Rayman (character)

Rayman is the protagonist of the Rayman series created by Ubisoft game designer Michel Ancel. He first appeared in 1995 on the Atari Jaguar, PlayStation, Saturn and MS-DOS in Rayman where he had to defend his home from the clutches of Mr. Dark. In 1999, Rayman appears again to fight against Admiral Razorbeard and the Robo-Pirates in Rayman 2. In 2003, Rayman dealt with André, the leader of the Black Lums in Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc. He reappears two years later to rescue his best friend Globox in Rayman: Hoodlums' Revenge. More recently, Rayman has returned in the Wii party games Rayman Raving Rabbids and Rayman Raving Rabbids 2. He is currently Ubisoft's official mascot.

Appearance
From 1995 onwards, Rayman has had his appearance changed slightly for each game, possibly to make him look older. He is typically found wearing white gloves, a red scarf (or hood as seen in Rayman 3), a purple shirt with a white "O" on it, and yellow sneakers. The O appears to have magical properties. Whenever he earned a new power in Rayman, sparkles would appear around the O; in Rayman 2, it was used to open the stones holding the masks. While he appears to have no arms or legs, his feet and hands are some how connected to him but can be removed and reattached. Rayman is made up of electoons as shown in the first game. When he dies millions of electoons burst from his body.

However, he has been known to change appearance, beginning from Rayman 3 onwards. While the different "combat fatigues" only caused changes to Rayman's hair, shirt, and shoe color, players in Rayman Raving Rabbids are able to dress Rayman in a variety of costumes. They start with the choices of Disco, Gangsta, and Granny. As more mini-games are unlocked, other costumes, such as Rock 'n' roll, DJ, Gothic, and Bunny become available. Even more costumes, such as Hippie, Dracula, and Caveman, are added in Rayman Raving Rabbids 2.

Abilities
Rayman has a few unique powers that he retains at all times, mainly those granted to him by Fairies. First of all is the far reach of his fists. Being limbless, Rayman is able to launch long range punches at his enemies. He does not display this in Rayman 2, instead throwing energy spheres at his enemies. However, Rayman 2 is the only game where he retains this power; he uses his fists to attack once again in Rayman 3. In Rayman Raving Rabbids, players use the Wiimote and nunchuck to control his movements rather than attacks, due to the mini-game based nature. Another well-known power of his is the ability to use his hair to not only glide, but also use as a mini-helicopter. Most of the time, Rayman is unable to ascend upwards. However, in certain situations where he is given an extra boost, he is able to power it up and go wherever he pleases.

Rayman 3 introduced power-ups known as "combat fatigues" or "Laser Washing Powder". These not only changed Rayman's appearance, they give him a specific move depending on the can he picks up. There are five of these in total, known as the Vortex (ability to lower certain platforms), Heavy Metal Fist (powerful metal fists able to knock down big obstacles), Lockjaw (grabs onto lums and electrocute enemies), Shock Rocket (hand-guided rocket able to reach far away targets), and Throttle Copter (helicopter). However, these powers are only present in Rayman 3 and have not been mentioned in any other game to date. (refer to Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc)

Additionally, in Rayman 3 a being called the Leptys gave him the power to transform Black Lums into Red Lums. This consists of Rayman making a ridiculous face, causing the black lum to laugh.

Biography
Not much is known about Rayman's past. Supposedly he was found by fishermen on a beach by the Sea of Lums. In Rayman 2 this idea is further elaborated on when Rayman is revealed to be the only creature living in the world who was not dreamed up by Polokus, as well as the only person who can convert the Silver Lums made by the Fairies into powers. It is speculated (in the game) that Rayman could in fact be a 'chosen one' selected by all the gods of all the worlds, destined to fight against evil. Despite this, Rayman has not allowed it to dampen his views on life and continues to be witty and rather energetic.

The Glade of Dreams, also known as the Crossroads of Dreams, is an island in Rayman's world in which the events of Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc take place. The locations in Rayman M are similar to those in Rayman 2, and as such are also likely to be part of the Glade. The Glade was created by Polokus, the Spirit of the World, whose power is so great that his slightest dream or desire becomes reality. Surrounded by the Sea of Lums, the Glade is a beautiful location that hosts vast forests and mountainous areas, as well as swamps, rivers, valleys and cliffs. It is currently unknown whether the valley in which the events of the original Rayman game took place is part of the Glade of Dreams, or if the valley exists in another part of the world, perhaps far away from the Glade.

An advertisement for the Atari Jaguar version of Rayman claims that he was originally a boy named Jimmy, brought into his game and set in a world called Hereitscool to fight the evil. This idea was not featured in the game itself, in which Rayman would remain a mysterious figure in his own world.

Throughout his adventures, Rayman has accumulated a number of allies. These include bumbling Globox, helpful flying fairy-fly Murfy, the numerous Teensies, and mystical Ly the Fairy, who has oddly not been seen since Rayman 2 except as a statue in Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc.