VGU Talks: Is Takeda Possibly Cyrax 2.0?
One of the most popular characters that was newly introduced to Mortal Kombat X was Takashi Takeda, son of the blind warrior Kenshi. This character has been praised for his different styles and even his look from within the game. I have both faced and seen many a player who have mastered this warrior and have done some crazy moves with him. But the more I see Takeda’s fighting styles ,along with his weapons of choice and animations, I can’t help but imagine a certain yellow cyber ninja from Mortal Kombat’s past.
This got me to thinking, could Netherrealm Studios be planning to turn Takeda into Cyrax 2.0? Here is my theory. First we have the origin of Takeda and a reason for him to go evil if he was ever cyberised. After playing through the story of MK X, you notice that Takeda was left by his father in the hands of Master Hanzo Hasashi, Scorpion, after his mother’s death. Although this was quickly resolved after a battle with his father, there may still be a part of Takeda that stays angry at both Kenshi and the Red Dragons. This could spur him to go on a very dangerous mission in Mortal Kombat XI where he will be tricked into becoming a new Cyrax.
As well as a plausible way of seeing one of the new characters turning cyber, they move-sets carry across quite nicely with the potential of added attacks. The whips he has for example in his Shirai Ryu style can easily be put onto Cyrax. However an interesting addition would be to have these chain whips electrify opponents in order to inflict stuns or make for interesting X-Rays/Finishers. Next with his lasher variant, the chains this time around could be charged up with fire caused by the friction when scratching the floor of the arena. This would combine an element of application to the attacks as well as make for some savage damage over time capabilities at long range. Finally the Ronin moveset can have one big change. Instead of having a long range beam come out of the dual sabers you could have an energy net from Cyrax’s chest, shades of Mortal Kombat 3. To add some additional changes you can also add in the detonator bombs and the teleport skills
to make Takeda’s cyber transformation complete.
But why Cyrax? Why not Sektor? Simply put there are similarities between our new hero and the classic cyborg. First and most obvious would have to be the appearance of the colour yellow. Cyrax and Takeda share a similar colour scheme, especially if you compare Takeda’s alternate outfit with Human Cyrax from MK 9. On top of this they both have a similar training background. Kenshi’s son was trained in the ways of Shirai Ryu whilst the yellow cyborg was originally trained in the Lin Kuei, Sub-Zero’s clan. Anyone that is known to be a part of a ninja’s clan could possibly have a chance of turning into a cyber-ninja.
Now there is one counter argument against this theory and it involves the events in MK X’s story. Sub-Zero, upon meeting up with Hanzo, explains that he had annihilated the former Lin Kuei that was turning their clan into a cyber-army. With this said, there is still be remnants of the technology which could be picked up by a new organisation or even a rogue force from the Shirai Ryu or new Lin Kuei. This could reintroduce cyberisation into the new series and add an interesting twist in the story leading up to the next Mortal Kombat.
What are your thoughts on Takeda possibly becoming the first of a new Cyborg initiative? Would they change his name to Cyrax or call him something completely new? Let us knw your thoughts in the comments.