An event called "Cells at Work - Cell Gathering Premiere" for the film "Cells at Work" (directed by Takeuchi Hideki, scheduled for release on December 13th), a live-action adaptation of the popular manga by Shimizu Akane featuring characters that are personified human cells, was held in Tokyo on December 4th, with an appearance by a star-studded cast including Sato Takeru, who plays a white blood cell (neutrophil).
Sato said that he applied white paint to his role as the white blood cell, saying, "It was a role where I was completely white. I had a hair and makeup artist do the white makeup, but it was just during the time when hay fever is at its peak, so the white paint would come off every time I blew my nose. I was shown on screen with the makeup peeled off. But I thought it would be okay for the white blood cell to change color depending on the situation and emotions. I hope people will pay attention to which white I use in each scene."
A total of 15 people appeared at the event, including Sato, Nagano Mei, Ashida Mana, Abe Sadao, Yamamoto Koji, Naka Riisa, Matsumoto Wakana, Itagaki Rihito, Kato Ryo, Kato Seishiro, Maikapyu, Niiro Shinya, Ozawa Masaharu, Fukase, and director Takeuchi Hideki.
The film is a live-action adaptation of Shimizu's popular manga (Kodansha), which has sold over 10 million copies in total, starring Nagano and Sato. Set inside the human body, the film depicts the daily activities of personified cells. Nagano plays a red blood cell that struggles to deliver oxygen to each organ in the body, while Sato plays a white blood cell that eliminates foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses that enter the body.
