‘Cells at Work! Code Black‘ is a thirteen episode spin-off anime based on the manga written by Shigemitsu Harada and illustrated by Issei Hatsuyoshiya. The show was developed by the Japanese studio Liden Films and dubbed by Aniplex.

AA2153 (Kyle McCarley) is a rookie red blood cell partnered with fellow newcomer AC1677 (Jon Allen) to deliver oxygen to their human host. At first, they are eager to help, but after meeting White Blood Cell U-1196 (Allegra Clark), he soon discovers that this body is in bad shape. Every day, they face some catastrophic health situation all leading to a “code black” situation where the cells must come together to save themselves.

Unlike the plucky humor of the original Cells At Work, this show focuses more on suggestive and dark humor, where there is any at all. With the first show, the body was relatively healthy, but now, we have an alcoholic couch potato who is fine with his body wasting away. This new approach was definitely darker, but it worked for this anime.

We watch the characters struggle to work together to save their host and I was hooked. The anime was a lot sharper than the predecessor and gave it an edgier look. I was also glad they got a mostly new cast for the protagonists, making it seem fresh. I hope that it they renew it for a second season because there was a tease in the finale that cannot be ignored.

Check out the trailer below:

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Strong violence, Foul language, Disturbing images, Sexual humor

This review is based on the dub.

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