From Hokuto no Ken Encyclopedia | HnKWiki
- Baran, the Emperor of Light (光帝バラン, Kōtei Baran)
- As a boy he asked Raoh to teach him some of the Hokuto Shinken secrets (like the Gousho Ha technique) to take revenge on God for the death of his sister Yūka. However, Raoh declined his plea, since Hokuto Shinken is "transferred only from father to son", and advised Baran to learn it through observation. One fateful day, Raoh's army walked past a destroyed village where Baran found a girl that lost her mind. Taking pity on her, he tried to give his mantle to her, however Raoh told Baran to end her suffering, but Baran couldn't do it and so Raoh deserted him. Many years later Baran conquers the land of Blanca and takes over as the "Kōtei" (Emperor of Light). He relinquishes control after being defeated by Kenshirō's true "Gousho Ha" technique, and Ryu (Raoh's son) tries to sacrifice himself to protect the innocent. Baran is is moved by Ryu's actions and admits defeat, allowing the people of Blanca to execute him to prove he was not a man of miracles. It is Baran's sacrifice that shows Ryu the way of heroism.