Nobody Knows - Characters & Cast

Akira's primary motivation is to keep his siblings together and safe. Having likely experienced the foster care system before, his greatest fear is being separated from Kyoko, Shigeru, and Yuki, which drives him to conceal their plight from authorities at all costs.

Akira begins as a typical 12-year-old boy, albeit one with significant responsibilities. When his mother leaves, he is thrust into the role of a parent, forcing him to mature rapidly. His arc is a tragic journey of lost innocence, as he sacrifices his own needs and desires to care for his siblings. He struggles with the immense burden, making both mature and childish decisions, but his unwavering dedication to keeping his family together is his defining feature. His performance earned him the Best Actor award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, making him the youngest-ever winner.

Kyoko is motivated by a desire for order and the hope of her mother's return. She dutifully takes on household responsibilities, creating a semblance of normalcy in their chaotic world. Her longing for a piano represents her hope for a future beyond their confinement.

Kyoko, the eldest daughter, is introverted and dutiful. Her arc involves finding her voice and role within the family's survival structure. Initially quiet, she takes over domestic chores like laundry. Her dream of owning a piano symbolizes her longing for a normal, stable life. As the situation worsens, she becomes a more active partner to Akira in managing their small household, her quiet strength providing emotional stability.

Keiko is motivated by a desperate search for personal happiness and romantic love, which she feels is incompatible with raising four children from different fathers. She rationalizes her abandonment as a necessary step to secure her own future, asking Akira, "I'm not allowed to be happy?"

Keiko is portrayed not as a monstrous villain but as a charismatic, yet deeply irresponsible and selfish, woman. She loves her children but is ultimately unable to cope with the responsibilities of motherhood, prioritizing her own happiness and romantic pursuits. Her arc is one of retreat and abandonment; she transitions from a flawed but present mother to a complete absence in her children's lives, leaving only a note and some money. Kore-eda intentionally avoids making her a one-dimensional character, hinting at her own struggles and loneliness.

Yuki's motivations are purely instinctual and childlike. She is driven by a desire for her mother's affection, comfort, and the simple pleasures of her confined world. Her constant questioning about when their mother will return underscores the central emotional wound of the film.

Yuki, the youngest at five years old, represents pure innocence. Her world is confined to the apartment, and her needs are simple: her mother's presence, drawings, and Apollo chocolates. Her arc is the most tragic; she is the most vulnerable and the first to succumb to their neglect. Her accidental death from a fall off a stool is the film's devastating climax, shattering the fragile world the children had built.