The fifth episode of NHK's "Drama 10 'Shiba's Law - We Are the Dog-Mad Editorial Department'" (General TV, Tuesdays at 10pm), starring actors Daito Shunsuke and Iitoyo Marie, entitled "With Love from Dog Hot Springs", aired on November 4th, and viewers were moved to tears by the plot twist in which the ill Bom (voice: Kenjiro Tsuda) passes away and is sent to "work in heaven".
The drama is based on the non-fiction book "Heisei Dog-crazy Editorial Department" by Yuka Katano. Set in the Shiba Inu magazine "Shiba One," the drama is a human story that gently unravels the tangled hearts of people. Daito plays Shunichi Sagara, the editor-in-chief of the Shiba Inu magazine, and Iitoyo plays Reika Ishimori, an editor who is somehow at odds with Sagara.
In the fifth episode, Bom, who has been supporting Shiba One as staff dog No. 2, falls ill. Not only his owner Mita (Koga Ken), but also Sagara (Daito) and the rest of the editorial staff are worried about Bom's health. Meanwhile, a plan for a special feature on "Dog Hot Spring Trips" is proposed. This plan was something that Seike (Katagiri Hairi) had been planning for Bom.
However, after a grand birthday celebration, Bom passes away quietly.
Later, with each member of the editorial team holding their own thoughts, they all head to a hot spring. The hot spring turns out to be Kiyoie's family home. There, Mita tells Sagara and the others that she has overcome her grief and will continue to work hard at the editorial team.
Towards the end of the film, when the article "Dog Hot Spring Trip" featuring Bomb is completed, Fukusuke (voice: Emoto Tokio) sneaks out of the editorial room and runs up to the roof. Looking up at the sky, Fukusuke mutters to himself, "Bomb-senpai." Next to him, Sagara says, "Staff dog No. 2 Bomb. As of today, you are relieved of your duties on the ground. And... you are assigned to work in the heavens."
On social media, many people shared their thoughts, such as, "It's so sad to say goodbye to Bom senior so soon..." "Bom senior... I cried," "Bom senior... my hands are in prayer," "Bom senior... thank you for your hard work on the ground," "Fuku-chan's expression as he looks up at the sky and thinks of Bom senior..." "Bom senior... I never thought he would become a star like that," and "I'm so sad that Bom senior has passed away that I burst into tears."
