This is a stylized "R", basically an artistic drawing of the letter 'R' with a "Japanese feel". | |
This is actually a Japanses word, however it was most likely chosen for the resemblance to the letter 'A'. (The word means "thick" in Japanese.) | |
This is a stylized "I", basically an artistic drawing of the letter 'I' with a "Japanese feel", borrowed mainly from the 'A'. | |
This the Japanese word "Rei", pronounced 'Ray'. Because Valiant officially stated that "RAI" should be pronounced 'Rye', the Japanese word 'Rei' is not the pronouncable name of the character.
In fact, 'Rei' means "spirit" in Japanese. The "Blood of Heroes" within Rai began with Bloodshot, who was originally called 'Rising Spirit'. It appears the idea of 'Rising Spirit' was incorporated into the title graphic for Rai. The Japanese symbol means 'spirit', and "RAI" is pronounced 'Rye' as in 'Rising'. Literally translated, the title graphic for Rai is: RAI (English) SPIRIT (Japanese) |