Cells at Work Special Edition "Cold Syndrome" Review: A fun way to learn about the mechanism of colds

Cells at Work Special Edition "Cold Syndrome" - Detailed Review and Recommendation

Overview

"Cells at Work! Special Edition: Cold Syndrome" was broadcast on TOKYO MX and BS11 on December 27, 2018 as a special episode of the anime series based on Akane Shimizu's popular manga "Cells at Work!". This 30-minute special episode further deepens the unique worldview of the anthropomorphized everyday cellular activity, providing viewers with a new perspective. It was directed by Kenichi Suzuki, animated by david production, and narrated by Mamiko Noto.

■ Story

The story of "Cold Syndrome" begins when an ordinary cell, tired of doing the same tasks every day, meets a mysterious cell wearing a cool hat. The mysterious cell invites the ordinary cell to play a prank on a white blood cell (neutrophil) and a killer T cell. The ordinary cell enjoys venting its daily frustrations, but the true identity of the cell wearing the cool hat becomes a major mystery in the story. This episode skillfully combines humor and educational elements while depicting the battle between the cells and the virus that causes cold symptoms.

■ Characters

In this special edition, the main characters make a comeback and their roles and personalities are further emphasized. The red blood cells (voiced by Kana Hanazawa) are portrayed as familiar characters to the viewers, playing an important role in transporting oxygen but sometimes getting lost. The white blood cells (neutrophils) (voiced by Tomoaki Maeno) play an active role as brave warriors who eliminate foreign invaders, while the killer T cells (voiced by Daisuke Ono) appear as calm leaders who attack virus-infected cells. The platelets (voiced by Maria Naganawa) are cute characters who seal wounds, while the helper T cells (voiced by Takahiro Sakurai) play an important role in supporting other cells. The sight of these characters working together to fight the cold virus provides viewers with both inspirational and educational value.

■ Production and staff

"Cold Syndrome" was produced by david production. The screenplay was written by Zen Horiuchi, storyboarded by Studio Morricone and Yasufumi Soejima, and directed by Yuki Morita and Yasufumi Soejima. The animation director was Takahiko Yoshida, the animation and digital painting was by WHITE LINE RIC BigOwl, the art was by Atelier Platz, the photography was by Asahi Production, the editing was by Edits, and the production manager was Rina Machida. This team of staff worked together to bring out the best in the original work.

■ Vision and Sound

Visually, the cells are personified in a very realistic and attractive way, and the scenes in which they fight the cold virus are particularly tense and powerful. Colours are used in a clever way, such as the red of the red blood cells and the white of the white blood cells, to visually emphasise the role of each character. Sound-wise, the background music and sound effects are used skillfully to match the development of the story, particularly in the battle scenes, to draw the viewer in. The narrator, Noto Mamiko, also plays a role in conveying information to the viewer while smoothly guiding the progress of the story.

■Educational value

"Cells at Work" is excellent in that it provides biological knowledge as entertainment. "Cells at Work" also specifically depicts cold symptoms and the fight against viruses, allowing viewers to learn while having fun. In particular, the process of ordinary cells fighting against cold viruses allows viewers to deepen their understanding of how the immune system works and how to prevent colds. This educational value is a major attraction that appeals to a wide range of people, from children to adults.

■ Viewer reactions

"Cold Syndrome" was highly praised by viewers. In particular, it was praised for its perfect balance of humor and educational elements, as well as the personalities of the characters and the development of the story. Fans of the original work also praised the show for faithfully recreating the world of the original while offering a new perspective. On social media, many comments were made about how cute the characters were and the intensity of the battle scenes, which became a hot topic among viewers.

■Recommendation

"Cells at Work! Special Edition: Cold Syndrome" is highly recommended for anyone interested in biology and who enjoys humor and educational elements. It is also a must-watch episode for fans of the original work and the anime series. Watching it during cold and flu season will remind viewers of the importance of the immune system and raise their awareness of health management. This special episode offers viewers an opportunity to learn while having fun, and will leave you satisfied with its heartwarming storyline and charming characters.

■ Related works

"Cells at Work!" is an anime series based on the manga by Akane Shimizu, with the first season airing from July 8 to September 30, 2018. The first season depicted the daily lives and struggles of various cells, including red blood cells and white blood cells, and was highly praised by viewers. "Cold Syndrome" was positioned as a special edition, further deepening the appeal of the series. A sequel, "Cells at Work!!", was also produced and aired from January to March 2021. By watching these works together, you can gain a deeper understanding and enjoy the world of cells.

Conclusion

"Cells at Work! Special Edition: Cold Syndrome" is an episode that skillfully combines humor and educational elements, providing viewers with an opportunity to learn while having fun. The individuality of the characters, the development of the story, and the high quality of the visuals and audio were also highly praised by viewers. This is a must-watch episode for anyone interested in biology or fans of the original work, and watching it during cold and flu season will raise awareness of health management. This special episode further deepens the appeal of the "Cells at Work" series, providing viewers with a heartwarming story and charming characters.