TV-Series
Description
Block is a character from the anime Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai. He is a member of the orichalcum Royal Guard, a group of elite warriors serving the dark lord Hadlar. Block was created by Hadlar using forbidden magic to animate a chess piece, specifically the rook, which forms the basis for his role and abilities within the group.

In terms of appearance, Block is a towering, humanoid metallic construct. His outer form is that of a massive, heavy-set giant with a brick-like pattern across his torso, large shield-like shoulder pads, and a head shaped like a frog-mouth helm. This immense armored exterior houses a much smaller, slimmer, and more agile true form that is revealed only when he utilizes his ultimate technique.

Block's personality is defined by a profound and silent loyalty. He is the quietest member of the Royal Guard, typically communicating only with grunts or low sounds and not uttering any coherent words for the majority of the story. Despite this lack of speech, he possesses a strong sense of cooperation and a quick, tactical mind. His most defining characteristic is his self-sacrificing nature; he has no hesitation in using his own body as a shield to protect his comrades and master from harm, even at great cost to himself. This deep devotion to Hadlar and his fellow guard members is the core of his motivation, driving all of his actions in battle.

Block's role in the story is that of a powerful adversary to the hero Dai and his companions. He is a member of Hadlar's personal guard, and his immense strength makes him a formidable physical obstacle. In his first major confrontation, he single-handedly lifts and throws an enormous ship, demonstrating his raw power. He engages in a contest of pure strength with the Beast King Crocodine, a warrior known for his titanic power, and is shown to be his equal or even superior in terms of physical force. His key relationships are with his creator and master, Hadlar, to whom he is unwaveringly loyal, and with his fellow Royal Guard members, including Sigma, Fenbren, Albinass, and Hym. He acts as a silent but dependable protector for all of them.

Throughout the story, Block's development is subtle but significant. While he remains silent for most of his appearances, his actions consistently demonstrate a growing sense of camaraderie and duty. The most pivotal moment of his development is his final act. When Hadlar rebels against the Dark King Vearn and is about to be executed, Block reveals his hidden ability and sacrifices his life to save his master and the rest of the Royal Guard. In his dying moment, he speaks his first and only words, a simple plea for everyone to look after Lord Hadlar, cementing his legacy as a devoted and selfless warrior.

Regarding his notable abilities, Block possesses immense physical strength, capable of overpowering even the strongest of his allies and enemies in terms of raw power. His body is composed of orichalcum, a legendary metal that grants him near-immunity to most forms of damage. However, his massive size makes him slow, and he struggles against faster opponents. His ultimate technique is named after the chess move Castling. When activated, his outer armor opens up to reveal his slimmer true form. The discarded, massive shell is then used as a medium to create a powerful, teleporting barrier that can instantly transport his allies to safety. This act of ultimate defense, however, comes at the cost of his own life, as the technique consumes him.