Shiroi Kyoto

白い巨塔 · The Great White Tower

Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn 2003

Network	Fuji TV
Broadcast	9 Oct 2003
Episodes	21 Episodes
Viewership	—
Fan score	9.2 from 19 reviews

Synopsis

Goro Zaizen and Shuji Satomi are assistant professors at Naniwa University Hospital. Goro is a brilliant surgeon who will do anything to make his way up the corporate ladder. On the other hand, Shuji is a physician who earnestly devotes himself to medical research. Though the two doctors have contrasting personalities and are considered to be rivals, they highly recognize each other's skills.

The entire medical department is restless while preparing for the election to choose a new Surgical Department Professor. All Goro has on his mind, is how to win the election. Meanwhile, Shuji is looking after a patient who apparently has pancreatic cancer. He carries out tests on the patient cautiously, and is very careful in telling the patient of the cancer. However, Goro barges in on their conversation, and out of the blue, tells the patient he has cancer, and that he needs an operation right away. Shuji is furious at Goro's rude attitude, and yells, "Doctors are not God!" Goro ignores this, and starts laying the groundwork for the operation. But when Goro finds out that the Director of the Medical Department has already given a diagnosis of stomach cancer, he cancels the operation. He feels that pointing out his boss's misdiagnosis will only hurt him in the upcoming election. Shuji however, is determined to save the patient's life and go on with the operation.

Synopsis: Fuji TV

Cast & characters 15 credited

Fan reviews 19 reviews

9.2/ 10

10		13
9		3
8		0
7		1
1–6		2

Best medical drama!

10 / 10

HHND · 2009

Great, great medical drama! Great plot, great acting, enough twist, not overdoing the dramatic and emotional part at all, just... enough. The interaction between doctors and patients was really touching, the hunger for power convincing but also leaves room for you to feel sorry/sympathize with the character. Not much romance in this one, but since I'm not a fan of such topic, it didn't bother me at all. If you like serious drama, watch this one. I wouldn't categorize it in either the "dark" drama side (like Byakuyakou, 1 million stars falling) or the "happy" drama side (like Hana Yori Dango), it's just... realistic I guess. Overall it has a sad ending and a vague feeling as you're watching it, but everything in this drama was so raw, so undecorated that just leaves you feeling like you can really meet these people in real life!

A human drama

10 / 10

moeru_h · 2008

I can't believe how amazing this drama is. At first, I found the story so slow-paced but as it continued, it got better and better. Karasawa and Eguchi's acting were just perfect! Just what I expected from theater actors!

The plot line and the theme were effective and touching. It understands how complicated human relationships are and why people are driven to act the way they do. The Zaizen character is the most interesting one. In the end, the story got me empathizing with him. And as for Satomi's character, it is a hopeful but poignant reminder of how few people can stand up for their ideals. But this drama does not condemn those people who can't b/c it gives good reasons too on why it isn't easy to maintain such ideals. Our drive for self-preservation, which is a very human characteristic, keeps us from our ideals.

This tower soars above the rest

10 / 10

shari · 2007

The quality of Part 1 of this two-part medic soap is so good in every way (the cast in particular), I decided to shelf Part 2 out of fear of impending disappointment.

All 19 reviews