Gobuto, often referred to as Gobta, is a young hobgoblin who serves as a minor official and a member of Rimuru Tempest's inner circle in the Jura Tempest Federation. Originally a simple goblin from the village that Rimuru first encounters, Gobuto is one of the first monsters given a name by the slime, an event that triggers his evolution into a stronger hobgoblin. In The Slime Diaries, which focuses on the lighter, day-to-day moments of this monster nation, his role shifts away from grand battles to comedic relief, slacking off, and participating in the community's various agricultural and festive activities.

Gobuto possesses a notably relaxed and lazy personality, often trying to avoid strenuous work or military drills. He is frequently seen attempting to nap during working hours, coming up with flimsy excuses to escape chores, or simply wandering off when responsibility calls. Despite this slacker tendency, he is not malicious; he is simply a creature of comfort who prefers leisure over labor. However, beneath this lackadaisical exterior lies a surprising amount of cunning and an almost supernatural level of luck. Anecdotes from his past reveal that before ever meeting Rimuru, he successfully completed a perilous journey to the dwarf kingdom of Dwargon and back by using his wits, accidentally defeating monsters like the Blade Tiger, and surviving thanks to fortunate coincidences.

Within the story of The Slime Diaries, Gobuto acts as a representative of the common monster citizen, providing a grounded and often humorous perspective on the nation's rapid development. While characters like Rimuru, Shuna, and Benimaru are busy planning infrastructure or farming, Gobuto is usually trying to find a way to make the work easier for himself or complaining about the heat. He is also a frequent subject of Rimuru's exasperation; although the slime values Gobuto as a subordinate, he is often baffled by the hobgoblin's laziness and occasional stupidity, contrasting sharply with moments where Gobuto unexpectedly proves his competence.

Gobuto shares several key relationships that define his daily life. He has a close, informal friendship with his superior, Rigur, though he often tries to evade the latter's supervision. He is frequently paired with the lizardman Gabiru, and their dynamic is one of constant bickering and rivalry, though they are occasionally forced to work together for the good of the nation. He also has a significant relationship with the elderly kijin warrior Hakuro, who serves as his martial arts instructor; Hakuro's strict training methods are a common source of dread for the lazy Gobuto.

In terms of abilities, while The Slime Diaries downplays combat, Gobuto is a capable fighter when the situation demands it. As a named hobgoblin, his physical strength and speed are far superior to an ordinary goblin. His most notable skill, however, is his incredible luck, which has saved his life on numerous occasions and often leads to outcomes that seem improbable given his apparent lack of effort. He also eventually becomes the captain of the Goblin Riders, a unit that mounts the direwolves led by Ranga, though in the slice-of-life setting of The Slime Diaries, he is just as likely to be seen running from his duties as he is riding into battle. His character development is subtle, showing gradual moments of reliability that prove that, despite his constant complaints and napping, he is a loyal and integral part of the Tempestian community.