Derek Stiles

Dr. Derek Stiles (Japanese: 月森孝介, Tsukimori Kōsuke) is the protagonist of Trauma Center: Under the Knife, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, and Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2. He is a genius, world-renowned surgeon, though can be rather bumbling at times. He is gifted with the Healing Touch, specifically being able to slow down time through superhuman concentration. Using his ability, as well as his determination and skill as a doctor, he worked at the forefront of the eradication of GUILT, and continues to work on the behalf of Caduceus International.

Table of Contents

1. Early Life
2. Gameplay
3. Appearance
4. Personality
5. Trivia
6. References

Early Life

Derek grew up in the Angeles Bay area, in a suburb called Northridge. He lost his father at a young age due to incurable disease, pushing him to become a doctor. Either shortly before or after this, he lost his family cat, Tama, to a car accident as well.

In medical school, he became friends with Tyler Chase. He was described by Tyler as “[not] exactly an A student”.^[1]

Gameplay

Derek starts the game as an inexperienced surgeon fresh out of medical school.

Appearance

Personality

Tyler initially thought Derek was “not adventurous enough” to join Caduceus, implying he has a more reserved temperament.^[1]

Trivia

• Derek’s initials (DS) are a reference to the console he was released on, the Nintendo DS.^[2]
• His last name, Stiles, is also a pun for “stylus”.^[2]
• The suburb where Derek grew up is never directly shown in game. However, several unnamed suburbs are visited in both Under the Knife/Second Opinion and Under the Knife 2, one of which could be where he grew up.
• Due to localization differences between Japanese and North American versions of Under the Knife/Second Opinion, Derek works for Caduceus Japan throughout the entirety of the Japanese localization.
  • This difference is likely also the reason why he works for Caduceus Japan in Trauma Center: New Blood.
• Derek is the only character to fully appear in all 5 games in the series.
  • Angie also appears in some capacity in all games, but only appears in a hard to see photo in Derek’s Office in Trauma Team.
• It is unknown how Gabe knows Derek personally. One possibility is that they know each other through their mutual friend, Naomi Kimishima.

References

1. ↑ ^{1.1 1.2} Tyler Chase: I didn’t think you were adventurous enough to join Caduceus! … and, I mean, you weren’t exactly an A student, man …
   Trauma Center: Second Opinion. Atlus. Episode: 3-1 - New Beginnings (in English). 2006.
   
2. ↑ ^{2.1 2.2} Yip, Spencer (2006-11-20). “Nintendo LA Wii Event: Chat with Atlus”. Siliconera. Retrieved 2023-05-13.

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