TV-Series
Description
Harubaru Hinode is the primary protagonist of the BakuTech! Bakugan manga and its anime adaptation. He is a preteen boy with a very distinct appearance, characterized by his flaming orange hair and green eyes. His signature outfit consists of a white fur-lined red jacket, yellow shorts, yellow socks, and red rubber shoes. He also wears a pair of blue goggles with green lenses atop his head, which have become his trademark accessory. Following a two-year time skip in the story, Harubaru appears noticeably taller and adopts a new hairstyle, with an outfit that takes on a style reminiscent of another character, Harou Kido.

At his core, Harubaru is a hot-blooded and enthusiastic individual with a deep, genuine love for Bakugan. He is often described as reckless and impulsive, charging headfirst into challenges with a cheerful and competitive spirit. His personality can sometimes come across as arrogant or rude, as he uses the personal pronoun ore and refers to others using temee, both of which reflect a confident and somewhat brash demeanor. Despite these traits, his defining characteristic is his infectious enthusiasm, which not only drives his own growth but also inspires those around him, particularly his childhood friend, Raichi Kuronashi.

Harubaru's primary motivation stems from his passion for brawling and his desire to improve. At the beginning of the series, he does not hold any official BakuTech titles, but his excitement for the game is unwavering. When his friend Raichi considers giving up on Bakugan, it is Harubaru's enthusiasm that rekindles Raichi's spirit and convinces him to continue. This determination leads them both to seek out and successfully pass Master Shimo's rigorous test, earning their BakuTech titles and setting the stage for their journey. Harubaru's central goal revolves around mastering his skills as a brawler and strengthening his bond with his partner Bakugan, whom he affectionately calls his companion.

In the story, Harubaru serves as the leader and heart of his team. He first appears in the anime when his Bakugan, Flare Dragaon, rescues a boy named Tatsuma, who subsequently becomes his admirer and calls him Harubaru-sempai. Later, he teams up with his friendly rival Raichi, as well as Koh Grif and Sho Grif, to form Team Dragaon. The team competes in major tournaments, most notably the Tavanel Cup, where Harubaru's character continues to develop through the challenges they face together.

The most significant relationship in Harubaru's life is with his childhood friend, Raichi Kuronashi. Their bond is a complex mix of deep friendship and fierce rivalry. Raichi often helps Harubaru out of difficult situations, acting as a grounding force for his more reckless friend, but the two are primarily regarded as friendly rivals who constantly push each other to become better brawlers. Harubaru also shares an unbreakable bond with his partner Bakugan, which begins as Flare Dragaon. As the series progresses, Harubaru's dedication and skill allow his partner to evolve, first into Gren Dragaon, and later into the more powerful Rise Dragaon. This evolution is a direct reflection of Harubaru's own growth as a brawler.

As a brawler, Harubaru specializes in the Pyrus attribute, the element of fire, which is reflected in his vibrant and energetic personality. His combat style is defined by special techniques known as "Special Shooting Skills," which include the BakuTech Flare Shoot, the BakuTech Double Flare Shoot, and the BakuTech Zigzag Flare Shoot. He is known to confide in his partner Bakugan before performing a decisive, winning shot, demonstrating the trust and synchronicity at the core of his battling philosophy. His battle record is impressive; in the manga adaptation, he remains undefeated. The anime shows a more varied record, including a few losses, but he is consistently portrayed as a highly capable and determined brawler who wins the majority of his significant battles.