Monster - Characters & Cast

His primary motivation is to understand and accept his feelings for Yori while navigating the fear of being seen as different or 'monstrous' by society, his peers, and even himself. He longs for a space where his friendship with Yori can exist without shame.

Minato begins as a quiet, withdrawn boy exhibiting confusing behavior. He is torn between his genuine feelings for Yori and the societal pressure to conform, which leads him to act harshly towards Yori in public. He internalizes the idea that he might be a 'monster'. His journey is one of self-acceptance, culminating in his decision to run away with Yori, choosing their bond over the judgment of the outside world.

Yori is motivated by his deep need for connection and acceptance. His friendship with Minato is his lifeline, providing the love and understanding he is denied everywhere else. He seeks to protect their shared world from the cruelty of others.

Yori is openly bullied by classmates for his gentle and perceived 'effeminate' nature and is abused by his alcoholic father at home. Despite the cruelty he faces, he remains open-hearted and deeply attached to Minato. His arc is about finding solace and acceptance in his friendship with Minato, which becomes his only refuge from a hostile world.

Driven by a powerful maternal instinct, Saori's sole motivation is to protect her son, Minato. She is determined to find the source of his pain and hold someone accountable, but her focused pursuit initially blinds her to the deeper truth of his situation.

Saori starts as a fiercely protective mother convinced her son is a victim of abuse by his teacher. She aggressively pursues what she believes is justice, inadvertently contributing to the escalating misunderstandings. Her perspective shifts dramatically as she learns more, moving from certainty to confusion and finally to a dawning, painful realization of the true, complex situation. Her arc is about learning the limits of her own perception and the difficulty of truly understanding her child's inner world.

Initially, Hori is motivated to be a good teacher. When accused, his motivation shifts to defending his reputation and proving his innocence. Ultimately, his empathy and lingering sense of responsibility drive him to understand what is truly happening with Minato and Yori.

Mr. Hori is initially presented as the titular 'monster', a potentially abusive teacher. However, from his perspective, he is a well-intentioned but flawed educator who becomes the victim of a vicious misunderstanding fueled by rumors and a defensive school administration. His life is nearly destroyed by the false accusations. His arc involves moving from a confident teacher to a social pariah, and finally to someone who begins to piece together the truth about the boys' relationship.

Her primary motivation seems to be protecting the institution of the school at all costs, adhering to protocol over genuine engagement. However, her actions are also deeply colored by her own suppressed grief and a belief that some truths cannot be easily told or understood.

The school principal, Fushimi, appears as a cold, indifferent bureaucrat, offering disingenuous apologies while protecting the school's reputation. She is frustratingly opaque. However, a late-film revelation about a personal tragedy—the loss of her own grandchild—re-contextualizes her behavior. Her arc is a subtle one, from an apparent antagonist to a figure of quiet, unresolved grief, who ultimately shows a moment of empathy and understanding to Minato.