Cruel Story of Youth

A young hitchhiker whose initial infatuation with Kiyoshi evolves into a dangerous, coercive relationship. She is drawn into criminal schemes to sustain the romance, leading to pregnancy and illegal abortion. Makoto’s vulnerability and resilience are tested as she navigates love, exploitation, and survival in a harsh urban world.

A controlling and predatory figure who alternates tenderness with brutality. He manipulates Makoto to profit from extortion and sexual encounters, blurring lines between affection and domination. His actions drive the couple’s criminal arc, and his fate culminates in a violent confrontation with the gangsters.

Makoto’s older sister, who rebukes her sister’s choices and serves as a moral counterpoint. Yuki’s perspective reveals family tensions and the social pressures surrounding young women. Her involvement with Akimoto further ties personal loyalties to the era’s entangled relationships.

A middle-aged, wealthy business owner who briefly accompanies Makoto, offering a semblance of happiness before becoming another target in the couple’s extortion racket. His encounters underscore the commodification of affection and money in the film’s moral landscape.

Akimoto runs the illegal abortion clinic referenced in the story, linking personal relationships to illicit medical practice. He is connected to Yuki’s past and is ultimately arrested as part of the criminal network. His presence highlights the legal and ethical ambiguities surrounding reproduction in the era.

Kiyoshi’s older lover who lends support (and loan money) to assist Makoto and Kiyoshi during their troubles. He becomes part of the network enabling their extortion scheme and helps facilitate their eventual release after confession. His role demonstrates the complicity and shifting loyalties within the relationships depicted.