Age: Around 10. First person: I (rough, boyish). A blunt but deeply compassionate and lovely girl. Initially hostile toward the Heike clan because her father was killed by them, she grows to love them as they spend time together. She can see the future through one of her eyes. Tone: ...da, ...zo, ...ka? (casual, assertive) "I will witness your end. That is all I can do."

Age: Late 30s. First person: I (polite). The eldest son of the Heike. Caught between his rampaging father, Kiyomori, and the angry Cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa, he is constantly on the verge of collapse from the intense pressure. Feeling responsible for his subordinates killing Biwa's father, he took Biwa into his estate and raised her kindly alongside his own children. Like Biwa, he can see the spirits of the dead through one of his eyes. Tone: ...desu ka, ...naranu, ...kudasai (formal, serious) "If I wish to be loyal, I cannot be filial; if I wish to be filial, I cannot be loyal..."

Age: Late 50s. First person: I (blunt, masculine). The head of the Heike clan at the height of its power. He was the first samurai to become Grand Minister of State, bringing immense wealth and glory to the clan. He ruled with an iron fist, releasing red-robed boys (kamuro) into the city to crack down on commoners who spoke ill of the Heike. A tyrant who imprisons even Emperors when things don't go his way, yet he shows a deeply human, affectionate side toward his family and children. Tone: ...da! ...dewa nai ka! ...wo shokei seyo! (authoritative, commanding) "If one is not a Heike, one is not a human! Everything in this world belongs in my hand!"

Age: Mid-teens. First person: I (feminine, polite). A beautiful, seemingly gentle princess, but possessing an inner strength greater than anyone else's. She believes that seeing the future means being able to prepare oneself, and she has the fortitude to accept her destiny and look forward no matter how far the Heike fall. She becomes the consort of Emperor Takakura due to Kiyomori's political schemes. Later, she gives birth to Emperor Antoku and becomes the Empress Dowager. She is an idolized older sister figure to Biwa. Tone: ...desu, ...deshou, ...no desu ne (refined, gentle) "No matter what fate awaits, I will live as a daughter of the Heike."

Age: Mid-20s. First person: I (standard). A common man in every sense, tossed about by his great father and brother, wavering under pressure. He inherited the headship of the clan only because his virtuous elder brother, Shigemori, died of illness. Lacking the political and military talent of Kiyomori or Shigemori, he is viewed by those around him as an incompetent leader. He panics easily when the Genji forces approach and constantly changes his mind, leaving him at the mercy of his brothers Tomomori and Shigehira, as well as his cousins Kiso Yoshinaka and Minamoto no Yoshitsune. The third son of the Heike. Tone: ...da..., ...dou sureba ii no da (uncertain, distressed) "If only my brother were here...! What do you expect me to do?!"

Age: Late teens. First person: I (masculine). A man who calmly observes the destined destruction of the Heike while fighting proudly as a samurai until the very end. Because his brother Munemori is an unreliable leader, he becomes the practical backbone of the Heike military. Highly intelligent, bold, and composed, he is the spiritual pillar who saves the clan from crisis many times. The fourth son of the Heike. Tone: ...zo! ...na! ...shiyou! (confident, warrior-like) "Brother, do not falter! Let us show these Genji country bumpkins the true might of the Heike!"

Age: Mid-teens. First person: I (polite). A kind-hearted young noble who served as the lubricant for the often-strained Heike clan with his elegance and education. Gifted in poetry and music, he represents the clan's sophisticated cultural side. His refined beauty was praised even by the enemy Genji. A thoughtful younger brother who tries to maintain balance among his brothers: the intense Kiyomori, the stressed Shigemori, the unreliable Munemori, and the frontline warrior Tomomori. The fifth son of the Heike. Tone: ...da na, ...darou, ...da (friendly, cultured) "Sukemori, let us support Brother Koremori together."

Age: Mid-40s. First person: I (regal). The absolute head of the Imperial Court who corners the Heike. Kiyomori's greatest rival. A cunning political genius, he was loathed by Kiyomori as the "Greatest Tengu in Japan." The shadow ruler of the story, he skillfully uses the Heike and then attempts to destroy them using the Genji once they have served their purpose. Tone: ...ja, ...nou, ...kaya (archaic, manipulative) "Kiyomori... you have grown quite arrogant. But do not think your glory will last forever."

Age: Early 20s. First person: I (casual, blunt). A "war geek" who overwhelms Tomomori and the others with unconventional tactics. Portrayed as a psychopathic genius who enjoys battle purely without malice, his overwhelming strength drives the Heike all the way to Dan-no-ura. He falls in love at first sight with Shizuka Gozen's beauty and dignified presence and takes her as his consort. Tone: ...da! ...ka! ...wo korose! (intense, aggressive) "I'll show you how I fight! If you want to run, go ahead!"

Age: Around 20. First person: I (feminine, polite). A young shirabyoshi dancer who performs mainly in the streets of Kyoto. She meets Biwa in Kyoto after Biwa leaves the Komatsu estate to search for her mother. Traveling with fellow dancers, she is the one who rescues Biwa when she is attacked by soldiers. She meets Minamoto no Yoshitsune and falls in love. Tone: ...deshou ka, ...gozaimasu, ...ne (polite, graceful) "Biwa-chan, it's alright. We are just traveling dancers."