'Sunny' Episode 6 Takeaway: Why Noriko Sakamoto's odd behavior should actually be our focus

Noriko Sakamoto could be more than just a grieving mother in 'Sunny' as she appears to carry some mysteries of her own
PUBLISHED AUG 7, 2024
Noriko Sakamoto takes a bizarre step in 'Sunny' Episode 6 (@appletv+)
Noriko Sakamoto takes a bizarre step in 'Sunny' Episode 6 (@appletv+)

Contains spoilers and speculations for 'Sunny' Episode 6

KYOTO, JAPAN: In Apple TV+'s 'Sunny', Suzie Sakamoto (Rashida Jones) has been chasing secrets of her husband's true identity and what led to his death. Since she has nothing more to lose, she doesn't mind walking into risky situations.

From spying on Yakuza members at sauna to breaking into Imatech, she has been leaving no stone unturned to learn the truth. Even though pursuing Yakuza could help her explain what Masa Sakamoto (Hidetoshi Nishijima) actually did as a roboticist, there might be a cue she has been missing all along.

Noriko Sakamoto could be a key character to the mystery plot in 'Sunny'

Judy Ongg and Rashida Jones in 'Sunny' (@appletv+)
Judy Ongg and Rashida Jones in 'Sunny' (@appletv+)

Suzie is too wrapped up in her own grief and investigation that she has completely blocked out her mother-in-law, Noriko Sakamoto (Judy Ongg). She doesn't pick up her calls and never pays her a visit.

Meanwhile, Noriko has been constantly trying to maintain her relationship with Suzie. She resorts to shoplifting in order to get arrested and get some attention from Suzie in Episode 6.

Though at this point, Noriko appears to be just a lonely woman who has no shoulder to lean on, she might actually turn into a key character in further episodes.

Her recurring appearance and bizarre aura around her in every episode hint that something's cooking and if Suzie had been more available for her, she could have found some missing pieces of the puzzle.

Noriko Sakamoto has a secret contact in Apple TV+'s 'Sunny'

Hidetoshi Nishijima in 'Sunny' (@appletv+)
Hidetoshi Nishijima in 'Sunny' (@appletv+)

In the previous episodes, we saw Noriko trying to call a mysterious character. At both points, the identity of the character isn't given away. But by the clues dropped so far, it could be either Masa's real father or Masa himself, who is considered to be dead in plane crash.

Her enigmatic contact remains a hook point for the upcoming episodes and it would be interesting to see how it could possibly share a connection with Suzie's investigation.

Noriko Sakamoto's obsession with Shogi board is too difficult to ignore

Judy Ongg and Rashida Jones in 'Sunny' (@appletv+)
Judy Ongg and Rashida Jones in 'Sunny' (@appletv+)

Noriko has been way too obsessed with her Shogi board. Either the board game could be her way to cope with the grief or it could lead to some clues.

In 'Sunny' Episode 6, when Suzie visits prison to bail her out, Noriko's statements hint that she is least interested in getting released and just wants her Shogi board.

Could the Shogi board have the key to the dark manual? Did she get herself arrested to protect herself and a secret? Questions are many and we can only speculate till the mystery begins to unpeel in upcoming episodes.

'Sunny' Episode 6 is now streaming on Apple TV+

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