日本經典漫畫《北斗神拳》中的反派角色拉歐（ラオウ）擁有極高的人氣，其魅力不僅源於劇中作為「拳王」的強大霸氣，更來自於他與主角拳四郎之間的宿命對決所帶來的震撼力。拉歐的個性堅毅、氣勢凌人，他所代表的不僅是一個虛構角色，更象徵著力量、尊嚴與榮譽，使他成為動漫迷心目中無法替代的存在。這份獨特魅力也促成粉絲群體對他的深厚情感，許多人甚至將他視為父親般的象徵，對角色的命運投入真切的情感，如同美國人對貓王（Elvis Presley）的崇拜與懷念。

這種情感在現實世界中被具體化，最具代表性的是2007年電影《真救世主傳說北斗神拳—拉歐傳—激鬥之章》上映前舉辦的仿真「昇魂式」告別式。為了宣傳電影，製作公司選擇在東京的高野山別院舉行這場儀式，吸引數千名身著喪服的粉絲冒雨參加。僧侶誦經祈福，原作者與聲優也親臨現場致意，整個活動場面宏大而莊重，既是對電影宣傳的創意呈現，也是一場對角色本身的致敬。這場活動不僅顯示了動漫人物在日本流行文化中的影響力，也反映了粉絲將虛構角色視為現實情感寄託的現象。

事實上，拉歐的告別式並非孤例。在《北斗神拳》之前，日本就曾為《小拳王》的力石徹、《科學小飛俠》的南宮博士等角色舉辦過類似活動，這些盛事展示動漫文化中長久以來的傳統：透過儀式化的方式，將虛構世界與現實情感交織，使角色的影響力延伸至現實生活。拉歐的告別式不僅是一場電影宣傳活動，更是對一個時代經典動漫人物的深情致敬，彰顯出虛構角色如何在文化中激發真實而強烈的情感共鳴，成為動漫歷史中的重要文化現象。

The villain Raoh (ラオウ) from the classic Japanese manga Fist of the North Star (Hokuto no Ken) enjoys immense popularity, not only because of his overwhelming presence as the "King of Fists," but also due to the dramatic, fateful confrontations he shares with the protagonist, Kenshiro. Raoh’s steadfast personality and commanding aura make him more than just a fictional character; he symbolizes strength, dignity, and honor, cementing his place as an irreplaceable figure in the hearts of fans. This unique charm has inspired deep emotional attachment from fans, many of whom view him almost as a paternal figure, experiencing genuine sorrow over his fate—similar to how Americans revere and remember Elvis Presley.

This attachment manifested in reality during a staged “soul ascending ceremony” held in 2007 to promote the movie Fist of the North Star: Raoh Den - Fierce Fight Chapter. The production company organized the ceremony at a branch of Koyasan in Tokyo, attracting thousands of fans dressed in mourning attire, even braving the rain to attend. Monks recited sutras, while the original creator and voice actors personally attended to pay respects. The event was both grand and solemn, serving not only as an innovative promotional activity for the movie but also as a heartfelt tribute to the character himself. It highlighted the cultural impact of anime characters in Japanese pop culture and reflected how fans often invest genuine emotions in fictional figures.

In fact, Raoh’s ceremony was not an isolated case. Prior to Fist of the North Star, similar events were held for characters such as Rikiishi Tetsuya from Ashita no Joe and Dr. Nambu from Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, demonstrating a longstanding tradition in anime culture. Through ritualized ceremonies, the boundaries between fictional worlds and real-life emotions are intertwined, extending the influence of these characters into the tangible world. Raoh’s memorial ceremony was more than a promotional event—it was a deeply respectful homage to an iconic anime character of a generation, showcasing how fictional figures can evoke genuine, powerful emotional resonance and become significant cultural phenomena in anime history.