A young graduate student who loses his memory upon arriving in New York. He assumes the name Manny and soon discovers he is the human embodiment of Manhattan. Though amnesiac, he retains instinctual knowledge and a dark, dangerous edge from his forgotten past. He channels this newfound city energy to defend his new home from interdimensional threats.

A lawyer and City Council member who was once known as the rebellious hip-hop artist MC Free. As the avatar of Brooklyn, she balances her political career and maternal responsibilities while retaining her street-smart roots. She is fiercely protective of her community and deeply disturbed by the gentrification displacing longtime residents.

A queer artist of Lenape heritage in her late sixties who runs the Bronx Arts Center. As the avatar of the Bronx, she holds deep ancestral knowledge of the city's painful history of marginalization and resilience. She is gruff, highly protective of her staff, and possesses a strong maternal instinct beneath her tough exterior.

A young, undocumented graduate student in mathematics from India living in Queens. As the avatar of her borough, she uses her mathematical abilities augmented by city energy to interact with the world. She embodies the working-class immigrant communities of New York, initially overwhelmed but possessing a strong survival instinct.

A 30-something librarian who lives with her parents. As the avatar of Staten Island, she feels isolated from the rest of the city, reflecting her borough's detached nature. She yearns for independence but is deeply influenced by her sheltered upbringing and her father's prejudices.

A young, homeless Black man who creates street art that channels the strange psychic disturbances he senses around him. He is the overarching avatar of New York City itself. Operating mostly in the shadows during the early days of the city's awakening, he embodies the fundamental, raw essence of New York's vulnerability and strength.

The human embodiment of Sao Paulo, Brazil, who acts as a midwife to assist newly awakening cities. He is experienced, world-weary, and tasked with guiding the avatars of New York through their dangerous birth process. He brings a pragmatic and urgent approach to the supernatural threats they face.

An otherworldly entity intent on halting the birth of New York City. She seeks to replace the existing world with her own pristine and highly structured metropolis. She exploits fears and prejudices to divide those who might oppose her, viewing the natural diversity of human cities as a problem to be cleansed.

A young Black woman of Portuguese descent who manages social media and technology at the Bronx Arts Center. She is fiercely loyal to Bronca, quick-witted, and brave when facing physical and digital threats to the gallery. She provides technical support to the older staff members.

A 50-something Asian man who is the avatar of Hong Kong. As an older, established city, he possesses centuries of experience regarding interdimensional threats. He favors traditional, ruthless methods of ensuring a city's survival and frequently questions the modern tactics employed by the younger avatars.

A transgender male PhD candidate at Columbia University. He is friendly, knowledgeable about local history, and unwittingly drawn into Manny's supernatural awakening when they explore Inwood Hill Park together.

A pragmatic New York cab driver who possesses the rare ability to perceive the supernatural disturbances bleeding into the city. She maintains a calm, unfazed demeanor even when her cab is surrounded by interdimensional threats.

A New York City police officer and Aislyn's overbearing father. He holds deeply ingrained prejudices and seeks to control his daughter's life, actively discouraging her from exploring the city beyond their insular neighborhood.

Aislyn's mother, who sacrificed a promising career as a pianist for marriage and family. She quietly harbors regrets about her choices and subtly encourages her daughter to seek a broader life than the one she settled for.

A thin, tattooed man and fellow Irishman brought home by Matthew Houlihan. He represents the toxic, aggressive elements of Aislyn's immediate environment that force her to confront her desire for independence.

A staff member at the Bronx Arts Center who helps manage the gallery. She is practical about arts funding and works closely with her colleagues to protect the center from online and physical harassment.

A colleague of Bronca's at the Bronx Arts Center. She helps launch a counteroffensive on social media to protect the center's reputation and physical safety from extremist groups.

Padmini's neighbor in Jackson Heights whose family is inadvertently targeted by a supernatural threat. The incident prompts Padmini to discover and use her city-based powers to help.

Brooklyn's daughter, who lives next door with her grandfather. She represents the personal stakes and familial responsibilities that Brooklyn fights to protect.