Masamichi Fujisawa, often referred to simply as Mr. Fujisawa, is a history teacher at Shinonome High School on Earth. He is a tall, lanky man with unkempt dark hair and a perpetual stubble, and he dresses for comfort rather than style, typically wearing a tracksuit and sandals. His most immediately noticeable traits are his heavy drinking and constant cigarette smoking, habits that lead many of his students to view him with little respect. Despite this disheveled exterior, Fujisawa possesses an unwavering sense of school spirit and a deep, if sometimes misguided, devotion to his students. He sees the world in clear terms of right and wrong and is driven by a sincere desire to protect those in danger and set wrongs right.

When Fujisawa is transported to the fantasy world of El-Hazard along with his students Makoto Mizuhara, Katsuhiko Jinnai, and Nanami Jinnai, he gains extraordinary physical abilities as a result of the journey. His power manifests as superhuman strength, endurance, and leaping ability, but these abilities are tied directly to his sobriety. When he has consumed alcohol, his powers disappear and he becomes ordinary. If he abstains from both alcohol and cigarettes, the stress amplifies his abilities to an even greater degree, entering a state often called Hyper Fujisawa, during which he can perform feats such as hurling giant Bugrom soldiers out of sight and generating a protective energy field. This dependence on his vices creates a constant tension between his heroic impulses and his addictions.

In the story of El-Hazard: The Magnificent World, Fujisawa serves as a key ally to Makoto and a capable frontline fighter against the insectoid Bugrom tribe, who are led by the power-hungry Jinnai. He is fearless, inventive, and honorable, often charging into danger to protect his companions. His mountaineering hobby proves invaluable for navigating the cliffs and ruins of El-Hazard. Early on, he rescues the priestess Miz Mishtal, who immediately becomes smitten with him and declares him her destined husband. Fujisawa is initially awkward and uncertain about this romantic attention, but he grows to genuinely care for her. Over the course of the series, he begins to overcome his worst habits, earning the respect of the people of El-Hazard as a war hero and later as a teacher in his new home. By the sequel series, The Magnificent World 2, he has carved out a stable life and is on the verge of marrying Miz Mishtal, though he briefly gets cold feet before ultimately committing. His personal development sees him move from a washed-up, vice-ridden teacher to a respected figure who has found purpose and companionship in a strange world.