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The 2nd PV & 2nd key visual of the TV anime series “Cells at Work! CODE BLACK” have been released. At the same time, additional cast, including Shiina Hekiru, Sarah Emi Bridcutt, and Hirakawa Daisuke, and broadcast information were announced.

“Cells at Work! CODE BLACK” is the spin-off of the original manga “Cells at Work!”, and it is the story about anthropomorphic cells of the human body that show the unknown activities of cells, mainly focusing on red and white blood cells.
In this work is shown the harsh labor of cells working in the body whose internal environment has gone CODE BLACK due to overlapping incontinence and stress such as “drinking”, “smoking”, and “lack of sleep”.

This time, along with the 2nd PV & 2nd key visual, 3 additional cast members have been announced.
Shiina Hekiru will play the role of Macrophages, Sarah Emi Bridcutt will play the role of Hepatocytes, and Hirakawa Daisuke will play the role of Brain cells (commander).

Also, from January 9, 2021, at 11:30 P. M., the TV anime series “Cells at Work!” and “Cells at Work! CODE BLACK” will be broadcast consecutively for one hour in a “Cells at Work! Hour”.
Moreover, the rock band POLYSICS, which celebrated their 20th-anniversary of a major debut this year and kept working without rest, is in charge of the theme song. The guest vocalist will be Seiya Yamasaki (Nekokami Kyuso) in the OP, and Red blood cells (CV: Enoki Junya) and White blood cells (CV: Hikasa Yoko) in the ED.

“Cells at Work! CODE BLACK” will be broadcast on TOKYO MX and other channels at midnight from January 9.

Shiina Hekiru as Macrophage

Until a few years ago, when I was physically strong and healthy, I disregarded doing health checks, but now I know that something invisible inside my body is happening, so from now on I always do medical examinations.
I want you to find out what is happening inside you through this work before your body breaks down. Protect this body (world) as a Macrophage!

Sarah Emi Bridcutt as Hepatocytes

Recently… I’ve been drinking too much… I feel like I’m putting a strain on my liver, and I’ll play Hepatocytes (laughs).
This work, ah… I hope you will feel how hard your body is working and will do your best too!

Hirakawa Daisuke as Brain cell (commander)
Every episode, I get the feeling of being warned by the cells of my body… “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… I’ll be careful about what I eat and life rhythm… I’ll exercise… Maybe… From tomorrow… Maybe…”, saying this, I’ll be working hard every day in the BLACK state, and I would like to convert my sense of crisis into a play and deliver it!

HayashiHiroyuki (POLYSICS)

■ About the opening theme song “Run! With Yamasaki Seiya (Kyuso Nekokami)”

I read the original manga many times, imagining the world view of cells working in a CODE BLACK environment.
As I read it, I saw the negative moments, “It’s hard, it’s hard, it’s such a hard job”, but at the same time from “Red blood cells”, “I want to improve this body! Somehow deliver oxygen to the body!”, so I made song basing on this passion and positive things.
The band POLYSICS has been active for over 20 years, and we have been doing various things such as live performances, recordings, music videos in a CODE BLACk environment.
Of course, it can be painful and difficult, but more than that, I think the fun of playing our songs in front of fans at live houses is irreplaceable.
Nowadays situation becomes difficult because of the novel coronavirus, but when we can resume our activities like before, we would like to deliver our music to fans all over the country just like “red blood cells” carry oxygen.
And Yamasaki Seiya from Kyuso Nekokami participated as a guest vocal this time. Thank you!
Kyuso Nekokami is also a band that keeps moving forward, and it is a favorite band that has co-starred with POLYSICS many times.
I am very happy to be able to record this song with double vocals with Seiya!

■ About the ending theme song “Ue o muite hakobou u~izu sekkekkyuu hakkekkyuu”

This time, I was in charge of the ending following the opening.
It is a company song that compares the inside of the body to a company, and I made it imagining that the cells appearing in this animation are singing together.
The opening song carries the message, “Let’s do our best!”, but the ending song is more on a bittersweet side, like, “Well, it’s hard for each other, let’s do our best”.
And this time, Enoki Junya and Hikasa Yoko, who played roles of Red blood cells and White blood cells, sang as guest vocals!
I directed it at the time of recording, and both of them handled recording very smoothly with wonderful voices.
Thank you very much!
That’s why, when someone tired from work is watching “Cells at Work! CODE BLACK”, I hope that listening to this song will make you feel like “I’ll do my best tomorrow…”.
Please check out the opening “Run!” And the ending “Ue o muite”!

(C) Harada Shigemitsu, Hatsuyoshi Issei, Shimizu Akane / Kodansha, CODE BLACK PROJECT