Randy "Ryo" MacLean
The first protagonist. A new detective at the 27th precinct who becomes Dee's partner at the beginning of the story. He's a Japanese-American who was driven to become a police officer by the murder of his parents. He has a kind and soft-spoken demeanor, but on the inside has many conflicts about his identity as a man. He often scolds Dee for his advances, but deeply cares for his partner and has taken in the orphaned Bikky. He also looks out for Bikky's friend Carol whenever she is in need.- Beautiful Dreamer
- Beware the Nice Ones
- Big Damn Hero: Once for Dee and once for another would-be victim.
- But Not Too Foreign: Half-American, half-Japanese.
- Cloud Cuckoo Lander: It's repeatedly mentioned how out of it he can be.
- Cowboy Cop: He has his moments.
- Dark and Troubled Past
- Deadpan Snarker: Has his moments.
- Fair Cop
- Friend to All Children
- Gayngst: Has plenty of ongoing issues with this.
- Get A Hold Of Yourself Man: To Dee, who was in a Heroic BSoD after the orphanage was bombed.
- Have I Mentioned I Am Heterosexual Today?: First claims he's straight when Dee makes advances, a tactic that he drops very early on.
- Implausible Deniability: Likes to adamantly deny he's not jealous when someone else kisses Dee, even if it's obvious.
- The Ingenue: Yes, Ryo is a rare male version. In the English version, other characters even jokingly call him 'Sandra Dee, an actress known for playing ingenues.
- Luminescent Blush: Often thanks to Dee.
- Master of the Mixed Message: For someone who scolds Dee for his advances and wants to be left alone, he sure lets Dee kiss him a lot and gets jealous when others kiss Dee. Not to mention the times he voluntarily kisses Dee....
- Mr. Fanservice: Cute, kindhearted moe guy who ends up bare-chested several times courtesy of Dee.
- Mukokuseki: He doesn't look Japanese, yet people can tell by looking at his eyes.
- Newspaper-Thin Disguise: Of course it fails when Alicia spots him.
- Nice Guy
- Parental Abandonment: They were murdered when he was 18.
- Post-Kiss Catatonia: After his third kiss with Dee (if you count the Fake-Out Make-Out). Snaps out of it when Dee says Carol's gone missing.
- Pretty Boy: Dee says he's beautiful and Diana calls him a pretty boy.
- Sensitive Guy and Manly Man: The sensitive one with Dee.
- Sex for Solace: Propositions Dee for this but gets slapped instead.
- Sherlock Scan: Naturally, since he's a talented detective.
- Shower of Angst: In Act 14.
- Spell My Name With An S: MacLean/McLean/Maclane/Mclane.
- Spit Take: Ryo gets a couple good ones on two separate occasions when he's asked if he and Dee are lovers.
- Straight Man: To Dee's wise guy antics.
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome
- Team Mom: Even Bikky considers Ryo as sort of his mom.
- Transparent Closet: At first, everyone thought he was into Dee but him.
- Tsundere: Type B. He's the sweetest and kindest dude off-work, but when he gets pissed...Dee: ... Dear God, but you can be one catty bitch!
- Uptight Loves Wild: Ryo for Dee, which he won't admit.
Dee Laytner
The second protagonist. A detective of the 27th precinct and later the 52nd, he is head-over-heels in love with his partner Ryo. Often pounces Ryo, but has principles and will always look out for him. He is easily amused, well-liked, but often seen as as obnoxious. He was raised in an orphanage and still sends gifts to the children despite claiming he hates children. He's there for Bikky and Carol whenever they need help, even if Bikky isn't particularly fond of him.- Above the Influence: Will not actually take advantage of Ryo.
- Accidental Pervert: Along with Bikky, accidentally walks in on Carol nude in the bathroom.
- Anguished Declaration of Love: In the final chapter of the first series. Ryo finally reciprocates.
- Beautiful Dreamer
- Big Damn Hero: A couple of times, but mainly for Ryo in England.
- Butt-Monkey
- Cheshire Cat Grin: Which Ryo should beware....
