Hata Ouji

Hata is childish, self-important and frequently oblivious to the consequences of his actions. His royal upbringing has left him accustomed to expecting cooperation from others, yet almost nobody around him treats him with the respect he believes his title deserves. Even his longtime retainer Jii openly insults him.

Animals are Hata's overriding passion. He is fascinated by unusual creatures from across the universe and wants to collect and care for them, but his judgment about what constitutes a suitable pet is terrible. Many of his animals are dangerous enough to threaten entire neighborhoods.

Beneath the selfish behavior, Hata has a sincere compassionate streak. His later history reveals that he had little interest in competing for Oukoku's throne and was willing to wait for his absent brothers rather than take the succession for himself.

Hata is not an accomplished fighter and generally depends on attendants, guards or others to protect him when his animals create dangerous situations.

His principal resources come from his royal position. As a prince of Oukoku, he has access to wealth, spacecraft, servants and exotic animals obtained from different planets.

During the Silver Soul conflict, his royal heritage becomes strategically important when he gains access to Oukoku's military forces and brings them into the defense of Earth.

Hata is among the earliest Amanto encountered by the Yorozuya. His escaped pet creates one of Sakata Gintoki, Shimura Shinpachi and Kagura's early jobs and establishes the recurring pattern of his supposedly collectible animals becoming major hazards.

He returns throughout the series whenever an alien animal or Amanto-related problem provides an excuse for his involvement. His antenna is repeatedly torn off or injured, while Jii's lack of concern for his dignity becomes another recurring joke.

Late in the story, Hata is revealed to be the younger brother of Shijaku, originally Prince Barkas, and Dragonia, whose identity is connected to Elizabeth. The succession crisis on Oukoku had separated the brothers years earlier.

Hata eventually uses Oukoku's fleet to support Earth during the Silver Soul conflict, giving the previously ineffectual prince a consequential role in the planetary defense.

Jii is Hata's longtime retainer and caretaker. Their relationship combines genuine familial attachment with constant insults, neglect and frustration.

Shijaku is Hata's older brother, Prince Barkas. Hata refused to simply replace him in Oukoku's succession and continued waiting for his return.

Elizabeth is Hata's eldest brother, Prince Dragonia, whose disappearance helped create the royal succession problem on Oukoku.

Sakata Gintoki, Shimura Shinpachi and Kagura repeatedly become involved in disasters caused by Hata's animals.

Taizou Hasegawa suffers professionally from the consequences of Hata's early appearance in Edo.