Hepatocyte is a supporting character appearing in the anime Cells at Work! Code Black, which depicts a human body in a state of significant neglect. In this setting, she is one of the many cells working within the liver, the body's primary metabolic and detoxification organ. Her physical design is notable and distinct, portraying her as a fashionable woman. She typically wears a frilly, semi-dark dress complemented by a transparent waist veil, light high-heeled sandals, a decorative belt, and a necklace. Her long, light-colored hair is often styled up, with loose strands framing her face.

The core of Hepatocyte's personality is defined by a quiet but persistent resilience. While her appearance and the atmosphere of the liver district might suggest a carefree or easygoing role, she and her fellow liver cells are in fact severely overworked. The body they serve is frequently damaged by excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and poor lifestyle choices, which places an immense strain on the liver. Despite suffering from the debilitating effects of this toxic environment, including frequent coughing and physical weakness, Hepatocyte rarely complains. She strives to maintain a professional and even warm demeanor towards the red blood cells who come to her for help, trying not to let her own suffering show. This quiet endurance highlights a deep sense of duty and pride in her essential work.

Her primary motivation is to continue performing her vital functions despite the increasingly hostile conditions. The liver's primary roles include processing nutrients, synthesizing proteins, and neutralizing toxins like alcohol and drugs. Hepatocyte's specific daily task is to assist red blood cells in dealing with alcohol. When the body drinks, she provides the red blood cells with enzymes, first alcohol dehydrogenase to break alcohol down into acetaldehyde, and then aldehyde dehydrogenase to further break it down into harmless substances. This process is essential for preventing alcohol poisoning, and she performs it tirelessly, even as her own health deteriorates.

Within the story, Hepatocyte's role is to illuminate the hidden consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle. Initially, the main character, the red blood cell AA2153, views the liver cells with resentment, believing they have an easy job compared to his own perilous deliveries. He is taken backstage by an elder red blood cell to witness the truth: the hepatocytes, including Hepatocyte, are laboring in a state of extreme fatigue and sickness, a direct result of the body's chronic alcohol abuse. This moment serves as a key turning point, forcing AA2153 to recognize that every cell in this damaged body is struggling and that no role is free from hardship. After this realization, AA2153 apologizes to her, and in a rare, tender moment, she forgives him and gives him a kiss on the cheek, an act that underscores her forgiving nature and the personal cost of her labor.

Key relationships are primarily professional. She has a close working bond with the many red blood cells who visit the liver to be detoxified, acting as a hostess of sorts in a bar-like setting within the liver district. Her relationship with the protagonist, AA2153, is particularly significant, as he is the one who comes to understand her sacrifice. She also interacts with the Kupffer cells, another type of liver cell responsible for consuming and recycling old, dead cells, which is part of the liver's broader ecosystem of cooperation.

Notable abilities are directly tied to the biological functions of a real-world hepatocyte. Her primary ability is the rapid metabolism of alcohol, for which she provides the necessary enzymes to other cells. More broadly, she is involved in the liver's crucial tasks of detoxifying harmful substances and maintaining metabolic balance. Her resilience is also a notable trait; she continues to function and help others even when her own body is failing, showcasing a remarkable level of dedication to her job in the face of systemic failure.