Chicken Race (2013)

Chicken Race (Japanese: チキンレース) is a Japanese television film that premiered on November 10, 2013. The production was broadcast by the network WOWOW as part of its long-running Drama W series.

Plot

The story follows Takeshi Kamiya, a young man who aspires to be a doctor but struggles to pass medical school entrance exams. Frustrated by his failures and his relationship with his father, Tsukasa Kamiya—a doctor at a major hospital—Takeshi leaves home to work as a nurse. During his employment, he is assigned to care for Joe Tobita, a patient who has been in a coma for 45 years. When Joe unexpectedly regains consciousness, he retains the mental state of a 19-year-old, despite his advanced age.

Joe’s medical expenses are covered by the hospital where Takeshi's father works, under the condition that Joe serves as a subject for medical research. Facing an imminent transfer to another facility, Joe and Takeshi form an unlikely bond. To help Joe reclaim his lost youth, Takeshi decides to take him on a road trip, leading to an unconventional journey between the 27-year-old nurse and the 64-year-old man with the spirit of a teenager.

Cast

• Masaki Okada as Takeshi Kamiya
• Akira Terao as Joe Tobita
• Takeshi Kaga as Tsukasa Kamiya