“In the human  body, there are approximately 37 trillion cells, working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, full of energy.” —’Cell at work’

This anime can help you understand more intuitively about how various cells function in your body, and the anthropomorphic image makes it much more entertaining as well. Science is the foundation of cell personification, but if you blindly pursue perfect knowledge to be taught, it will make people feel that the information is forcibly instilled into their brain and so the sense of preaching is way too heavy. When this is the case, a moderate combination of fantasy on the basis of science is perfect, giving the cells different personalities. They become cute, which focuses on both rigorous science and romantic fantasy.

Take platelets as an example, the designed petite body can stimulate people’s desire to protect them. The innocence and cuteness are expressed in details such as vocal speech, facial expressions, and body movements which is further interpreted as “Cute is Justice”. So when the platelets in the “Cell at work : Black” became grumpy due to the bad working environment (it’s inside the human body, which means that it happens when the body is weak and sick), they’re called “Platelet boss”, which forms a great contrast with the image of platelets in the first season. Since the direct translation of Platelets are ‘Little platelets’. The contrast has formed a type of unique cuteness, which is deeply loved by the audience.

At the same time, you will also have a new understanding of your body. The cells in your torso don’t care about your exam results, they only care about whether you stay up late, have a healthy diet, or if you are in a good mood. There are so many cells in the body working hard for you and the quality of your life, so it’s inadequate for us to hurt our own body. No matter when, health is always a very important aspect.

In January this year, the series came to an end. The last episode concluded with a battle between the cells and Covid 19. This informs us that now, at this time,  is a very necessary moment to pay attention to your own physical health. I think the significant meaning of “Cell at work” has far surpassed the entertainment part of the anime. Even if “Cell at work” has finished, don’t forget to always be grateful for the cells in your body by loving yourself and your body.

      在人的身体中,有约37兆2000亿个细胞,每天24小时,一年365天,精神十足地工作着。——《工作细胞》片头语

        这部作品可以帮你更直观的了解到你身体里的各种细胞如何工作,并且拟人化的形象更能让人产生兴趣。科学是细胞拟人的根基,但如果一味追求完美的知识还原,就会让人感到强行灌输知识,说教感太重。此时,在科学基础上适度结合幻想,为细胞们赋予不同的性格。变得可爱,严谨科学和浪漫幻想两者兼顾。

        以血小板为例,设计出的娇小身躯能激发人的保护欲,通过言语声音、神态表情、肢体动作等细节表现的呆萌可爱感,进一步诠释了“萌就是正义”。而当黑化版中的血小板因工作环境恶劣(人体内部,指身体主人体弱多病)变得脾气暴躁,令人直呼“血老板”,与第一季中的血小板形象形成很大的对比,强烈的反差又形成了一种独具风味的萌点,深得观众喜爱。

        与此同时,你也会对自己的身体有一个全新的认知。身体里的细胞,他们不会关心你考试成绩,他们只会关心你今天有没有熬夜,有没有好好吃饭,有没有好心情。身体里有那么多细胞在为你努力着,所以我们没有资格去伤害自己的身体。无论何时,健康是最重要的。

        今年的一月份,这部动漫完结了。最后一话在细胞们与新冠病毒的战斗中落幕。在如今尤其需要关注身体健康的时期,我想《工作细胞》的意义早已远超作品本身。即使作品完结,也别忘记感谢你身体里的细胞,好好关爱自己。

王钦恒/ Helen Qinheng Wang
E Block, Rupert Brooke, Rugby School Thailand

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