Wang is a poor water-seller in the city of Setzuan. His livelihood depends entirely on the unpredictable weather, forcing him to occasionally cheat his customers with a false-bottomed cup just to survive. Despite his own poverty, he maintains a strong reverence for the gods and takes on the responsibility of finding them lodging when they arrive. He cares deeply for his community, particularly those who show him kindness.

Three traveling deities are on a strict mission to find a single good person, hoping to prove that humanity remains worthy of existence. They are exhausted from their journey and repeatedly rejected by the impoverished citizens of Setzuan. While they hold high moral standards, they actively refuse to intervene in the economic struggles that make goodness so difficult for mortals to achieve.

A young woman living in Setzuan who initially survives through sex work. When she uses a monetary gift from the gods to purchase a small tobacco shop, her relentless generosity makes her a target for the city's desperate population. To protect her business from ruin, she adopts the alter ego of a ruthless, pragmatic male cousin to handle the unpopular decisions she cannot bear to make herself.

An unemployed pilot who feels utterly defeated by his inability to find work in his field. He is bitter, angry, and willing to exploit anyone who shows him kindness if it means securing a chance to fly again. His ambition entirely overshadows his moral compass.

A wealthy, married barber who owns the shop next door to the water-seller's usual spot. He uses his wealth to assert dominance over the local poor and expects complete deference in return. He offers substantial financial resources to support local charity efforts, though he primarily does so to purchase the affection of the woman he desires.

The previous owner of the tobacco store who lost her business and now struggles to feed her large family. She immediately manipulates the new owner's kindness, demanding handouts and lodging. She pays close attention to neighborhood gossip and actively aligns herself with anyone who can offer financial security.

A large, destitute family who once provided shelter for a newly arrived girl in Setzuan. They exploit this past favor by moving their entire extended family into the small tobacco shop, consuming the inventory and causing chaos. They view any charitable act as an invitation to take more than is offered.

A destitute beggar in Setzuan who seeks out small comforts over practical necessities. He becomes the first customer at the new tobacco shop but relies entirely on charity rather than paying for goods. He represents the crushing, demoralizing weight of poverty in the city.

A local carpenter who provided the woodwork for the tobacco shop under its previous ownership. He desperately needs payment to support his children, but his attempts to collect the debt are thwarted by sharp business tactics. He works hard but struggles to keep his family fed in an unforgiving economy.

The wealthy, unsympathetic landlady who owns the commercial property housing the tobacco shop. She demands six months of rent in advance to offset the perceived risk of renting to someone with a poor reputation. She views all relationships purely through the lens of financial gain and property value.

A local law enforcement officer in Setzuan. He displays a clear bias toward the wealthy and powerful, readily accepting their word as absolute truth. He remains highly suspicious of the poor and frequently offers unsolicited advice on how the working class should manage their affairs.

Friendly neighbors who operate the carpet business next door to the tobacco shop. They demonstrate genuine care for their community, going so far as to offer a substantial loan from their meager savings to help keep a neighboring business afloat. They value character over wealth.

Yang Sun's mother. She desperately wants to see her son succeed as a pilot again and actively enables his exploitative behavior to secure his future. She is pragmatic and completely willing to overlook her son's severe character flaws as long as he remains employed.