Toru Watanabe

Toru is a young man just starting college. His best friend from high school, Kizuki, killed himself without explanation, and Toru is haunted by the death of his friend. He realizes, through Kizuki's death, that death is a part of life. His closeness with death separates him from others. He is a solitary person who doesn't form close friendships with those around him. Although he is an outsider, he superficially fits in to college life.

Toru falls in love with Naoko, but he cannot have a relationship with her. Naoko cannot share herself with him. After one sexual encounter, she leaves and ultimately has a breakdown. The closest Toru ever is to Naoko is when he visits her in the sanatorium, and their time together there haunts him even to adulthood. Toru wants to understand Naoko and what his experiences with her mean.

Toru also falls in...