Kume

At 56, Kume is the oldest person living in the secluded mountain village that Tetsuo and Taichi end up in while on the run from the police. Though she is not related to Manji by blood, she raised him after his parents' death and considers him her grandson. She believes that a woman's worth lies in her ability to produce children, and regrets not being able to give birth. [Spoiler] Since the village population must be kept below a certain threshold, with elderly committing suicide or being killed to make room for the young, Kume kills Manji in order to protect herself and the child she is carrying. However, it is unknown in the end if she really is pregnant or merely under the impression that she is. [/Spoiler]