The second episode of the TBS Sunday Theatre drama " The 19th medical record " (Sunday 9pm) starring Jun Matsumoto was broadcast on July 27th. The performance of Sugita Rairin, who plays Taku, the older brother of Okazaki Saki (Kurokawa Anji), a boy with a congenital heart disease, has been met with praise on social media, with many saying that he "took my heart away."
◇The following contains spoilers
The drama is based on the manga " The 19th medical record Tokushige's Questioning" by Katsuhito Fujiya, and depicts a general practitioner who lends a helping hand to patients' lifestyles. This is Matsumoto's first time playing a doctor, and the show also stars Fuka Koshiba and Mackenyu. The script is written by Aya Tsubota, who has worked on the "Kounodori" series (same channel).
His parents divorced two years ago. With his mother gone, 17-year-old Taku always accompanied Saki to the hospital. However, Saki lost her life. Tokushige (Matsumoto) began to care about Taku.
One day, Taku collapses from heat stroke. Tokushige, who happens to be there, rushes him to Uotora General Hospital. After treatment, Taku tries to go home, but loses strength in his legs and collapses. Taku begs Tokushige not to contact his father, Koji (Higasane Saku Hisahide), but Tokushige says, "I will contact you. You are still a minor. Your guardian has a responsibility to know your health condition."
Shiori Arimatsu (Yoshino Kimura), a pediatrician who has been Saki's doctor for 14 years, apologized, saying, "Taku was always trying his best. I saw that, but I'm sorry I couldn't say anything to him." Taku said, "Don't apologize, doctor. I'm a bad older brother. Because when Saki died, I felt a deep sense of relief. I'm sorry."
"It was so painful. I wanted to run away. But I loved Saki. She was cute and precious to me. And yet I never thought I'd think something like this. To feel relieved that Saki had died. I'm a monster. I'm the older brother. Big brothers have to try their best, so why me..." he said, crying.
On social media, comments such as "I was captivated by Sugita Rairin's acting as Taku! It was amazing," "Sugita Rairin, who plays the older brother, is good. I'd like to see him in other works," "Sugita Rairin was just too good," "That boy is amazing. Sugita Rairin. I've got to remember him," and "I was in tears. I'm so glad that Tokushige-sensei noticed."
