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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Cells at Work!

Cells at Work! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akane Shimizu.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Cells at Work! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akane Shimizu. It depicts anthropomorphized cells inside a human body, combining action, comedy, and educational material about biology. The manga was later adapted into an anime television series and spawned several spin-offs and related works.

Premise

The story follows anthropomorphic cells living and working inside a human body. Episodes and chapters often dramatize immune responses, circulation, and other bodily processes while keeping the presentation entertaining and educational.

Publication history

Akane Shimizu created the manga, which was serialized in Monthly Shōnen Sirius from 2015 to 2021. Kodansha USA licensed the series for North American publication.

Anime adaptation

David Production adapted the manga into an anime television series that premiered in July 2018. The adaptation ran for two seasons and brought wider international attention to the franchise.

The franchise expanded into multiple spin-off manga, including Cells at Work! Code Black, which presents a darker setting. Related educational publications also used the characters to explain human anatomy for younger readers.

Key facts

  • The manga is set inside the body of an adult human, where cells are personified as characters performing biological functions.
  • The main characters are a red blood cell, AE3803, and a white blood cell, U-1146.
  • The manga was serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Shōnen Sirius from January 2015 to January 2021.
  • The anime adaptation aired from 2018 to 2021 and ran for two seasons.
  • The franchise inspired spin-offs, including Cells at Work! Code Black.
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Canadian context

The franchise has been licensed in North America by Kodansha USA, making it available to Canadian readers through English-language manga distribution.

Frequently asked questions

What is Cells at Work!?
It is a Japanese manga series by Akane Shimizu about anthropomorphized cells inside the human body.
What are the main characters?
The central characters are a rookie red blood cell, AE3803, and a white blood cell, U-1146.
When was the manga published?
It ran in Monthly Shōnen Sirius from January 2015 to January 2021.
Was Cells at Work! adapted into an anime?
Yes. David Production adapted it into a television anime that premiered in 2018 and ran for two seasons.
What is Cells at Work! Code Black?
It is a spin-off manga set in a less healthy body environment, with a darker tone than the main series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cells_at_Work!
    Supports: Core series description, creator, serialization dates, and main characters.
  2. Anime News Network — https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=18165
    Supports: Alternative titles and plot summary of the manga.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Cells_at_Work!_episodes
    Supports: Anime adaptation, studio, premiere date, and season run.
  4. Kodansha — https://kbirc.kodansha.co.jp/books/2382
    Supports: Educational related book using the Cells at Work! characters and publication details.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cells_at_Work!_Code_Black
    Supports: Spin-off manga and its darker setting.