Background
An anthropomorphic white blood cell living in a human body. As a member of the neutrophil division of white blood cells, he acts as a first responder to any incoming pathogens or bacteria. He’s stated to have graduated from a rigorous schooling course in the bone marrow and was inspired by a basophil cell whom he thought died in the line of duty(though later turned out to be alive). His official designated name in the series is U-1146.
HS ep 1 3:20 1146 states he’s part of the neutrophil division
HS ch 27 1146 was inspired by one of his mentors dying to protect the body during a time of increased infection. Though he later finds out this mentor was in fact a Basophils whose still alive https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1754921/12 and https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1754921/16
HS ch 27 It’s stated 1146 graduate from school in a years long course https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1754921/3
HSBY ch 6 Profile on neutrophils https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1574501/9
HSW ch 1 White’s designation is 1146 https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1808759/10
1146 is known to be an exceptionally brave individual, having put his life on the line to protect red blood cells even as a child. Particularly his eventual friend Ae3803. He also serves as the leader of his own designated white brigade, a unit comprising 4 members.
HS ch 7 1146 fights a Pseudomonas bacteria to protect the blood cell AE3803 https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671414/20
Like real world neutrophils he also underwent various other stages in life before reaching maturity. Starting as a myeloid stem cell, then myeloblast, then myelocyte, band cell, then neutrophil.
HS ch 7 The differentiation of cells is explained https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671412/32
Hs ch 28 It’s stated all cells start out the same https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1754922/16
HSN ch 21 The life cycle of neutrophils https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1752100/17
HS ch 14 It’s stated that when white blood cells die they produce pus https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671871/9
How old 1146 is isn’t clear. It’s implied that cells in the Cells at Work franchise experience time at a different rate than the human they’re living in, though it’s still suggested in many stories that they live longer than their real world counterparts. Particularly with events or experiences extending beyond the scope of a normal cell's lifespan.
HS ch 3 It’s directly stated that cells in the body experience time at a different rate than the human does outside the body. Red blood cells are directly stated to only live for 120 days https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1563713/11
HS ch 18 It’s again stated that time passes differently for cells compared to outside the body https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1564408/5
That said, the age of the host 1146 live is also vague. The most we can say for sure is that they were stated to be at least over a dozen years old.
HS ch 28 A cell says a body has had vision issues worsen over a dozen years https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1754922/12
Equipment
White blood cell uniform
A basic white work uniform. It’s modeled after a military combat suite and is white to represent purity. White can get replacement suits from locations in the bone marrow if needed.
HS ch 20 It’s stated White can get a new uniform in locations that make blood cells, like the blood marrow https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673353/45
L-selectin
A protective vest that allows white blood cells too sick to vertical or horizontal surfaces. It acts as a cellular adhesion measure to keep white blood cells from being sucked out wounds or falling off high vantage points, such as “marginating pools”.
HS ch 14 A schematic of an average white blood cell is shown. They have “l selectin” vests that allow them to stick to surfaces using a kind of cellular adhesion https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671871/33
HSW ch 6 White cells have an adhesive molecule called L-selectin that allows them to stick to objects and walls or climb up objects easily. In the series this is represented as a mechanical jacket they can activate https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1810236/9
HSB ch 10 It’s stated white blood cells have a L-selectin harness for adhesion to surfaces https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1280168/40
HS ch 4 It’s stated white blood cells have harnesses that can be activated to adhere to surfaces called l selectin https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670700/21
HS ch 14 1146 sticks to the side of a wall https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671871/15
HSN White blood cells can hang onto ceilings https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1752104/21 #arsenal
HS S2ep1 12:52 White can stick to the ground even when gravity has basically been negated
HS ch 22 White blood cells can rest in marginating pools https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673358/30
Grapple cords
In the series “Cells at work Black”, white blood cells are also shown to have grapple cables that can extend or tether them to high places.
HSB ch 30 L-selectin vests are shown to have cords that can be used as grapple points https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1535750/12
Receptor hat
All white blood cells in the human body are given a “receptor” hat that activates an alarm in the presence of nearby bacteria or infected cells. While this can be used to alert 1146 to imminent danger, it only gives him the general proximity of his target, meaning he can still be tricked or taken off guard by craftier opponents. The receptor in the hat is connected directly to components on the undervest of the white blood cells main uniform.
HS ch 1 It’s stated that 1146 has a receptor on his hat that alerts him to nearby hostile bacteria and viruses https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670696/23
HSW ch 9 A random white blood cells receptors reacts to dangerous bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/2152561/13
HS ch 5 1146’s receptor going off https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671409/6
HS ch 11 1146’s receptor goes off in the presence of a virus infected cell https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671868/8
HS ep 1 16:49 1146 has a receptor alarm that goes off in the presence of bacteria
HSsp ep 1 1:44 The “receptors” white cells have are stated to be removable hats
Communicator
A handheld communication device 1146 can use to talk with his companions and comrades. Typically he uses it for calling for backup in battle.
