Ume Matsuzaka teaches the Rose Class at Futaba Kindergarten, presenting a stylish image while privately enduring financial strain. She inhabits a low-cost apartment and often relies on basic meals like noodles and lettuce when funds deplete before payday. Despite limited means, she prioritizes purchasing accessories.

She intensely dislikes her given name "Ume" for its perceived "low class" associations and insists others avoid using it. Though she regularly voices frustration with Futaba Kindergarten—particularly targeting Shinnosuke Nohara and his peers—and expresses ambitions to transfer to a superior school, she remains dedicated to her post. She dismisses outside job offers that disparage the kindergarten. Her dynamic with colleague Midori Ishizaka involves constant rivalry and arguments, yet she displays hidden concern, such as helping Midori reconcile with her future husband.

Her romantic encounters face repeated disruption by Shinnosuke and his friends. This cycle persists until she dates Tokuro and later Shingo Kakeda, following a prior relationship with Kawaguchi. She possesses surprising agility from dance training, enabling acrobatic feats like flipping mid-fall to protect new clothing.

During the conflict against the Leotard Devil (Higure) in "Action Kamen vs Haigure Maô," Ume initially allies with the Nohara family and their group, seeking shelter in Dr. North Kasukabe’s laboratory. She later exposes herself as a spy for the Higures, deactivating the lab’s protective barrier. This betrayal permits Higure’s Rope Ladies to invade and assault the group. Her espionage motives and post-betrayal actions remain unspecified.

She has two sisters, Matsu and Take.