(English names;
original French names in brackets when available, unless universally applicable)
Humans: •
Yakari: the main character. He is a little Sioux boy and has the ability to talk with animals; this gift was given by Great Eagle, Yakari's totem. Unlike the other young boys, Yakari rejects the use of weapons; he is also the only Sioux in the comic whose name does not mean anything further (like "Little Big-Shot"). •
Rainbow (Arc-en-Ciel): A Sioux girl and Yakari's best friend. She knows of and genuinely admires his special ability, and often accompanies him on his adventures, and learns the ways of healing from Yakari's mother. •
The-One-Who-Knows (Celui-qui-sait): chief and
shaman of Yakari's village, and one of the first persons to understand that Yakari has a rare gift. He is the oldest and wisest man in the village. In the cartoon, he is known as
Wise One. •
Buffalo Seed (Graine-de-Bison): A Sioux boy and rivaling friend of Yakari's, who dreams of becoming the greatest hunter. He is more aggressive than Yakari, and shows an interest in martial sports (wrestling and bowshooting). He often wears only a
loincloth and despite his age, is possibly the best archer in Yakari's village. •
Slow Caribou (Élan-lent): A man from Yakari's village. As his name points out, he is very slow, always roving about in a half-sleeping pace. In the cartoon, he is called
Slow Strider. •
Broth Eye (Œil-de-bouillon): A man from Yakari's village. He is extremely lazy and unfit, and spends the day lying in front of his
tipi and smoking his pipe. In the cartoon, he is called
Eyes-Always-Shut, because every time he is seen he is taking a nap, and often someone steps on his belly. •
Tranquil Rock (Roc-Tranquille): A sage from Yakari's village. •
Bold Gaze (Regard-Droit): Yakari's father. At first quite skeptical about his son's claims that he can talk to animals, he is eventually convinced that his son does indeed have a special gift. •
Braid Night (Tresse-de-nuit): Yakari's mother, who is skilled in healing lore. In the cartoon she is called
Midnight Braids. •
Taut Bow (Arc-tendu): A cruel and arrogant wandering warrior who is obsessed with hunting and bringing down the rarest and most unusual of animals. He has clashed with Yakari on several occasions and considers him to be his most personal enemy. In the cartoon, he is called
Quick Bow. •
Moon-Spirit (Esprit-de-Lune): A crone who heals animals.
Mounts and wild animals: • '
Little Thunder (Petit Tonnerre
):' A white-and-black dappled
Pinto pony stallion, who is Yakari's steed and closest friend. He refuses to wear a saddle or reins, so Yakari rides him bareback. •
Double-Tooth (Double-Dent): A beaver and artist. •
Tilia (Tilleul): A young beaver, practical joker and adventurer. •
Wild Rose Plant (Rosier-Sauvage): A beaver, and Tilia's mother. •
Rough Bark (Rude-Écorce): A beaver, and Tilia's father. •
Thousand Mouths (Mille-Gueules): A beaver and builder. •
Wood of a Bed (Bois-de-Lit): A beaver and a serious sleeper. •
Flying Squirrel: A young flying squirrel and one of Yakari's friends. •
The Grizzly: Originally a savage rogue bear who terrorized the animals of the Great Plains, he has since learned humility and is now one of Yakari's friends. •
Snowball (Boule-de-Neige): A young
white bear who has suffered the stigma of being different until he makes a friend in Yakari. He has twice been targeted by Drawn Bow, who collects the furs of white animals, and saved by Yakari both times. •
Carcajou: A belligerent wolverine who acts as a recurring antagonist for Yakari, and tried several times to eat his beaver and flying squirrel friends. He mellows out a bit after Yakari helps him on a few occasions.
Totem animals: • '
Great Eagle (Grand-Aigle
):' A great
bald eagle and Yakari's totem who aids Yakari with his wisdom and advice, and is the one who gave Yakari the gift of talking to animals. •
Nanabozo (Nanabozo): A rabbit capable of doing magical feats, and Rainbow's totem. He has revealed himself to Rainbow and Yakari on numerous occasions and taken them on educative journeys, including a trip into prehistoric times. == Albums ==