Harlin

For the Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL character, see Haru Tsukumo.

Harlin
Names
English	Harlin
Japanese	ハル
Personal
Gender	Male
Relatives	Bohman
Career
Organization	Lightning's faction
Duelist
Anime Deck	Hydradrive
Appearances
Anime debut	Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS episode 47: "LINK VRAINS 2.0"
Anime	Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
Voice actors
English	Dan Rosales
Japanese	Ryoko Shiraishi

Harlin, or Haru (ハル, Haru) in the Japanese version, is a character and the quaternary antagonist in season two of the Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS anime working with Lightning. He is the second generation of Ignis created by Lightning.

Design

Appearance

VR artwork of Harlin.

Harlin is a seemingly young boy with blond hair and orange and red highlights. He wears a blue long-sleeved shirt with a red tie and a white blazer with yellow accents, plus a large red star on his collar, orange pants with yellow and blue accents, a pink belt with silver and blue details, and yellow-white shoes with pink trim and stars.

Personality

Despite his childlike appearance, Harlin does not act very childish. He is very unscrupulous. While making a wager, he will not uphold his end of the deal upon losing.

While he seemed loyal, he shows some resentment towards his role. While he was created to be Bohman's "brother" he did not understand what that meant. He even expressed anger towards him, always having to watch over him. However, despite this, Harlin realized he did truly care about Bohman and understood what being brothers meant after he lost to Blue Maiden.

Biography

History

Harlin was an AI, created by Lightning to become a vessel for the Ignis. However, Lightning decided to create a new AI, in form of Bohman. Haru, who wielded the "Hydradrive" Deck, spent time to teach Bohman on Dueling.

Lost Memories

Harlin watched Playmaker and the orange figure Duel. He noted the latter's battle style was crude. He observed the Duel, surprised that Playmaker conducted a Ritual Summon, despite that not being in his record. As Playmaker went on offense, Harlin ordered the orange figure to do something. The figure, once it took the attack, revealed to be a man, who didn't know why was he Dueling. Harlin reminded he was Bohman, Haru's younger brother, and urged him to continue Dueling to regain their memories. When Bohman was defeated, Haru went to take Bohman away, thankful he coded Bohman's protection against Ignis, for Ai nearly devoured him. Harlin called upon Bit and Boot to take Playmaker out. However, in a fiery whirlwind, a mysterious person appeared, who let Playmaker chase after Harlin as he went to deal with Bit and Boot. Harlin carried Bohman, and fired Bit and Boot, who argued who lost the Duel against Soulburner. Playmaker tried to stop him, but Harlin reminded that Jin Kolter's data was theirs. Playmaker wanted to know the reason behind this assault, but Harlin simply said something unbelievable would happen soon. He opened a path in the restricted area and escaped with Bohman.

Harlin and Bohman were at a castle in LINK VRAINS, and kneeled to a shadowy figure. Haru confirmed to have obtained Jin Kolter's data, but ran into Playmaker, who had the "Dark Ignis". Furthermore, Harlin explained another man with an Ignis of Fire appeared in LINK VRAINS. The figure foresaw that, and believed they would find the castle soon enough. The figure took the data about Jin Kolter from Bohman, who wanted their memories back. The figure claimed not to have made such promise and removed Bohman's memories, causing him to faint, and told Haru his brother needed new memories once more. While Bohman was recovering, Lightning assured Haru that the next version would be emotionally stable. He thought Haru would do better as Bohman's servant than a brother, for that was just a "designation", which made Haru sad.

As Bohman went to confront Playmaker with the false memories, he followed Haru around. Haru questioned Bohman, who exclaimed that he, as the older brother, had to protect Haru as the younger one. Haru became furious and stormed away, leaving Bohman concerned. Haru and Bohman were on a sculpture, which rose above the clouds. Haru watched Bohman Duel Playmaker, and anticipated of the former a new power that was given to him. He was surprised the two sides anticipated one another's movements. He became pleased when Bohman started countering Playmaker's moves. He believed Playmaker and Bohman would switch places if Bohman were to win. When Bohman took a direct attack, Haru encouraged his brother to continue, and became amazed when Bohman used Storm Access during a Master Duel. Haru was surprised of Playmaker's tactics to perform a Fusion Summon. After Bohman's defeat, Haru declared his brother would return someday.

