Because Anpao (An-PAY-oh) is a linking together of many tales, there are only a few characters that appear throughout the novel. These include the Sun, the Moon, Ko-ko-mike-is, and Anpao/Oapna. Other characters are presented to illustrate a moral or historical point in one of the individual stories that make up the adventures which Anpao has on his journey.

In the "Notes on Sources" which appear at the end of the book, Highwater describes the origins of these stories and cites the books where the original versions can be located.

Central to the story is Anpao. At the beginning of the novel, he is a hero who does not understand himself or know his past. Traveling the world with his contrary brother Oapna, Anpao falls in love with Ko-ko-mik-eis. Although she has rejected all other suitors, she tells Anpao that, if he is able to have the Sun...