Character Relationship Map: Nitaboh

Characters

• Nitaboh (child) (voice) (played by Takateru Murata) — protagonist

  The younger version of the protagonist, Nitaboh lives in Tsugaru with his father until a fever leaves him blind. Though he struggles to adjust, his love of music endures; hearing a monk play the shaku...

• Tomekichi (voice) (played by Hiroaki Hirata) — supporting

  Tomekichi is one of the people who supports Nitaboh as he develops as a performer. The plot places him among those helping Nit aboh continue his musical path, but gives no further details about Tomeki...

• Osyo (voice) (played by Rokuro Naya) — supporting

  Osyo is a figure Nitaboh turns to when he is dissatisfied with his playing on the futozao shamisen and asks for rigorous training. Osyo responds by suggesting the demanding Itako training, which Nit a...

• Nitaboh (adult) (voice) (played by Satoshi Hino) — supporting

  The adult Nitaboh continues the protagonist’s musical journey and struggles at first to master a newly acquired futozao shamisen. He perseveres as his popularity grows, challenging the Todoza’s standi...

• Itako (voice) (played by Ikuko Tani) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Itako (voice) → Nitaboh (adult) (voice) (Professional Prospective Instructor) — Nitaboh agrees to undertake the training associated with Itako, hoping to transform his musicianship.

  Osyo suggests the demanding Itako training, and Nitaboh accepts.

• Osyo (voice) → Nitaboh (adult) (voice) (Professional Music Mentor) — Osyo advises Nitaboh on how to pursue more rigorous musical training.

  Nitaboh asks Osyo for rigorous training, and Osyo suggests the demanding Itako training.

Story Dynamics

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

• Tomekichi (voice) → Nitaboh (child) (voice) (Alliance Supporter) — Tomekichi supports Nitaboh as he continues developing as a performer.

  The plot says that Nitaboh has been supported by Tomekichi and others.

Story Analysis

A blind musician persists through social barriers and demanding artistic growth as his shamisen playing challenges an established order.

Plot Progression

1. A New Life in Darkness — A fever leaves Nitaboh blind, and he struggles to adjust in Tsugaru. His interest in music persists as he works around the ferry.
2. Finding the Shamisen — Music draws Nitaboh toward instruments and his mother's musical legacy. A young woman recognizes him and encourages his shamisen playing.
3. Against the Old Order — Todoza rejects Nitaboh because of his family's ferry background, but he continues challenging its restrictions. Changing privileges and hostility toward public performance sharpen the conflict.
4. Training and Transformation — The young woman reunites with Nitaboh after hardship, while he continues developing with support from others. Dissatisfied with his playing, he seeks demanding training and accepts Osyo's suggestion.
5. A Challenge at Hirosaki Castle — A printer's sacrifice helps Nitaboh obtain a new instrument, though he initially struggles with it. As his popularity grows, Todoza arranges a castle contest, and the supplied plot ends before its out...