Mortal Kombat 1 fans have something exciting to look forward to next week as Takeda Takahashi joins the roster as the final Year 1 DLC fighter. Takeda, a young Shirai Ryu warrior, is making his second appearance in a Mortal Kombat game and is set to showcase his skills alongside iconic characters like Scorpion and Smoke.
In his debut appearance in Mortal Kombat X, Takeda was introduced as Kenshi’s son, but the remixed timeline in Mortal Kombat 1 now portrays him as Kenshi’s cousin. Despite growing up in the Yakuza like Kenshi, Takeda’s loyalty lies more with his clan. When the Yakuza ordered Takeda to kill Kenshi, a fierce battle ensued, resulting in Takeda being gravely injured. Fortunately, Kenshi intervened to save him from the Yakuza’s wrath, leading Takeda to switch sides and join the Shirai Ryu to fight against the criminal elements of Earthrrealm and the malevolent forces of Outworld.
Takeda retains the Shirai Ryu fighting style, showcasing his expertise with bladed whips, shurikens, teleporting flame attacks, and a unique mid-air corkscrew piledriver move. Fans can get a glimpse of Takeda in action before his official release on July 23, where he will be available for purchase individually or as a free download for Kombat Pack owners. Additionally, the same day will see the introduction of the previously announced Kameo fighter, Ferra, who will also be playable for the first time at Evo 2025 this weekend.
For those eager to delve deeper into the world of Mortal Kombat 1, be sure to explore our review and watch the trailers featuring other DLC fighters such as Homelander, Omni-Man, Ermac, Peacemaker, and Quan-Chi. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to experience the thrill of combat with the addition of Takeda to the game’s roster.