It was revealed on February 28th that actor Dean Fujioka will be starring in the Fuji TV Wednesday 10pm drama "LOVED ONE," which will begin airing on April 8th. Dean Fujioka will play the eccentric genius forensic scientist Mizusawa Masumi. Actor Kumi Takiuchi will play Kiryu Maho, a bureaucrat who teams up with Masumi. This will be Dean Fujioka's first starring role in a Fuji TV drama series in about six and a half years, since "Sherlock: Untold Stories" (2019). This will be his first time acting alongside Takiuchi.
The title "LOVED ONE" is a term forensic pathologists use to respectfully refer to a corpse. It refers not to a "dead person" but to a "being who was once loved by someone." The members of the newly formed forensic medicine specialist team, "MEJ (Medical Examiner Japan)," take on a number of difficult cases while tracing the last silent traces left behind by people who were supposed to have been someone's family, lover, or friend.
In Japan, it is said that approximately 200,000 bodies are treated annually with the cause of death unknown. Autopsies performed by forensic pathologists account for only about 10% of these cases. While the process of determining the cause of death is common overseas, the reality is that it is still not fully implemented in Japan. To overcome this situation, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has established a new forensic medicine team, "MEJ (Medical Examiner Japan)," to adopt the American system of determining the cause of death. This film portrays MEJ as an organization with investigative authority over determining the cause of death, including issuing police investigation orders and deciding on autopsies. Using their scientific knowledge and sharp reasoning, they not only uncover hidden truths, but also confront the feelings of those left behind. The team's unique members, who clash and waver, grow as they slowly overturn the common sense of Japan, often mocked as a "society where the cause of death is unknown."
Dean Fujioka plays the protagonist, Mizusawa Masumi, a quirky, brilliant forensic pathologist who has performed numerous autopsies as a medical examiner in the United States. Despite his elite status, he is somewhat elusive, sporting messy hair and unpretentious attire. He treats everyone with a level-headed demeanor, yet never compromises his beliefs. He cannot overlook even the slightest contradiction, and his catchphrase is, "That's a contradiction," as if questioning himself. Unconstrained by common sense or preconceptions, he never compromises in his work, sometimes even visiting the scene himself to thoroughly pursue the truth. His clumsy and eccentric personality often leads the members of "MEJ" into a tailspin, but the moment he comes face to face with "LOVED ONE (the corpse)," the atmosphere changes completely. With his incredible powers of observation and unique perspective, he uncovers the truth and uncovers the "time of life" that lies beyond "death."
Maho Kiryu, the director of MEJ and partner of Masumi (played by Mitsuru Takiuchi), grew up in a single-parent household and was supported by national systems. This experience led her to aspire to become a bureaucrat, determined to "create a system that allows everyone to live happily." She joined the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, but struggled to achieve her goals, losing out in the race for promotion. In her mid-30s, she felt stymied. Meanwhile, she is suddenly appointed director of MEJ, an unprecedented organization launched at the initiative of the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare. Without a medical license, she is bewildered and frustrated by the unfamiliar field of forensic medicine. However, as she confronts the reality behind "unknown causes of death," she learns that a theoretical system cannot save lives, and finds her mission and place as a bureaucrat. Despite repeated clashes with Masumi, whose views and values are polar opposites, the two eventually become a unique pair. This will be Takiuchi's first appearance in a drama in about five years since "Osameda Towako and Her Three Ex-Husbands" (2021, Kansai TV/Fuji TV).
The script will be written by Yusuke Moriguchi, who has worked on "Black Pean Season 2" (2024) and "Caster" (2025), and Sayaka Ichino, winner of the Grand Prize at the 34th Young Scenario Awards and whose work includes "Midsummer Cinderella" and "Dr. Ashura." The film will be directed by Hiroaki Matsuyama, who has worked on "Nobunaga Concerto" (2014) and the "Don't Call It Mystery" series (2022, 2023), and Michiko Namiki, who has worked on "The Best Divorce" (2013), "I'll Cry When I Remember This Love Someday" (2016), and "119 Emergency Call" (2025/Fuji TV). Additionally, Tatsuya Kato, who has produced popular films such as "Hell's Garden" (2021), "Honeko Akabane's Bodyguards" (2023), and "Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist's Journey" (2025), will be in charge of production.
The cast members of "MEJ" will be announced in the future. Comments from Dean Fujioka, Takiuchi, and others are as follows:
◇Comment from Dean Fujioka
-When you received the offer for this film.
I am extremely happy to be working with Fuji TV again, taking on the lead role in a production for the first time in about six and a half years. I also felt a strong personal connection with the theme of "life." I see this as a fateful encounter that came at a time when I needed to face it. Regarding the title "LOVED ONE," I learned for the first time that it is a respectful term used to refer to a corpse in the world of forensic medicine. I had seen the phrase in English subtitles of overseas productions that dealt with a similar theme, but I had never really given it much thought. The more I learn about the phrase "LOVED ONE" while working on this role, the more I realize its depth and preciousness. I feel that this is a very meaningful theme.
-Read the script.
