The character known as Cherry is a wandering Buddhist monk whose real name is never revealed. His preferred name is a self-chosen nickname, as the kanji for his actual name, Sakuranbou, can be read to mean deranged monk, a description that often fits his behavior.

Cherry is introduced at the very beginning of the story, where he is the first to correctly identify the protagonist, Ataru Moroboshi, as an extraordinarily rare carrier of bad luck. From this point on, he becomes a recurring fixture in the neighborhood of Tomobiki. His entrances are famously jarring; he has a habit of appearing out of thin air, often in an extreme close-up of his face, which invariably startles those around him and causes them to fall over in surprise.

Personality-wise, Cherry is a contradictory figure. He is widely disliked and his presence is dreaded by almost everyone he encounters, who find him to be obnoxious, creepy, and a terrible moocher. An enormous glutton, he has no qualms about inviting himself to meals at the Moroboshi family's dining table, where he will seriously discuss the current supernatural crisis while consuming large portions of their food. He carries himself with a notable arrogance that he believes is befitting his status as a priest, and he has a penchant for making stupid jokes that no one appreciates. Despite these unpleasant traits, he is not a villain. His primary motivations seem to be an intense interest in observing and commenting on the fates of others, a desire to get free food, and a genuine, if flawed, sense of duty as a holy man.

His role in the narrative is that of a chaotic catalyst and a source of mystical exposition. He frequently appears to predict a bad omen or a coming disaster, and although his predictions almost always come true, he is sometimes suspected of giving fate a helping hand to ensure the outcome. Because of his vested interest in Ataru's corrupt personality and bad luck, he constantly interferes in the young man's life, offering unsolicited judgment and grief. This interference makes him a particular object of Ataru's hatred, as Cherry seems determined to see through his downfall.

Cherry's key relationship is with his niece, Sakura, who is a beautiful and powerful Shinto priestess and the school nurse. She is one of the few people capable of tolerating him, likely due to their familial bond, though she does not hesitate to physically punish him when his antics embarrass her. He also has a sister, Sakura's mother, who shares the same unusual facial features as her brother and is also a priestess. His interactions with the rest of the cast, including the alien princess Lum, are generally characterized by mutual annoyance, though the other characters may reluctantly seek his help in supernatural matters.

In terms of development, Cherry is a largely static character who does not undergo significant personal growth. However, his role is firmly established from his first appearance, and his recurring gags and habits remain consistent throughout the series. His backstory is only slightly explored, mainly through his connection to the Sakura family.

Notably, Cherry possesses very high spiritual powers and has an in-depth knowledge of the supernatural, including the ability to find and exorcise evil spirits. However, his powers are notoriously unreliable when used in proximity to Ataru. The young man's immense bad luck often has a negative influence on Cherry's abilities, causing his exorcisms and other mystical arts to backfire or fail completely. In at least one instance, he has demonstrated the ability to open dimensional portals, a power that is used to deal with demons. His catchphrase as he solemnly intones his predictions is "It is fate". Even though he is a wandering monk who claims to live in a makeshift tent in a vacant lot, he seems to have effectively settled down in Tomobiki, where he continues to be an ever-present, if unwelcome, fixture in the lives of its residents.