The Untold Story of Shujinko: Unveiling Mortal Kombat's Mysterious Protagonist

Highlights

The latest Mortal Kombat 1 trailer at Gamescom ONL 2023 reveals more playable fighters and Kameo characters, including the long-dormant character Shujinko.

Shujinko's presence in the game implies a link to Onaga, the Dragon King, and potentially suggests that Onaga may be the primary antagonist in Mortal Kombat 1. Although Shujinko won't be a playable character, his inclusion in the game holds significant narrative implications and enhances the excitement surrounding its release.

Numerous developers showcased their upcoming products at Gamescom ONL 2023, including NetherRealm Studios and their highly anticipated game, Mortal Kombat 1. NetherRealm Studios has been gradually teasing fans with exciting news and reveals, and the recent Gamescom Mortal Kombat 1 trailer provided further insights into the game's storyline and introduced additional playable fighters and Kameo characters.

The trailer primarily focused on the dynamic between Sindel and Shao Kahn, now known as General Shao. It showcased gameplay featuring these characters and established the context of the tournament within Liu Kang's new timeline. Furthermore, the trailer unveiled a duo of new Kameo fighters, one of which was the long-dormant character, Shujinko.

Shujinko’s Role in the Mortal Kombat Universe

Shujinko's narrative within the game's universe is quite tangled and often lacks coherence. Although introduced in Mortal Kombat: Deception along with Onaga, he hasn't played a significant role in the franchise since then. According to his backstory, he received a message from the deceased Onaga, who appeared as a luminous orb named Damashi. Onaga claimed to be an agent of the Elder Gods and tasked Shujinko with collecting the scattered Kamidogu items across the realms.

In order to accomplish this mission, Onaga bestowed upon Shujinko the power to imitate other fighters and assimilate their abilities. Unbeknownst to him, this unwittingly paved the way for Onaga's resurrection. Eventually realizing his mistake, Shujinko confronted the Dragon King and emerged victorious. What stood out about his journey was the uncanny resemblance it bore to the main plot of the Mortal Kombat timeline. Curiously, despite the fact that all other characters showed minimal signs of aging, Shujinko aged significantly by the end of the game.

What Shujinko’s Appearance May Mean For Mortal Kombat 1

In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, he made a reappearance but in a limited role and met his demise during the battle at the Pyramid. Except for a mention in Cassie Cage's Mortal Kombat 10 ending, the character has remained mostly absent from the new timeline. This marks the character's significant appearance after a gap of more than ten years, hinting that another dormant character could also join the franchise.

Ever since its debut, Mortal Kombat 1 has successfully concealed the identity of its primary antagonist. The showcased footage primarily focuses on world-building and unveiling the new reality in Liu Kang's transformed timeline. Although characters like Baraka and General Shao exhibit signs of malevolence, there is no clear indication that they will serve as the central antagonist. The prevailing speculation revolves around Onaga, famously known as the Dragon King, assuming the role of the formidable main villain.

The inclusion of characters Li Mei and Tanya in Mortal Kombat 1 suggests the potential return of Onaga, given their past involvement with the character. Additionally, in Liu Kang's mirror match, both versions of the character mention the Dragon King before their fight. One version inquires about the character's status in the timeline, while the other claims to rule it. Although Shujinko's presence in the game does not provide confirmation, it serves as another connection to Onaga that is hard to overlook.

Unfortunately, Shujinko will not be playable in the upcoming game and, like other Kameo Fighters, will support other characters. The role they will play in the story is not entirely clear, although they have been spotted in the background of the trailers. With Onaga mysteriously absent from Mortal Kombat 1, Shujinko's appearance carries significant implications for the game. As of now, they remain a character who has spent an extended period on the sidelines.

Mortal Kombat 1 will be released on September 19, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.