Live-action movie “Cells at Work!” The “bacteria” played by Ainosuke Kataoka and Fukase go on a rampage! Scene photos and casting secrets have arrived

Welcome back to the I Am Anime website

The live-action movie “Cells at Work!” will be released on December 13, 2024. We have recently received new scene photos of the “bacteria” played by Kataoka Ainosuke, Niino Shinya, Ozawa Pearl, Fukase and others going on a rampage, as well as director Takeuchi Hideki’s behind-the-scenes casting stories about each cast member.

The original work for “Cells at Work!” is a manga serialized in Kodansha’s “Monthly Shonen Sirius” by Akane Shimizu, which attracted a lot of attention for its novel and unique setting that depicts anthropomorphic cells. In 2017, it was selected by the French newspaper “Le Monde” for its “Recommended Books for Summer” list, attracting attention not only in Japan but around the world. The boom became even more popular when it was made into an anime in 2018, and the series has become a mega hit with cumulative circulation exceeding 10 million copies.

This work is based on Shimizu’s “Cells at Work!” and the spin-off work “Cells at Work! BLACK” supervised by Shimizu and created by Shigemitsu Harada and Issei Hatsukaya, and is the first in the history of the series to introduce the “human world.” ” will also be drawn and made into a live-action movie. This work depicts the world’s smallest story, which takes place inside the human body, on the largest scale in Japanese cinema.

Ainosuke Kataoka, who left a strong impact by playing the ill-mannered governor of Osaka Prefecture in “Fly to Saitama ~From Lake Biwa with Love~” directed by Takeuchi, who took the lead in this film, plays the role of the ill-mannered governor of Osaka Prefecture. Plays bacteria and pneumococcus. In the main story, there will also be a scene in which it suddenly attacks red blood cells (Mei Nagano) that carry oxygen, lurking in unexpected places within the body.

Regarding appearing in this film, director Takeuchi said, “Mr. Kataoka told me that he would like to work with director Takeuchi again.” However, even though I said, “Next time, I’m going to do “Cells at Work!”, the cast was almost decided at that point, and only the role of the bacteria remained. Mr. Kataoka said, “It doesn’t matter, I want to participate!”, and it was from those words that he offered to play the role of Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, “Since the role of the bacteria is covered in such full-fledged make-up and costumes that it becomes difficult to see the real face, “I can clearly see that it’s Kataoka-san, but I was worried that it would be difficult to tell who was playing the role…” Kataoka I’m a little worried that you might regret it by now (lol),” he says.

Shinya Niino, who has become a hot topic for his role as Zensei Ano in the historical drama “Kamakura-dono no 13-nin” and has also attracted attention for his appearances in TV drama series “Omusubi”, will play Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcus pyogenes is a type of common bacteria that lives in the throat, fire extinguisher, and skin, but it can cause a variety of diseases. They stand in front of the cells as ferocious bacteria with sharp spines and tentacles.

Director Takeuchi said, “Mr. Niino seemed to be good at making twisty movements, so I tried making him a sticky character that would give off a slightly feminine atmosphere.The indescribable sticky feeling goes really well with the CG, and it worked well. I think he got used to it,” he says, commenting on his role as Streptococcus pyogenes. “Perhaps Mr. Niino was acting while predicting the finished image.It was his first time participating since the drama “Lupin’s Daughter,” which I directed, and I thought he was a wonderful actor who really put his heart into it. ”, praising his performance.

Pearl Ozawa, who is a regular in Takeuchi’s films such as “Fly to Saitama” and the “Lupin’s Daughter” series, and who always attracts attention for her mysterious performances, plays Staphylococcus aureus. It is a highly toxic bacterium that lives in the skin and pores, and when it enters the body through wounds, it can cause epidermal infections, food poisoning, pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. As its name suggests, its entire body is covered in yellow spheres, and although it looks pop-like at first glance, the way it laughs as it watches the cells fleeing inside its body, which has become a battlefield, is nothing short of cold-blooded. When Ozawa posted a character visual on his Instagram, the gap between the character’s beautiful face caused a huge response, and the attention level skyrocketed.

Director Takeuchi said, “She played an unusual role in “Flying Saitama,” but when I saw the original story about Staphylococcus aureus, I instinctively decided, “She’s the only one who can play this role!” Confess about the process of casting. “My child seems to be a big fan of the original manga, and I wanted to do it because it would be useful for education.However, it was good that I offered, but like Mr. Kataoka, I was worried that people would be able to tell who I was because of the unusual make-up and costumes.However. Regarding Mr. Ozawa, I think it’s amazing that you can immediately recognize him, “Oh, it’s Mr. Ozawa!”, he said, revealing his tremendous trust in him.

Fukase, who is the vocalist of SEKAI NO OWARI and who made his acting debut in the role of a serial killer in the movie “Character” and won the 45th Japan Academy Award Newcomer Award and Hochi Film Award Newcomer Award, is still a mystery to many. He plays the role of “???”, the strongest enemy of the cells. He seems to have lost his energy, has sad eyes, and gives off an unusual aura, making him a presence worthy of being the ultimate “final boss.”

Director Takeuchi said, “When I saw Mr. Fukase’s “Character” in which he played a murderer, I felt drawn to the indescribable “sadness” within him, so I definitely wanted to work with him. This time, I wanted to play a character who is the strongest enemy of the cells that threaten human life.His face was the first thing that came to my mind. He revealed that he had been eagerly awaiting Fukase’s appearance for some time. So what exactly is this bacterium? Expectations are high for Fukase’s collaboration with the W lead cast including Mei Nagano and Takeru Sato.

The live-action movie “Cells at Work!” will be released on December 13, 2024.

“Cells at Work”
■Release date: December 13th (Friday)
■Cast: Mei Nagano, Ken Sato / Mana Ashida, Koji Yamamoto, Riisa Naka, Wakana Matsumoto, Shota Sometani, Rikoto Itagaki, Ryo Kato, Seishiro Kato, Maikapu
Kyoko Fukada / Ainosuke Kataoka / Shinya Niino Fukase (SEKAI NO OWARI) / Sadao Abe
■Original work: Akane Shimizu “Cells at Work” (published in Kodansha “Monthly Shonen Sirius”)
Shigemitsu Harada, Issei Hatsukaya, Akane Shimizu “Cells at Work BLACK” (published in Kodansha’s “Morning”)
■Director: Hideki Takeuchi
■Screenplay: Yuichi Tokunaga
■Music: Face 2 fAKE
■Production: Movie “Cells at Worker” Production Committee
■Production Production: Twins Japan
■Theme song: Official Mustache Dism “50%” (IRORI Records / PONY CANYON Inc.)
■Distribution: Warner Bros. Pictures

(C) Akane Shimizu/Kodansha (C) Shigemitsu Harada, Issei Hatsukaya, Akane Shimizu/Kodansha (C) 2024 Movie “Cells at Work” Production Committee