The final version of “Doctor X” was a big hit…but TV Asahi’s “situation” is such that they can’t “let him go” just yet.

A blockbuster hit to mark the end of a successful run

According to the “Domestic Movie Rankings” (according to Kogyo Tsushinsha) for December 13-15, “Doctor X the Movie,” the first movie version of the popular TV Asahi drama series starring Ryoko Yonekura (49), drew 271,000 viewers over the three-day weekend.

The film took third place at the box office with 370 million yen, bringing the total to 1.03 million in attendance and over 1.3 billion yen in revenue since its release on March 6. These are figures that could eventually reach 3 billion yen.

Yonekura, who made her acting debut in 1999, has appeared in only six films to date. Her last film was a starring role in “Negotiator the Movie: Time Limit Brain Battle at an Altitude of 10,000 meters,” a film version of a TV Asahi drama released in ’10. However, the film did not do well at the box office, grossing 630 million yen.

After that, no sequel to this drama was produced, and the “Doctor X” series began in 2012. The series has always received high viewer ratings. The first movie version of the series, which was produced with full steam, was also a big hit.

Yonekura was able to get her revenge for the “Negotiator” movie with the theatrical version of “Doctor X.” Yonekura and the other actors from each of the Tele-Telethouse productions were able to make a film version of the “Doctor X” series, which was a big hit.

Yonekura and his team are working hard to promote their programs on TV Asahi. In addition, there are plenty of factors that will attract viewers, such as the fact that this is the posthumous work of Toshiyuki Nishida, who passed away in October, and the introduction of Daigo Nishihata (27), a “Naniwa Danshi” actor who did not appear in the drama series, in order to attract younger fans. From the way it ended, it seemed natural that the series would continue,” said a source from the movie company.

Along with “Partners” starring Yutaka Mizutani (72), “Doctor X” reigns as one of TV Asahi’s most popular drama series, but it seems that TV Asahi still has a situation where it does not want the series to end.

Could there be a “second movie version?”

TV Asahi is currently airing “The Travel Nurse,” written by Miho Nakazono, the same writer as “Doctor X.” The first series, which premiered in October 2010, was well received. The first series in the October 2010 season was well received, and this will be the second series. Household viewership ratings have all exceeded double digits until the ninth episode broadcast on October 19, averaging over 11%. It is clear that TV Asahi intends for the series to grow as a replacement for “Doctor X” and eventually become a movie version. ……

In “Doctor X,” Yonekura’s Michiko Daimon is a genius female surgeon who never fails. In contrast, “Travel Nurse” is a drama about two male nurses who “heal people” played by Masaki Okada (35) and Kiichi Nakai (63). It is slowly gaining popularity, but it will take time for it to grow into a killer content like “Doctor X”.

Therefore, TV Asahi really does not want to end “Doctor X” so easily. Nevertheless, there are concerns about the physical strain of filming for Yonekura, the key character. Furthermore, she is very eager to take on new works and has not been very positive about “Doctor X,” and it has taken three years since the last film for her to finally make it to this one. Given this, the realization of a second SP drama or movie version is probably a “rocky road” for him,” said a reporter in charge of broadcasting.

Yonekura appeared at a talk event held in Nagoya City on March 18 together with Ittoku Kishibe (77) and Kosuke Suzuki (50), who co-starred in the film. She appealed to the audience, saying, “I hope you will finish watching our last relationship in the theater.

It will be interesting to see how far the movie version will go in terms of numbers, but Yonekura’s feelings may waver depending on how far it reaches.

Yonekura is a member of the production team for this film, and her personal agency, Desafío, is also a member of the production committee. If this film hits the jackpot, it will pay big dividends. If Ms. Yonekura looks at it from the perspective of a business manager, she has no choice but to continue this popular series, which can earn a huge profit from a single movie,” said a source in the movie industry.

Fans of the series who have seen the film must be shouting in their hearts, “Comeback, Michiko! I’m sure they are shouting, “Come back, Michiko! Will Yonekura ever answer the fans’ love call?

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