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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Kitana (''Mortal Kombat'')}} {{Short description|Mortal Kombat character}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox VG character
{{copyedit|date=September 2024}}
|name = Kitana
{{Infobox character
|image = ]
| name = Kitana
|caption = Kitana in ]
| image = KitanaMK11.png
|series = '']''
| image_size =
|firstgame = '']'' (1993)<ref>, IGN</ref>
| caption = Kitana in '']'' (2023)
|creator = ]
| series = ]
|artist = John Tobias (''MKII'', ''UMK3''/''MKT'')<br />Mark Lappin (''MK:SM'')<ref>, Allgame</ref><br>Allisa Swanson (''Legacy'')
| firstgame = '']'' (1993)
|liveactor = Katalin Zamiar (''MKII'' commercial) <br> ] (films)<br />] <small>(as "Lexi Mirai")</small>, Jennifer DeCosta (''Live Tour'')<br />], Dara Tomanovich (''Konquest'')<br />Rachelle Glover (''MK2011'' promotion)<br />Samantha Jo <small>(as "Sam Tjhia")</small> (''Legacy'')
| creator = ]<br />]
|motionactor = ] (''MKII'')<br />Becky Gable (''UMK3'', ''MKT'')<br />Lorrisa Julianus (''MKvDC'')<br />Brenda Barrie (''MK2011'')
| designer = {{Collapsible list |title=Various |John Tobias (''MKII'', ''UMK3'')|Allen Ditzig (''MK:DA'', ''MK:A'')|Mark Lappin (''MK:SM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=46532&tab=credits |title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks - Credits|publisher=Allgame.com|date=2010-10-03|access-date=2013-11-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116021746/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=46532&tab=credits|archive-date=2014-11-16 }}</ref> |Cy Mandua (''MKvsDCU'') |Atomhawk Design (''MK2011'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atomhawk.com/characters.html|title=Characters|publisher=Atomhawk.com|access-date=2013-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103054125/http://www.atomhawk.com/characters.html|archive-date=2013-11-03|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
|voiceactor = ] (''MK: DotR'')<ref name=va>, Behind The Voice Actors</ref><br />Lita Lopez (''MK:SM'')<br />S.G. Willie (''MKvDC'')<br />] (''MK2011'')<ref name=va/>
| portrayer = {{Collapsible list |title=Various |] (1990s films) |], Dara Tomanovich (television) |] (web series) |] (2025 film)}}
|inuniverse = {{Mortal Kombat character
| motion_actor = {{Collapsible list |title=Various |Katalin Zamiar (''MKII'') |Becky Gable (''UMK3'') |Lorrisa Julianus (''MKvsDCU'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geodepress.com/continued-interview-with-lorrisa-julianus-aka-zenobia|title=Geode Press LLC - Continued Interview with Lorrisa Julianus AKA Zenobia|publisher=Geodepress.com|date=2013-01-08|access-date=2015-05-20|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094109/http://geodepress.com/continued-interview-with-lorrisa-julianus-aka-zenobia|archive-date=2015-04-02}}</ref> |Brenda Barrie (''MK2011'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BwpJE_UFFrP|title=MP Management Chicago|publisher=]|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref> |Emily Marso (''MK11'',''MK1'')<ref>{{Cite Instagram |author=Emily Marso |user=missmarso |postid=BwmexrQhhnZ |date=23 April 2019 |title=I get to talk about how I've spent the last year doing motion capture work as Kitana for Mortal Kombat 11!... |access-date=19 September 2023 |link=no }}</ref><ref>{{Cite Instagram |author=Emily Marso |user=missmarso |postid=CxYoDBfPtrv |date=19 September 2023 |title=Mortal Kombat 1 is out and so are my secrets! Hugely grateful to NetherRealm for having me back to do the motion capture for my best girl Kitana AND the MVP herself, Madam Bo!... |access-date=19 September 2023 |link=no }}</ref> |Kaprice Imperial (''MK11'', facial)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.Instagram.com/p/BwpJE_UFFrP|title=Instagram|publisher=@mpmanagementchicago|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref> |Quynh Chi Nguyen (''MK1'', facial)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://instagram.com/p/CtefS-OA_2-/ | title=QUYNH CHI NGUYEN on Instagram: "Definitely the coolest thing I've ever done, being the face of Kitana and Mileena on @mortalkombat 1 releasing this September @wbpictures Come play me if you want to live 😁" }}</ref>}}
|origin = Edenia
| voice = {{Collapsible list |title=Various |Peg Burr (''MKII'', ''UMK3'') |Rosalind Dugas (''MK4'') |Lita Lopez (''MK:SM'') |S.G. Willie (''MKvsDCU'') |] (2011–2015)<ref name=va>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Mortal-Kombat/Kitana/ |title=Characters - Voice Of Kitana |publisher=Behindthevoiceactors.com |access-date=2013-11-01 |archive-date=2013-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106084729/http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Mortal-Kombat/Kitana/ |url-status=live }}</ref>|] (2019–present)|] (animated series)|] (animated films)}}