- Chivalrous Pervert: As said above, he can be very pushy in his Ryo chase, but when Ryo is incapacitated or comes onto him when drunk, he won't take the bait. Not to mention he's damn loyal to his friends and coworkers.
- *Click* Hello: To Leo Grant.
- Cowboy Cop: The poster boy of this trope in the 27th Precinct.
- Dark and Troubled Past
- Deadpan Snarker: Especially with dealing with the chief and JJ.
- Determinator: Is determined to make Ryo fall for him.
- Dogged Nice Guy: Patiently waited for Ryo to sort his feelings out for two years.
- Dude, He's Like, in a Coma!: When Dee kisses Ryo while he's asleep.
- Dynamic Entry: Dee gets a few good ones.
- Fair Cop
- Friend to All Children: Despite claiming to hate them.
- Heroic BSoD: After his "Mother" got hurt when the orphanage he grew up in had been bombed.
- Hero Stole My Bike: Steals a motorcycle in England to save Ryo.
- Imagine Spot: Dee has a few. Usually when fantasizing about Ryo.
- Insistent Terminology: Dee always clarifies that he is not gay, but actually bisexual.
- Lovable Sex Maniac
- Mr. Fanservice
- Orphanage of Love: Was raised in one and still visits it.
- Parental Abandonment: Was literally abandoned by his unknown parent(s) when he was a very small child.
- Plucky Comic Relief: Much comic relief comes from Dee failing to ensnare Ryo.
- Pretty Boy: According to himself, he's not just pretty but uber hot when Drake calls him a pretty boy.
- Sensitive Guy and Manly Man: The manly man with Ryo.
- Smoking Is Cool: Has been smoking since he was at least 15.
- Spell My Name With An S: Dee explains Laytner is a made-up name based on Latener, but in Fake II, Dee's business card spells his name as 'Latener'.
- Tall, Dark, and Snarky
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome
- Vitriolic Best Buds: With Bikky.
Bikky
A half-Caucasian, half-African-American orphan that Dee and Ryo meet as a witness during a case. He immediately is hostile towards Dee, but takes a liking to Ryo, who bonds with him. He's taken in by Ryo and very protective of him. Bikky decides it's his job to protect Ryo from the perverted Dee, much to Dee's chagrin.
- Accidental Pervert: Accidentally walks in on Carol nude in the bathroom with Dee.
- Bratty Half-Pint: Especially around Dee and especially when he's competing for Ryo's attention.
- Mistaken for Gay: Carol initially thought Bikky's homophobia was because he was closeted. Bikky proved her wrong when he kissed her and declared he was going to be her first boyfriend. Carol didn't mind in the slightest.
- Childhood Friend Romance: With Carol
- Wise Beyond His Years: A slightly downplayed but still significant version. Bikky's Book Dumb and immature but he's Street Smart, has good intuition and keeps a cool head in crisis situations. This is especially apparently when he's with boys his age and is the leader because 1. he's good at making decisions and 2. he deals well with emergencies.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: With Dee and Lai.
Carol
A girl who seemed to live the life of a street urchin until she became a witness to a crime. She pickpocketed Ryo and Dee caught her. Afterwards she came to rely on Ryo (and, to a lesser extent, Dee) for help. She is close to Bikky and often visits him at Ryo's home.- Action Survivor: She fought off her kidnapper and escaped by jumping out a third-story window!
- Clingy Jealous Girl: For a while towards Bikky. Got out of it and apologized.
- Moment Killer: Has her fair share of interrupting Dee and Ryo.
- Shipper on Deck: For Ryo and Dee.
- Spell My Name With An S: Carol/Cara/Cal/Chal?
- Street Urchin: In the past.
- Tagalong Kid: Sometimes.
- Tsundere: To Bikky's Jerk with a Heart of Gold.
- Yaoi Fangirl: She's getting there.
Berkley Rose
The commissioner of the 27th Precinct who transferred into that job after taking an interest in Ryo when he met him and Dee on their vacation in England. He is mature, confident, and serious with a piercing gaze. Dee dislikes him and views him as a serious threat to Ryo's affections.- Fair Cop
- Four Eyes, Zero Soul: Gives the impression and he can be quite the Jerkass, but isn't a bad person per se.
