Rai #14 has Sai, a past Rai, witnessing the transition from a peaceful time to a more tumultuous time on New Japan. It opens up with her reflecting on the change she fears is coming in New Japan and not for the better. She knows there’s a discontent growing unlike before and she doesn’t know what she can do about it. Vid-reports make her aware of another mass suicide mob and she’s able to arrive before they take that final step plunging to their deaths and she’s able to convince them that she could give them purpose in life and to choose another path. However, she’s concerned about the overall state of depression plaguing citizens. Later when she meets with Father he informs her that her 100 years is over and it’s time for a new Rai capable of facing the threats against New Japan better. He tells her that mobs like the one she faced earlier are dangerous because its actions and thinking are contagious so he had them all eliminated after her intervention. Seeing as how her function was to be a beacon of hope, she refuses to give up despite the new Rai already being present in New Japan, and she believes she can still make a change. But what difference can she make with Father intent on establishing tighter control over New Japan’s citizens?

The opening sequence with the suicide mob lacked some context in terms of what fueled the discontent but it was effective in giving Sai a clear context based on her purpose. So when she met with Father his ruthless actions in killing them showed the stark contrast between the two. Their interaction wasn’t just based on philosophical differences but about the need for Sai’s fundamental nature. It was interesting to see her rebel against Father because in essence she was staying true to how he made her. However since there wasn’t any backstory to her creation there was no direct connection to Father’s mentality at the time or the shift other than his statement that it was time for a change after 100 years.

I almost forgot this completely with the new Rai made his spectacular entrance. It was electrifying, figuratively and literally. And it wasn’t just his actions that had a tremendous impact but Father’s as well. It connected directly to his actions in 4001 A.D. and raised the stakes greatly. And the dilemma raised by Father taking this new stance and the existence of Sai led to one of the best conclusions to an issue in a few months. Hopefully the potential created with this conclusion is capitalized on next issue.

SUMMARY

Rai #14 is another enjoyable addition to the nuanced take on the line of Rai’s and the relationship with Father but lacks the same nuance when it comes to the population-at-large in New Japan. Sai is an intriguing Rai, and it’s interesting to see how her rebellion against Father is more about her staying true to her optimistic nature regarding humanity. And the arrival of the new Rai supplies plenty of action while creating an entertaining predicament for next issue. Father’s true villainy starts to become clearer, and even though the progression from the hopeful Sai to the present drastic actions isn’t as smooth as last issue it still connects to current 4001 A.D. events.

Release Date: 6/22/16

Writer: Matt Kindt

Artist: CAFU