is a Japanese medical drama that premiered in October 2012 on

TV Asahi JOEX-DTV (channel 5), branded as (also known as EX and and stylized as TV asahi), is a television station that is owned and operated by the subsidiary of certified broadcasting holding company , itself controlled by The Asahi Shimbun Comp ...

. It stars Japanese actress

Ryōko Yonekura is a Japanese actress and former fashion model best known for her role in the Japanese medical drama '' Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon''. She also performs the voice of Black Widow in the Japanese-language releases of the '' Avengers'' film se ...

Plot

The show follows Daimon Michiko, a freelance surgeon who works at university hospitals in Japan. Also known as Doctor-X, Daimon is introduced at new hospitals by walking into surgery staff planning review sessions, where the conditions of her work are established. She is depicted as challenging a medical system in crisis, which follows the laws of the jungle. Her trademark line is "I never fail", and she is willing to do high risk surgeries that other surgeons are not, sending those patients elsewhere when they are deemed non-operable. Her success in treating high risk patients is a result of always putting the patient first, prioritizing their health above performing medical firsts or innovative techniques, and to adapt the right surgical methods on the spot when needed. This practice often puts her into conflict with other doctors. Beyond being a surgeon, she also served as a vet, combat surgeon and resort doctor. Daimon is supported by her manager Akira Kanbara and

anesthesiologist Anesthesiology, anaesthesiology, or anaesthesia is the medical specialty concerned with the total perioperative care of patients before, during and after surgery. It encompasses anesthesia, intensive care medicine, critical emergency medicine ...

Hiromi Jōnouchi.

First season

Daimon Michiko, a lone wolf freelance surgeon who hates authority and groups, joins Teito III University Hospital, where her way of practicing results in conflict with hospital administrators.

Second season

Daimon continues her practice of doing risky surgeries to benefit patients. This practice continues to create conflict with hospital administrators.

Third season

The National Advanced Medical Center, Japan's best medical center, is in crisis as a result of infighting between the East's "Tōtei University Hospital" and the West's "Seikyo University Hospital". Daimon is brought in to try to minimize these conflicts and bring a more patient-focused approach.

Fourth season

Daimon returns in the fourth season to the Totei University Hospital. Shigekatsu Hiruma serves as the primary adversary for Daimon.

Fifth season

Daimon returns to Totei University Hospital to assist in bringing a more patient-driven approach. Her main antagonist is the Japan Doctor's Club chairman.

Sixth season

Daimon clashes with Totei University Hospital's new administrator Nicholas Tange, (a 2nd generation Japanese-Brazilian, aka "The Vulture"), whose aggressive cost-cutting threatens the integrity of the hospital.

Seventh season

Coming back from New Zealand, Dr. Daimon returns to Tōtei university hospital amidst the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identi ...

. The internal medicine department is now a priority over surgery with Dr. Hachisuka leading it.

Cast

The show stars

as Doctor-X – Daimon Michiko. Yonekura was a former fashion model who had performed as the first

Roxie Hart Roxanne "Roxie" Hart is a fictional character. She is the main character of the 1926 play ''Chicago'' and its various remakes and derivatives. Development The playwright, reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, was inspired by the trials, both of whic ...

in the Japanese theater production of ''Chicago'' in 2008. After learning English, Yonekura made her

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

debut in the same role in 2012 and reprised it in 2017. The actress has said that she overuses her character's catchphrase, “私、失敗しないので" (“I never fail") in her personal life. Yonekura also sees the character as a lighter, less stressed and more free reflection of herself.

Shirō Itō is a Japanese actor and comedian. Filmography Film * ''Zatoichi and the One-Armed Swordsman'' (1971) * '' Lupin III: Strange Psychokinetic Strategy'' (1974) * ''Princess from the Moon'' (1987) * ''A Taxing Woman'' (1987) * ''Minbo'' (1992) * ' ...

and

Ittoku Kishibe , born , is a Japanese actor and musician. Career He originally entered show business as the bassist for the Japanese rock bands, The Tigers and Pyg, but later switched to acting. The veteran of over 115 films, he won the Best Actor Japanese Ac ...

were both veteran actors who joined the cast for the first season.

Yuki Uchida (born November 16, 1975) is a Japanese actress, and a popular 1990s idol, model and singer. Biography Uchida was born in Tokyo. She practiced fencing in high school, and ranked 3rd in a tournament in Tokyo in 1991. She began her career as a mod ...

appears in all 7 seasons playing Jonouchi Hiromi, an

who works for the same agency as Michiko Daimon. Ryōko Yonekura,

Takeshi Kitano is a Japanese comedian, television presenter, actor, filmmaker, and author. While he is known primarily as a comedian and TV host in his native Japan, he is better known abroad for his work as a filmmaker and actor as well as TV host. With th ...

and

Kei Inoo is a Japanese singer, actor, and member of Hey! Say! JUMP. He is under the management of Johnny & Associates. He was born in Saitama Prefecture. On September 23, 2001, he entered Johnny & Associates as a trainee. He later became a member of ...

all appeared in the special. Takeshi Kitano returned to acting after a two-year absence for his role in the special. He had taken time off to work behind the camera. Michiko Tanaka was also a regular in the fourth season, playing the secretary of the hospital director. Tanaka was nervous during the whole three months of filming for the season because she had to work with Toshiyuki Nishida. The fourth season also starred

Toshiyuki Nishida is a Japanese actor. He has won two Japanese Academy Awards for best actor, for '' The Silk Road'' (1988) and ''Tsuribaka Nisshi 6'' (1993). He has also won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor for '' Get Up!'' and '' Tsuribaka Nisshi 14'' (200 ...

as Shigekatsu Hiruma. He had previously appeared in

Nobunaga Concerto is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ayumi Ishii. It has been serialized in Shogakukan's ''Monthly Shōnen Sunday'' since May 2009, with its chapters collected in twenty-two ''tankōbon'' volumes as of February 2022. A t ...

and State of Union. Yonekura returned for the fourth season despite an earlier intention not to do so. During the break between seasons, Yonekura had starred in the Broadway production of ''Chicago''. The actress and former model gave as her reason for previously declining to appear in the fourth season that she had not had an opportunity to star in the same TV series for an extended run and she never had the confidence to respond to people’s expectations. However, because it was a role she really liked, and she felt able to reprise the role. Traditionally, dramas run for only one season in Japan.

