Once Upon a Time... Life

<h2 id="overview">Overview</h2>
Once Upon a Time... Life brought back the <a href="/facts/Educational_entertainment/SXKNW3Dj">edutainment</a> formula that has <a href="/facts/Once_Upon_a_Time..._Man/4Ax29uk0">Once Upon a Time... Man</a> but that had been left out on <a href="/facts/Once_Upon_a_Time..._Space/5RahItgc">Once Upon a Time... Space</a>. The series combined entertaining story lines with factual information, presented metaphorically.
The series used the same recurring lead characters as the other series in the Once Upon a Time... franchise: certain represent the cells that make up the body's systems and defense mechanisms, such as <a href="/facts/Red_blood_cell/Kggpq8Jh">red blood cells</a>, <a href="/facts/White_blood_cell/vsDunUK0">white blood cells</a> and <a href="/facts/Platelet/I0xrDVGa">platelets</a>, while antagonists represent <a href="/facts/Virus/mf88Bcbl">viruses</a> and <a href="/facts/Bacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacteria</a> that threaten to attack the human body. Every episode of the series featured a different organ or system within the human body (like the <a href="/facts/Brain/Xo5ABfXl">brain</a>, the <a href="/facts/Heart/fF4KSGdk">heart</a>, the <a href="/facts/Circulatory_system/EGs6Y7sI">circulatory system</a>, etc.).
In addition to its countries of origin, the series was also aired in the <a href="/facts/Arab_states_of_the_Persian_Gulf/tpxkypCs">Arab states of the Persian Gulf</a>, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Soviet Union, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, and Zimbabwe.

<h2 id="music">Music</h2>
The main theme music and instrumental score for the series as a whole are composed by <a href="/facts/Michel_Legrand/uYy0pSrb">Michel Legrand</a>. The opening song "Hymne à la Vie" (French for "Hymn for Life") was performed in the original French-language version by <a href="/facts/Sandra_Kim/psqLFKNF">Sandra Kim</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a> winner of the <a href="/facts/Eurovision_Song_Contest_1986/fPJ5kbIM">Eurovision Song Contest 1986</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a> The song was released as a single in 1986 by <a href="/facts/Carrere_Records/DF8J0g1F">Carrere Records</a> (14.148).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a> In the English-language dub, its lyrics were translated and was retitled as "This Life is Life, That's Life!".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a>
A soundtrack album collecting all the instrumental music of the series was released in 2001 by Loga-Rythme (LR-677005) as a part of the Anime Classique range.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a>

<h3>Track listing</h3>
All music is composed by <a href="/facts/Michel_Legrand/uYy0pSrb">Michel Legrand</a>.<table><tbody><tr><th scope="col">No.</th><th scope="col">Title</th><th scope="col">Length</th></tr><tr><th scope="row">1.</th><td>"Hymne à la Vie (vocals by <a href="/facts/Sandra_Kim/psqLFKNF">Sandra Kim</a>)"</td><td>2:19</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">2.</th><td>"La Circulation Sanguine"</td><td>3:39</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">3.</th><td>"Un Peu d'Oxygène!"</td><td>2:31</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">4.</th><td>"Le Circuit des Aliments"</td><td>1:10</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">5.</th><td>"Petite Visite du Corps Humain"</td><td>4:40</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">6.</th><td>"Les Plaquettes"</td><td>3:09</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">7.</th><td>"Thème Principal - Hymne à la Vie"</td><td>2:50</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">8.</th><td>"La Naissance"</td><td>1:59</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">9.</th><td>"Les Chaînes de la Vie"</td><td>2:49</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">10.</th><td>"Assembler l'ADN"</td><td>2:20</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">11.</th><td>"Les Macrophages"</td><td>3:22</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">12.</th><td>"Le Coeur"</td><td>2:56</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">13.</th><td>"Ainsi va la Vie..."</td><td>2:27</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">14.</th><td>"Les Brigades du Corps"</td><td>1:16</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">15.