Kafka on the Shore

Main Characters and Their Development

• Kafka Tamura: A fifteen-year-old boy who runs away from home to escape his father's curse and find his mother and sister. Along the way, he encounters many mystical and strange events that help him understand himself and his place in the world.
• Satoru Nakata: An elderly man who lost his memory and ability to read and write after a mysterious incident in childhood. He has the ability to communicate with cats and plays a key role in unraveling the mystical events connected to Kafka.
• Oshima: A librarian who assists Kafka in his quest. She also has her own tragic story related to the loss of a loved one, and her life intertwines with Kafka's.
• Hoshino: A young truck driver who becomes Nakata's companion on his journey. Initially skeptical of Nakata, he gradually begins to believe in his abilities and becomes his loyal helper.
• Johnny Walker: A mysterious and sinister character who appears in Nakata's visions. He symbolizes evil and plays an important role in uncovering the mysteries surrounding Kafka and Nakata.