crying when he doesn't get his way), cowardly (running away from battles in Gartlant and running away from Cherry instead of admitting that he liked her pickles enough to steal them) and even catty (after all he openly refers to the marionettes as "she devils"), he is by no means a weak character. On the contrary, Hanagata has many positive traits which, sadly often go ignored.
First off, Hanagata is physically very strong. Throughout the series, he carries impossibly heavy backpacks, outruns entire armies (with several hundred pounds of weights strapped to his ankles no less) and survives countless abuse (often from his friends) only to spring back fresh and unharmed minutes, if not seconds later. While granted, these"I get knocked down but I get up again" qualities stem mainly from Hanagata's status as the series "comic relief" (think Bugs Bunny who can get shot in the face and live to eat a carrot without a scar), these qualities also serve to add complexity to his character by making him more than the series, 'whimpy' punching bag. In other words, I strongly believe that WERE Hanagata so inclined, he would have no difficulty giving most people (and possibly even Otaru's marionettes) a damn good fight... and one which he'd probably win.
Further, Hanagata's lack of social skills (ie suddenly blurting out "Gartlant's people are sure gluttons!" in a room of undernourished men who have just given him their food), common sense, and physical dexterity lead some to believe that he is stupid. As far as IQ itself goes, however, Hanagata is very intelligent. After all, he not only figures out that the bomb Otaru places on Gartlant's main computer is too old to work, he also unlocks the secret to turning Castle Japoness into a weapon of mass destruction (thankfully the second time he was listened to!). Although Hanagata often hides his intelligence behind a cocky "know it all" attitude (due largely, I believe, to his overwhelming sense of social anxiety and self-loathing), he's not an idiot.
Finally, Hanagata is one of the most loyal and loving characters in Saber Marionette. While at first his 'love' for Otaru seems to be little more than a teenage crush, Hanagata's feelings soon mature to a deep and profound loyalty and respect for the young man... and even his marionettes. When Lime is spirited away in one of the later episodes, Hanagata tells Otaru kindly that he will find Lime because she is important to him. In Episode 24, as Terra Two is slowly destroyed by the Mesopotamia's missiles, Hanagata tells Otaru that he can do anything he likes to him -- as long as Yumeji (his little brother) is given a chance to have a future. It is said that a person's true character is revealed in times of adversity and crisis. And while Hanagata's love is certainly not without it's masochistic side, his willingness to stay by Otaru, to fight for him and the things that are important to him even at the risk (and sometimes loss) of his own happiness, desires and personal safety indicate that, ultimately, Hanagata is a truly devoted and loving person.
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