Why do tragic events occur? The process of uncovering the truth and the human drama of the characters. I think this work carefully depicts these two axes. While it is certainly appealing as a mystery, I feel that the core of this work is the "trajectory of a person" that emerges as the truth is revealed through forensic science. The way the daily life, relationships, and memories of each person's life are gradually revealed feels like turning the pages of a diary, one by one. This human drama carefully traces the "memories of love" left behind, and it becomes an opportunity to reexamine your own way of life as your days pass by without a care. I would be happy if this work becomes like a "cheer song" like that.
-About the role of Mizusawa Masumi.
I am currently in the process of carefully crafting the role through repeated discussions with the staff. It remains to be seen what tone I will strike, but as this is a work that deals with the dignity of life, it is essential that I approach it sincerely, but at the same time, I also want to make sure that it doesn't become too stiff. Even amidst the deep themes, I want to create a presence that conveys the casual everyday interactions and warmth of humanity. Visually, "softness" is also a theme. Because the character wears a white coat and uses technical language, I hope to exude an organic and natural atmosphere. I am aiming to portray a character that allows you to feel the "humanity" of the character intuitively, rather than through logic.
--About your first time working with Kumi Takiuchi.
Having seen his work up until now, I had the impression that he was someone with a very delicate way of expressing himself. When I actually met him, I felt that he was a person with a refreshing inner strength and cheerfulness that betrayed that image in a good way. As you would expect from someone whose last name contains the character "dragon" (lol), I am very excited to see what kind of energy he will unleash on set. These two completely different characters sometimes clash but cooperate and move the story forward. I think that their buddy relationship will be one of the main pillars of this work. I hope that we can build a good relationship while complementing each other.
- A message to the viewers looking forward to the broadcast.
This film is a story that depicts life and death head-on. But at the same time, it also sheds light on the fact that each and every person's life is one in which they have been loved by someone and loved someone. I hope you can experience both the excitement of solving the mystery as a mystery and the warmth of a human drama. Please watch until the very end.
◇Comment from Kumi Takiuchi
-When you received the offer for this film.
I am very happy to be able to participate in a cast that I am working with for the first time. The role of Kiryu Maho that I have been given is a type of character that I have not played much before, so it is a big challenge for me. I feel honored to have been entrusted with such an opportunity. I am nervous as this will be my first time meeting the director, producer, and co-stars, but more than that, I am excited by the anticipation of creating a work together with everyone. I am looking forward to cherishing each day of filming.
-Read the script.
I felt that the script had a lot of "room for error." In the worldview that the scriptwriters have woven, each and every character has a strong belief. I think that this is very beautiful. Maho, the character I play, also has clear beliefs, and it was carefully portrayed what position she holds, what she carries, and what she conveys. Each episode is self-contained and easy to watch, but it also has a strong appeal that draws you in, making you wonder "what will happen next?". I think it is a work that can be fully enjoyed as a mystery drama, wondering what incident will occur next and how the team will solve it.
-About the role of Kiryu Maho.
Maho is a headstrong, clumsy but straightforward woman. As a bureaucrat at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, she may seem like a strict person at first glance, but she became the director of MEJ without any knowledge of forensic medicine and plunged into the world of forensic pathologists, who are experts. Although it may seem like she is messing around with those around her by introducing a new system, in reality, Maho may be the one who is being messed around the most (laughs). I hope that she will become someone that viewers will find themselves rooting for.
-About your first co-starring role with Dean Fujioka.
I think he is a very talented person. I had the impression that he had many different faces, so I wondered what kind of person he was actually. When I met him, I was impressed by his very soft and gentle smile. He has a warm, embracing personality, but also a slightly naive cuteness (laughs). I found that contrast fascinating. Filming is about to begin, and I am very much looking forward to seeing how Dean himself and the intelligent character of Mizusawa Masumi will overlap and how he will rise to the occasion. Also, since this is a story in which the whole team works together to solve the case, I hope to build a good atmosphere of teamwork while maintaining just the right amount of tension.
- A message to the viewers looking forward to the broadcast.
Maho makes a complete turnaround from her life as a bureaucrat at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to being appointed as the director of MEJ. Surrounded by experts and not knowing what to do, she is sometimes subjected to harsh words and has her pride broken, but she perseveres. Through these experiences, she solves cases with her colleagues and faces the task of determining the cause of death of the bodies, and as a result, she gradually grows as a person. This is a work that continues to ask what we can do as people, while facing the reality that systems and logic alone cannot heal the hearts of the bereaved. I hope you will watch Team MEJ until the very end.
◇ Comment from Tatsuya Kato (Producer)
The title of this work, "LOVED ONE," is a term used in forensic medicine to describe a corpse. It signifies more than just a corpse; it also signifies a person who was loved, irreplaceable, and truly lived a normal life. When I began thinking about creating a forensic drama, I was introduced to this phrase by an actual forensic pathologist I interviewed. My encounter with the phrase "LOVED ONE" became the origin of all the ideas for this work. As we unravel the truth of a death from the traces left on the corpse, what emerges is not just the truth of the case; it is the relationships and feelings surrounding the person, the lives of those left behind, and even the wishes of the deceased person as to how they truly wanted to live. While this work deals with death, I hope that through this drama viewers will reaffirm that the ordinary days we usually overlook, and the mundane everyday life that can sometimes seem monotonous, are in fact precious and irreplaceable. We hope that this film will be a piece that gently encourages everyone living today, and the wonderful cast, including Dean Fujioka and Kumi Takiuchi, as well as all the staff, will work hard on the production. We hope you will watch it.
