# Ginga Sengoku Gun'yūden Rai

Ginga Sengoku Gun'yūden Rai (銀河戦国群雄伝ライ, lit. "Galaxy Warring State Chronicle Rai") is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by George Manabe. It was first serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Comic Comp Magazine beginning November 1989 up to January 1993. The series transferred publication to MediaWorks's Dengeki Comic Gao! magazine from February 1993 to November 2001. The series focuses on Rai Ryuga, a young courageous warrior who seeks to unify the cosmos in a war against other two powerful forces. The series borrows heavily from events of the Sengoku period and events from the Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
An anime adaptation of the series aired on TV Tokyo from April 8, 1994, to March 31, 1995. It was known outside Japan as Thunder Jet: Raiders of the Galaxy Empire. Surprisingly, this manga has more popularity in the Arab countries, due to dubbing it on the famous kids TV channel "SPACETOON", and known as " (Hazeem Al Raad) هزيم الرعد".

## Plot

After the collapse of the Sacred Galaxy Empire, a battle for control of the Milky Way Galaxy breaks out among the warlords. From the chaos emerges a young courageous warrior, Rai Ryuga. He is a fearless warrior to his foes but to others, he is a gentle soul, dependable and loyal. Two powerful forces aspire to reign over the entire empire: Hiki Danjo, ruler of the Northern Region of the Milky Way, and Lord Masamune, ruler of the Southern Region. Rai sees the ensuing battle and ponders the ultimate goal: to battle against other factions in order to reunify the Milky Way under one ruler and that one day he will bring peace to the galaxy.

## Characters
### Rai Ryuga (竜我 雷, Ryūga Rai)

    Voiced by: Shinichiro Ohta (Audio Drama), Nobuyuki Hiyama (Anime)
    The protagonist and a hero of the series. His actual age remain unknown but in the manga he was about 18 years old at the time he was in Danjo's army. He joined the Army of the Kingdom of Gojo as a Private, but he was quickly promoted to platoon leader and, later, as battalion commander after successive victories in critical battles. In the anime, Rai is portrayed as more of a hero and is more one dimensional compared to his manga appearance. In the manga, he begins with an attitude similar to his anime portrayal, but as the story progresses, his ambitions leave consequences that enable him to rise higher within the ranks of the galactic kingdoms at the expense of the lives of numerous key characters ; this makes Rai a more complex individual who, as he keeps gaining more power, is tragically torn between choosing the right thing to do and following his ambition to become the emperor regardless of the casualties. After Shimon's death in both versions, Rai vows to become a just ruler who will unite the galaxy and protect the people living in peace. His overzealous dream of becoming the ruler of the galaxies serves as Gen'i's main source of strength, indirectly causing Simone's death and much of the conflicts fought by Rai throughout the story. In the manga's special epilogue chapter, an older Rai (now emperor) meets Jamka, the son he conceived through a secret affair with Lord Masamune, and the one who would truly realize Simone's dream of unifying the galaxy.

### Unkai (紫紋)

    Voiced by: Yuu Shimaka
    A 34-year-old monk born in the same planet as Rai. He has tremendous physical strength while being very loyal to him.

### Tasuke (麗羅)

    Voiced by: Kappei Yamaguchi
    A 14-year-old boy who tags along with Rai and Unkai. Often seen using a gun during battles. He died in a mission in the manga when he tried to bomb the Ren Kingdom warships by disguise as a Ren's soldier. During the mission, his masquerade was exposed and severely injured by many of the soldiers on the ship; therefore, he decided to sacrifice by setting off the explosion in the gunpowder unit, blow up a series of ships instantly that later led to Rai's victory.

### Lan-Lan (蘭々, Ranran)

    Voiced by: Sumie Baba
    A little girl who serves as an attendant for Shimon, she is also a younger sister of Kagyoku. She loves and trusts her very much. In the manga she is Kagyoku's younger sister, as well as a much less important character; despite being assigned as Shimon's servant, Lan-Lan is not given much of a role. In the end of the manga, she becomes Soukuka's wife.
Roha (known as Rojina in the Arabic dub)
One of the powerful general in Kujo, and she was the first to believe in Rai and made him a leader. She died in a battle with Rai
Masumi
The ruler of planet Thai and she's considered by many fans the most powerful women in the series along with Roha. She was the most powerful enemy against Emperor Danjo. She died from a heart disease before she fought Rai.

