What do you think?
Rate this book
はたらく細胞 / Cells at Work! #1-3
Cells at Work! Omnibus 1
Get swept away by the drama in your own bloodstream, with the acclaimed manga that inspired the hit anime. The complete series is now available in these two oversized, 600-page volumes!
Hailed by doctors and educators for its fun and accurate depictions, Cells at Work! follows the spunky Red Blood Cell and cold-as-ice White Blood Cell as they navigate all manner of health problems from the inside out.
Includes Vol. 1-3 of Cells at Work!
Follow the 37 trillion cells inside a human body, including Red Blood Cell, White Blood Cell, Macrophage, and, of course, the cute, little Platelets, as they face off against threats like cedar pollen, parasites, food poisoning, staph infection, and their ultimate nemesis, cancer. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, these tiny workers are doing their best to keep you moving.
This new omnibus edition brings the series back in a larger page size, with three volumes in one. Collect the entire series in just two books!
Hailed by doctors and educators for its fun and accurate depictions, Cells at Work! follows the spunky Red Blood Cell and cold-as-ice White Blood Cell as they navigate all manner of health problems from the inside out.
Includes Vol. 1-3 of Cells at Work!
Follow the 37 trillion cells inside a human body, including Red Blood Cell, White Blood Cell, Macrophage, and, of course, the cute, little Platelets, as they face off against threats like cedar pollen, parasites, food poisoning, staph infection, and their ultimate nemesis, cancer. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, these tiny workers are doing their best to keep you moving.
This new omnibus edition brings the series back in a larger page size, with three volumes in one. Collect the entire series in just two books!
528 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2023
12 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 24, 2025
This was super awesome to read! I started watching the anime a few days before I bought the manga and I thought both are great!
September 30, 2024
really fun, adrian smith would love
November 6, 2023
4.5⭐️
I had watched the first episode of this anime when it was first released so was very excited to read this Manga series!
Only volume one was available but it was a great chance to read about these great characters and brush up on some of my knowledge of the human body by seeing how each character/cell reacts after various illnesses/bacteria become present in the body. Would definitely recommend if you like an easy slightly nerdy read! Going to have read the rest in the near future.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kondansha Comics for access to this digital ARC in return for an honest review.
I had watched the first episode of this anime when it was first released so was very excited to read this Manga series!
Only volume one was available but it was a great chance to read about these great characters and brush up on some of my knowledge of the human body by seeing how each character/cell reacts after various illnesses/bacteria become present in the body. Would definitely recommend if you like an easy slightly nerdy read! Going to have read the rest in the near future.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kondansha Comics for access to this digital ARC in return for an honest review.
November 6, 2023
Cells at Work Omnibus volume 1 by Akane Shimizu will be released on November 28, 2023. Kodansha Comics provided an early galley for review.
This manga takes the world within ourselves and turns it into a dynamic action-adventure tale. Each story shows how the cells in the body react to various situations, working together and supporting one another. The characters that personify the cells have unique designs that reflect their nature and function.
Not only does this manga entertain, but it also informs and educates the reader about the inner workings of our anatomy. Descriptive boxes explain what various cell types and body parts do. It is very easy to see why this is hailed by doctors as an accurate representation of the body.
This manga takes the world within ourselves and turns it into a dynamic action-adventure tale. Each story shows how the cells in the body react to various situations, working together and supporting one another. The characters that personify the cells have unique designs that reflect their nature and function.
Not only does this manga entertain, but it also informs and educates the reader about the inner workings of our anatomy. Descriptive boxes explain what various cell types and body parts do. It is very easy to see why this is hailed by doctors as an accurate representation of the body.
March 4, 2025
Cells at Work! is highly entertaining, surprisingly educational, and beautifully drawn. It’s character design is also spot on. Although, it does have its drawbacks. The plot is mediocre because of its repetitiveness. It also has a sin that is not easily forgiven…cringe. By the end of the three books, I found myself more than ready to put it down. Overall, I give it a generous three star rating.
