Sho-chan, formally named Shota Ohara, is the central human character: an elementary school student who discovers Q-Taro's egg in a forest. He brings the egg home, leading to Q-Taro's emergence and residence with the Ohara family. Sho-chan becomes Q-Taro's close friend, primary caretaker, and guide to human society. They share nicknames, with Sho-chan calling Q-Taro "Q-chan" and Q-Taro calling him "Sho-chan."

Academically challenged, Sho-chan typically earns poor grades, often ranking near the bottom of his class. Despite this, he demonstrates kindness and patience, frequently intervening when Q-Taro's lack of understanding or mischief causes trouble. He lives with his parents and older brother, Shinichi Ohara, a middle school student who enjoys listening to music by artists like the Beatles and Elvis Presley.

Among his classmates, Sho-chan interacts with Tsuyoshi Saigo (a bully nicknamed "Godzilla"), Hakase (an intelligent peer), Kizao Kiza (a wealthy classmate), and Yoshiko Koizumi (a female classmate). Sho-chan harbors romantic feelings for Yoshiko, resulting in rivalry with Tsuyoshi, who also admires her. He is noted as a poor swimmer.

Sho-chan's relationship with Q-Taro evolves through shared adventures and comedic mishaps, including moments of conflict or frustration. A concluding time skip reveals Sho-chan as an adult. Q-Taro returns after a 12-year absence, but Sho-chan's maturity and changed life circumstances mean he no longer relies on Q-Taro's companionship as he did in childhood. This realization prompts Q-Taro's permanent return to the ghost world, marking the end of their shared daily life. Throughout, Sho-chan serves as Q-Taro's human anchor, balancing childhood friendships, familial bonds, and school life experiences.