Masao Kusakari is a Japanese actor and model. Biography Masao Kusakari was born in Fukuoka Prefecture to a Japanese mother and an American father, the latter who died in the Korean War. Considered stunningly good looking, his debut into the public eye began w ...

stars in the fifth season.

Main cast

Ryoko Yonekura is a Japanese actress and former fashion model best known for her role in the Japanese medical drama '' Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon''. She also performs the voice of Black Widow in the Japanese-language releases of the '' Avengers'' film se ...

as Michiko Daimon (Doctor-X) A freelance surgeon who takes on the most difficult operations using unorthodox and dangerous methods. Her favorite catchphrase is "I never fail". *

as Akira Kanbara (Melon-Ojisan) The owner of Kanbara Medical Referral Agency and a former surgeon. Also another Doctor-X who was stripped of his medical License in Cuba. Known for his exorbitant prices and giving melons as gifts, given the nickname of Melon-Ojisan by Hiruma Shigekatsu. *

as Hiromi Jonouchi A anaesthetist who originally worked Full-Time in Season One. Resigned in the final episode and joined Kanbara Medical Referral Agency. She is a single mother, her husband is also a doctor who appeared in the series. * Masanobu Katsumura as Hideki Kaji One of the surgeons working for the University Hospital. He is known for his expertise in

laparoscopy Laparoscopy () is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis using small incisions (usually 0.5–1.5 cm) with the aid of a camera. The laparoscope aids diagnosis or therapeutic interventions with a few small cuts in the abdomen.Medlin ...

. Dr. Kaji calls Dr. Daimon as "demon" due to how she doesn't follow status quo. This character is the only one with a spin-off in the series "Doctor-Y". * Kosuke Suzuki as Mamoru Hara One of three recurring surgeons working for the University. Dr. Daimon calls him "Kin-chan". *

Kenichi Endo is a masculine Japanese given name. Possible writings Ken'ichi can be written using different kanji characters and can mean: *賢一, "wise, one" *健一, "healthy, one" *憲一, "constitution, one" *謙一, "humble, one" *建一, "build, one" * ...

as Takashi Ebina One of the surgeons of Tōtei University Hospital, he is portrayed as someone weak to authority. He tries to be on Director Hiruma's good side by following his orders. *

as Shigekatsu Hiruma One of the main antagonists of the series. In the series, he has been promoted, demoted, holding the position of hospital director or head of surgery. He tries to gain power by controlling top staff, taking advantage of Michiko's assignments, or through corrupt means.

Secondary Cast

Kei Tanaka is a Japanese actor. Filmography Film Television series Japanese dub * '' Godzilla: King of the Monsters'' (2019) - Dr. Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler) * '' Godzilla vs. Kong'' (2021) - Dr. Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler) * '' The Lost City'' (2 ...

as Morimoto Hikaru Appearances: Season 1 and Season 5 - A surgeon who left at the end of Season One to hone his skills overseas. In the premiere of Season 5, he returned to work in a rural area, but was transferred back to the main hospital by Shimura Madoka. In season 7 he returns briefly to Tōtei but now as a medical "Extuber" helping to provide good publicity. *

Shiro Ito Shiro, Shirō, Shirow or Shirou may refer to: People * Amakusa Shirō (1621–1638), leader of the Shimabara Rebellion * Ken Shiro (born 1992), Japanese boxer * Shiro Azumi, Japanese football player 1923–1925 * Shiro Ichinoseki (born 1944), ...

as Busujima Ryunosuke Appearances: Season 1, 2 and 3 - The Director of the Hospital in Season One until he was fired due to underhand tactics by Hiruma Shigekatsu. In Season Two, he re-appeared to help Daimon Michiko in fulfilling her wish to operate on a patient. In Season Three, he appeared in the premiere and was rescued from an explosion on a cruise by Daimon. *

Mansai Nomura is a well known Kyogen stage actor, and film actor. He played Abe no seimei in '' Onmyoji'' and '' Onmyoji 2'', an original work by Baku Yumemakura. He received the Best Actor prize at the Blue Ribbon Awards for his work in '' Onmyoji''. Caree ...

as Hachisuka Ryutaro Appearances: Season 7 - A former surgeon now practicing internal medicine.

