Why new Japanese anime series Cells At Work! is a big hit in China (it’s in the science)
The heroes and villains of China’s most watched cartoon are human body cells – and biology teachers are their biggest fans
It is unusual for teachers to encourage their students to watch cartoons but a Japanese anime series set inside the human body has become a regular part of science homework for some children in China.
The series, Cells at Work !, is not only popular with biology teachers. Since its debut in July it has gained more than 56 million views on Bilibili, China’s version of Netflix for anime, to become the most watched show in the form this season.
Viewing figures for Cells at Work! are about 27 per cent higher than its nearest rival, the sequel to popular fantasy anime Overlord.
The show’s heroes and villains are the tiny cells that make up the human body. Each episode features their struggles and relationships as they carry out their vital work to maintain the body’s health.
Biology teachers at the High School Affiliated to Southwest University were so impressed with the accuracy of the series they assigned it as homework for their students.