M ona Lisa Overdrive contains a large cast of colorful characters, some of whom appeared in earlier Gibson novels. Within each of the four converging plots, one or two characters assume dominance. The first major character to be introduced is Kumiko Yanaka, the young teenage daughter of a Yakuza oyabun who sends her to London for safekeeping. Kumiko is one of the youngest major characters Gibson has created. She is initiated into the evils and deceptions of the world by Sally Shears, aka Molly, the razorgirl of Neuromancer (1984). Sally takes an almost maternal interest in Kumiko.

Sally trusts Kumiko and gives her responsibility. Kumiko matures as the novel progresses, finally coming to terms with her mother's suicide and reconciling with her father. Kumiko is an intelligent, sympathetic character who brings fresh eyes to the complexities of Gibson's world.

The central figure of the Dog Solitude plot is Slick...