Hayato Kobayashi

Hayato Kobayashi was a steadfast mobile suit pilot and resistance leader who served during the One Year War as a crew member of the White Base, later founding the Earth-based resistance group Karaba during the Gryps Conflict. Known for his strong sense of responsibility and cooperative spirit, Hayato evolved from a civilian teenager into a seasoned warrior and eventually a skilled tactical commander.

Biography

Early life

Hayato was born in UC 0064 to a Japanese-American family living in the Side 7 space colony Green Noa. He grew up as a neighbour and close friend of Amuro Ray and Fraw Bow, forming part of a tight-knit group of teenagers in the peaceful colony. From a young age, Hayato was an avid practitioner of judo, developing considerable skill in the martial art that would serve him well in his later military career.

Despite their friendship, Hayato often found himself measuring his accomplishments against those of his peers, particularly Amuro, which led to feelings of insecurity and inadequacy that would influence his character throughout his life. This competitive nature, whilst sometimes problematic, also drove him to work harder and push himself to prove his worth.

One Year War

Attack on Side 7

On 18 September UC 0079, Hayato’s life changed forever when Principality of Zeon forces led by Char Aznable attacked Side 7 during their reconnaissance mission to investigate Project V. The attack devastated the colony, killing Hayato’s entire family and forcing him to flee aboard the Federation assault carrier White Base along with other survivors including Amuro and Fraw.

When Char infiltrated the White Base’s hangar during the initial chaos, Hayato was among the first to take action, attempting to shoot down the Zeon commander with his rifle, though the shots went wide. This early encounter demonstrated both his courage and his determination to fight back against the Zeon forces that had destroyed his home.

Military service

Under the leadership of Bright Noa, Hayato was assigned as a soldier aboard the White Base due to the ship’s severe personnel shortage. Initially serving as a machine gunner, he was later assigned to pilot the RX-75-4 Guntank as a gunner, with Ryu Jose serving as the pilot. In episode 3, he and Kai Shiden successfully sank a Papua-class supply ship, marking their first combat victory.

From episode 6 onwards, as the White Base operated on Earth’s surface, Hayato continued as the Guntank’s primary gunner whilst Ryu piloted the machine. This partnership proved effective in numerous engagements against Zeon forces, with Hayato’s accuracy and tactical awareness complementing Ryu’s piloting skills.

Sole pilot

Following Ryu’s heroic death in episode 21 whilst saving Amuro from Crowley Hamon’s attack, the Guntank was converted from a two-seat to a single-seat configuration. Hayato took over as both pilot and gunner, continuing to operate the machine effectively despite the increased workload and the emotional burden of losing his partner.

During the Battle of Odessa, Hayato piloted the G-Sky Easy support craft, carrying the RX-78-2 Gundam into battle and providing crucial assistance in defeating Ortega’s MS-09 Dom. His versatility as a pilot was further demonstrated when he temporarily operated a RX-77-2 Guncannon during Kai’s absence from the ship.

Promotion and space operations

At Jaburo, Hayato was promoted to the rank of corporal in recognition of his service and growing competence as a mobile suit pilot. When the White Base returned to space for the final phase of the war, he continued operating his Guntank, though in the compilation films this was replaced with a Guncannon designated C-109.

During the Battle of Solomon, Hayato’s Guntank was hit near the cockpit, injuring him and forcing his withdrawal from the front lines. The White Base’s combat effectiveness was analysed to have decreased by 11% due to his absence, highlighting his importance to the ship’s operations. During his recovery, he confided in Fraw about his jealousy of Amuro’s growing abilities as a Newtype and his frustration at being unable to match his friend’s achievements.

Final battle

At the climactic Battle of A Baoa Qu, Hayato’s mobile suit was destroyed during the intense fighting. He and Kai engaged enemy soldiers in firefights within the fortress before eventually escaping with the rest of the crew after hearing Amuro’s guiding voice. The battle marked the end of both the war and Hayato’s military service.

Post-war life

Marriage and family

After the One Year War ended, Hayato married Fraw Bow and together they adopted the three war orphans who had lived aboard the White Base: Katz Hawin, Letz Cofan, and Kikka Kitamoto, who all took the Kobayashi surname. Fraw also became pregnant with Hayato’s biological child, creating a family unit that provided stability after the trauma of war.

