The first episode of the TV drama " DOPE " (TBS, Friday 10pm), starring popular group King & Prince member Takahashi Kaito and actor Tomoya Nakamura , was broadcast on July 4th, and the average viewership rating (according to Video Research, Kanto region, same below) was 6.0% for households and 3.2% for individuals.
The drama is based on the same-titled novel (Kadokawa Bunko) by Kizaki Chiaki, who made her debut as a novelist after winning the grand prize at the 20th Dengeki Novel Awards with "Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens." Set in a near-future Japan where a mysterious new drug called "DOPE" is rampant, the story follows rookie narcotics agent Saiki Yuto (Takahashi), who has been transferred to the secret Narcotics Control Department Special Investigation Division, commonly known as the "Special Investigation Division," and the division's instructor, Jinnai Teppei (Nakamura), as they team up to solve the mysterious cases caused by DOPE with the unique members of the Special Investigation Division.
In the first episode, Saiki is scouted to join the highly secretive Drug Enforcement Bureau Special Investigation Division, commonly known as the "Special Investigation Division," which is tasked with cracking down on DOPE. Meanwhile, a hostage situation occurs where a DOPE user, a "doper," takes people hostage. Despite trying to reason with the perpetrator, Saiki and his team are put in danger. Then, another member of the Special Investigation Division, Jinnai, appears... and so the story unfolds.
