Summary
On July 23rd, NetherRealm Studios will release the final DLC character forMortal Kombat 1’s Fighter Pack in the form of Takeda Takahashi. Fans ofMortal Kombat Xhave been excited about Takeda’s return, as he hasn’t been playable since the 2015 fighting game’s base roster. However, withMortal Kombat 1being set in a new universe created by Titan Liu Kang, several characters had their origins and appearance changed, such as Reptile and Scorpion, and Takeda was not withheld from this fate. In this new universe, Takeda is no longer the son of the swordsman Kenshi Takahashi, but is rather his cousin.
The History of Takeda in Mortal Kombat
Takeda was first introduced in theMortal Kombat Xdigital comicseries' first volume,Blood Ties, a few months prior to the game’s release. Here, it was revealed that Takeda was the son of Kenshi and a woman named Suchin shortly after the events of 2011’sMortal Kombat. Kenshi worked with Earthrealm’s Special Forces to go undercover in the Red Dragon crime syndicate, but eventually, his cover was blown. The Red Dragon killed Suchin, but Kenshi managed to save Takeda, bringing him to the newly restored Shirai Ryu clan for protection under their grandmaster, Hanzo Hasashi, otherwise known as Scorpion.
For years, Takeda was trained directly by Scorpion and eventually reached the title of Chujin among the Shirai Ryu. Following this promotion, Kenshi returned and told his son about his innate telepathic powers with the intention of the two working together to take down the Red Dragon. Eventually, Takeda became part of the Special Forces alongside his father and joined asquad composed of Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, and Kung Jin, relatives of Johnny Cage, Jax Briggs, and Kung Lao, respectively. Together, Takeda and his squad attempted to secure Shinnok’s amulet and eventually helped Cassie defeat Shinnok once and for all.
Takeda’s History Post Mortal Kombat X
By the end ofMortal Kombat X, Takeda begins a relationship with Jacqui Briggs. While Briggs returns to the playable rosterforMortal Kombat 11, Takeda is notably absent. Despite his physical absence, Takeda is referenced numerous times in fight intro dialogue by Cassie, D’Vorah, Fujin, Jacqui, Jax, Katana, Kotal Kahn, Scorpion, Shang Tsung, and even the guest fighter Joker. Most conservations suggested Takeda was on a classified mission, while Scorpion and Jacqui’s dialogue hinted that Takeda proposed to Jacqui. However, Joker suggests that he tortured and may have killed Takeda before this timeline was erased.
Takeda was the second-ever playable member of the Shirai Ryu clan besides Scorpion.
Takeda’s Potential New Role in Mortal Kombat 2
Takeda wasn’t limited to the DLC ofMortal Kombat 1as he and other members of the colloquially Kombat Kids squad fromXbriefly appeared in the climactic battle of the Pyramid of Argus in Titan Shang Tsung’s dimension. During the battle,Takeda and his companions are killed by Titan Kitana. It’s unknown which dimension these Kombat Kids come from, but this Takeda is in the same form as the DLC fighter, while Cassia and Jacqui are in theirMortal Kombat 11appearances, and Jin has a new character model. Given Jin’s new character model, he may appear as a part ofMortal Kombat 1’s second wave of DLC fighters or in a new role inMortal Kombat 2alongside Takeda.
According to NetherRealm,Mortal Kombat 1’s Takeda was raised by the Yakuza alongside Kenshi and was eventually dispatched to kill his cousin when he abandoned the crime syndicate. Kenshi defeated Takeda and took him to the newly formed Shirai Ryu clan under Kuai Liang Scorpion’s tutelage. With the Shirai Ryu teachings, Takeda is now dedicated to taking down the criminal underworld of Earthrealm. Based on this info, Takeda could serve as a new guiding member of the Shirai Ryu, potentially inspiringthe young Hanzo Hasashias a reverse of their original roles. Takeda could even bring Jin into the Shirai Ryu if the two are still the same age to prepare for the inevitable conflict with Bi-Han Sub-Zero and the Lin Kuei.
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.
