Kodansha announced their new project that provides correct information about infectious diseases through Cells at Work! It is a popular manga series that personifies cells in the body. The title has sold over 5 million copies in total.
Cells at Work! brings valid info about infectious disease
The new coronavirus infection has spread globally, and the number of infects has surpassed 100 million. Sadly, there is still no sign of an end to the disease.
In such a situation, Kodansha ran a project associating with two Japanese government agencies; the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency.)
In this project, Kodansha created new chapters of Cells at Work! – “Chapter: COVID-19” and “Chapter: Infection Prevention” (newly drawn). These two chapters are released to the world for free as moving comics. The Japanese versions are available from 28th April until the end of March 2022. In addition, English and Hindi ones will be available soon.
Moving Comics
Chapter: COVID-19 (Japanese ver.)
Chapter: Infection Prevention (Japanese ver.)
Kodansha aims to express its gratitude to the medical personnel fighting on the front lines. Moreover, they hope that everyone will deepen their understanding of the COVID-19 infection through the manga. Also, the world can overcome this crisis together through prevention by each of us.
The medical supervisor of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Kutsuna Kenshi, said “the COVID-19 infection is truly a once-in-a-century disaster. But unlike the Spanish flu 100 years ago, we have access to correct information on infection control through the media. I hope that people all over the world will be exposed to correct information on infection prevention through Cells at Works!, a manga that is the pride of Japan.”
What is “Cells at Work!”?
Cells at Work! is one of the most beloved manga series worldwide. The manga personifies cells in the body that there are approximately 37 trillion cells in a human being.
There are as many jobs (dramas) as there are cells in the series. The manga depicts the unseen activities of cells in the body, mainly white and red blade cells. They work hard when a virus or bacteria invades the body, when an allergic reaction occurs, or when an injury occurs. The manga teaches us how our cells are working in our bodies, along with personified cell characters.
The manga has been published in 16 countries and regions in Europe, the United States, and Asia. Also, the anime has been distributed in about 130 countries and regions. Cells at Work! has multiple spin-offs chapters, for instance, Cells at Work! BLACK.
Details of the moving comics to be released
Chapter: COVID-19
Author: Akane Shimizu
Credit: © Akane Shimizu / Kodansha
Video-length: approx. 14 minutes
Story-line: What is happening in the body when infected with the COVID-19? The story depicts the attack and defense of cells such as white blood cells and red blood cells. It leads to a correct understanding of the mechanism of infectious diseases.
Chapter: Infection Prevent
Art: Kairemeku
Director: Akane Shimizu
Credit: © Akane Shimizu, Kairemeku / Kodansha
Video-length: approx. 6 minutes
Story-line: Why do we need to wear masks, wash our hands, and social distance to prevent infection? This story conveys the importance of infection prevention from the perspective of cells.