February 9, 2025
Such a vibrant and inventive story about the cells in our body. Slightly educational and super fun!!!
February 5, 2024
This manga series follows the cells of the human body as they do their work to keep up alive and fight the terrible infections and diseases that want to threaten us.
I loved the way they represented the science in the manga, with beautiful illustrations for the different cell types (I particularly loved how adorable the platelets were). And the science itself is quite accurate, which I always approve of!!
This Omnibus covers half of the series (stories 1-14), the rest should be shown in Omnibus#2. The stories shown in this one include fighting allergies, food poisoning, and cancer. It's quite educational.
I loved the way they represented the science in the manga, with beautiful illustrations for the different cell types (I particularly loved how adorable the platelets were). And the science itself is quite accurate, which I always approve of!!
This Omnibus covers half of the series (stories 1-14), the rest should be shown in Omnibus#2. The stories shown in this one include fighting allergies, food poisoning, and cancer. It's quite educational.
December 14, 2023
This is a genius concept that was executed incredibly well. I would recommend this manga to anyone and everyone; if I was a high school science teacher, I would be looking into the ability to make it required reading. The inner workings of the human body are complex and interesting, but rather dry to learn about. By anthropomorphizing the cells, the human body has been turned into a workplace drama in the best way possible. This manga succeeds on multiple levels; it stands on its own entirely as a piece of entertainment but also it is amazingly educational (and accurate!). The science education is clearly explained such that anyone can follow along, but also detailed enough to teach to a high-level of knowledge.
The story includes an ensemble cast that covers all kinds of cells and characters as they go about their lives and allows the story to include all sorts of folks. The main story follows a red blood cell that is clumsy and new to the job as she tries to bumble her way through (but steadily gets better!), a white blood cell who is righteous in his defense of the body, and their frequent interactions as they cross paths and help each other. Each chapter features a new issue facing the body and teaches us about various diseases and ailments while our characters work to protect their world.
The story succeeds at being surprisingly emotional and drawing you into the characters and their struggles. Primarily a comedy with a lot of cute and funny moments, there is also a lot of action (white blood cells “fight” viruses and bacteria after all) that is somehow both incredibly gory without being off-putting at all. The platelets are my hands-down favorite (a common opinion I believe) and are unfairly cute.
The fact that this version includes multiple volumes is also a bonus. One issue I find with manga is that you need to find and buy many volumes to get the whole story; having it all in one place is the perfect solution!
The story includes an ensemble cast that covers all kinds of cells and characters as they go about their lives and allows the story to include all sorts of folks. The main story follows a red blood cell that is clumsy and new to the job as she tries to bumble her way through (but steadily gets better!), a white blood cell who is righteous in his defense of the body, and their frequent interactions as they cross paths and help each other. Each chapter features a new issue facing the body and teaches us about various diseases and ailments while our characters work to protect their world.
The story succeeds at being surprisingly emotional and drawing you into the characters and their struggles. Primarily a comedy with a lot of cute and funny moments, there is also a lot of action (white blood cells “fight” viruses and bacteria after all) that is somehow both incredibly gory without being off-putting at all. The platelets are my hands-down favorite (a common opinion I believe) and are unfairly cute.
The fact that this version includes multiple volumes is also a bonus. One issue I find with manga is that you need to find and buy many volumes to get the whole story; having it all in one place is the perfect solution!
July 28, 2025
I did not enjoy this one, unfortunately.
It's a simple and elegant premise: Teach how the Cells in a body work, by characterising them as characters and have them interact and fight against bacteria and germs. Have a fun adventure, some cool action scenes while learning about the human body.
It's a lot like the cartoon from the 80s, called Once Upon a Time... Life. I really liked it as a child and was hoping for a similar experience here. Alas, I have a couple of problems with this book.
