Takeda Takahashi is making his Mortal Kombat 1 debut next week and ahead of his release, Warner Bros. Games and NetherRealm have shared a new video spotlighting his moveset.
Having first appeared in the MKX comic series, Takeda Takahashi is the son of Kenshi and a student of Shirai Ryu leader Hanzo Hasashi (aka Scorpion). Takahashi was first playable in Mortal Kombat X, but will soon make is debut in Mortal Kombat 1 as the final DLC character available through the Kombat Pack.
Providing a bit of backstory, Warner Bros. Games offered the following details for Takeda Takahashi:
Similar to his cousin Kenshi, Takeda Takahashi was raised a Yakuza. Unlike him, Takeda enjoyed this lifestyle. That's why he was chosen to end Kenshi’s crusade against his masters. The fight mortally wounded Takeda. Unwilling to let his cousin die, Kenshi rushed him to the nearest help: the Shirai Ryu. Even after Takeda was healed, Kenshi wouldn't release him. He feared that the Yakuza might kill him for failing his mission. Takeda resisted, attempting to escape repeatedly. But as the months passed, he began to appreciate the Shirai Ryu’s selfless commitment to Earthrealm, a contrast to his past lifestyle. Takeda swore to rip up Earthrealm's underworld by the roots, but he soon learns they are stronger and more tangled than he ever thought possible.
As a student of Scorpion, you'll notice that Takeda's moveset is heavily inspired by Shirai Ryu, right down to his use of serrated whips to pull or throw his opponents. He also makes use of explosive kunai projectiles to extend combos as well as teleportation to attack opponents from behind.
Takeda Takahashi will be available as part of the early access period for Kombat pack owners beginning July 23rd. He'll be available for everyone else on July 30th.
The video also gives us a glimpse of Ferra, a new DLC Kameo Fighter who can assist during matches. Ferra will also be available for Kombat Pack owners and standalone purchase on July 23rd.
Fans attending the Evolution Championship Series (EVO) fighting game tournament in Las Vegas this weekend will get a chance to go hands-on with Takeda and Ferra at the Mortal Kombat 1 booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall.
Takeda Takahashi is the sixth and final DLC character to be released as part of the Kombat Pack. He joins the previously released fighters: Omni-Man (Invincible), Quan Chi, Peacemaker, Ermac, and Homelander (The Boys). The Kombat Pack is available as part of the Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition ($109.99) or can be purchased separately ($39.99).
It's unclear if Warner Bros. Games or NetherRealm has any plans to continue adding to Mortal Kombat 1's roster with a future Kombat Pack following Takeda Takahashi's release.