SL-Man is a sentient steam locomotive functioning primarily as rail transportation for goods and children. He debuted severely damaged, rusted and comatose after a storm felled a tree onto him. Baikinman discovered and kidnapped him, erroneously assuming non-sentience. Full restoration occurred when he consumed fruit from Dokeen, revitalizing his strength. Grateful, he sought to repay Baikinman and Dokeen, leading to manipulation by Baikinman. Deceived into viewing Anpanman as an enemy, he attempted to push Anpanman’s bakery off a cliff before recognizing the truth and halting the scheme.

SL-Man shares a familial bond with Poppo-chan, a smaller sentient train introduced later. Poppo-chan is explicitly his only child, forming a non-biological parental relationship that emphasizes found-family themes.

His abilities include emitting an SOS signal via his smokestack during emergencies and generating black smoke to distract adversaries like Baikinman, blending practical rail functions with heroic roles.

Beyond animation, SL-Man appears in real-world attractions. Life-sized rideable versions operate at Anpanman Children’s Museums in Kobe and Osaka, the latter tailored for younger visitors. He also features as playground equipment at the Takashi Yanase Memorial Hall, reflecting cultural significance. His popularity derives partly from Japan’s broader appreciation of steam locomotives, contributing to recurring appearances post-debut.

No concrete information exists regarding his development or expanded background in films, OVAs, or spin-offs beyond these core attributes.