You are about to meet Locke, the next champion joining the League of Legends roster. Riot Games introduced him through a cinematic featuring Vayne, where his design and personality immediately drew attention.
As you watch the footage and review the promotional material, you notice clear visual and thematic influences that echo well-known anime characters. Riot has addressed these similarities directly, even explaining specific design choices, including why Locke had to be blonde.
Fans Compare Locke to Nanami and Vash the Stampede
You first saw the comparisons when the teaser dropped. Riot showed only a shadowed outline, but the round glasses stood out and pushed you to think of Nanami Kento from Jujutsu Kaisen and Vash the Stampede from Trigun.
After the full cinematic released, the similarities felt stronger to many viewers.
- Circular spectacles
- Calm, composed presence
- Stylized, anime-inspired flair
Online discussion quickly framed Locke through those familiar references.
Locke’s Creators Channel Dante and Vergil Energy in a Blonde Assassin
You can see clear parallels to Devil May Cry when you study Locke’s visual direction. Riot’s team leaned into the stylish confidence associated with Dante and Vergil, shaping him as a sleek, high-impact assassin built for mid-lane players who value speed and precision.
Developers aimed for a character who feels sharp and composed rather than chaotic. They focused on:
- Clean, deliberate movements
- A composed but intense expression
- High-contrast costume elements
- A silhouette that reads instantly in combat
This approach targets players who enjoy fast engagements and decisive outplays. You get a champion designed to look as controlled as he plays.
The art direction came from Lonewingy, whose portfolio includes Irelia, Kayle, Lillia, and Zaahen. Her influence shows in Locke’s refined posture and balanced proportions. She pushed strongly for one defining trait: blonde hair. That choice separates him visually from darker-toned exorcist archetypes and reinforces his polished, anime-inspired identity.
Anime influences extend beyond his face and hair. The team explored multiple weapon concepts before settling on the final version. Early iterations included:
| Iteration Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Chain-linked blades | Dagger forms connected by cord |
| Nunchuck variants | Flexible, momentum-based weapons |
| Tethered knives | Compact blades with extended reach |
You can still trace that experimentation in the final design, especially in the detailing around his nails and coffin elements. Community comparisons have drawn links to characters from Jujutsu Kaisen, particularly in the weapon styling. The resemblance appears strongest in the hammer-and-nail aesthetic, though the execution remains distinct within League’s universe.
Locke does not mark the first time Devil May Cry has shaped League design. Samira’s Style grading system and ultimate ability already echo that franchise’s combat philosophy. With Locke, you see Riot revisit that influence through a different lens: less gunslinger flair, more composed exorcist precision.
You will see him arrive on live servers in Patch 26.13 on June 24, 2026.
