Parents' Guide to Cells at Work! Code Black

TV Crunchyroll , Netflix Anime 2021
Cells at Work! Code Block TV show poster: AA2153 and U-1196 strike fighting poses as cells behind them run from a germ monster.

Common Sense Media Review

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

age 14+

Drinks, drugs, sexy stuff in violent educational spin-off.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Cells at Work! Code Block TV show screenshot 1: Close up of AA2153 looking scared in a darkened space.
  • Cells at Work! Code Block TV show screenshot 2: U-1196 helps a white blood cell walk after an intense battle.
  • Cells at Work! Code Block TV show screenshot 3: AA2153 and U-1196 walk down a halfway and talk.
  • Cells at Work! Code Block screenshot 4: U-1196 kneels to help AA2153, who has fallen on his back. The tower in front of them has been gauged out.

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 1 kid review

 

 

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What's the Story?

CELLS AT WORK! CODE BLACK follows the stressed-out life of Red Blood Cell AA2153 (voiced in English by Kyle McCarley). New to the job, AA2153 is quick to learn that delivering oxygen is a lot harder than it looks—especially when your host body won't take care of itself. Between bacteria, liver failure, kidney stones, and stomach ulcers, the cells' work is becoming more lethal every day. How will they cope?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say ( 1 ):

This action-heavy spin-off makes health and biology exciting and inspirational. Cells at Work! Code Black amps up the drama but doesn't simplify the science. The narration is educational with enough humor to keep viewers interested, and the fantasy violence is a clever metaphor for the negative health effects of certain habits. The show does a good job of being educational without being judgmental.

Characters are likable and aspirational. Even though their work stays the same, they become stronger, more cooperative, and more positive as they overcome lots of challenges. The show also adds depth with themes of work-life balance and making toxic workplaces less harmful.

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?

  • What does the show teach you about how to take care of your body?

  • Characters face many struggles in a stressful workplace. How do they cope with stress? What actually helps them overcome their problems?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Cells at Work! Code Block TV show poster: AA2153 and U-1196 strike fighting poses as cells behind them run from a germ monster.

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