Rei (Fist of the North Star)

Rei is a major protagonist of Fist of the North Star. He is the successor of the Nanto Suichō Ken (South Dipper Waterfowl Fist) style and is one of the Nanto Rokusei Ken, bearing the destiny of the "Star of Justice".
While away on training, his home village was attacked by a 'Man with Seven Scars' (who was actually Jagi posing as his brother Kenshiro), who killed Rei's parents and kidnapped his sister Airi. While searching for his sister's kidnapper, he met the real Kenshiro and Mamiya while working as a spy for the Fang Clan. Rei ends up betraying the Fang Clan and in retaliation, they track down and kidnap Airi. After his sister is rescued by Ken, Rei decides to repay him in any way possible by accompanying him in his journey. Rei decides to repay his debt to Kenshiro by challenging Raoh on Kenshiro's behalf, but is defeated.
However, Raoh does not kill him immediately, but instead strikes a pressure point that will cause all of Rei's blood to hemorrhage out of his body in three days. Rei decides to spend his last few days of his life by challenging his rival Yuda, who had tormented Mamiya in the past.
Rei manages to kill Yuda and retreats to a lonely cabin to die in peace. After his passing, Kenshiro cremates his body by burning down the cabin, swearing that he will honor Rei and keep his legend alive.
In the Japanese version, he was voiced by Shin'ichirō Miki in Fist of the North Star: The Legend of Yuria, the late Kaneto Shiozawa in the anime and movie, the formerly Takehito Koyasu in the video games and currently Toshiyuki Morikawa. In the English version, he was voiced by Gregory Snegoff in the movie, Daran Norris in the anime, the formerly Matthew Mercer in the video game and currently Chris Hackney.
==Overview==
Representing the "Star of Justice", Rei is the successor of Nanto Suichō Ken ("South Dipper Waterfowl Fist"). Sometime after the nuclear war, when Rei left his village to train, his parents were killed and younger sister Airi was kidnapped by "The Man With Seven Scars" on her wedding day. Rei wanders the wasteland looking for Airi, mercilessly slaughtering anyone who stands in his way. During the Fang Clan's incursion on Mamiya's village, he runs into Kenshiro, and aligns with him to take down the savages, eventually finding out they are holding Airi hostage. Although Rei is forced by the clan to fight and kill Kenshiro, both martial artists cleverly turn the tide against their enemies and rescue Airi. Upon restoring Airi's lost sight, Kenshiro reveals that he is the "The Man With Seven Scars", but Rei laughs it off, unwilling to believe that the successor of Hokuto Shinken was the culprit. From then on, Rei becomes Kenshiro's most reliable ally and friend.
When Raoh and his army invades Mamiya's village, Rei insists on fighting the tyrant, despite Kenshiro being at Cassandra rescuing Toki. Raoh bests Rei in combat by putting him in a state of pain and suffering via the Shinketsushū pressure point, dooming him to a bloody end in three days. Deciding to live the last of his life by facing his old rival Juda, who had a hand in Mamiya's traumatic past, Rei duels with his former friend and wins, but is nearing his last moments. Before he passes, he urges Kenshiro, and especially Mamiya, the love of his life, to live on.
==Techniques==
*Hien Ryūbu (The Flowing Dance of the Flying Swallow) - a leaping, spinning attack that has Rei briefly mimic the form of a flying bird before he slices his targets in perfect pieces. It is the most beautiful looking technique of his style. During the series, this move impresses other Nanto students and unintentionally earns Juda's jealousy.
*Hishō Hakurei (Soaring White Lovliness) - Rei's level one Hyper Signature Move. Rei performs a single, graceful looking somersault. As he lands, his hands slices horizontally to his front. His attacks radiate a white aura that cuts anything in their path. Originally used to finish Juda off.
*Nanto Kakuyokujinzan (South Dipper/Nanto Crane Wing Slice) - Rei spins around in midair continuously, surrounded by a multitude of blue circles that shred any enemies who they come into cantact with. Can also be performed in midair.
*Nanto Ko Ha Ryu (South Dipper/Nanto Tiger Destroys Dragon) - Rei sticks his arms out to the side and is engulfed in blue smoke. His defence is increase for a short while. Any enemies near Rei when the move is performed are sent flying back. Originally used to signal a danger to Kenshiro.
==Gallery==
Rei-profile.jpg
Rei (Atomiswave).jpg
Rei manga.png
Rei7.gif
Rei 2 (Yuria Den).png
Vlcsnap-2011-10-30-19h36m48s169.png|Rei teaming with Kenshiro.
Rei (Hokuto Musou).png
Legends ReVIVE Rei.png
Hokuto No Ken Volumes 1-27 .png
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