High-school senior, like Shuji. Shy and timid (with a tendency toward clumsiness), Chise is often breaking into tears and apologizing for everything she does. After asking out Shuji as a test of courage, the two quickly fall in love. For reasons unknown to either of them, Chise is one day transformed by the military into a weapon. The more battles she fights, though, the more she feels herself becoming more weapon than human.
SHUJI
High-school senior and former member of the track team. Above-average grades, but a little cold and distant when it comes to personality. Having had at an early age an experience with what he thought was "love," he's confused as to what "love" should really be.
AKEMI
Friend to both Shuji and Chise since childhood, and classmate to them both. Very much a tomboy, Akemi has also assumed the role of Chise's defender--often berating Shuji for his treatment of her. In love with Shuji herself, she finds herself unable to tell him...and yet, because she's such a good friend to Chise, isn't able to blame Chise for her interest.
ATSUSHI
The type who tends to see everything most clearly and yet who also takes part least, Atsushi has been friends with Shuji, Chise, and Akemi since childhood, as in fact Shuji's best friend. Knowing that she's in love with Shuji, Atsushi keeps his feelings for Akemi to himself, but when it comes time to prove his love--and in order to protect her--Atsushi eventually enlists and goes off to war.
FUYUMI
A woman from Shuji's past, Fuyumi was a "visiting instructor" for Shuji's track team back when he was still in junior high. An intimate relationship behind them (which ended for reasons unknown), even though she's now married, still Fuyumi harbors feelings for her younger, former lover.
TETSU
Fuyumi's husband who, being a soldier, is off at war. Not very well-spoken, Tetsu sometimes comes across as "brash." Although he's tired of all the fighting, his duty keeps him on the battle-lines. In meeting Chise, the two see in the other each other's love, and seek comfort for their respective loneliness.
TAKE
High-school friend of Shuji. Of all their group, Take is the confident one--he both "talks the talk" and is the first of them to get a girlfriend (Yukari, a member of Chise and Akemi's group of friends).
NORI
Another high-school friend of Shuji and Atsushi. A member of their group, Nori is the quiet and timid one, often envious of Take and Shuji for their girlfriends.
SHUJI'S MOTHER
Soft-spoken woman very supportive of her son. Surprised at the maturity he's begun to show as the world becomes engulfed by war, to her he will always be "Shu-dear," her little boy.
KAWAHARA
Mysterious old man who appears to be one of those most responsible for Chise's transformation into a weapon of mass-destruction. Often seen with the military escorts who come for Chise when she's needed.
SATOMI
Akemi's younger sister, on the track team and looking up to Shuji ever since. Knowing how her sister feels about him, she wishes she could help but still finds herself unable to do a thing.
YUKARI
Take's girlfriend and member of Chise and Akemi's group. When Take his killed during the air-raid in Sapporo, Yukari becomes distant from her friends and even vengeful toward those who were behind the attacks on Hokkaido.
RIE & SEIKO
Also part of the group of high-school friends who hang out with Chise and Akemi.
