William is the top international affairs reporter for the Times-Post newspaper, sent to explore and report on the newly seceded nation of Ecotopia. He carries a secret secondary mission from the American president to float the idea of reunification. Initially skeptical and occasionally arrogant, he tries to reconcile his American sensibilities with Ecotopia's communal, decentralized, and environmentally stable way of life.

Marissa is a strong-willed and fiercely independent Ecotopian woman who introduces William to the country's frank and blunt social customs. She works in sustainable forestry and embodies Ecotopia's deep respect for nature and trees. Her intense vitality and willingness to challenge William's preconceptions prompt his gradual shift in perspective.

Vera Allwen is the President of Ecotopia, a leader who wields authority without the traditional trappings of ceremony or rigid hierarchy. She is a highly anticipated figure for William, who spends much of his assignment attempting to secure an exclusive interview with her to discuss potential reunification.

Francine is William's current girlfriend living in the United States. She represents his traditional American life and the conventional expectations of relationships he holds before arriving in Ecotopia. Though she remains off-page, William frequently compares his experiences with Ecotopian women to his relationship with her.

Bert is an Ecotopian science and politics writer for the San Francisco Times. He becomes one of William's closest friends, inviting him to move into the Franklin's Cove journalist commune. Well-traveled and perceptive, he provides essential context for William as he attempts to understand the unfamiliar country.

Ben is Marissa's brother, an Ecotopian who quickly becomes concerned about his sister's relationship with a visiting American. Aware that William's stay is meant to be temporary, Ben tries to protect his sister from potential heartbreak and openly questions William's intentions.

Pat is William's ex-wife in America. Through his experiences in Ecotopia, William begins to reflect on their failed marriage, realizing that much of their disconnect stemmed from the unrealistic societal expectations they both shared back home.

Red is a journalist living at Franklin's Cove who reveals the history of the secret American Helicopter War to William. He actively guides William to a scrap yard of destroyed helicopters to prove the military conflict happened.

Linda is a nurse who cares for William following an injury he sustains during the Ritual War Games. She embodies the personalized, hands-on approach of Ecotopian medical care, administering both professional and intimate physical therapy to aid his recovery.