## Media
### Manga

The original manga is released in November 1989 up to January 1993 and was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Comic Comp magazine. The manga is compiled into 6 tankobon volumes on its first released. The series then moved to MediaWorks's Dengeki Comic Gao! and ran from February 1993 to November 2001, compiling the series up to 16 tankobon volumes. The entire manga series is later available in both Kadokawa's BookWalker app in Japan and in Amazon's Amazon Kindle app.

### Anime

The anime adaptation of the manga was animated by E&G Films and aired on TV Tokyo in Japan from April 8, 1994, to March 31, 1995. Seiji Okuda directed the series with scripts written by Jinzō Toriumi. (Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, Yatterman) Norihiko Tanimoto performed the series' opening theme "Ikazuchi Densetsu" (雷伝説, lit. "Thunder Legend") while Mari Sasaki sang the ending theme "Yume Kesshō" (夢化粧, lit. "Make-Up Dream")
In 1993, one year before the anime aired on TV, the president of Kadokawa Shoten Haruki Kadokawa was arrested for instructing photographer Takeshi Ikeda, a close aide, to smuggle cocaine from the United States on several occasions. He was charged with smuggling and embezzling money from his company in order to fund the drug purchases. The arrest resulted in Kadokawa's anime productions to be produced under lower budget to studios such as E&G Films. Because of this incident, George Manabe has voiced a dislike for the anime adaptation, further stating he wanted everyone involved in the anime production to get a death sentence. It also was aired in TPI (now MNCTV), Indonesia during 1995. As of 2021, the show has not been released in any format.

