Faba is a lean man with distinctive features that make him easily recognizable. He has short green hair, a small goatee, and large green glasses that dominate his face. His attire consists of a white Aether Foundation overcoat bearing the organization's symbol, complemented by a green undershirt, green bracers on his arms, and white boots with yellow soles and buttons. His appearance, including his unusual eyewear, is a core part of his visual identity.

Born from a background of scientific ambition, Faba serves as a Branch Chief at the Aether Foundation, a position of which he is extremely proud and frequently reminds others. In the past, he was involved in the creation of Silvally, a powerful Pokémon meant to combat Ultra Beasts. However, he reported the project as a failure to his superior, Lusamine, and secretly kept Silvally's existence hidden from her. Four years prior to the main events of the anime, he secretly opened an Ultra Wormhole and successfully summoned a Nihilego. When Lillie stumbled upon the site, the Ultra Beast attempted to take her. Although she was saved by Silvally, Faba, to ensure the incident remained a secret, used his Hypno to erase Lillie's memories of the traumatic event. He later placed a limiter mask on Silvally, turning it into the more docile Type: Null, which eventually led to Gladion stealing the Pokémon from him.

Personality-wise, Faba is defined by his arrogance, vanity, and deep-seated ambition. He is extremely proud of his title and position within the Aether Foundation, often referring to himself as its last line of defense and looking down on others, including children. He is skeptical and grouchy, displaying hostility when his plans are thwarted or his authority is questioned, such as when he angrily throws Ash's Rowlet after mistaking it for the more important Nebby. Faba is willing to do whatever it takes to further his career, including lying, shifting blame for his mistakes, and switching his loyalties. This is most evident when he facilitates Team Rainbow Rocket's takeover of the Aether Foundation to use their success as a stepping stone for his own career. In the anime, unlike his more bumbling game counterpart, Faba is portrayed as a truly sinister and dangerous figure, responsible for Lillie's trauma and willing to use psychological manipulation and memory erasure to protect his secrets.

Faba's role in the story is primarily that of an antagonist and a source of scientific knowledge. He is a recurring character who often finds himself at odds with Ash and his friends. Initially, he acts as a seemingly loyal but jealous member of the Aether Foundation. However, his true nature is revealed when he tries to recapture Type: Null and prevent Lillie from regaining her memories of the Nihilego incident. When his scheme is foiled by Silvally's evolution, he goes into hiding. He later resurfaces in a desperate attempt to kidnap the Ultra Beast Nebby to open a wormhole and capture an Ultra Beast, hoping to restore his honor. This plan backfires spectacularly when the summoned Nihilego knocks him aside and takes Lusamine through the wormhole instead.

Faba's key relationships are primarily professional and often antagonistic. His relationship with Lusamine, the Aether Foundation's president, is strained by his deceit and ambition, as he withholds important information from her and later attempts to blame her for his own failures. He has a contentious relationship with Gladion, who stole Silvally from him due to Faba's mistreatment of the Pokémon. His actions are directly responsible for Lillie's childhood trauma, creating a deep-seated conflict between them. He also hires Team Rocket as Aether employees, developing a professional if not entirely trusting relationship with them, and maintains a professional rivalry with Professor Burnet, whom he blames for equipment malfunctions out of jealousy.

Faba undergoes a notable character development over the course of the anime. Following the rescue of Lusamine from the Ultra Wormhole, his actions are addressed. He is demoted from his prestigious position as Branch Chief and made a subordinate of Wicke. In a surprising turn, he genuinely apologizes to Ash, Lillie, and their friends for his harmful actions, showing a level of remorse and a desire to change. After this, he transitions into more of an ally, though he retains his prideful nature regarding his inventions and scientific knowledge. He becomes a special teacher at the Pokémon School, showcasing his shrinking machine, and later becomes a key supporter of the Ultra Guardians, a task force created to deal with Ultra Beast incidents. An example of his continued pride and fanboyish enthusiasm is revealed when he becomes a massive fan of the Masked Royal, even going so far as to attack someone he mistakes for an impostor.

As a scientist, Faba possesses notable abilities in research and development. He is credited with developing the Beast Balls and the control mask technology used to limit Silvally's power, turning it into Type: Null. In the anime, he is shown creating various machines, including one capable of shrinking objects and another that can dispel clouds to reveal hidden Ultra Wormholes. He is also a competent Pokémon Trainer who specializes in Psychic-type Pokémon, most notably Hypno and Alakazam, which he uses to battle and hypnotize his opponents, including Gladion. His intellect, while often used for self-serving purposes, is a core aspect of his character, making him a valuable asset to the Aether Foundation and the Ultra Guardians after his reformation.