Cells at Work! Code Black
Cells at Work! Code Black is a Japanese seinen manga series written by Shigemitsu Harada and illustrated by Issei Hatsuyoshiya, serving as a spin-off to Akane Shimizu's original Cells at Work! franchise.[1][2] The narrative anthropomorphizes human cells as they labor to sustain an adult body overwhelmed by poor health habits, including chronic overwork, smoking, obesity, and resulting conditions like diabetes and bacterial infections, portraying a grim environment where cell turnover is rapid and morale low.[3] Unlike the original series' depiction of a healthy, optimistic child's body, Code Black emphasizes systemic failures from lifestyle choices, with protagonists—a rookie red blood cell (AA2153) and a battle-hardened neutrophil white blood cell (U-1196, gender-swapped from the original pairing)—facing existential threats amid ethical dilemmas like rationing limited resources.[4][5] Serialized in Kodansha's Morning magazine from June 2018 to January 2021 and compiled into ten volumes by Kodansha Comics, the series highlights causal links between host behaviors and cellular distress, such as elevated stress hormones exacerbating inflammation.[1][6] An anime adaptation, directed by Hideyo Yamamoto and produced by Liden Films, aired for 13 episodes from January to March 2021, maintaining the manga's educational focus on physiology while amplifying its dramatic tension through fluid action sequences of immune responses.[7][8] Notable for its unflinching portrayal of bodily decay without moralizing, the work has been recognized for blending moe anthropomorphism with realistic depictions of disease progression, though some critiques note its intensity may overwhelm casual viewers.[9][10]Production
Conception and Development
Cells at Work! Code Black was developed as a spin-off manga from the original Cells at Work! series created by Akane Shimizu, with story by Shigemitsu Harada and artwork by Issei Hatsuyoshiya.[11] The project aimed to extend the anthropomorphic depiction of bodily cells into a harsher scenario, portraying their operations within an adult human host enduring chronic overwork, smoking, poor nutrition, and high stress—conditions reflective of real-world lifestyle factors contributing to physiological decline.[1] This contrasts the original series' setting in a generally healthy, youthful body, emphasizing empirical consequences of sustained unhealthy habits on cellular function rather than portraying systemic exploitation as the sole driver.[12] Serialization commenced in Kodansha's Morning magazine, a publication targeting adult male readers, starting with the combined 25th and 26th issue on June 21, 2018. Creative decisions included reversing the genders of the primary protagonists—a male red blood cell (AA2153) as the novice delivery worker overwhelmed by the body's deteriorating infrastructure, and a female neutrophil (NT4201) as the battle-hardened fighter—adapting the dynamic to underscore fatigue and survival pressures in an aged, abused system.[13] The narrative drew from observable health impacts of Japanese work practices involving long hours and neglect of self-care, framing the host's choices as precipitating the "code black" emergency state akin to medical crisis protocols.[14] The series concluded serialization on January 21, 2021, in the magazine's 6th issue, spanning approximately 32 chapters compiled into eight tankōbon volumes by Kodansha. This endpoint aligned with the planned arc resolution, avoiding prolongation amid the host body's progressive failures depicted through cellular perspectives grounded in biological realism.[15]Manga Serialization
Cells at Work! Code Black was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Morning seinen manga magazine from June 7, 2018, to January 21, 2021.[16] The series, written by Shigemitsu Harada and illustrated by Issei Hatsuyoshi, debuted as a spin-off of the original Cells at Work! exploring cellular functions within an unhealthy adult human body. It ran for approximately 32 chapters without extended interruptions beyond a brief hiatus from September to October 2019.[17] The manga was compiled into eight tankōbon volumes, with the first released on October 5, 2018, and the final volume published on February 22, 2021, marking the conclusion of the story arc.[16] In North America, Kodansha USA licensed the series for English-language release, beginning with volume 1 on December 17, 2019.[18] Distribution included physical tankōbon editions through Kodansha and digital formats available via platforms such as BookWalker, enabling access to individual chapters and volumes online. The serialization emphasized episodic crises resolved through cellular efforts, structured in self-contained chapters collected across volumes.[16]Anime Adaptation
The anime adaptation of Cells at Work! Code Black was produced by Liden Films and directed by Hideyo Yamamoto, with series composition and scripting handled by Hayashi Mori.[19] It premiered on January 10, 2021, on Tokyo MX and other Japanese networks, running for 13 episodes until March 28, 2021.[19] Aniplex served as the production company alongside Liden Films.[20] Key voice actors include Junya Enoki as the rookie red blood cell AA2153 (also known as Gen) and Ami Koshimizu as the neutrophil U-1196.[21] The adaptation condenses and rearranges manga chapters to fit the television format, incorporating some original scenes to improve pacing while maintaining core story elements.[22] The series streamed on platforms including Crunchyroll during its initial run and was added to Netflix on March 1, 2025.[23][24] As of October 2025, no second season has been announced, following the manga's conclusion in 2021.[25]