Baran

Baran
Baran as he appears in the manga.
Name in Kanji	バラン
Name in Romaji	Baran
Alternate spelling(s)	none
Fighting Style	Hokuto Shin Ken
Allegiance(s)	n/a
Family	Yūka (younger sister)
Position(s)	Emperor of Light (光帝, Kōtei)
Appearances	Manga (ch. 230-236)
Voice actor(s)	n/a

Baran, the Emperor of Light (光帝バラン, Kōtei Baran)

As a boy, he asked Raoh to teach him Hokuto Shinken (like the Gōshō Ha technique) to take revenge upon God for the death of his sister, Yūka. However, Raoh declined, since Hokuto Shinken is "transferred only from father to son", and told Baran to learn it through observation. One fateful day, Raoh's army walked past a destroyed village where they found a girl who had lost her mind. Taking pity on her, he tried to give his mantle, however Raoh instead told Baran to end her suffering. Baran couldn't do it and so Raoh deserted him.

Many years later Baran conquers the land of Blanca and assumes the title "Kōtei" (Emperor of Light), using the secrets of Hokuto Shinken to convince people he is a messiah. He also keeps the Princess Luseli prisoner, as she bears a resemblance to his little sister, and wishes to protect her against her will. Baran relinquishes control after being defeated by Kenshirō's true Gousho Ha technique, and when Ryu, (Raoh's son), tries to sacrifice himself to stop the madness. Baran is moved by Ryu's actions and admits defeat, allowing the people of Blanca to execute him to prove he was a false messiah. It is Baran's sacrifice that shows Ryu the way of heroism.