Akane Shimizu, the creator of the manga Cells at Work!, has revealed that she was diagnosed with depression, trichotillomania and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while serializing the popular series.
The mangaka talked about the personal hardships she endured during the manga’s run in a post on her official X account.
“During the serialization of Cells at Work!, I experienced multiple forms of harm overlapping at the same time, and I was diagnosed with depression and trichotillomania. Later, I was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder,” Shimizu wrote.
Shimizu went on to reveal that the difficulties she faced extended beyond her mental health diagnoses. She stated that she suffered financial harm caused by relatives, sexual abuse and secondary victimization from family members.
The mangaka also disclosed that she had cut off contact with her younger sister, who had originally inspired her to create Cells at Work!.
“In addition, I suffered financial harm caused by relatives, sexual victimization, and secondary victimization from family members. I also ended up cutting off contact with my younger sister, who had been the inspiration behind my decision to create the series. The events of that time still remain as deep wounds even now. I hope to share more little by little, as long as it doesn’t lead to unnecessary controversy.“
Originally serialized in Monthly Shonen Sirius from 2015 to 2021, Cells at Work! reimagined the human body as a bustling world inhabited by anthropomorphized cells. The series followed the daily activities of Red Blood Cell AE3803, White Blood Cell U-1146 and other cells as they fought viruses, bacteria and various health threats.
The manga spawned numerous spin-offs, including Cells at Work! Code Black and Cells Not at Work!. The franchise expanded further with anime adaptations, novels, stage plays and a live-action film released in 2024.
Source: X