HSBY ch 6 White blood cells are shown to have communicator devices https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1574501/13
HS ch 1 1146 using his communicator https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670696/22
HS ch 14 A schematic of an average white blood cell is shown. They have a transceiver for picking up outside signals https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671871/33
HS ep 1 3:20 1146 has a communication device.
Hydrolyzing enzyme spray
A specialized spray that breaks down the bodies of bacteria and other pathogens. It’s used more commonly for cleanup than during mid combat.
HS ch 14 A schematic of an average white blood cell is shown. They “hydrolyzing enzyme” spray https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671871/33
HS ep 11 4:30 White has spray that can dissolve bacteria and other pathogens
Arsenal
Russian anti terror Knives
White blood cells primarily carry 6 Russian anti terror knives as their main form of weaponry. They also carry a multitude of throwing knives for long range combat.
HS ch 14 White blood cells carry two types of knives. Throwing knives and 6 handheld knives modeled after Russian anti-terror knives. https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671871/32
HS ch 1 1146 using a knife to kill a bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670696/11
HSW ch 1 1146 uses a blade to attack a pneumococcus bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1808759/5
HSW ch 2 White blood cells are shown to have multiple knives https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1810231/17
HSBY ch 6 A young white blood cell uses a knife as a weapon https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1574501/39
HS ep 1 3:05 White uses a knife to kill a germ
Throwing knives
HSW ch 1 It’s stated white blood cells can also throw their weapons https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1808759/13
HS ch 1 White throws two knives. https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670696/44
HS ep 1 17:10 1146 throws knives at a bacteria
Straight Sword
A giant Straight sword 1146 used during a play for younger cells.
1146 can wield a giant straight sword. He puts on a play for younger cells https://mangatoto.com/chapter/2152584/15
Riot Shields
White blood cells in the series “Cells at work:Baby”, have been seen using defensive riot shields.
HSBY ch 8 White blood cells can have riot shields https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1574506/5
Katanas
The white blood cells in the “Code Black” and “Illegals” spin offs have been seen using katanas.
HSB ch 4 White blood cells can wield twin katanas https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1240341/9
Automatic weapons and rocket launchers
The white blood cells in the “Code Black” have wielded automatic weapons.
HSB ch 8 White blood cells can use rocket launchers and automatic weapons https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1322470/9 and https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1322470/10
HSB ep 11 8:09 White blood cells are shown using rocket launchers and automatic machine guns
Misc
HSW ch 6 hIn Cells at Work:Baby, White blood cells can wield immunoglobulin G, massive energy cannons. https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1574504/27 https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1574504/29 #arsenal
HSF ch 26 A random white blood cell has been shown to drive a plow truck https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1566485/29
HS ch 22 In some stories cytokines produced by other cells can temporarily make white blood cells stronger https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673358/15 https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673358/16 https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673358/18
Abilities
Phagocytosis
White blood cells possess the ability to phagocytize their opponents. A method of consuming and analyzing their matter for presentation to other cells.
HS ch 2 It’s stated 1146 can use phagocytosis on opponents https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670698/8
HSW ch 4 White blood cells phagocytes bacteria and matter https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1810234/3
HS ep 5 5:24 1146 phagocytizes a ceder bacteria
Transmigration
The ability to to travel between cellular walls without the need for direct pathways. In the series this is typically represented by various white blood cells traveling between underground tunnels, vents or other small openings. Though in some cases it's also shown white blood cells can outright phase through solid objects.
HS ch 1 1146 says he can travel through cell walls using transmigration https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670696/42
HS ch 15 1146 traveling through pipes in the body via transmigration https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672546/9
HS Ch 17 The body is shown to have specific transmigration ducts for white blood cells to use https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672557/12
HSI ch 1 It’s shown white blood cells can phase through solid objects using transmigration as well https://mangadex.org/chapter/8df3e908-e987-4d33-a74a-52bfb7db05ea/46
HS ep 1 16:30 White blood cell can “transmigrate” through shafts in cell walls to get around the body
Self-regeneration
Most cells have the power of self-regeneration, allowing them to heal from damage taken without the need for external treatment.
