I'm not sure exactly without reading it, but I assume the laughing man himself is a main character. He is likely to be central to the plot.
Well, if we assume it's a typical story, the laughing man would be a main character. There might also be characters who interact with him. For instance, if it's a story set in a village, there could be villagers who are either amused or annoyed by his laughter. There could also be a sidekick or a friend of the laughing man who helps him in his adventures or shares his experiences. Without more details about the story, it's all speculation though.
The boys are the central characters. They form this group where they share the story of the Laughing Man. Each boy has his own role in believing in and spreading the legend of this character. And then there's the Chief. He is like a father figure to the boys. He has a big influence on them and on how the story of the Laughing Man develops within their group. He's not just an observer but an active part of their world.
The laughing man is obviously a main character. But there may be others who interact with him. Without more context, it's hard to be sure who all the main characters are exactly.
If the 'laughing man story' is a story about a community, the main characters could be the laughing man, a local shopkeeper who is initially annoyed by his laughter but later warms up to him, and a young child who is fascinated by the man and his laughter. These characters would play important roles in the development of the story, with their relationships and interactions being central to the plot.
It's possible that there are antagonists in the 'laughing boy novel' too. They could be characters who oppose the laughing boy's goals or values. These antagonists would create conflict and drive the plot forward, making the story more interesting as the laughing boy has to face them and find ways to overcome their challenges.
Since the title mentions the 'laughing policeman', he is bound to be a central character. He could be paired with a partner, perhaps a female detective who is more serious and serves as a contrast to his more jovial nature. Then there would be the antagonists, which could be a group of organized criminals. There might also be some civilians involved, such as witnesses or victims who play important roles in the story, either helping or hindering the laughing policeman's investigations.
The main theme could be the exploration of human nature. It might show different aspects of human behavior, emotions, and how people react in various situations through the story of the laughing man.
The main character in 'the laughing man horror story' is most likely the laughing man. He could be a complex character with a backstory that led him to become this source of horror. Maybe he was once a normal person who endured some great trauma that turned him into a terrifying figure. His actions, which are probably related to his laughter in a menacing way, would drive the plot of the story forward.
Most probably, it's the laughing man. Since it's a horror story named after him, he would be the central figure, driving the plot with his menacing actions and that spine - chilling laughter.
As I don't know the exact story, the main character is likely the Laughing King. There might also be his courtiers, servants, or maybe a jester who interacts with him.