Honda is the forty-two-year-old leader of the World Food-Culture Conservation Organization's ninth unit, the group known as the Sushi Police. Standing 165 centimeters tall and weighing 85 kilograms, he was born in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. His primary and most notable ability is that he can hear the voices of sushi, specifically the cry or lament of sushi that has been prepared incorrectly or presented in a way he considers improper. To help him focus this ability and locate these instances, he wears a distinctive helmet-like device on his head.

His entire existence is defined by his absolute dedication to what he considers correct sushi. He is a man who places sushi above all else, an unwavering sushi-first idealist. In his pursuit of eliminating non-traditional or "wrong" sushi, the feelings of the people who prepare or enjoy that sushi are often a secondary concern, as his mission is to guide each errant piece of sushi back to the right path. This rigid stance makes him a controversial figure, and he is hated by many around the world who take a more liberal or creative approach to the dish. Although he often presents a calm exterior, he is prone to impulsive actions and will readily resort to physical confrontation, frequently being the first to attack in a given situation. Despite this combative nature, he does care for his work partners and will act to rescue them when they are in danger, even if he often appears dismissive of them, particularly the android Kawasaki.

Honda's primary role in the story is as the leader of the three-man Sushi Police team, driving their global mission to crack down on restaurants and individuals who serve sushi that does not meet their standards. He is partnered with Suzuki, who serves as the analytical member, and Kawasaki, a robot who uses soy sauce as a dye and is often the one tasked with carrying out their physical enforcement. While he may seem to disdain Kawasaki, he makes efforts to save him when he is in peril and expresses genuine concern for his well-being. His development throughout the narrative is significant. He begins as an inflexible traditionalist who believes there is only one true way for sushi to exist. However, following an encounter with the Pasta Police from Italy, who have a very different and more relaxed view on cultural fusion, he begins to realize that his methods are not universally accepted and that he is despised by many.

His most profound change occurs after being betrayed by his own organization's leadership. With the help of a reporter named Sara, he comes to understand the true meaning of a restaurant's "kanban," or signboard. He realizes that each restaurant's sign represents the hopes, ideas, and culture of its community, and that no one has the right to trample on that symbol of human connection. This revelation causes him to turn against his former superiors, specifically the antagonist Carlos, to fight for a more nuanced understanding of culinary tradition versus freedom. Even after defeating the main threat, his development continues, as he refuses to give up on his missing comrade Kawasaki, stating that he no longer has the energy to listen for the crying of sushi because his mind is consumed with finding him.