Shoplifters - Characters & Cast

Osamu is motivated by a desire to provide for his family and create a sense of belonging for himself and the other outcasts he has gathered. He seems to be trying to build the family he never had, even if it's through unconventional and illegal means.

Osamu begins as a charming, roguish patriarch who justifies his criminal lifestyle. He desperately wants Shota to call him "father" but struggles to be a conventional role model. His arc culminates in the painful admission that he cannot be a father to Shota any longer, and in that moment of letting go, he arguably becomes one for the first time.

Nobuyo is driven by a profound desire to be a mother and to protect the vulnerable, particularly Yuri, from the kind of suffering she has experienced. Her motivations are rooted in a deep-seated maternal instinct that has been denied a conventional outlet.

Initially hesitant to take in Yuri, Nobuyo develops a deep maternal bond with her, fueled by her own inability to have children and her past trauma. Her arc is one of embracing a motherhood that transcends biology. Her final, tearful confession to the police, where she takes the blame to protect Osamu, is a testament to her fierce love for her chosen family.

Shota is initially motivated by a desire to please Osamu and be a part of the family. As the film progresses, his motivation shifts to protecting Yuri and seeking a life free from the guilt and uncertainty of their criminal activities.

Shota starts as Osamu's willing accomplice in shoplifting. However, as he grows older and befriends Yuri, he begins to develop a moral conscience and question their way of life. His decision to intentionally get caught is a pivotal act of rebellion and a desperate attempt to protect Yuri and break the cycle. He finally acknowledges Osamu as his father at the very end, but from a distance, signifying a complex and bittersweet resolution.

Hatsue is primarily motivated by a fear of loneliness and a desire for companionship in her final years. She is willing to overlook the family's flaws and even participate in their deceptions in order to maintain a sense of belonging and not die alone.

Hatsue is the owner of the house and the glue that holds the family together. While she appears to be a benevolent grandmother, it's revealed that she has her own selfish motivations, such as collecting her deceased husband's pension and receiving money from Aki's parents. However, she also expresses genuine contentment and a desire not to die alone, suggesting a complex mix of self-interest and a need for connection.