Doctor-X Season 7: Production, Cast, and Overview

Doctor-X Season 7 (Japanese: ドクターX～外科医・大門未知子～) is the seventh season of the popular Japanese medical drama series starring Ryoko Yonekura as the freelance surgeon Michiko Daimon. Broadcast in Japan on TV Asahi, the season aired from October 14 to December 16, 2021, spanning 10 episodes in the Thursday 21:00 time slot.

Doctor-X Season 7 promotional key visual — Doctor-X Season 7 promotional artwork

Background and Plot Synopsis

Set against the backdrop of a worldwide pandemic that collapses medical systems globally and within Japan, the narrative focuses on Totei University Hospital, the country's leading medical institution. Under extreme strain, the hospital shifts its primary focus toward infectious disease control and internal medical treatments while postponing noncritical scheduled surgeries, all while navigating internal power struggles. Amidst these institutional challenges, freelance surgeon Michiko Daimon continues to follow her own path without compromise.

Production and Broadcast Details

The series was directed by Naomi Tamura, Hayato Yamada, and Osamu Katayama, with scripts penned by Miho Nakazono, Makoto Hayashi, Takafumi Kosaka, and Hiroyuki Komine. The drama took over TV Asahi's Thursday 21:00 to 21:54 time slot following Emergency Interrogation Room Season 4, and was subsequently followed by My Neighbor, Chikara in January 2022. Across its 10-episode run, the season achieved an average TV rating of 16.5% in Japan.