Ignis Warfare

When they received new armors, Haru knelt to Bohman, who noticed Haru crying. Later, they watched a digital sunset on the statues. Bohman thought it was beautiful, and reminded Haru that the AI would grow on and reach humanity's potential. He thought that he and Haru would be together forever.

Haru went with Bohman to flee from Playmaker and Soulburner. However, Bohman decided to face Playmaker, and Haru decided to stay and watch the two Duel. He commented on Playmaker's tactics to Ritual Summon "Cyberse Magician". He was surprised to see that Playmaker hurt himself, by having the magician attacking the stronger "Trident Hydradrive Lord". The strategy turned out to empower "Cyberse Magician", whose ATK became 7900, and Haru noted that Playmaker could also attack with "Cyberse Witch". Haru cheered Bohman on, who went to use Storm Access skill. He was surprised to see that Playmaker used Neo Storm Access, and use "Cyberse Quantum Dragon" to attack "Rousing Hydradrive Monarch", despite having less ATK. Once the Duel ended, Haru fled with Bohman. Bohman was meditating, as its force was being absorbed. Haru went to ask about him; Bohman replied he was fine, but wondered why Haru was interested in him. Haru replied it was his duty to look after him, but Bohman reminded he was his younger brother. Haru didn't believe that, since Lightning had Bohman believe that to manipulate with his emotions. Bohman understood that, but still wanted to believe they were brothers. Haru thought of himself as a lowly-prototype, since Bohman carried the future of the Ignis, and that made him more important, nor did he understand what being a brother means. Bohman still reminded they would fuse together, which made Haru exclaim he'd then understand what Haru's feelings in this.

Lightning sent Bit and Boot to face against Playmaker and others, since he didn't wish them to fight in *that* area. Haru gazed at Blue Maiden, whom Lightning told to be Blue Angel, but she changed form. He informed Haru that she, known as Skye Zaizen, was a sibling of Akira Zaizen, just as Lightning believed Haru to be Bohman's sibling. Lightning also warned Haru not to underestimate her, with Aqua by her side. It was why Lightning wanted Haru to fight Blue Maiden to stall the group until Bohman's activities were complete, and didn't care if Haru would win the Duel. Haru accepted the task, and shrugged, considering Lightning didn't believe he could win. He visited Bohman, informing him that Playmaker's group had reached Mirror LINK VRAINS. Bohman nodded, and despite time running out, he believed his activity will soon be completed. Haru walked away, but Bohman felt that Haru wished something else. Haru denied, for he only wanted to see Bohman. The latter knew that Lightning ordered Haru to fight off the group as cannon fodder, and believed Haru wouldn't win, either. Haru became annoyed, for he had to try, at least. Bohman exclaimed he only wished the best for his brother, but Haru didn't believe they were actual brothers. In fact, he saw that they were called brothers so Haru could calm Bohman whenever he outbursted. Haru felt that everyone looked down on him like he was inferior, but Bohman still believed of him to be his younger brother.

Haru felt the previous times were just labor: he covered for Bohman whenever the latter was in danger. In fact, Haru felt the past was troublesome to him, and walked away. Bohman reminded if Haru lost in this world, he'd be erased. This was no problem for Haru, who replied that he was a failed AI anyway, and considered himself thankful that he'd never see Bohman ever again. He went on his D-Board, frustrated that he went to see Bohman. As Blue Maiden defeated a BitBoot program, Haru confronted her. Aqua reported this was Bohman's younger brother, and Blue Maiden felt that in defeating Haru, she would learn more about their enemy's whereabouts. Haru took his turn, and summoned "Hydradrive Booster" to Link Summon "Coolant Hydradrive". Blue Maiden noticed he used the same Deck as Bohman's, a statement to which Haru took offense, for this had been his Deck, and it was he that taught Bohman to use. Using "Hydradrive Rebuild", Haru destroyed "Coolant Hydradrive" to bring out a "Hydradrive Token". The WATER Hydradrive monster was revived by its own effect. Shocking Aqua, Haru used Marker's Portal Skill to bring out "Judgement Arrows". Using another "Hydradrive Booster", Haru Link Summoned another "Coolant Hydradrive", and used the token for "Flow Hydradrive", then used the two Link Monsters for "Twin Hydradrive Knight".

