The manga "Neurosurgery Doctor Takeda-kun," a series that sparked widespread discussion in Japan for its realistic portrayal of a surgeon who frequently commits surgical errors, abruptly ceased updates after its 142nd chapter in July 2023. The series, which began serialization on the author's personal blog in January 2023, left fans with a message stating that the "timing for a sequel is undecided."
Recently, the author suddenly released a statement revealing a shocking personal connection to the story: "I (the manga's author) am a family member of a victim of medical malpractice that occurred on January 22, 2020, during a series of medical incidents in the neurosurgery department of Ako City Hospital between 2019 and 2020." The revelation sent shockwaves through the online community, confirming that the manga's harrowing story was rooted in real events.
The manga's connection to reality first became a hot topic on December 27 of last year, when a doctor named Hiroki Matsui was indicted for professional negligence causing injury following a series of medical incidents. The news immediately drew comparisons to the manga, with online discussions buzzing: "Was 'Neurosurgery Doctor Takeda-kun' not fiction after all?" and "Is there a real Takeda-kun?" As media outlets extensively covered the medical incidents involving Dr. Matsui, speculation about the manga author's identity intensified.
▼ Media report from last December.
In the official statement, the author explained that they had access to a significant amount of inside information about the medical incidents, which they channeled into the manga. "I obtained information directly and indirectly from the parties involved, meticulously documenting a series of unbelievably abnormal events. I created 'Neurosurgery Doctor Takeda-kun' based on this material."
"While the manga is essentially a work of fiction, the medical incidents and surrounding events depicted are based on the medical accidents and internal disputes that occurred at Ako City Hospital at the time," the author clarified.
Furthermore, they added, "To make the story's themes easier for readers to understand, I did simplify certain settings and use metaphors. However, I absolutely did not exaggerate the severity of the medical incidents or engage in malicious sensationalism or distortion of facts to create a negative image of any specific individual."
The author also stated that while they initially wanted to express their dissatisfaction with the medical system through the manga, the immense reaction after it began serialization on their blog in January 2023 far exceeded their expectations. When news of the major medical incidents broke last December, public interest in the manga grew even more, prompting the author to explain their intentions to prevent incorrect speculation about the work's purpose.
"For me, exploring social issues through a fictional work was the only viable method. Fortunately, I enjoy drawing, so I started creating it in a four-panel manga format," the author wrote. "During the creation process, I thoroughly read reports, court documents, and public records. I also obtained a large volume of oral testimony from multiple sources, including medical personnel who participated in the surgeries, to further understand the entire situation. By depicting in detail how medical malpractice was covered up, I hope to draw attention to the victims who are unable to find relief."
The author also revealed that they had refused numerous publication offers in the past. Apart from publishing the manga on their blog and announcing updates on X (formerly Twitter), they have not engaged in any promotional activities. To date, the work has not been commercialized, and the author has not received any income from it.
The statement also mentioned that in October 2023, a doctor involved in the case, who claimed to be the real-life basis for Takeda-kun, filed a request for the disclosure of the sender's information. In June 2024, the court approved the disclosure, which was completed in early July. As of now, no legal action, such as a lawsuit for damages, has been filed. The disclosure request did not allege that the manga's depiction of the medical incidents at Ako City Hospital constituted defamation.
"My motivation for creating the manga," the author concluded, "was the profound feeling that if the truth of these medical incidents was not revealed and the memory faded with time, there could be more victims in the future. After a long struggle, I decided that I had to convey this issue to society, no matter what."
The author's confession has ignited online discussions, with many readers now realizing that the manga was not simply a fictional story but a cry of anguish rooted in real-world tragedy. Many expressed their renewed concern over the medical system, shocked that the egregious events depicted in the manga were actually happening in society.
Following the author's statement, the story has been widely covered by Japanese media. For the author, the attention drawn to the systemic problems in healthcare, two years after they began creating the manga, may be a fulfillment of their original goal.
via： Hatena Blog