Fumihiko Makabe is Kazuki Makabe's father and the widower of Akane Makabe, who was absorbed by a Festum in 2146. Raising Kazuki alone above the Makabe Pottery Store on Tatsumiyajima, he initially struggled with intense anti-Festum rage and advocated for all-out war. Fatherhood tempered his outlook, shifting his priority towards protecting the younger generation from combat.

He assumed command of Alvis following the previous commander's death early in the original series. As commander, he oversees Fafner deployments and Tatsumiyajima's defense strategies, balancing military necessity with concern for the pilots' well-being. He witnessed his son Kazuki's first sortie in the Mark Elf and later checked on Kazuki's physical condition with medical staff. While maintaining a stoic demeanor for stability when sending children into battle, he privately reflected on his failures, apologizing to Akane's memory while reviewing a photo album.

Household responsibilities, particularly cooking, fell primarily to Kazuki due to Fumihiko's lack of culinary skill. Their relationship evolved from initial strain towards greater mutual understanding over time. During *Exodus*, he authorized lowering the island's reflective camouflage to rescue a Human Army transport at Miwa Hino's request, demonstrating calculated compassion against protocol. Later, interacting with Human Army personnel, he expressed surprise upon learning of Kazuki's heroic reputation among external forces.

In *The Beyond*, Fumihiko's physical condition declined, requiring a crutch for mobility. He commanded the R-Boat during the Fifth Operation Azure. After the operation's failure, he emphasized the critical need for recovery to prevent global and homeland devastation.

His surname "Makabe" combines "genuine" (真) and "wall" (壁), while "Fumihiko" means "history" (史) and "boy, prince" (彦).