It’s been a big day for Mortal Kombat fans, with today’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con jam packed with new information, trailers and media to digest.
Among the announcements was confirmation that Li Mei, Tanya and Baraka will be on Mortal Kombat 1’s base roster as playable kombatants, with Darrius being included as a Kameo. While Baraka was playable in Mortal Kombat 11 and Tanya in Mortal Kombat X, both Li Mei and Darrius have not been selectable since 2006’s Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. Kameo or not it’s exciting to see them return!
Besides the screenshots above, the official Mortal Kombat Discord channel has been updated with biographies for Li Mei, Tanya and Baraka.
Li Mei
First Constable of the Sun Do
As her parents’ firstborn daughter, Li Mei was claimed by the Umgadi, the warrior priestesses who guard Outworld’s royal family.
Li Mei’s service began with high expectations. Her early success caught the eye of the Royal family.
But it all fell apart when a terrible tragedy unfolded. Li Mei was blamed for this and in the aftermath, she did the unthinkable: she quit the Umgadi.
Friendless and alone, Li Mei needed a new purpose. She joined Sun Do’s constables, the Outworld capital’s rough and tumble police force. Over time, she became their First Constable.
Li Mei is glad to be the capital guardian. Still, she hopes one day to redeem herself.
Tanya
Guardian of Outworld’s Royal Family
Chosen as an infant from Outworld’s first-born daughters, Tanya was raised by the Umgadi’s priestesses. She’s never known her birth family.
As she grew older and saw other initiates wash out, Tanya feared that she would share their fate. But that fear spurred success; after many attempts, Tanya passed her trials and became a full Umgadi.
Over time, Tanya became one of the order’s most trusted members. She was the obvious choice when it needed to choose a new leader for the royal family’s personal guard.
As an Umgadi, Tanya is sworn to piety and chastity. That is why her bond with Princess Mileena, were it known, would cause a scandal. By following her heart, Tanya risks not only her position but also her life.
Baraka
Defender of the Tarkatans
Baraka was once a respected Outworld merchant. But that life ended in an instant when he contracted the dreaded Tarkat plague.
Incurable, contagious, and the cause of severe physical deformities, Tarkat turned Baraka into a monster. He was cast out and doomed to live out his days in a colony of similarly afflicted Outworlders.
When Baraka first arrived, the colony was in disarray. His fellow Tarkatans had given up and were ready to die.
Their hopelessness lit a fire in Baraka’s heart. He spares no effort to better his fellow Tarkatans’ lives. He knows that as long as he fights, he will never truly be a victim.
What are your thoughts on today’s announcements and the biographies above? Be sure to join our incredible kommunity by joining our Discord server (partnered with the Netherkast) and following us on our social media accounts, which include Twitter, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
