Cherry, whose real name is Sakuranbou, is a Buddhist monk residing in Tomobiki. The kanji spelling of his name translates to "deranged monk," reflecting his eccentric nature, though he prefers the English name Cherry, derived from the alternative reading meaning cherry blossom. He is the uncle of Shinto priestess Sakura and the twin brother of Sakura's mother, who shares his facial features.

Physically, Cherry possesses a distinctive appearance characterized by an intentionally ugly visage and extremely short stature, approximately two feet tall. His sudden close-up entrances often cause characters to recoil in disgust or trigger comedic explosions. Despite his ascetic vows, he notoriously mooches meals, particularly from the Moroboshi household, and openly prioritizes food over spiritual duties.

Cherry wields genuine spiritual abilities, including exorcising demons, creating magical barriers, brewing potions, and crafting enchanted items like Power Limiters. However, his effectiveness remains inconsistent due to a lax work ethic, his tendency to use others as test subjects for experimental magic, and frequent forgetfulness about his own capabilities until after problems escalate. He first appears in the series' inaugural chapter, predicting protagonist Ataru Moroboshi's profound bad luck, which often interferes with Cherry's exorcisms.

His role typically involves appearing abruptly to deliver ominous prophecies—many of which he ensures come true through direct intervention—and instigating chaos. He views Ataru as a living ill omen and frequently targets him for "cleansing," though his actions often exacerbate situations rather than resolve them. Recurring catchphrases include "It is fate," "Namandabu," and hybrid invocations like "In the name of Jesus Christ, praise Buddha."

In "It's Spring! Take Off!," Cherry appears during the school excursion to Kyoto. When asked about a missing ninja named Kaede, he jokingly states she "jumped off the edge" of Kiyomizu Temple's stage. This literal interpretation of a Japanese idiom causes Ataru and several pursuing ninja to leap off the ledge, requiring Lum's intervention to prevent injury.

Throughout the series, Cherry maintains a tent in a Tomobiki vacant lot but frequently intrudes on others' homes. Characters universally find him annoying, with only Kotatsu Neko and the school principal tolerating his presence voluntarily. Even Sakura treats him with formal but embarrassed distance. Despite occasional claims of goodwill, his actions consistently perpetuate misfortune, cementing his role as a catalyst for turmoil.