"DOPE

The first episode of the drama series " DOPE " (TBS, Friday 10pm), starring Kaito Takahashi of the popular group "King & Prince" and actor Tomoya Nakamura , was broadcast on July 4th. The unprecedented development of the death of a major character in the early part of the series caused a big stir.

◇The following contains spoilers

The story 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 Prize with "Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens." Set in a near-future Japan where a mysterious new drug called "DOPE" is rampant, Saiki Yuto (Takahashi), a rookie narcotics agent in the secret Narcotics Control Department's Special Investigation Division (Special Investigation Division), and Jinnai Teppei (Nakamura), the division's trainer, attempt to solve a mysterious case with their colleagues in the Special Investigation Division.

"Let's not do this. If you have something to say, I'll listen."

Hajime Yamaguchi (played by Atsushi Ito), a councilor at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, attempts to persuade the DOPE users, commonly known as "dopers," who have taken hostages and barricaded themselves inside.

"I did nothing wrong!" the doper said angrily. Yamaguchi continued to offer sympathetic words, saying, "I know. It's not your fault. We want to help you."

However, Doper, who was able to generate and control flames in his palm, hurled the flames at Saiki. Yamaguchi tried to protect Saiki by shouting, "It's dangerous!", but was hit by the flames and lost his life.

In response to the main cast member's death just 18 minutes into the first episode, social media was flooded with comments such as, "Isn't his exit too early!?", "No one would have thought that Ito Atsushi would leave so soon after DOPE began," and "I'm really shocked that Yamaguchi passed away so soon."