Highlights

  • Mortal Kombat 1's first Kombat Pack will release characters between November 2023 and Summer 2024, featuring both guest and Mortal Kombat Universe characters.
  • Takeda Takahashi, one of the "Kombat Kids" from Mortal Kombat X, is returning in Mortal Kombat 1 and may have an important role in the future of the game.
  • The inclusion of Takeda in the first Kombat Pack could suggest that DLC story content will focus on characters like him, potentially exploring conflicts within the Shirai Ryu and expanding on Kenshi's background.

Mortal Kombat 1's first Kombat Pack begins rolling out characters on November 9th, 2023 with Omni-Man and will continue until Summer 2024. The gradual release of fighters will stagger the highly anticipated guest characters with the Mortal Kombat Universe characters. The last of these characters, Takeda, will be released next summer. The fact that Mortal Kombat 1 developer NetherRealm Studios chose Takeda to round out the game's first Kombat Pack could imply his importance for the future of the game.

Takeda Takahashi was first introduced in Mortal Kombat X back in 2015. He was one of the four "Kombat Kids" featured in the game, who at the time were touted as the next generation of the Mortal Kombat storyline. Along with Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, and Kung Jin, Takeda played an important role in MKX's story, only to be left out of MK11. After a brief cameo in the story mode of Mortal Kombat 1, Takeda will officially make his way into the lore of Liu Kang's new era. Though there is not much officially announced about his new role in the rebooted timeline currently, his addition could set the stage for future DLC for a few key reasons.

RELATED: How Mortal Kombat 1 and Mortal Kombat: Onslaught's Universes Differ

Takeda Through The Years

Mortal Kombat 1 - How Kombat Pack 1 sets up Story DLC

In the past, DLC fighters went on to play an important role in Mortal Kombat Story DLC. In MK11, Shang Tsung, Nightwolf, and Sindel were released as part of Kombat Pack 1 and went on to play major roles in the Aftermath DLC that came later down the road. Even characters that were released in later Kombat Packs, such as Mileena and Rain, did not receive much attention. If this trend continues into Mortal Kombat 1, then the first Kombat Pack should be a hint of where the story will go.

Assuming guest characters will not be featured in the mainline Mortal Kombat story, then that just leaves the returning MK characters to set the stage for future DLC. Quan Chi and Ermac have played large roles in MK1's Story Mode already and may return in the future. But seeing as Takeda is the only character yet to make an official debut in the new timeline, it makes sense that he could be important in the future. It may be his relationship with Scorpion, Kenshi, and the Shirai Ryu that hints at what fans can expect in the future.

Takeda's Role in Mortal Kombat 1

In Mortal Kombat X, Takeda was a member of the new Shirai Ryu and a pupil of Scorpion. He was also the son of Kenshi. Now that the timeline has been reset in MK1, this may or may not be very different. In MK1, the Shirai Ryu were formed in Scorpion and Smoke's Tower Endings. They were shown to be uniting new members to their cause, including a child version of Hanzo Hasashi. Given the appearance of Takeda's uniform, he may be one of the new recruits of the Shirai Ryu. Although probably not the son of Kenshi in this new timeline, it is possible he is still a relative and member of his clan.

At the end of Mortal Kombat 1's story, the new Shirai Ryu clan is at war with the Lin Kuei. Each respective headmaster, brothers Kuai Liang and Bi-Han, swore to defeat the other. Takeda entering the fray could set up a potential Story DLC focusing on this conflict. This DLC could also be the perfect opportunity to explore more of Kenshi's background given his ties to Takeda. Perhaps a story where Takeda teams up with Kenshi to take down the Yakuza in Japan and clear their family name. Whatever the future of MK1's story holds, Takeda will likely play a part in it.