Honorable and spirited, Zell is a consummate martial artist and his skills are unsurpassed by anyone in Garden. Not being one to think things through, Zell will not back down from any challenge or confrontation and will always stand up for what he believes is right. Another important feature of Zell's is that, in a military academy where most people use a certain weapon, Zell chooses to use only his hands and feet.
Zell is energetic, loud, overconfident in his abilities and possesses a tendency to overreact when teased. He attempts to make friends with everyone he meets. He is short in build and has uniquely styled spiky blond hair, bright blue eyes, and is the complete opposite of Squall Leonhart, personality-wise.
An important factor in Zell's life is his adoptive family. He seems to have a close and loving relationship with his mother and is a prominent figure among Balamb Town, as pretty much everyone there knows him. Zell expresses a deep respect and admiration for his grandfather, who used to be a soldier, and aspires to become just like him. He even keeps his grandfather's old rifles in his neatly-ordered room.