The human body consists of over 37.2 trillion cells, each doing their job to keep the system running smoothly. This microscopic slice of life series follows two of those cells; a cheerful red blood cell and a serious white blood cell.
Using humor and extreme riffs on actual bodily functions to tell a story about how these cells function is refreshing, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. This is the kind of show that’s perfect for anyone looking to learn more about how the body works while having some fun with anthropomorphized cells and a blossoming friendship.
Red Blood Cell
Red Blood Cells, like the white blood cells, are primarily responsible for delivering oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients throughout the body. They are also a type of immune cell that works to prevent disease by fighting off invading bacteria and viruses.
Red blood cells are a very important part of the human body, but they can become a source of infection and other health problems if not properly treated. It is essential to get enough iron, vitamins and other minerals in your diet to maintain a healthy red blood cell count.
Red blood cells are incredibly clumsy and can get lost very easily when ferrying their workload around the body. But that doesn’t discourage them. Instead, they are constantly striving to improve and learn new techniques in order to help their fellow cells and keep the body running efficiently.
White Blood Cell
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes and WBCs, are part of the body’s immune system. They fight off infection and other diseases by killing and destroying pathogens. There are three different types of white blood cells: granulocytes (neutrophils and eosinophils), monocytes, and lymphocytes.
The Cells at Work series is a fun slice of life anime that anthropomorphizes body cells and tells a story about their daily activities in a healthy human body. The series centers around two main characters: a ditsy red blood cell named AE3803 and a relentless white blood cell called U-1146.
Unlike most other animes that feature monsters and fight scenes, the enemies in Cells at Work are dramatized real-life germs and diseases that a human’s body deals with on a regular basis. It is a cute, microscopic slice of life that teaches viewers about bodily defense and allows them to see how the different kinds of cells work together to keep a person safe.
Neutrophil
Neutrophils are one of the key immune cells in the body that fight infections. They travel to the site of an infection and ingest microorganisms and then release enzymes that kill them.
They also stimulate the responses of other immune cells. This is because they have a receptor on their cell surface that allows them to detect chemical gradients of molecules like IL-8, IFN-g, C3a, and C5a.
This Nendoroid of White Blood Cell (Neutrophil) is from the manga series “Cells at Work!” Code Black, and features smooth yet posable joints so you can act out various poses. It comes with three face plates including a determined and combat expression, a knife for combating viruses, interchangeable blood-stained arm parts, and a figma stand.
Platelet
Platelets are tiny discoid shaped non-nucleated blood cells with a diameter of 1-3 mm that originate from bone marrow megakaryocytes and circulate in the body’s blood to play a main role in hemostasis and thrombosis. They help prevent bleeding by moving to the site of a damaged blood vessel, clumping together and forming a clot to stop the bleeding.
They also help to prevent bleeding from surgery or other traumatic injuries. Patients with a condition called thrombocytopenia, which means they don’t have enough of their own platelets, may receive donated platelets to increase their blood levels.
In the anime, Platelets are the leader of a squad of cells that fix wounds and close up holes in the body. They are accompanied by other Cells at Work team members, such as U-1146, Normal Cell, and NK Cell.