Guest appearances

Season one

* Mansaku Fuwa as Jiro Ichinose, the president of Ichinose rubber company (Episode 1) *

Miyako Yamaguchi (born February 3, 1952) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 7th Hochi Film Award for '' Farewell to the Land''. Filmography * '' Onna no Hosomichi: Nureta Kaikyo'' (1980) * '' Farewell to the Land'' (198 ...

as Namiko Ichinose, Jiro's wife (Episode 1) *

Raita Ryū is a Japanese actor. He is well known for his role as Gorisan (Detective Ishizuka) in ''Taiyō ni Hoero!''. He has a son , who is a musician and guitarist. Once, he belonged to Toshiro Mifune's production company. Selected filmography Films * ...

as Shigeru Kubo, Totei University Hospital director (Episode 1) *

Hirofumi Arai is a third-generation Zainichi Korean former actor. Career Arai made his screen debut in Isao Yukisada's '' Go'' in 2001 when he was 22 years old. His next film role was the emotionally disturbed senior high school student Aoki in Toshiaki Toy ...

as Satoru Yasuda (Episode 2) * Midoriko Kimura as Mitsuyo Yasuda, Satoru's wife (Episode 2) * Kazuaki Hankai as Noboru Nikaidō, the president of Nikaidō Publishing company (Episode 2) *

Kami Hiraiwa is a Japanese actress. Her birth name was . She is represented with Otona Keikaku. Filmography TV drama NHK Nippon TV Tokyo Broadcasting System Fuji Television TV Asahi TV Tokyo Wowow Variety programmes Voice acting Radio N ...

as Mitsue Hanayama, a food blogger (Episode 3) * Shinsō Nakamaru as Tadashi Honda, Mitsue's lawyer (Episode 3) *

Shingo Tsurumi is a Japanese actor. Career Shingo Tsurumi has appeared in the films such as Katsuhito Ishii's '' Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl'', Hideo Nakata's '' L: Change the World'', and Tak Sakaguchi's ''Yakuza Weapon''. Filmography Films * ''Tonda ...

as Atsushi Yotsuya, a foreign fund manager (Episode 4) *

Tamao Akae is a Japanese freelance announcer, chairperson, and radio personality. She is a former Asahi Broadcasting Corporation announcer. Currently she is a freelancer. Biography, personal life Early life She was from Akashi, Hyōgo. She has a sister an ...

as Mariko Yoshinaga, The Super Doctors program's host (Episode 4) * Akari Ninomiya as Saki Gokita (Episode 5) * Naomasa Musaka as Motohiko Rokusaka (Episode 6) *

Kayoko Kishimoto is an actress. She appeared in several of Takeshi Kitano's films, such as '' Hana-bi'', ''Kikujiro'' and '' Dolls''. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 23rd Japan Academy Prize for ''Kikujiro''. Biography In 1976 at a Hideki ...

as Nanako Torii, Takashi Torii's wife (Episode 7–8) * Koji Yamamoto as Takuya Hijikata (Episode 7–8) *

Kanji Tsuda is a Japanese actor. Career Tsuda appeared in Kiyoshi Kurosawa's '' Tokyo Sonata''. He co-starred in Sion Sono's ''Guilty of Romance'' with Megumi Kagurazaka. Filmography Film * '' Sonatine'' (1993) * ''119'' (1994) * '' Kids Return'' (1996) ...

as Ryo Yagi, a gossip magazine black journalist (Episode 8)

Season two

Minori Terada is a Japanese voice actor and actor. Life and career Terada was born in Tokyo, as first son of Masaaki Terada, a famous painter. In 1961, Terada begun to be an actor. Terada is known as a villain, such as Alien Metron in ''Ultraman Max'', an ...

as Kin'ya Ninomiya, the president of Ninomiya Real Estate company (Episode 2) *

Mirai Yamamoto is a Japanese actress. Her father is Kansai Yamamoto. Personal life Yamamoto was born in Tokyo, Japan. She met Kippei Shiina in 1995 when they worked together on the series , and began dating him after they co-starred in the 1998 film ''Fuya ...

as Torako Mimura (Episode 3) * Mayumi Myosei as Mika Kanie (Episode 3) *

Yumiko Shaku is a Japanese actress, model and former gravure idol. She is represented by Tommy's Artist Company. Roles TV Dramas *2019: ''Kamen Rider Zi-O is a Japanese tokusatsu drama in the Toei Company's ''Kamen Rider'' franchise. It is the twe ...

as Rumiko Shijō, the owner of Nakazono hostess bar in Ginza (Episode 4) * Hiroshi Ookochi as Ichirō Gomi (Episode 5) *

Fuka Koshiba is a Japanese actress represented by the talent agency Oscar Promotion. Biography In November 2011, Koshiba won the Grand Prix award at the 2011 Ion and Oscar Promotion Girl Audition. In 2012, she debuted in the drama ''Iki mo Dekinai Natsu''. ...

as Kaori Gomi, Ichiro's daughter (Episode 5) *

Tetsuya Bessho is a Japanese actor and radio presenter. Since 2014, he hosted the Miss International pageant. Filmography Films * '' Solar Crisis'' (1990), Ken Minami * ''Godzilla vs. Mothra'' (1992), Takuya Fujita * ''Parasite Eve'' (1997), Yoshizumi Takat ...

as Mitsuhiko Kusakabe (Episode 5) *

Shigeru Izumiya Shigeru Izumiya (泉谷しげる ''Izumiya Shigeru'', born May 11, 1948 in Aomori, raised in Meguro, Tokyo) is a Japanese poet, folk singer, actor, tarento. He established the record company For Life Records with Takuro Yoshida, Yosui Inoue, and ...

as Rokusuke Kondo, Shinobu's father (Episode 6) *

Yumi Shirakawa was a Japanese film and television actress. She was called the Japanese Grace Kelly when she debuted. She was scoted and joined Toho film company. In the same year, she made her film debut with ''Narazumono''. Her notable films are ''Rodan'' (1 ...

as Hisae Asai, a Health Policy Bureau of

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare The is a cabinet level ministry of the Japanese government. It is commonly known as in Japan. The ministry provides services on health, labour and welfare. It was formed with the merger of the former Ministry of Health and Welfare or and the ...

