Since I'm probably going to be out late and that I don't want to start on my readings yet... I decided to write a blog post of my top 5 Japanese medical dramas. Like most students who went through the biological science route, I initially inspired to practice general medicine. Unfortunately, I don't have the competitive GPA, so I had to pick another route. I guess that initial inspiration made me start watching medical dramas, for I have never seen House, ER, Grey's Anatomy, etc on TV.
Once again, I'll start with my 5th pick and work my way up to my favourite medical series! All synopsis and images were taken from drama-wiki (wiki.d-addicts.com) again. Starting for here, there will be SPOILERS so prepare yourself! Also, I haven't watched many medical dramas, so this post may be a bit dry. My criteria for picking medical drama is simply if it has a focus around the field of medicine, meaning it doesn't have to be the ENTIRE focus.
Starting at #5: Team Batista no Eiko (aka: Team Batista's Glory)
Starring: Ito Atsushi and Nakamura Toru
Synopsis: There exists a legendary team of surgical experts in Tojo University Hospital that specializes in the Batista procedure - one of the most difficult cardiac surgeries with the survival rate only at 60%. Ever since its formation, this team has shocked the country by having 27 consecutive post-operative successes, virtually unheard of in the medical community. They basked in the glory until three of the most recent procedures resulted in consecutive deaths on the operating table. Taguchi, a psychosomatic medicine specialist, has been entrusted with the investigation but is in over his head because of his soft nature and having to deal with skills beyond his realm of expertise. Then arrives Shiratori, a cocky Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare investigator. He not only labels Taguchi naive, but speaks with confidence that this is a murder, and the murderer is within this team of elites. As the mystery unfolds, so does the complicated affiliation between each of the seven team members. Will this unlikely duo uncover the truth in time?
Rationale: It's a mixture between suspense and medical since the underlying plot is to discover who the mysterious murder is; the one that has been causing consecutive deaths during the Batista operation. I started watching this drama due to being more intrigued by the main actors than the plot, Ito, who previously played the main role in Densha Otoko (will be discussed more in another post =P), is an actor that I haven't seen much of, and Nakamura did a splendid job portraying the main villain in TOKYO DOGS (again, will be discussed more in another post). In this drama, Ito plays the role of Taguchi, while Nakamura plays the role of the investigator, Shiratori. The difference between the two characters made up for a somewhat lack-lusting (is that a word?) plot. So why am I placing this drama in my Top 5 even? Well, besides the acting by the main leads, the amount of surgery presented in this drama made it really interesting. I am not sure how accurate they portrayed surgery to be, but it was nevertheless interesting to watch the interaction among the medical specialists.
In number 4: Voice
Starring: Eita
Synopsis: A group of five medical students take on the task of conveying the "voices of the dead."
Kaji Daiki fails to get into a popular heart surgery seminar but is somehow accepted into a seminar on forensic pathology. When he approaches professor Sagawa and asks him why he ended up in the seminar, Sagawa challenges him by asking why he wants to study heart surgery. Daiki replies that medicine is meaningless after the heart stops, but Sagawa counters that medicine also applies to the dead.
And so, together with fellow students Ryosuke, Kanako, Teppei and Akira, Daiki begins to explore the mysteries of death
Rationale: A drama that focused on forensic pathology, or in other words, autopsies. A very enjoyable watch featuring Eita as Kaji Daiki. Kaji is an odd fellow, but he's earnestly trying to figure out the, pardon my lack of political correctness, dead people's last words. This does not go well with the others initially since people view it as a waste of time, trying to investigate the person's life before they died. Kaji though, is supported by his four other classmates/friends as the realized that his way may be tedious, but rewarding in the end.
Now in 3rd place: Gyne
Starring: Fujiwara Norika
Synopsis: Set in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of a university hospital. Hiragi Nachi is a reserved obstetrician, who is in her fifth year of working as a C-section surgeon in the maternity ward of the hospital. Because of a traumatic incident, she follows a philosophy of preserving life and would never abandon her patients even if it means taking on high risks. One night, while working the graveyard shift, Nachi performs a risky emergency cesarean section. However, when the patient dies from severe blood loss, the woman's family files a lawsuit against Nachi claiming malpractice.
Rationale: Besides knowing one of the support actresses, Motokariya Yuika (by the way, fake eyelashes made her look quite pretty!), I knew practically nobody else in this drama series. Luckily I stumbled across this show for it was a very good watch. Hiragi, played by Fujiwara, was a obstetrician who seemed to be anti-social, for she would rarely interact with her co-workers. She had a stubborn mindset and would do things her way, even if it may not be the best choice. However, she has a pretty steller track record, despite the traumatic incident she had in the past. One patient grew friendly with Hiragi, which led to a small relationship being formed (including the patient's family). However, the patient had to undergo an emergency c-section which led to her death due to excess bleeding. The patient's husband was then persuaded by a lawyer to sue for malpractice. Pretty much from this point, there's a character change in Hiragi. She learns to be trust her co-workers, as they try to help clear her name, by figuring out that the patient had a rare genetic disease that made her more susceptible to mass bleeding. She also learned how to work with her co-workers, knowing that perhaps there are other ways to do things more efficiently. Overall, it was a good story line, focusing on the aspect of child birth, growing up and learning how to deal with despair.
