The protagonist and leader of the 38th Street Gang, he navigates racial politics and dreams of a better future while maintaining loyalty to his family.

Henry's father and a street sweeper, he values family unity and encourages speaking Spanish at home. He respects Henry's choices, despite disliking pachucos.

The mother of Henry, Lupe, and Rudy; she is pragmatic, skeptical of pachucos, and wary of Henry joining the military but remains supportive.

Henry's younger sister, a pachuca challenging her parents' rules, socializing with the gang, and seeking independence while maintaining family bonds.

A loyal member of the 38th Street Gang and younger brother to Henry, Rudy often causes trouble and seeks to prove himself outside his brother's shadow.

A middle-aged lawyer dedicated to defending the Sleepy Lagoon defendants, he builds trust with the gang and fights against judicial bias during the trial.

A progressive journalist involved in the Sleepy Lagoon defense, she advocates against racial bias and develops a complex relationship with Henry.

Henry's devoted girlfriend who stands by him through the Sleepy Lagoon trial, Della is resilient and values honesty in her relationship with Henry.

A co-founder of the 38th Street Gang, Smiley is a loyal friend to Henry and family man, often frustrated by the younger members' antics.

A 17-year-old member of the 38th Street Gang who acts immaturely and suggests crashing the Sleepy Lagoon party, causing further trouble.

A white co-defendant in the trial, Tommy identifies with the Chicano culture and is romantically involved with Lupe.

Smiley's supportive wife and mother who is uncomfortable with fundraising but stands by her husband's side.

Henry's ex-girlfriend known for her tough demeanor, she moves on to date Joey and later Rudy.

The aggressive leader of the Downey Gang who frequently initiates conflict with the 38th Street Gang.

A Downey Gang member who defends the pachucas during the riots despite being from a rival gang.

A Downey Gang member who, unlike Cholo, avoids conflict during the zoot suit riots.

One of the officers involved in the Sleepy Lagoon incident who offers leniency to Henry in exchange for cooperation.

Partner to Lieutenant Edwards, he is brusque and violent towards Henry during the Sleepy Lagoon investigation.

A manifestation of media bias serving as both narrator and prosecutor, shaping public perception against the pachucos.

An assistant to The Press, contributing sensationalist details to stories for dramatic effect.

A conduit for The Press, he shouts abbreviated, sensational headlines to amplify their narrative.

The biased judge in the Sleepy Lagoon trial who disregards fairness, undermining the defense efforts.

The court officer managing procedure during the trial, such as announcing details and escorting witnesses.

A prison guard who speaks derisively to inmates and reads personal letters, exerting control over them.

Representatives of military personnel who clash with the pachucos during the zoot suit riots.

An American sailor who evades arrest and later participates in attacks on the pachucos.

A Japanese-American dancer and Swabbie's girlfriend, present during the Sleepy Lagoon incident.

A Navy serviceman tasked with maintaining order, biased towards sailors during altercations.

Characters associated with illegal activities that reveal the sailors' and Marines’ participation in vice.