Cells at Work Black

After hearing Ren's response, the assistants in the room couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, their faces lighting up with excitement.

So, it really was an official spinoff!

They were thrilled, barely able to contain their excitement to read this future manga. However, since Ren hadn't shown them any drafts yet, it was clear the storyboards weren't fully completed, and they knew better than to ask for an early peek.

Just then, Felix stepped forward, holding a manuscript in his hand. "Teacher, take a look at this!"

"Hm? What is this?" Ren asked as he subconsciously took the manuscript from Felix's hand. When he glanced at the title, he saw the words Cells at Work Black.

"It's the project you mentioned to me earlier! I actually finished drawing it!" Felix said, his expression filled with excitement.

This was the work he had the most confidence in!

Even though his current projects, Kamen Rider Amazons and Ultraman Nexus, were doing quite well and had achieved great success in the market, Felix always preferred being a mangaka over a screenwriter. It was the reason he came here in the first place.

Unfortunately, he didn't seem to have much natural talent for it. While the others in the studio had managed to produce notable works, he had yet to release a successful manga of his own.

Then, after showing Ren the script for Kamen Rider Amazons, Ren had given him some advice, suggesting that he could try creating a more adult version of Cells at Work. Ren had even shared some ideas on how to go about it.

The more Felix thought about it afterward, the more intriguing Ren's suggestion seemed. So, following Ren's advice and blending it with his own ideas, Felix managed to complete this new manga.

Ren, still slightly in disbelief, looked down at the manuscript.

Honestly, he hadn't expected Felix to actually create a Black version of Cells at Work. His suggestion had been more of a playful nudge, considering Felix had already turned Ultraman and Kamen Rider into adult versions. Ren had only given a few casual pointers for fun.

Cells at Work Black told the gritty story of an overworked, smoking, drinking, balding, middle-aged man suffering from various health issues, including heart disease, liver damage, and even a bout with gonorrhea.

It was brutally realistic, filled with dark satire about the harsh lives of workers in exploitative corporations.

To be honest, compared to the original Cells at Work, this version carried a heavy tone of social commentary.

As readers progressed through the story, they would notice a clear underlying theme: what does it mean to grow up?

The protagonist, Red Blood Cell, starts as a bright-eyed, enthusiastic worker entering the workforce. But after facing numerous hardships and setbacks, he falls into despair, only to rise again with renewed determination.

It was a familiar theme in many mangas—the journey of growth and perseverance—and one that resonated deeply with people.

If the original Cells at Work was educational and science-based, Cells at Work Black was a harsh dose of reality.

It depicted a reckless human, plagued by bad habits like smoking and drinking, constantly pushing his body to the brink. Liver cells suffered, the stomach was ulcerated, bacteria and fungi spread, and eventually, a heart attack nearly took the man's life.

Although it carried a heavy atmosphere, the manga delivered a powerful message, warning readers who led similar lifestyles to take better care of themselves.

"So, what do you think, Teacher?" Felix asked anxiously, waiting for Ren's feedback.

Despite his confidence in the work, Felix was eager to know what Ren thought.

"Hmm, let me take a look," Ren said, flipping through the pages of the storyboard.

He had to admit, this manga bore many similarities to the Black version of Cells at Work from his past life. But there was one notable omission…

Felix hadn't drawn White Blood Cell as a strikingly cool female character, which Ren considered a missed opportunity.

There were also some differences in the localization. For instance, in the second chapter, where Red Blood Cells were supposed to head to the liver to relieve stress, the original depicted something akin to a traditional Japanese bathhouse.

In Felix's version, it had been changed to something resembling a massage parlor, complete with a more distinctly local flavor.

Overall, the adaptation worked well.

"It's not bad," Ren nodded in approval. "But you might want to tweak this section, and here too…"

As soon as Ren began offering suggestions, Felix quickly leaned in, listening closely and nodding enthusiastically as he took mental notes.

"Wow! A new version of Cells at Work is coming out!"

"An adult version of Cells at Work? For some reason, I'm picturing something inappropriate…"

"Wait, this isn't by the Porter? Who's this 'Felix' guy?"

"He's the one behind Ultraman Nexus and Kamen Rider Amazons, one of the Porter's apprentices."

"... Oh, him? I don't know why, but I'm getting a bad feeling about this…"

"Me too! His works always have this dark and serious vibe compared to the originals."

"Yeah, especially Kamen Rider Amazons. That series gave me serious melancholy feels."

On various forums, fans who saw the Porter's announcement about Cells at Work Black began to discuss it excitedly.

After all, the original Cells at Work had been a beloved series, appreciated by audiences of all ages. The adorable Platelets, in particular, had become a fan-favorite and a popular cosplay choice.

"I wonder what Felix will turn Cells at Work into... Adult version? I'm kind of nervous."

The online chatter was endless, as many who had seen Felix's previous works were curious about what he would do with this more serious take on Cells at Work. How would someone who had managed to turn Ultraman and Kamen Rider into darker stories handle this new project?

Time passed quickly.

Finally, the release date for Cells at Work Black arrived.

Daniel, of course, was among the first to get his hands on a copy.

Before diving into Cells at Work Black, he first caught up with the latest chapter of Konosuba.

At this point, the series had reached its seventh and eighth chapters, telling the story of Kazuma and the gang's efforts to pay off their debts after defeating the Headless Knight, Beldia.

The story maintained its excellent pacing, and the eighth chapter's castle adventure had Daniel laughing all the way through to the end.

"Now, let's see what Cells at Work Black is all about," Daniel muttered to himself, rubbing his sore stomach and face from all the laughter.

With that curiosity in mind, Daniel flipped open the new manga.

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