Who Is The Killer In 'Confessions' And Why Did They Do It?

In 'Confessions,' the killer is revealed to be Shuya Watanabe, but the real horror lies in why he did it. This isn’t a crime of passion or desperation—it’s a calculated act by a child who sees the world as his playground. Shuya’s backstory reveals a home life devoid of love or discipline; his parents are physically present but emotionally absent. The novel suggests his actions stem from a deep-seated nihilism, a belief that nothing matters. He targets his teacher’s daughter precisely because she symbolizes innocence, something he wants to corrupt to prove his worldview.

The teacher, Yuko Moriguchi, becomes the avenging angel of the story. Her 'confession' to the class isn’t just about exposing Shuya—it’s a indictment of a society that produces children like him. The book forces readers to question whether Shuya is inherently evil or a product of neglect. The chilling part is how ordinary he seems until the moment he isn’t. His classmates’ reactions range from shock to admiration, highlighting how easily darkness can spread when left unchecked.

What sets 'Confessions' apart is its exploration of moral ambiguity. Shuya’s punishment isn’t traditional justice; it’s psychological torment designed to make him feel the weight of his actions. The novel leaves you wondering who the real monster is: the child who commits murder or the adults who failed him.

The killer in 'Confessions' is Shuya Watanabe, a seemingly ordinary middle school student who orchestrates the death of his teacher's young daughter. His motive is disturbingly simple: boredom. Shuya views life as a meaningless game, and he commits the act purely to experience something 'exciting.' The novel delves into his twisted psychology, showing how his lack of emotional connection to others allows him to treat murder as an experiment. What makes his character chilling is his complete absence of remorse—he doesn’t hate his victim or seek revenge; he just wants to feel something, anything, even if it’s the thrill of taking a life. The teacher's subsequent revenge plot exposes how society’s failures create monsters like Shuya, who slip through the cracks unnoticed until it’s too late.

Shuya Watanabe, the killer in 'Confessions,' isn’t your typical villain. He doesn’t have a tragic backstory or a vendetta—he’s just a kid who decides one day to drown his teacher’s toddler in a swimming pool. The why is what haunts you. Shuya represents the terrifying idea that evil doesn’t need a reason. He’s smart enough to cover his tracks but lacks the empathy to understand why he should. The teacher’s revenge—lacing his milk with HIV-infected blood—isn’t just payback; it’s a mirror held up to society’s darkest flaws.

Kanae Kōun’s writing forces you to sit with uncomfortable questions. Is Shuya born broken, or did the world break him? His parents’ indifference suggests neglect played a role, but the novel refuses to offer easy answers. The brilliance of 'Confessions' is how it makes you complicit. You keep reading, desperate to understand, just like the classmates who listen to Moriguchi’s confession. The real horror isn’t the murder—it’s realizing how easily someone like Shuya could exist in any classroom, any neighborhood, smiling as he plans his next 'experiment.'