“The live-action adaptation of ‘Cells at Work!’ has been confirmed! The director is Eiji Uchida, known for ‘Thermae Romae’ and ‘Fly Me to the Saitama’.”

The live-action film adaptation of the immensely popular manga “Cells at Work!” by Akane Shimizu, which has surpassed a cumulative circulation of over 9.5 million copies, has been confirmed. Eiji Uchida, known for his works “Thermae Romae” and “Fly Me to the Saitama,” will serve as the director. Regarding the film adaptation, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “What kind of events unfold daily in the unseen world inside the body? I want to deliver the everyday lives of the cells on a grand scale filled with laughter and learning.”

Warner Bros. Pictures, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is launching a big project to bring “Cells at Work!” to the Japanese film industry on its largest scale ever. The story personifies countless cells working in the human body and depicts their battles against pathogens. With its innovative and unique concept, it has garnered attention, ranking 7th in the “Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2016” Men’s Edition and being selected for “Recommended Reading List for this Summer” by the French newspaper “Le Monde” in 2017, gaining worldwide recognition.

Starting with the anime adaptation that began in July 2018, the series has expanded its popularity through spin-off manga such as “Cells at Work! Code Black,” novelizations, and stage adaptations. It has now exceeded a cumulative total of 9.5 million copies in circulation. The comical and passionate drama featuring distinctive cell characters and the educational aspect that makes learning enjoyable have received acclaim, garnering support from a wide range of age groups, from adults to children.

Pneumococcus, cedar pollen allergies, influenza, and scrapes… One threat after another strikes this world (body). In those moments, what kind of battles are unfolding inside the body? The cells tirelessly working 24/7, without rest, including white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and more, are the ones standing up to the challenge. They each have their own personalities and individuality, experiencing conflicts, growth, and nurturing friendships and affections. The story depicts the cells fighting various threats such as bacteria to protect the body.

Director Eiji Uchida, known for his films “Nodame Cantabile” Parts 1 and 2, which earned a box office revenue of 7.82 billion yen, followed by the two “Thermae Romae” films with 10.4 billion yen, and his award-winning film “Fly Me to the Saitama” at the 43rd Japan Academy Prize with 3.76 billion yen, has consistently delivered blockbuster hits. The cumulative box office revenue of his seven films has exceeded 23 billion yen, an astonishing achievement.

The screenplay will be written by Yuichi Tokunaga, who has worked on films such as “Kaguya-sama: Love Is War” and “Kaiji: Final Game,” both of which earned over 2 billion yen at the box office. Tokunaga previously collaborated with Director Uchida on “Fly Me to the Saitama.”

The release date for the live-action film adaptation of “Cells at Work!” is currently undecided. Director Uchida’s full comment is as follows:

Director Eiji Uchida, known for his films “Nodame Cantabile” Parts 1 and 2, which earned a box office revenue of 7.82 billion yen, followed by the two “Thermae Romae” films with 10.4 billion yen, and his award-winning film “Fly Me to the Saitama” at the 43rd Japan Academy Prize with 3.76 billion yen, has consistently delivered blockbuster hits. The cumulative box office revenue of his seven films has exceeded 23 billion yen, an astonishing achievement.

The screenplay will be written by Yuichi Tokunaga, who has worked on films such as “Kaguya-sama: Love Is War” and “Kaiji: Final Game,” both of which earned over 2 billion yen at the box office. Tokunaga previously collaborated with Director Uchida on “Fly Me to the Saitama.”

The release date for the live-action film adaptation of “Cells at Work!” is currently undecided. Director Uchida’s full comment is as follows:

[Eiji Uchida]
I still vividly remember the surprise and excitement I felt when I heard about the opportunity to adapt the original work “Cells at Work!” into a live-action film.
What kind of events unfold daily in the unseen world inside the body? I want to deliver the everyday lives of these cells on a grand scale filled with laughter and learning.
Since deciding to direct this project, I have become more aware of the cells inside my own body in my daily life.
I will put my full effort into creating this film with my dedicated team of colleagues. Please look forward to it.