Series synopsis
Cells at Work! CODE BLACK, also known as はたらく細胞BLACK is a Japanese animation action & adventure television series that premiered on Gunma TV on January 10, 2021. It ended on March 21, 2021. It stars Junya Enoki, Yoko Hikasa, Kenjiro Tsuda and KENN.
Alcohol, smoking, and stress—in the body subjected to these irritants, the cells responsible for maintaining life seem to fight a war that never ends. Due to a severe shortage of workers, Red Blood Cell AA2153 has to quickly learn to deliver oxygen and collect carbon dioxide, even in dangerous conditions. Meanwhile, White Blood Cell U-1196 has to do her part by dealing with germs and viruses during life-threatening situations. In the midst of these crises, they have to work together to keep the ...
Premise
Alcohol, smoking, and stress—in the body subjected to these irritants, the cells responsible for maintaining life seem to fight a war that never ends. Due to a severe shortage of workers, Red Blood Cell AA2153 has to quickly learn to deliver oxygen and collect carbon dioxide, even in dangerous conditions. Meanwhile, White Blood Cell U-1196 has to do her part by dealing with germs and viruses during life-threatening situations. In the midst of these crises, they have to work together to keep the body healthy, despite not knowing if their sacrifices will be worthwhile. Cells at Work! Code Black takes a different approach by showing the grittier side of the jobs our cells perform.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Junya Enoki as Red Blood Cell (Erythrocite) (voice)
- Yoko Hikasa as White Blood Cell (Neutrophil) (voice)
- Kenjiro Tsuda as Narrator (voice)
- KENN as Red Blood Cell (voice)
- Lynn as White Bood Cell (Neutrophilic) (voice)
- Yumi Uchiyama as White Bood Cell (Neutrophilic) (voice)
- Takashi Narumi as Gastric Chief Cell (voice)
- Yurika Kubo as Platelet (voice)
Supporting cast
- Hekiru Shiina as Macrophage (voice)
- Sarah Emi Bridcutt as Liver Cell (voice)
- Daisuke Hirakawa as Brain Cell (Command) (voice)
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 13 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 13 | January 10, 2021 | March 21, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Smoking, Bacteria, and the Beginning of the End Inside the human body, the Red Blood Cells that were produced after erythroblast enucleation, watch an orientation video explaining that they will be going to a fun work environment, but they find themselves at the mercy of their seniors who make unreasonable demands to them without explaining anything about the job. Red Blood Cell (AA2153) carries oxygen all over the body while still in a state of bewilderment, and is shocked to find that the cells he saw in the orientation video are now overworked and look like a mess… |
January 10, 2021 |
| 2 |
The Liver, Alcohol, and Pride There are no such things as rookies in this workplace. Even on the first day of the job, Red Blood Cell (AA2153) and his coworkers have to carry oxygen throughout the body without rest. Red Blood Cell (AA2153) sits down after an exhausting day of work when a veteran Red Blood Cell appears in front of him. “This is just my hunch as a veteran… but on a day like this, it’s going to pour.” Red Blood Cell (AA2153) has no idea what the veteran means by this, but immediately afterwards, they find themselves caught in a shower of alcohol. The Red Blood Cells make their way to the liver to relieve their stress from work… |
January 17, 2021 |
| 3 |
Excitement, Swelling, and Emptiness The Red Blood Cells have been given an important mission to fill the erectile tissue with blood to trigger an erection. Red Blood Cell (AA2153) is enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the birth of new life. However, after overcoming various struggles, the exhausted cells must face their arch enemy, the gonococcal cells, known for multiplying at astonishing rates. Though they are vastly outnumbered, the White Blood Cells (Neutrophils) fight the gonococci with everything they have. The desperate battle to protect this body and their world begins now… |
January 19, 2021 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Gunma TV |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 10, 2021 |
| Last aired | March 21, 2021 |
| Runtime | 24 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Saturday at 00:00:00 |