Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/cells-at-work.
CC BY 4.0.
Akane Shimizu's Cells at Work! manga is getting a kabuki stage play at the Shinbashi Enbujo in Tokyo in April 2027. Kensuke Yokouchi directs and writes. Ainosuke Kataoka, who played Pneumococcus in the live-action film, stars as White Blood Cell. The cast includes Kazutaro Nakamura, Ryoga Ishikawa, Mandy Sekiguchi, and Ichikawa Chusha.
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.