After making a serious error in his news story, political newspaper reporter Youhei Iida grudgingly takes on an assignment for the sports section to write about the Takushoku University track and field team as they prepare for the annual Hakone relay road race after a 13 year absence. During the course of covering this team, disgruntled Youhei meets optimistic and promising runner Daisuke Sato who is determined to lead his university team to victory, and even has dreams of someday making it to the Olympics. As Youhei struggles to deal with his problem-laden work and personal life, he discovers that 23-yearold Daisuke has been diagnosedwith a life-threatening illness. Inspired by the youngrunner fighting back against the acute disease with the same determination he had while training for the relay race, Youhei makes an important promise to Daisuke. Will this heartbreaking yet heartwarming experience be enough to change Youhei’s cynical perspective of life and finally give him courage?

这是一出真人真事改编的剧集「天国的大辅」，是根据大辅的父亲为了纪念自己儿子所写的一本纪录书「我会死吗？」改编而成，这本书还获得日本的「纪录片大赏」！

剧情是描述政治版的记者-洋平(福山雅治　饰),因犯下了大错而导致被调职到体育版...对体育完全没有兴趣的洋平, 对上司扬言一定会回到政治版的。洋平对自己说, 体育版只是自己回到政治版的暂时栖身之处。

在采访箱根接力赛时认识了佐滕大辅(小栗旬　饰)这位选手,大辅认为接力赛不是依赖别人而是把希望交给别人。对于这点未能理解的洋平, 多次采访大辅希望多了解他的想法。

1998年的新年接力赛中, 大辅的队伍虽然能进入决赛, 可是他为了自己并没有发挥最佳水平而自责不己。

不久, 大学毕业了的大辅并没有出现于职业赛之中, 对此感到奇怪的洋平因而得知大辅进了医院。原来大辅突患了急性贫血病, 痊愈的可能性可谓是零……

洋平被大辅追求梦想而努力的精神所感动,于是逐渐的改变自己,开始正视自己内心的想法,不再选择逃避……

这是一部相当感人的戏剧,相当值得推荐。