Strawberry Rain

An ambitious immigrant from Japan chasing the American Dream in a hot California farm. He toils long hours, faces isolation, and steadily builds a life through perseverance. His resilience helps him save enough to buy land, while his relationship with Jill anchors his sense of belonging. Hisa embodies quiet determination and hopeful optimism in an uncertain new world.

Hisa's younger brother who arrives with the goal of improving his English and pursuing education. He balances hard farm labor with high school ambitions, navigating the lure of opportunity and the fear of precarity. Akira grows from a student-in-waiting into a young man who learns about love, responsibility, and self-reliance. His journey echoes the broader quest for a stable future in America.

An American woman who forms a deep connection with Hisa and becomes his life partner. Her presence acts as a bridge between cultures, offering support and companionship in a challenging environment. Their romance and eventual marriage symbolize the blending of diverse communities in mid-1960s America. Jill stands as a catalyst for belonging and shared dreams.

An older married Japanese woman who forms a complicated bond with Akira. Her relationship with him adds emotional complexity and reflects how immigrants navigate longing and cultural expectations. Naoko's presence underscores the diverse, adult dimensions of diaspora life. She embodies the nuanced intersections of love, duty, and personal choice.

A Nisei who runs a large strawberry farm and hires immigrant workers. He carries memories of internment from World War II and channels them into a cautious yet compassionate leadership style. Frank provides labor opportunities and mentorship, helping Hisa and Akira pursue legitimate paths in America. His stance embodies resilience and community stewardship.

A friend from Hisa's hometown who visits with Jill, reinforcing ties between the old country and the new. Akiko offers support and a sense of continuity amid upheaval, illustrating how shared roots sustain families abroad. Her presence highlights the importance of community networks for migrants.

An older, homeless immigrant known as the 'blanket man' who drifts in search of work. He personifies the loneliness and volatility of migrant life, moving from place to place with only a blanket for protection. His eventual reunion with his younger brother reveals the enduring pull of kinship and memory across distances.