Akane Shimizu, creator of Cells at Work!, has publicly described years of editorial mistreatment at Kodansha and mental health diagnoses during the manga's serialization. Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Sirius editor-in-chief apologized to her on July 3, 2026, and Shimizu has confirmed discussions with the publisher are ongoing.
Akane Shimizu's public account of her time serializing Cells at Work! moved from personal disclosure to institutional confrontation within three weeks. On June 17, 2026, she said on X that she was diagnosed with depression, trichotillomania, and PTSD while serializing the manga. She also described financial harm from relatives, sexual abuse, and secondary victimization from family members, and said she cut contact with her sister, who inspired the series.
On July 1 and 2, Shimizu posted a series of allegations describing years of editorial mistreatment at Kodansha. She said the publisher failed to provide promised medical supervision, dismissed her requests for professional assistants, and subjected her to personal criticism that contributed to severe mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts. The allegations were supported by documents.
Kodansha responded on July 3. Monthly Shonen Sirius editor-in-chief Takashi Yamaguchi issued a public apology acknowledging failures in medical supervision, working environment, editor conduct, and crediting of derivative works. Shimizu confirmed receiving the apology and said discussions with Kodansha are ongoing. That is where the matter stands: an apology on the record, no settlement or further action disclosed.
The spinoff line continues separately. The November issue of Shonen Sirius said a new spinoff, Hataraku Saibo Dental (Cells at Work! Dental), will launch in the next issue on October 26, with Koma Warita and Kawede Sakaki handling the manga. It follows the end of Cells at Work! Cat, which wrapped on March 26 and shipped its fifth and final volume on May 8.
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The November issue of Kodansha's Shonen Sirius announced on Friday that a new Cells at Work! spinoff, Hataraku Saibo Dental (Cells at Work! Dental), will launch in the next issue on October 26. Koma Warita and Kawede Sakaki handle the manga. It follows the end of Cells at Work! Cat, which wrapped on March 26 and shipped its fifth and final volume on May 8.
Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Sirius editor-in-chief Takashi Yamaguchi issued a public apology to Cells at Work! creator Akane Shimizu on July 3, acknowledging failures in medical supervision, working environment, editor conduct, and crediting of derivative works. Shimizu confirmed receiving the apology and said discussions with Kodansha are ongoing.
Akane Shimizu, creator of Cells at Work!, posted a series of allegations on X on July 1 and 2 detailing what she describes as years of editorial mistreatment during the manga's serialization. She claims Kodansha failed to provide promised medical supervision, dismissed her requests for professional assistants, and subjected her to personal criticism that contributed to severe mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts.
Akane Shimizu, the creator of Cells at Work!, disclosed on X that she was diagnosed with depression, trichotillomania, and PTSD while serializing the manga. She also described financial harm from relatives, sexual abuse, and secondary victimization from family members, and said she cut contact with her sister, who inspired the series.