Parents' Guide to Cells at Work!

TV Crunchyroll Anime 2018
Cells at Work TV poster: A platelet hugs White Blood Cell's leg while he kicks and Red Blood Cell trips while holding a box

Common Sense Media Review

By Danae Stahlnecker , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Bloody action comedy teaches science of the body.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 11+

Based on 1 parent review

age 12+

Based on 2 kid reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say ( 2 ):

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

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Cells at Work TV poster: A platelet hugs White Blood Cell's leg while he kicks and Red Blood Cell trips while holding a box

What to Watch Next

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