Hikozaru is a pivotal character in the anime Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Toki to Yami o Meguru Saigo no Bōken, appearing as a Chimchar. His species is a small, bipedal, chimpanzee-like Pokémon. His fur is primarily orange, with lighter yellow patches on his face, the outer ears, his underbelly, hands, and feet. He has large ears with red insides, distinctive red markings that encircle his eyes, two pointed upper teeth, a swirl-like symbol on his chest, and a swirly crest of hair on his head. A notable feature of his species is the flame that emerges from his rear, generated by burning gas; this flame is resilient to rain but will extinguish when he is asleep or ill.

In the story's beginning, Hikozaru dreams of joining the prestigious Pukurin Guild, a hub for Exploration Teams. However, upon arriving, he becomes intimidated by the apparent strength of its members and the guild's imposing security, leading him to flee in panic. During his escape, he literally stumbles over an unconscious Piplup. When this Piplup awakens, it is shocked to find itself transformed, possessing no memories of its past life except for the certain knowledge that it was once a human. This encounter becomes the catalyst for Hikozaru's adventure. He takes the initiative, suggesting that the confused Piplup seek answers from Guildmaster Pukurin.

Hikozaru demonstrates a core personality trait of overcoming his own fears to help others. Despite his earlier hesitation, he returns to the guild to advocate for the bewildered Piplup. His courage impresses Guildmaster Pukurin, who officially forms the two into a new Exploration Team. Hikozaru himself chooses the team's name, calling it Pokédans. This marks the beginning of his role as a co-founder and a central member of the team. Immediately, his motivations solidify beyond his personal ambition; he becomes dedicated to the tasks at hand, such as the team's first mission to retrieve a Gabite Scale from the treacherous Labyrinth Cave to help a sick Shinx. This mission showcases his willingness to engage in challenging and altruistic work.

As the narrative expands to a world-threatening scale, Hikozaru's role grows even more significant. The story reveals that anomalies in time are spreading across the land, creating dangerous Mystery Dungeons. The cause is not simple theft, but the gradual collapse of Temporal Tower, which is corrupting the legendary Pokémon Dialga into a dark form. In response, Team Pokédans partners with a Grovyle, a figure initially believed to be a thief of the mythical Time Gears. The trio undertakes a critical quest to the Lost Continent. Their objective is to secure the Time Gears and reach Temporal Tower to prevent a complete temporal collapse that would freeze the entire world in time forever. Hikozaru's personal journey thus evolves from a local guild applicant to a key player in a collaborative, world-saving mission.

Key relationships define his development. His bond with the amnesiac Piplup is the story's cornerstone, transforming from a chance encounter into a deep partnership. The guidance of Guildmaster Pukurin provides the structure for their early efforts, while the later alliance with Grovyle gives their mission its ultimate purpose. Through these connections, Hikozaru's development is evident as he moves from initial insecurity to becoming a brave and reliable explorer. Regarding his abilities, Hikozaru exhibits notable agility, capable of scaling rocky ledges and navigating difficult terrain. As a Chimchar, he is a Fire-type Pokémon, and his combat capabilities are intrinsically linked to the flames on his body, though the specific moves he uses are not detailed. His greatest strength, however, lies in his courageous heart and his commitment to his partner and their shared mission to save the Pokémon world.