Ray the Flying Squirrel
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| Ray the Flying Squirrel |
|---|
| First seen: SegaSonic the Hedgehog (1993) |
| Species: Flying squirrel |
| Gender: Male |
| Created by: Manabu Kusunoki |
Ray the Flying Squirrel (レイ・ザ・フライングスクイレル Rei za Furaingu Sukuireru) is an anthropomorphic yellow squirrel with a long tail, and was introduced as one of three playable characters (alongside Sonic the Hedgehog and Mighty the Armadillo) in the Sega System 32 arcade game, SegaSonic the Hedgehog, released in 1993. He was created by Manabu Kusunoki.
Contents
Character conception
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Personality and traits
Due to his single game appearance at the time in SegaSonic the Hedgehog and the nature of the game, not much would be explained about Ray's personality apart from being more of the comic relief character. When he finally returns in Sonic Mania Plus, he was further fleshed out. He is slightly younger than his best friend Mighty and is far less stronger than him, but he makes up for the lack of strength with pure enthusiasm and excitement. He has a love for adventure, often gliding to high places to get a view of the land below, and he can use his tail for climbing.
History
For years, Ray only had a major role in one Sonic the Hedgehog title, in which he was captured by Dr. Eggman and imprisoned somewhere on an island fortress. Together, with the help of Sonic and Mighty, he avoided Dr. Eggman's traps and escaped. Despite his name, Ray is never seen "flying" (or gliding, as is the case with real world flying squirrels) in SegaSonic the Hedgehog, and from what little personality the game is able to convey, Ray is depicted as more of the comic relief character and the more fearful of the trio.
When Sonic and Mighty first met Ray, he was a frightened little kid, but he has come a long way since then. Tails always loved to hang out with Ray. He continues to be best friends with Mighty and travels around the world.[1][2]
After 25 years of absence, Ray finally returns as a playable character alongside Mighty in Sonic Mania Plus, a definitive version of Sonic Mania. His design has received a slight changee, giving him the double-striped blue sneakers he had in the Archie comics. In this game, Ray is finally able to live up to his species' name by performing the Air Glide. In Encore Mode, he is trapped in a capsule with Mighty in Angel Island Zone and has to be rescued by Sonic.
Cameo appearances
The character has seen a small number of cameo appearances, including in the Sega Saturn title, Gale Racer, in which he and several other Sonic universe characters were seen hanging from a car mirror, and in Sonic Generations where he can be seen on a "missing" poster as part of the City Escape stage.
Ray was added to Minecraft as an official player skin, as part of the Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration on June 22nd, 2021[3].
In other media
Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie comics)
Ray has been seen in the Archie universes where he has a greater role as an old and close friend to Mighty. In the original universe, Ray ended up getting trapped in a time warp when he grabbed the Power Gem in Robotnik's prison, but was eventually rescued by Mighty years later, and together they joined the Chaotix. In the Post-Super Genesis Wave universe, Ray and Mighty became an adventuring duo under the tutelage of Moss the Sloth with ties to—but not membership in—the Chaotix or the Freedom Fighters.
Sonic Mania Adventures
Ray arrives on Angel Island to search for Mighty, eventually encountering Knuckles and asking him about Mighty's whereabouts. It's not until Metal Sonic attacks him that he is finally reunited with his missing friend, and together they made their way to Eggman's base and helped Sonic and Tails fight a supercharged Metal Sonic.
Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW comics)
Ray and Mighty continued to go on adventures together after the events of Sonic Mania. They first got to meet Amy Rose in Spring Valley Zone and helped to stop the returning threat of Heavy King.[4] Amy later drew comics of his and Mighty's adventures which Ray got a kick out of.[5] When Mighty and Ray were captured by Metal Sonic, the flying squirrel was freed by Amy. Ray, Amy, and Bark the Polar Bear worked together to free everyone else who were captured in Capsules.[6]
list of appearances
Voice actors
- Hiroko Yoshino (Japanese, SegaSonic the Hedgehog)
Artwork
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Main page: :Category:Artwork of Ray the Flying Squirrel |
References
- ↑ TailsTube #5 (Remember When?)
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP_oqgYKyVc (Ghostarchive)
- ↑ https://www.sonicstadium.org/2021/06/minecraft-sonic-dlc-its-official-and-out-now/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-06-22 21:35)
- ↑ Sonic_the_Hedgehog_30th_Anniversary_Special#Seasons_of_Chaos
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2021
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog: Amy's 30th Anniversary Special