Highlights
The inclusion of Li Mei and Tanya in Mortal Kombat 1 suggests that the Dragon King, Onaga, may be making an appearance in the game.
Onaga, who ruled Outworld and preceded Shao Kahn, has not yet made a complete appearance in the more recent games. Speculation regarding the game's main antagonist is fueled by clues such as Liu Kang's mention of him, as well as the connections of Li Mei and Tanya to Onaga.
Ever since the revelation of Mortal Kombat 1, the developer has consistently provided more and more updates about the game. While some information has been leaked well in advance, certain details have been kept confidential. For instance, Reptile was recently unveiled as a character in Mortal Kombat 1, and NetherRealm seems to have completely revamped his backstory for the better. The introduction of Li Mei and Tanya, however, may hint at the identity of the primary antagonist in Mortal Kombat 1.
Despite the extensive publicity, the identity of the main antagonist in Mortal Kombat 1 has remained a closely guarded secret. While characters like Baraka, Shang Tsung, and Shao Kahn have essentially been confirmed as antagonists, it remains unclear who the ultimate villain of the game will be. However, the inclusion of Li Mei and Tanya does raise the possibility that Onaga, the Dragon King, may be making his way into the upcoming game.
Who is Onaga in Mortal Kombat?
Onaga was initially mentioned in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance before making his complete debut in the sequel. He was portrayed as the legitimate ruler of Outworld and was Shao Kahn's predecessor. According to the lore of Mortal Kombat, he governed the realm with an unbeatable army and relentlessly sought immortality. His aspirations were thwarted when Shao Kahn poisoned him, assuming control of Outworld until Onaga's resurrection in the franchise's sixth major release.
In the game Mortal Kombat: Deception, the antagonists strategically coerced a man named Shujinko into bringing Onaga back to life, resulting in the apparent demise of Raiden, Shang Tsung, and Quan Chi. Eventually, Shujinko managed to defeat Onaga and banished his soul to the Netherrealm, where it remained until the events of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. During the climactic battle of the story, Onaga was killed. Although Onaga has been mentioned in newer games, he has yet to make a complete appearance. Nevertheless, this may soon change.
How Li Mei and Tanya Inclusion Suggest That Onaga is Coming
Li Mei and Tanya made their debut in the Mortal Kombat 1 trailer at the San Diego Comic Con, where they not only showcased new game details but also shed light on the game's story. They are part of Edenia's elite guard and it seems that the death of their king will play a significant role in the plot. Li Mei is expelled from the guard due to this event, while Tanya, who appears to be loyal to Mileena, distrusts Li Mei. However, in the original timeline, both characters were connected to Onaga.
In Li Mei's original storyline, her soul was stolen by Shang Tsung and placed in the body of a soldier from the Dragon Army. Eventually, her soul was liberated and she joined the battles against the series' antagonists. On the other hand, Tanya has been a long-standing character since Mortal Kombat 4 and has consistently displayed fluctuating loyalties. At one point, she allied herself with Onaga and served him until his defeat. Although these connections to the Dragon King don't confirm his return, the inclusion of these characters hints at the possibility of Onaga appearing in Mortal Kombat 1.
Li Mei and Tanya are not the only characters mentioned in the teaser for Mortal Kombat 1. Liu Kang also drops the name Onaga, hinting at the possibility of the Dragon King's appearance. Although the main advertisements for the game have kept the primary antagonist a secret, these clues, along with the inclusion of Li Mei and Tanya, only intensify the speculation. Hopefully, this will be confirmed soon. Mortal Kombat 1 will be available on September 19 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.