We Couldn't Become Adults (2021) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Tokyo serves as both setting and symbolic character in Makoto's journey. The film's focus on deserted night streets, love hotels, and public hangouts reflects the loneliness and memories woven into the city's fabric. The contrast between the bustling metropolis and Makoto's emotional isolation highlights how the city transforms alongside his personal changes from 1998 to 2020.

• Tokyo
• setting
• night city
• urban landscape
• backdrop

The story unfolds between 1998 and 2020, a period that captures significant societal shifts and personal transformations. These decades mark major changes in technology and social values that profoundly shaped relationships and career paths. The time span allows the film to explore how past experiences continue to resonate into the present, with Makoto examining choices made during Japan's economic changes.

• 1998
• 2020
• time period
• era
• Japanese economy
• nostalgia

Nostalgia is the central theme, with Makoto's reflections on past relationships and career decisions spanning over two decades. The film invites viewers to explore how cherished moments and choices continue to influence personal growth and understanding of adulthood. Makoto's journey shows that nostalgia is not just about longing for the past, but about examining how earlier decisions shape who we become.

Foreshadowing: The film's title itself hints at the nostalgic regret that permeates Makoto's reflections.

• nostalgia
• memory
• past
• reflection
• self-discovery

The film intricately examines love through Makoto's encounters and lost connections, from first loves to failed marriages. It illustrates the complexities of emotional attachment and raises questions about what it truly means to grow up while finding fulfillment in relationships. The theme suggests that adult relationships are complicated by past choices and unresolved feelings.

• love
• relationships
• romance
• emotional attachment
• marriage

The film explores the struggle between career ambitions and personal happiness through Makoto's experience. His long hours at work and dedication to his job come at the expense of meaningful relationships. The narrative challenges societal norms regarding success and prompts a reevaluation of priorities, suggesting that career achievements often come at a hidden personal cost.

• career
• success
• work-life balance
• priorities
• happiness

Makoto Sato is the film's central character who navigates his past while facing the reality of his present. His introspective nature reveals deep fears and regrets about love and career decisions. His journey reflects the universal quest for identity and belonging, showing how accumulated choices lead to a life that doesn't match original expectations.

• Makoto Sato
• protagonist
• main character
• self-reflection

Kaori Ishida is Makoto's first girlfriend, who embodies the spirit of freedom and nonconformity. Her departure from traditional life choices serves as a catalyst for Makoto's reflections on what he truly values. Kaori's influence lingers throughout the film, emphasizing themes of love, self-discovery, and the roads not taken.

• Kaori Ishida
• first love
• girlfriend
• freedom
• nonconformity

Nanase is a crossdressing pub owner who serves as a grounding presence in Makoto's life, providing humor and emotional support. His character reflects themes of friendship and resilience during tough times. Nanase's own struggles add depth to the narrative, showcasing the hardships faced by many during challenging periods in Japanese society.

• Nanase
• pub owner
• friend
• support
• resilience
• crossdressing

The film maintains a melancholic tone established by Makoto's pervasive sense of regret and longing for a past that contrasted with his unfulfilling present. The ending is bittersweet, combining sadness from his unfulfilled life with the poignant acceptance found in revisiting memories. The pacing is slow, privileging emotional reflection over plot momentum.

• tone
• melancholy
• bittersweet
• emotional
• regret