New Champion Locke Draws Attention for Resemblance to Famous Demon Hunters
Recently, Riot officially revealed their new champion Locke. Unlike previous years where Riot released at least two new champions annually, starting this season, only one champion will be introduced throughout the year. Locke is described as an AP assassin with abilities focused on mobility and burst damage, along with a stacking mechanic. However, upon his reveal, his appearance and skillset caught many people’s attention for resembling legendary demon hunter characters.
Locke’s design easily evokes a blend of Nanami and Dante—two iconic demon hunters from the entertainment franchises Jujutsu Kaisen (manga/anime) and Devil May Cry (game), respectively. While Dante is a legendary figure in demon hunting, Nanami, though a supporting character, stood out prominently in the “Shibuya Incident” arc. Nanami’s sacrifice became one of the most impactful moments for fans of the series.
Additionally, a detail that reminded many of Jujutsu Kaisen comes from the translated skill description of Locke’s ultimate ability. The R skill—”Prison Gate Soul Seal”—features a sealing effect similar to the “Prison Gate Binding” seen in JJK. However, since this is a translation, it may simply reflect a fan’s influence from the popular manga.
But Locke May Take a While to Appear in Professional LoL
Debuting now, Locke will likely miss at least the EWC 2026 tournament. However, given his introduced skillset, this AP champion promises to bring fresh excitement to League of Legends soon, especially in the professional scene at major events like Worlds.