Gerda is a pure-hearted young girl whose unwavering goodness serves as a direct contrast to the cynicism introduced by the devil's magic mirror. Driven by her deep devotion to her friend Kai, she willingly goes into the wide world to locate him after his sudden disappearance in the winter. She relies on her inherent compassion and childlike faith to survive harsh environments, inspiring strangers and animals alike to assist her on her daunting journey.

Kai is a young boy who initially shares a joyful, innocent bond with his neighbor Gerda. His worldview abruptly shifts when shards of a shattered, cursed mirror pierce his eye and heart. He begins to view beautiful things as ugly, mocks the people in his village, and prefers doing mental mathematics over playing games. This newfound cynicism isolates him from his former life and leaves him highly susceptible to dark magic.

The Snow Queen is an imposing entity whose eyes shine like stars devoid of peace. She embodies cold intellectualism and the absence of emotion, viewing the world exclusively through sterile rationality. Operating from a frozen palace guarded by snowflake creatures, she travels the world spreading winter chills and isolates her victims from warmth, love, and natural life.

The devil is a malicious creator responsible for crafting a magic mirror that magnifies the worst qualities of anything reflected in it. His careless dropping of the mirror spreads shattered glass across the globe, establishing the cynical, corrupted perspective that infects humanity.

The old woman is an isolated magic-user who tends to a garden set in perpetual summer. Craving companionship, she uses enchanted combs and vanishing roses to manipulate her guests into staying with her forever. She represents a dangerous distraction from duty fueled by her own selfish desires.

The crow is an observant animal who interacts with Gerda in the wide world. Recognizing her pure intentions, the bird helps guide her into a royal palace, demonstrating the natural world's inclination to aid the innocent.

The prince is a benevolent royal figure living in a grand palace. Instead of punishing an intruder, he listens to her story with empathy and utilizes his resources to help equip her for the road ahead.

The princess is a compassionate noblewoman who matches the prince in generosity. She provides shelter, food, and high-quality transportation to a girl in need, using her wealth to support a noble cause.

The little bandit girl is a volatile child raised in a run-down castle among outlaws. She sleeps with a knife and keeps animals tied up for her own amusement, yet her harsh exterior conceals a capacity for empathy that emerges when she hears a sad story.

The reindeer is a sturdy animal kept tied up by the bandit girl. Familiar with the frozen lands of Lapland, the creature serves as essential transport and a loyal guide across the harsh winter environments.

The Sami woman is a practical, resourceful resident of the far north. While she cannot solve the core problem herself, she uses the materials at hand—writing a message on a dried fish—to send the travelers to someone with more specific knowledge.

The Finnish woman is a wise figure living at the edge of Lapland who understands the dark magic affecting the world. She recognizes that true power comes from internal purity rather than external spells, offering crucial advice on how to break an icy curse.