Blue Maiden noted that monster limited her cards. Aqua simply reminded her to trust their Deck and continue. Blue Maiden summoned "Marincess Sea Horse", and used her to Link Summon "Marincess Blue Slug". Haru noticed this was a new Deck that Blue Maiden used, but still believed in his knight's abilities. Blue Maiden summoned another "Marincess Sea Horse", and used it and the blue slug to bring out Link-2 "Marincess Coral Anemone". Sending "Marincess Sea Star" from her hand to the GY, her Link Monster gained 800 ATK. Haru suffered 800 LP damage, as Blue Maiden's monster destroyed his "Coolant Hydradrive". Haru summoned a token, while Aqua applauded Blue Maiden's skills, who fought for Miyu and her brother. Haru smirked, since Blue Maiden was not blood-related to her brother, and called humanity foolish for such ideals. Blue Maiden thought Haru was Bohman's brother, but he denied that. Aqua noticed that Lightning simply used Haru to motivate Bohman by pretending to be a brother. Blue Maiden replied Haru could never understand, for even if Blue Maiden was not blood related to Akira, she still had real memories of the times they worked and cared for each other. Haru refused to listen, and summoned a third "Coolant Hydradrive". He equipped it with "Hydradrive Impact", aiming to defeat Blue Maiden with a single attack.

To stop Haru, Blue Maiden activated her set "Marincess Wave" to negate that monster's attack, which prevented a direct attack on her. In fact, Blue Maiden fooled Haru, for his monster had to attack, due to "Hydradrive Impact". Forced to fight, Haru suffered 800 LP damage in the retaliation of "Marincess Coral Anemone". Haru's knight slashed the latter, and Blue Maiden took 800 LP damage, but she managed to take back her "Marincess Wave" card to her hand. To fight on, Haru revived "Coolant Hydradrive" through "Hydradrive Nightmare", and had it attack Blue Maiden, who suffered 2000 LP damage. Aqua encouraged Blue Maiden to release her emotions, as she used Shape of Sea Skill to resurrect "Marincess Coral Anemone", who had the exact ATK as the damage Blue Maiden had just taken. Blue Maiden reminded she had to protect what was precious to her. Haru didn't believe in that, but gasped as he thought of Bohman. Blue Maiden summoned a third "Marincess Sea Horse", and used it and her Link Monster to summon "Marincess Marbled Rock". Using "Marincess Wave", as she controls the Link-3 "Marincess" monster, she negated Haru's knight's effects. Haru still reminded that "Judgement Arrows" doubled the ATK of "Twin Hydradrive Knight". However, Blue Maiden sent her "Marincess Sea Star" from her hand to the GY twice, boosting her monster's ATK to 4100.

Haru still reminded he had some LP left, but to assure he was wrong, Blue Maiden played "Marincess Current", which added the damage Haru took - 1200 for her Link Monster and 1000 for Haru's Link Monster, summing up to 2200. Haru was knocked off, and recalled the time when he and Bohman watched the sunset. He realized that was the bond they shared as brothers. He realized those were the true memories they shared, and now he fell of his D-Board, realizing that Bohman would never see his worthless brother ever again, and vanished into thin air. When Bohman lost the final Duel against Playmaker, he saw a vision of Haru. Bohman knew it was his time to pass away and be with his brother for all eternity, and vanished.

Deck

Harlin uses a "Hydradrive" Deck which is supported by the Link Spell "Judgement Arrows". According to him, this was originally his Deck and he was the one who taught Bohman how to use it.

Deck

Monsters

Effect Monsters

• Hydradrive Booster x2

Extra Deck

Link Monsters

• Coolant Hydradrive x3
• Flow Hydradrive
• Twin Hydradrive Knight

Spells & Traps

Spells

• Hydradrive Impact
• Hydradrive Rebuild
• Hydradrive Utilization
• Judgement Arrows

Traps

• Hydradrive Nightmare

Duels

Opponent(s)	Episode(s)	Outcome
Skye Zaizen/Blue Maiden	85	Lose

Trivia

• Similar to Bohman, Haru seems to be inspired from HAL 9000 (Romaji: Haru Nai Sauzando) from Science Fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke's Space Odyssey Series. In the story, HAL 9000 is an AI Supercomputer whose programming malfunctioned and tried to eliminate the five astronauts. Eventually, HAL would be shut down by David Bowman. 9 years later, HAL would be revived and eventually be transformed into a "Star Child" as well. During the last installment of the series, HAL and Bowman would merge together into a new being known as "HALman".