Airing for the first time in 2018, the anime based on Akane Shimizu's educational manga Hataraku Saibou will have a new season in January 2021. However, its spin-off Hataraku Saibou Black is also announced for the same date. What can you expect from the latter?
Overview
What is the overall plot of Hataraku Saibou about? Participating in the trend of "educational anime" the series presents anthropomorphic versions of the main cells that make up the human body, many of them based on the immune system. Among them, white blood cells (leukocytes) stand out, represented as soldiers with pale skin and white uniforms, being supported in their fight against bacteria by T lymphocytes, represented by muscular men in black uniforms.
The human body, for its part, is represented as a city in continuous expansion and the inhabitants are "ordinary cells" whose function is not specified, and who receive oxygen boxes courtesy of red blood cells (erythrocytes). Along the way, the protagonist (who is a red blood cell) meets several characters, in particular a white blood cell, and together they face a wide variety of enemies and problems within the human body. Bacteria, viruses, and even blood loss and cancer cells are major topics in some episodes.
In general, a PG-13 series, the action is blood-laden as the cells of the immune system use their knives and spears to slaughter the invading bacteria, and sometimes end up drenched in blood after a fight. However, the series overall had a positive tone, defeating the "monster of the week" and keeping the body healthy and livable for cells. The progression of episodes presented a new type of cell in each one, and the defense corps were sufficiently prepared to face the threats, but this is over now.
Black Code
The spin-off series Hataraku Saibou Black and the animated adaptation that will arrive next year, entertain the reader with a much more negative vision than the original series, highlighting everything that can go wrong. The first season did feature nasty colds and bacteria, but it showed them from a fairly positivistic approach to human health. This was not necessarily a bad thing, but the most imaginative viewers were surely left wondering: "There are probably much worse things that could happen", and Hataraku Saibou Black is ready to show all that, however, a change of environment is necessary (or in this case, body).
That's right, in this case the cells presented will be inhabiting a body of a middle-aged person who does not seem to take good care of their health (and who also suffers from erectile dysfunction). Over and over again, the body suffers from unpleasant problems ranging from the effects of smoking to alcoholism, stress, and hair loss. This time, nothing within the body can be taken for granted, and cells are pushed to the limit in their attempt to keep things in order. We went from shounen to seinen, which can be a refreshing change for viewers who didn't enjoy the first series.
However, not everything has changed. The two main characters, just like in the first season, are a red blood cell and a white blood cell. The protagonists are an erythrocyte named AA2153 and her beautiful but deadly white blood cell friend named U-1196. As before, the erythrocyte does not specialize in fighting, as it represents the virtues of diligence and the value of continuing its work despite threats, and acts as an observer whenever there is a fight in this series, such as the erythrocyte original. In this spin-off, the body structure goes from bad to worse, and buildings, services, machinery and more become covered in dirt, break or start to leak; and cells must strive to keep everything in order.
Can the cells keep this human alive for just one more day? The answer will come in January 2021! (Or sooner if you read the manga).
Source: CBR
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