(Episode 7) *

Miyu Honda is a Japanese actress, singer, tarento and figure skater from Kyoto Prefecture. She is represented by Oscar Promotion, having previously been represented by Theatre Academy. Biography Career Miyu Honda made her debut in the entertainment worl ...

as Kurumi Murata (Episode 8–9) * Kaoru Okunuki as Mitsuyo Murata, Kurumi's mother (Episode 8–9) * Kenichi Kobayashi as Yasaku Takemoto, a fisherman (Episode 8)

Season three

Naoko Otani is a Japanese actress. She made her screen debut in ''The Human Bullet'' while still a high school student, and became popular for her role in the NHK Asadora , colloquially known as , is a serialized, 15 minutes per episode, Japanese televi ...

as Haruko Busujima, Ryonosuke Busujima's wife (Episode 1) * Romeo Thomas as Bob First, a cruise crew's son (Episode 1) *

Akira Nakao is a Japanese actor, TV personality, and artist from Kisarazu, Chiba. Nakao is represented by the Furutachi Project agency. Biography Nakao attended Chiba Prefectural Kisarazu High School from 1958, and entered Musashino Art University from 19 ...

as Tetsuya Kurobe, the director of National Advance Medical Center (Episode 1) * Moto Fuyuki as Jirō Tsukiji, a restaurant owner (Episode 1–2) *

Naoki Matayoshi is a Japanese comedian, screenwriter, and novelist who won the Akutagawa Prize in 2015 for his book ', which was adapted into the Netflix series '' Hibana: Spark''. Matayoshi is the '' boke'' of his comedy duo ''Peace'' alongside his partner Yu ...

as Shōji Kazama (Episode 2) * Seita Hosokawa as Kazuya Tsukiji, Jirō's son (Episode 2) *

Shima Iwashita is a Japanese actress who has appeared in about 100 films and many TV productions. She is married to film director Masahiro Shinoda, in whose films she has frequently appeared. She won the award for best actress at the 2nd Hochi Film Award for ...

as Masae Mihara, the chief of Japan Nurses Federation (Episode 3) * Ayaka Morita as Nanako Mihara, Masae's granddaughter (Episode 3) *

Takashi Matsuo (May 11, 1960 - ) is a Japanese tarento, narrator, disc jockey, actor, and columnist from Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture. His pet name, as well as his former stage name, is . He is currently attached to Furutachi-Project. He is a graduate of the Osa ...

as Hiroshi Yomo, a freelance journalist (Episode 4) * Walter Roberts as Albert Savarotti (Episode 4) * Seiichirō Uchida as Keiichirō Iiyama, the program host (Episode 4) *

Jun Inoue is a Japanese ''tarento'', singer, actor, and comedian. His former stage name is . Discography Singles Original albums Live albums Filmography Music programmes Variety series TV drama Films Stage Music videos Advertisements Re ...

as Shingo Tanaka (Episode 5) * Hiroto Yoshimitsu as Hirohisa Igarashi (Episode 5) *

Noboru Kaneko is a Japanese actor who is affiliated with Oscar Promotion. He graduated from the Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science University High School and then from the Department of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering of the Nagasaki Institute of ...

as Takashi Rokko, an IT company director and Hiromi Jonouchi's high school classmate (Episode 6) *

Kyūsaku Shimada is a Japanese actor. History Shimada was originally part of the Tokyo Grand Guignol Theater group, formed by artist Norimizu Ameya. He stayed with the group until its dissolution in 1986. One of the productions the group undertook was an adaptat ...

as Tatsuya Ichikawa, a Tokyo district prosecutor (Episode 6) * Mikito Nakawaki as Masakazu Uehara, a Tokyo district prosecutor (Episode 6) * Kei Sunaga as Takehiro Ōizumi, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (Episode 6) * Ginpunchō as Nanami Kotozuka (Episode 7) * Yukiko Takabayashi as Shizuko Suita (Episode 7) * Seiran Kobayashi as Chihiro Yada (Episode 8) * Keiko Horiuchi as Kasumi Yada, Chihiro's mother (Episode 8) * Kazutaka Ishii as Kunio Yada, Chihiro's father (Episode 8) * Nanao as Maya Kokonoe, a model (Episode 9) *

Judy Ongg Judy Ongg (; born 24 January 1950) is a Taiwanese-Japanese singer, actress, author, and woodblock-print artist. Born in Taipei, she graduated from Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan, and after which, she became a naturalized Japanese citizen. H ...

as Yoshiko Tokachi, a

Diet Diet may refer to: Food * Diet (nutrition), the sum of the food consumed by an organism or group * Dieting, the deliberate selection of food to control body weight or nutrient intake ** Diet food, foods that aid in creating a diet for weight loss ...

member (Episode 9–11) *

Kazuyo Aoki is a Japanese actress and voice actress from Tokyo, Japan. She is employed by the talent management firm Kiraboshi. Biography Filmography Television animation *'' Future Boy Conan'' (1978) – Jimsy *''Doraemon'' (1979) – Giant's mom; Sewa ...

as the owner of a hot spring (Episode 11) *

Takeo Nakahara is a Japanese actor. Filmography Film *'' Okoge'' (1992) – Tochihiko Terazaki *'' Kaettekita Kogarashi Monjirō'' (1993) - Hachibei *''Godzilla 2000'' (1999) – Takada *''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla'' (2002) – JXSDF Chief Ichiyanagi *'' ...

as Minoru Hanyū, a Chief Cabinet Secretary (Episode 11)

Special

(

Hey! Say! JUMP Hey! Say! JUMP (HSJ or JUMP) is an eight-member Japanese boy band under the Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates. The group is split into two sub-groups: Hey! Say! BEST and Hey! Say! 7. In Japan they sold more than 10 million physical co ...

