Misae Nohara shoulders the primary responsibilities of running the Nohara household, tackling daily chores like cleaning, laundry, cooking, and sewing with results that vary. Her mornings are frequently chaotic, marked by struggles to get her son onto the school bus on time, often forcing her into last-minute bicycle chases. This persistent problem drove her to learn driving, though her skills remain shaky, leading to numerous minor accidents and vehicle scrapes, often worsened by distractions from her children.

Her personality displays striking contradictions. She imposes strict rules on her husband Hiroshi and son Shinnosuke but regularly breaks them herself, demonstrating overt hypocrisy. She administers physical discipline, like the "Guri-Guri Attack" (head drilling with fists) or punches, frequently leaving comically large lumps, mainly targeting Shinnosuke or Hiroshi for perceived misbehavior. This harshness coexists with genuine nurturing; she cares for sick family members and brings Hiroshi an umbrella in the rain. Despite frugality towards her husband and son's wants, she indulges in splurges for herself and her daughter Himawari. Compulsive shopping during sales leads her to buy excessive, impractical items, sabotaging her savings goals. She secretly hoards personal funds, though these stashes are often discovered and used during family financial crises.

Personal insecurities, particularly about her body image and weight fluctuations, heavily influence her actions. Jealousy over Hiroshi's interactions with other women fuels body dysmorphia and suspicions of infidelity, prompting her to secretly follow him on trips. Her attempts at part-time jobs, usually in malls, end quickly due to conflicts arising from her volatile temper. She occasionally indulges in escapist fantasies about relationships with wealthy European men, a trait shared with her daughter, and once pursued an inappropriate liaison with a younger vegetable seller after a marital dispute.

Within the film "Action Kamen vs Haigure Maô," Misae joins a family beach vacation that spirals into interdimensional conflict. Transported to a parallel world where half of Japan's population transforms into "Higure" entities, she participates in defensive efforts alongside her family. After a betrayal by Shinnosuke’s teacher Ume Matsuzaka disables a protective barrier, Misae escapes the ensuing attack with her son and Ririko (Mimiko’s twin sister). Throughout the ensuing chaos, she actively contributes to the family’s survival and eventual return to their original world.