Raijin: The Japanese God of Thunder - (Japanese Mythology Explained)

Today we take a look another deity that features in Japanese mythology and shinto religion, Raijin the God of thunder.
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[@roam980]

I just realized something, the Mongolian invasion of Japan might be the inspiration for Shao Khan. His last name is one example, but the stories share similarities to one another. A barbarian warlord from a foreign land comes to take over the land, and the ones to defend it are two gods. One contols the wind, and the other controls thunder and lightning

[@alphalegion9225]

No mongol

[@alphalegion9225]

Japanese gods mythology

[@VashXTrigun]

'Chu' is in also the sound a mouse would make, a squeak.

[@aries6663]

thunder squeek?

[@VashXTrigun]

The Pikachu line is partly based on mice, so would make sense.

[@lucasbecker1823]

So, Pikachu comes from two words. ピカピカ (Pika Pika) = shiny /sparkly And チュウチュウ(Chu Chu) = mouse sounds/squeak squeak. Raichu is the combination of Chu Chu and 雷 (Rai) meaning thunder/lightning

[@lucasbecker1823]

Also Chu can mean kiss, but it is the sound of a kiss, not an actual kiss.

[@justindraeger334]

I wish I could find a picture of traditional Raijin in his human form. I only find pics of the mortal kombat character.

[@MatPost]

CONSULTATION INTENSIFIES

[@yu-gi-ohheathen]

He does not have one lol

[@justindraeger334]

They said he was often depicted as a man in a straw hat and white robe. So I imagine such a painting exists.

[@bee3690]

@@yu-gi-ohheathen yes he does lol

[@kayakonicKayakonic]

Any links to a traditional painting of Raiden?

[@UnexpectedWonder]

He's lit, no pun intended. I'm so glad you included Raiden from Mortal Kombat.

[@Hakeem9391]

Don't forget fujin.. he's also a character in Mortal Kombat

[@wavyretro6021]

Well they are inspired from these two gods of Japanese folklore

[@ShiftyGuy777]

If only the water, fire and earth god came back.

[@SnakeRoadComicsOfficial3677]

When Kratos (or Atreus) fights the Japanese gods i hope Raijin is voiced by Richard Epcar (Mortal Kombat fans will know why ;))

[@guilhermemarinho9861]

He would have to consult the elder gods

[@jemersonhanna7899]

Kratos would probably fight Susano'o

[@zephirol4638]

@@jemersonhanna7899 Nah he won't make it away from Izanagi's brothel attack

[@JamesGames64]

And Matthew Yang King ;)) as fujin

[@cqstlupin6074]

And izanagi as johnny yong bosch

[@slightlytwistedagain]

Shinto mythology really is one of the most interesting mythologies out there. It's constant use for the Dark Souls series and it's heavy use in Nioh really opened my mind with what the far east has compared to western mythologies. They really do have some of the coolest gods in all of mythology.

[@xandt-doggaming3313]

slightlytwistedagain dark souls is more western in lore

[@reikogane7280]

Weeb!

[@muzankibutsuji622]

@Rei Kogane Says the one with the edgy name but I can’t say shit since I also have one too

[@reikogane7280]

@@muzankibutsuji622 dude, it's a joke not a dick don't take it to hard

[@Ploulaf]

Really pretty much all mythologies are cool as hell. Ancient mesopotamian ones come to top for me, but Raijin and Fujin are my main bros.

[@KichirouSageMode85]

I've been waiting in this, can you also do one for his brother Fuujin?

[@niivektv]

yes pls

[@SonicSupremeSGT3]

Crazy how the character, Raiden, got the influence from Raijin in "Mortal Kombat". Oddly, the video game team in Mortal Kombat got it from this.

[@sirrparker47]

Nijah Fowlkes Well mortal kombat is loosely based on Japanese mythology

[@KirbyJason210]

And Chinese mythology

[@zephirol4638]

@@KirbyJason210 it's an amalgamation of many mythological aspects. Aztec, native american, chinese, japanese and many more. And to the other guy: Raiden didn't derive from raijin, they are 2mythological names for the same diety depending on where you live depends on the name used.

[@azazel166]

Raiden is another name for Raijin.

[@SonicSupremeSGT3]

@@azazel166 That, we know already.

[@TheMimiSard]

I am reminded of the two characters in Final Fantasy VIII (8). Raijin is a big burly guy and Fuujin is a small one-eyed white-haired young woman. Companions to Seifer, antagonist and rival of Squall, the main character. I do know a significant fight against Fuujin can net one the Wind Guardian Force (Summon) Pandemona. Raijin does not seem to have any specifically lightening and thunder related inferences though.

