Cherry Miel is the main protagonist of the anime, appearing as a spirited and attractive teenager around fifteen or sixteen years old. She is introduced as a student at the Saint Chapel Academy, a strict religious school where her free-spirited and irreverent nature frequently clashes with the stern authority figures in charge. Her life is turned upside down following the death of her father, the brilliant robotics scientist Dr. Kisaragi, at the hands of a criminal organization known as Panther Claw (or Panthera). In his final moments, her father reveals the truth of her existence: Cherry is not a human girl but a highly advanced android, a masterpiece of robotics that he created.

This revelation defines her core motivation. Driven by a desire for vengeance, she vows to dismantle Panther Claw and avenge her father's murder. The organization relentlessly pursues her to obtain the Airborne Element Fixation Device, or Catalyseur Multiplicateur, a powerful and revolutionary invention hidden within her body that is the source of her incredible abilities. Despite the heavy burden of her quest, Cherry Miel's personality remains vibrant and defiant. She is described as intelligent, witty, and cunning, taking a mischievous pleasure in outsmarting both her teachers and the monstrous agents of Panther Claw. Her character is notable for being a strong-willed and passionate fighter who does not rely on a male hero to save her; instead, she often takes the lead in confrontations, proving herself to be a capable and formidable warrior.

Cherry Miel is not alone in her fight. Her primary allies are the Tatami family, consisting of the journalist Serge Tatami, for whom she harbors romantic feelings, as well as his brother John and their father, Mister Tatami. These companions provide her with support and a connection to a normal life, giving her something to protect beyond her personal vendetta. Throughout the series, she faces the entire might of Panther Claw, an organization of grotesque and powerful female villains led by the terrible Panther Zora and her right-hand, Sister Drastica. As the series progresses towards its conclusion, she confronts the leadership of Panther Claw directly, ultimately facing its final leader, Jill, in a climactic battle at the Panther fortress.

Her most notable ability is her power of transformation. Using the device inside her, Cherry can change her appearance at will to take on almost any profession or identity, such as a race car driver, a flight attendant, a reporter, or a model. However, her primary combat form is that of Cutie Honey, a powerful warrior with superhuman strength, speed, and agility, making her a formidable opponent in battle. This transformation sequence, known for leaving her briefly unclothed, became a signature and audacious element of the character and her era. Her combat approach often blends her physical prowess with clever use of her disguises, using deception and seduction to get close to her enemies before defeating them with a combination of flair and force, often punctuated by her signature catchphrase, Honey Flash. Her design and personality were groundbreaking for the time, establishing her as one of the first heroic and sexually liberated female protagonists in a shonen anime.