</th><td>"Près du Tympan"</td><td>4:21</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">16.</th><td>"L'Oreille"</td><td>3:11</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">17.</th><td>"Maitre Globus"</td><td>2:26</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">18.</th><td>"Maman Pierrette"</td><td>1:24</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">19.</th><td>"Les Conseils de Psi"</td><td>2:04</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">20.</th><td>"Les Lymphocytes en Action"</td><td>0:23</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">21.</th><td>"Bébé Grandit"</td><td>1:13</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">22.</th><td>"Le Foie"</td><td>1:56</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">23.</th><td>"La Digestion"</td><td>0:56</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">24.</th><td>"Entretenir Son Corps"</td><td>1:12</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">25.</th><td>"L'Oeil"</td><td>1:37</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">26.</th><td>"Les Hormones"</td><td>2:14</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">27.</th><td>"La Respiration"</td><td>2:46</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" scope="row">Total length:</th><td>63:25</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h2 id="characters">Characters</h2>
The series makes use of recurring human characters originally from both Once Upon a Time... Man and Once Upon a Time... Space. Every character in the series appeared as a real person (the old intelligent doctor, the dedicated blonde mother, the boy and the girl, their obese friend, and the pair of bullies) and <a href="/facts/Anthropomorphism/foTf9q24">anthropomorphic</a> representations of <a href="/facts/Cell_(biology)/bLM9UQvy">cells</a> and cellular functions within the human body. 

<ul><li>The manager of the <a href="/facts/Human_brain/qfSwSB8K">brain</a> – represented by Maestro, the bearded old man.</li>
<li>The manager of the <a href="/facts/Cell_nucleus/D7sFRa3c">cell nucleus</a> – represented by Maestro, usually asleep in his chair.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Enzyme/DSI1Fh7y">Enzymes</a> – The human body's workmen, shown usually as a man in a <a href="/facts/Bib_overall/kaxwb0Xu">bib overall</a> and a baseball-type cap.
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Digestive_enzyme/aRYCbJHe">Digestive enzymes</a> - Works of digestion. Some enzymes are shown as female and most as male. The females are only seen in the <a href="/facts/Stomach/Q4PPDGT6">stomach</a>. The males appear in the <a href="/facts/Stomach/Q4PPDGT6">stomach</a> and <a href="/facts/Small_intestine/1AQ8RJ4m">small intestine</a>.</li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Hormone/WFnBnINJ">Hormones</a> – messengers for the body, represented as humanoid robotic outboard motors spray-painted according to function; those representing <a href="/facts/Thyroxine/9k4xJtCq">thyroxine</a> are given life by <a href="/facts/Iodine/JlfMecMf">iodine</a>. These hormones are all female.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Red_blood_cell/Kggpq8Jh">Red blood cells</a> – represented by red humanoids. Most notable is elderly Professor Globus, who tells a lot about how the body works; he is accompanied by dimwitted big boy called <a href="/facts/Hemoglobin/RsD1MzYA">Hemo</a>; and his inquisitive and mischievous friend <a href="/facts/Globin/NvpSKo7k">Globin</a>. They can be pink colored when they carry <a href="/facts/Oxygen/acyn6o8r">oxygen</a> bubbles or <a href="/facts/Carbon_dioxide/xGzpppEp">carbon dioxide</a> bubbles in a back pouch, becoming dark red when carrying <a href="/facts/Carbon_dioxide/xGzpppEp">carbon dioxide</a>.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Neurotransmitter/LlpYFSU3">Neurotransmitters</a>-The blue speedy guys that can deliver messages as papers or passengers through <a href="/facts/Nerve/q7GsAfYV">nerves</a> and stations. They are mostly running anytime on delivery, and pick up or drop off passenger times until they reach the end.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Platelet/I0xrDVGa">Platelets</a> – represented as red disks with a face, legs and arms.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/White_blood_cell/vsDunUK0">White blood cells</a> – The body's police force.
