1. An image analysis method for cell observation, comprising: obtaining a first image showing a plurality of cells in an observation region, the first image being captured by an imaging device, and a second image showing the observation region, the second image being captured by the imaging device a predetermined time before the first image is captured; selecting one cell as a cell of interest from the plurality of cells included in the first image; specifying cells on the periphery of the cell of interest as peripheral cells; and calculating movement statistics of the peripheral cells with respect to the cell of interest based on an amount of relative movement of the cell of interest and the peripheral cells in the first image and the second image; and adding together the movement statistics obtained by sequentially substituting the selected cell of interest with other cells positioned in the observation region, and calculating a total movement statistic for all of the cells in the observation region, the image analysis method for cell observation being configured so that a state of interaction of the peripheral cells in relation to the cell of interest can be determined and that a state of interaction between cells in the observation region can be evaluated based on the total movement statistic.