Akiko
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Akiko (明子 Akiko) is a side character in the 2023 Toho Godzilla film Godzilla Minus One. An infant orphaned during the American air raids on Tokyo towards the end of World War 2, Akiko was taken by Noriko Oishi while her dying mother begged the young woman to raise her daughter. Some time afterwards, Akiko gained two more parental figures in former ensign Koichi Shikishima and widow Sumiko Ota.
History
- Godzilla Minus One (2023)
Reiwa era
Godzilla Minus One
Prior to the on-screen events of the film, Akiko's parents were amongst the civilians killed during the American air raids on Tokyo towards the end of World War 2 in 1945. As her mother slowly perished, she begged Noriko Oishi to take care of her daughter. At some point after the war ended, Noriko would get into conflict with a group of men in the heart of Tokyo after stealing blankets, coming into contact with former ensign Koichi Shikishima as she ran through the market. To keep Akiko safe, Noriko handed the infant to Koichi while she drew away her pursuers. Akiko cooed as Koichi looked upon her while before waiting for Noriko to come back for the baby. After waiting a few minutes, Koichi prepared to leave Akiko for a brief moment before hesitating after another look at the whimpering baby. Unable to leave her in the dangerous market, Koichi took her with him out of the market before Noriko suddenly revealed herself and retrieved Akiko from Koichi. After asking Koichi why he couldn't leave Akiko at the market, Noriko followed him back home. There, she proceeded to settle in and tend to Akiko as introductions were shared. Moments later, Noriko and Akiko fell asleep, to Koichi's shock and annoyance. Nonetheless, Koichi allowed the two to stay in his home.
The next morning, Shikishima's neighbor, Sumiko Ota, breastfed Akiko while educating Koichi and Oishi about baby nutrition. For months to come, Akiko resided in Shikishima's home under his and Oishi's care. Akiko is seen drawing pictures of her family, blowing on a pinwheel as Oishi does laundry, and observing her parents throughout a montage of their happy lives. One night, Shikishima's friends from work came over for dinner, one of which had Akiko sit in his lap. When they were informed of Shikishima's living arrangements with Oishi and Akiko, they were shocked and astonished. Shikishima subsequently brushed off their sentiment, proclaiming that "it just happened." Akiko referred to Shikishima as her father before she was told not to do so, to the shock of his coworkers. Eventually, Oishi acquired an office job in Tokyo's Ginza district and thus began to have Sumiko look after Akiko while she and Shikishima were at work.
One morning three days after Shikishima's second encounter with Godzilla, Akiko tenderly helped Oishi with preparing radish soup. Later on that day, Akiko played with a stuffed animal as Shikishima overheard the radio news reporting of Godzilla's oncoming approach towards Ginza. Unbeknownst to Akiko, Oishi was swept away during the climax of Godzilla's rampage when his atomic breath's subsequent explosion reduced the surrounding environment to ruin. Following the seeming demise of Oishi, Akiko was present for the memorial service done on her mother's behalf. Afterwards, Akiko asked for where she was, to which, Sumiko answered that "mommy was at work" and tried to comfort her. Despite such, Akiko, sensing that something had happened to Oishi, proceeded to break into tears.
Some time later, Akiko showed Shikishima a drawing she made of him, herself, and Oishi. Mere seconds after specifying who is who in the picture, Akiko began to break into tears once again, wailing in Shikishima's embrace as he comforted her. As she lied asleep, Shikishima stashed an envelope next her containing money and a note for Sumiko to look after her and use the money for her in the event he doesn’t make it back. When Akiko woke up the next morning, she stood outside with the envelope at hand as her "aunt" found her and inquired that the envelope was from her father. Akiko was subsequently pulled into a hug as Sumiko took in Shikishima's request. Much later that day, Akiko is seen playing as Sumiko receives a telegram about Oishi's apparent survival and state of recovery in a hospital. When Shikishima returned after defeating Godzilla, Sumiko brought Akiko with her as she gave him the telegram. Akiko and Shikishima rush to the hospital and find Oishi alive. They happily reunited as a black mark on Oishi's neck proceeded to spread and Godzilla began regenerating in the sea.
Books
Gallery
Production and promotional stills
Screenshots
Comments
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