Harika

**Harika** (ハリカ) is one of the supporting characters in Yuto Sano's one-shot Japanese manga titled *Lawless Kid,* published on April 22, 2019, in Jump SQ's 2019 SPRING Issue. She is a young girl living on the fringes of society, much like Orga and Nick. They gather discarded materials from the elevated areas to sustain themselves.

## Appearance

Harika is of petite build, with short hair that has uneven fringes. She often dresses in loose shirts, rolling up the sleeves, and layers it with a jumper. Additionally, she wears a mask when outdoors to protect herself from smoke and haze.

## Personality

Harika possesses an energetic character that brings joy to those around her. Her lively and casual smiles have endeared her to Orga and Mr. Fido, who appreciate this aspect of her personality.

## Plot

### Background

Main article: Lawless Kid
A month after the insurgency, the upper echelons believe their country is free from undesirable elements, creating distress for kids like Orga, who could be labeled as trash. Despite this, Harika's smiles provide comfort to Orga amidst his dissatisfaction with his homeland. Mr. Fido reads infuriating news about hypocrisy. Orga returns with supplies and Mr. Fido reprimands him briefly. Orga explains their need for money from their lawless area to escape their situation.

Harika arrives with loot, but Orga cautions her for removing her mask. He advises against going alone. Nick arrives, explaining his presence with Harika. They are now ready to leave with money from Mr. Fido. Orga navigates the streets, reflecting on their tough upbringing and the urgency to escape. They scavenge for items with others. Harika talks to Nick about her affection for Orga.

Orga visits Mr. Fido to exchange money, learning about the aggressive Security Defense Forces. Orga leaves to search for Harika and Nick after learning that they haven't arrived Mr. Fido's shop. He finds Nick, realizing Harika's unfortunate situation. Orga confronts Nick and redirects him toward redemption.

The Government Captain enslaves women and girls. Orga and Nick halt their journey due to guards. Mr. Fido helps them, giving Orga his gun. Orga questions a guard. They find the 20th floor, reuniting with Harika. Captain shoots a guard and slaps Harika. Nick's attempt to shoot the Captain fails. Captain shoots Nick, punches Orga, and tries to strangle him. Nick intervenes, aiding Orga.

A week later, conditions in the lower land improve. Harika gives Orga a flower, symbolizing hope.

## Relationships

* **Orga:** Given Orga's protective tendencies towards Harika, it's logical to infer that he views her as a younger companion, almost like a real-life younger sister. He often looks out for her well-being, warning her against going out alone and encouraging her to wear a mask to avoid detection by the Security Defense Forces. When Nick betrayed Harika by selling her to the government, Orga's deep distress became evident. Despite his initial anger towards Nick, his main focus shifted to rescuing Harika, overriding his anger.

* **Nick:** Although the one-shot didn't directly illustrate how Harika first became acquainted with Nick, it suggested that the trio, alongside Orga, spent their childhood together. This gave rise to a familial connection among them. Additionally, Harika would occasionally refer to him as "Brother Nick" in a relaxed manner.

* **Mr. Fido:** Mr. Fido compensates them financially for their help, acquiring valuable items during Trash Disposal Day when discarded upper land objects are transported to their area. Fido also played an integral part in supporting Orga during the mission to save Harika, equipping Orga with essential self-defense items. Furthermore, he expressed an appreciation for Harika's smiles, considering them a special aspect of her personality, and expressed regret at the thought of not seeing them again.

## Etymology

* The term "ハリカ" appears to be a transliteration of the Turkish word "harika" into Katakana, which is a script used in the Japanese writing system for foreign words. The Turkish word "harika" carries the meanings of "great," "marvellous," "fantastic," and "wonderful."

The Turkish etymology of "harika" is traced back to Ottoman Turkish "خارقه‎," which originated from the Arabic word "خارِقة‎" (ḵāriqa), meaning "marvel" or "something supernatural."