Black Express is the primary antagonist and the boss of the Bratcher Gang in the anime Hikarian - Great Railroad Protector. Unlike the heroic Hikarians, who are energy beings that possess and transform into modern high-tech bullet trains, Black Express and his gang are typically associated with outdated steam engines. His role in the story is to lead his followers in their schemes to cover the world in darkness, a plan known as Operation Darkness, which puts him in direct opposition to the Hikarians who protect the Earth.

In terms of personality, Black Express is characterized by his villainous nature as the leader of the alien Bratchers. He commands his gang from the shadows, often concealing himself within black smoke. His motivations center on the Bratcher mission to plunge the planet into darkness, serving as the driving force behind the conflict in the series. While his own demeanor is that of a classic antagonist, his subordinates, the bumbling henchmen Dozilas and Wookary, possess milder, more good-natured traits, such as having a gentle heart and a fondness for playing with children, which creates a contrast with their leader’s more menacing role.

Regarding his key relationships, Black Express is the superior of the Bratcher Gang, which includes his two primary henchmen, Dozilas and Wookary. He is also the creator or commander of Smoke Joe, a gigantic locomotive that has the power to turn everything black when it passes. The character is noted as the sole member of the main cast who is not based on a real-life train model, further setting him apart from the Hikarians. There is no available information regarding any character development he may undergo, his specific notable abilities beyond the use of an electric mace and the generation of black smoke, or a detailed description of his background or motivations beyond his goal of global darkness.