The family settled in Shizuoka, where Hayato worked to provide a normal life for his adopted children whilst dealing with his own post-war adjustment issues. Despite his new civilian status, he remained connected to his former comrades and continued to monitor the political situation in the Earth Sphere.

Museum director

Because Hayato had shown Newtype-like abilities during the One Year War, the Earth Federation Forces refused to allow him to return to space and instead assigned him to a quiet position as director of a war museum. This restriction left him feeling depressed and underutilised, contributing to his growing disillusionment with the Federation’s post-war policies.

The museum position, whilst providing financial stability for his family, failed to satisfy Hayato’s desire to remain actively involved in protecting the principles he had fought for during the war. His frustration with this imposed retirement would eventually drive him to seek other outlets for his tactical skills and leadership abilities.

Gryps Conflict

Formation of Karaba

When the Titans were established as an elite Earth Federation military unit and began enforcing increasingly oppressive policies throughout the Earth Sphere, Hayato’s dissatisfaction with the Federation’s direction reached a breaking point. He founded Karaba, an Earth-based resistance organisation designed to oppose the Titans’ authoritarian rule and support the space-based Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG).

Working his way up to become Karaba’s director, Hayato demonstrated the tactical and leadership skills he had developed during the One Year War. His organisation played a crucial role in supporting AEUG operations from Earth, providing intelligence, supplies, and safe passage for pilots operating in the terrestrial sphere.

Support operations

When the AEUG launched their invasion of Jaburo, Hayato served as a key figure amongst the Earth-side supporters, arranging shuttles to return AEUG pilots to space after their ground operations concluded. His intimate knowledge of Federation facilities and procedures, gained during his war service, proved invaluable in coordinating these complex logistics operations.

Hayato’s work with Karaba brought him back into contact with former comrades from the White Base, including Amuro Ray, who had been living under Federation surveillance. When Katz convinced Amuro to join either Karaba or the AEUG, Hayato welcomed the legendary pilot back into active service.

First Neo Zeon War

Earth operations

During the First Neo Zeon War, Hayato chose to remain on Earth whilst most of Karaba’s top pilots and staff moved to space to support the AEUG. This decision allowed him to provide crucial ground-based support for AEUG operations whilst maintaining Karaba’s terrestrial capabilities.

He lent assistance to AEUG pilot Judau Ashta and his team during their pursuit of Neo Zeon forces that had descended to Earth. Hayato’s experience and tactical acumen proved valuable in coordinating these operations, and he earned respect from the younger pilots for his professionalism and dedication.

Personal tragedy

During this period, Hayato had received news of Katz’s death during the Gryps Conflict but had not yet informed Fraw and the rest of the family. This burden weighed heavily on him, and seeing Kamille Bidan’s condition after his mental breakdown caused Hayato to experience his own psychological crisis, as he saw echoes of Katz in the damaged young pilot.

Haman Karn, Neo Zeon’s leader, praised Hayato’s skill in controlling the transport vessel Audhumla, whilst Judau and his companions respected the care he showed for Kamille, noting that such compassion was characteristic of “a White Base man.”

Final sacrifice

On 30 October UC 0088, during the Dublin Colony Drop incident, Hayato made his final stand whilst assisting AEUG evacuation efforts. Flying a Dodai Kai support craft, he defended Judau’s MSZ-010 ΖΖ Gundam from an attack by Rakan Dahkaran in a AMX-011 Zaku III, who was attempting to prevent the Gundam from combining with its support units.

Hit by Rakan’s counterattack, Hayato’s craft was critically damaged. In his final moments, he heard the voice of his deceased son Katz calling to him, saying “I hear you…Katz…” before the Dodai Kai exploded. His sacrifice allowed Judau to complete the combination sequence and continue the battle to protect Dublin’s civilians.

Legacy

Hayato’s grave was placed near Katz’s at the Kobayashi family home in Shizuoka, symbolising the reunion of father and son in death. After his passing, the name “Hayato Kobayashi” became a symbol of resistance among his former comrades, who used it as an alias when conducting covert operations.

During the Second Neo Zeon War, Amuro Ray used Hayato’s name when contacting Neo Zeon sympathisers, honouring his friend’s memory whilst continuing the fight. In UC 0094, when Kikka attempted to write a humanising biography of Amuro, Fraw provided her with a letter Hayato had written before his death, offering insights into their shared experiences and Kai’s contact information for additional research.

