The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017 (2017)
A gripping Japanese medical drama following a maverick pediatric surgeon who stakes his career on saving a teenager facing a life-threatening pregnancy.
The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017 - Movie Information
- Original Title: 最上の命医 2017
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Manabu Asô
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Alternative Titles: Saijo no Meii 2017 (US)
- Production Companies: TV Tokyo
- Production Countries: Japan
The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017 - Plot
Maverick pediatric surgeon Mikoto Saijo agrees to work under his mentor, but only if he's allowed to care for a teenager with a risky pregnancy.
The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017 - Trailer
Check out this clip from the film for a glimpse of the drama ahead.
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The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Manabu Asô
Main Cast
- Takumi Saitoh
- Masao Kusakari
- Nene Otsuka
- Mirai Shida
- Satoru Matsuo
- Yuya Endo
- Momoka
- Shin'ya Ohwada
- Manami Higa
- Shigeru Izumiya
The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017 - FAQs
What is The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017 about?
The film follows Mikoto Saijo, a brilliant but unconventional pediatric surgeon who agrees to work under his mentor on one condition: he must be allowed to treat a teenage girl facing a dangerously high-risk pregnancy. It's a tense medical drama about conviction, ethics, and the lengths one doctor will go to save a life.
Is The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017 based on a manga or TV series?
Yes! The film is based on the popular Japanese manga series Saijō no Meii by Takeshi Natsuhara and Akira Nagai. The story was also adapted into a TV drama series before this theatrical film, making it a beloved franchise among fans of Japanese medical fiction.
Who plays the lead surgeon Mikoto Saijo?
Takumi Saitoh takes on the role of Mikoto Saijo, the maverick pediatric surgeon at the heart of the story. Saitoh is a well-known Japanese actor with a strong presence in both film and television, and he brings real intensity and charisma to this demanding lead role.
Does the film deal with teenage pregnancy sensitively?
The film handles the subject with care, centering the teenage patient's situation as a serious medical and human challenge rather than a sensational plot device. The story uses the risky pregnancy to explore the ethical dilemmas surgeons face and the emotional weight carried by both doctors and families in high-stakes medical decisions.
Who are the main actors in The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017?
The cast is led by Takumi Saitoh as the driven Dr. Saijo, alongside Masao Kusakari as his mentor Yoshitomu Tezuka and Mirai Shida as Rika Tezuka. Nene Otsuka, Satoru Matsuo, Manami Higa, and Shigeru Izumiya round out a strong ensemble that brings depth to the hospital drama.
Who directed The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017?
The film was directed by Manabu Asô, a Japanese director with experience in television drama productions. His background in the medium translates well here, giving the film a polished, character-driven feel that fans of the original TV series will find familiar and satisfying.
What are some similar films to The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017?
If you enjoy this film, you might also like Hungry Hearts (2015), which explores parental instinct pushed to extremes, or Harmonium (2016), another intense Japanese drama with strong moral undercurrents. Radiance (2017) and Gracie (2007) are also worth exploring for their emotionally driven, character-focused storytelling.
How long is The Best Skilled Surgeon 2017?
The film runs for 1 hour and 48 minutes — a tight, focused runtime that keeps the medical drama moving at a brisk pace without overstaying its welcome. It's a satisfying length for a story that balances surgical tension with emotional character development.
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