TV-Series
Description
Carlos Barrios is a recurring character who first appears during the North America arc of the story. Before the worldwide petrification event, he served as the personal driver for the wealthy Wright family. He began working for them at the young age of sixteen and maintained a close, familial relationship with the family's daughter, Luna Wright, whom he affectionately refers to as "Miss Luna". His professional background is that of a former professional race car driver, which gives him exceptional vehicle handling skills.
Physically, Carlos is a tall and muscular man with curly black hair, often covered by a white bandana, and he typically wears an unbuttoned shirt. His personality is energetic and gleeful, and he is openly devoted to Luna, frequently seeking her attention and praising her. This devotion is a core part of his character; he is fiercely loyal and protective, having watched over Luna for many years alongside his colleague and friend, Max Adams. Despite his large and muscular frame, Carlos is self-aware enough to recognize that he is not particularly skilled at fighting or combat. Because of this, he was the one who recommended hiring Max, who is more adept at physical altercations, to serve as Luna's bodyguard, believing Max could protect her without being overly intimidating in her daily life.
Carlos's role in the story is deeply tied to his loyalty to Luna. At the moment of the first global petrification, he was preparing to give her a platinum ring and, in his final moments of freedom, he put the ring in his own mouth to prevent it from being lost. He then maintained his consciousness for over 3,700 years while in the stone, driven by his desire to ensure Luna would not be alone in the petrified world. When he and his group were eventually depetrified in the new world, he joined Dr. Xeno's science colony in America. The platinum ring he had preserved became a critical resource, allowing Xeno to quickly establish the chemical facilities necessary for his operations.
His key relationships are with Luna, Max, and later with the Kingdom of Science. His bond with Max is an old and trusting one, often marked by a friendly rivalry in their shared mission to protect Luna. Initially, Carlos follows the orders of the military sniper Stanley Snyder, assisting in operations against the Kingdom of Science's ship, the Perseus. However, his motivations are not driven by ideology but by his proximity to Luna, who is also part of Stanley's group. A significant turning point occurs when he ends up driving a vehicle for Taiju Ooki, a member of the Kingdom of Science. Despite the language barrier, Carlos senses the lack of malice in Taiju and the others, leading to a shift in his perspective. Ultimately, his single-minded desire for Luna's well-being leads him to change sides, aligning himself with the Kingdom of Science to ensure her happiness and safety.
Throughout his development, Carlos transitions from a minor antagonist aligned with an opposing scientific force to a steadfast ally. While he is initially nervous about Stanley's ruthless tactics, such as the planned assassination of the enemy's science leader, he shows he has strong moral qualms about such actions. After defecting, he fully commits to the Kingdom of Science, using his unique abilities to assist them. His most notable ability is his expert driving skill, which is crucial during the South America arc. When the group decides to traverse the continent on homemade motorcycles, Carlos uses his professional racing experience to help create a smoke screen, blocking the line of sight for Stanley's pursuing sniper team. He continues to be a reliable member of the team in subsequent arcs, taking part in the mission to cross the ocean, help build "Corn City" in North America, and even assist in the monumental task of creating a computer from scratch. By the story's conclusion, he remains a loyal companion to Luna and a trusted member of the expanded community.
Physically, Carlos is a tall and muscular man with curly black hair, often covered by a white bandana, and he typically wears an unbuttoned shirt. His personality is energetic and gleeful, and he is openly devoted to Luna, frequently seeking her attention and praising her. This devotion is a core part of his character; he is fiercely loyal and protective, having watched over Luna for many years alongside his colleague and friend, Max Adams. Despite his large and muscular frame, Carlos is self-aware enough to recognize that he is not particularly skilled at fighting or combat. Because of this, he was the one who recommended hiring Max, who is more adept at physical altercations, to serve as Luna's bodyguard, believing Max could protect her without being overly intimidating in her daily life.
Carlos's role in the story is deeply tied to his loyalty to Luna. At the moment of the first global petrification, he was preparing to give her a platinum ring and, in his final moments of freedom, he put the ring in his own mouth to prevent it from being lost. He then maintained his consciousness for over 3,700 years while in the stone, driven by his desire to ensure Luna would not be alone in the petrified world. When he and his group were eventually depetrified in the new world, he joined Dr. Xeno's science colony in America. The platinum ring he had preserved became a critical resource, allowing Xeno to quickly establish the chemical facilities necessary for his operations.
His key relationships are with Luna, Max, and later with the Kingdom of Science. His bond with Max is an old and trusting one, often marked by a friendly rivalry in their shared mission to protect Luna. Initially, Carlos follows the orders of the military sniper Stanley Snyder, assisting in operations against the Kingdom of Science's ship, the Perseus. However, his motivations are not driven by ideology but by his proximity to Luna, who is also part of Stanley's group. A significant turning point occurs when he ends up driving a vehicle for Taiju Ooki, a member of the Kingdom of Science. Despite the language barrier, Carlos senses the lack of malice in Taiju and the others, leading to a shift in his perspective. Ultimately, his single-minded desire for Luna's well-being leads him to change sides, aligning himself with the Kingdom of Science to ensure her happiness and safety.
Throughout his development, Carlos transitions from a minor antagonist aligned with an opposing scientific force to a steadfast ally. While he is initially nervous about Stanley's ruthless tactics, such as the planned assassination of the enemy's science leader, he shows he has strong moral qualms about such actions. After defecting, he fully commits to the Kingdom of Science, using his unique abilities to assist them. His most notable ability is his expert driving skill, which is crucial during the South America arc. When the group decides to traverse the continent on homemade motorcycles, Carlos uses his professional racing experience to help create a smoke screen, blocking the line of sight for Stanley's pursuing sniper team. He continues to be a reliable member of the team in subsequent arcs, taking part in the mission to cross the ocean, help build "Corn City" in North America, and even assist in the monumental task of creating a computer from scratch. By the story's conclusion, he remains a loyal companion to Luna and a trusted member of the expanded community.