) as Kojirō Himuro, a figure skating champion * Munetaka Aoki as Gen Akagi *

Manami Hashimoto , better known as , is a Japanese gravure idol A model is a person with a role either to promote, display or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing in fashion shows) or to serve as a visual aid for people who are creati ...

as Harumi Kanazawa * Shōken Kunimoto as a stall owner * Kaito Takamura as Sōta Aoki, Gen's son

Season four

* Daichi Watanabe as Jun Ichiki, an IT company director (Episode 1) *

Kei Yamamoto (born July 1, 1940 – March 31, 2022) was a Japanese actor. Filmography Film Television References External links * * 1940 births 2022 deaths Japanese male actors People from Ibaraki, Osaka {{Japan-actor-stub ...

as Hideo Nioka, a village chief of Nijikawa, Yamagata (Episode 2) *

Yuriko Hoshi , real name , was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than 90 films beginning in 1959. Career Born in Tokyo but raised in Kobe, Hoshi made her film debut in 1958 at Toho. Hoshi died in Kyoto, Japan, at age 74. Selected filmography Film ...

as Chiyoko Nioka, Hideo's wife (Episode 2) * Hiro Otaka as Ozaki, a village chief assistant (Episode 2) * Tokuma Nishioka as Yōji Kanemoto (Episode 2) * Kōichirō Sakai as Kanemoto's secretary (Episode 2) * Tamaki Shirai as Hideo's secret daughter (Episode 2) * Yuki Matsushita as Misae Suyama, Saionji's former girlfriend and a former hostess (Episode 3) *

Saki Takaoka is a Japanese actress. Her uncle is the jazz pianist Yōsuke Yamashita. She won the award for best actress at the 19th Hochi Film Award for ''Crest of Betrayal''. Filmography Film * ''cf girl'' (''cfガール'', 1989) * ''Swimming Upstream ...

as Mirei Yotsuba, one of the Yotsuba sisters beauty unit (Episode 4) * Kinako Kobayashi as Mion Yotsuba, one of the Yotsuba sisters beauty unit (Episode 4) * Yūichi Tsuchiya as Tetsuo Goto, a single father patient who had a metal allergy (Episode 5) * Ayumu Yokoyama as Shōta Goto, Tetsuo's son (Episode 5) * Ian Moore as John Starkey, a professor at Boston University (Episode 6) * Kenji Sakamoto as Rock Shrimp, Starkey's assistant (Episode 6) *

Shinji Takeda , born December 18, 1972, is a Japanese actor, talent and saxophone player. He has had notable roles in such works as '' The Incite Mill'', ''Kyō Kara Hitman'' and ''Tokyo Eyes''. Filmography Film Television Dubbing *'' Rambo: Last Blood'', ...

as Takashi Nanao, a famous deaf pianist (Episode 7) *

Kang Ji-young Kang Ji-young (born January 18, 1994), also known as Jiyoung or JY, is a South Korean singer and actress based in Japan. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Kara. Life and career Kang Ji-young was born on January 18, 1994, in Paju ...

as Yuka Nanase, Nanao's assistant (Episode 7) * Minosuke as Kuniharu Yasuhara, Nanao's manager (Episode 7) * Ryōsei Konishi as Yuta Yaotome, a superstar idol (Episode 8) * Manami Miyaji as Yumi Kawai, Yaotome's manager, later as Yaotome's wife (Episode 8) * Shinobu Nakayama as Emi Kujō, a surgeon's wife at Keirin University Hospital (Episode 9) *

Toshihiro Yashiba is a Japanese actor represented by JFCT. Filmography TV series Films References External links * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Yashiba, Toshihiro Japanese male actors 1971 births Living people People from Sōka ...

as Taisuke Kujō, a surgeon at Keirin University Hospital and also Emi's husband (Episode 9) *

Jirō Dan is a Japanese actor, singer and model best known for his role as Hideki Go (Ultraman ''The Return of Ultraman''. His real name is Hideo Murata (村田秀雄). He was born in Kyoto and graduated from Heian High School. Selected filmography Film ...

as Haruo Samejima, a director of Keirin University Hospital (Episode 9) * Hitomi Takahashi as Ritsuko Samejima, Haruo's wife (Episode 9) * Kōji Yano as Wang Chau, a businessman and founder of Wang International Clinic (Episode 10–11) * Shunsaku Kudō as Goto, Wang's translator (Episode 10–11) *

Meisa Kuroki Satsuki Shimabukuro (Japanese: 島袋さつき, ''Shimabukuro Satsuki'', b. 28 May 1988 in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan), better known by her stage name Meisa Kuroki (Japanese: 黒木メイサ, ''Kuroki Meisa''), is a Japanese actress, model an ...

as Tokiko, Wang's wife (Episode 10) * Charles Glover as Leonard Scoope, a presidential candidate (Episode 11) * Jenny Skidmore as Diana, Scoope's wife (Episode 11) *

Daimaou Kosaka , better known by his stage names and , is a Japanese comedian, television personality and entertainer. Kosaka insists that Pikotaro is another personality promoted by him, but they are considered the same person. He is currently signed with Av ...

as a delivery package courier (Episode 11)

Season five

* Kazuyuki Matsuzawa as Kazuhisa Kurumada, a bus driver (Episode 1) *

Yoshikazu Ebisu is a Japanese manga artist and actor. Biography Born in Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture, Ebisu grew up in Nagasaki. During childhood, he experienced the trauma of post-World War II Japan and atomic weapons. He drew manga since he was a child, inf ...