[@afont13]

It’s so cool they named Minato’s main technique is named after Raijin

[@funguy1152]

Aaron flying raijin

[@harryanime23]

Can you do a video on the yuki-onna? The snow woman. They appear often in manga and Elsa from Frozen is somewhat compared to the yuki-onna.

[@peanutsdew]

I recently wanted to learn more about Japanese Myth cause I just love learning new myths, And you brought this topic about the god of thunder from Japan. To be honest it's my first time I heard about it, so Thank you very much (pardon my english, I'm not a native speaker) :)

[@thanos9225]

Raijin should hang out with Zeus, Thor, Perun, Shango and Indra

[@CelticWolf-ve2oh]

I'm happy to see you doing videos on Japanese mythology. Keep up the good work.

[@blackknightwithheart1625]

Thank you for another great episode! :-D

[@eindride1268]

Raijin is such an awesome deity. I don't know why but he's probably the only mythological deity I've resonated with, and I'm just recently learning he's one of the more influential and powerful ones

[@heavenlylordNOS]

Maybe spiritual calling?

[@mikejones-qj7dm]

there is nothing better when two of ur favorite things r some what combined. mythology and pokemon. I love it.

[@kiddbaphometi666]

Naruto has a lot of Buddhist, Hindu, and Shinto ideologies (devas, chakra, tsukuyomi, techiniques/characters named after shinto gods). That's why I fw it, because I find that really interesting. I even believe there's some Christianity, Judaism, and Satanism symbologies thrown in there too (666 commas/Sasuke's hexagram sharingan, chakra tree = tree of good and evil, etc). Edit: Oh and Mortal Kombat too bc I just read some mentioning Fujin and Raiden/Raijin down in the comments. I'm gonna research all and more of that. Super cool.

[@Aristocratic13]

Weed too

[@kiddbaphometi666]

Endless Road Thanks for informing me. I will research that.

[@kiddbaphometi666]

Ladies Love the Moon Knight lol whatchu mean weed?

[@ikazuchioni]

I think he means "weeb" lol.

[@kiddbaphometi666]

Franz Joseph Esguerra Nah he was talking about the tree i think. Marijuana is known to be used for spiritual meditation and opening chakras too. He made his own connection.

[@diegos7337]

Sinto Mythology is really interesing too.

[@ivanhunter6492]

love the channel :)

[@Edwin-bf1js]

I would love to see Kratos vs Raijin

[@PHSDM104]

Technically, that happened in the PS3 version of MK9.

[@nightcoremaster5190]

Raijin would rip him to shreds

[@ryantheready3066]

Nightcore Master I don’t know about that. I feel like kratos would be able to defeat him,but raijin would get a lot of bloody hits in that would almost be fatal.

[@rx7outlaw]

Ryan The Ready technically Raijin is a Deitie thus cannot die. Also he wouldnt even need to descend to earth, simply send thousands of lightning bolt then Kratos would die.

[@ryantheready3066]

Shinobi_S4 as we have already thoroughly discovered,sending thousands of lightening bolts won’t kill kratos.

[@gaijinman7852]

Very interesting, thank you

[@taoriq3632]

Can you pls expansiate more on indra and ashura

[@m.rstudy9813]

Go to Hinduism

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Raijin and Fujin would probably be laughing at their caricatures if they ever see these.

[@dracomet2097]

Also Oni Akuma from street fighter seems to have similar design to Raijin with the beads and the blue skin.

[@Thunor93]

Fun fact while amaterasu, tsukuyomi and susano'o are children of izanagi, raining and fuujin are children of izanagi, izanagi is not the father of Raijin actually, infact Raijin is the only Kami that Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susano'o fear yet respect, infact not even Buddhists could calm him, in one story it took Buddha drinking with Raijin to calm him. Funny since Raijin is older then his cousins Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susano'o, the word Kami comes from the Ainu word Kamui Wich is the same as Kami, the ainu viewed Raijin and Fuujin as one deity.also Kami doesn't translate to God, the proper translation is spirit , and anything can become a Kami even humans, Kami are actually worshipped Yōkai while Yōkai are unworshipped Kami, in fact there are areas where one group would view a being as a Yōkai and another group would view the being as a Kami.

[@hfangle13]

Very cool, thanks

[@kingsoldier3475]

He also consults with the Elder Gods often

[@eggshells0141]

So cool good stuff

[@danielalexandre89]

A wild Tundurus appeared!!!

[@pinksands2426]

Loved this one. Interesting and takes me back to the FF8 characters.

[@camiloiribarren1450]

I miss your Japanese folklore videos. Bring more videos please!

