Chin
Chin is the last of the legendary Goldpaw giant pandas, with supposed healing powers. A massive celebrity, Chin has lived a pampered, contented, comfortable life at the Gold Moon Panda Sanctuary for as long as he can remember. He can barely be described as a real bear, but that’s exactly what he must become when he’s torn from his perfect world and thrust into the harshest wilderness. Chin must awaken his dormant instincts and undergo a metamorphosis of faith, trust, love, and identity to become the bear he was truly meant to be.
Bo
Bo is a bold, capable adventurer, with a deep-rooted hatred for humans, whom he considers the root of all evil. To escape them once and for all, he stakes everything on a treasure hunt for the mythical Gate of Pearls - a refuge hidden in a forgotten corner of the world. Bo must learn that not all humans are evil, which will be a huge challenge as they prove to be consistent, dangerous obstacles in his adventure.
Loi Loi
Loi Loi is a wild-spirited, determined female giant panda with intimate knowledge and understanding of the Goldpaw legends. Her biggest fear is failing to complete the mission her ancestors started; to find the lost tribe of Goldpaws. Nothing is more important than her quest, not even friendship, although Loi Loi must learn that not all paths need to be walked alone.
Sun
Sun is a kind-hearted and generous Chinese woman who runs the Sanctuary and is the head of the Zookeepers. She has enormous integrity and is hugely committed to the cause of looking after pandas and other rare and endangered species. She is almost like a parent to Chin and has raised him since he was rescued as a young panda.
Wilberforce
Wilberforce is a calculated, ruthless American hunter, with a multi-billion dollar empire and an incurable, life-limiting illness. With all previous remedies failing, the ‘Goldpaw miracle’ is Wilberforce’s last chance at life, and he’s determined to get it, whatever the cost. His rigid conviction and refusal to empathize is what makes him such a deadly enemy to Chin and the villain of the story.
Ling
Ling is Wilberforce’s daughter, his closest ally, and the heir to his fortunes. Her mother died young, which keeps her close to her father’s side. Ling aspires to honour her father’s legacy, and her commitment to him blinds her to many of his atrocious acts. However, Ling does have a good heart, which eventually drives a rift between them as her father’s Goldpaw mania grows. Eventually she must learn to stand up to him, and in doing so realizes her life does not have to be her father’s.
The Wang Twins
Wang Fang and Wang Chang are Wilberforce’s slightly-goonish henchmen and Sun’s former employees. Fang is ruthless and cunning, while Chang is the brawny team player. The Wang twins are eager to serve Wilberforce as a means of getting back at their old boss, whom they resent for firing them; but as Wilberforce leads them into increasingly dangerous and deadly situations, they begin to rethink their loyalties, especially at how Wilberforce begins to treat his own daughter, Ling. The twins may yet discover there’s more to them than even they believe.