A fictionalized version of Yann Martel who narrates the introductory note and occasionally interjects throughout the book. He travels to India seeking inspiration for a novel and acts as the conduit for Pi's tale after interviewing the adult Pi in Canada.

A close friend of the Patel family and a former champion swimmer who instills a love of swimming in Pi. He acts as the initial link between the fictional author and Pi, urging the author to seek out Pi to hear his story.

The introspective and resilient protagonist, named after a swimming pool in Paris, who grows up as the son of a zookeeper in Pondicherry. He is deeply curious about zoology and uniquely practices Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam simultaneously before surviving a shipwreck.

A 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger who becomes Pi's reluctant companion on the lifeboat. Originally named "Thirsty" due to a clerical error, he represents a terrifying yet majestic presence that keeps Pi from descending into madness.

Pi's pragmatic and secular father who owns and operates the Pondicherry Zoo. He views the world through reason and business, teaching Pi strictly about the dangers of anthropomorphizing wild animals.

Pi’s affectionate and supportive mother who helps nurture his love for books and reading. She is sympathetic to Pi's religious explorations despite being largely secular herself.

Pi's older brother, who is popular, athletic, and enjoys teasing Pi about his eccentricities and religious devotion. He prefers sports to spiritual questions and serves as a foil to Pi's intense nature.

Pi’s biology teacher and an active atheist who views the world strictly through scientific inquiry. He inspires Pi to study zoology and teaches him that the natural world can be revered and understood without religion.

A kind and patient Catholic priest whom Pi meets in Munnar. He answers Pi's many questions about Christianity with the simple explanation of "love," playing a pivotal role in Pi's adoption of the Christian faith.

A Muslim baker and Sufi mystic who introduces Pi to Islam. He is the spiritual counterpart to the biology teacher of the same name, impressing Pi with his devout faith and connection to God.

An ugly, violent scavenger that ends up on the lifeboat after the shipwreck. It is aggressive and erratic, serving as an early, grim reality check for Pi regarding the laws of the wild.

A male Grant's zebra that jumps into the lifeboat during the sinking and breaks its leg. Helpless and in pain, it illustrates the vulnerability of the weak in nature.

A maternal and gentle orangutan who floats to the lifeboat on a raft of bananas. She evokes Pi's sympathy with her human-like expressions and attempts to stand up against the aggression of other animals.

Another castaway whom Pi encounters in the middle of the Pacific when both are near death. They engage in a surreal conversation, but his intentions toward Pi turn out to be predatory.

An official from the Japanese Ministry of Transport tasked with investigating the sinking of the ship Tsimtsum. He interviews Pi in Mexico, initially skeptical of the fantastical story involving the tiger.