The upcoming live-action movie adaptation of the manga 'Cells at Work!' (premiering on December 13), which anthropomorphizes cells in a fresh and unique setting, has announced the cast members Koji Yamamoto, Riisa Naka, Wakana Matsumoto, and Maika Pugh.

The film, set inside the human body and depicting the smallest story on the grandest scale of Japanese cinema, is based on Akane Shimizu's 'Cells at Work!' and the spin-off 'Cells at Work! BLACK' by Shigemitsu Harada and Issei Hatsuyoshiya. It portrays the workings of cells within the bodies of a human parent and child and the drama of their human world, directed by Hideki Takeuchi of 'Fly Me to the Saitama' and 'Thermae Romae.' The action sequences are directed by Takahito Ouchi, known for his work on 'Rurouni Kenshin' and 'Yu Yu Hakusho.'

The first cast announcement featured Mei Nagano as a red blood cell transporting oxygen throughout the body and Takeru Sato as a white blood cell (neutrophil) fighting bacteria and viruses. The second announcement introduced Mana Ashida as Niko Urushizaki, a healthy high school girl, and Sadao Abe as her unhealthy father, Shigeru Urushizaki. This third announcement adds new cast members.

Koji Yamamoto, known for his roles in 'Shin Ultraman' and the 'Kingdom' series, will play a Killer T Cell, a powerful immune cell that identifies and destroys foreign invaders such as bacteria and virus-infected cells, recognizable by its trademark hat labeled "KILL."

Yamamoto has a long-standing relationship with director Takeuchi, dating back to the 1997 drama 'Under One Roof 2.' He also appears in Takeuchi's current film 'What if Tokugawa Ieyasu was the Prime Minister?'

Riisa Naka will play an NK (Natural Killer) Cell, a born killer that single-handedly attacks foreign invaders as soon as they are detected. Naka has appeared in popular works such as the Netflix series 'Alice in Borderland,' 'Let's Get Divorced,' and the drama 'Too Unfit to Handle!' In this film, she will showcase sharp and cool saber techniques.

Wakana Matsumoto, who garnered attention for her lead role in the drama 'Mr. Saionji Never Does the Housework,' will play a macrophage with multiple roles, including nurturing young red blood cells and eliminating foreign invaders. The contrast between her nurturing demeanor and high lethality is a highlight.

Model Maika Piu has been cast as the leader of the platelets, smaller cells that gather to clot blood and stop bleeding when blood vessels are damaged. Popular even in the original manga, the platelets are a familiar presence throughout the film.

Koji Yamamoto (Killer T Cell) Comment:

"I feel like I'm playing a warrior rather than just a Killer T Cell. The relationships between the cells are interesting. NK cells act alone, Killer T cells can't move without orders, white blood cells and red blood cells each have their roles... It's fascinating. My character is quite physical, which I appreciate as I enjoy training. If I were cast as a white blood cell, I'd have to slim down more. It's been a while since I worked with director Takeuchi, but his clear direction was very reassuring. It's an honor to be part of such a distinguished cast. I'm excited to see the final product!"

Riisa Naka (NK Cell) Comment:

"I was very excited about the unknown challenge of playing a 'cell' for the first time. This film expresses the interactions of cells within the body through action scenes, which was a new and intense experience for me. Despite the muscle soreness, I encouraged myself by thinking that my cells were also working hard! Thanks to the support of the cast, staff, and action scene instructors, I believe I was able to portray a very cool live-action NK cell. It's a fun and sometimes moving film that teaches about the work of cells, so please look forward to its release."

Wakana Matsumoto (Macrophage) Comment:

"Macrophages appear soft but can switch to combat mode instantly. They have reliable, gentle, and cool aspects, which makes them fascinating. My niece loves macrophages from the original manga and said they're cute. There's a scene where I fight with a huge cleaver, and the sword-fighting team created an impressive sequence using its weight. I enjoyed thinking about the real macrophages fighting inside my body during filming. This film is a great opportunity to learn about our bodies on a scale never seen before and can be enjoyed by all ages."

Maika Pugh (Platelet) Comment:

"I'm delighted to play a platelet. I was already a fan of the 'Cells at Work!' manga and loved the spin-off 'Cells at Work! Platelets.' It was fun to portray the cheerful and leader-like character, and I learned a lot about different viruses. We valued teamwork during filming breaks. I hope everyone enjoys the film in theaters."

Source : ORICON NEWS