as himself (Episode 1) * Takashi Masu as Tatsuo Isshiki, a medical journalist who having affair with Madoka Shimura (Episode 1) * Blake Crawford as Jichael Mackson, a surgeon from Boston University (Episode 1) * Mariko Akama as Isshiki's wife (Episode 1) * Yoshiko Nakada as Fujiko, Ito's mother (Episode 2) * Mitsuru Hirata as Kotobuki Mikamo, a pricinpal of Totei University Kindergarten (Episode 3) * Eishi Ōfuji as Kenta, a Totei University Kindergarten student (Episode 3) * Yuira Gotō as Mei, a Totei University Kindergarten student (Episode 3) * Kōdai Matsumoto as Tsubasa, a Totei University Kindergarten student (Episode 3) *

Riisa Naka is a Japanese actress. She was given a Best New Talent award at the 2009 Yokohama Film Festival. Naka became famous by appearing in ''Hachi One Diver'' (2008) and played the lead, Hana Adachi, in ''Yankee-kun to Megane-chan'' (2010). Personal li ...

as Shiori Uchikanda (Episode 4) * Shōtarō Mamiya as Goro Gotanda, a famous shogi player (Episode 5) *

Sei Hiraizumi is a Japanese actor. In 1964, Hiraizumi joined Daiei Film company and started his acting career. In the 1970s to early 1980s, he appeared in a lot of jidaigeki and detective television dramas as a guest villain actor. Hiraizumi starred as Koichi ...

as Yoshio Mutsuura, a Mikawaya gyoza restaurant owner (Episode 6) * Yoneko Matsukane as Atsuko Mutsuura, Yoshio's wife (Episode 6) * Hiroki Konno as Shingo Urita, an anesthesiologist (Episode 6) * Hajime Tsukumo as Tamaki, a politician who operated by Inomata (Episode 6) *

Charlotte Kate Fox Charlotte Kate Fox (born August 14, 1985) is an American film, TV, and theatrical actress and musician. She was cast as the first non-Japanese heroine of an NHK Asadora: the series ''Massan'' broadcast on Japanese television. Education Fox ...

as Natasha Natinsky, a former surgeon and Hara's ex-girlfriend (Episode 7) *

Naho Toda is a Japanese actress. Career In 1990, she successfully passed an audition called Horipro Talent Scout Caravan( Ja). Personal life She had graduated from Tamagawa University. Her sister was an actress, and her brother Kōhei Toda ( Ja: ...

as Sayuri Uchikanda, Kagenobu Uchikanda's wife (Episode 7) * Kiyoe Koiizuka as Nanaka, Uchikanda's cousin (Episode 7) * Shōzō Hayashiya as Takuya Yakumo, a former secretary of Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (Episode 8) * Ayaka Imoto as Haruka Kokonoe, a ballet dancer student (Episode 9) *

Sachie Hara is a Japanese actress and model under the management of the Ken-On Group. She is best known for her roles in Doramas, including films '' You're Under Arrest'', ''Omizu no Hanamichi'', and '' Shichinin no Onna Bengoshi''. Career Hara started ...

as Hisako Kokonoe, Haruka's mother (Episode 9) * Kōhei Ōtomo as Setsurō Kokonoe, Haruka's grandfather and Hisako's father (Episode 9) * Kitaro as Kimoto, an orthopedic surgeon (Episode 9) * Hidekazu Nagae as a prosecutor who arrested Uchikanda (Episode 10) * Saki Seto as a prosecutor who arrested Hiruma (Episode 10)

Season six

* Yusuke Itagaki as Kimihiko Ōyama, a special prosecutor (Episode 1, 7 ,9) * Moro Morooka as Toshirō Nisshiki, an CEO of Nisshiki Group (Episode 2) *

Moka Kamishiraishi is a Japanese actress, singer, and fashion model. As a singer, her stage name is Adieu (stylized in all lowercase). She is the younger sister of actress and singer Mone Kamishiraishi. Kamishiraishi entered the entertainment industry after winn ...

as Yuri Nisshiki, Toshirō's daughter and Furusawa's girlfriend who later as his wife (Episode 2) * Shō Kiyohara as Kenji Furusawa, a domino expert and Yuri's boyfriend who later as her husband (Episode 2) *

Reiko Kataoka is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at the 45th Blue Ribbon Awards for '' Hush!''. Filmography Film *''A Touch of Fever'' (1993) *''New Love in Tokyo'' (1994) *''Kamikaze Taxi'' (1995) *''Two Punks'' (1996) *'' Gonin 2'' ( ...

as Miyako Nisshiki, Toshirō's wife (Episode 2) * Takuzō Kadono as Saburō Umezawa, a politician (Episode 3) * Aki Nishihara as Kuniko Takeda, Umezawa's secretary and Hiruma's ex-lawyer (Episode 3) * Shinichi Hatori as Customer T, a Monjaemon restaurant customer (Episode 3) * Tooru Tamakawa as Customer H, a Monjaemon restaurant customer (Episode 3) * Mitsuko Baisho as Yoshino, Ushio's mother (Episode 4) * Kenshi Okada as Kiyoaki Yokkaichi, a world-renowned skater (Episode 4) *

as Masae Mihara, a chief of Japan Nurses Federation (Episode 5) * Kenji Anan as Goro Mihara, Masae's son (Episode 5) * Mayuko Saigō as Chiaki Mihara, Masae's granddaughter (Episode 5) * Gaku Oshida and Shieri Ohata as the naughty couple (Episode 5) * Hikakin as himself (Episode 5) * Yuni Akino as Megumi, a nurse at Nurse Station bar (Episode 5) * Umino Kawamura as Rika a nurse at Nurse Station bar (Episode 5) * Riku Toida as Shinnosuke Mihara, Masae's great grandson (Episode 5) *