HSN ch 11 It’s stated that most cells have regenerative abilities, allowing them to self heal https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1563784/9
Feats
Strength
HSW ch 9 1146 knocks a bacteria dozens of feat into the air https://mangatoto.com/chapter/2152561/20
HSW ch 16 1146 slices through a germ with a knife https://mangatoto.com/chapter/2152584/2
HS ch 4 1146 grabs a large bacteria and swing it against a wall by its tentacle https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670700/17
HS ch 5 1146 breaks out of giant bacteria from the inside https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671409/17
HS ch 6 1146 causes a city block sized explosion while killing a germ https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671412/29
HS ch 16 1146 flings some Dengue viruses hundreds of feat into the air https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672555/25
HS ch 20 1146 busts down a door with a kick https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673353/16
HS ch 20 1146 knocks down and kills a giant pylori bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673353/36
HS ep 11 20:20 White causes multiple explosions of blood while killing a bacteria
Speed
HSW ch 16 1146 can easily jump across entire buildings https://mangatoto.com/chapter/2152584/6
HS ch 10 1146 can perform a somersault jump https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671867/17
HS ch 21 White deflects a knife thrown at a high speed https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673355/22
HS ch 5 It’s stated that white blood cells are sometimes responsible for carrying platelets across the body in short periods of time https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1731290/10
HS ep 1 18:10 White deflects Pneumococcus bacteria tentacle attacks
HS ep 2 18:50 White jumps hundreds of feet into the air and slices a Staphylococcus bacteria with a knife slash.
HS S2ep8 16:55 White moves faster than the eye can see.
Endurance
HS ch 2 1146 is hit from behind by a large metal ball carrying medicine. https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670698/30
HS ch 8 The villain cancer cell can engulf an entire building and destroys it while 1146 is in it https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671421/16
HS ch 9 1146 survives an explosion made by cancer https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671421/27 #endurance
HS ch 10 1146 is impaled by various spikes from a germ https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671867/6
HS ch 14 1146 is bitten into by a giant acne bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671871/7
HS ch 14 1146 survived being engulfed in a burst of sebum in a hair follicle https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671871/27
HS ch 16 1146 is “electrocuted” by nerves short circuiting in the body https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672555/3
HS ch 24 1146 is smashed into a wall by cancer with force that shatters buildings https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673360/4
HSB Random White cells can survive under liquid https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1565327/12
HS ep 7 8:09 1146 survives a building being destroyed by cancer
Scaling
Other white blood cells
1146 should be comparable to other white blood cells.
HSW ch 12 A white blood cell was able to create a small explosion with an attack on a mumps virus https://mangatoto.com/chapter/2152569/16
HSB ch 4 The white blood cell U-1196 performs multiple blade slashes in a fraction of a second https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1240341/18
HSB ch 30 The white blood cell from from Code Black, survived being crushed by an electric toothbrush https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1535750/18
HS S2ep5 16:27 An “activate” white blood cell cuts a tornado in half with a knife swipe.
Red blood cells
As red blood cells have no combat ability in the Cells at Work franchise, white blood cells should be physically superior to them.
It’s heavily implied on multiple occasions that red blood cells flow through the body at a similar rate to real world blood cells.
HSB ch 31 It’s stated that blood cells run through the body 200,000 to 300,000 times over the course of their lives https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1535754/22
HSN ch 3 Red blood cells are directly stated to only live for 120 days,Similar to real life https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1563713/11
HSN ch 11 It’s stated red blood cells deliver oxygen without many breaks https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1563784/9
HS ch 10 It’s stated that blood in cells at work circulates at the same rate as normal human cells.https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671867/12
HS ch 18 Cells likely have to be delivered oxygen at the rate of a normal human body, given they start suffocating shortly after major blood loss happens https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672558/4
HS ch 18 Red blood cells can survive being placed into “cold sleep” https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672558/28
Red blood cell AE3803 and AA2153
1146 should also be superior to the red blood cell protagonists of the main Cells at Work and Code Black manga series. Particularly the former, since he’s been responsible for saving her life multiple times.
HS ch 16 3803 could resist the explosive suction of a mosquito bite https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672555/11
HS ch 18 3803 can survive in blizzard like temperatures https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672558/10 https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672558/15
HS ep 1 0:25 3803 survives a vessel blowing open in her face
HS ep 13 10:49 3803 survives the temperature in the body rapidly lowering to -1.2 C
HS ch 2 3803 is seemingly strong enough to move a large metallic ball containing a steroid robot across the body https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670698/30
HS ch 7 3803 blood cell can run fast enough to run on walls https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671414/15
HSB ep 10 15:36 A2153 survived light contact with Gastric acid, though it left his legs burned.
Other cells
While technically weaker than some immune cells, 1146 should be in a similar ballpark of power to most cells due to his combat role in the body.