Personality & traits

Hayato was characterised by his serious demeanour and strong sense of responsibility, qualities that made him a reliable crew member aboard the White Base and later an effective leader of Karaba. His cooperative spirit allowed him to work well with others, though he possessed a stubborn streak that occasionally put him at odds with authority figures, including his temporary departure from the White Base in opposition to the preferential treatment shown to Amuro.

Despite his outward confidence, Hayato struggled with deep-seated insecurities stemming from his tendency to measure himself against others’ accomplishments. This was particularly evident in his relationship with Amuro, whose exceptional piloting abilities and growing Newtype powers made Hayato feel inadequate by comparison. However, these feelings of inferiority also drove him to work harder and develop his own unique strengths.

Hayato demonstrated considerable bravery in combat, showing an aggressive side when fighting against Zeon forces. His quick thinking and willingness to take command in crisis situations, such as when Char infiltrated Side 7, revealed natural leadership abilities that would serve him well in later roles. However, his impulsive nature sometimes led him to make hasty decisions without fully considering the consequences.

As he matured, Hayato developed into a caring father figure, showing particular compassion for war orphans and damaged individuals like Kamille Bidan. His fellow pilots noted that this nurturing aspect of his personality exemplified the spirit of camaraderie that had defined the White Base crew during the One Year War.

Skills & abilities

As a mobile suit pilot, Hayato lacked the exceptional talent of Amuro Ray but compensated through experience gained in actual combat, eventually developing into a competent and reliable warrior. His skills were particularly suited to artillery and support roles, as demonstrated by his effective operation of the Guntank’s weapons systems and his ability to provide tactical fire support during combined operations.

Hayato’s background in judo proved valuable throughout his military career, providing him with physical conditioning and hand-to-hand combat skills. He once demonstrated these abilities by knocking down Amuro during a confrontation, showing that his martial arts training remained effective even under emotional stress.

During his time aboard the White Base, Hayato developed tactical acumen that would later prove crucial in his command of Karaba. He occasionally offered strategic advice to Bright Noa, demonstrating his growing understanding of military operations beyond simple pilot duties. His experience with diverse mobile suit types, from the Guntank to the Guncannon to various support craft, made him a versatile asset in different combat situations.

As Karaba’s leader, Hayato proved himself capable of managing a complex resistance organisation, coordinating with space-based allies, and conducting sophisticated logistics operations. His skill in controlling the transport vessel Audhumla earned praise even from enemy commanders, indicating his proficiency had extended beyond mobile suit piloting to include larger craft operations.

Unlike some of his fellow White Base pilots, Hayato never developed true Newtype abilities, though he showed some limited sensitivity during the One Year War. This limitation, whilst sometimes frustrating to him personally, allowed him to serve as a bridge between normal humans and the emerging Newtype population, understanding both perspectives and helping to coordinate between different types of pilots.

Relationships

Amuro Ray

Hayato’s relationship with Amuro Ray was complex, marked by deep friendship alongside persistent feelings of inadequacy. As childhood neighbours and friends on Side 7, they had grown up together, but Amuro’s exceptional abilities as both an engineer and later as a pilot created an emotional distance that troubled Hayato throughout their shared service.

During the One Year War, Hayato’s jealousy of Amuro’s growing Newtype abilities and his status as the Gundam’s pilot led to several confrontations, including Hayato’s temporary desertion from the White Base. However, this rivalry was tempered by genuine affection and loyalty, with Hayato ultimately accepting his role as a supporting member of the team whilst continuing to push himself to improve.

After the war, their relationship evolved into one of mutual respect and shared purpose. When Amuro was living under Federation surveillance, Hayato’s Karaba organisation provided support for his eventual return to active duty. Hayato’s use of Amuro’s name as an alias after his death demonstrated the enduring bond between the two men, with Amuro honouring his friend’s memory by continuing their shared fight for justice.

Fraw Bow

Hayato’s relationship with Fraw Bow developed from friendship into romantic love during their service aboard the White Base. Initially, Fraw was focused on caring for Amuro, but as Amuro became increasingly distant due to his developing Newtype abilities and attraction to other women like Matilda Ajan and Lalah Sune, she found comfort in Hayato’s more grounded and emotionally available presence.