Yūta Hiraoka is a Japanese actor who belongs to the talent agency Amuse, Inc. He gained recognition in 2004 film '' Swing Girls'' and won "Newcomer of the Year" Award at 28th Japan Academy Prize. Then he appeared in several dramas and films, including '' W ...

as Shōta Rokkakubashi, a director of Hexagon Bridge and a billionaire (Episode 6) * Kahomi Takarabe as Mutsumi Minadzuki (Episode 6) * Eriko Kimura as Mutsumi's mother (Episode 6) * Alan Lowe as Seven Goldberg, a world banker (Episode 7) *

Ananda Jacobs Ananda Dawn Jacobs (born March 12, 1983) is an American actress, singer, model, producer, and composer. Early life Jacobs was born in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in Arizona and Washingston. She has three sisters, Starlet, who is an art ...

as Natalie Goldberg, Seven's wife (Episode 7) *

Marika Matsumoto is a Japanese actress. From 2001 and 2003, she was known as "Mini Stop-chan", acting as the mascot for the Ministop convenience store chain commercials in Japan. She is the owner of a unique voice and has held a recital with upcoming star Satos ...

as Maria Nakayama, a surgeon at Totei University Hospital and later Hachimura's wife (Episode 8) *

Terunosuke Takezai is a Japanese actor. He is sometimes referred to as a ''promotion video actor'' due to his numerous appearances in promotion videos.http://50秒ニュース.com/geinoukai/pvhaiyu/ Filmography Film Television References External links ...

as Masayoshi Hachimura, a politician who will be next prime minister and later Nakayama's husband (Episode 8) *

Ryudo Uzaki is a Japanese musician, composer, and actor. His group, the Down Town Boogie-Woogie Band, was one of the most prominent 1970s Japanese rock music bands. He also composed many of Momoe Yamaguchi's songs with Yoko Aki. He is married to lyricist a ...

as Yuji Kudō, a famous rockstar (Episode 9) * Mariko Tsutsui as Kyoko Kudō, Yuji's wife (Episode 9) *

Enon Kawatani , known by the stage name , is a Japanese musician. He is the vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the bands Gesu no Kiwami Otome, Indigo la End, Genie High, the instrumental band Ichikoro, and also works as a songwriter for other musicians. ...

as Takuya Niitsu, a singer-songwriter (Episode 9) * Kairi Jō as Kazuto Yoshiyuki, a child pianist (Episode 9–10)

Season seven

Ai Tominaga is a Japanese model and actress. She has been described as one of the first Asian models to walk European catwalks, but there were models like Sayoko Yamaguchi that walked the runways in 1970s and 1980s. Career She has appeared on the cover o ...

as Yuka Hitotsubashi, a member of

House of Councillors The is the upper house of the National Diet of Japan. The House of Representatives is the lower house. The House of Councillors is the successor to the pre-war House of Peers. If the two houses disagree on matters of the budget, treaties, or ...

(Episode 1) *

Masaki Okada is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his roles as Sekime Kyogo in the drama ''Hanazakari no Kimitachi e'' and as Takuma Kakinouchi in the 2009 film '' I Give My First Love to You''. Filmography Films * ''The Foreign Duck, the Native Duck ...

as Kei Ichiki (Episode 1) *Yui Natsukawa as Mayako Niki (Episode 2) *Ichirota Miyakawa as Yashiro Kanbe, the Vice Minister of Health, Labor and Walfare (Episode 3, 8) * Maiko Kawakami as Kumiko Kanbe, Yashiro's wife who later divorced (Episode 3) *Kaname Ouki as Yuika Shiki, a musical actress (Episode 4) * Reina Sumi as Kaede Hayami, Shiki's rival (Episode 4) *Taira Imata as Shunichirō Ōkawa, a member of

House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...

who having affair with Kaede (Episode 4) *

Nao Matsushita is a Japanese actress and singer. History Nao was born in Ikoma, Nara on 8 February 1985 and grew up in Kawanishi, Hyōgo. Winning Japan's Elite Model Look started her modeling career in earnest. She attended the Tokyo College of Music. D ...

as Akari Nasuda (Nurse X), a freelance nurse (Episode 5) *Hajime Inoue as Kazuo Itsuki, a rectal cancer patient (Episode 5) *Yōko Kondo as Yōko Itsuki, Kazuo's wife (Episode 5) *Hayato Yoshida as Oh Miroku, a Chinese IT president's son (Episode 6) *

Toshie Negishi is a Japanese film and television actress. Filmography Film * ''Kaerazaru hibi'' (1978) * '' Toki o Kakeru Shōjo'' (1983) - Tachibana * '' Lonely Heart'' (1985) - Makoto's mother * '' The Sea and Poison'' (1986) - Ueda * '' Sada'' (1998) - Yos ...

as Yasue Shichimiya, owner of (Episode 7) *Ito Iraishi as Moeka Shichimiya, Yasue's daughter (Episode 7) *Satoshi Tokushige as Sōshichi Enomoto, the

Minister of the Environment An environment minister (sometimes minister of the environment or secretary of the environment) is a cabinet position charged with protecting the natural environment and promoting wildlife conservation. The areas associated with the duties of an ...

