simply born..."
"Cells at Work" Strength Ranking: 4th Place: Killer T Cells
Source: Cells at Work © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
Killer T Cells are a type of lymphocyte. They act as internal killers, eliminating bacteria, viruses, and other nemesis under the command of helper T cells. They are muscular, aggressive, and have a strong appearance.
They also have a high killing ability against bacteria, protecting the body like an elite force.
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane / Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
There are several types of killer T cells, including immature naive T cells that have never encountered an antigen, and effector T cells, which have the ability to divide and proliferate.
Childhood: Surviving the Trials of Thymus School
Source: Cells at Work! © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
Before becoming fully-fledged killer T cells, they undergo rigorous training at Thymus School. The training at Thymus School is rigorous, and it's said that only a small percentage of killer T cells become fully-fledged. The central character in Killer T Cell was a dropout at Thymus School, but through daily effort and later help from Helper T Cells, he was able to graduate.
"Cells at Work" Strength Ranking: 3rd Place: NK Cells
Source: Cells at Work © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
NK cells are lymphocytes that patrol the body and attack cancer cells and virus-infected cells. Despite being a combat specialist, he possesses high combat abilities, which is why he ranked third.
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane / Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
In the story, he takes part in the battle against cancer cells, and although he struggles, he somehow manages to defeat them. He also has a bitter relationship with Killer T Cells, and often teases them when they are present at the scene.
Laughing Powers Up
Source: Cells at Work! © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
NK cells are unique in that they are powered up by substances secreted through laughter. Conversely, they become extremely weakened when under severe stress.
NK cells' strength changes depending on the individual's situation.
"Cells at Work" Strength Ranking: 2nd Place: Macrophage
Source: Cells at Work © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that captures and kills foreign substances such as bacteria, and also detects antigens and immune signals. Their killing power is so high that watching them in battle can even inspire fear. They have no trouble even against bacteria, so they are thought to be the strongest in the body.
Source: Cells at Work! © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
Macrophages possess a high level of combat prowess unmatched by other cells, even against swarms of viruses, wielding a machete with a smile or wielding a brute force.
They are also powerful immune cells known as monocytes, with high phagocytic and migratory abilities. When monocytes leave the bloodstream, they transform into monocytes.
A Hitman and a Nursery School Teacher
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane / Kodansha, Aniplex, davidproduction
Macrophages have a high killing power, but they are also nursery school teachers involved in the development of erythroblasts before they become red blood cells. She's a mysterious woman with many roles, including assassin, cleaner, and nursery teacher.
"Cells at Work!" Strength Ranking: #1: Steroids
Steroids are drugs called "corticosteroids," and their powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties can suppress allergic reactions.
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
His powers are overwhelming, and in the story, he wipes out all the cedar pollen in an instant. The cells, not really understanding what he's doing, are terrified by his relentless attack.
Although he only appears once in the story, he leaves quite an impact, which is why he's ranked him number one.
Side Effects of Steroids
Source: Cells at Work! © Shimizu Akane/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
Steroids have powerful effects, but as seen in the series, taking too much can cause serious side effects. When using steroids, be sure to follow the dosage instructions.
Summary
Source: Cells at Work! © Akane Shimizu/Kodansha, Aniplex, David Production
What did you think of the "Cells at Work!" strength ranking? From cells to pathogens, a wide variety of characters have appeared. It will be interesting to see if even stronger characters emerge as the series progresses.
