Summary
One of the more divisive decisions in recentMortal Kombathistory was adding the Kombat Kids toMortal Kombat X’s roster. A cast of four new characters each related to a member of the originalMKline-up,the Kombat Kidswere initially met with quite a bit of criticism upon their debut in 2015. It seems NetherRealm paid close attention to that initial backlash, as just two Kombat Kids returned forMortal Kombat 11. But in the years that have followedMK11’s release, public perception of these characters has begun to shift, and the news that Takeda Takahashi was joiningMortal Kombat 1’s roster was actually met with some fanfare last year.
The son of Kenshi and the apprentice of Scorpion, Takeda Takahashi wields a pair of bladed whips and swords, all of which combine to make him one of the coolest Kombat Kids. After taking a nine-year hiatus, Takeda is ready to join theMKroster once more, with the fighter hittingMortal Kombat 1on July 23 for those with early access to the game’s Kombat Pack. But before fans suit up as Takeda once more, there are a few things they should know about this new version of the character.
How Mortal Kombat 1’s Takeda Compares to His Past Iterations
How Takeda’s Mortal Kombat 1 Lore Compares to Past Versions
As mentioned up top,Mortal Kombat X’s version of Takeda Takahashiis the son of the blind swordsman Kenshi. After his mother is killed by Red Dragon assassins, Takeda is taken to the Shirai Ryu by Kenshi, where he’s left in the care of Scorpion. Under Scorpion, Takeda learns the ways of the Shirai Ryu and becomes a capable fighter. Though Takeda doesn’t appear inMortal Kombat 11outside endings like Shao Khan’s, where he is depicted with a beard, some lines of pre-match dialogue suggest he’s engaged to Jacqui Briggs.
Much like everyone else on the roster,Takeda Takahashi’s backstoryhas been changed significantly thanks to Fire God Liu Kang’s restarted timeline. In this rebooted timeline, Takeda isn’t Kenshi’s son, but his cousin, who also grew up in the Yakuza. While Kenshi eventually left the Yakuza and swore to dismantle the organization for everything it did to him and his family, Takeda remains loyal to it.
Takeda is tasked by the Yakuza to hunt down his cousin, but he’s mortally wounded by the superior swordsman. After healing from his wounds at the Shirai Ryu’s base, Takeda is kept hostage there, and upon seeing the Shirai Ryu’s selfless dedication to Earthrealm, he eventually switches sides, agreeing to help his cousin take down the Yakuza. Though his journey to get there is different, Takeda’s story inMortal Kombat 1’s timelineends with the fighter in a similar spot to hisMKXiteration.
How Takeda’s Mortal Kombat 1 Design Compares to Past Versions
Generally speaking, Takeda’s visual design inMortal Kombat 1looks fairly similar to the one found inMortal Kombat Xand theTower endings ofMortal Kombat 11. InMortal Kombat X, Takeda wore an armored exoskeleton, with dual bladed whips extending from each arm. InMortal Kombat 1, Takeda is wearing a similar black armored exoskeleton, though it now features bright yellow highlighting across the chest and arms.MK1’s Takeda is also wearing a skull-shaped mask, sporting the same black-and-yellow color scheme as the rest of his outfit.
How Takeda’s Mortal Kombat 1 Moveset Compares to Past Versions
Much like hisMKXcounterpart,Mortal Kombat 1’s Takedaboasts a fast-paced moveset that revolves around his dual bladed whips. These whips can be used to both close the distance between Takeda and his opponent, and keep their opponent at arm’s length, with moves that can grapple and push.Mortal Kombat 1’s Takeda is also equipped with a range of explosive devices that can be thrown out quickly, either directly onto an opponent or at their feet. Takeda also has a few teleport moves inspired by Scorpion, allowing him to suddenly appear behind an opponent.
Mortal Kombat 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you’ll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you’ve never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
