You Only Live Twice characters

Appears from the start

A British Secret Service officer shattered by the murder of his wife, Tracy, immediately after their wedding. Grief has made him careless and ineffective, leaving his career in danger when M decides whether he can still be of use.

Appears from the start

The head of the British Secret Service. Faced with Bond's collapse after Tracy's death, he chooses an unconventional assignment that might either restore Bond's sense of purpose or prove that he can no longer serve.

First appears in chapter 2

A distinguished neurologist who advises M about Bond's deteriorating condition. He sees purposeful work and a complete change of surroundings as a better hope than punishment or enforced rest.

First appears in chapter 4

An Australian intelligence officer and longtime resident of Japan who becomes Bond's first guide to Tokyo. Sociable, irreverent, and well connected, he introduces Bond to the man who controls the intelligence exchange Bond needs.

First appears in chapter 5

The formidable head of Japan's secret intelligence service. Educated, patriotic, and amused by testing foreigners, he controls access to valuable intercepted Soviet material and gradually develops respect for Bond.

Appears from the start

The escaped founder of SPECTRE. In the preceding book he and Irma Bunt murdered Tracy shortly after her marriage to Bond, making his continued freedom both an unfinished intelligence matter and the source of Bond's devastation.

Appears from the start

Blofeld's close associate and the former administrator of Piz Gloria. She fired into Bond's car during the attack that killed Tracy while Blofeld drove, and escaped with him.

First appears in chapter 11

A reclusive foreign botanist who has established a castle and garden filled with poisonous plants, dangerous animals, and lethal hazards. The site attracts people intending suicide, creating a public scandal that Japanese authorities cannot readily enter to stop.

First appears in chapter 13

A young woman from a fishing community who formerly worked as a film performer. Independent and at ease in the sea, she becomes Bond's guide and closest companion while he prepares to approach the coastal castle.

First appears in chapter 17

The chief guard inside Shatterhand's castle, responsible for enforcing its security and controlling prisoners. His position makes him a direct obstacle once Bond enters the grounds.