Mortal Kombat 1’s promise of yet another reboot of the storied fighting series’ timeline is right around the corner. Heaps of classic characters are already confirmed to be making an appearance in MK1’s starting roster – Liu Kang features most prominently, but we’ll of course see Sub Zero, Scorpion, Kitana, Kung Lao, Raiden, with Shang Tsung returning as a pre-order bonus, but there is scope for more. Here are a few more characters who should have a place in MK1’s new timeline.
Jade
First appearing as a secret character in Mortal Kombat II, Jade originally functioned as a palette swap of Kitana but with supreme special ability to repel projectiles. It’s only in subsequent MK titles that Jade’s backstory has been fleshed out, and it’s one of the more interesting of Mortal Kombat’s tertiary characters. Jade is fiercely loyal, smart, quippy, and a brutal competitor. Once serving as the personal assassin to Shao Kahn, Jade instead opted for a life of servitude as the General of the Edenian Army, and whilst a romantic history with Kotal Kahn was revealed in Mortal Kombat 11 we’ve not learned an awful lot more about Jade in the years since. MK11 was the last time Mortal Kombat underwent a reboot, so there’s hope she’ll appear in Mortal Kombat 1’s rebooted timeline.
Sindel
Straddling the line between and good and evil in her early appearances, Sindel was originally an honourable, noble Queen corrupted by Shao Kahn. After killing herself in Mortal Kombat 3’s Midway timeline Sindel is revived and transformed into evil. Later MK titles advanced her character ever closer to pure evil, with it being revealed in MK11 that she was on Shao Kahn’s side all along, and any attempt or intention she made to live peacefully was an outright lie. With MK1’s rebooted timeline, perhaps it’ll present opportunity to portray the roots of Sindel, with her appearing as good again with perhaps a deeper exploration of her mother daughter relationship with Kitana. There are rumours Sindel will appear in Mortal Kombat 1, albeit most likely as a Kameo fighter.
Bo’Rai Cho
Outworld born master of the fist Bo’Rai Cho is easily one of NeatherRealm’s most overlooked characters in the entire Mortal Kombat series. Originally appearing in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance and serving up numerous cameo appearances since, Bo’Rai Cho has significance in Mortal Kombat lore for being the trainer of Liu Kang, and he’s a favourite amongst fans for his unorthodox approach to fighting enabling him to deliver interesting and unexpected attacks. We haven’t seen him since Mortal Kombat X, but there’s potential he’ll appear in MK1 due to its fleshing out a new backstory.
Fujin
Fujin made his playable debut in Mortal Kombat 4 with a supporting role through various MK titles. Somewhat of a curveball character, Fujin’s odds of appearing in MK1 in some guise are good; in Mortal Kombat 11 it is revealed Fujin is the younger brother of Raiden, with the two falling out due to Raiden believing Fujin was getting too pally with other characters.
Onaga
We’re unsure at this stage if Onaga will appear in yet another cameo performance, or whether MK1’s rebooted timeline will see him return as primary antagonist. The Dragon King hasn’t been in the spotlight of late, with the series’ main villain being Shang Tsung, but the recent Mortal Kombat 1 stress test certainly hints Onaga will make a comeback as a character with some significance. In the stress test, two Liu Kang fighters go head-to-head, with one asking the other if Onaga exists in their timeline. The other Liu Kang answers: “Exists in it? He rules it.” Of course, Onaga has been heavily referenced in previous MK titles without making an appearance, so we’ll just have to wait and see if he crops up in MK1.
Hotaru
Samurai lookalike Hotaru first appeared in Mortal Kombat: Deception but has barely featured since. Most recently, he emerged in The Joker’s tower ending in Mortal Kombat 11 getting killed by the League of Misunderstood Maniacs. Originating from neutral realm Seido, Hotaru prefers a life of order whilst his counterpart character Havik likes to spread chaos. With strong rumours pointing to Havik appearing in MK1, it’d make sense for Hotaru to appear too, if only to serve as a narrative counterpoint to Havik. Hotaru is super cool, but there is possibility he simply isn’t popular enough to feature in MK1’s roster.
Shinnok
Shinnok is easily one of the most corrupted, downright evil beings in the entire Mortal Kombat franchise, with vengeful desire to bring pain and suffering to every realm. Playable first in Mortal Kombat 4, with a lengthy gap to his next appearance as the final boss in Mortal Kombat X. Shinnok has served as primary antagonist alongside Shao Kahn for much of MK’s lore, but with things uncertain as to who’ll be the main villain in MK1 it might just mean that Shinnok will remain on the sidelines, which would be a shame because in the right hands Shinnok is real fun to fight as.
Taven
Main character of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon’s Konquest mode, Taven is considered rather bland by much of Mortal Kombat’s fandom. He’d be a welcome appearance in MK1’s timeline, but perhaps his backstory would need an overhaul. With the Red Dragon subplot likely being modified and with Onaga’s potential to comeback as MK1’s main villain – there does seem room for Taven somewhere, maybe alongside his also bland but equally redeemable brother Daegon.
Kai
The quick and nimble Kai learned his craft alongside Liu Kang and Kung Lao; thus, he exhibits attacks similar to his fellow Shaolin monks such as fireball projectiles. Not making an appearance since Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Kai’s return feels long overdue at this point. His long-time absence means it may be tricky to build a narrative around him, but there’s certainly scope for him to make an appearance as at least a Kameo fighter. As a student of Liu Kang his odds are good at making an appearance, but with heaps of supporting characters in the MK universe he still faces stiff competition.
