TV-Series
Description
Gubaba is a small, furry, alien creature and a supporting character from the Macross 7 television series. Known colloquially as a "galaxy hairy rat," its formal biological classification is quite elaborate, identifying it as a subspecies of the Harigriftinus from the Griftinusidae family. Physically, Gubaba resembles a small brown furball with large eyes, a highly extendable and prehensile tail, and short legs that allow it to hop like a kangaroo for movement, though it is most often seen perched on the shoulder of its owner, Mylene Flare Jenius.
The creature's background is directly tied to the Jenius family. In the year 2036, while on a mission on the fifth planet of the Pkyrases system, Mylene's father, Maximilian Jenius, discovered Gubaba. The creature was injured, alone, and near death after being separated from its herd and facing numerous predators. Max rescued Gubaba and brought it home as a gift for his youngest daughter, Mylene, who was five years old at the time. Mylene immediately bonded with the creature, nursing it back to health and naming it Gubaba. Initially withdrawn, Gubaba grew to recover completely thanks to her care, and the two became inseparable friends, with Mylene often stating that Gubaba is not merely a pet but a part of herself. Gubaba is fiercely devoted to Mylene and can be found accompanying her almost everywhere, including to school, concerts, and even into space battles, where it has its own miniature spacesuit.
In terms of personality, Gubaba is intelligent and generally reflects the emotions of its companion Mylene. However, it possesses its own distinct sense of loyalty and friendship. Notably, Gubaba also shares a strong bond with the musician Nekki Basara, at one point demonstrating such a strong desire to find Basara that it prioritized that mission over its attachment to Mylene. Gubaba has a clear appreciation for music, particularly the songs of the band Fire Bomber. Its primary motivation is the well-being of Mylene and its close friends, and it acts as a guardian and emotional support for them despite its small size.
Gubaba's role in the story is multifaceted. While serving as Mylene's constant companion and a source of visual charm, it also functions as a key narrative tool and problem-solver. Because of its telepathic and empathic link with Mylene, Gubaba acts as a barometer for her true feelings. When Mylene is hiding her genuine emotions, Gubaba's expression will often reveal the truth; for example, if Mylene is smiling but Gubaba looks angry, it indicates Mylene's true emotional state is anger. Beyond this, Gubaba repeatedly proves to be an active participant in crucial events. When Mylene was kidnapped, Gubaba used its abilities to transmit Basara's music to her location and then physically led Basara and their friend Ray to where she was being held. On another occasion, when a woman drugged Mylene with malicious intent, Gubaba sensed the danger, escaped, and fetched Ray and Veffidas to rescue Mylene before any harm could come to her.
Throughout the series, Gubaba demonstrates several notable abilities. The most significant is a telepathic and empathic ability that allows it to share and respond to emotions with other creatures, primarily Mylene. This link works over a distance, allowing Gubaba and Mylene to sense each other's location and state of being, though Mylene notes it is easier when Gubaba initiates the contact. When using this ability, Gubaba enters a trance-like state where its fur stands on end and its eyes become wide and vacant. This power can also be used to transmit and receive music. By honing in on songs performed by Mylene or Basara from a great distance, Gubaba can help them overcome crises. Physically, Gubaba is more capable than it appears. Its tail is strong and can be used to swing or pull its body weight, and when threatened or provoked, its fur becomes spiky. The creature will not hesitate to leap to attack if it senses danger to itself or Mylene, showing a fierce protective instinct that belies its small, furry appearance.
The creature's background is directly tied to the Jenius family. In the year 2036, while on a mission on the fifth planet of the Pkyrases system, Mylene's father, Maximilian Jenius, discovered Gubaba. The creature was injured, alone, and near death after being separated from its herd and facing numerous predators. Max rescued Gubaba and brought it home as a gift for his youngest daughter, Mylene, who was five years old at the time. Mylene immediately bonded with the creature, nursing it back to health and naming it Gubaba. Initially withdrawn, Gubaba grew to recover completely thanks to her care, and the two became inseparable friends, with Mylene often stating that Gubaba is not merely a pet but a part of herself. Gubaba is fiercely devoted to Mylene and can be found accompanying her almost everywhere, including to school, concerts, and even into space battles, where it has its own miniature spacesuit.
In terms of personality, Gubaba is intelligent and generally reflects the emotions of its companion Mylene. However, it possesses its own distinct sense of loyalty and friendship. Notably, Gubaba also shares a strong bond with the musician Nekki Basara, at one point demonstrating such a strong desire to find Basara that it prioritized that mission over its attachment to Mylene. Gubaba has a clear appreciation for music, particularly the songs of the band Fire Bomber. Its primary motivation is the well-being of Mylene and its close friends, and it acts as a guardian and emotional support for them despite its small size.
Gubaba's role in the story is multifaceted. While serving as Mylene's constant companion and a source of visual charm, it also functions as a key narrative tool and problem-solver. Because of its telepathic and empathic link with Mylene, Gubaba acts as a barometer for her true feelings. When Mylene is hiding her genuine emotions, Gubaba's expression will often reveal the truth; for example, if Mylene is smiling but Gubaba looks angry, it indicates Mylene's true emotional state is anger. Beyond this, Gubaba repeatedly proves to be an active participant in crucial events. When Mylene was kidnapped, Gubaba used its abilities to transmit Basara's music to her location and then physically led Basara and their friend Ray to where she was being held. On another occasion, when a woman drugged Mylene with malicious intent, Gubaba sensed the danger, escaped, and fetched Ray and Veffidas to rescue Mylene before any harm could come to her.
Throughout the series, Gubaba demonstrates several notable abilities. The most significant is a telepathic and empathic ability that allows it to share and respond to emotions with other creatures, primarily Mylene. This link works over a distance, allowing Gubaba and Mylene to sense each other's location and state of being, though Mylene notes it is easier when Gubaba initiates the contact. When using this ability, Gubaba enters a trance-like state where its fur stands on end and its eyes become wide and vacant. This power can also be used to transmit and receive music. By honing in on songs performed by Mylene or Basara from a great distance, Gubaba can help them overcome crises. Physically, Gubaba is more capable than it appears. Its tail is strong and can be used to swing or pull its body weight, and when threatened or provoked, its fur becomes spiky. The creature will not hesitate to leap to attack if it senses danger to itself or Mylene, showing a fierce protective instinct that belies its small, furry appearance.