The Mangaka tries to introduce new cells and invasive bacteria in each story. The job of the cells is often summarised in large text boxes, headlined by the technical term of the cell, that is being introduced. This disrupts the story and is quite tedious to read and feels inelegant.
This type of story telling also has another big issue: The stories feel incredibly repetitive. Poor innocent red blood cell finds an invader and is saved by the white blood cell, who fights the invader in close combat. Rinse and repeat. In addition, the stories don't flow into each other, but it's more of an episodic story telling, which does not motivate me to keep reading, as there are no cliffhangers and barely any plot twists.
I can praise the artwork however, it is top notch and the highlight of the book. The cells and the invaders have a really cool design (for the most part).
The omnibus edition by Kodansha is very flimsy and doesn't feel like it will hold up more than a handful or readthroughs.
There is a second omnibus volume, but I don't see any reason to come back to this one. Pity!
It's a simple and elegant premise: Teach how the Cells in a body work, by characterising them as characters and have them interact and fight against bacteria and germs. Have a fun adventure, some cool action scenes while learning about the human body.
It's a lot like the cartoon from the 80s, called Once Upon a Time... Life. I really liked it as a child and was hoping for a similar experience here. Alas, I have a couple of problems with this book.
The Mangaka tries to introduce new cells and invasive bacteria in each story. The job of the cells is often summarised in large text boxes, headlined by the technical term of the cell, that is being introduced. This disrupts the story and is quite tedious to read and feels inelegant.
This type of story telling also has another big issue: The stories feel incredibly repetitive. Poor innocent red blood cell finds an invader and is saved by the white blood cell, who fights the invader in close combat. Rinse and repeat. In addition, the stories don't flow into each other, but it's more of an episodic story telling, which does not motivate me to keep reading, as there are no cliffhangers and barely any plot twists.
I can praise the artwork however, it is top notch and the highlight of the book. The cells and the invaders have a really cool design (for the most part).
The omnibus edition by Kodansha is very flimsy and doesn't feel like it will hold up more than a handful or readthroughs.
There is a second omnibus volume, but I don't see any reason to come back to this one. Pity!
December 5, 2023
This volume contains vol. 1, 2, and 3 of this manga series.
if i remember correctly, this is season 1 of the anime.
I first watched the anime, and I love it, I'm so glad I picked up the manga it gave me time to read the little notes about every character (cell, bacteria, etc). It is so funny to imagine little people running trying to keep us alive. I can't believe the author manages to make so many plots for things like allergies. Also, it gets a little dark in some parts because being sick sucks for the body, but at the same time, it's really funny. I love how the white and red cells have history together even though they said there are too many of them, so meeting again would be hard.
My favorite characters are always going to be the little platelet they're so cute ♡
Thank you, NetGalley, for the free copy of this manga.
if i remember correctly, this is season 1 of the anime.
I first watched the anime, and I love it, I'm so glad I picked up the manga it gave me time to read the little notes about every character (cell, bacteria, etc). It is so funny to imagine little people running trying to keep us alive. I can't believe the author manages to make so many plots for things like allergies. Also, it gets a little dark in some parts because being sick sucks for the body, but at the same time, it's really funny. I love how the white and red cells have history together even though they said there are too many of them, so meeting again would be hard.
My favorite characters are always going to be the little platelet they're so cute ♡
Thank you, NetGalley, for the free copy of this manga.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 18, 2023I received a free copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review
I've seen the anime for this and I always love the chance to read the manga the shows I like come from.
This one is amazing. I love the character designs, I love the stories and the way the characters interact. I think the platelets and macrophages are my favorite of the designs. I also really like how the book provides facts about how the body and diseases work. It's a fun way to learn new things.
The ebook I was provided only includes the first volume, but I will defenitly be picking up the rest of them once the omnibus comes out.
I've seen the anime for this and I always love the chance to read the manga the shows I like come from.
This one is amazing. I love the character designs, I love the stories and the way the characters interact. I think the platelets and macrophages are my favorite of the designs. I also really like how the book provides facts about how the body and diseases work. It's a fun way to learn new things.
