Character Relationship Map: The Lightning Tree

Characters

• Rai / Yu (played by Yu Aoi) — protagonist

  A wary young woman living in the mountains, Rai was raised in Seta Village but resists being treated as an ordinary village girl. She grows close to Narimichi, confronts her father about her mother's...

• Narimichi (played by Masaki Okada) — supporting

  A troubled lord sent to Seta Village to rest from an illness that has shadowed him since childhood, Narimichi meets Rai on the mountain and gradually draws her toward life beyond the forest. He shares...

• Sukejiro Seta (played by Keisuke Koide) — supporting

  A samurai whose family comes from Seta Village, Sukejiro is assigned to serve Narimichi during the lord's stay there. He is Rai's older brother and welcomes her return, trying to help her adjust to li...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Sukejiro Seta → Narimichi (Professional Retainer And Lord) — Sukejiro serves Narimichi while the latter is sent away from Edo to rest.

  Sukejiro Seta, a samurai from a family originating in the village, is assigned to serve Narimichi during his stay in Seta Village.

• Rai / Yu → Sukejiro Seta (Family Siblings) — Sukejiro welcomes Rai / Yu home and tries to help her adjust to life in the village.

  Sukejiro Seta is described as Rai / Yu's older brother, and he welcomes the return of his younger sister to the village.

• Rai / Yu → Narimichi (Romantic Partners) — Their affection develops during Narimichi's stay in Seta Village, but his obligations and impending departure threaten their future together.

  Rai / Yu and Narimichi grow close while sharing time in the mountains. As his departure approaches, she asks him to stay and then proposes that they r...

Story Analysis

Rai / Yu and Narimichi find closeness in the mountains, but family history, social obligations, and violence shape their choices and leave Rai / Yu grieving.

Plot Progression

1. Return to the Mountain Village — After a childhood visit to forbidden Seta Mountain, Rai / Yu lives in the mountains. Narimichi arrives in Seta Village to rest, and Sukejiro is assigned to serve him.
2. A Bond Beneath the Trees — Narimichi encounters Rai / Yu and gradually draws her toward life beyond the forest. Their shared mountain moments culminate in naming the thunder-blossomed cherry tree Raiou.
3. Past and Duty Close In — Rai / Yu confronts her father about her mother's suffering, while Narimichi faces expectations to return to Edo and marry for political reasons. Riemon's bargain adds another threat to the situation.
4. An Escape Cut Short — Rai / Yu asks Narimichi to stay, then proposes that they flee together when he refuses to abandon his obligations. Armed men confront them before they can escape, and a revelation exposes a past order...
5. A Farewell in Grief — Rai / Yu's father is fatally wounded and admits that he stole her life from her. She tells him she was happy with him, and afterward mourns him while questioning why the villagers had to kill him.