|weapon = ] (all media except ''MKG'' and the first film) <br />Flying Blade (''MKG'')
| species = Edenian
|fighting-styles = ] (''MK:DA'', ''MK:U'')<br />] (''MK:DA'', ''MK:U'', ''MK:A'')<br>SEA (''Konquest'')<ref name=mkc> (archived)</ref>
| weapon = ]
}}}}
}}


'''Kitana''' (also known as '''Princess Kitana''' and '''Lady Kitana''') is ] from the '']'' media franchise, where she was introduced as one of new ]s in the ] '']'' in 1993. One of the lead characters of the ''Mortal Kombat'' saga, Kitana is the princess of the other-dimensional realm of Edenia and the biological daughter of Queen ], as well as an adopted daughter of the evil Emperor ]. She also has a role of suggested ] for the series' primary hero ] and has an ] rival named ]. '''Kitana''' is a fictional character in the '']'' media franchise originally by ] and later by ]. Debuting in '']'' (1993) as a ] and as a royal from the fictional realm of Edenia. She uses ] as her primary weapon. In the series, Kitana is aligned with multiple characters, especially ] who originally served as her ], however, as the series evolves, Mileena suddenly becomes the older sister of Kitana and takes her place being the empress of Outworld. Kitana also shares the relationship as the love interest for the series' ] ].


During the development of the original '']'' (1992), a character known as "Kitsune" was intended by ''Mortal Kombat''{{'s}} co-creator ] to be in the game but was removed, that character later came into existence under the name "Kitana", which is derived from two words "Kitsune" and "Katana". Throughout the ''Mortal Kombat'' series, she eventually becomes one of its mainstays. Kitana is depicted as a warm-blooded woman, fighting for the protection of her realm and its people. Kitana has been featured in various media outside of the games, such as films and comics. She is well received by critics for her appearance, personality, and character development.
Kitana appeared in a majority of ''Mortal Kombat'' series' video games and its other media, including the films '']'' and '']'', and the series '']'', '']'' and '']'', becoming one of the most popular and recognisable elements of the franchise. The character received mostly positive critical reception and has been often regarded as one of the most attractive ] in general.


==History and development==
== In video games ==
]' sketch of unused character "Kitsune" from the original '']'', and his concept art for Kitana in '']'']]
As a member of the Edenian race in the fictional other dimension called Outworld, the character is over 10,000 years old, although she appears to be a young woman.<ref name="OldschoolMK">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/features/top-10-old-school-mortal-kombat-characters/2 |title=Top 10 Old School Mortal Kombat Characters: Page 2 |publisher=Game Revolution |date= |accessdate=2012-01-10}}</ref> Throughout the years, Kitana has risen to great importance, first as the loyal ] of Outworld's evil emperor ]; then his enemy, tearing herself away from his grasp and freeing her home realm of Edenia; and then leading an army into Outworld to combat any chance of Kahn rising to power again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-series-summary-mortal-kombat-2-cj-79888/all/1/ |title=A History of Violence: A Look Back At The ‘Mortal Kombat’ Series (Part 1) |publisher=Game Rant |author=C.J. Smillie |publisher=Game Rant |date=April 18, 2011 |accessdate=2012-01-10}}</ref> Kitana shared a subtle love interest with Earthrealm champion ] until his death, though they were briefly reunited prior to his resurrection. Despite her loyalty to Shao Kahn for most of her life, she has aligned herself on the good side after learning the truth about her past and her real family. A disfigured ] of Kitana, given the name ], was introduced as Kitana's twin sister to become a prominent archrival in the original game series' timeline.{{#tag:ref|In Kitana's ladder mode uncanonical ending of the 2011 reboot game, however, she takes pity on Mileena, sparing and accepting her "royal blood" after Shao Kahn is defeated, and the two sisters (and Jade) team-up to fight against the forces of evil.<ref>, GameSpy</ref> This stood out as an abrupt departure from their usual relations so far in the original timeline, in which Kitana flatly refused to accept Mileena's demand to co-rule during their shared ending of ''Mortal Kombat Gold'' (resulting in Mileena's imprisonment in Kitana's canonical version of this confrontation).|group="note"}}


