Character Relationship Map: December

Characters

• Katsu (played by Shogen) — protagonist

  The father of the teenage girl murdered by Kana, Katsu is determined to challenge the original sentence and prevent Kana’s release. He testifies about his loss, becomes increasingly consumed by the tr...

• Sumiko (played by MEGUMI) — supporting

  Sumiko is the mother of the teenage girl killed by Kana and Katsu’s wife. Reopening the case forces her to confront painful grief, and she struggles with Katsu’s determination to oppose Kana’s release...

• Kana (played by Ryo Matsuura) — supporting

  Kana was seventeen when she murdered Katsu and Sumiko’s teenage daughter, and she is now seeking a retrial after serving years of a twenty-year sentence. Her lawyer argues that the punishment was exce...

• Sato (played by Tôru Kizu) — supporting

  Sato represents Kana in her retrial, arguing that the original sentence was excessively harsh because she was a minor and that she has served her punishment. He maintains that she is no longer a dange...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Sato → Kana (Professional Lawyer And Client) — Sato advocates for Kana's release and compensation, and arranges a private meeting between Kana and Katsu.

  Sato represents Kana and argues that her original sentence was excessively harsh for a minor, that she has served her punishment, and that she should...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Katsu → Sato (Conflict Opposing Legal Interests) — Their opposing positions in the retrial place Sato's effort to secure Kana's release against Katsu's effort to prevent it.

  Sato represents Kana and seeks her freedom, while Katsu wants the court to prevent Kana's release and is urged to testify against it.

• Sumiko → Kana (Conflict Bereaved Parent And Defendant) — Sumiko is connected to Kana through the killing of her daughter and the retrial, but struggles to revisit the loss and steps back from testifying.

  Kana was convicted of killing Sumiko and Katsu's teenage daughter. Sumiko is urged to testify against Kana's release but ultimately withdraws as a wit...

• Katsu → Kana (Conflict Bereaved Father And Defendant) — Katsu seeks recognition of the injustice he believes occurred in the original punishment and opposes Kana's release, but later tries to understand her through a prison meeting.

  Kana was convicted of killing Katsu and Sumiko's teenage daughter. Katsu testifies about his loss, later visits Kana in prison, and asks why she kille...

• Katsu → Sumiko (Social Partners In Grief) — Katsu becomes consumed by the retrial, while Sumiko struggles with reopening the painful past; their different responses increase the tension between them.

  The plot says the trial strains Katsu and Sumiko's relationship as they cope with their daughter's death in opposing ways. Sumiko eventually agrees to...

Story Analysis

A retrial forces bereaved parents and the convicted Kana to confront grief, punishment, and an irreparable loss.

Plot Progression

1. A Notice Reopens the Loss — Katsu and Sumiko receive notice of Kana's retrial, renewing the pain of their daughter's death. Their different responses to the past strain their relationship, though Sumiko agrees to attend the proc...
2. The Case for Release — Sato argues that Kana's sentence as a minor was excessive and seeks her release and compensation. The parents are urged to testify against her release as the court hears evidence about her risk of fut...
3. Grief Takes the Stand — Katsu testifies about the loss of his daughter and the continuing pain. His growing involvement in the trial worsens the tension with Sumiko, who eventually withdraws as a witness.
4. Kana Breaks Her Silence — Sato arranges a private meeting between Kana and Katsu, and Kana chooses to speak in court. She begins to describe the loneliness and neglect of her childhood.
5. A Prison Meeting Without Closure — Katsu visits Kana in prison seeking to understand why she killed his daughter. Kana apologizes, describes the desperation and isolation behind her past, and asks why Katsu did not die instead; the mee...