Episode 8

## The Circulatory System

"**The Circulatory System**" (血液循環, *Ketsueki Junkan*?) is the eighth episode of the *Cells at Work!* anime. It's based on the tenth chapter of the manga, which has the same title.

## Synopsis

Fed up with always getting lost, AE3803 resolves to circulate the body without needing any guidance. Her journey starts in the heart.

## Plot

AE3803 is tasked with making another delivery, but once again she’s lost. She then sees a bunch of rookie Red Blood Cells taking the end of a workplace tour. This inspires her to be more resolute and capable in her job, even though she’s considered a directionally challenged and incapable worker. However, this time around she wants to prove everyone wrong and be independent.

In front of the inferior Vena Cava, AE3803 looks at her notes on the way to the lungs. On her way, she counters a malicious virus covered in sharp spikes. It’s then that U-1146 heads off the virus and kills it. Not only was AE3803 saved by U-1146 from danger because she was lost, but also the white blood cell injured himself to save her. Willing to help guide her again, U-1146 is left astounded when he sees that AE3803’s body is in a figurative blaze. Reading the situation as AE3803 is resolved to reach her location by herself, U-1146 and her separate, but he immediately helps out again after she falls in a pit fall. Apologetic and distraught by her blunder, AE3803 parts way with U-1146 once again, only for him to decide to tail her.

Eventually, in the Inferior Vena Cava, AA5100 sees her junior and offers to help her, but the scintillating AE3803 ignores her. Because of the congestion within the heart, AE3803 is forced to leave her cart behind. She then watches a video presentation about “Heart Circulation”. Resolved to not fail, AE3803 leaves her cart behind and heads forward, while U-1146 watches secretly from afar and wishes her luck.

Inside the Heart, AE3803 starts out in the Right Atrium where her and the other Red Blood Cells are jam packed together. Arriving at the gate to the Tricuspid Valve, she loses her notebook amid the valve opening. So, U-1146 manages to catch the notebook and throws it back to her. At the Tricuspid Valve AE3803 loses her hat, but U-1146 secretly helps her retrieve it. Within the Pulmonary artery, AE3803 gets another cart to carry her oxygen with. She’s relieved to see that her destination is not that far due to a sign she reads. Unbeknownst to her the sign was held by U-1146.

Passing through the lungs, AE3803 sees the Pulmonary Alveoli’s from afar and has her carbon dioxide collected. Waiting for her Co supply to be oxygenated, AE3803 enjoys some tea. Once she collects her Oxygen, AE3803 recalls when U-1146 saved her from the Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Now in the Pulmonary Vein, AE3803 heads back and on her way through the Aorta and the Capillaries. U-1146 continues to follow her while dealing with a Campylobacter and helping out some Platelets. Two Streptococcus Pyogenes that arrived from an abrasion planned to ambush AE3803 but are swiftly dealt with U-1146.

Finally making her delivery to a Normal Cell in a cramped alleyway, AE3803 is relieved to have circulated without getting lost. As AE3803 relishes her accomplishment, U-1146 watches from afar and is approached by Killer T Cell. They talk about AE3803 and U-1146 talks about how hard a Red Blood Cell’s job is. Detailing that he one day hopes all cells can understand and respect each other’s jobs. Killer T punches, chastises, and then lectures U-1146 for his sentiments.

Afterward, U-1146 meets up with AE3803 and they talk about AE3803’s day over tea.

## Errors

After U-1146 shifts himself to the front of the white spiked bacteria, some of the spikes stab his arm, his blood staining his sleeve. But after two shots (when he says Die! You Germ!) and the shot when he slices the bacteria, his sleeve is completely clean and free of blood stains.

After U-1146 shiftily slices a couple Streptococcus, he holds their corpses and tries to get out of AE3803's sight. But when he does a backflip, he resembles U-2626 more than himself.

## Character

### Returning characters

* AE3803
* AA5100
* Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (flashback)
* U-1146
* Platelet
* Macrophage
* Pneumonia Coccus (flashback)
* Campylobacter
* Streptococcus Pyogenes
* Killer T Cell