Who is Barou from Blue Lock based on? Explained

Blue Lock‘s King made his first appearance in chapter 5/episode 1 of the series. At first, he seemed intimidating and fully committed to the challenge. However, as the series progressed, he gained a reputation and was highly respected. Shoei Barou was portrayed as a conceited and self-centered forward, always striving to be the top player on the field.

Upon his arrival at Blue Lock, just like every other participant, he shared the same goal of becoming the world’s top striker. During the First Selection, he represented Team X and was tied for the highest scorer in his designated stratum. Following the Blue Lock XI vs Japan U-20 match, Barou solidified his position as one of the leading players in the program.

These achievements highlighted his exceptional abilities and demonstrated his suitability for vying for the prestigious title of World’s Best Striker. As the series continued, it became apparent to viewers that the characters were influenced by real-life soccer players. According to Kaneshiro, the character Shoei Barou draws inspiration from renowned Italian striker Mario Balotelli.

The Inspiration Behind Blue Lock’s Barou, Explained

Shoei Barou is based on Mario Balotelli (Image via Sportskeeda)

Shoei Barou’s character is based on Mario Balotelli, a renowned Italian football player. Balotelli began his professional career in 2005 with Lumezzane and then transferred to Inter Milan in 2007. He later joined Manchester City in 2010 and eventually returned to Italy, signing with AC Milan in 2013.

After a year and a half, he came back to England to join Liverpool and then transferred to Nice in France. He then went back to Italy and spent one year each at Brescia and Monza before ultimately signing with Turkish team Adana Demispor.

According to Kaneshiro, Balotelli served as the inspiration for Shoei Barou, with both players functioning as strikers and possessing exceptional versatility, strength, pace, and goal-scoring abilities. Despite showing great potential as a young player, Balotelli faced criticism for his negative demeanor both on and off the field.

Barou’s Abilities and His Similarities to Balotelli’s Playstyle

Relocating to Blue Lock’s Barou, the forward position is occupied by the Archetype: Complete Forward. These individuals possess exceptional technical skills, precise finishing, and a strong physical presence, enabling them to excel in various roles. They are adept at combining with their teammates, creating chances for themselves, scoring from team plays, and maintaining possession. Typically assigned the “Free Roam”instruction with minimal tactical constraints, they are able to showcase their abilities and contribute to the team’s fluidity through their versatility.

Barou’s greatest asset was his lethal and precise shot, ensuring a goal from up to 29m away from the goal. Additionally, he possessed Predator Eye, a skill that differed from Metavision. Rather than broadening his vision, Barou narrowed it down, fixating on the goalkeeper and patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike and score. Along with Balotelli, Barou had an impressive physique that allowed them to power through opposing defenders and create scoring opportunities.

In Barou’s “Villainous Soccer,”he displayed a self-centered and impulsive style of play, “consuming”his teammates in pursuit of his own goal. Despite this, he showcased impressive dribbling abilities, effortlessly bypassing the opposing defense and scoring with ease. This bears resemblance to Balotelli’s moments of brilliance, where he dazzled the opposition with his mesmerizing footwork and effortlessly outplayed the goalkeeper.

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