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Rai is a character from the Valiant Comics series. He originally appeared in the title Magnus, Robot Fighter by Valiant, but later got his own ongoing series. Rai is the spirit guardian that protects the machine nation of Japan in the 41st century. It is a mantle past down from father to son through the generations. As such the series chronicled a number of protaginists. STORY In 4001 A.D., a massive machine known as the Host covers the entire island of Japan . Eight billion Japanese dwell inside this mighty construct, which is, in fact, a single, enormous robot. Rai, whose name means "spirit", is the hereditary defender of the Host - its living "immune system." Rai draws weapons from his own body to protect the people of Japan and his creator Grandmother, the sentient AI robot that controls Japan. The line of Rai were created by Grandmother in the image of the 20th century hero Bloodshot. She hoped to inspire her people by invoking his heroism. In that respect, the Rais are a direct line of descendants from Bloodshot. Japan is torn by two waring ideologies. The traditionalists, who believe Grandmother should continue controlling every aspect of life; and the extremist Anti-Grannies, who want to destroy Grandmother and believe that Japan should begin caring for itself. GRANDMOTHER & THE ORIGIN OF RAI Early in the 31st century, the entire land mass of the island nation of Japan was blanketed by hundreds of levels of high-tech urban sprawl. In order to support such a spectacular megalopolis, with its population of over 50 billion, a tremendously powerful central computer was designed to control every aspect of the island's function. In 3050, that computer went "freewill", which meant that it took on an independent, artificial intelligence. The populace dubbed it "Grandmother" because of its clearly benevolent desire to care for and protect the people of Japan. To insure her own safety, Grandmother created a security force of one. Forged in the image of the legendary 20th century hero, Bloodshot, her Spirit Guardian would be called "Rai". The first Rai was infused with some unknown form of energy which gave him great strength, and the ability to form Energy Weapons. He was also able to travel through the nerveweb of Japan, the computer network which gave Grandmother control of the city, thus allowing him to move anywhere inside Japan at virtually the speed of thought. The line of Rai would be passed from father to son through the generations. TOHRU NAKADAI, THE UNITY RAI In 4001 A.D., however, the Earth was invaded by vicious Spider Aliens, and Grandmother was forced to launch Japan into space in order to defeat them. With the combined might of Earth's forces, the armada was repelled, but Grandmother was so badly damaged that she finally left Japan to govern itself. The Rai of that time, Tohru Nakadai, remained behind to champion his nation, until his death at the hands of Mothergod during the Unity conflict. Mothergod proved disastrous to Japan. As a result of her machinations, the orbiting island fell from space shortly before Tohru's death, killing billions of its inhabitants. But in its darkest hour, Takao Konishi, a Harbinger with the potential to receive the Blood of Heroes, was chosen to inherit the mantle and continue the lineage of Rai (Rai #0). SHO SUGINO, THE SECOND RAI In the year 3216, seeking to thwart Grandmother's champion, the Anti-Grannies had somehow managed to obtain the Blood of Heroes - the very plasma that coursed through Bloodshot's veins nearly twelve hundred years before. Once a suitable host could be found, the blood's power could be used to give them control over any electronic intelligence - including Grandmother's. Sho Sugino, the second Rai, was summoned to defend Japan, protect Grandmother, and defeat the terrorists. He succeeded but after handing over the blood of heroes he was abandoned in the Lost Land by Grandmother. COMIC BOOK COVER GALLERY |
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