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Genma Saotome is the father of Ranma Saotome and a central figure in the events that shape the series. A middle-aged martial artist, his appearance is defined by his completely bald head, which he typically covers with a white bandana, and a pair of side-shield spectacles. His usual attire consists of a white gi. Years ago, during a training trip with his son to the legendary cursed training ground of Jusenkyo in China, Genma fell into the Spring of Drowned Panda. As a result, he is cursed to transform into a giant panda whenever he is splashed with cold water; hot water reverses the transformation and returns him to his human form. Unlike his son, who resents his own curse, Genma appears far more comfortable in his panda form, often using it as a means to avoid speaking or to escape from troublesome situations, communicating with handwritten signs or through simple, almost playful actions like juggling a ball.

Personality-wise, Genma is a complex blend of laziness, greed, cowardice, and surprising martial arts genius. He is a self-proclaimed master of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts, but his interpretation of the art's philosophy often prioritizes his own self-interest over any virtuous ideals. His primary motivations revolve around food, particularly pork buns, and financial gain. He frequently becomes distracted by the promise of wealth or the scent of a good meal. When confronted with his own misdeeds or challenging situations, his immediate response is usually to rationalize his behavior with dubious logic, attempt to flee, or transform into a panda to feign ignorance. Despite these flaws, he is an exceptionally talented martial artist and a gifted, if unorthodox, teacher. He is the creator of powerful secret techniques, including the Umisenken, a style focused on stealth and theft, and the Yamasenken, a more aggressive, thieving-oriented style. His overall combat ability is considerable, often depicted as being on par with his son Ranma in the early parts of the story, though he generally lacks Ranma's motivation and drive to improve.

Genma's role in the story is that of a primary instigator and a source of the series' central conflicts. His actions, driven by shortsightedness and self-interest, are the root cause of most of Ranma's difficulties. He is responsible for dragging his son on a decade-long training journey, during which he employed dangerous and often abusive methods, such as the Neko-ken training that gave Ranma a debilitating fear of cats. More significantly, it is Genma's impulsive promises and schemes that have led to Ranma's multiple unwanted engagements. A long-standing agreement with his friend and fellow martial artist, Soun Tendo, arranged for Ranma to marry one of Soun's daughters. Simultaneously, a scheme to acquire an okonomiyaki cart resulted in a promise to wed Ranma to Ukyo Kuonji, a promise Genma promptly abandoned. Even before Ranma was born, Genma made other such pacts. His inability to return home stems from a pledge he made to his wife, Nodoka Saotome, that he would raise Ranma to be a "man among men"; a promise he feels he has failed to keep, as failure would require both father and son to commit seppuku. Consequently, he and Ranma live as long-term guests at the Tendo Dojo.

His key relationships are deeply flawed yet essential. With his son Ranma, the dynamic is one of constant bickering, mutual frustration, and outright disrespect, with Ranma frequently calling him an "old man" or worse. Ranma holds Genma responsible for much of his suffering, yet Genma's intensive training is also the foundation of Ranma's incredible strength. With Soun Tendo, Genma shares a camaraderie of two retired martial artists who spend their days playing shogi and go, reminiscing about their youth as students of the perverted master Happosai. Genma is visibly terrified of his wife, Nodoka, and his actions are driven by a fear of having to honor the dire promise he made to her. This complex relationship with his wife is a major reason he avoids returning to their home, instead freeloading at the Tendo residence.

In terms of development, Genma remains a largely static character, showing little to no desire to change his lazy, self-serving ways. He does not actively seek a cure for his panda curse, seemingly content to use it for its conveniences. While he occasionally displays flickers of fatherly concern or surprising competence in battle, these moments are fleeting and do not signify a fundamental shift in his personality. His primary narrative function is to create chaos and complicate Ranma's life, serving as a comedic yet often infuriating paternal figure. His notable abilities as a martial artist, however, are significant. Beyond his foundational training under Happosai, his legacy includes the creation of forbidden techniques. One such technique, the Cradle of Hell, is deliberately ridiculous and psychologically unsettling rather than genuinely powerful, reflecting his contradictory nature as both a brilliant martial artist and a foolish old man. His physical strength and endurance are also remarkable; he was able to swim from Japan to China, demonstrating a level of athleticism that belies his usual lazy demeanor.