A "focal character" refers to the main or central character in a story, play, or movie. They are the person who the narrative focuses on and the one we often follow or relate to the most. Full definition
He is central to the storyline, but far from the only focal character in the game. (haywiremag.com)
Immediate acknowledgment is that of good dogs playing focal characters while (Japanese) humans are pushed aside. (flickeringmyth.com)
The series has never shunned from growth and as a result, it still chooses to follow up on focal characters that could have been written out. (dvdizzy.com)