Early development of the original '']'' featured a character named "Kitsune", conceived by series co-creator and character designer ] and inspired by the character of Princess Mariko from ]'s 1984 computer game '']''.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=111287084081352704|user=jmechner|title=@therealsaibot Ha thanks, that's awesome! Kitsune/Kitana vs Mariko... not sure who I'd bet on!|date=September 6, 2011}}</ref> She was intended to be an unplayable ]-like character who wielded a single ornamental fan and was "]'s princess daughter — the spoil of victory for winning the tournament" who would ultimately betray her father after she fell for the game's protagonist ]. Kitsune was ultimately omitted from the game but included in the sequel ''Mortal Kombat II'', with her storyline revised as her being the stepdaughter of the game's main antagonist Shao Kahn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.retrozap.com/argcast-mini-14-making-mortal-kombat-with-john-tobias/|title=ARGcast Mini #14: Making Mortal Kombat with John Tobias|last=ARGpodcast|date=2018-06-26|website=RetroZap|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-24|archive-date=2019-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408214147/https://www.retrozap.com/argcast-mini-14-making-mortal-kombat-with-john-tobias/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tobias renamed the character "Kitana" as her original name was rejected for being Japanese and thus not compatible with "Shang and Shao who were both Chinese in origin" (before the games "ultimately became a hodgepodge of nonsensical ] hooha anyway"), with Kitana serving as "a combo of ] & ]" that sounded "generically Asian enough."<ref name="kitsune">{{cite tweet|number=1384911418164658176|user=therealsaibot|title=Kitana/Mileena were first conceived way back at the beginning of MK1's development as a character doodle named Kitsune. She was meant to be an unplayable character and the princess daughter of Shang Lao (later Tsung)...}}</ref> She was originally outfitted with a pair of ] before ] suggested that the character could be ], which resulted in the creation of Kitana's twin ] and her being given the sai while Kitana instead brandished ].<ref name="kitsune"/> In 2009, Boon included Kitana among the series' most recognizable characters alongside Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Liu Kang.<ref>{{cite web|first=Gary |last=Walk |title=Interview: Ed Boon on The Ups and Downs of the Mortal Kombat Franchise |date=2008-11-17 |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/interview-ed-boon-on-the-ups-and-downs-of-the-mortal-kombat-franchise/?biz=1&page=1 |publisher=GameDaily |access-date=2009-09-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505220824/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/interview-ed-boon-on-the-ups-and-downs-of-the-mortal-kombat-franchise/?biz=1&page=1 |archive-date=May 5, 2009}}</ref> ], a female ninja who debuted as a playable character in the 2011 ''Mortal Kombat'' reboot, originated in ''MKII'' by way of false player rumors of a glitch that would turn Kitana's outfit red.<ref name=den>{{cite web |author=Gavin Jasper |url=http://www.denofgeek.us/games/mortal-kombat/241361/mortal-kombat-the-definitive-guide-to-the-secret-characters |title=Mortal Kombat: The Definitive Guide to the Secret Characters |publisher=Denofgeek.us |access-date=2015-07-01 |archive-date=2015-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702080423/http://www.denofgeek.us/games/mortal-kombat/241361/mortal-kombat-the-definitive-guide-to-the-secret-characters |url-status=live }}</ref>
Kitana first appears in '']'' (1993) as Shao Kahn's personal assassin, working alongside her supposed twin sister Mileena.<ref name="MKwarehouseMKII">{{cite web|url=http://mortalkombatwarehouse.com/mk2/kitana/ |title=Mortal Kombat II: Kitana |publisher=Mortal Kombat Warehouse |date= |accessdate=2012-01-10}}</ref> After centuries of loyally serving Kahn, Kitana uncovers the truth about her past, discovering that she is actually the daughter of Edenia's former rulers King Jerrod and Queen Sindel, and was taken as Shao Kahn's own when he conquered their realm. She also learns that Mileena was never her real sister, but a grotesque clone of her created at her adopted father's behest by his sorcerer ].<ref name="MKwarehouseMKII"/> Originally intended to replace Kitana should she ever learn of her true birthright, Mileena emerged flawed and Kahn instead decided to make her monitor Kitana's loyalty to him. According to the semi-canonical spin-off game '']'' (2005), after Kitana (voiced by Lita Lopez) was found no longer loyal to Kahn, she is put into a spell-induced trance and forced to fight the Earthrealm heroes anyway (along with Mileena and ]), before being freed from this state by the ] Liu Kang and ]. Eventually, the sisters clash and Kitana emerges victorious, killing Mileena.


