Macrophage (Leader)

Gentle and calm queen of immunity

A woman with a gentle and calm tone, she is the leader of powerful immune cells that capture and kill foreign substances. She is a reliable presence who exterminates external enemies in groups while also responsible for nurturing erythroblasts and immature thymocytes.

Quotes

  • Kindness is power. We all work to protect the body.
  • Don't forget to smile, let's protect the body again today.
  • If we find an external enemy, we eliminate it without hesitation.
  • Erythroblasts and immature thymocytes are all your futures.
  • We never give up.

Trivia

  • Macrophages are a type of cell that differentiates from monocytes.
  • In the anime, multiple voice actors handle the leader-type macrophages.
  • The macrophage's weapon is a large hatchet, possessing powerful attack capabilities in the story.
  • Scenes of educating problematic erythroblasts are popular.
  • In 'Cells that Don't Work', macrophages appear as teachers.
  • In the live-action movie version, Wakana Matsumoto plays the role.

Alternate names

Macrophage (Leader) Macrophage Macrophage-san

Tags

Cells at Work Macrophage Immune Cell White Blood Cell Cell Anthropomorphism Anime Character Female Character Educational Medical Manga Healing Type

Profile

Species
Humanoid White Blood Cell
Gender
Female

Appearance

Overall appearance
A woman dressed in a pure white apron dress. Her gentle and calm expression is impressive, carrying a hatchet as her powerful weapon, and behaves as a leader in group actions.
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
White
Distinguishing features
  • Pure white apron dress
  • Gentle expression
  • Hand carrying a hatchet
Iconic items
  • White apron dress
  • Large hatchet
  • Gentle smile

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Kind
Detailed personality
Always maintains a calm and kind tone without breaking it, but her lethality is extremely powerful. She shows a maternal side toward comrades and nurturing targets like erythroblasts and immature thymocytes. She executes missions calmly and precisely, earning respect from other immune cells.
Keywords
  • Kind
  • Calm
  • Powerful
  • Leadership
  • Composed
  • Educator
  • Maternal
  • Immune Defense
  • Intellectual
  • Inclusiveness
Motto
Accomplish missions with a smile, protect and nurture the body.
Talents
  • Capture and phagocytosis of foreign substances
  • Transmission of immune information
  • Nurturing and education of cells
  • Leadership
  • High killing ability
Skills
  • Group coordination
  • Antigen presentation
  • Enemy extermination
  • Environmental analysis
  • Efficient command and leadership
Motivation
Protect the body's health, exterminate foreign enemies, and maintain harmony among the cells.
Habits
Always keeps a smile without fail, appears fragile at first glance, but is merciless during combat.
Favorite foods
Nutrients, Glucose
Favorite places
Red bone marrow, Inside blood vessels

History

Backstory
Macrophages are powerful immune cells differentiated from monocytes, bearing the role of capturing and killing foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. She leads the cells with a gentle tone, takes charge of nurturing erythroblasts and immature thymocytes, and serves as a leader maintaining order within the body.
Debut date
March 26, 2015
Work title
Cells at Work
Media type
Manga

'Cells at Work' serialization begins

Significant event
'Cells at Work' serialization begins
Description
Appeared with the start of serialization of the cell anthropomorphism manga 'Cells at Work'.

TV anime adaptation

Significant event
TV anime adaptation
Description
TV anime adaptation in 2018, with the image solidified by lead voice actress Kikuko Inoue.

Live-action movie adaptation announced

Significant event
Live-action movie adaptation announced
Description
Live-action movie adaptation in 2024, scheduled to appear as Macrophage Leader.

Relationships

Monocyte

The maternal existence from which the macrophage differentiates and matures from monocyte.

Erythroblast

Mentor

Responsible for nurturing and guiding erythroblasts, supporting the body's foundational cells.

Immature Thymocyte

Mentor

Takes on the role of nurturing T-cell candidates, interacting in the position of an instructor.

Neutrophil

Teammate

Works together as the frontline force for eliminating external enemies and defending the body.

Immune Cell Team

Immune Cell Team: leader

Media appearances

Cells at Work

Manga

Serialization started in 2015

Cells at Work

Anime / Supporting

2018 TV series

Cells at Work!!

Anime / Supporting

2021 TV series

Cells at Work (Live-action Movie)

Movie / Supporting

Released December 13, 2024

Intra-body Spectacle 'Cells at Work'

Stage play / Supporting

Performed in 2018 and 2019

Cells at Work Official Website

Web

Voice cast and creators

Kikuko Inoue

Voice actor
Kikuko Inoue
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime version
Notes
Role of leader-type Macrophage

Tamari Kimura

Voice actor
Tamari Kimura
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime sub-cast

Yuka Nukui

Voice actor
Yuka Nukui
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime sub-cast

Hitsumi Sakesaki

Voice actor
Hitsumi Sakesaki
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime sub-cast

Eri Sachimura

Voice actor
Eri Sachimura
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime sub-cast

Akane Shimizu

Creator name
Akane Shimizu
Role
Original author

Takahiko Yoshida

Creator name
Takahiko Yoshida
Role
Character designer

david production

Creator name
david production
Role
Animation studio

Kodansha

Creator name
Kodansha
Role
Publisher

Related goods

Macrophage Figure

Item name
Macrophage Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Macrophage Acrylic Stand

Item name
Macrophage Acrylic Stand
Category
Accessory
Availability
Regular