Maetel Tsukino is an 11-year-old girl from Hokkaido recruited as a Shinkalion pilot. Her reserved and introverted personality manifests as significant difficulty with direct communication and social interactions. She habitually listens to various radio frequencies daily, enhancing her environmental awareness and serving as a coping mechanism for her shyness. This tendency is evident in her initial actions at the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute, where she nervously peeked around doorframes and preferred communicating through her Z Gear device from a distance.

Despite her social challenges, Maetel possesses a strong sense of empathy, quickly sympathizing with others in need, including inanimate objects like Valdor. Her fascination with railways develops over time, sparked especially by anticipation for the Hokkaido Shinkansen Line expansion reaching her hometown. This interest evolves into deeper engagement with Shinkalions, leading to her becoming a Driver.

Her development shows gradual adaptation to her role and environment. Though she initially blushes when addressed directly by institute staff, she grows more accustomed to interactions through her duties. In Episode 28, she officially debuts as the pilot of the Shinkalion Z H5 Hayabusa. This unit emphasizes ranged combat, equipped with twin Gatling blasters later incorporating snow and ice-themed weaponry. Her modified H5 also features specialized goggles with Enemy Scan functionality for low-visibility conditions and a distinct purple-and-orange color scheme.

Maetel serves as a spiritual successor to Hatsune Miku as the female Driver representing Hokkaido, with no direct lineage or festival connection between them. The name "Tsukino Maetel" references Tetsurou Hoshino ("Tetsurou of the Stars") from *Galaxy Express 999*, aligning her thematically with railway-centric storytelling while establishing a distinct identity.