Beerus is the God of Destruction for the seventh universe, a divine being whose primary function is to maintain cosmic balance by destroying planets, thereby clearing space for new creation to occur. This role places him in direct opposition to the Supreme Kai, the universe's God of Creation, and the two are linked by a shared life force; if the Supreme Kai were to die, Beerus would perish as well. He is an ancient deity, having existed for over one hundred million years, and is considered one of the most powerful beings not only in his own universe but among all twelve universes.

Physically, Beerus is a slender, anthropomorphic feline with purple skin, large pointed ears, and a long tail. His design was inspired by a Cornish Rex cat named Debo that belonged to the series creator, as well as ancient Egyptian deities, reflected in his regal, dark-colored robes and gold jewelry. His name is derived from the German pronunciation of the word virus, though the creator mistakenly believed it came from beer, leading to his attendant and other gods of destruction being named after alcoholic beverages.

In personality, Beerus is a complex figure who defies simple moral categorization. He is neither purely malevolent nor virtuous, existing above conventional ideas of good and evil due to his divine station. He is notoriously lazy and capricious, often sleeping for decades or centuries at a time. When awake, he is driven by his whims, which frequently revolve around a deep and obsessive love for food, particularly delicacies like sushi and pudding. He is hot-headed and easily frustrated, prone to destroying entire planets for trivial slights, such as being served greasy food or denied a dessert he desires. Despite this terrifying temperament, Beerus can be remarkably well-mannered, polite, and even sociable when in a good mood, using polite forms of speech and showing a genuine, if often hidden, capacity for respect. He holds a deep-seated respect for strength and is eternally in search of a worthy opponent, a quest that initially brought him to Earth in search of the legendary Super Saiyan God.

Beerus first appears as an antagonist, awakening from a long slumber to confront the Saiyan warrior Goku. However, after being impressed by Goku's power and resilience, as well as the quality of Earth's cuisine, he spares the planet and transitions into a supporting role. His motivations are rarely grand or sinister; he is primarily driven by the pursuit of entertainment, good food, and the occasional need to fulfill his duties as a destroyer. His role in the story evolves to become that of a powerful, unpredictable ally who observes the battles of other warriors from the sidelines, occasionally stepping in to offer training or commentary.

Beerus has several key relationships that define his place in the narrative. He is constantly accompanied by Whis, his angelic attendant and martial arts master, who is significantly more powerful than Beerus himself and serves as both a mentor and a handler for the temperamental god. He shares a deep-seated sibling rivalry with his twin brother, Champa, the God of Destruction of the sixth universe, a relationship characterized by constant bickering and competition. His dynamic with the Saiyans Goku and Vegeta is central to the series. He treats them with a mix of casual condescension and begrudging respect, using them as sparring partners and occasionally as servants, particularly Vegeta, whom he commands to cook for him. Over time, his connection with Goku and his friends softens his demeanor, and he develops a genuine, though understated, care for their well-being and pride in their achievements. He answers to the childlike Omni-King, Zeno, the supreme ruler of all universes, a being whose power and authority even Beerus fears and respects.

Throughout the series, Beerus demonstrates subtle character development. Initially portrayed as more malicious and quick to destroy, he begins to show considerable restraint, largely due to his enjoyment of Earth's food and his growing friendship with Goku, who has become an ally of Zeno. He performs selfless acts that surprise those who know him, such as using a wish to restore the Earth of Universe 6 as a favor to his brother, showing a capacity for kindness and growth beyond his selfish nature.

As a fighter, Beerus possesses overwhelming power that far exceeds nearly all other mortals and even most gods. His signature technique is Hakai, or destruction energy, which can erase anything from existence, from a single being to an entire planet, with a mere gesture. His physical abilities are extraordinary; he can move at speeds faster than light, travel between galaxies in minutes, and trade blows that generate shockwaves capable of shaking the entire universe to the point of annihilation. He is a master of a divine fighting style that targets pressure points, and in the manga continuity, he is depicted as being able to use Ultra Instinct, a legendary technique that allows his body to move and react independently of his conscious thought, making him one of the most formidable and skilled fighters among all the Gods of Destruction.