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Season guide

Once Upon a Time... Life: Season 1

26 episodes Premiered Sep 13, 1987 Updated Nov 8, 2026

Buckle up for a head-to-toe adventure through the human body as this animated series explores the workings of our cells, hearts, brains, and more. This animated series features an adventurous tour through the human body, introducing our physical appearance from head to toe along cells and organs in an educational way with a lot of humour. The heart, blood, nerves, and kidneys, each single one is a miracle which rende

Previously on Once Upon a Time... Life

Season 1 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • ⚡ The series takes place as an adventurous tour through the human body.
  • ⚡ The narrative explores the workings of cells, hearts, brains, and more.
  • ⚡ The physical appearance is introduced from head to toe along cells and organs in an educational way with a lot of humour.
  • ⚡ The heart, blood, nerves, and kidneys are featured as miracles which render life possible.
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Season overview

Buckle up for a head-to-toe adventure through the human body as this animated series explores the workings of our cells, hearts, brains, and more. This animated series features an adventurous tour through the human body, introducing our physical appearance from head to toe along cells and organs in an educational way with a lot of humour. The heart, blood, nerves, and kidneys, each single one is a miracle which renders life possible.

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Season 1 Episodes

Episode Guide

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Season 1 Progress Shield

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Binge Efficiency Engine

Season 1: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

12%
88%
Mytharc (3): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (23): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S1·E1 Mytharc

The Planet Cell

Sep 13, 1987 · 24 min

The world of cells is incredible! Activating enzymes, stopping viruses, and managing the body’s police force: it’s all in a day’s work for Teacher.

S1·E2 Core

Birth

Sep 20, 1987 · 24 min

After the first cell is fertilized, division and diversification take place to create the 60 trillion cells of the human body.

S1·E3 Core

The Body Sentinels

Sep 27, 1987 · 26 min

The body’s police force is taught to neutralize its enemies (microbes and viruses), which reproduce at an alarming rate! It’s a very complex task.

S1·E4 Core

The Bone Marrow

Oct 4, 1987 · 26 min

Red blood cells, the body’s police force, are created in the bone marrow but sometimes, the factory breaks down and wayward policemen come out. Uh oh!

S1·E5 Core

The Blood

Oct 11, 1987 · 25 min

The steadfast red blood cells have come down with the flu! Pedrito and Psi get some help from the Teacher’s antibodies to beat the enemy.

S1·E6 Core

The Tiny Platelets

Oct 18, 1987 · 24 min

Pedrito cuts his finger with a dirty knife. While the platelets try to cure the wound, the white blood cells fight off the filthy invaders.

S1·E7 Core

The Heart

Oct 25, 1987 · 26 min

Globus takes Hemo and Globina on a tour through the human body’s cathedral: the heart and circulatory system. It’s an impressive adventure.

S1·E8 Core

Breathing

Nov 1, 1987 · 26 min

Air bubbles travel from the nose to the lungs. In the swampy, mucus-filled areas, they meet the red blood cells that transport them around the body.

S1·E9 Core

The Brain

Nov 8, 1987 · 26 min

Teacher introduces Hemo and Globina to the most mysterious organ: the brain. They learn about behavior, the senses, and much more.

S1·E10 Core

The Neurones

Nov 15, 1987 · 26 min

The body’s messengers run around sending and receiving information about feelings like hunger and cold. They work day and night and never take breaks.

S1·E11 Core

The Eye

Nov 22, 1987 · 26 min

Eyes are magical! They break down and transmit images to the brain. What happens if a speck of dust gets into one? It’s tear enzymes to the rescue.

S1·E12 Core

The Ear

Nov 29, 1987 · 26 min

The ear is composed of cells that sense vibrations and transmit them to the brain. Then, the brain transforms them into words and sounds.

S1·E13 Core

The Skin

Dec 6, 1987 · 26 min

Skin is the first barrier against external aggression and helps eliminate waste. From cuts and scrapes to bug bites, it stays pretty busy.

S1·E14 Core

The Mouth and the Teeth

Dec 13, 1987 · 26 min

Yum! Candy! But sugar strengthens the bacteria around the gums and attacks the tooth enamel, which can cause cavities.

S1·E15 Core

The Digestion

Dec 20, 1987 · 26 min

After a tasty meal the food starts its journey to the stomach where it will be broken down depending on what properties it has. But don’t overdo it!

S1·E16 Core

The Liver Factory

Dec 27, 1987 · 26 min

The liver is fundamental. It doesn’t weigh a lot but it uses almost as much oxygen as the heart! It makes proteins, corpuscles, and helps heal cuts.

S1·E17 Core

The Kidneys

Jan 3, 1988 · 27 min

Toxic elements head to the kidneys where they are categorized. The good ones are salvaged but the bad ones are sent to the bladder. Have a good trip!

S1·E18 Core

The Lymphatic System

Jan 10, 1988 · 26 min

The huge lymph network transports everything to the body’s factories. Infectious intruders beware! This place is well protected.

S1·E19 Core

The Bones and the Skeleton

Jan 17, 1988 · 26 min

The architecture that protects the body’s organs is magnificent! However, even the slightest fracture can cause significant damage.

S1·E20 Core

The Muscles and the Fat

Jan 24, 1988 · 26 min

Muscles account for almost half the weight of the human body. They also need a ton of energy to do their jobs correctly.

S1·E21 Core

Toxin Wars

Jan 31, 1988 · 26 min

Combat teams act as preventative barriers and are prepared to defend the cell’s nucleus against toxic gases and contaminants.

S1·E22 Core

The Vaccination

Feb 7, 1988 · 26 min

Vaccines bring us so many benefits! People who don’t get vaccinated run the risk of contracting a disease that is stronger than our natural defenses.

S1·E23 Core

The Hormones

Feb 14, 1988 · 26 min

At the heart of the hypothalamus, Teacher shows us how this region sends out orders to satisfy all the body’s needs.

S1·E24 Core

The Chain Of Life

Feb 21, 1988 · 26 min

A walk in the forest is the perfect way to learn about the extraordinary food chain that exists between the sun, vegetation, animals, and man.

S1·E25 Mytharc

Repairs and Changes

Feb 28, 1988 · 26 min

Pedrito is 8 years old and is tired after a long day. When he goes to bed, Teacher and his helpers observe the activity that continues during sleep.

S1·E26 Mytharc

And life goes on...

Mar 13, 1988 · 27 min

Pedrito wants to know why his grandpa can’t play ball anymore, so he tells Pedrito an old story about a sphinx.

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