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Neutrophil_granulocyte/KL6oTt8b">Neutrophil granulocytes</a> – represented by foot-patrol "policemen" which are completely white in color, and wear a yellow star badge. They carry <a href="/facts/Club_(weapon)/DRU9yL8M">batons</a> and swallow any <a href="/facts/Bacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacterias</a> that they find. They can clone themselves. Most of the time they function as traffic cops. Their commander is the same but with a Caucasian head, and is named Jumbo or Jumbo Junior.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Lymphocyte/pS2pv2Ma">Lymphocytes</a> – represented by:
<ul><li><a href="/facts/B_cell/6Y1tgwwp">Lymphocytes B</a> – as marshals in a small one-man round flying craft with two aimable side-mounted <a href="/facts/Hydrojet/eHnVHFad">hydrojet</a> propulsors; two of them are a version of Peter and Psi (named Captain Peter and <a href="/facts/Lieutenant/G9BbvD6s">Lieutenant</a> Claire). Some other (unnamed) B cell pilot characters each appear more than once, for example a <a href="/facts/Acne/TKJxhHSd">spotty-faced</a> teenage boy. They can drop <a href="/facts/Antibody/MX8pdTdP">antibodies</a> from an underbelly <a href="/facts/Bomb_bay/DheldBBv">bomb bay</a>. They can multiplicate themselves through <a href="/facts/Mitosis/ExxrSUs8">mitosis</a> duplicating the craft and the pilot. Their uniforms are very light blue with shoulder pads. (Those uniforms appear in the outside world in a few futuristic scenes as <a href="/facts/Astronaut/HB1bd6Lz">astronaut</a> uniforms/<a href="/facts/Undersuit/s5fU9JYf">undersuits</a>.)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/T_cell/5z6PQ9UN">Lymphocytes T</a> – the same sort of craft but with a large uppercase T on the underbelly at the <a href="/facts/Bow_(ship)/7IMvUGon">bow</a>. They can discharge a purple smoke that kills <a href="/facts/Bacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacteria</a> and <a href="/facts/Cancer_cell/HXSQQjhw">cancer cells</a>.</li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Phagocyte/1vbsR9er">Phagocyte</a> – hovering spherical craft with several large suction tubes coming out of them. A pilot's head can be seen through a small <a href="/facts/Aircraft_canopy/qaekse5W">canopy</a> on top. They can engulf bacteria.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Basophil/FRN1ugHk">Basophils</a> – plump women with body like granulocytes, who instead of swallow bacterias carry a basket of "<a href="/facts/Histamine/Vfjda665">histamine</a> grenades" and throw them to attack toxins.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Macrophage/z7hkQu3o">Macrophages</a> – (a big yellow ground vehicles shaped like frog heads with a big front scoop grab and three wheels; each "eye" is a small canopy revealing a pilot's head), "the cleaning services of the body". Most of the time they function by removing the body' waste and during emergency times they <a href="/facts/Phagocyte/1vbsR9er">phagocyte</a> bacteria and viruses.</li>
<li>Immature leucocytes: teenage humanoids with the same uniform as the lymphocyte B pilots: seen in the <a href="/facts/Thymus/YYEJu7KA">thymus</a>, which is represented as a police training college.</li></ul></li>
<li>The <a href="/facts/Antibody/MX8pdTdP">antibodies</a> – a small white insectoid characters which after being launched at infectious agents, fly around the bacteria or viruses and paralyze them. Their commander is named Metro.</li>
<li>The <a href="/facts/Pathogen/axMXtV1M">Pathogens</a> are the main antagonists of the series. They are the characters that make people sick. The other antagonists are the Immature leukocytes in Bone Marrow,
<ul><li>The <a href="/facts/Bacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacteria</a> (represented as blue bullies) – the big bully. Mostly blue in color.</li>
<li>The <a href="/facts/Virus/mf88Bcbl">viruses</a> (represented as yellow worms with hands) – the smaller bully. Mostly yellow in color.</li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Organic_compound/gqCNaN45">Organic molecules</a>, which are represented in two cases as characters.
