Dabura is introduced as the king of the Demon Realm, a position he held for thousands of years before the events of the story. His name is derived from the latter half of the famous magical incantation "Abracadabra". Despite his immense personal power and status as a ruler, he falls under the control of the wizard Babidi through a spell, becoming his most formidable servant and right-hand man in the mission to resurrect the dreaded Majin Buu.

In terms of personality, Dabura displays a sophisticated and articulate manner of speaking, often contrasting his cruel actions with a composed and almost regal bearing. He is sadistic and ruthless, disposing of enemies with a casual grin, as seen when he kills the Kai's attendant Kibito with a single energy blast. He also demonstrates a tactical and observant mind, noticing the deep-seated evil within Vegeta's heart and suggesting that Babidi exploit it for their gain. While generally obedient to Babidi, Dabura is not a mindless puppet; he does not hesitate to question his master's decisions when he believes they are flawed, particularly regarding the uncontrollable nature of Majin Buu. This foresight proves accurate, as his warnings are ignored.

Dabura's primary motivation while under Babidi's control is to carry out his master's will, primarily gathering the immense energy required to revive Majin Buu and eliminating any who stand in their way. He actively participates in luring the Z-Fighters into Babidi's spaceship, where he engages in battle. His role in the story is that of a significant obstacle who tests the heroes' strength. Confronting Gohan, his power is noted by Goku to be roughly comparable to that of the previous ultimate android threat, Perfect Cell. However, due to Gohan's training having lapsed over the preceding seven years, Dabura is able to hold his own and even gain an advantage using his magical abilities.

Dabura's key relationships are defined by servitude and contempt. He is entirely subservient to Babidi, who ultimately discards him without hesitation when he is no longer useful. His relationship with Majin Buu is one of immediate and fatal miscalculation. Dabura scoffs at the fat, child-like being, an act of disrespect that prompts a violent and humiliating counterattack from Buu. In a desperate attempt to prove Buu's danger, Dabura impales him with a magical spear, but the monster regenerates instantly. As punishment for his defiance, Babidi orders Buu to eliminate him, and Buu transforms Dabura into a large cookie before devouring him. His death has a practical consequence for the heroes, as it reverses the spell that had turned Piccolo and Krillin into stone.

Dabura does not undergo significant development during his main role as an antagonist. However, an epilogue in the anime depicts a unique and ironic fate. In the afterlife, King Yemma decrees that Dabura should be sent to Heaven rather than Hell. The reasoning is that, as a demon king, Dabura would find Hell to be a comfortable and familiar environment, whereas Heaven, with its love and kindness, would serve as a proper punishment. In this setting, Dabura's personality entirely transforms. He repents for his past sins and becomes an overly affectionate and joyful soul, much to the bewilderment of other deceased characters.

Dabura possesses a diverse set of notable abilities, blending brute force with demonic magic. Physically, his power is on par with the Z-Fighters at the Super Saiyan 2 level. His most infamous technique is his Stone Spit, where a glob of his saliva instantly turns a victim to stone, a curse that can only be broken by his death. He also has the ability to materialize weapons out of thin air, such as a sword of darkness and a powerful spear. Other magical attacks include breathing a stream of Evil Flame, firing dark energy spheres like the Evil Impulse, and using deceptive techniques like the Afterimage. He also has enhanced senses, capable of reading the energy and hidden evil intent in others.