Silver medal goes to: Code Blue Season 1 and 2
Season 2
Starring: Yamashita Tomohisa, Aragaki Yui, Toda Erika, Higa Manami and Asari Yosuke
Synopsis (for season 1): If it can be treated one second earlier, the heart might start beating again.
If there is one extra helicopter, another life in danger may be saved.
If one more life can be saved, the Japanese medical community may regain trust.
There are more lives in this country that can be saved.
The "Doctor Helicopter" system was legalized in Japan in June 2007. A medical team is dispatched to the patients on a helicopter to provide medical care in the field as soon as possible. One day, four young physicians are assigned to this latest medical system. The doctors experience traumatic medical situations, deal with personal ambitions, witness the fragility of life, and they grow personally and professionally.
Synopsis (for season 2): It has been one and a half years since Aizawa Kosaku, Shiraishi Megumi, Hiyama Mihoko and Fujikawa Kazuo were assigned to Shoyo University's North Hospital. They have only three months left of their fellowship programme (specialised training programme) to be flight doctors and each of them have come to the crossroads where they have to think of their lives after graduation. Aizawa, who has only one relative – a grandmother currently in a nursing home, starts having doubts about his duties and cannot find a clear direction for his future. Meanwhile, Shiraishi Megumi is unable to forget the past. She had caused their former teacher, Kuroda Shuji, to have his right arm amputated. Then Tachibana Keisuke, a veteran flight doctor, takes up a new post. He has been put in charge of certifying the fellowship programme which will decide their future.
Rationale: I started watching this show because it had an all star cast, featuring some of the hottest young actors and actresses at that time. That includes Yamashita (or better known to people as Yamapi), Aragaki and Toda. Each episode had tons of action, loads of surgery and perhaps what makes this show different than other medical dramas, the use of a helicopter to fly in emergency patients. Despite all the medical action going on, there was a ton of character growth for the four doctors, Aizawa, Shirashi, Hiyama and Fujikawa (Yamashita, Aragaki, Toda and Asari respectively) as they struggle to find their place in the field of emergency medicine. Second season starts off strong (like the first), but with more drama, which in this case, was a good thing. It allowed more development for growth and provides interest, such as Aizawa's ailing grandmother who took good care of him.
And finally, my favorite medical drama and maybe even my favorite drama to date: JIN (season 1 and 2)
Season 2
Starring: Osawa Takao and Ayase Haruka
Synopsis (season 1): The story follows a brain surgeon named, Minakata Jin, who has spent the last two years in anguish, as his fiancee lies in a vegetative state after an operation he performed. One day, he faints at the hospital and awakens to find himself transported back in time to the Edo period. He is soon attacked by a samurai, but he escapes with the help of a man named Kyotaro. Kyotaro suffers a serious injury to the head while trying to protect him, but Jin manages to save his life despite a lack of proper medical equipment. Because of that, Kyotaro's sister Saki begins taking an interest in Jin and becomes his assistant. Meanwhile, Jin is determined to find a way back to the present.
Synopsis (season 2): 2 years have passed... Jin and Saki develop a sweet confectionery that contains medicine for Saki's mother who has a severe case of beriberi. Meanwhile, Ryoma asks Jin to care for Kaishuu Katsu's mentor, Shozan Sakuma. Shozan is in a critical state after being attacked by the Shinsengumi. Jin is reluctant because curing Shozan would mean changing the course of history. However, Shozan tells him that he too is involved in the “present”.
Rationale: I initially first out about this drama when it came out in 2009. I was very intrigued by the plot. A doctor travelling back in time. It made me curious to see how modern medicine would change the course of history. Unfortunately though, I was unable to find subs to the drama, so I had to leave the series be. Fast forward a year later, and I stumble across a site that had English subs! After downloading the entire series, I began watching, one episode a day. Each episode was riveting and aspiring as the main character, Minakata (played by Osawa), battles within himself whether he should play the role of "God" and save people that are doomed to die (since there were no such thing as modern medicine in the 1800s). The relationship between Minakata and the famous revolutionary, Sakamoto Ryoma was interesting to watch as it unfolds, making changes to Sakamoto's character (though I wonder accurate it was, compared to the real Sakamoto).
Anyways, the first season had Minakata curing/treating various ailments, such as cholera, minor brain surgery and creating penicillin. To create more drama in this drama, Minakata stumbles upon a courtesan/prostitute, named Nokaze, that resembles his fiancee! How he interacts with Nokaze influences the fate of his fiancee, which we can find out by looking at a picture of Minakata and her (that he keeps in his pocket, for it changes whenever he has a significant interaction with Nokaze.)
Tachibana Saki (played by Ayase) was the daughter to a family that served the shogun. Back in the day girls were raised to get married and to raise a family. When Saki met Minakata, she took an interest in him, and that started her career down the path of medicine, despite the fact that there were no such thing as a female doctor.
I could carry on, but there's so much in season 1! Season 2 was just as spectacular as season 1, but like Code Blue, had more drama. The drama also served the series well, for it made Minakata question himself about his role more, even though he had somewhat of a resolution to help cure as many people as he can.
Since I'm getting tired from writing this... I'll finish it off with saying that the ending, I thought, was justified for the series. Minakata did in fact manage to find his way back to the present, but its not the same present from where he originated from.
And yes! That's my list of my top 5! Gosh... I'm exhausted from writing this...
