Azaro is an abiku, a spirit child who maintains a connection to the supernatural world. Choosing to be born to make his mother happy, he lives in a state of exile from his spirit companions, who constantly call out to him. He experiences visions of spirits and shifting realities, which often lead him to wander away from home.

Mum works tirelessly selling provisions in the hot local market to support her family. She acts as the grounding center of the household, trying to keep food on the table despite immense poverty and her husband's erratic behavior. She deeply loves Azaro and consults herbalists to protect him from the spirits.

Dad is a load-bearer who carries heavy materials through the city streets. Frustrated by systemic injustice and his family's destitution, he turns to alcohol to cope with his feelings of inadequacy. He channels his aggressive energy into boxing, adopting the moniker Black Tyger to fight opponents in the local square.

Madame Koto is the formidable proprietor of the local palm wine bar. She possesses impressive physical strength and commands respect from the rowdy patrons who visit her establishment. She sees Azaro as a good luck charm and feeds him in exchange for his presence in her courtyard.

The Photographer is a local artist who documents the events, celebrations, and tragedies in the village. He displays his work in a glass cabinet outside his studio, capturing images of political corruption and violence. His work makes him a target for political thugs, forcing him to seek refuge in Azaro's home.

Ade is the son of a local cobbler and shares Azaro's nature as an abiku. He suffers from epileptic fits and possesses a deep connection to the spirit world. Unlike Azaro, Ade expresses a strong desire to leave the human world behind because of the suffering he witnesses.

The Landlord owns the compound where Azaro's family resides. He uses his power to extort money from his desperately poor tenants, raising rents arbitrarily. He also acts as a political enforcer, demanding that everyone in his properties vote for his preferred party.

The Policeman wears a colonial uniform and operates with corrupt intentions. After Azaro is injured, he brings the boy to his own home rather than looking for his parents. He and his wife attempt to replace their deceased son with Azaro, forcing the boy to plot an escape.

The Blind Old Man is a mysterious neighborhood figure who seems to possess supernatural sight despite his physical blindness. He is frequently surrounded by cats and occasionally channels his voice through others to issue cryptic warnings about the future.

The Carpenter is a local tradesman hired to upgrade the local bar. While working, he sits down for palm wine and engages in intense, noisy political debates with Dad, completely ignoring Madame Koto's strict rules against discussing politics in her establishment.

Yellow Jaguar is a mysterious fighter who challenges Dad to a boxing match. He appears seemingly out of nowhere to test the Black Tyger in combat. Dad later recalls that a boxer by this exact name died several years previously.

Green Leopard is a massive thug employed by one of the political parties. When Dad turns off the blaring music coming from their campaign van, this oversized enforcer challenges him to step outside and fight for his political philosophy.

Helen is a young girl with a damaged eye who lives among the transient beggars gathered in the area. She takes a specific interest in Azaro when the group sets up a camp near his home, attaching herself to his family's chaotic orbit.

The Man in the White Suit is an immaculate, confident fighter who confronts Dad at Madame Koto's celebration. He boasts that he can defeat the Black Tyger without ever staining his pristine clothing, representing a well-funded, almost colonial threat to the impoverished boxer.