Elfman Strauss is a prominent member of the Fairy Tail guild, known for his immense physical strength and his unique brand of take over magic. He is the younger brother of Mirajane Strauss and the older brother of Lisanna Strauss. As part of the Strauss siblings, he is one of the guild's key defenders, often found at the center of major conflicts. His appearance is striking; he is a very tall and muscular young man with tanned skin, long white hair styled in upward spikes, and dark eyes. A stitched scar running down the right side of his face, crossing his eye, is one of his most recognizable features. His guild stamp is located on the left side of his neck.

In his early childhood, Elfman was depicted as a shy, kind, and somewhat weak individual who lacked confidence, with cooking being one of the few things he felt he was good at. He was caring and helpful, notably assisting Natsu and Lisanna in caring for Happy's egg before it hatched. However, his personality underwent a dramatic transformation following a traumatic incident during an S-class mission involving all three Strauss siblings. During this mission, Elfman lost control of his full-body take over magic, running berserk. The incident seemingly resulted in the death of his younger sister Lisanna, who sacrificed herself to stop him. This event locked his heart and caused him to bury his gentler nature, replacing it with an obsessive drive to become stronger and more masculine.

In the present timeline of the series, Elfman is defined by his fierce dedication to the concept of manliness. He frequently proclaims his identity as a real man, often using the phrase to begin his sentences. This obsession serves as a coping mechanism and a source of personal pride, driving him to be tough, courageous, and protective. Despite his loud and sometimes brash exterior, he remains deeply compassionate, especially when it comes to his family. His primary motivation is the protection of his sisters, Mirajane and the returned Lisanna. He vows to never see his sisters cry and will go to great lengths, even threatening or challenging far stronger opponents, to ensure their safety. His pride is also tied to his guild, and he is fiercely defensive of his comrades, refusing to let anyone insult them.

Elfman’s role in the story is that of a reliable powerhouse and a symbol of resolved trauma. Initially unable to perform a full-body take over due to his guilt and fear, his character arc revolves around overcoming this psychological barrier. A critical moment occurs during the Phantom Lord arc when his sister Mirajane is taken hostage. Determined to save her and keep his vow of strength, Elfman finally masters Full-Body Take Over: Beast Soul, transforming into the King of Monsters to defeat the Element 4 member, Sol. This marks a turning point where he begins to reclaim his lost power. Throughout subsequent story arcs, such as the Battle of Fairy Tail and the Tenrou Island arc, he consistently fights to protect his guild, demonstrating the reliability he always aspired to have. His development continues as he learns to better control his various transformations and accepts his past, using it as a foundation for his manly ideals rather than a source of paralyzing fear.

Key relationships define much of his character. His bond with Mirajane is central; he seeks her approval and is driven to protect her above all else. After the truth about Lisanna is revealed and she returns from Edolas, his relationship with her is marked by a mix of deep regret and an intense desire to make amends and shield her from harm. He also shares a unique camaraderie with Evergreen, with whom he often forms a combat pair, showcasing a contrasting dynamic of bickering and mutual trust. He generally looks up to stronger male role models in the guild, such as Natsu and Gildarts, as examples of manliness he wishes to emulate.

Elfman’s notable abilities are derived entirely from his magic, Take Over: Beast Soul. This allows him to take over the bodies and abilities of monsters he has defeated. His signature technique is the Partial Take Over, also known as Beast Arm, where he transforms his right arm into that of a creature. This includes various forms like Beast Arm: Black Bull for powerful punches, Beast Arm: Iron Bull which turns his arm into metal, and Beast Arm: Jet Black Sword which gives him immense cutting power. His ultimate technique is Full-Body Take Over: Beast Soul, which transforms his entire body into a large, powerful, fur-covered beast with horns, granting him enormous increases in speed, strength, durability, and even his sense of smell. Over time, he develops other full-body forms as well, such as the heavily armored Lizardman, which boasts incredible defensive scales, and other souls like Weretiger or Sand Beast, each providing unique combat advantages.