"DOPE" - "Izumi" by Rinka Kumada is "great at playing the villain"

The fifth episode of the drama series " DOPE " (TBS, Fridays at 10pm), starring Kaito Takahashi of the popular group "King & Prince" and actor Tomoya Nakamura , aired on August 1st. Regarding Rinka Kumada Special Investigation Division member Izumi Ruka, there were comments on social media such as "her performance as a villain is excellent."

◇The following contains spoilers

Izumi was originally a member of the Special Investigation Division and was a direct junior of Watanuki Hikaru (Araki Yuko).

In episode 5, Watanuki is walking when someone calls out to him from behind, and when he turns around, he sees Izumi. Izumi greets him with a smile, saying, "What a coincidence! It's been a while. You look well."

However, Watanuki, with his stern expression intact, walked over to Izumi and bowed his head, saying, "I'm sorry." He then apologized, saying, "I now understand that it was all my fault. It was my fault that you found it difficult to stay in the Special Investigation Division. I didn't consider your feelings."

Looking back on that time, he continued, "The work of the Special Investigation Division is often dangerous, so I wanted to properly train her. Izumi had talent as a detective, and I mistakenly thought that if I loved her, it was okay to be strict with her. I think it was only natural that I reported power harassment to headquarters."

Izumi, who had been staring at Watanuki with cold eyes, put her hand on his shoulder and said with a mocking laugh, "Hehe. You're serious about that. That's surprising," before murmuring in a low voice, "An imposition of goodwill and unconscious coercion. That was the worst." Letting go of Watanuki's shoulder, Izumi's tone suddenly brightened and she spoke happily, "But I quit the Special Investigation Division and was able to find my true self. That's why I'm so happy now. Unlike you, Watanuki, who is busy caring for your grandmother every day."

When Watanuki was surprised at the mention of nursing care, Izumi smiled and said, "Hehe. I'm sorry. Didn't you want me to touch you?"

On social media, comments such as "Rinka Kumada's performance as a villain is excellent and she might be my favorite villain of the season", "Why did Rinka Kumada fall into such darkness?", "Rinka Kumada in DOPE is so cute. I love how she suits both the bad boy and the pure girl, she's amazing", "Rinka Kumada can play a role like this too - her 'yurufuwa' look is just like the real thing, but I prefer this one!" and "Rinka Kumada's styling is genius. She looks so cute in that black outfit" became a hot topic.

The story is based on the novel of the same name (Kadokawa Bunko) by Kizaki Chiaki, who made her debut as a novelist after winning the Grand Prize at the 20th Dengeki Novel Awards for her work "Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens." Set in a near-future Japan where a mysterious new drug called "DOPE" is rampant, the story follows rookie drug enforcement officer Saiki Yuto of the secret Narcotics Control Department's Special Investigation Division (Special Investigation Division) and his trainer Jinnai Teppei as they attempt to solve a mysterious case.