[@highswagaming]

Omg I just learned y i always sleeps on my belly during a storm omfg wth this is so great man

[@moriartea897]

One of my favorites!

[@barekamy7506]

That's clearly a inspiration for Enel from One Piece. 😱

[@AK-mj6zk]

No Enel was inspired by Eminem lol

[@matthewgreathouse5279]

Please do Fuijin next I love this duo

[@greyworld6242]

So that’s were the Pokémon got it’s name, awesome! This is an awesome video.

[@29gopikrishnap2]

Even the wolf names is where raiku got its name

[@jonthecatholicpatriot]

I named my late Alaska (the breed originates from that continent) Siberian Husky Raiden after the Metal Gear Solid 2 character Raiden, but also due to Japanese Thunder God Raijin. He was white and black, with heterochromia. One eye was ice blue, the other was brown. He liked to think that every human and dog he met was a new friend. We're not entirely sure what got him in the end, but it could have been canine parvovirus.

[@CloudDragon7]

You should follow up with raiju or fujin. Also Ame no Hitotsukami or Susano'o

[@damienculver1907]

Awesome stuff, but could you please do one on the god Set from egypt i would love that he is my favorite

[@heidibevan1916]

Damien Culver He's covered Set before, have a look back, there's plenty of vid's on Egyptian Mythology 😊😊

[@zacharythebeast1700]

Do Fujin next please

[@lulairenoroub3869]

I'm quite sure that chu means "squeak", or something like that. It's a reference to the fact that it's a mouse. That's why they were called bomb-chu in Ocarina, cause they were little explosive mice

[@Shadowmarktiger]

@Mythology&Fiction Explained Is there any chance you could do a video revolving around Fujiin please?

[@yankee4liferr]

I’m so glad I found your channel 🙌🏼 I think mythology from all cultures is very interesting 🤗 and you tell it so well👍🏼

[@dtllmpn]

I would like a video about the symbol on the thunder drums.

[@LARADEKA]

_Raichu, Raikou. All Raijin._ _Arashi means "storm"._

[@tijanamilenkovic9442]

yamaarashi is a yokai that is part grater part porcupine, hence the name (yamaarashi is also Japanese for porcupine) raiju can also take the form of a porcupine, pangolin, lemur, weasel, boar, deer, bear, rhinoceros, bull, squirrel or dolphin

[@mikedavino2400]

Thanks

[@ikazuchioni]

Could you do some of the Biblical gods, like Baal, Marduk, Bel etc.? Thanks!

[@sidewinder1209]

There is only one God in the Abrahamic faith. Baal, Marduk, Bel etc. are démons, not gods. There's no such thing as a Biblical god.

[@randolph84brown]

@@sidewinder1209 you just said there is "One" God in Abrahimic religion and then you say there is no such thing as a God in the Bible?😑

[@yu-gi-ohheathen]

@@sidewinder1209 they do

[@Ploulaf]

They are gods in Ancient Mesopotamian pantheons, not the Bible.

[@Ploulaf]

@@yu-gi-ohheathen Nah. They are portrayed as idols, or "false gods", and all that is bad. They aren't in a Pantheon with ther respective powers side by side with God, they're basically portrayed just a bunch of lies an fakery that people wrongly worship.

[@emperorskulls]

Speaking of Japanese mythology. Talk about Susano-o and the Orochi. Or talk about the Jorogumos, the Whore Spiders.

[@Nikhil_411]

Looks like you have watched Naruto and asura and Indra are mythical

[@itspaintball8883]

Doesn't hi Rez studio copyright strike you for using there art or are you aloud to use them

[@zachcarpenter3903]

I always think of their Mortal Kombat interpretations lol.

[@kryoruleroftheninthcircleo4151]

This is a very interesting manga.

[@timomathiassen4363]

Pls can we get inuit myth

[@kh91132]

One of my favorite god

[@sagarbhosle3386]

Hi , will you please make video on zepar i won't get its origin so please

[@josephcasals9477]

Raijin also appeared in the video game Magician Lord. A young sorcerer, fighting demonic forces. He touches these crystals fears that turn him into deities. You probably remember the video game. 🎮

[@lunamax8506]

Could you please do some of the lesser known Egyptian gods

[@RaginrohnGaming]

I like how he doesn't change the tone of his voice at all

[@ethanarnold5976]

I like this music in the background. Where did you get it?

[@skaicentral3790]

Can you do fujin

[@anujawasthi4873]

Can you explain about God Susano

[@blacktee31]

Didn't say much about how he was born from Izanagi. I'd like to know more about this.

[@GaijinBangya]

Someone might have already told you by now, but just in case, "chu" is also the sound a mouse makes. So where raichu and pikachu are mice, that is the source of their names. Not thunder kiss 🤣 though that is cute

[@caesar4857]

Please make a video about the Nine-Tailed Fox!

