Kate

I can’t really say too much because this is actually where the story differs from the manga. In the manga, the top secret Maki knew revolved around a secret linked to the country of Chimenzaal. Takimoto (or Takizawa) was an undercover agent from Chimenzaal trying to get the data. In the manga, Minister Ishimaru (the guy who died at the start) helped a boy hide in Japan and gave him protection after his family was murdered in Chimenzaal. His uncle was the leader of the pro-democracy movement (Chimenzaal is meant to be similar to where Urghyr people live) and deliberately targeted. The boy then found out about the Ninth and staged his death to be something bizarre (called the Cannibalism case) so his brain would be examined by the Ninth and the government coverup would be exposed. It was however put in Level 5. Aoki's family was targeted to send a message to Maki but also because Aoki knows the secret as he saw the Level 5 data when he viewed Suzuki’s brain. Everything Suzuki saw, Aoki now knows. The bald man isn't explained much but he is working to send threats to Maki about the Level 5 data.

I suspect the story will be similar but won't be geopolitical and more linked to the cult or church, probably a death that was witnessed by someone (like the boy) and they are keeping it under wraps to hide corruption or something awful. Takimoto was found out to be a second generation cult follower, so it seems hes working for the church and isn't a spy from another country. It makes sense with the message "A withheld secret demands payment". Its more of a warning to Maki as he keeps it withheld longer. I'm interested in Ishimaru's new connection because like I said, they seem to be moving away from the Chimenzaal idea but will keep it a government coverup.

I hope that makes sense. Anyone is welcome to correct me as I might have some details wrong.

Its up now :)

Mugi and Yuto also share a birthday too which is insane for the Suzuki connection

Yuto's birthday is the same as Suzuki’s death day too. A lot of coincidences with this drama

Im subbing here
https://hsjhoshi.livejournal.com/73035.html
Hardsubs will be locked after the drama finishes airing

NAUR I kept laughing when people kept interrupting him going to pee

I feel you can see Maki's feelings for Suzuki from Neptune 😭😭

I dont 😭😭 Im addicted to this drama

Yes Ep 9 aired today

My personal take was that it was to do with his declining cognitive abilities, but we'll have to wait and see. I have a feeling they might deviate the story slightly from the manga ending especially to explain some things like the hypnosis. That has been my feeling all along.

Actually episode 1 drops a lot of hints towards the ending of the manga, I was quite surprised. I think I noticed because I sub it and watched it multiple times, but it was worthy to note down at least. I'll be curious after Ep 9 and feel we might have a better idea. My opinion is Takimoto's "Have you ever considered the feelings of a parent who's lost a child?" And "Is that all it takes to look at a brain?" hint to the cannibalism case with some changes but like I said, IDK for sure.

I don’t know the exact dialogue but its when Maki is thinking about his lack of control over his sleep at the end of Episode 5

Im subbing here
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That's actually a really interesting interpretation of the blindfold scene I hadn't thought of. But I don't think they will include it because they used some dialogue around that scene in Episode 5 and didn’t include it

Glad you enjoyed. I love this drama and have so much fun subbing it

It's entirely based on Volume 5 of the manga. I actually think this is the first episode that didn’t contain any new scenes. Most if not all paralleled the manga.

I don't even remember his character from the movie 😭 He's very memorable in the anime and manga though

No worries. I definitely recommend the manga and anime as they're both very good.

I actually like the idea of bringing forward Suzuki and he isn't in flashbacks because we are introduced to Aoki right away. In the drama, I feel we get attached to Suzuki more this way and see more of his relationship with Maki and Yukiko, even if it’s only brief. We don't really get that glimpse

Im subbing it here
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There's definitely hints but its not super obvious. I think its more obvious with Suzuki later. Id say its exactly like the drama JTANS if you've seen that

Kainuma had a twisted and obsessive love for Maki. He killed these boys who resembled Maki because he knew it would upset Maki and he would be able to live in his mind. He did all this so Maki would never forget him.