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Fat/87HcP11s">Fats/Fatty acids</a>: Represented as fat yellow ponies.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Protein/Jxmagu3E">Proteins</a> : Represented as a tall, strong, and muscular orange character in overalls with some doglike features.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Glucose/oUSkoLCD">Sugars</a> : Small green-and-purple hexagons and pentagons. Sometimes appear as candylike characters.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Amino_acid/WDxYwBny">Amino acids</a> : Similar appearance to antibodies, generally invisible until the episode dealing with protein synthesis.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Nucleic_acid/2tTgcI0v">DNA/RNA</a> : Represented quite accurately and in detail when explaining protein synthesis.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Vitamin/SnW0LYBL">Vitamins</a> : Represented as colored living letters. As seen in the <a href="/facts/Lymphatic_system/yw5QLgMT">lymphatic system</a>, P is present but rarely.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Cholesterol/TnfPlYc1">Cholesterol</a> : Yellow seal-like characters that can block a passage of a blood vessel. As seen in "The liver factory", the cholesterol accumulated around Jumbo, blocking the passage of the red blood cells in the blood vessel.</li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Bile/D15BG2gq">Gall/Bile</a> : Blue-green-colored liquid that makes the fats shrink, as seen in "The digestion".</li></ul>
The series describes a "society inside the body" with a strong pyramidal stratification of work.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a>

<h2 id="episodes">Episodes</h2>
<table><tbody><tr><th scope="col">No.</th><th scope="col">Title</th><th scope="col">Original release date</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">1</th><td rowspan="1">"The Cell Planet" (La planète cellule)</td><td>13 September 1987 (1987-09-13)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Cell_(biology)/bLM9UQvy">cells</a> and the <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">DNA</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">2</th><td rowspan="1">"Birth" (La naissance)</td><td>20 September 1987 (1987-09-20)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Human_reproductive_system/gL90a4cf">reproductive system</a>, <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a>, and birth.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">3</th><td rowspan="1">"The Body's Sentinels" (Les sentinelles du corps)</td><td>27 September 1987 (1987-09-27)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/White_blood_cell/vsDunUK0">white blood cells</a> and the <a href="/facts/Immune_system/HRCTf1pb">immune system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">4</th><td rowspan="1">"The Bone Marrow" (La moelle osseuse)</td><td>4 October 1987 (1987-10-04)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Bone_marrow/4dfudk0H">bone marrow</a> and the <a href="/facts/Haematopoietic_system/xS8e8jYd">haematopoietic system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">5</th><td rowspan="1">"The Blood" (Le sang)</td><td>11 October 1987 (1987-10-11)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Blood/03zEulkj">blood</a> and the <a href="/facts/Circulatory_system/EGs6Y7sI">circulatory system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">6</th><td rowspan="1">"The Tiny Platelets" (Les petites plaquettes)</td><td>18 October 1987 (1987-10-18)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Platelet/I0xrDVGa">platelets</a> and the <a href="/facts/Hemostasis/5v9dTBGt">hemostasis</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">7</th><td rowspan="1">"The Heart" (Le cœur)</td><td>25 October 1987 (1987-10-25)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Human_heart/fF4KSGdk">heart</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">8</th><td rowspan="1">"Breathing" (La respiration)</td><td>1 November 1987 (1987-11-01)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Respiratory_system/IG8v5JEr">respiratory system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">9</th><td rowspan="1">"The Brain" (Le cerveau)</td><td>8 November 1987 (1987-11-08)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Brain/Xo5ABfXl">brain</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">10</th><td rowspan="1">"The Neurones" (Les neurones)</td><td>15 November 1987 (1987-11-15)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Neuron/G7CyTVdH">neurones</a> and the <a href="/facts/Nervous_system/CDxRKU2U">nervous system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">11</th><td rowspan="1">"The Eye" (L'œil)</td><td>22 November 1987 (1987-11-22)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Human_eye/a24ua4fy">eye</a> and the <a href="/facts/Visual_system/QVcuA27K">visual system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">12</th><td rowspan="1">"The Ear" (L'oreille)</td><td>29 November 1987 (1987-11-29)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Ear/UayK1RIP">ear</a>, the <a href="/facts/Hearing/EPYrVkSx">hearing</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Vestibular_system/h2gYqtSq">vestibular system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">13</th><td rowspan="1">"The Skin" (La peau)</td><td>6 December 1987 (1987-12-06)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Human_skin/cfRXQwSs">skin</a> and the <a href="/facts/Integumentary_system/vCEm01JG">integumentary system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">14</th><td rowspan="1">"The Mouth and the Teeth" (La bouche et les dents)</td><td>13 December 1987 (1987-12-13)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the mouth and the <a href="/facts/Tooth/Wc6IqwVf">teeth</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">15</th><td rowspan="1">"The Digestion" (La digestion)</td><td>20 December 1987 (1987-12-20)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Human_digestive_system/SdpF0sWq">digestive system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">16</th><td rowspan="1">"The Liver Factory" (L'usine du foie)</td><td>27 December 1987 (1987-12-27)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Liver/Rtp4Fk2b">liver</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">17</th><td rowspan="1">"The Kidneys" (Les reins)</td><td>3 January 1988 (1988-01-03)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Kidney/HBspPrv9">kidneys</a> and the <a href="/facts/Urinary_system/CJxvtE0S">urinary system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">18</th><td rowspan="1">"The Lymphatic System" (Le système lymphatique)</td><td>10 January 1988 (1988-01-10)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Lymphatic_system/yw5QLgMT">lymphatic system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">19</th><td rowspan="1">"The Bones and the Skeleton" (Les os et le squelette)</td><td>17 January 1988 (1988-01-17)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Bone/pCU37jBe">bones</a> and the <a href="/facts/Human_skeleton/LKMMXUwD">skeleton</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">20</th><td rowspan="1">"The Muscles and the Fat" (Les muscles et la graisse)</td><td>24 January 1988 (1988-01-24)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Muscular_system/p5XLaftA">muscular system</a> and the <a href="/facts/Adipose_tissue/PxxedB6e">fat</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">21</th><td rowspan="1">"Toxin Wars" (Guerre aux toxines)</td><td>31 January 1988 (1988-01-31)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Microorganism/pysJYcE2">microbes</a> and the <a href="/facts/Antibody/MX8pdTdP">antibodies</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">22</th><td rowspan="1">"The Vaccination" (La vaccination)</td><td>7 February 1988 (1988-02-07)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Vaccination/3SfpzPsd">vaccination</a> and <a href="/facts/Immunization/f2NLoleW">immunization</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">23</th><td rowspan="1">"The Hormones" (Les hormones)</td><td>14 February 1988 (1988-02-14)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Hormone/WFnBnINJ">hormones</a> and the <a href="/facts/Endocrine_system/PDvN5cpj">endocrine system</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">24</th><td rowspan="1">"The Chain of Life" (Les chaînes de la vie)</td><td>21 February 1988 (1988-02-21)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On the <a href="/facts/Food_chain/mvDKQTGu">food chain</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">25</th><td rowspan="1">"Repairs and Changes" (Réparations et transformations)</td><td>28 February 1988 (1988-02-28)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On <a href="/facts/Regeneration_(biology)/DHkSrakp">regeneration</a>.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" rowspan="1">26</th><td rowspan="1">"And Life Goes On" (Et la vie va...)</td><td>13 March 1988 (1988-03-13)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">On <a href="/facts/Ageing/AxL4qCW4">ageing</a> and <a href="/facts/Death/VJmq29qm">death</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h2 id="regional-home-video-releases">Regional home-video releases</h2>
In some English-language versions, the title is rendered as "Once Upon a Time – Life" in the opening credits.
A <a href="/facts/Partwork/zKdnufqK">partwork</a> version called How My Body Works was produced for the United Kingdom in 50 <a href="/facts/Hardback/YTsWyoVz">hardback</a> volumes, each with about 30 <a href="/facts/A4_paper_size/jsfzqPxA">A4</a>-sized pages, described as "an <a href="/facts/Orbis_Publishing/ECH4sbRL">Orbis</a> play & learn collection". In it, some of the characters have different names: The Professor for the Maestro; <a href="/facts/Captains_Courageous/G3jXfAlU">Captain Courageous</a> and Ace for the lymphocyte B crafts' pilots; Plasmus and Globina for Hemo and Globin, Corpo for Jumbo; Toxicus, Germus and Infectius for the bacterium characters; Virulus for the virus character. VHS copies of the English-language television episodes were included with issues.
