Mortal Kombat: Unraveling the Mysterious Absence of Onaga in Liu Kang's New Universe

Highlights

The identity of Mortal Kombat 1's main antagonist has been deliberately kept secret by the developers, leading to speculation about their role in the game.

Li Mei and Tanya's presence in the trailers for Mortal Kombat 1 could possibly indicate the arrival of Onaga and imply that elements from the Dragon King's narrative might be integrated into Liu Kang's new timeline. The inclusion of these characters creates anticipation among fans about whether Onaga will indeed appear in the game. To ascertain if the Dragon King is indeed a part of Liu Kang's new era, fans will have to patiently wait until the release of Mortal Kombat 1.

Since the unveiling of Mortal Kombat 1, NetherRealm, the developer, has been open about the game's character roster, except for one important detail - the main antagonist. Despite this silence, the first trailer for Mortal Kombat 1 contained hints indicating that Onaga, the Dragon King, may be the antagonist. Liu Kang's new timeline appears to have its flaws, particularly evident in the treatment of Mileena. Additionally, there are indications that old conflicts may resurface. The absence of any mention of Onaga so far may hold significance, suggesting a potential significant role for him in the upcoming game and raising questions about his whereabouts in this timeline.

Onaga's Backstory in the Mortal Kombat Universe

The dragon king was initially introduced in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance as a brief cameo. Shang Tsung and Quan Chi stumbled upon his dormant army and initiated the process of reviving it with the intention of conquering Outworld and other realms. As per the franchise's lore, Onaga was the original ruler of Outworld who utilized his unbeatable army to establish his supremacy. Shao Khan, a trusted advisor, poisoned Onaga and claimed the throne of Outworld for himself.

The character's imminent arrival was hinted at in Reptile's Deadly Alliance ending, prior to Onaga's full-fledged appearance in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Manipulating a man named Shujinko from beyond the grave, Onaga orchestrated his own resurrection. The character then sought revenge against Raiden, Shang Tsung, and Quan Chi, seemingly eliminating them both in the opening scene of the game. Realizing the consequences of his actions, Shujinko dedicated himself to defeating the Dragon King and ultimately succeeded, banishing his soul into the Netherrealm.

Onaga’s Possible Existence In Liu Kang's New Universe

Onaga, the character who previously appeared in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon after escaping the Netherrealm through a deal with Shinnok, was supposedly killed during the battle at the Pyramid. Interestingly, the subsequent timeline established in Mortal Kombat 9 did not feature Onaga, and he has yet to fully reappear in the franchise since his last appearance in Armageddon. However, there are indications that this may soon change.

Early on in the game's promotional campaign, hints were dropped about the potential inclusion of Onaga as the main antagonist. During one of the gameplay reveals for Mortal Kombat 1, a mirror match featuring Liu Kang showcased references to Onaga. One version of Liu Kang from the game's timeline questioned his opponent if the notorious Dragon King exists in their timeline, while the other version confidently claimed his rule over it. While there is a possibility of developers teasing the fans, this certainly adds weight to the speculation that Onaga might make an appearance in the game.

Additionally, the game's trailers offer additional clues. The inclusion of Li Mei and Tanya in Mortal Kombat 1 suggests that Onaga's arrival may be imminent. In the original Mortal Kombat timeline, both characters had a connection to the Dragon King. It is possible that some aspects of this storyline have made their way into Liu Kang's new era.

The identity of Mortal Kombat 1's main antagonist remains a well-guarded secret. However, there are hints for those who are observant. Onaga has been absent from the franchise for some time, making the new game a potential opportunity to reintroduce him. Alternatively, the developers may be intentionally misleading gamers and have a different surprise waiting. Fans will have to wait for the game's release or another trailer to confirm if Onaga is part of Liu Kang's new timeline.

Mortal Kombat 1 will release on September 19 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.