Cells at Work! CODE BLACK (2021)
A dark, mature anime spin-off that plunges inside a body pushed to its limits by stress, alcohol, and neglect.
Cells at Work! CODE BLACK - Series Information
- Original Title: はたらく細胞BLACK
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Irish, Japanese
- First Air Date: January 10, 2021 (United States - TV-14), January 10, 2021 (Canada - 14+), January 10, 2021 (Australia - M), January 10, 2021 (Brazil - 14), January 10, 2021 (Mexico - C), January 10, 2021 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: Gunma TV, Tokyo MX, BS11, ABEMA
- Production Companies: LIDENFILMS, Aniplex, Kodansha, NetEase Games, Tokyo MX
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Hataraku Saibou Black (JP), 일하는 세포 BLACK (KR)
Cells at Work! CODE BLACK - Plot
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.
Cells at Work! CODE BLACK - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the chaos unfolding inside a body under siege:
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Cells at Work! CODE BLACK - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Junya Enoki
- Yoko Hikasa
- Kenjiro Tsuda
- KENN
- Lynn
- Yumi Uchiyama
- Takashi Narumi
- Yurika Kubo
- Hekiru Shiina
- Sarah Emi Bridcutt
Writers
- Hayashi Mori
Executive Producers
- Yoshio Kaneko
- Hirotaka Kaneko
- Masanori Miyake
- Ge Yangqian
Cells at Work! CODE BLACK - FAQs
Is Cells at Work! CODE BLACK a spin-off?
Yes, CODE BLACK is a direct spin-off of the original Cells at Work! manga and anime series. While the original takes a lighthearted approach to cellular biology, CODE BLACK shifts the tone dramatically, depicting a body under severe stress from alcohol, smoking, and overwork — making it a grittier, more mature companion series.
Is Cells at Work! CODE BLACK based on a manga?
CODE BLACK is adapted from the manga of the same name by Shigemitsu Harada and Issei Hatsuyoshi, published in Kodansha's Morning magazine. It runs parallel to Akane Shimizu's original Cells at Work! series, sharing the same cellular universe but focusing on a far more unhealthy host body.
Where can you stream Cells at Work! CODE BLACK?
Cells at Work! CODE BLACK is available to stream on Netflix and Crunchyroll, including via the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. Netflix Standard with Ads also carries the series. Availability may vary by region, so check your local version of these platforms for the most up-to-date access.
How does CODE BLACK differ from the original Cells at Work?
Where the original Cells at Work! is colorful and optimistic, CODE BLACK is deliberately dark and intense. The host body here is ravaged by poor lifestyle choices, forcing cells to work in genuinely dangerous, crisis-ridden conditions. The tone is closer to a survival thriller than an educational comedy, aimed at a mature seinen audience.
Is Cells at Work! CODE BLACK worth watching?
For fans of anime and biology alike, CODE BLACK delivers a compelling, often harrowing experience. Its creative approach to depicting the human body's response to self-destructive habits is both educational and emotionally engaging. The darker tone and stronger stakes make it a standout entry in the educational anime genre, especially for adult viewers.
Who are the main voice actors in Cells at Work! CODE BLACK?
The series stars Junya Enoki as the overworked Red Blood Cell AA2153 and Yoko Hikasa as White Blood Cell U-1196. Kenjiro Tsuda provides narration, with KENN, Lynn, Yumi Uchiyama, Takashi Narumi, Yurika Kubo, Hekiru Shiina, and Sarah Emi Bridcutt rounding out the principal voice cast.
How many episodes does Cells at Work! CODE BLACK have?
CODE BLACK ran for a single season of 13 episodes, which aired from January to March 2021. Each episode runs approximately 24 minutes. The series tells a complete story within this compact run, making it an easy binge for viewers curious about the darker side of the Cells at Work! universe.
What are similar anime series to Cells at Work! CODE BLACK?
If CODE BLACK appeals to you, the original Cells at Work! (2018) is an essential companion watch. Beyond that, Parasyte -the maxim- shares a similarly intense biological horror angle, while Dr. STONE and Tengoku Daimakyo offer gripping survival narratives with strong world-building. I'm Standing on a Million Lives is another solid pick for action-driven anime.
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