Their relationship deepened when Hayato confided his insecurities about measuring up to Amuro’s achievements. Fraw’s understanding and support provided him with the emotional stability he needed, whilst he offered her the consistent companionship that Amuro’s evolving nature could not provide. Their marriage after the war created a stable foundation for raising their adopted children and building a new life together.

Hayato’s death during the First Neo Zeon War left Fraw a widow with three children to raise alone, though their strong relationship had given her the emotional resources to continue their shared commitment to family and humanitarian values.

Adopted children

Hayato’s role as father to Katz, Letz, and Kikka Kobayashi was one of his most important relationships. Having lost his own family during the attack on Side 7, he understood the trauma of war orphans and worked to provide them with the stability and love they needed to heal from their experiences.

His relationship with Katz was particularly significant, as the boy’s admiration for the White Base heroes drove him to seek military service despite Hayato’s concerns about the dangers involved. Katz’s death during the Gryps Conflict devastated Hayato, contributing to his psychological struggles during the First Neo Zeon War. His final words, acknowledging that he could hear Katz calling to him, suggested a reunion that provided comfort in his last moments.

With Letz and Kikka, Hayato maintained a more protective relationship, though both children retained strong memories of their experiences during the One Year War. His letter to Kikka, discovered after his death, provided her with insights into their shared history and helped her understand the broader context of Amuro’s heroism beyond the public mythology.

Ryu Jose

Hayato’s partnership with Ryu Jose as co-pilot of the Guntank created a strong professional and personal bond. Ryu’s experience and steady leadership complemented Hayato’s enthusiasm and marksmanship skills, making them an effective combat team. Ryu’s mentorship helped Hayato develop his piloting abilities and tactical understanding.

Ryu’s death whilst saving Amuro from Crowley Hamon was a devastating loss for Hayato, who had to assume both pilot and gunner duties for the modified single-seat Guntank. This experience taught him about the cost of heroism and strengthened his resolve to protect his remaining comrades, lessons that influenced his later leadership style with Karaba.

Bright Noa

Under Bright Noa’s command, Hayato learned military discipline and tactical thinking that served him throughout his career. Whilst he occasionally clashed with Bright’s decisions, particularly regarding the treatment of Amuro, he developed respect for his commander’s leadership abilities and dedication to the crew’s welfare.

Their relationship evolved from a simple command structure to one of mutual respect between experienced veterans. Hayato’s later success as Karaba’s leader demonstrated that he had internalised many of Bright’s lessons about balancing authority with care for subordinates.

Kai Shiden

Hayato’s friendship with Kai Shiden began during their civilian days and continued throughout their military service. Both served as gunners for the White Base’s mobile suits, creating a shared understanding of their supporting roles alongside the more prominent pilots like Amuro.

After the war, Kai’s success as a journalist provided a different model for how former White Base crew members could contribute to society. Their continued connection, evidenced by Hayato including Kai’s business card in his final letter, showed how their shared experiences had created lasting bonds that transcended their different post-war paths.

Equipment

RX-75-4 Guntank

Hayato’s primary mobile weapon during the One Year War was the RX-75-4 Guntank, a prototype artillery mobile suit designed for long-range fire support. Initially serving as the machine’s gunner whilst Ryu Jose handled piloting duties, Hayato became intimately familiar with the Guntank’s 180 mm cannon systems and learned to coordinate artillery strikes with infantry and mobile suit movements.

After Ryu’s death, the Guntank was modified for single-pilot operation, allowing Hayato to control both movement and weapons systems simultaneously. This conversion required him to develop new skills in multitasking and tactical awareness, as he had to manage the mobile suit’s positioning whilst maintaining accurate fire on enemy targets. The Guntank’s heavy armour and powerful weapons made it ideal for Hayato’s methodical, support-oriented combat style.

The machine’s limitations in space combat led to its replacement with more versatile units during the final phase of the One Year War, but Hayato’s experience with its systems provided him with valuable insights into mobile suit design and operation that influenced his later tactical thinking as Karaba’s leader.

RX-77-2 Guncannon

During his service aboard the White Base, Hayato occasionally piloted the RX-77-2 Guncannon when crew assignments required flexibility in mobile suit deployment. The Guncannon’s 240 mm cannon and beam rifle provided him with experience in both ballistic and energy weapons systems, expanding his technical knowledge and combat versatility.

