* Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado, a tenor
* Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner of Titipu, a bass-baritone
* Pooh-Bah, the Lord High Everything Else, a bass-baritone
* Pish-Tush, a noble lord of Titipu, a baritone
* Go-To, a nobleman of Titipu, a tenor
The female characters are:
* Yum-Yum, a ward of Ko-Ko, a soprano
* Pitti-Sing, a ward of Ko-Ko, a mezzo-soprano
* Peep-Bo, a ward of Ko-Ko, a soprano
* Katisha, an elderly lady-in-waiting to the Mikado, an alto