I just bought the new Rayman game (Legends) bc it was $24.99 on amazon. 

My question is...is there ANY reason I need to play the first game? I'm mainly talking about story-wise (though any other valid reason is good to hear also). I'm having a hard time catching up on my video game and movie backlog as it is, so if there is truly no reason to play Origins, that would be nice.

Thanks in advance for the input :)

No not really, just kinda explains Rayman's existence and who the main villains are for Legends. (just read a wiki)

Legends has a good amount of Origin levels in it tho.

All the Rayman origins levels have been re-included as bonus content in Rayman legends -- so not really...

Well Rayman Legends has some of the levels from Rayman Origins so I think it's not necessary. You will enjoy it either way.

Oh wow I didn't realize that. Good to know!

How much story is actually in Rayman origins? Seems pretty story-light. Is that true?

Can't remember if it even had a story :P. The intro was good tho.

Again other than establishing Rayman's creation, and who the villains are, there's nothing to it.

Legends story is:

Hey you were asleep for 100 years.

Evil has arisen again.

FIGHT IT.

Not for story reasons, but I recommend picking it up anyway, it's a fantastic game! :D

lol no. Since when are people caring for platformer stories ?
They are pretty much non-existent.

I remember then ending as well.  So random and hilarious (disco ball)