TV-Series
Description
Julie Makimoto, known in the original Japanese version as Julie Hayward, is a central protagonist and the Subterra attribute brawler in the Battle Brawlers. She hails from Bakugan Valley, a remote area in Australia, before relocating to the city of Bayview at some point before the series begins. She is a childhood friend of Billy Gilbert, with whom she shares a significant personal history. Julie also has an older sister named Daisy Makimoto, and her family background includes living in the United States before moving to Japan. As the series progresses through its various seasons, her age advances from 12 in the original Battle Brawlers to 15 in New Vestroia, 16 in Gundalian Invaders, and 18 in Mechtanium Surge.
In terms of personality, Julie is best described as bubbly, extroverted, and energetic. She can sometimes come across as a little scattered or unfocused in conversation, but this belies a fierce competitive spirit and an ability to hold her own against skilled opponents. She is openly affectionate and deeply admires Dan Kuso, the leader of the Battle Brawlers, referring to him as darling in the Japanese version of the show. This adoration initially creates a rivalry with Runo Misaki due to mutual jealousy. However, as Julie's feelings shift toward Billy, she and Runo eventually set aside their differences and become close friends. Julie is consistently supportive, always eager to offer helpful advice or a word of encouragement to her friends, and she celebrates Dan's victories with exuberant bear hugs or tackles.
Julie's primary motivations are her loyalty to her friends and her desire to prove herself as a capable brawler. Early in the story, she is disheartened that many of her friends possess talking Bakugan partners while she does not. After a heartfelt search, she forms a deep bond with the Subterra Bakugan Gorem, which becomes her guardian partner. A significant driving force for her is her relationship with Billy Gilbert. When Billy falls under the influence of the villain Masquerade and joins his team, Julie is crushed but remains determined to save him. This personal stake fuels her actions, culminating in a confrontation where she successfully convinces Billy to break free from Masquerade's control.
Within the story, Julie serves as a core member of the Battle Brawlers. Initially, she is seen interacting with the group through online chat rooms, eager to hear about their battles. Her first in-person appearance is a loss to Billy, which motivates her to find her own talking Bakugan, Gorem. Throughout the first series, she participates in numerous key battles, including a critical test in the Doom Dimension. There, she faces an illusion of her sister Daisy, which forces her to confront her own insecurities and feelings of being less special. Overcoming this trial allows Gorem to evolve into its more powerful form, Hammer Gorem. As the series continues into New Vestroia and Gundalian Invaders, her active brawling role diminishes because her partner Bakugan is captured and due to changes in the brawling system. Instead, she transitions into a mentorship role, coaching newer Subterra brawlers like Mira Fermin and Jake Vallory on effective strategies and the strengths of their attribute. By the time of Mechtanium Surge, Julie has become a news reporter in Bakugan City, covering major events while still providing support to her original teammates.
Julie's key relationships are central to her development. Her friendship with Dan Kuso is defined by her early crush and unwavering support for him as his number one fan. Her relationship with Runo Misaki evolves from rivalry to a strong friendship once both move past their feelings for Dan. Her romance with Billy Gilbert emerges from their childhood bond, and she plays a pivotal role in redeeming him. Her connection with her guardian Bakugan, Gorem, is one of mutual trust, beginning when he reaches out to her in her moment of despair and growing as they face challenges together. Finally, her relationship with her sister Daisy is initially a source of insecurity for Julie, but overcoming the illusion of Daisy in the Doom Dimension is a turning point that allows Julie to recognize her own unique value.
Julie undergoes noticeable development throughout the series. She matures from a somewhat boy-crazy and insecure girl into a more composed and confident young woman. Her early arc is defined by her idolization of Dan and her jealousy of Runo, but she eventually outgrows these feelings and forms a meaningful romantic relationship with Billy. Her wardrobe evolves alongside her personality, beginning with a pink midriff-baring crop top in the original series, transitioning to a rainbow-striped shirt in New Vestroia, a dark blue belly shirt in Gundalian Invaders, and a more reserved black tank top with a pink jacket in Mechtanium Surge. Though her direct involvement in battles decreases over time, her role as a mentor and her enduring influence among the original Battle Brawlers solidify her legacy as more than just a secondary character.