(Episode 7) *Yō Takahashi as Taichi Mukaishima, Sōshichi's secretary (Episode 7) *

Asaka Seto also known as Megumi Ieda, is a Japanese actress who works at Foster Management. She won the award for Best Actress at the 24th Yokohama Film Festival for ''Travail''. She is married to Yoshihiko Inohara of the band V6. Filmography ;Televisio ...

as Satsuki Yagami, Hiromi Jonouchi's high school classmate (Episode 8) *Gennosuke as Yuki Yagami, Satsuki's only son (Episode 8) *

Kazuki Kosakai (born January 3, 1956) is a Japanese comedian and actor from Ichikawa, Chiba. He is attached to Asaikikaku. Roles Television programs Television drama *'' Sērā Fukudōri'' (1986) (Tanaka-sensei) *''Furuhata Ninzaburō'' (1994) (Shigeo Sakomizu ...

as a sushi restaurant chef (Episode 9–10) *Mansour Diagne as Dr. Shelp, the director of Institute of Infectious Diseases from Safiristan (Episode 9–10) *Igor T. as Julius, Dr. Shelp's attendant who died after being infected (Episode 9–10) *Cookie as Masayoshi Kabutogawa, a construction consultant president (Episode 10) * Hisako Manda as Katsuko Minami, governor of Tokyo (Episode 10)

Broadcast history

''Doctor-Xs first season aired from October 18 to December 13, 2012, on Thursdays on TV Asahi in Japan. It frequently was one of the top ranked dramas on private television in its time slot.

Season one

Premiering in 2012, the first season had 8 episodes and averaged a viewer share of 19.1%. The final episode of the season was 15 minutes longer than other episodes.

Season two

The second season aired in 2013, and included 9 episodes which averaged a viewer share of 23.0%.

Season three

The third season aired in 2014.

Special

The two-hour special followed the third season, airing in July 2016. Daimon is in Kanazawa, with action centering around the country's vanguard hospital for drug testing Cross Medical Center serving as the hospital backdrop. National politician Aiko Ichinose, played by Kayako Kishimoto, collapses on the street following an intimate interlude. Daimon finds him on the street, and sees to his transport to the Cross Medical Center. She then immediately operates on the politician after getting him there. Meanwhile, reigning world figure skating champion Kojiro Himuro, played by guest star Hey! Say! JUMP group member

, is suffering from

chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a long-term disease caused by a blockage in the blood vessels that deliver blood from the heart to the lungs ( the pulmonary arterial tree). These blockages cause increased resistance to flow ...

ahead of the upcoming world championships. Medical Center of the Cross director Kantaro Kurosu asks Daimon Michiko to perform the surgery.

Season four

''Doctor-X'' continued to run on Thursday nights in the 9:00 PM time slot on TV Asahi. The fourth season contained 11 episodes and aired in late 2016. It finished with an average market share of 21.5%. The maximum viewing share during the season was the last episode, during a scene featuring 43-year-old Japanese comedian

. It finished top in the rankings among Japanese dramas in 2016. It was the top ranked show for the first half of its run in the fourth season. The final episode of the season had a market share of 22.8%. The third episode had the highest market share for the season at 24.3%. The fourth episode had a rating of 21.3%. Among viewers who saved the show to watch later, the show ranked third in October 2016. The airing of the third episode was slightly delayed as a result of a live program about the bombing of Hiroshima.

Season five

The fifth season aired Japan in late 2017. After five episodes, the show was averaging 20.1% market share and was the top ranked drama on private television networks.

Season six

Ratings

Production team

Miho Nakazomo was the main writer for the first season. She had experience writing dramas with her 10 years of work on "Woman's woman ~ Tax collector inspector" and on the original story she wrote called "Haken no Rika".

Awards

was awarded best actress at the 21st Hashida Awards for her performance as Doctor-X. It was her second time winning the award, previously winning it for her performance in the second season. Yonekura was also recognized with the Kuniko Mukda prize in 2013. Miho Nakazomo co-won the best writer award at the 21st Hashida Awards, sharing the honor with Kobayashi Nenjyutsu.

Spinoffs

''Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon'' was spun off with the show '' Doctor-Y: Surgeon Hideki Kaji'', featuring Masanobu Katsumura playing Hideki Kaji. It started airing on September 29, 2016. Katsumura was surprised and pleased that his character was spun off and he became the lead of the new series.

Distribution

''Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon'' is distributed internationally via

Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fi ...

and Amazon Prime in selected countries with English language subtitles. In India, ''Doctor-X'' is dubbed in Hindi language on the occasion of International Women's Day and it is as of 2018 streaming on Indian Digital Platform

ZEE5 ZEE5 is an Indian subscription video on-demand and over-the-top streaming service, run by Zee Entertainment Enterprises. It was launched in India on 14 February 2018 with content in 12 languages. The ZEE5 mobile app is available on Web, Andro ...

for Season 1 and 2 only. It's not available anymore in the app. However, all six seasons are now available in India through the Netflix streaming service. Japan Foundation also distributed the first seasons in some

Latin America Latin America or * french: Amérique Latine, link=no * ht, Amerik Latin, link=no * pt, América Latina, link=no, name=a, sometimes referred to as LatAm is a large cultural region in the Americas where Romance languages — languages derived f ...

n countries (Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Bolivia) in 2017, dubbed in

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

. In Southeast Asia,

WakuWaku Japan WakuWaku Japan (stylized as WAKUWAKU JAPAN) was a Japanese pay television channel that broadcast Japanese programs to overseas viewers in Asia. The channel broadcast programming in Japanese, as well as translated versions in Indonesian, Mandari ...

aired all six seasons of the series with subtitles, and is scheduled to air the seventh season on a near-simulcast basis starting in October 2021.

References

{{reflist 2012 Japanese television series debuts 2012 in Japanese television Japanese drama television series TV Asahi television dramas Television shows written by Miho Nakazono