Henry is a Chinese American who experiences dual timelines in the narrative, appearing as a 12-year-old scholarship student during World War II and as a 56-year-old recent widower in 1986. In 1942, he feels caught between his father's strict traditional expectations and his own developing American identity. He possesses a deep sense of fairness and loyalty, often putting the needs of others before his own desires. He works in the school cafeteria and spends his free time listening to jazz music.

Keiko is a 12-year-old Japanese American girl attending Rainier Elementary on a scholarship. Despite the growing anti-Japanese sentiment following Pearl Harbor, she remains fiercely proud of her American identity and refuses to let prejudice diminish her spirit. She is a talented artist who forms a close connection with Henry based on mutual understanding and shared outsider status at their school.

Mr. Lee is Henry's traditionalist father, a Chinese businessman who harbors a deep-seated resentment toward the Japanese due to the conflict in mainland China. He refuses to assimilate into American culture, speaking only Cantonese and holding strict expectations for his son. His stubborn adherence to old-world values creates a massive rift in his household and pushes him to actively control Henry's future.

Sheldon is an African American jazz saxophonist who acts as a trusted confidant and surrogate paternal figure to young Henry. He understands the sting of racial discrimination and uses music to bridge cultural divides. His warmth and protective nature offer Henry a safe harbor away from his strict home life.

Marty is Henry's college-aged son in the 1986 timeline, studying chemistry at Seattle University. He represents a modern generation that processes emotions openly, contrasting sharply with his father's reserved nature. He actively seeks a stronger relationship with Henry following the death of his mother, Ethel.

Ethel is a beautiful Chinese American woman who works at the local post office and eventually becomes Henry's wife. She is pure of heart, devoted, and highly approved of by Henry's strict parents. In 1986, her recent death from cancer leaves a profound void in her family's life.

Samantha is Marty's Caucasian fiancée in the 1986 timeline. She is a thoughtful, encouraging young woman who takes a genuine interest in Henry's life, cooking traditional Chinese meals for him and asking questions about his past. Her gentle nature helps facilitate communication between Henry and Marty.

Henry's mother is a traditional Chinese woman who is caught between her husband's strict mandates and her son's happiness. While she generally defers to her husband's authority, she occasionally shows quiet acts of rebellion to support Henry.

Mrs. Beatty is the formidable Caucasian cafeteria supervisor at Rainier Elementary. Though gruff on the exterior, she possesses a strong sense of justice, intervening when bullies target Henry. She runs a quiet black-market operation trading school supplies for cigarettes and works as a food service assistant at Camp Harmony.

Chaz is a privileged, prejudiced schoolyard bully at Rainier Elementary. He frequently targets Henry and later participates in cheering the Japanese evacuation and vandalizing Japanese-owned properties in Nihonmachi.

Charles is a wealthy building developer who owns property in Seattle's International District. He opportunistically seeks to purchase land left behind by evacuated Japanese Americans and shows a willingness to profit from the community's displacement.

Keiko's father is an American-born lawyer who maintains a positive, modern outlook despite facing systemic discrimination. He values education, holds a deep appreciation for jazz, and remains eager to prove his loyalty to the United States even after his family is interned.

Keiko's mother is a warm, resilient woman who endures the hardships of the internment camps while trying to keep her family's spirits intact. She accepts Henry without hesitation and focuses on the temporary nature of their confinement.

Oscar is a famous local jazz musician in Seattle. He plays at the Black Elks Club and treats Henry and Keiko with amusement and respect, even vouching for them when the FBI raids his performance. His music forms a lasting connection between the young friends.

Ms. Pettison is the new owner of the Panama Hotel in the 1986 timeline. She discovers the belongings of thirty-seven Japanese American families hidden in the basement and allows Henry to search through the items.