Rai (霊, rei, "spirit") is a fictional superhero that appeared in books published by Valiant Comics. Rai was the first original hero created by Valiant and had its beginning as a flipbook back-up feature in Magnus Robot Fighter #5 (October 1991). The popularity of the flipbook back-up story later led to an ongoing series.
In his original incarnation, Rai, named Tohru Nakadai, is the spirit guardian that protects the nation of Japan in the 41st century. It is a mantle that is usually passed down from father to son through the generations, with some exceptions. As such, the series chronicled a number of protagonists.
Tropes:
- Legacy Character: Powered by the Blood of Heroes, the same nanites that power Bloodshot.
- Also a case of Retroactive Legacy, as Rai debuted in the comics prior to Bloodshot.
- Legacy Immortality: The Rai name exists to be a "Spirit Guardian" for Japan in the 41st century, passed down from parent to child or given to a new hero.
- In the original Valiant continuity, Tohru Nakadai died during the events of the Unity crossover. Afterwards, Takao Konishi was infused with the Blood of Heroes and became the new Rai in the events of Rai #0, with the Rai book being retitled Rai and the Future Force.
- Master Computer: Grandmother, the A.I. that controls the entirety of the Host, the home of the population of Japan in the 41st century.
- To Be Lawful or Good: Tohru, the last Rai to directly serve Grandmother, struggled with being torn between upholding the laws he had sworn to uphold and the will of the citizens of the Host.
- Wearing a Flag on Your Head: Japanese Circle of the Sun (also inherited from Bloodshot).
- In the rebooted version, he wears a Japanese Rising Sun.
