Sanosuke Harada (原田左之助 Harada Sanosuke) is one of the main protagonists in Hakuōki, as well as one of Chizuru's potential love interests. Harada is the Captain of the Tenth Division in the Shinsengumi, and is the only character shown to wield a spear in battle.
Harada is based on the historical Harada Sanosuke.
Personality
This article contains major SPOILERS. Be careful if you do not know the full story yet.
Harada is honest, chivalrous, and compassionate. More than anything, he cares about making a difference in the world by keeping the peace in Kyoto and protecting women and children. He is a family man at heart, and wishes to get married and have children of his own someday. However, because he also enjoys the battles that come with his current lifestyle, it is difficult for him to reconcile his dream with his reality, as he feels he will have to give up one side of himself if he fully embraces the other. Even in everyday life, he "wouldn't say [he's] got a long fuse", as he punches Heisuke hard and without hesitation to keep him from spilling sensitive information.
Though Harada does engage in semi-friendly banter with Nagakura and Heisuke, he is also the first to mediate their budding arguments if the time and/or situation does not permit it. He is among the first to notice if his friends are genuinely worried, and is forthcoming with his reassurance, especially as regards Chizuru. However, despite being more perceptive than his friends, he does not consider himself good at talking out his sentiments.
Harada likes to relax, and enjoys his sake; most of his trips to Shimabara appear to be exclusively for the alcohol. Despite this, most of the geisha seem to know and like him, and (in his route) he is experienced enough to take Chizuru to bed.
In Hakuōki: Shinsengumi Kitan
"He chuckled as he spoke, but the way he looked at me suggested that there was little he missed, despite his humor."
See also: Harada Sanosuke/Route
Chapter 1
Meeting the Shinsengumi
Harada is first encountered during Chizuru's introduction to the rest of the Shinsengumi officers, sitting with Nagakura and Heisuke. As the captains discuss Chizuru's fate, he states that he thinks Okita has a point about killing her, but adds that he will follow any orders he is given.
Escape or Explanation [Player's Choice]
If Chizuru tries to explain her situation, Harada sympathizes with her misfortune. If she gives up on survival, Harada says he admires her conviction, resting his hand on the sword at his hip as if to kill her. However, Saitou reminds him that they have not yet made a decision. Harada then makes an offhand joke about Chizuru being a girl, which she confirms. Harada does not seem surprised by the revelation, although it does appear to change his opinion on killing her.
Chizuru's Story
When Nagakura voices skepticism as to whether Chizuru is really a girl, Harada suggests stripping her down as "the quickest way to settle the question". However, Kondou intervenes and reprimands him before inviting Chizuru to tell them her side of the story. Following Hijikata's agreement to let Chizuru stay at the compound, Harada remarks that having a lady at the headquarters will brighten things up.
One Week Later [Player's Choice]
If Chizuru explores the compound, she finds Nagakura and Harada sneaking towards the entrance. When Chizuru asks where they are going, Harada informs her that they are on their way to Shimabara, although he is only going for the alcohol. After Heisuke arrives, Harada suggests that Chizuru start dressing in more feminine attire to keep them out of trouble, and offers to bring her back some food from the city to cheer her up in the meantime. Once Inoue arrives and asks why the captains are leaving, Heisuke and Harada excuse themselves to give Chizuru a tour of the Shinsengumi headquarters, leaving Nagakura behind to train.
News From Osaka
Later that evening, Harada and Nagakura complain that their fellow captains and Chizuru are late to dinner. Once the meal begins, Harada apologizes for Nagakura and Heisuke's behavior and assures Chizuru that she can relax, as they are not going to hurt her. After Inoue arrives to inform the group that Sannan has been injured. Nagakura mentions "the Corps", which causes Chizuru to ask what he means. When Heisuke tries to tell her, Harada cuts him off with a punch to prevent him from revealing more than she should hear.
