In This Corner of the World - Characters & Cast

Initially, Suzu is motivated by a sense of duty and a desire to please her new family. As the war intensifies, her motivation shifts to survival and protecting her loved ones. Ultimately, her core motivation is to find and create moments of happiness and normalcy in her corner of the world, no matter how difficult the circumstances.

Suzu begins as a dreamy, absent-minded young woman who passively accepts her arranged marriage. Thrust into the role of a housewife in a new city, she gradually adapts and finds her footing, discovering her own resilience and capacity for love. The tragedies of the war force her to confront unimaginable loss, which strips away her childlike innocence. By the end of the film, she has transformed into a mature woman who, despite her suffering, makes a conscious choice to embrace her life and family in Kure, finding hope and a renewed sense of purpose.

Shusaku is motivated by a deep sense of responsibility and a quiet but powerful love for Suzu. He strives to provide for and protect his family, both from the dangers of the war and the emotional turmoil it causes. His actions are consistently aimed at ensuring Suzu's well-being and happiness.

Shusaku is an earnest and quiet man who works as a judicial officer at the military court in Kure. He remembers meeting Suzu as a child and chose her as his bride. Initially, his connection with Suzu is gentle and reserved. As they face the hardships of war together, their bond deepens into a profound and loving partnership. He demonstrates his love and respect for Suzu through his quiet support and understanding, particularly when he encourages her to spend time with her childhood friend, Tetsu.

Keiko is primarily motivated by the protection and well-being of her daughter, Harumi. Her bitterness stems from the profound losses she has endured. Beneath her harsh exterior is a fierce love for her family and a deep-seated grief that shapes her interactions with the world.

Keiko is Shusaku's widowed older sister who has returned to the Hojo home with her daughter, Harumi. Initially, she is sharp-tongued and critical of Suzu, her hardness a result of her own tragic past, including having her son taken by her late husband's family. Over time, and especially after the death of her own daughter, her relationship with Suzu evolves. She comes to see and respect Suzu as a true member of the family, and they form a bond built on shared grief and mutual support.

Rin is motivated by the need to survive in the difficult circumstances she was born into. She finds moments of connection and solace in her friendship with Suzu, who offers her a glimpse of a different kind of life. Her story highlights the harsh realities faced by many women during this era.

Rin is a courtesan Suzu meets in Kure. Unbeknownst to Suzu, Rin has a past connection with Shusaku. In the original film, her role is brief, but the extended edition explores their friendship more deeply. Rin represents a different, more worldly and perhaps more tragic path a woman's life could take. Her existence forces Suzu to confront feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, but also compassion. Rin's eventual presumed death in an air raid is a poignant reminder of the war's indiscriminate cruelty.