Al-Kaplan Balaban is a tall, imposing figure with sharp and distinctive features that reflect his bold and assertive nature. He has short, wavy red hair slicked back, with strands that float slightly behind his head. His facial features include slanted, rough-edged eyes and large, crooked eyebrows, giving him a constantly intense expression.

He typically wears a long, black one-piece kaftan adorned with golden circular linings, paired with a flowing red mantle. Notably, Balaban continues to wear this outfit even during times of war, reinforcing his unyielding and flamboyant presence on the battlefield.

Al-Kaplan Balaban is characterized by his intense pride, often bordering on arrogance. Once he makes a decision, he expects absolute adherence, and opposition tends to provoke his anger due to his easily wounded pride. Despite his volatile temperament, Balaban possesses a commanding charisma and a strong, resilient presence that earns him loyalty and respect on the battlefield.

He is also shown to be intelligent and tactically adept, having served as a capable military general. However, he displays a degree of vanity, believing that those who serve and protect him should also be physically attractive, reflecting his emphasis on image and presentation.

Beneath his confident and forceful exterior, Balaban harbors a deep fear of abandonment. This vulnerability is revealed during his final moments, as he expresses heartbreak and confusion over Beyazit’s betrayal especially painful given Beyazit’s earlier declarations of love. His emotional reaction underscores the loneliness he feared most, ultimately leading to his tragic downfall.

Al-Kaplan Balaban is recognized as a highly capable military leader. According to Ismail, he surpasses even Sultan Uzun Ismail’s own father in terms of strategic acumen and battlefield command. Balaban leads the elite Yeniçeri corps with authority and precision, earning a formidable reputation as a general. Ismail also notes that without Beyazit’s Şark Yay (Eastern Bow), their forces would stand little chance against Balaban’s army.

Beyond his battlefield prowess, Balaban demonstrates sharp political insight. In a notable instance, he exposes the corruption of Minister Bilge by cleverly ordering him to allocate the national budget toward excessive and inappropriate luxuries namely slave boys and malachite stone revealing the minister’s true character and unworthiness. This act highlights Balaban’s intelligence and potential as a ruler, though ultimately overshadowed by his prideful and ruthless disposition.

Twelve years prior to the main events of the series, Al-Kaplan Balaban and his brother Beyazit lost their father during a war. This tragedy became a turning point for Balaban, instilling in him a fierce determination to grow stronger and reshape the future of the Mizrak Stratocracy. He vowed to transform Mizrak into a truly independent nation, one capable of making its own decisions without relying on Turkiye. His ultimate goal was to prevent the country from being dragged into unwanted conflicts dictated by foreign powers, as had happened in the past.