Content Warning: This section features depictions of racism and xenophobia, the imprisonment of Japanese Americans, wartime distress and anxiety, and family separation. Additionally, the source material uses racial slurs and derogatory comments toward various ethnic groups.

Prejudice and discrimination erect multiple barriers for the characters in Under the Blood Red Sun. Some of these barriers are self-imposed, while others are systemic. Further, while some characters adeptly overcome and dismantle these obstacles, others prove insurmountable within the narrative.

Friendship becomes a casualty of prejudice and discrimination. Keet Wilson and Tomi began as friends, but Keet’s prejudice eclipses his initial friendly feelings toward Tomi. Similarly, Tomi’s bias about his family’s financial situation impedes his complete trust in Billy. Despite years of friendship, Tomi hesitates to invite Billy into his room until the story’s conclusion. Billy, too, grapples with prejudice creating a barrier to friendship. After Billy deceives the soldiers about Grampa’s flag, he avoids Tomi for several days, wrestling with guilt and questioning Grampa’s intentions. For both Billy and Tomi, communication is key to dismantling their barriers. Billy is candid with Tomi about his concerns, and Tomi openly discusses his grandfather’s motives. Tomi cautiously invites Billy into his room, and Billy refrains from passing judgment.