#### Episodes

| # | Title | Original airdate |
| 01 | "A Flaming Star of Galaxy" Transliteration: "Ginga no Fuuunji" (Japanese: 銀河の風雲児) | April 8, 1994 (1994-4-8) |
| The collapse of the HOLY EMPIRE of the Milky Way that has lasted millennium results in a cosmic chaos in the Galaxy, plunging it into a long period of conflict among warring nations. This world of conflict is ideal for the men of ambitions. Among them is a young soldier in the army of the Kingdom of Gojo, THUNDER JET. During the war with the Kingdom of SAKURA, who alone resists Gojo's dominance in the Northern Territory of the Milky Way, Thunder Jet distinguishes himself by slaying SHUZEN, the King of Sakura, and the scene is witnessed by Simone, the daughter of Shuzen, who vows to avenger her father's death. Though he is handsomely rewarded, thunder Jet is not satisfied. He feels resentment toward DAN-JOE, the King of Gojo, for ordering him and his comrades in a suicidal attack that has caused the death of many of his friends. In order to get proper compensations for the families of his deceased comrades, Thunder Jet takes his case directly to the King, a defiant act that normally results in death. Indeed he is sentenced to die, only to be rescued by Reila, the only daughter of Dan-Joe. She is touched by Thunder Jet's unselfish and courageous act. But that night, Boot City, the capital of Gojo, is stunned by a surprise attack. Hundreds of thousand soldiers descend on the City and catch Dan-Joe's army off guard. |||
| 02 | "A Warlord Called One-Eyed Dragon" Transliteration: "Bibou no Dokugan Ryuu" (Japanese: 美貌の独眼竜) | April 15, 1994 (1994-4-15) |
| 03 | "Thunder Jet Sallies Forth to the South Region!" Transliteration: "Shutsugeki! 4077 Butai" (Japanese: 出撃! 4077部隊) | April 22, 1994 (1994-4-22) |
| 04 | "First Ordeal of Galaxy Battle" Transliteration: "Shouri e no Totsunyuu" (Japanese: 勝利への突入!) | April 29, 1994 (1994-4-29) |
| 05 | "Desperate Exodus" Transliteration: "Kesshi no Dasshutsu Sakusen" (Japanese: 決死の脱出作戦) | May 6, 1994 (1994-5-6) |
| 06 | "Headlong Charge to Enemy's Flag Ship" Transliteration: "Nagurikomi Senkan" (Japanese: なぐりこみ戦艦) | May 13, 1994 (1994-5-13) |
| 07 | "Rescue of Rogina" Transliteration: "Rouha o Sukue!" (Japanese: 狼刃を救え!) | May 20, 1994 (1994-5-20) |
| 08 | "Feud Among Three Dominant Forces" Transliteration: "Hokuten ni Arashi Fuku" (Japanese: 北天に嵐吹く) | May 27, 1994 (1994-5-27) |
| 09 | "Destroy the Traitors!" Transliteration: "Uragirimono o Oe" (Japanese: 裏切り者を追え) | June 3, 1994 (1994-6-3) |
| 10 | "Desperate Rescue Operation" Transliteration: "Sutemi no Kyuushutsu Sakusen" (Japanese: 捨て身の救出作戦) | June 10, 1994 (1994-6-10) |
| 11 | "Assassination of Dan-Joe" Transliteration: "Danjou Ansatsu" (Japanese: 弾正暗殺!) | June 17, 1994 (1994-6-17) |
| 12 | "A Man to Kill Thunder Jet" Transliteration: "Kongou Bakuha Sakusen" (Japanese: 金剛爆破作戦!) | June 24, 1994 (1994-6-24) |
| 13 | "Shin, The Genius Strategist" Transliteration: "Tensai Gunshi! Shishin" (Japanese: 天才軍師! 師真(シシン)) | July 1, 1994 (1994-7-1) |
| 14 | "Revolt of Garer" Transliteration: "Gaira Hanran" (Japanese: 骸羅反乱!) | July 8, 1994 (1994-7-8) |
| 15 | "Escape From Planet Go-Jo" Transliteration: "Gojou Dasshutsu Sakusen" (Japanese: 五丈脱出作戦!) | July 15, 1994 (1994-7-15) |
| 16 | "Counter-Attack of Queen Massina" Transliteration: "Masamune no Gyakushuu" (Japanese: 正宗の逆襲!) | July 22, 1994 (1994-7-22) |
| 17 | "Defend Nankyo at All Risk!" Transliteration: "Mamore! Nankyourou" (Japanese: 守れ! 南京楼) | July 29, 1994 (1994-7-29) |
| 18 | "Thunder Jet Vs. One-Eyed Dragon" Transliteration: "Gekitotsu! Rai Tai Masamune" (Japanese: 激突! ライ 対 正宗) | August 5, 1994 (1994-8-5) |
| 19 | "Invincible Space Pirate" Transliteration: "Muteki no Kaizoku Kantai" (Japanese: 無敵の海賊艦隊) | August 12, 1994 (1994-8-12) |
| 20 | "Hairbreadth Escape from the Killers" Transliteration: "Rai! Kiki Ippatsu" (Japanese: ライ! 危機一髪) | August 19, 1994 (1994-8-19) |
| 21 | "A Road to the Throne" Transliteration: "Tenka e no Michi" (Japanese: 天下への道) | August 26, 1994 (1994-8-26) |
