Hey I downloaded Gimp and I need help. When there is a character in a certain image I want, how can I completely get everything around them, including white if it's a white background, gone? Thanks.
What you're asking is called "rendering" an image, there is not set way to do it, and to do it properly can take hours of time depending on the complexity of the image you are trying to render.
You're best bet would be to check planetrenders.net "render gallery" and use the search bar to find what you're looking for. if its there, make an account, click the image and then right click the pop up window of the image and press "save image as..." and all the white/black around the image should be gone.
Like Rawr said, best to use already rendered images if you are new. However if you want a more or less rendered image then right click on your layer then duplicate then delete the layer under then use the magic wand tool. Click and hold on the white and drag back until there is an outline around the image you want then let go and click ctrl+X.
But if you want to be awesome then scissor tool it zoomed in a far amount.