Papa Panda, a male giant panda, originally lived at a local zoo with his son Panny before escaping to Mimiko's bamboo grove home. His rounded, soft physical design includes a notably large smile, enhancing his approachable and gentle demeanor. He consistently displays a friendly, easygoing personality, offering warm greetings and positive remarks about others. Upon finding Mimiko living parentless, he proposes an unconventional family arrangement: becoming her father figure while she mothers Panny, reflecting his desire for familial bonds beyond the zoo. Though willing to assume paternal duties, he initially shows uncertainty about human parental norms, needing Mimiko's guidance on expectations like working and pipe-smoking—an activity he later enjoys. His generally relaxed nature remains unflappable during stress, exemplified when he calmly confronts a charging large dog by roaring only at the last moment. However, he exhibits fierce protectiveness toward Mimiko and Panny, decisively acting during crises. This includes saving them from floodwaters by forcing a rusted floodgate shut after Mimiko jumps in to rescue Panny. Following rescue by zoo and local authorities, Papa Panda and Panny return to the zoo under an agreement permitting daily departures after visiting hours to live with Mimiko, balancing zoo duties with family life. In a sequel, he further demonstrates protective strength during a flood-related circus train crisis, halting a runaway train headed for the mayor's house. This solidifies his status as a town hero alongside Mimiko and Panny. His narrative concludes with the family enjoying a circus performance and holding a cheerful home musical parade, playing brass instruments together to symbolize their harmonious bond. His character design and role as a gentle, protective figure in a non-traditional family structure serve as a precursor to later iconic characters in the creators' works, sharing visual and thematic similarities.