Harada Memories of Love 1 (Harada's route)
Harada notices that Chizuru is awake later than usual and requests to come in, asking what is on her mind. Chizuru tries to tell him that she is fine, but he sees through her. He says he may not be able to fix her problems, but he can lend a listening ear, and encourages her to tell him what happened. When Chizuru still says nothing, he decides to escort her out of her room for some fresh air.
As they walk, he remarks that he does not see how walking around outside is any different than being in the compound, adding that if Chizuru runs, he can just kill her. She responds by thanking him, as bringing her outside and taking that risk means he may be in trouble too, and asks if he was worried about her. Disarmed by the fact that she could see through him, Harada admits it, saying that she will be a "pretty impressive lady" in a couple years. Eventually, they turn back, but encounter Saitou at the compound entrance. Harada moves to hide Chizuru, engaging briefly in conversation with Saitou.
When they get back to Chizuru's room, Harada apologizes for dragging her out, but Chizuru thanks him for thinking of her. Harada then explains that Hijikata has a good reason for keeping Chizuru around and is not a bad person, but warns her that if she steps out of line, she will find out why everyone is scared of him. He then extends the sentiment to the other men as well, including himself. He then wishes Chizuru a good night and departs.
In other routes
Kazama's route
Following Chizuru's separation from the rest of the Shinsengumi, Harada is not seen again.
In Hakuōki: Edo Blossoms
Harada's involvement in the plot is largely the same as in the second half of Shinsengumi Kitan, with the following exceptions:
Souma's route
Souma, Nomura, and Chizuru encounter Harada once Ryuunosuke picks them up off the streets. He offers to escort them to the sekisho and provide a distraction while they escape around it. Having been wounded in the battle at Ueno, he sacrifices his life in so doing.
In Hakuōki: Ginsei no Shou
After Harada and Chizuru left Japan and settled in a secluded location in an unknown country, they got married and had a son named Shigeru. Three years later, they were surprised to be visited by Shiranui, who came after being requested by Sen, who wished to know Chizuru's condition. Shiranui then explained the situation in Japan after they left, assuring them that even if they returned to Japan now, they would not be punished. After spending a night drinking with Harada at his and Chizuru's house, Shiranui took his leave. Afterwards, Harada admitted to Chizuru that he was glad Shiranui came because now he was sure he could build a future for Shigeru. He explained that he had been pondering how to explain to Shigeru about their Japanese heritage and was worried about the possibilities of Shigeru being criticized for being the son of a Japanese couple who fled Japan or the son of people who defied the Imperial Family and could never set foot in Japan. For this reason, Harada was relieved by Shiranui's story since it meant there would not be any problems should Shigeru go to Japan.
In the musicals
Main article: Harada Sanosuke/HakuMyu
Harada is portrayed by Ono Kento in HakuMyu Saito-hen through HakuMyu LIVE; by Igarashi Maasa in Kazama-hen and Toudou-hen; by Higashi Keisuke in HakuMyu Reimeiroku, HakuMyu Shinsengumi Kitan, HakuMyu LIVE 2, and Harada-hen; and by Takanashi Jun in HakuMyu Hijikata-hen 2.
Quotes
- "I'm hardly mature enough to be called 'old'. Shinpachi, maybe, but… not me." (Chapter 1, to Heisuke)
- "A brave death is always an option. When I was young, I committed honorable suicide." (Chapter 1, to Chizuru)
- "We're in charge of being careless. Especially you, Heisuke." (Chapter 1, to Nagakura and Heisuke)
- "Well, maybe if you dressed up like a real woman, that'd be enough eye candy to keep us out of trouble." (Chapter 1, to Chizuru)
- "Cut out the tiptoeing around us. We're not demons, even if we do have a commander who acts like one." (Shinsengumi Adventures 1, to Chizuru)
- "Man, it's kinda scary to have someone just see right through you like that. Here I thought you were just some wet-behind-the-ears kid… Won't make that mistake again." (Harada Memories of Love 1, to Chizuru)
Trivia
- Harada is the only character from the original game whose route was not adapted into a musical during the original series of HakuMyu.
- Harada is the only human potential love interest for Chizuru who never becomes a Rasetsu.