Noboru Kodo recurs throughout the Future Card Buddyfight series as a classmate and rival of Gao Mikado at Aibo Academy Elementary School. Initially wielding a Dragon World deck centered on Dragon Knights, his original buddy is Dragon Knight, Red Baron, later replaced by Dragon Knight, El Quixote. He displays arrogance about his Buddyfighting prowess and intense frustration when the tiger on his shirt is called a "kitten." Before the series, he ranked second in his grade for Buddyfighting, motivated by a past incident where he accepted a bribe to lose an ABC Cup match—fueling his drive to prove his strength fairly. He initially dismisses Gao's wins as luck but grows to acknowledge Gao's skill, transforming their rivalry into friendship.

During the Hundred season, Gratos of the Knights of the Apocalypse captures and brainwashes Noboru into serving Yamigedo as an "Inverse Fiend." Under mind control, he adopts a Dungeon World deck with the Knight attribute, partnering with the corrupted Dark Miserea. Freed after losing to Miserea, he retains this Dungeon World deck permanently. His family later moves abroad, briefly sidelining him, but he returns for the Gaen Cup in Hundred and settles back by Triple D. Competing in Triple D's World Buddy Cup to challenge Gao, his Dungeon World deck enables dual-wielding lance techniques, showcasing refined tactics. However, hospitalization after battling Sakate halts his tournament progress and prevents a rematch with Gao.

Noboru frequently confronts major antagonists early in arcs, suffering defeats that establish new threats—embodying the "Worf Effect." Despite these setbacks, he persists in honing his abilities. His growth includes overcoming jealousy of Gao's talent and embracing his role as a supportive rival.