Daigo Kobayashi (played by Masahiro Motoki) is a protagonist in Departures.
Daigo is the central character, a cellist whose orchestra is disbanded, forcing him and Mika to return to his hometown. He unexpectedly becomes an encoffinment worker at NK Agent, gradually accepting the profession despite social shame. His work ultimately helps him confront his resentment toward his estranged father and his own family guilt. Tsuyako Yamashita (played by Kazuko Yoshiyuki) appears in Departures.
Tsuyako owns the public bath that Daigo visited as a child and is the mother of his former classmate, Yamashita. After Daigo is embarrassed by the smell associated with his first assignment, he goes to her bath to clean himself. Her later death becomes an important encoffinment assignment that allows Daigo to demonstrate the dignity of his work before Mika and the Yamashita family. Yuriko Kamimura (played by Kimiko Yo) appears in Departures.
Yuriko is the secretary at NK Agent who explains the true nature of the advertised job to Daigo during his interview. Later, when Daigo refuses to handle his father's body, she reveals that she once abandoned her own son and urges him to reconsider. Her confession challenges Daigo's anger and helps him return to complete the final farewell. Yamashita (played by Tetta Sugimoto) appears in Departures.
Yamashita is Daigo's former classmate and Tsuyako's son. He initially avoids Daigo and urges him to find a more respectable occupation because of the stigma surrounding encoffinment. When Daigo prepares Tsuyako's body with care, Yamashita and the rest of the family gain respect for him, and Yamashita is allowed to witness his mother's cremation. Tomeo's Father (played by Ryosuke Otani) appears in Departures.
Tomeo (played by Sayuri Shirai) appears in Departures.
Departures (2008) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Daigo Kobayashi
(played by Masahiro Motoki) — protagonist
Daigo is the central character, a cellist whose orchestra is disbanded, forcing him and Mika to return to his hometown. He unexpectedly becomes an encoffinment worker at NK Agent, gradually accepting...
Tsuyako Yamashita
(played by Kazuko Yoshiyuki) — supporting
Tsuyako owns the public bath that Daigo visited as a child and is the mother of his former classmate, Yamashita. After Daigo is embarrassed by the smell associated with his first assignment, he goes t...
Yuriko Kamimura
(played by Kimiko Yo) — supporting
Yuriko is the secretary at NK Agent who explains the true nature of the advertised job to Daigo during his interview. Later, when Daigo refuses to handle his father's body, she reveals that she once a...
Yamashita
(played by Tetta Sugimoto) — supporting
Yamashita is Daigo's former classmate and Tsuyako's son. He initially avoids Daigo and urges him to find a more respectable occupation because of the stigma surrounding encoffinment. When Daigo prepar...
Tomeo's Father
(played by Ryosuke Otani) — minor
Tomeo
(played by Sayuri Shirai) — cameo
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
