* DesignatedHero: There's really very little to recommend Soichiro, save for pretty boy looks and the occasional twinge of guilt. Still, he's the guy the audience is supposed to be cheering for...despite ''starting all the trouble in the first place.''
* JerkassWoobie: What Soichiro is supposed to come off as, once the audience learns his VERY convoluted backstory. Whether it works or not...
* TheWoobie: Sumi. Used by her irresponsible brother, promoted to parent, and resorts to prostitution to protect her family, only to end up in a rich but vapid and ''dangerous'' world where nobody is really on her side. It's like the writer gets off on causing her misfortune.