Bruce

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“You can gamble your own life on that ideal, but not the lives of your platoon members. Now take this sidearm or quit the SDF.” - Bruce. At first glance, Bruce seems like your average jerk. He picks on the main character Manabu, for choosing to not use a gun at all. It seems like he makes no effort to become friends with him. However, the reason he seems to shove Manabu away, it that he’s trying to keep himself from having more pain inflicted on his soul. Biography Bruce is the senior officer of Sirius Platoon, directly under Captain Bulge. His closest friend is David, an easygoing fella who has always understood Bruce. When Manabu joined, all Bruce saw was a young hotshot, who was desperate to prove himself. In reality, he’s distancing himself from Manabu because he’s preventing his heart from being hurt again. He’s lost three partners in the line of duty, and he’s worried that Manabu will fall victim to the luck he has. Bruce has something that shows his softer side; a harmonica that he uses to play the blues. He’s quite good at it. Throughout most of the episodes, he treats Manabu a little better than he used to. However, they still aren’t at the same level that could be. For example, Manabu uses his gun to protect a fellow platoon member, and he tells Bruce he doesn’t regret it. Something turns their relationship on its head, and changes them forever.

Quote: Bruce General Information Real Name Organisation Position Birthplace Date of Birth Age Height Weight Bruce J. Speed Space Defense Force First Officer of Sirius Platoon Unknown Unknown About 30 years old Unknown Unknown

When an intruder infiltrates headquarters, Manabu is nearly killed. Bruce blames the incident due to him being cursed, because he lost three partners before Manabu, and he’s not willing to put the younger man harms way. When Bruce starts to fall under the effects of nerve gas, Manabu rushes to protect him. Together, they stop the intruder, and Bruce is comforted by the fact that Manabu has proven that he’s not cursed after all.

While on a vacation, the two of them have a heart to heart conversation. It’s a sweet and tender moment between them. When Manabu is offered a higher position, he turns it down, much to Bruce’s surprise. When a fellow platoon member is severely injured, Bruce and Manabu race to the rescue. After finding out that their galaxy and universe are about to be invaded, they wonder what will happen. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Bruce has to stay behind and recover at a hospital. He deigns staying, not knowing that the decision he made would eventually be fatal.

While stopping at an abandoned gas station, Bruce is shot and left for dead by an unknown stranger. Sadly, he succumbs to the wound, and dies with the names of his family on his lips. It’s not shown how they found his body, but it effects them all in different ways. Since Manabu was Bruce’s partner, he takes the harmonica and keeps it in his chest pocket for good luck. During the final showdown between Manabu and the enemy general, Manabu is seriously injured and would’ve died, had it not been for the harmonica in his chest pocket, so I guess you could say that even in death, Bruce saved Manabu once more.

In season two, when they meet someone who knew Bruce years ago, it’s shocking to find out that a whole year had passed since his death. His family/crewmates talks about him as if he were still there. It’s gut wrenching to find out that Manabu still carries the broken, battered harmonica in his chest pocket. To Manabu, it’s a symbol that Bruce protects him from afar, until they can someday meet again.

Trivia

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• character created by leiji matsumoto.
• knows how to play the blues on a harmonica
• sees Sirius Platoon as his family
• distanced himself from Manabu to protect the younger man
• Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu (Japanese); Mike McFarland (English)

Quotes

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Art by @/EkynAmor
Bruce, you deserved better. You have no idea how much your friends miss you, even after so long. Manabu still carries your harmonica. He and everyone else have never forgotten you. You were oh so loved by them, it broke their hearts when they lost you. It gave them the courage to keep fighting. I believe that you saved Manabu that day. You’re his guardian angel, his protector from afar. I’m sure you’ll be waiting for them, and that someday you will be reunited with the people you saw as your family.