Ray-San: What To Expect From A Rayman Anime

(Originally posted on laurasambitiouswriting.wordpress.com on the 22nd of March 2019)

Minasan, Kon’nichiwa! I became quite a huge Rayman fan when I played Rayman Raving Rabbids for the Nintendo Wii during my early high school years [31], so I suppose now is a good time to theorise how the limbless hero could have his own new interpretation someday. It turns out that the Rayman franchise does not seem highly prevalent in Japan, despite Ubisoft’s efforts back in the 1990s and so on [2] [7]. Since the many forms of anime and manga came from Japan, perhaps an anime based on Rayman’s legacy would be just the thing that will help him achieve his best Japanese recognition. It may not be an official idea from the masterminds behind the big-nosed hero, but it would be fascinating to discuss what would make an official anime of him appealing. Quite ironically enough, there was a discussion on the idea of Rayman having his own manga series between some fans back in late 2012 [8]. Without further ado, let us begin.

“An anime for this guy? Really?” muttered possibly some of my dear readers. [13]

Firstly, a whole new exclusive design of Rayman and several supporting characters from his current era ought to consist of a splendid traditional anime style. When Rayman 2: The Great Escape was released in the Japanese market, the colour of Rayman’s shirt was changed to blue because the developers speculated that purple was referred as “the colour of the dead” in Japanese culture [10] [13] [14] [19] [23] [24]. The same method was applied to the updated port of the game, Rayman Revolution and a manga-style comic strip titled “Enter the New Hero”. Even though purple is actually often seen a sign of royalty in Japanese culture, I would not mind seeing the limbless wonder in a blue shirt again [1] [6] [10] [13] [14] [19] [23] [24]. I can briefly imagine Rayman in his modern design in a blue shirt again, along with mesmerising blue or hazel anime-like eyes [13]. As for the current supporting characters, I think Betilla the Fairy in her modern design and the other nymphs would look stunning in an anime art style, thus benefiting the appeal for many anime-lovers due to their…ahem…provocative appearances [12] [29] [30]. It would take talent, consideration, and diligence to produce a fantastic art style and some excellent animation within an anime based on Rayman.

Rayman wearing a blue shirt in the Japanese version of Rayman Revolution. [23]

Rayman with beautiful hazel eyes in the promotional image for his place in Soul Hunters. [13]

It would perhaps be best to base an anime’s premise on the current era of Rayman that started with Rayman Origins back in 2011, considering how it progressed with three mobile spin offs and a direct sequel [26] [27] [28] [29]. However, if an official anime ought to establish a whole new life for Rayman instead, I do not think I would be too surprised. The blonde limbless cutie’s life has been rewritten a few times, including the time when he was good friends with a witch named Clara in the 1998 educational game that was only available in France and Canada due to how the only language available was French [15]. I do miss some aspects of the older Rayman games, including Ly the Fairy’s sweet personality and meditative nature [11] [17]. I also would love to see a fusion of her design from the Japanese version of Rayman 2 and her appearance in the Game Boy Advance version of Rayman Raving Rabbids [11] [17]. Whether the setting ought to be based on the Rayman Origins era or not, it ought to at least seem engaging with remarkable environments and a cast of colourful characters in a splendid anime style.

I think I found a very big sign of a possible Rayman anime in the near future. [30]

However, Ly the Fairy looked beautiful in the Game Boy Advance version of Rayman Raving Rabbids and I would love to see her in an anime art style for an official Rayman anime. [11] [17]

I would not be too astonished if he has five fingers instead of four in his own anime, just like how he had five fingers in some images from the Japanese version of the Game Boy Colour port of the original Rayman [4]. The same method also applied to Crash Bandicoot’s Japanese counterpart [3] [25]. It would be due to how a four-fingered hand gesture that would remind workers in the Japanese meat packing industry of frequent accidents is considered to be insensitive towards them [3]. What is more disturbing is that a four-fingered gesture could remind some Japanese folks of a horrible finger shortening method for disobedient Yakuza members [3] [21] [22]. The thought of having to have part of your pinky finger sliced off in a gang is simply revolting, thus I completely understand why an anime Rayman would have five fingers rather than four [4]. I understand that a four-fingered hand would be easier to draw and animate, but at least there would be a very legitimate reason for adding an extra finger to each hand.

An edit in a cutscene for the Japanese version of the Game Boy Colour version of the original Rayman. He has five fingers instead of four. [4]

I would completely understand why several Western characters would be given an extra finger in Japan, including Crash Bandicoot. The premise of gang members having to have their pinky fingers cut off is terrifying and disgusting. [21] [22] [25]

I also miss the best portrayal of Rayman’s character development, which was in Rayman 2: The Great Escape [13]. He was kind towards his allies, including his best buddy Globox and was more mature, compared to how juvenile he was in Rayman Origins [13] [29] [30]. In the Wii version of Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party, he was rather out of character and acted nothing like the noble adventurer he was in the Rayman trilogy [18]. Any of the scenes in each episode of an anime based on Rayman would need to show:

• The way he throws his fists at foes
• His helicopter hair
• His nobility and heroism

What would make a Rayman anime spectacular would be expressing his nobility towards his allies, along with his powers. I honestly would like to hear a suitable Japanese voice for him that almost sounds like KAITO, the lovable blue-haired Vocaloid from the Project Diva series whose voice was constructed with the talent of Naoto Fuuga, a Japanese singer [5] [32]. For an English dub, I would like to hear a voice that sounds like David Gasman from his mouth [13]. An anime Rayman should at least have a likeable personality for the sake of a refreshing interpretation of him.

An admirable and trustworthy Rayman would need to be brave, cheerful, helpful, heroic and kind-hearted. [10]

In conclusion, an official Rayman anime might as well boost the appeal of Rayman’s legacy in Japan. If it becomes quite successful, it will make up for the poor sales of Rayman Legends back in late 2013 [2] [7]. If it spawns about thirteen episodes, an English dub of it could make up for the cancellation and failure of the Rayman television series from 1999 that sadly only lasted up to four episodes instead of thirteen [13]. In my mind, a whole new Rayman for the early 2020s could feature:

• A blue shirt [1] [6] [10] [13] [14]
• Stunning blue or hazel anime-like eyes [13]
• Five fingers instead of four [4]
• A pleasant and approachable personality [13]
• An upbeat voice with a Japanese accent [5]

I am not saying an official Rayman anime will definitely happen. I simply wanted to discuss something quite different with my followers and fellow gamers. Feel free to express your thoughts on this concept in the comments. Yonde kurete arigatou gozaimasu.

Sayonara for now. [10]

References

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