Haruka Tenou is the civilian identity of Sailor Uranus, a character who first appears during the Sailor Moon S storyline. She is a tall teenage girl with short, pale blond hair and sharp blue eyes, standing out for her androgynous beauty and often being mistaken for a handsome boy. Her birth date is January 27th. In her daily life, she is a student who attends the elite Mugen Gakuen, though she does so specifically to investigate the school's suspicious activities. She wears the male school uniform, further contributing to the confusion about her gender. Outside of school, Haruka is a professional race car driver and an accomplished motorcycle rider, pursuits that reflect her love of speed and freedom.

Haruka possesses a strong, formidable personality. She is characterized by her confidence, stubbornness, and a fiercely protective nature. While she can appear aloof, arrogant, or cold to outsiders, she is also capable of being charming, flirtatious, and even doting with those she trusts. Her approach to life and battle is highly pragmatic and action-oriented, often contrasting sharply with the more idealistic views of the inner Sailor Guardians. She does not hesitate to make difficult and morally ambiguous decisions for what she perceives as the greater good, including being willing to sacrifice lives to achieve her mission objectives. This ruthless efficiency sometimes positions her as an antihero figure. Despite this tough exterior, she is a complex character who is deeply affected by the burdens of her duty.

As one of the Outer Sailor Guardians, Haruka, alongside her partner Michiru Kaiou (Sailor Neptune), has the sacred duty of protecting the Solar System from external threats that originate beyond its borders. This mission takes precedence over all else, including the safety of individual people or even the other Sailor Guardians. Her primary motivation is to identify and stop the Death Busters, a group of parasitic aliens who are the main antagonists of the Sailor Moon S arc. She and Michiru operate largely independently, seeking the three powerful Talismans to awaken Sailor Saturn, a process they believe is necessary to save the world, even if it comes at a great cost. Her role in the story is that of a mysterious and powerful ally who is initially at odds with Sailor Moon and the inner guardians, as their methods and philosophies clash.

Her most significant relationship is with Michiru Kaiou. The two are inseparable, functioning as a battle couple with a deep, romantic bond that is portrayed as a central aspect of her life. They are equals who support one another completely, both in combat and in their civilian lives, where they live together in apparent wealth. Haruka also shares a close working relationship with Setsuna Meiou (Sailor Pluto), and together the three Outer Guardians watch over the Solar System. Following the events of the Sailor Moon S arc, she, Michiru, and Setsuna take on the responsibility of caring for the reborn infant Hotaru Tomoe (Sailor Saturn), forming an adoptive family unit. Her primary point of conflict and eventual alliance is with Usagi Tsukino, Sailor Moon; while she initially dismisses Usagi's idealism as naivete, she grows to deeply respect her strength and kindness.

Throughout the series, Haruka undergoes subtle but meaningful development. She begins as a wary, solo operative who trusts few people and is solely focused on her mission at any cost. Her interactions with Usagi and the other Guardians gradually soften her rigid worldview. While she never abandons her pragmatism, she learns to place her trust in others and to value the ideals of love and friendship, which she had initially seen as weaknesses. By the time of the final story arc, she is a core member of the larger Sailor Guardian team, having integrated her harsh but necessary perspective with the group's collective strength.

As Sailor Uranus, Haruka possesses significant abilities tied to the sky and the heavens. She carries the Space Sword, one of the three legendary Talismans, which serves as both a physical weapon and a focus for her powers. Her primary attack is World Shaking, a powerful technique where she gathers immense energy and slams the ground, sending a devastating shockwave toward her enemy. A second major attack is Space Sword Blaster, in which she uses her sword to unleash a barrage of energy blades. Her transformation phrase is "Uranus Planet Power, Make Up," and she later gains the ability to become Super Sailor Uranus, a more powerful form. In her civilian form, she has no magical abilities but is an exceptionally skilled athlete, driver, and a capable pianist. Her physical strength and combat skills are also notably high, enabling her to fight effectively even against other super-powered beings.