Production press conference of FujiTV Summer 2017 drama "Code Blue Doctor Heli Kinkyuu Kyuumei THIRD SEASON"

The production press conference of FujiTV Summer 2017 drama "Code Blue Doctor Heli Kinkyuu Kyuumei THIRD SEASON" was held Tokyo Heliport on 11 July which was attended by cast members Yamashita Tomohisa, Aragaki Yui, Toda Erika, Higa Manami, Asari Yousuke, Narita Ryo, Baba Fumika, Araki Yuuko, Arioka Daiki, Ando Masanobu and Shiina Kippei. The drama begins its run from 17 July in the Mondays 9pm timeslot.

The drama began in the summer of 2008 with a SP and season 2 subsequently shown in Winter 2010 so the new season will describe what happens to the 5 main characters 7 years later after Season 2. In the latest installment, Aizawa Kousaku (Yamashita Tomohisa) who had left the emergency centre at Shohoku, is working as a neurosurgeon now and busy with operations every day. Shiraishi Megumi (Aragaki Yui) continues to work as a flight doctor at Shohoku which is facing a manpower crunch and is already the staff leader of the flight doctors team. Hiyama Mihoko (Toda Erika) left Shohoku and becomes a gynaecologist at a perinatal medical centre while Saejima Haruka (Higa Manami) is doing well as a flight nurse. Last but not least, Fujikawa Kazuo (Asari Yousuke) is working as an emergency centre doctor specialising in plastic surgery and supports Shiraishi's team as well.

Hey! Say! JUMP's Arioka Daiki, Narita Ryo and Araki Yuuko will be playing new medical interns who are assigned to the emergency centre for training to become future flight doctors while Baba Fumika will play an aspiring flight nurse. Arima's character Natori Souma is the only son and heir of a general hospital and this will be his first appearance in a Getsuku drama since Spring 2005's "Engine" starring Kimura Takuya. Araki and Baba were chosen for their roles after an audition. Shiina Kippei will play Tachibana Keisuke, the director of the emergency centre while Ando Masanobu will play Shinkai Hiroki, a neurosurgeon who is fighting with Aizawa for a posting to Toronto University to be a resident doctor in their top-notch neurosurgery department.

Although it's been 7 years since the last installment, Yamashita commented that the five main cast members' team spirit and trust they have in one another has actually increased thus making the filming progress smoothly and allowing them to relax more during filming breaks. Aragaki also chipped in to say that their passion in making a new drama is still there but age is catching up on them so it's been tough physically on them this time compared to when they were all still young. Toda commented that even just running a bit will make her knee joints ache while scenes requiring her to look downwards when administering treatment causes the same to her back and neck. She also revealed that in order to build up her physical strength, Higa started doing kick boxing once a week but hasn't seen any positive effect from that yet.

In line with the drama's emergency treatment theme, the cast were asked who they want to save them when they need it. Aragaki cited Toda's character Hiyama because she cares for her patients and will listen to her concerns since they are both women. On the other hand, Toda chose Aizawa (Yamashita) for his techniques and decisiveness and Shiraishi (Aragaki) for her surgical abilities. Ando also chose Shiraishi because she is such a beautiful doctor that he doesn't mind it even if the operation fails. Last but not least, Yamashita chose Shiina's character because he thinks he will recover the fastest under the latter's care.

Sources: Yomiuri Hochi / Sponichi / My Navi News / Oricon / Nikkansports