T5W#311-Top 5 Haro’s in Gundam

While the success and contributions Mobile Suit Gundam’s made to the world of Anime is undeniable, there is one critical element to its success other than the titular Mobile Suit.  Introduced during the original series, Haro is Gundam’s answer to R2-D2, acting sometimes as comic relief and other times as a vital team member providing technical support.  Haro’s become so synonymous with Gundam that he’s even become Studio Sunrise’s chief mascot, sort of how Totoro became the same for Studio Ghibli.  Haro’s popularity has seen different versions pop up all across the Gundam Multiverse and today, they get the spotlight on todays Top 5 Wednesday.  I present to you the Top 5 Haro’s in Gundam. 

#5-Mobile Suit Gundam AGE

My love for Gundam AGE is pretty low, almost as low as Gundam Seed Destiny aka the lowest of the low of Gundam (fight me).  Seen as kind of a new launch point for the franchise, AGE had a Haro of its own from the very beginning.  To be honest, Haro doesn’t do anything really special compared to others on this list.  However, it’s worth noting that the same Haro finds its way into the hands of each member of the Asuno family who pilots a Gundam.  Considering Gundam AGE spans more than half a century story wise, that’s a very old Haro and is one of the few instances of good continuity in an otherwise very sloppy series.

 

#4-Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

Who knew Haro would become so popular it’d become a girls favorite traveling companion?  Unlike most Haro’s in the franchise, Gundam SEED actually has several versions and theyre all pint sized compared to the normal soccer ball sized Haro.  The most prominent is “Mr. Pink” who travels with Lacus Clyne pretty much everywhere she goes.  Just like Haro’s counterpart in AGE, this iteration is kind of just around to be around and remind us that Haro is as associated with Gundam as the suits piloted by Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala.  Still, a Haro that you can carry around with ease and fit into a backpack, its pretty cool.

 

#3-Mobile Suit Gundam

The very first Haro ever to exist.  As I said in my intro, Gundam draws a lot from Star Wars (though it’s production history feels closer to Star Trek but that’s a potential Top 5 for another day), so Haro is obviously Gundam’s stand in for R2-D2.  From the classic ball design to the cute synthetic voice, Haro became an instant icon whenever it popped up on screen.  More often than not, Haro acted in service to the war orphans aboard the White Base and even aided in defending the ship a couple of times.  Haro’s importance as a mascot to the franchise only became more evident when a new version was integrated into Zeta Gundam and Gundam ZZ before a third was added to Char’s Counterattack.  And he’s been around for plenty of Gundam tales ever since.

 

#2-Mobile Suit Victory Gundam

To be honest, sometimes I wonder if adding Haro to a Gundam show is for anything more than fan service (kind of feel that way about the Gundam Unicorn version if im honest).  Victory Gundam, however, has given me my favorite Haro in the entire Universal Century Era.  This Haro is for more than just being subject to the increasingly absurd adventures of the universes worst babysitter (Shakti), Haro actively participates in several of Uso’s battles.  Victory Gundam Haro displays abilities far different from any that have come before it at this time, including being able to make projections of the Victory to distract enemies.  Haro’s even risked its own existence to save Uso once or twice.  Finally, as if to hammer in the Star Wars omages, this Haro can even fly back seat with Uso, R2-D2 style.

 

#1-Mobile Suit Gundam 00

Until I watched Victory Gundam, I never knew how much that version and the Gundam 00 version have in common, but it makes me love the 00 Haro so much more as it feels like the epitome of Haro.  Not only does Haro ride shotgun with both Lockon Stratos pilots but this one seems to develop genuine emotional attachments to both its pilots and the crew of the Ptolemios.  The death of the first Lockon, Neil Delandy, always stings for me not just because we’re losing the best character in the show but because poor Haro can only helplessly call out Lockons name as it is sent drifting back to the Ptolemios with what’s left of his Gundam.  Of all the Haro’s I’ve seen in the franchise, this is the one I’d want following me around at all times.