Raiden (voiced by Dave B. Mitchell) s a major character in the Mortal Kombat Legends animated film series. He is the God of Thunder and the Protector of Earthrealm, tasked by the Elder Gods with selecting the best fighters that Earth has to offer in order to represent the realm in Mortal Kombat. While he often comes across as stoic and even cold, Raiden harbours a deep love for Earthrealm and its people. He is even a fatherly figure to Liu Kang, whose life he had saved when Liu was but a baby following the murder of his parents.
History[]
Scorpion's Revenge[]
In the first film of the series, Raiden is responsible for gathering the various warriors chosen to defend Earthrealm in the Mortal Kombat tournament. As a god, he is forbidden to participate in the tournament himself, but acts as a guide and mentor to the participating warriors, especially Liu Kang, the prophecized "Chosen One" destined to win the tournament and save Earthrealm.
While offering counsel to the chosen kombatants, Raiden also finds himself trying to sway the undead ninja Scorpion from following the orders of the demonic sorcerer Quan Chi. Scorpion has been sent to Shang Tsung's island to retrieve a mystical key from Tsung's treasury, which will allow the Mad God Shinnok to escape from the Netherrealm. While feels that he has no choice but to follow Quan Chi's command, Raiden assures him that he has more choice than he realises. Despite the thunder god's sage advice, Scorpion ends up taking the key anyway, though he does not give it to Quan Chi.
During the course of the tournament, Raiden observes the kontest unfold along with Shang Tsung. The wicked sorcerer mocks Raiden, convinced that his chosen fighters have no hope of winning, but Raiden warns Tsung not to underestimate them. Ultimately, Raiden's warriors return to Shang Tsung's palace where Liu Kang fights against Outworld's reigning champion, Goro. Goro's monstrous strength proves to be too much for Liu Kang, but at the last moment before the young monk is killed, Scorpion appears and interrupts the fight, killing Goro.
With Goro dead, Shang Tsung declares that Scorpion must fight Liu Kang. However, Scorpion attacks Tsung and forfeits the match, thereby giving Liu Kang the victory and breaking Outworld's winning streak. With the tournament lost, Tsung conjures a portal and returns to Outworld. Without Shang Tsung present, the island begins to break apart, prompting Raiden and the other Earthrealm fighters to evacuate. Meanwhile, Scorpion stays behind in order to take his revenge on Quan Chi. As Raiden and his warriors sail away from the self-destructing island, Raiden states that Liu Kang's destiny was not to defeat Goro, but rather to defeat the emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn.
Battle of the Realms[]
Shortly after the Mortal Kombat tournament, Earthrealm finds itself under attack by the armies of Outworld. The Wu Shi Temple finds itself under siege and Raiden and his selected warriors aid in fending off the Outworlders' onslaught. The battle comes to a sudden end when Shao Kahn appears and offers a proposal to Raiden: the Elder Gods allow Outworld to issue one final, immediate challenge for the domination of Earthrealm, and if Outworld loses, then Shao Kahn must give up his claim to Earth forever. Raiden agrees and he and the Outworld emperor meet with the Elder Gods to petition this final tournament. Ultimately, the Elder Gods agree to the proposal, but Raiden makes a request of his own, asking to be allowed to participate in the tournament himself. The Elder Gods agree to this as well, stripping Raiden of his immortality and powers so that he may fight alongside his comrades.
Later, both the Outworld and Earthrealm forces travel via portal to Shao Kahn's fortress where the tournament will be held. Liu Kang and the other Earthrealm fighters are concerned that Raiden may have made a mistake in giving up his godhood, but Raiden assures his pupil that he is still a capable fighter even without his powers, having spent millennia honing his martial skills. Raiden later proves his capability in the arena when he fights against the Outworld warrior Reiko and defeats him.
On the second day of the tournament, both Kurtis Stryker and Kung Lao are killed in battle. When Raiden next steps into the arena, he faces Shao Kahn himself. Although he puts up a good fight, Raiden is ultimately overwhelmed by Kahn's savagery and brute strength. After breaking several of the former god's bones, the Outworld warlord conjures four magical spears and, one after the other, throws them through the crippled Raiden's torso. Raiden dies in a pool of his own blood, much to the sorrow of Liu Kang.
Liu Kang goes on to avenge Raiden by defeating Shao Kahn in the final bout of the tournament. Immediately after this battle, the Earthrealm heroes are thrown into another konflict with the fate of the realms hanging in the balance. The One Being has returned and has begun to unravel all of reality, and so the Elder Gods bestow their great power upon Liu Kang, who goes on to defeat the One Being and save the universe. As the heroes prepare to return to Earthrealm, a shadowy figure watches from a distance. Judging by the outline of his hat, the figure in question is undoubtedly Raiden.