The ebook I was provided only includes the first volume, but I will defenitly be picking up the rest of them once the omnibus comes out.
November 20, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for the early access to this title!
I have loved the Cells at Work! anime for years! I even used clips to help teach my Human Anatomy class last year! So you can imagine how excited I was to read the manga. It has been on my TBR for a while now, but I haven't yet started purchasing it. The new omnibus may be a good way to buy this manga. I love the art style. I love how accurate it is without being too difficult to understand. Cells at Work! is a unique manga experience if you want something more adult without losing the fun that manga offers.
I have loved the Cells at Work! anime for years! I even used clips to help teach my Human Anatomy class last year! So you can imagine how excited I was to read the manga. It has been on my TBR for a while now, but I haven't yet started purchasing it. The new omnibus may be a good way to buy this manga. I love the art style. I love how accurate it is without being too difficult to understand. Cells at Work! is a unique manga experience if you want something more adult without losing the fun that manga offers.
December 23, 2023
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this manga. Essentially this is several episodes of the anime introducing all of the characters and a couple of viruses that happen. Truly like the anime I love the concept and how it is written. However, it can be a bit dense, and the anime may be more palatable. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars.
January 8, 2024
Around 3/4 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha for the chance to read (PDF was up to Volume 1).
You follow along with the main character the red blood cells and basically learn about how the body works and fights of viruses. If looking for an educational manga about the human body, it would be a fun one.
It is a series though I have to be in the mood to read though. I also did watch the anime before reading the manga .
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha for the chance to read (PDF was up to Volume 1).
You follow along with the main character the red blood cells and basically learn about how the body works and fights of viruses. If looking for an educational manga about the human body, it would be a fun one.
It is a series though I have to be in the mood to read though. I also did watch the anime before reading the manga .
February 21, 2024
What a good idea! To present the cells of the human circulatory system as anthopomorphic personifications in a graphic novel is an approach both clever and fun. The function of the immune system is a notoriously difficult set of concepts to convey, but this set-up succeeds even as it entertains the reader.
The result isn't literature for the ages (if it was, that missing fifth star would be unarguable), but the overall effect is simultaneously enjoyable and educational.
The result isn't literature for the ages (if it was, that missing fifth star would be unarguable), but the overall effect is simultaneously enjoyable and educational.
March 16, 2024
Cells at Work is fun and interesting, especially for those who grew up with the likes of Osmosis Jones.
It is full of laughable moments that grab you out of nowhere, while also educating you on things you may not have known before.
The downside is that if your initiation to the series is the anime, the manga just feels lack luster in comparison. Which feels really sad because there is more content to the manga.
It is full of laughable moments that grab you out of nowhere, while also educating you on things you may not have known before.
The downside is that if your initiation to the series is the anime, the manga just feels lack luster in comparison. Which feels really sad because there is more content to the manga.
November 4, 2023
Thank you, Kodansha Comic & NetGalley for allowing me access to this title in exchange for my honest review!
I still find this story so original, wacky, funny & highly informative.
We see the internal workings of the body as cells are turned into humanoids and work around the body to fight bacteria & go about their jobs to keep the body alive.
I still find this story so original, wacky, funny & highly informative.
We see the internal workings of the body as cells are turned into humanoids and work around the body to fight bacteria & go about their jobs to keep the body alive.
November 7, 2023
This digital ARC was obtainable via NetGalley for an honest review!
"Cells at Work! Omnibus 1 (Vols. 1-3)" is informative, entertaining, and fresh. What goes on in the human body is brutal! I think this manga series would be a great addition to my manga collection. I loved the T-cell and white blood cell characters. Can't wait to see what happens in the other volumes!
"Cells at Work! Omnibus 1 (Vols. 1-3)" is informative, entertaining, and fresh. What goes on in the human body is brutal! I think this manga series would be a great addition to my manga collection. I loved the T-cell and white blood cell characters. Can't wait to see what happens in the other volumes!
