When Red Blood Cell AA2153 is brought in for his first day of work, the cheery initiation video gives him the impression that this body is much like the one from the original series: friendly, efficient, and capable of handling any issues that may arise. But while it may have been like that many years ago, high levels of stress and unhealthy coping mechanisms have overstrained the cells to the point that their lives are a never-ending nightmare.

After helplessly watching several of his senpais graphically suffocate to death from a carbon monoxide leak (caused by smoking), Red Blood Cell is saved from a bacterial attack by the boobalicious White Blood Cell U-1196. And let’s just lay it out on the table right now – this hard-working, katana-wielding, constantly blood-splattered badass is already the best waifu of 2021. Will these two fire-forged friends be able to survive in this body together, or will they succumb to tragic, senseless deaths like so many of their coworkers?

There’s more to this anime than just suffering and fanservice, though. It imparts genuinely useful medical information that encourages viewers to take care of their bodies, features some top-tier black comedy (like when Red Blood Cell despairs at learning that not every ejaculation is for the purpose of creating a baby, meaning that the eager sperm cells will die without achieving their life’s purpose), and shows that hard work and tenacity can make even a seemingly hopeless task worthwhile. There are happy moments to be had in this body, like detoxing from alcohol exposure in the liver and successfully fighting off bacteria, and even the grumpiest cells still care for others and want them to succeed. We’ve really grown to care for these characters, so we hope that the body they live in starts making better lifestyle choices for their sake!