The character known as Cobra is a legendary space pirate and adventurer, whose real name is Johnson, though he has also used the alias Joe Gillian. At the start of the narrative, he is a man who has actively chosen to abandon his former life. Weary of being hunted and the constant danger, he underwent surgical procedures to alter his face and had his own memories erased, opting to live a mundane existence as an ordinary office worker. However, his true nature as an adventurer is deeply ingrained, and the call to action proves impossible to resist. After experiencing an artificial dream at a service called Trip Movie, which inadvertently triggers his subconscious, he begins to rapidly regain his lost memories and identity, resuming his life as Cobra.

Cobra possesses a charismatic and easygoing personality that masks a formidable and resourceful core. He is a self-assured and unapologetic ladies’ man, displaying a chivalrous instinct to protect women in distress, such as the researcher Utopia More. His demeanor is often described as suave and smooth, carrying himself with a cool confidence reminiscent of classic cinematic spies and rogues. Despite his dangerous profession, he is not without a moral code. He hates useless murder, respects true friendship, and holds a certain regard for the law, even as he operates outside it. His motivations are not driven by greed or conquest, but by a deep-seated love for adventure and a sense of personal justice. He is a thrill-seeker who is drawn to excitement and is willing to risk his life to stop criminals, particularly the Pirate Guild, from achieving their goals.

In the story of The Psychogun, Cobra’s primary role is that of a protector and a rogue hero. He comes to the aid of Professor Utopia More after she becomes the target of the ruthless Pirate Guild, led by the likes of Gypsy Doc, because of her discovery of an ancient record that holds the secrets of the universe. This journey also forces him to confront his past, as he faces his revived arch-nemesis, Crystal Boy, a powerful foe from his previous adventures. Key relationships in his life include his partnership with Lady Armaroid, a loyal android companion who is always at his side, providing tactical support and combat assistance. Their bond is one of deep trust and long-standing camaraderie. His interactions are also defined by his relationships with the women he encounters, who are often initially damsels in distress but become integral to the unfolding conflict and develop a romantic interest in him. While the character is largely static in his core principles throughout this OVA, his journey represents a cyclical form of development: he moves from a state of self-imposed amnesia and a desire for peace back to a full embrace of his identity as a daring adventurer, accepting the danger that comes with it.

Cobra’s most notable ability is his signature weapon, the Psychogun. This is not a separate tool but a cybernetic arm-laser integrated into his left arm, which is connected directly to his brain. This connection grants him the extraordinary ability to target and strike enemies even without a direct line of sight, as the energy beam can bend or split to hit multiple foes in a single shot. While incredibly powerful, the Psychogun has a limitation: extended use drains Cobra’s mental energy, preventing it from being an infinite resource. For backup and situations where the laser might be overkill or ineffective, he also carries an old-fashioned Magnum revolver, a testament to his preference for classic tools. Beyond his weaponry, he possesses remarkable physical resilience, the resourcefulness to use ordinary items like his signature cigar as an explosive tool, and a sharp wit that serves him in and out of battle.