A DVD box set of all the episodes of the series was produced by Procidis, and distributed locally by various distributors.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a> The DVD series was produced in French, English, Polish, Finnish, German, Italian, Hebrew, Norwegian, Hungarian, Dutch and Swedish, but was not released in the United Kingdom. In 2011, the DVD box set was available in English in Canada, distributed by Imavision.
Full episodes are available on Youtube.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a>

<h2 id="biological-accuracy">Biological accuracy</h2>

Most biological terminology is translated with care, but a few mistakes were made and there are some <a href="/facts/Anachronism/vjnKorAb">anachronisms</a>.

<ul><li>The heart chamber now known as the <a href="/facts/Atrium_(heart)/eYNg8Vw2">atrium</a> is called the "auricle" in episode 7, a term correct at the time of production, but which is now used for <a href="/facts/Atrial_appendage/fX7DSoYH">another structure in the heart</a>.</li>
<li>In episode 4, "Pulmonary aorta" is used for "<a href="/facts/Pulmonary_artery/86j5Jc7D">pulmonary artery</a>", which is a mistake because unlike fish, humans do not have two aortae.</li>
<li>More inaccuracies include complete lack of <a href="/facts/Antigen_presenting_cell/No0wr2uU">antigen presenting cell</a> activity (by <a href="/facts/Macrophages/z7hkQu3o">Macrophages</a>, <a href="/facts/B-cells/6Y1tgwwp">B-cells</a> and <a href="/facts/Dendritic_cells/19KBuKFK">Dendritic cells</a>) in order to trigger the <a href="/facts/Adaptive_immune_system/bc7zT1Jo">adaptive immune system</a> according to <a href="/facts/MHCII/nQ4hkBgW">MHCII</a> complex. Though it is mentioned that <a href="/facts/Antibodies/MX8pdTdP">antibodies</a> need to be specific to the disease's <a href="/facts/Pathogen/axMXtV1M">pathogen</a>, the way that specificity is obtained is not shown. Also, some aspects of the immune system are not portrayed, like the <a href="/facts/Complement_system/vRSrQDUv">complement system</a>.</li>
<li>In episode 11, it is explained that <a href="/facts/Lysosome/0mcrzJU9">lysosomes</a> are found in <a href="/facts/Tears/qtYNpb7g">tears</a> to protect and clean the eye surface, but the correct term are the <a href="/facts/Lysozyme/VQqTSbFS">lysozymes</a>.</li>
<li>In episode 13, when professor Globus explains the receptors of the skin, the <a href="/facts/Tactile_corpuscle/egHcTj1g">Meissner's corpuscle</a> is mentioned as <a href="/facts/Golgi_apparatus/F91pGb3t">Golgi corpuscle</a>, a cell organelle responsible for protein transportation.</li></ul>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_French_animated_television_series/stu5DRWt">List of French animated television series</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/List_of_French_television_series/zfz5AnGp">List of French television series</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Osmosis_Jones/FEUhAjJa">Osmosis Jones</a>, a 2001 American film with a similar premise</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Cells_at_Work!/Rexvzv8L">Cells at Work!</a>, a 2015 manga series with a similar premise</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Fantastic_Voyage/Py58ubXU">Fantastic Voyage</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Innerspace/JM9vsXwI">Innerspace</a></li></ul>
<h2 id="notes">Notes</h2>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.hellomaestro.fr/home.html">Official website</a> - series producer</li>
<li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0284735/">Once Upon a Time... Life</a> at <a href="/facts/IMDb_(identifier)/uWrqVYVy">IMDb</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11517">Seimei no Kagaku Micro Patrol</a> (anime) at <a href="/facts/Anime_News_Network/fEL6hKHM">Anime News Network</a>'s encyclopedia</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/onceuponatimechannel/about">Hello Maestro</a> at <a href="/facts/YouTube/db276jst">YouTube</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">Known in Japan as The Science of Life: Micro Patrol (Japanese: 生命の科学ミクロパトロール, Hepburn: Seimei no Kagaku: Mikuro Patorōru) <a href="/wiki/Japanese_language" target="_blank">/wiki/Japanese_language</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">"株式会社エイケン オフィシャルサイト". www.eiken-anime.