Episode 18

"Cytokines" (サイトカイン) is the 18th episode of the Cells at Work! (Anime) anime adaption.

Plot
Without any warning, Natural Killer Cell attacks Normal Cell for insulting U-1146. But the latter defuses the situation.

Luckily, Dendritic Cell rescues the lactic acid bacterium that fell into the storm drain and cares for it.

There's another attack. Influenza Virus is attacking the small intestine. The virus has mutated, and the white blood cell's attacks have no effect on them. Leading Natural Killer Cell to collapse in despair.

With some quick thinking, the lactic acid bacterium produces Polysaccharides. It gives Dendritic Cell a power boost, which in turn helps him produce Cytokines. The large group of proteins is portrayed as embarrassing photos that shock the white blood cells. The distress caused by the images motivates them to become stronger and wipe out the virus.

Normal Cell and U-1146 bid farewell to the lactic acid bacterium, and the former apologizes to the white blood cell. U-1146 gives him permission to take the last bacterium he has.

But the troubles don't stop there. Natural Killer Cell informs U-1146 that Cancer Cell has returned.

New characters

 * Influenza Virus

Returning characters

 * Normal Cell
 * U-1146
 * Natural Killer Cell
 * Dendritic Cell
 * Lactic Acid Bacteria