[@8TacoMagic]

What a Raijin video!

[@gilbertotabares8196]

lovely! do Hinokagutsuchi next! I think he's like a fire god.

[@devilpupbear09]

THUNDER TAKE YOU!

[@kross777rlsh9]

thunderkiss thats cool i never knew raichu got its name from that

[@jair333]

Nice.

[@assassingaming3677]

Could you do a video on the tale of Oisin and Niamh?

[@johnprince6132]

You should do Caribbean folklore.

[@torpeedocollectibles353]

Raijin, Shango and Thor should have a beer together.

[@HxH2011DRA]

*THUNDER KISSSSSSSSS*

[@supremeoverlordofnaughtine9778]

Reminds me of the anime movie Hellboy and the sword of storms

[@guroighoul-se2mz]

I love this! The Raiden Shogun from inazuma is based off of Raijin

[@edhen143]

inazuma is also based on Japan during the edo period

[@liukang4520]

Misconceptions about this dude, he was an elder god who became a lesser god to help out with giving the mortals a chance at winning Mortal Kombat, and isn't related to Fujin, and Raijin's name is really "Raiden" but pronounced "Ray-den"

[@liukang4520]

Myths says that: He sacrificed on becoming mortal in somewhat of an alternate timeline in the Dinosaur age after a champion who became a fire god defeated a female version of Cronus.

[@katiehowell2537]

Fun fact for other Pokemon fans: The legendary beast Raikou is based off of Raiju

[@THABLK1]

is this were they get the idea of raiden for mortal combat and have you done a video on kaijin the shinto fire god yet

[@nightwing8794]

Do the Roman god messenger Mercury next

[@thelovedoctress]

MORE ASIAN MYTHOLOGY PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!!!!!!!

[@rizryn5690]

Minato???

[@gaddiel09]

HybridAxle Gaming lol was about to say the same thing

[@rizryn5690]

Gaddiel lol

[@HM4Hill]

His jutsu is Hiraishin meaning the flying thunder god

[@nightwing8794]

HybridAxle Gaming flying riajin

[@mustafa._.9371]

No enero/enel from one piece

[@atliorvaldimarsson8027]

Do ryujin next

[@sapphirII]

I realised just now they are the inspiration for the pokemons Thundurus and Tornadus.

[@azemthetraveler6154]

Pls do Inari

[@genotivashantirishelp.3470]

"kaminari sama" *Ayooo WHA-*

[@johnoneil9188]

The anime character Enel from One Piece is also very much inspired by Raijin as he also commands lightning and storms and also has these drums with the symbols on them.

[@patrickdormeus8453]

I completely lost it 0:44 Lmao

[@shmeaty5123]

Ahh I see why minato’s special was called flying raijin

[@damienculver1907]

Well if you would i would greatly appreciate it your egyption mythology explonations paint the dieties in many diffrwnt lighta no jiat main stream and i appreciate that beong addicted to egypt

[@Raximus3000]

Where's is Susanoo?!

[@klerish1516]

Cool

[@rightelmo2537]

Shongo next

[@Daimon-X]

Najsu! Raijin aka Raiden-sama. Mortal Kombat! Raiden wins! Flawless episode. Oh yeah Kamikaze...

[@alex_5ft_microrapter]

Pika is a Japanese animal often associated with KINTARO, the legend of the lightning demigod. KINTARO is a Hercules figure among the Japanese. Pikachu is gold / yellow and Kintaro is associated with the Golden boy label , now in new translations the pika is a rabbit.

[@benjackson5411]

I must consult with the Elder Gods

[@arandomcomment190]

Could you please do the Japanese multi tailed fox next (I forgot its name)

[@morriganravenmist9889]

A Random Comment kitsune is it's name. Well one of them.not sure if it's spelt like this tho! Sorry

[@Catdogomeow]

Will you do indra?

[@damienculver1907]

My bad im new to the channel thanks though ill look that up

[@MythologyFictionExplained]

I've not made a video covering Set yet he has been mentioned in other Egyptian videos but there isn't one devoted solely to him.

[@aliwahab1255]

What if Rajin and Thor fought who else thinks that would be cool?

[@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat]

Ali Wahab there was a death battle for the mortal combat raijin and the marvel comics Thor if that helps

[@aliwahab1255]

Thx dude

[@MrAnimater_Vr]

Lol that was Raijins reasoning for being in the game Smite He heard there was another thunder God in the battles and wanted to challenge him, and that God was Thor

[@alexcavoli6191]

Flying Raijin Jutsu!!!!!