November 21, 2023
The excerpt provided by Netgalley and Kodansha comics had only volume 1. This series is a fantasy, scientifically accurate, cute and funny. Very entertaining as well as informative.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kondansha comics for the opportunity to re-read this marvel in exchange for my honest opinion.
For information there is also an amazing anime.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kondansha comics for the opportunity to re-read this marvel in exchange for my honest opinion.
For information there is also an amazing anime.
November 29, 2023
3.5⭐
I can see this being used in classes or by younger people in general cause it teaches them about the inside of the human body, how cells work together and how the body reacts to certain stuff in an entertaining way. It was nice, funny and informative.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I can see this being used in classes or by younger people in general cause it teaches them about the inside of the human body, how cells work together and how the body reacts to certain stuff in an entertaining way. It was nice, funny and informative.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2023
I love Cells at Work! and I mention it to anyone and everyone as soon as there's an opportunity to do so. I love the anime, I love the manga, I like the spinoffs. It's my top 5 for both manga AND anime. What blows me away about this manga is how scientifically accurate it is while being endlessly enterataining at the same time. I can never get enough of it.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
December 28, 2023
Cells at Work was a very educational manga about the science of the human body. It painted an awesome picture of personifying the blood cells in the body as manga characters. The book even gave definitions of the different cells and their uses throughout the body. The illustrations were very realistic. I enjoyed this book
February 18, 2024
Thanks NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this arc!
5/5 silly stars
This was a very educational, funny, violent lol, and cute all rolled up into one! Honestly this is a really fantastic way to learn about how parts of the human body work in a way that doesn't necessarily feel like you're learning much. Fun!
5/5 silly stars
This was a very educational, funny, violent lol, and cute all rolled up into one! Honestly this is a really fantastic way to learn about how parts of the human body work in a way that doesn't necessarily feel like you're learning much. Fun!
May 7, 2024
This was cute and actually helped me revise. It would have been so hard to give the cells personalities, and have everything immunologically accurate.
I might have liked it more if reading this didn’t feel like homework (bad timing on my part - escapism would have been better for my headspace 😵💫)
I might have liked it more if reading this didn’t feel like homework (bad timing on my part - escapism would have been better for my headspace 😵💫)
May 19, 2024
Read it in one day. I thought it was a very educational and interesting read. I like how they cover a lot of different illnesses and show how different cells in our body fight against them and how our cells work together.
I've seen clips of the anime, but haven't been able to watch it anywhere. So I was glad I was able to get my hands on the graphic novels. I'm excited to read the next one.
I've seen clips of the anime, but haven't been able to watch it anywhere. So I was glad I was able to get my hands on the graphic novels. I'm excited to read the next one.
November 19, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!
This was a fun read! I enjoyed the creative premise and how it's educational yet entertaining. Although I've already read the first volume before, it was still enjoyable to read it all over again!
This was a fun read! I enjoyed the creative premise and how it's educational yet entertaining. Although I've already read the first volume before, it was still enjoyable to read it all over again!
May 4, 2024
This series is amazing!!!! You learn so much about the body and its so cool. I love the art and the plot. This manga is written very well and I love how you can tell the main cell charterer by the hair or something they wear and I think that is cool.
October 22, 2024
This is so awesome. The illustration style remind me of DeathNote (white blood cells) and Dragon Ball Z (bacteria). I love that there is a cute side, platelets and red blood cells. The destruction of germs, parasites, and cancer cells is quite graphic.
I really enjoy the story and the educational side to the manga. I'm glad the second omnibus is available!
I really enjoy the story and the educational side to the manga. I'm glad the second omnibus is available!
December 31, 2023
So much nostalgia in this series. It's short only 6 volumes or 2 omnibus'. It's informative as it describes and explains real things that happen to the body in an entertaining fashion.
May 15, 2024
Neutrophil is the real MVP
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews