Saki Arima is a supporting character in theShigatsu wa Kimi no Uso series. She was the wife of Takahiko Arima and the mother of Kousei Arima. A renowned pianist across Japan, Saki’s influence was immense, both as a musician and as a mother. Her death deeply impacted Kousei, shaping his playing style and his emotional struggles for the next two years due to her strict and controversial treatment of him during his childhood.

Saki Arima was a deeply complex character whose actions were driven by a mix of love, fear, and despair. Though she was strict, harsh, and sometimes abusive toward her son, Kousei Arima, her intentions stemmed from a place of misguided love and concern.

Saki’s abusive treatment of Kousei was largely motivated by her desire for him to excel as a pianist, believing that his success could secure his future after her passing. She worried about his ability to live independently and feared for his well-being, leading her to adopt a disciplinarian approach that often bordered on cruelty.

From Kousei’s perspective, Saki’s harsh methods made him believe she hated him, especially after he angrily wished for her death in a moment of frustration. This wish haunted him, as he imagined her ghost taunting and punishing him for it. However, as Kousei matured, he came to understand that his mother’s actions were driven by love, even if her approach was deeply flawed.

Before her death, Saki’s softer side was revealed in her moments of vulnerability, as she worried about Kousei’s future and feared he might be hurt or fail to thrive after she was gone. This duality made her a tragic and pivotal figure in Kousei’s life.

Saki Arima, Kousei Arima’s mother, played a pivotal role in introducing him to the piano. Initially, Saki had no intention of making Kousei a pianist, but after Hiroko Seto noticed his genius and his extraordinary potential, Saki realized his talent. Coupled with the knowledge of her own terminal illness, she decided to give Kousei a solid foundation in piano. Her goal was to prepare him for a future where he could develop his own style and earn a living through his music after her death.

Despite her good intentions, Saki’s rigorous and often abusive teaching methods left a deep emotional scar on Kousei. Her relentless approach to training stemmed from her desperation to ensure he could survive in her absence. Tragically, Saki passed away before Kousei’s qualification for what would have been his first major competition in Europe.

Even after her death, Saki remained a haunting presence in Kousei’s life, as he often visualized her watching him play. However, Kousei later admitted that this “haunting” was an excuse he created for himself, rooted in the unresolved guilt and trauma he carried from their complicated relationship.

• (To Kousei Arima):“It means nothing unless you come in first.”
• (To Kousei Arima):“The piano is you. If you touch it gently, it will smile. If you touch it with force, it will become enraged.”
• (To Kousei Arima):“Will my treasure… ever find happiness?”

Name Meaning:

• Saki’s first name,Saki (早希), translates to “fast” (早,sa) and “hope” (希,ki)
• Her surname,Arima (有馬), means “exist” (有,ari) and “horse” (馬,ma)

Antagonistic Design:

• Saki was initially depicted without eyes to emphasize her antagonistic role in the first half of the series. However, in Episode 12, her eyes were shown for the first time when Kousei realized the negative image he had of her was a shadow of his own creation

Renowned Pianist:

• Saki was a famous pianist alongside Hiroko Seto, who is currently recognized as Japan’s leading pianist. Saki retired from performing after marrying and giving birth to Kousei.

Symbolic Farewell:

• In Episode 13, during Kousei’s performance of Love’s Sorrow, he visualized several shadows of Saki while playing. By the end of the performance, as Kousei mentally said his final goodbye—”So…So…Goodbye…Goodbye”—her shadow disappeared, symbolizing his emotional closure.