- Hopeless Suitor: For Ryo.
- Stoic Spectacles
Diana Spacey
A special agent for the FBI who teams up with the detectives of the 27th Precinct during a case. She tends to dress provocatively and is a confident, strong woman who can handle herself well. She becomes close friends with Ryo and he confides in her. She openly flirts with Ryo to tease Dee and Berkley. Dee likes to refer to her as a "sea hag".
- Action Girl
- Badass Longcoat
- Badass in Distress: In Act 8.
- Cheshire Cat Grin
- Combat Stilettos
- Cool Shades
- Demoted to Extra: Only appeared in the OAV's opening sequence!
- Lady of War: She graceful and poised even when injured or in trouble.
- Like Brother and Sister: How Berkley sees their relationship, much to Diana's eternal frustration. In Like, Like, Love, Berkley finally wises up and initiates a Relationship Upgrade when he gets word that she might get married to a colleague.
- Noblewoman's Laugh: At the end of Act 8.
- Shipper on Deck: Also for Ryo and Dee.
- The Tease
- Childhood Friend Romance:To Berkley in Like, Like, Love.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: With Dee. Mildly on the best bud part.
Jemmy Jay "JJ" Adams
An old friend of Dee who graduated with him at the police academy. He loves and worships Dee... to the annoyance of Dee. He's cheerful and eccentric, but also the precinct's best shot.- Abhorrent Admirer: For Dee, of course. Not that JJ gets the hint.
- Broken Pedestal: For Max Fork.
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Cheerful, loud, eccentric, kind of annoying, but efficient in getting the job done. Even the other guys are surprised.
- Crazy Jealous Guy: Played for Laughs, and hitting more traits of the Clingy Jealous Girl trope.
- Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass
- Eating the Eye Candy: Does this to Dee in FAKE II.
- Friendly Sniper
- Genius Ditz: Yes, he acts like a kid and clings to his adored Dee. No, he's not exactly incompetent when on the job. Yes, his sniping skills are top notch.
- The Glomp: Sometimes to Dee when Dee fails to dodge it or hide from JJ.
- Hopeless Suitor: Towards Dee.
Drake Parker
One of the detectives at the 27th who has known Dee for many years. He is JJ's partner. He is often seen hanging out with Ted and is Dee's drinking buddy outside of work.- The Big Guy
- Fair Cop
- Married to the Job: Decides to take this route after one too many failed relationships. JJ has other ideas, though...
- Nice Guy: Seems the least annoyed with JJ's antics, and early on in the series was shown comforting JJ whenever the latter got upset with Dee's relationship with Ryo.
- Pair the Spares: With JJ in Like Like Love
- Settled for Gay: With JJ in Like Like Love
- Suspiciously Specific Denial:"Chief! I've managed to apprehend Ben Lloyd, sir! I nabbed him all by myself and definitely without anyone's help!"
- Those Two Guys: With Ted.
Ted
Is also a detective at the 27th. He often does all the computer-related work on cases. He has known Dee for many years and is one of his drinking buddies outside of work.- Fair Cop
- Ridiculously Average Guy
- Those Two Guys: With Drake.
Chief Warren Smith
The beleaguered police chief of the 27th Precinct. He is seen as a father figure by many of the officers, but constantly yells at Dee for his shenanigans. Thanks to Dee, many of the officers call him nicknames like 'Old Badger' (Old Tanuki) and 'Walrus'.- By-the-Book Cop: Or so he wishes everyone were.
- Da Chief
- Hawaiian-Shirted Tourist: Dressed so when he's leaving to go on vacation.
- In-Series Nickname: "Badger (Old Man Tanuki)/Walrus", which he hates.
- Moment Killer: He interrupts Dee and Ryo while he and Dee are laid up in the hospital.
- My Greatest Failure: What happened during the Hale case when he was younger.
Rikka "Kai" Kaito
The new chief of the 52nd Precinct. He's very serious and appears to have a mysterious past driving his police work.- Cool Shades
- Dark and Troubled Past/Mysterious Past
- Friend to All Children: They even call him the "Candy Man".
- Sweet Tooth
- Tall, Dark, and Snarky