English Dub Review: Cells at Work! “Cancer Cell II (Part 2)”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Normal Cell gets surrounded by harmful bacteria, but the immune cells and the army of lactic acid bacteria save him. The air in the digestive system clears up as the Cancer Cell beats up the immune cells. However, Memory T Cell strikes with a secret move and deals damage to the surprised Cancer Cell. Regulatory T Cell then recognizes that Cancer Cell isn’t a cell that needs protection and switches sides. However, the Cancer Cell has them deal with a colossus composed out of his clones.

The White Blood Cell breaks free from his cage as the toxic air clears up which weakens the Cancer Cell. U-1146 kills the Cancer Cell and peace returns to the body. Later Normal Cell reunites with all of the lactic acid bacteria and U-1146 thanks him for helping out with the incident. Everything returns to normal as  Red Blood Cell AE3083 greets U-1146 before continuing her route with the other Red Blood Cells.

Our Take:

This week’s episode was a good conclusion to the Cancer Cell conflict. The beginning of the episode was predictable with the small lactic acid bacteria coming back with an army, but their entrance was hilarious. A mountain of cuteness interrupting the fighting immune cells and harmful bacteria was adorable. Cells at Work loves to throw in a comedic moment or two and it works without crashing on the main conflict with the Cancer Cell.

On the other hand, there’s the fight with the Cancer Cell. Memory T Cell’s special punch was hilarious but surprisingly efficient at knocking the Cancer Cell down. The flashback helped sell the ridiculous name of the special punch too. There’s also Regulatory T Cell recognizing that Cancer Cell isn’t a cell to be protected which is a bit sad considering Cancer Cell’s wording. The animation when U-1146 sliced the Cancer Cell was nice. The Cancer Cell’s death was satisfying with his parting words to U-1146.

There’s also the camera angle from Red Blood Cell AE3083 at the ending. It worked well to show how things returned to normal. Even though she didn’t get much screentime, she and the platelets helped show how the lactic acid bacteria’s appearance changed the condition of the environment. It was also amusing to see Normal Cell get those notices after running through the digestive system inside of being at home.

Overall Cells at Work is an entertaining anime with a few emotionally deep moments. While the season is short, it wraps up everything nicely as the cells in the body continue to work.