Johannes “Jojo Rabbit” Betzler
Jojo is a 10-year-old German boy and a member of Hitler’s youth camp. Jojo is full of ambition and has a wild imagination, often imagining that he is accompanied by Adolf Hitler, his idol. A major joke of the film is the fact that Jojo is an extremely adorable and lovable young boy, but has aligned himself with one of the most reprehensible and hateful political campaigns in history. He wants so badly to be a good Nazi, and professes to hate Jews with a vengeance, yet he also seems completely incapable of grasping the magnitude of his hateful attitudes.
Through his friendship with Elsa and his relationship with his loving mother, Rosie, Jojo begins to become a kinder and gentler young boy, learning that hate is often irrational and unnecessary, and that human connection is far preferable.
Elsa Korr
Elsa is a Jewish girl hiding out in Jojo's attic, invited in by his mother, Rosie. She was a classmate of Jojo's late sister, Inge, and becomes a stand-in for her throughout the course of the film. She is intelligent, strong, and brave for her age, sticking up for herself at every turn and intimidating the annoying Jojo when needed. She is often annoyed by Jojo, but comes to feel a tender affection for him, as she would for a younger brother.
Rosie Betzler
Rosie is Jojo’s mother, a secret member of the resistance. She is a loving mother who goes to great lengths to make sure her child is comfortable and happy, often doing silly routines and dances to cheer him up and teach him good values. Her anti-Nazi feelings create a rift between her and Jojo, as Jojo accuses her of being disloyal and unpatriotic, but she assures him that it is better to enjoy life and spread love rather than hate. She meets a tragic fate when her resistance sympathies are discovered and the Gestapo execute her.
Adolf Hitler
In Jojo Rabbit, Adolf Hitler is not simply a dictator, but Jojo’s imaginary friend and conscience. He is a childish version of the real Adolf Hitler, and acts as Jojo’s adviser in all matters. He is vehemently anti-Semitic, loyal to the Reich, and a bit buffoonish. He encourages Jojo to stand up for himself, but not for those who are more vulnerable than him. Ultimately Jojo chooses the company of others and ousts Adolf once and for all.
Captain Klenzendorf
Klenzendorf is an officer of the army who is in charge of Hitler’s youth camp. He is secretly a kindhearted and honest man, covering for Elsa when she pretends to be Jojo's sister to the Gestapo. He also helps Jojo to escape punishment from the Allied Forces at the end of the film. He is a buffoonish and evil character on the surface, but proves ultimately to be an ally to Jojo.
Fräulein Rahm
Fräulein is an instructor at the youth camp. She is brutish, assertive, and dim-witted, a darkly comic figure.
Yorki
Yorki is Jojo’s best friend. He is also a member of the youth camp. He is a chubby and soft-hearted young boy, just as clumsy if not clumsier than Jojo.