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-01-29. <a href="https://eiken-anime.jp/works/%E7%94%9F%E5%91%BD%E3%81%AE%E7%A7%91%E5%AD%A6%E3%83%9F%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AD%E3%83%91%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB/" target="_blank">https://eiken-anime.jp/works/%E7%94%9F%E5%91%BD%E3%81%AE%E7%A7%91%E5%AD%A6%E3%83%9F%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AD%E3%83%91%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Il était une fois... La Vie - Le Générique". YouTube. 8 April 2017. <a href="https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/kNnpHAszq64" target="_blank">https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/kNnpHAszq64</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">"Final of Bergen 1986". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021. <a href="https://eurovision.tv/event/bergen-1986/final" target="_blank">https://eurovision.tv/event/bergen-1986/final</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">"Sandra Kim – Hymne À La Vie". Discogs. 1986. Retrieved 5 July 2025. <a href="https://www.discogs.com/release/6091517-Sandra-Kim-Hymne-À-La-Vie" target="_blank">https://www.discogs.com/release/6091517-Sandra-Kim-Hymne-À-La-Vie</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Once Upon a Time... (Hello Maestro) (2011-03-30). Once upon a time... Life - Opening Theme. Retrieved 2025-01-29 – via YouTube. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imP2MZxoM-s" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imP2MZxoM-s</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">"Il Était Une Fois... La Vie- Soundtrack details - SoundtrackCollector.com". Soundtrack Collector.com. 2002. Retrieved 5 July 2025. <a href="https://www.soundtrackcollector.com/title/91518/Il+Était+Une+Fois...+La+Vie" target="_blank">https://www.soundtrackcollector.com/title/91518/Il+Était+Une+Fois...+La+Vie</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">"Michel Legrand – Il Etait Une Fois... La Vie (Bande Originale Du Dessin Animé)". Discogs. 2001. Retrieved 5 July 2025. <a href="https://www.discogs.com/release/764425-Michel-Legrand-Il-Etait-Une-Fois-La-Vie-Bande-Originale-Du-Dessin-Animé" target="_blank">https://www.discogs.com/release/764425-Michel-Legrand-Il-Etait-Une-Fois-La-Vie-Bande-Originale-Du-Dessin-Animé</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">Brodesco, Alberto (2011). "I've Got you under my Skin: Narratives of the Inner Body in Cinema and Television". Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science. 26 (1): 214. doi:10.1163/182539111x569829. PMID 21936210. Retrieved 24 August 2012. <a href="https://unitn.academia.edu/AlbertoBrodesco/Papers/824001/_Ive_Got_you_under_my_Skin_Narratives_of_the_Inner_Body_in_Cinema_and_Television_Nuncius._Journal_of_the_material_and_visual_history_of_science_vol._26_Ways_of_Voyaging_Through_the_Human_Body_2011_pp._201-221" target="_blank">https://unitn.academia.edu/AlbertoBrodesco/Papers/824001/_Ive_Got_you_under_my_Skin_Narratives_of_the_Inner_Body_in_Cinema_and_Television_Nuncius._Journal_of_the_material_and_visual_history_of_science_vol._26_Ways_of_Voyaging_Through_the_Human_Body_2011_pp._201-221</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">"Procidis - Collection DVD". Archived from the original on 2007-10-16. Retrieved 2007-10-21. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071016044547/http://www.procidis.com/gb/collection/d_dvd.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20071016044547/http://www.procidis.com/gb/collection/d_dvd.html</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">"Once Upon a time... Life". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-01-29. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKnJDcjkfEp0AEalF2mrq-wOSX8jCAMnz" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKnJDcjkfEp0AEalF2mrq-wOSX8jCAMnz</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Once Upon a Time... Life open-in-new

Once Upon a Time... Life