Highbrow is a wealthy, cultured inventor living in isolation on a volcanic island, attended by two humanoid robot assistants designed as attractive women. He acts as a primary antagonist driven by an obsessive desire to acquire Robby for his collection, repeatedly devising elaborate schemes to disrupt Yamakawa Village. His tactics include deploying illusion-inducing technology to sabotage events like picnics, forcibly capturing Robby for high-stakes competitions such as tennis matches, and pursuing the robot across Europe for a medieval-style joust. In one major story arc, he initiates a global race offering a $10 million prize, intending to reclaim the funds for undisclosed ambitions should he win.

As a character, Highbrow functions as a direct foil to Dr. Deco, contrasting the latter's unkempt appearance and social connections with his own refined demeanor and solitary existence. His sophisticated yet arrogant personality is reflected in his chosen name, underscoring his self-perceived intellectual superiority. A pivotal development occurs in episode 36 when he voluntarily transforms into a cyborg, abandoning his humanity to gain enhanced power. This marks a significant escalation in his antagonistic pursuits, though specific long-term consequences remain undocumented.

Adaptations significantly adjust his role. While introduced in episode 21 of the original Japanese series, the English-dubbed film restructures the narrative to position him as the central villain from the outset, replacing earlier antagonists like the Industrial Espionage Trio, who become hired operatives. The English adaptation also revises his assistant Nancy; originally portrayed as transgender with derogatory humor, she becomes a cisgender woman named Yvette.