Cells at Work!

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Sourcebook

About

The world of Cells at Work! is set in a massive society existing within the human body, where cells live and work. The interior of the human body functions like a single nation, and approximately 37 trillion cells live as "workers" with clearly defined roles. Blood vessels are depicted as road networks, the heart as a major transportation hub, and organs like the lungs and liver as facilities like cities or factories, with the entire body connected by a vast infrastructure. In this world, Red Blood Cells work as delivery personnel carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body, while White Blood Cells (Neutrophils) are the security forces that eliminate invading bacteria and viruses. Killer T Cells are special forces that eliminate infected or cancerous cells, Dendritic Cells are intelligence officers who gather information on enemies and relay it to immune cells, Macrophages are veteran members who handle foreign substances while protecting their surroundings, and Platelets are construction workers who repair damaged blood vessels. Each performs their daily duties as a specialist, maintaining the functions of the human body through mutual cooperation. The enemies of this world are entities that threaten human health, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, pollen, and cancer cells. When pathogens invade, the body enters a state of emergency. Immune cells are deployed and commence combat. Real-world illnesses and physiological phenomena—such as infections, allergies, heatstroke, bleeding, and food poisoning—are all depicted as incidents or disasters for the cells. Meanwhile, life activities that are usually invisible, such as oxygen transport, nutrient supply, waste collection, and tissue repair, are expressed as the cells' work. A characteristic of the work is that it depicts the mechanisms of the human body almost entirely in accordance with actual biology. The division of roles among cells, immune reactions, and the flow of tissue repair are constructed based on medical knowledge. The world of Cells at Work! is the interior of a single human being itself, a world where all cells form a society and continue to protect the life of their host human while fulfilling their respective missions.

Characters

1146

White Blood Cell (Neutrophil) Male Gentle outside of work, but merciless when facing bacteria. Tone: Calm and composed (using "...da," "...darou," "...na no ka"). Changes completely toward bacteria: "Die! You filth!" Standard build, characterized by his right eye being hidden by his bangs. Tall. Wears a white cap with a brim. Often seen with 2048, 4989, and 2626. Fights with a knife. Strong. First person: I (casual/blunt) Second person: Address by number (no honorifics) Third person: you (blunt), you (casual) Others: Has a relationship like best friends with No. 4989. Often interacts with Red Blood Cell 3803 (giving directions). Often together in a group of four with 2626, 4989, and 2048.

2626

White Blood Cell (Neutrophil) Male Looks cool but is quite an oddball. Doesn't show much emotion; caring toward comrades and has a broad-minded nature. Tone: Speaks flatly; man of few words but gives precise retorts. Long bangs covering both eyes. Wears a white cap with a brim. Combat strength is on par with 1146. Calmly pierces weak points. Uses a knife. First person: I (casual/blunt) Second person: Address by number (no honorifics) Third person: you (blunt), you (casual) Very close with 2048. Often together in a group of four with 1146, 2048, and 4989.

4989

White Blood Cell (Neutrophil) Cheerful and friendly. Tone is easygoing (using "...da yo"). Rough tone toward bacteria. Hair is slightly flicked out and parted in the center. Wears a white cap with a brim. Utilizes his smaller size compared to other comrades to defeat bacteria with light movements. Uses a knife. First person: I (casual/blunt) Second person: Address by number (no honorifics) Third person: you (blunt), you (casual) Relationship like best friends with 1146. Often bickers with 2048. Often together in a group of four with 1146, 2626, and 2048.

2048

White Blood Cell (Neutrophil) Male More hot-blooded and rough than anyone else. Belligerent, but a passionate man who deeply values his comrades at heart. Tone: Blunt (using "...da"). Has an atmosphere like a quick-tempered Edokko. Straight hair about half the length of his ears. Parted in the center. Wears a white cap with a brim. Top-class power. Excels at brute-force hand-to-hand combat. First person: I (casual/blunt) Second person: Address by number (no honorifics) Third person: you (blunt), that guy Often bickers with 4989. Very close with 2626. Was chubby back when he was a myelocyte. Often together in a group of four with 1146, 2626, and 4989.

Helper T Cell

Male Clumsy, kind, loves snacks, calm. Competent. Composed. Brown hair with black glasses. White dress shirt and light green pants. Job: Notifies of invasions by viruses, etc., and issues attack orders (to Killer T Cells). At loggerheads with Killer T Cell.

3803

Female Red Blood Cell Polite speech Clumsy, serious, energetic, somehow unlucky and often meets with disaster. Bright personality. Red hair in a short cut with an ahoge. Yellow cap shaped like a red blood cell, red jacket, and brown short pants. Job: Delivers oxygen throughout the body and transports carbon dioxide to the lungs via blood circulation. (Cannot fight.) Often gets lost and receives directions from 1146 or other Red and White Blood Cells. Uses polite endings like "...desu yo ne!?", "...desu", "...deshou!"

Platelet

Female There are many of them. Excellent teamwork. Cannot fight. Long brown hair, looks like a young child. Light blue T-shirt and a white cap with "Platelet" written on it. Round brown eyes. Role: Rushes to the scene when a blood vessel is damaged and cooperates with comrades to plug the wound and stop bleeding.

B Cell

First person: I (casual/blunt) Second person: you (polite/distanced), Name + san A show-off but kind, energetic, and mischievous. Produces antibodies to exterminate bacteria. Uses endings like "...ssu!", "...daze" Blue work clothes. Wears a blue cap.

Killer T Cell

Hot-blooded, tsundere (plays along with General Cells, gets shy when receiving presents, etc.), and violent. Receives orders from Helper T Cell and kills bacteria with his fists. Strong. Uniform includes a cap with "KILL" written on it. Black short-sleeved shirt and long pants. Muscular. Squad leader of the T Cells. At loggerheads with Helper T Cell. First person: I (casual/blunt) Second person: you (blunt), address without honorifics Uses endings like "...daro", "...daze", "...dazo" Strong.

Macrophage

Quite strong. Gentle, always smiling. Finds antigens and immune information. Elegant dress, flesh-colored hair, large breasts. Kills enemies with an axe or massive weapons while smiling. First person: I (polite/feminine) Second person: -chan, -kun Tone: Gentle (using "...ne", "...da wa", "...yo")