In the compilation films, Hayato’s primary unit during space operations was a Guncannon designated C-109, reflecting the machine’s better suitability for zero-gravity combat compared to the ground-focused Guntank. This transition demonstrated his adaptability as a pilot and his ability to master different mobile suit configurations based on operational requirements.

The Guncannon’s intermediate role between the long-range Guntank and close-combat Gundam suited Hayato’s tactical mindset, allowing him to provide fire support whilst maintaining the mobility necessary for changing battlefield conditions.

Support craft

Throughout his career, Hayato demonstrated proficiency with various support craft and non-mobile suit vehicles. His operation of the G-Sky Easy during the Battle of Odessa showcased his ability to coordinate with other pilots whilst providing aerial transport and fire support for the Gundam.

His final mission aboard a Dodai Kai during the Dublin Colony Drop demonstrated continued competence with atmospheric flight systems, though the limitations of support craft against dedicated mobile suits ultimately led to his death. These experiences with diverse vehicle types reflected his role as a versatile support specialist rather than a front-line ace pilot.

Command vessels

As Karaba’s leader, Hayato commanded the transport vessel Audhumla during operations supporting the AEUG. His skill in controlling this large craft earned recognition even from enemy commanders like Haman Karn, indicating that his piloting abilities had evolved beyond simple mobile suit operation to encompass larger vessel management.

The Audhumla served as both a command centre for Karaba operations and a mobile base for AEUG support missions, requiring Hayato to coordinate complex logistics while maintaining operational security. His success in these roles demonstrated the tactical and leadership skills he had developed since his days as a simple mobile suit pilot.

Behind the scenes

Creation and development

Hayato Kobayashi was designed by Yasuhiko Yoshikazu as part of the original Mobile Suit Gundam cast, intended to represent the ordinary young people who became caught up in the war. His character served as a contrast to Amuro’s exceptional abilities, showing how normal individuals could still contribute meaningfully to the war effort through determination and teamwork.

The character’s name was deliberately chosen to reflect his non-Newtype status, being derived from a Japanese infantry hero from World War II rather than Japanese fighter aircraft names used for characters who developed Newtype abilities. This naming convention helped establish the thematic distinction between ordinary soldiers and those with supernatural talents.

Voice acting

Japanese voice actors:

• Kiyonobu Suzuki: Original TV series, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, and Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1979-1988)
• Nobuyuki Hiyama: Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation compilation films

English voice actors:

• Matt Smith: Original TV series English dub and various video games
• Richard Cansino: Compilation film trilogy English dub
• Chris Ippolito: Dynasty Warriors: Gundam video game series
• C. Adam Leigh: Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam English dub

Character development

Hayato’s character arc was designed to show the growth of an ordinary person into a leader through the crucible of war. His initial insecurities and rivalry with Amuro provided a relatable human element, whilst his eventual founding of Karaba demonstrated how the experiences of the One Year War shaped the next generation of conflicts.

The decision to have him die during the First Neo Zeon War rather than survive into later conflicts was intended to show the ongoing cost of war and the sacrifice required to protect civilian populations. His final words calling out to Katz provided emotional closure whilst emphasising the bonds of family that transcended death.

Cultural impact

Hayato became a popular character among fans who appreciated his more grounded perspective compared to the exceptional pilots like Amuro and Char. His role as a supporting character who nevertheless made crucial contributions to victory resonated with viewers who saw themselves in his struggles with inadequacy and determination to prove his worth.

The character’s evolution from insecure teenager to resistance leader influenced later Gundam series, which often featured similar character types who grew into leadership roles through experience and dedication rather than exceptional natural talent.

Appearances

Anime

• Mobile Suit Gundam (episodes 1-43)
• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (episodes 11-13)
• Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (episodes 28-29, 35)

Films

• Mobile Suit Gundam I
• Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow
• Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space
• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation - Heirs to the Stars
• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation II - Lovers

Games

• Mobile Suit Gundam: Journey to Jaburo
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon
• Dynasty Warriors: Gundam series
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space
• SD Gundam G Generation series

External links

• Hayato Kobayashi on the Gundam Wiki
• Hayato Kobayashi on Wikipedia