HS ch 2 Several normal cells survive an explosion caused by histamine https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670698/23
HS ch 5 Eosinophil is able to knock away a huge nematode called Akinsakis https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671409/28
HS ep 4 19:20 Eosinophil knocks down a giant Anisakis parasite
HS ch 11 A NK cell can punch an infected cell through a wall https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671868/20 #scaling
HSL ch 1 Cells survive the body temperature dropping down to “35 degrees” https://meo.comick.pictures/25-X4QFuUkCRZrfX-m.jpg
HS ep 5 19:55 Normal cells survived an explosion from a steroid robot that made massive crater in the ground
HS ep 5 20:15 Various cell types dodged laser shots and gunshots from a steroid robot
HS ep 6 18:56 NK and Killer T cell can jump hundreds of feet into the air vertically and horizontally while fighting each other
HS S2ep8 12:31 Killer T cell creates a massive crater with a punch
HSBY ch 14 A few muscle cells are enough to cause a bowel movement https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1574513
HSB ch 3 A relatively small amount of red blood cells can cause tumescence https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1240342/13
Bacteria
Naturally since 1146 kills bacteria for a living, he should scale to them.
HSBY ch 17 Staphylococcus bacteria can survive hits from Immunoglobulin G, which can make massive city block sized explosions.https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1856252/20
HSB ch 27 Staphylococcus bacteria can survive being crushed by a finger https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1565327/9
HS ch 22 Several virus infected cells can run at a high speed to create a tornado https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673358/4
HSB ch 52 various types of bacteria can survive being scratched at by a human https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1568703/22
HS S2ep3 7:14 Dengue viruses can create tornadoes
Cancer
Finally 1146 was capable of putting up a decent fight against the series main villain, Cancer, though he often needed some aid in these confrontations. Regardless he delivered the killing blow both times, so he should downscale from most forms of cancer shown throughout the series.
HS ch 8 1146 is capable of killing cancer cells https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671416/3
HS ch 25 1146 blood cell kills a cancer cell https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673361/30
HS ch 8 Cancer makes a small crater with a punch https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671421/12
HSB ch 40 The cancer cell featured in Code Black, survived a direct blast from a radiation therapy ray. This is treat as him basically being hit by an orbital laser https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1691033/4 https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1691033/6
HS ch 25 Natural Killer Cell performs a punch that creates a notable shockwave and breaks apart the ground, which Cancer tanks https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673361/25
Experience
Bacteria
HSW ch 7 1146 kills Staphylococcus bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/2152559/17
HS ch 4 1146 fights various Staphylococcus bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670700/12
HS ch 15 1146 helps fight a giant staph bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672546/16
HS ep 1 17:40 White fights Pseudomonas bacteria
HS ch 17 1146 punching a Streptococcus bacteria to death https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1672557/7
HS ch 1 1146 fights a Pseudomonas bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670696/44
HS ch 14 1146 works to save hair cells from acne bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671871/12
HS ch 5 1146 helps fight a vibrio bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671409/16
HS ch 20 1146 knocks down and kills a giant pylori bacteria https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673353/36
Viruses
HSW ch 3 1146 fights to kill influenza viruses https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1810233/9
HS ch 3 1146 kills infected cells that have influenza https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670699/6
HS ch 3 Aided in stopping an influenza virus outbreak https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670699/31
HS ep 3 17:57 Helps fight off influenza virus
HS ch 13 1146l fights normal cells invaded by the mumps virus https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671870/10
HS ch 29 Helped defeat coronavirus https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1754924
Cancer
- HS ch 9 1146 blood cell gives the finishing blow on a cancer cell https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671421/38
- HS ch 24 1146 helps fight a cancer cell https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673360/3
- HS ch 25 1146 kills a cancer cell https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673361/30
- HS ep 7 16:34 1146 helps fight a cancer cell
- HS S2ep6 19:07 1146 helps fight a reborn cancer cell
General Training
- HSW ch 2 1146 leads a training exercise where other white blood cells navigate the human body to find flags https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1810231/4
- HSW ch 9 1146 medical knowledge on good,bad and opportunistic bacteria in the human body https://mangatoto.com/chapter/2152561/3
- HSW ch 13 It’s shown White blood cells can train to get stronger https://mangatoto.com/chapter/2152575/3
- HS ch 14 It’s stated white blood cells are taught how to knife fight, hide and chase each other while training in the bone marrow https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1671871/32
- HS ch 26 1146 is an expert in attacking weak or vital points in quick succession https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1754920/10
- HS ch 27 Young white blood cells practice traditional meditation https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1754921/4
- HS ch 23 1146 can recognize and choose not to attack “good bacteria” https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1673359/12
Weaknesses
Like most human cells 1146 can’t survive outside of a host body for long periods of time.
HS ch 4 It’s stated that falling outside of the body is a death sentence https://mangatoto.com/chapter/1670700/9