Raiden
From Free net encyclopedia
- For other uses of the name, see Raiden (disambiguation).
Image:Raijin.jpg Raiden (雷電) or Raijin (雷神) is a god of thunder and lightning in Japanese mythology; his name is derived from the Japanese words rai (雷, thunder) and den (電, lightning) or jin (神, god). He is typically depicted as a demon beating drums to create thunder. Tradition credits Raiden for the failure of the Mongols to invade Japan in 1274, as he is said to have created the storm (kamikaze) that hindered their progress. His companion is the demon Raiju. Raiden is sometimes credited with eating the bellybuttons or bellies of children.
In Japanese art, he is often depicted together with Fujin, the wind god.
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In popular culture
- Raiden entered Western pop culture in the fighting game Mortal Kombat, in which a character based on Raiden appeared. However, the Mortal Kombat character's name is pronounced Template:IPA instead of the actual Japanese pronunciation Template:IPA.
- The name Raijin is used in the game Final Fantasy VIII for one of the followers of Seifer Almasy, along with Fujin. The character named Raijin is also featured in Kingdom Hearts II as a cameo.
- In Final Fantasy VI the esper Odin can be "upgraded" to another called Raiden.
- In the anime Kenyu Densetsu Yaiba, one of the legendary swords contains the spirit of the thunder god, Raijin. He posesses Yaiba's body a few times, but ultimately grants his powers to him, making Yaiba Kurogane the genuine holder of the Raijin sword, which is destined to battle Onimaru's Fujin sword.
- The name Raiden has been used for the main character of the game Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. In the sequel, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Raiden's facial likeness makes a cameo appearance (in the forms of a disguise and a very minor character).
- Raiden is the name of one of the "Mutant Apes" in Shadow Hearts: Covenant. In the game, he becomes possessed by Raijin and transforms into a beastly demon.
- Rockman EXE 2's (and 4), "Thunderman" is remenescent of Raiden, complete with drums.
- A famous Japanese arcade shooting game Raiden.
- Raiden makes an appearance with other Eastern Elemental Gods in the film Big Trouble in Little China
- In Makai Kingdom, Raiden appears as an assassin serving Alexander. His appearance, along with the drums he uses to call forth lightning, are similar to how he's usually depicted.
- In Golden Sun 2: The Lost Age, the Cloud Brand (a legendary Long Sword) can unleash "Raiden's Wrath".
- The first Fatal Fury game for the Neo Geo, features a large masked wrestler by the name of "Raiden".
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