Nobody Knows
In Tokyo, the reckless single mother Keiko moves to a small apartment with her twelve years old son Akira Fukushima and his siblings Shigeru and Yuki. Kyoko, another sibling arrives later by train. The children have different fathers and do not have schooling, but they have a happy life with their mother. When Keiko finds a new boyfriend, she leaves the children alone, giving some money to Akira and assigning him to take care of his siblings. When the money runs out, Akira manages to find means to survive with the youngsters without power supply, gas or water at home, and with the landlord asking for the rent.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Nobody Knows (2004) exhibits precise plot construction, characteristic of Hirokazu Kore-eda's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 21 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The mother and Akira move into a new Tokyo apartment with two large suitcases, concealing the younger children inside. The family's secret life of hiding from landlords begins.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Mother leaves money and a note saying she's going away for work, leaving Akira in charge. This begins the pattern of her increasingly long absences and diminishing support.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 34 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Mother returns briefly but leaves again with a new boyfriend, providing less money and making vague promises. Akira realizes he must truly take care of his siblings alone. He accepts the role of parent., moving from reaction to action.
At 68 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Utilities are shut off—first water, then electricity. The apartment becomes uninhabitable. Mother has completely abandoned them. The survival game becomes real deprivation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 104 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Yuki, the youngest sister, falls from a chair and dies from her injuries. The literal "whiff of death." Akira finds her small body, and the reality of his failure as protector crashes down., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 113 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Akira decides to bury Yuki at an airport field she dreamed of visiting. He accepts he cannot save everyone, but he can honor her. He chooses dignity over despair, continuing rather than giving up., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Nobody Knows's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Nobody Knows against these established plot points, we can identify how Hirokazu Kore-eda utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Nobody Knows within the drama genre.
Hirokazu Kore-eda's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Hirokazu Kore-eda films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Nobody Knows takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Hirokazu Kore-eda filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Hirokazu Kore-eda analyses, see Still Walking, The Truth and Like Father, Like Son.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The mother and Akira move into a new Tokyo apartment with two large suitcases, concealing the younger children inside. The family's secret life of hiding from landlords begins.
Theme
Mother tells the children they must stay quiet and invisible: "Nobody knows you're here." The theme of abandonment, invisibility, and children forced into adult responsibility is established.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the four children (Akira, Kyoko, Shigeru, Yuki) and their carefully concealed life. Mother works but shows affection. The older children cannot attend school. Rules established: stay quiet, don't go outside, don't answer the door.
Disruption
Mother leaves money and a note saying she's going away for work, leaving Akira in charge. This begins the pattern of her increasingly long absences and diminishing support.
Resistance
Akira tries to maintain normalcy, managing the household with mother's money. He shops for groceries, cooks simple meals, entertains his siblings. The children adapt to mother's absence but expect her return.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mother returns briefly but leaves again with a new boyfriend, providing less money and making vague promises. Akira realizes he must truly take care of his siblings alone. He accepts the role of parent.
Mirror World
Akira befriends Saki, a troubled teenage girl who becomes his only confidante and helper. She represents connection to the outside world and provides emotional support.
Premise
The children create their own world of survival and play. Akira manages increasingly scarce resources. Small joys: playing at the park, flying kites, imagination games. The promise of childhood resilience in impossible circumstances.
Midpoint
Utilities are shut off—first water, then electricity. The apartment becomes uninhabitable. Mother has completely abandoned them. The survival game becomes real deprivation.
Opposition
Conditions deteriorate: no running water, eating convenience store leftovers, growing hunger and dirt. Akira steals food, begs for work. The younger children become listless. Summer heat intensifies suffering. Society remains oblivious.
Collapse
Yuki, the youngest sister, falls from a chair and dies from her injuries. The literal "whiff of death." Akira finds her small body, and the reality of his failure as protector crashes down.
Crisis
Akira and Saki cannot call authorities—it would expose everything and separate the siblings. They sit with the loss, paralyzed by grief and the impossibility of their situation. Akira contemplates what to do.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Akira decides to bury Yuki at an airport field she dreamed of visiting. He accepts he cannot save everyone, but he can honor her. He chooses dignity over despair, continuing rather than giving up.
Synthesis
Akira and Saki carry Yuki's body in a suitcase to the airport field and bury her with her belongings. The remaining children continue their invisible existence. Akira persists in caring for Kyoko and Shigeru despite everything.
Transformation
Final image: Akira and his siblings continue living in the deteriorating apartment. No rescue comes. Akira's face shows he has aged beyond his years—childhood lost, but he endures. The cycle continues.