As a brawler, Julie is a master of the Subterra attribute, which focuses on direct attacks, earth-based abilities, and tenacious combat tactics. Her guardian Bakugan is Gorem, who evolves into Hammer Gorem after her trial in the Doom Dimension. In later seasons, she is partnered with Bakugan such as Taurus, Roadem, Adgaran, and Hippower, though these partnerships receive less narrative focus. Despite not always being in the spotlight, Julie proves she can compete with the best brawlers, using her aggressive style and the raw power of her Subterra monsters to formidable effect.
In terms of personality, Julie is best described as bubbly, extroverted, and energetic. She can sometimes come across as a little scattered or unfocused in conversation, but this belies a fierce competitive spirit and an ability to hold her own against skilled opponents. She is openly affectionate and deeply admires Dan Kuso, the leader of the Battle Brawlers, referring to him as darling in the Japanese version of the show. This adoration initially creates a rivalry with Runo Misaki due to mutual jealousy. However, as Julie's feelings shift toward Billy, she and Runo eventually set aside their differences and become close friends. Julie is consistently supportive, always eager to offer helpful advice or a word of encouragement to her friends, and she celebrates Dan's victories with exuberant bear hugs or tackles.
Julie's primary motivations are her loyalty to her friends and her desire to prove herself as a capable brawler. Early in the story, she is disheartened that many of her friends possess talking Bakugan partners while she does not. After a heartfelt search, she forms a deep bond with the Subterra Bakugan Gorem, which becomes her guardian partner. A significant driving force for her is her relationship with Billy Gilbert. When Billy falls under the influence of the villain Masquerade and joins his team, Julie is crushed but remains determined to save him. This personal stake fuels her actions, culminating in a confrontation where she successfully convinces Billy to break free from Masquerade's control.
Within the story, Julie serves as a core member of the Battle Brawlers. Initially, she is seen interacting with the group through online chat rooms, eager to hear about their battles. Her first in-person appearance is a loss to Billy, which motivates her to find her own talking Bakugan, Gorem. Throughout the first series, she participates in numerous key battles, including a critical test in the Doom Dimension. There, she faces an illusion of her sister Daisy, which forces her to confront her own insecurities and feelings of being less special. Overcoming this trial allows Gorem to evolve into its more powerful form, Hammer Gorem. As the series continues into New Vestroia and Gundalian Invaders, her active brawling role diminishes because her partner Bakugan is captured and due to changes in the brawling system. Instead, she transitions into a mentorship role, coaching newer Subterra brawlers like Mira Fermin and Jake Vallory on effective strategies and the strengths of their attribute. By the time of Mechtanium Surge, Julie has become a news reporter in Bakugan City, covering major events while still providing support to her original teammates.
Julie's key relationships are central to her development. Her friendship with Dan Kuso is defined by her early crush and unwavering support for him as his number one fan. Her relationship with Runo Misaki evolves from rivalry to a strong friendship once both move past their feelings for Dan. Her romance with Billy Gilbert emerges from their childhood bond, and she plays a pivotal role in redeeming him. Her connection with her guardian Bakugan, Gorem, is one of mutual trust, beginning when he reaches out to her in her moment of despair and growing as they face challenges together. Finally, her relationship with her sister Daisy is initially a source of insecurity for Julie, but overcoming the illusion of Daisy in the Doom Dimension is a turning point that allows Julie to recognize her own unique value.
Julie undergoes noticeable development throughout the series. She matures from a somewhat boy-crazy and insecure girl into a more composed and confident young woman. Her early arc is defined by her idolization of Dan and her jealousy of Runo, but she eventually outgrows these feelings and forms a meaningful romantic relationship with Billy. Her wardrobe evolves alongside her personality, beginning with a pink midriff-baring crop top in the original series, transitioning to a rainbow-striped shirt in New Vestroia, a dark blue belly shirt in Gundalian Invaders, and a more reserved black tank top with a pink jacket in Mechtanium Surge. Though her direct involvement in battles decreases over time, her role as a mentor and her enduring influence among the original Battle Brawlers solidify her legacy as more than just a secondary character.
As a brawler, Julie is a master of the Subterra attribute, which focuses on direct attacks, earth-based abilities, and tenacious combat tactics. Her guardian Bakugan is Gorem, who evolves into Hammer Gorem after her trial in the Doom Dimension. In later seasons, she is partnered with Bakugan such as Taurus, Roadem, Adgaran, and Hippower, though these partnerships receive less narrative focus. Despite not always being in the spotlight, Julie proves she can compete with the best brawlers, using her aggressive style and the raw power of her Subterra monsters to formidable effect.