Miyako Ishida mothers Shoya Ishida and his unnamed older sister, operating her salon "Hair Make Ishida". Following her divorce, she raises her children alone after her husband abandons both family and business, leaving Miyako to manage these dual responsibilities. This situation fuels her financial struggles and deep dedication to providing for her family.

She possesses green eyes, an average height, and a slender frame. Her natural black hair is dyed blonde, though infrequent maintenance allows her roots to show. Her typical work attire includes a red turtleneck, black apron, and beige slacks. A distinctive scar marks her right ear lobe, caused by an earring ripped out during a confrontation with Yaeko Nishimiya; this injury prevents comfortable earring wear on that side.

Miyako exhibits consistent patience and emotional resilience despite hardships, maintaining kindness toward others including the Nishimiya family despite past conflicts stemming from Shoya's bullying of Shoko Nishimiya. When Shoya damaged Shoko's hearing aids in elementary school, Miyako repaid the substantial cost to Yaeko Nishimiya and compelled Shoya to apologize. During this encounter, she sustained the ear injury, though whether self-inflicted or caused by Yaeko remains unclear.

Her parenting reflects profound commitment amid difficulties. Extensive work supporting her family sometimes limits awareness of Shoya's struggles. Discovering his elementary school bullying, she addressed it directly while remaining supportive. She intercepted Shoya's planned high school suicide, threatening to burn his saved money unless he promised not to take his life. After accidentally igniting the funds, she affirmed their irrelevance compared to his survival. Later, when Shoya entered a coma after rescuing Shoko from suicide, Miyako endured significant distress but expressed relief upon his recovery.

She demonstrates perceptiveness about Shoya's emotional state, particularly regarding Shoko. She noticed his attachment when he prioritized giving Shoko a cat pouch despite others wanting it. When Shoya panicked about Shoko moving to Tokyo, Miyako recognized his unspoken feelings and suggested he accompany her, offering financial support without expecting repayment.

Her relationships evolve throughout the narrative. Initial hostility with Yaeko Nishimiya transformed into friendship after Yaeko apologized for past actions following Shoya's coma; they now socialize casually, with Yaeko getting haircuts at Miyako's salon. Within her family, Miyako cares for granddaughter Maria during Maria's parents' work hours, often gardening with her. She welcomed her son-in-law Pedro back, acknowledging her daughter's happiness. Regarding Shoko, Miyako experienced conflict after the coma incident but resolved it after Shoya awakened, showing polite kindness during family gatherings.

A notable background incident involved Miyako defying Yaeko's instructions by giving Shoko her desired haircut instead of a shorter style, provoking Yaeko's anger but earning Shoko's gratitude. This established Miyako's pattern of prioritizing others' wishes over external pressures.