| 22 | "Hate And Compromise" Transliteration: "Ute! Nise Koutei" (Japanese: 討て! 偽皇帝) | September 2, 1994 (1994-9-2) |
| 23 | "The Great Fortress on Fire" Transliteration: "Honoo no Taiyousai" (Japanese: 炎の大要塞) | September 9, 1994 (1994-9-9) |
| 24 | "One-Man War" Transliteration: "Tatta Hitori no Sensou" (Japanese: たった一人の戦争) | September 16, 1994 (1994-9-16) |
| 25 | "Taskee's Mission Impossible" Transliteration: "Tasuke no Supai Taisakusen" (Japanese: 太助のスパイ大作戦) | September 23, 1994 (1994-9-23) |
| 26 | "Rogina Challenges Thunder Jet" Transliteration: "Rouha Shutsugeki" (Japanese: 狼刃出撃!) | September 30, 1994 (1994-9-30) |
| 27 | "Decisive Battle in Burning Inferno" Transliteration: "Honoo no Naka no Kessen" (Japanese: 炎の中の決戦) | October 7, 1994 (1994-10-7) |
| 28 | "Duel; Thunder Jet vs. Rogina" Transliteration: "Taiketsu! Rai Tai Rouha" (Japanese: 対決! ライ 対 狼刃) | October 14, 1994 (1994-10-14) |
| 29 | "Farewell Rogina" Transliteration: "Saraba Rouha" (Japanese: さらば狼刃!) | October 21, 1994 (1994-10-21) |
| 30 | "An Expected Warship" Transliteration: "Shutsugeki! Youma Senkan" (Japanese: 出撃! 妖魔戦艦) | October 28, 1994 (1994-10-28) |
| 31 | "Fall Of Garer" Transliteration: "Gaira Shisu" (Japanese: 骸羅(ガイラ)死す!) | November 4, 1994 (1994-11-4) |
| 32 | "Escape from Nankyo!" Transliteration: "Nankyourou Dasshutsu" (Japanese: 南京楼脱出!) | November 11, 1994 (1994-11-11) |
| 33 | "Take Back Nankyo!" Transliteration: "Ute! Rakou Gun" (Japanese: 討て! 羅候軍) | November 18, 1994 (1994-11-18) |
| 34 | "Trap of Spelled Dagger" Transliteration: "Youken no Wana" (Japanese: 妖剣の罠) | November 25, 1994 (1994-11-25) |
| 35 | "An Ambitious Warrior" Transliteration: "Yabou no Wakamusha" (Japanese: 野望の若武者) | December 2, 1994 (1994-12-2) |
| 36 | "A Road to the Emperor" Transliteration: "Teiou e no Michi" (Japanese: 帝王への道) | December 9, 1994 (1994-12-9) |
| 37 | "The Last Battle of Pirate-Admiral" Transliteration: "Gouketsu no Saigo" (Japanese: 豪傑の最後) | December 16, 1994 (1994-12-16) |
| 38 | "Crash! Thunder Jet vs. King Racko" Transliteration: "Gekitotsu! Rai Tai Rakou" (Japanese: 激突! ライ 対 羅候(ラコウ)) | December 23, 1994 (1994-12-23) |
| 39 | "Gen-Yee's Plot" Transliteration: "Youma no Takurami" (Japanese: 妖魔のたくらみ) | December 26, 1994 (1994-12-26) |
| 40 | "Return of Massina, One Eyed Dragon" Transliteration: "Masamune no Ketsudan" (Japanese: 正宗の決断) | January 6, 1995 (1995-1-6) |
| 41 | "T.J.'S Warship Explodes!" Transliteration: "Kongou Daibakuhatsu" (Japanese: 金剛大爆発) | January 13, 1995 (1995-1-13) |
| 42 | "The Oath of Tramaroon" Transliteration: "Toramaru no Chikai" (Japanese: 虎丸の誓い) | January 20, 1995 (1995-1-20) |
| 43 | "Simone's Dream" Transliteration: "Shimon no Omoi" (Japanese: 紫紋の想い) | January 27, 1995 (1995-1-27) |
| 44 | "Peace Talk" Transliteration: "Wahei Kaidan" (Japanese: 和平会談) | February 3, 1995 (1995-2-3) |
| 45 | "Calm before a Storm" Transliteration: "Tooi Heiwa" (Japanese: 遠い平和) | February 10, 1995 (1995-2-10) |
| 46 | "Prologue of All-Out War" Transliteration: "Tatakai no Jokyoku" (Japanese: 戦いの序曲) | February 17, 1995 (1995-2-17) |
| 47 | "Sishin Lose a Battle!" Transliteration: "Shishin Yabureru!" (Japanese: 師真(シシン)敗れる!) | February 24, 1995 (1995-2-24) |
| 48 | "Merciless Bombard" Transliteration: "Tatakai no Hate ni" (Japanese: 戦いの果てに) | March 3, 1995 (1995-3-3) |
| 49 | "True Identity of Gen-Yee" Transliteration: "Gen'i no Shoutai" (Japanese: 玄偉の正体) | March 10, 1995 (1995-3-10) |
| 50 | "For Love and Friendship" Transliteration: "Tamashii no Koe ni" (Japanese: 魂の声に) | March 17, 1995 (1995-3-17) |
| 51 | "Battle at Twin Planets" Transliteration: "Nijou Wakusei no Kessen" (Japanese: 二重惑星の決戦) | March 24, 1995 (1995-3-24) |
| 52 | "Beyond the Endless Dream" Transliteration: "Yume no Hate ni" (Japanese: 夢の果てに) | March 31, 1995 (1995-3-31) |

### Video game

A hybrid real-time strategy turn-based video game adaptation was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System by Angel (Bandai) exclusively in Japan in 1996.

## Legacy

The anime adaptation enjoys a cult following in the Arab World thanks to the Arabic dub produced by Venus Centre.