Cheryl Melville, whose full name is Cheryl Christina Melville, is a central character in the anime Tico and Friends. She is introduced as the only daughter of the wealthy Melville family, which heads a powerful business conglomerate. Her father is a prominent businessman, and Cheryl, a university student studying economics in England, initially lives a life of privilege and leisure aboard her family's luxurious yacht.

Despite her aristocratic upbringing, Cheryl is driven by a powerful desire for adventure and freedom. She grows tired of the constraints and expectations of her wealthy, respected father, finding little appeal in the constant social obligations placed upon her. This restless and enterprising spirit leads her to seek a more exciting and meaningful existence, ultimately leaving her gilded life behind to join the crew of the small research vessel, the Peperoncino.

Cheryl has a striking appearance, characterized by her long blonde hair and purple eyes, and she carries herself with the confidence of a young woman accustomed to wealth and service. Her personality is a complex mix of traits. On the surface, she often appears willful, strong-willed, and somewhat selfish, displaying the demanding nature of a classic spoiled heiress. She is known to be bold and outspoken, with a tendency for reckless actions driven by her immense curiosity and desire for thrills; it is noted that she has previously crashed both a helicopter and an airplane, highlighting her impulsive and daring nature.

However, beneath this exterior lies a more compassionate and reliable individual. While she frequently puts up a front of toughness, she possesses a genuine kindness that emerges in moments of vulnerability. She often acts as an older sister figure to the younger protagonist, Nanami Simpson, offering her support and comfort during difficult or sad times. This reveals that her brave and stubborn facade masks a truly caring and warm-hearted character.

Cheryl's role in the story begins when her search for excitement brings her into conflict and then camaraderie with Nanami, her father Scott, and their mechanic Al. Accompanied by her loyal and refined butler, James, Cheryl decides to finance and join their quest to find the legendary glowing whale. Her wealth and resources provide a significant boost to the group's expedition, and her drive and intelligence make her a valuable, if sometimes headstrong, member of the team. She quickly becomes a key figure in the crew, using her economic knowledge and practical skills to assist in their adventure.

Her key relationships are central to her character development. She shares a unique bond with James, her butler, who follows her into her new, less glamorous life as a seafaring adventurer. Her most significant relationship develops with Nanami, whom she initially mistakes for a shark hunter but soon comes to respect and care for deeply. Acting as a surrogate big sister, Cheryl helps to round out the found family on the Peperoncino. As the series progresses, Cheryl evolves from a thrill-seeking, self-centered heiress into a more selfless and grounded young woman. Her journey is not just about finding a mythical creature but about discovering her own capacity for loyalty, friendship, and genuine emotional connection beyond the superficial world of wealth she left behind.

Cheryl has several notable abilities that contribute to the crew's success. She possesses sharp intelligence, fitting for an economics student from a prestigious university, and she is highly resourceful. Despite her history of crashing aircraft, she is a capable pilot of both helicopters and airplanes, a skill that often proves useful in their missions. Her education and upbringing also likely provide her with business acumen and negotiating skills, making her a formidable ally in their dangerous race against the unscrupulous organization also hunting for the glowing whale.