Cells at Work!
Bloody action comedy teaches science of the body.
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Cells at Work!
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Cells at Work! is an educational action anime about the inner workings of the human body. Cells take human forms as they work in a factory-like environment fighting monstrous versions of bacteria and viruses. Cartoon battles get violent with weapons, lots of blood spurts, and humanoid cells facing constant danger. A narrator uses academic vocabulary to explain the biological processes occurring in each fight. Language involves profanity, verbal threats, and gendered put-downs based on stereotypes. The Killer T Cells equate masculinity with aggression; they berate Naive T Cell (voiced in English dub by Laura Stahl) until he becomes more muscular and willing to be violent. Dendritic Cell (voiced by Griffin Burns), who counsels Naive T Cells, contrasts this with gentleness and emotional sensitivity. However, he ultimately condones the Killer T Cells' behavior by explaining their bullying as a way of helping Naive T Cell. In addition to the science, the show teaches themes of resilience, bravery, teamwork, and personal growth.
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What's the Story?
CELLS AT WORK! follows the adventures of anthropomorphized cells as they strive to complete their assigned jobs and keep the human body alive and well. The show features Red Blood Cell (voiced in English dub by Cherami Leigh), new to her job and perpetually lost, and her friend White Blood Cell (voiced by Billy Kametz), a skilled fighter who hunts and defeats germs. Working together and with their fellow cells, they face the neverending dangers of injuries, disease, allergies, and more.
Is It Any Good?
This informational action series stands out for its likable characters and exciting battles with funny resolutions. Cells at Work! makes learning biology fun and accessible. The humanizing of cells with with distinct but diverse personalities helps simplify complex scientific concepts, while outrageous fantasy battles keep viewers actively engaged. Beyond the science, the show is surprisingly heartwarming as characters strive to do their best and help others. Although it's disappointing to see some gender stereotypes reinforced, there are plenty of positive messages around teamwork and learning, with characters valuing patience and recognizing that growth takes time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about science and biology. How closely does the information in the show match what students are learning in their classes or personal studies? What is something new you learned?
Talk about gender stereotypes. What are the different ways masculinity is portrayed by the cells? What role does violence and aggression play in stereotypes of men?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 8, 2018
- Cast: Cherami Leigh, Billy Kametz, Robbie Daymond
- Network: Crunchyroll
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Science and Nature
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: March 8, 2023
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