Cells at Work! Code Black

CAWCB cover

Cells at Work! Code Black (Hataraku Saibou Black) is a Japanese manga series written by Shigemitsu Harada and illustrated by Issei Hatsuyoshiya. It is a spin-off of the original Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibou) series created by Akane Shimizu. The series is set in the same universe as the original but explores the workings of a human body that is in poor health due to unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol, lack of sleep, stress, and poor diet.

Plot

Cells at Work! Code Black follows the anthropomorphized cells of a male body in a state of constant health crises. The story primarily focuses on a rookie red blood cell, AA2153, and his encounters with various other cells and pathogens as they struggle to maintain the body's health amidst the detrimental conditions caused by the body's neglectful lifestyle. Unlike the original series, which portrays the cells working in a relatively healthy body, Code Black presents a darker and more mature theme, highlighting the consequences of poor health habits on the body's cells.

Characters

• AA2153 - The protagonist, a red blood cell who is new to the job and faces the daunting task of delivering oxygen and nutrients in an environment that is far from ideal.
• U-1196 - A white blood cell (neutrophil) who fights pathogens invading the body. She is one of the few cells that AA2153 befriends, and together, they face numerous challenges.
• Other characters include various types of cells representing different functions within the body, such as platelets, liver cells, and kidney cells, as well as pathogens and bacteria that the cells must combat.

Themes and Reception

The series has been praised for its educational content, as it provides insight into the effects of unhealthy lifestyle choices on the human body through the lens of the cells that work tirelessly to keep the body running. It also delves into themes of perseverance, teamwork, and the importance of taking care of one's health. Cells at Work! Code Black has been noted for its more serious tone and mature themes compared to the original series, making it appealing to an older audience.

Media

The manga was serialized in Kodansha's Morning magazine and has been collected into several tankōbon volumes. An anime adaptation by Liden Films aired from January to March 2021, bringing the story and its characters to life through animation.

See Also

• Cells at Work!
• Human body
• Immune system
• Lifestyle disease