Martial artist Katalin Zamiar played Kitana and the game's other palette-swapped female ninjas in ''MKII'',<ref>{{cite video game|title=]|level=Closing credits|date=1993|developer=]|publisher=Midway Games}}</ref> with Kitana's steel fans used for filming constructed from a reflective paper material.<ref name=ppa>Benedykt Dziubałtowski, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225010323/http://www.ppa.pl/gry/interview-with-katalin-ogren-an-actress-played-a-character-of-kitana-mileena-and-jade-in-mortal-kombat-2.html |date=2014-12-25 }}, PPA.pl, 09.11.2012.</ref> She was hired for the role after meeting Boon and Tobias, who were members of her fitness center at the time.<ref name="ppa" /> Zamiar did not return for ''Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3'' due to legal issues with Midway Games, and was replaced by Becky Gable.<ref name="gamingliberty">{{cite web|url=http://www.thegamingliberty.com/2011/02/the-97-midway-court-case-shang-tsung-and-kitana-speak|title=The '97 Midway Court Case - Shang Tsung and Kitana Speak!|publisher=The Gaming Liberty|date=February 10, 2011|access-date=February 2, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203100400/http://www.thegamingliberty.com/2011/02/the-97-midway-court-case-shang-tsung-and-kitana-speak/|archive-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name="UMK3credits">{{cite video game|title=]|level=Closing credits|date=1995|developer=]|publisher=Midway Games}}</ref> Kitana was included in early versions of ''Mortal Kombat 4'' before being replaced by new character ].<ref> - YouTube. Retrieved February 10, 2014.</ref> For the series' transition into 3-D beginning with ''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'', Kitana and the other ninja characters were given their own distinct redesigns.<ref name="beran">{{cite web|url=http://www.kamidogu.com/features/steve-beran-interview/|title=Steve Beran Interview|first1=Steve|last1=Beran|first2=Christopher|last2=Veljanovski|work=Kamidogu|date=March 28, 2006|access-date=March 7, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810005813/http://www.kamidogu.com/features/steve-beran-interview/|archive-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref>
During the events of '']'' (1995), Kitana is put on trial for treason and the murder of Mileena.<ref name="MKwarehouseUMK3">{{cite web|url=http://mortalkombatwarehouse.com/umk3/kitana/ |title=Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3: Kitana |publisher=Mortal Kombat Warehouse |date= |accessdate=2012-01-10}}</ref> Before a verdict and sentence could be reached, however, Kitana escapes (as retconned in '']'' and '']'') and joins the warriors of Earthrealm to free her mother Sindel, who has been resurrected and used by Kahn to invade Earth. After convincing her close friend Jade to join her, Kitana locates and frees Sindel from Shao Kahn's mental control,<ref name="MKwarehouseUMK3"/> leading to his defeat at the hands of Liu Kang. Kitana, Sindel, and Jade then liberate Edenia from Outworld. Their jubilance is short-lived, as during '']'' (1999), ] and his grand vizier ] escapes imprisonment in the Netherrealm and invades Edenia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mortalkombatwarehouse.com/mkg/kitana/ |title=Mortal Kombat Gold: Kitana |publisher=Mortal Kombat Warehouse |date= |accessdate=2012-01-10}}</ref> Betrayed by the traitorous Edenian ], Kitana, Sindel, and Jade are taken prisoner, but Kitana manages to escape<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-series-summary-4-special-forces-cj-80309/all/1/ |title=A History of Violence: A Look Back At The ‘Mortal Kombat’ Series (Part 3) |author=C.J. Smillie |publisher=Game Rant |date=April 20, 2011 |accessdate=2012-01-10}}</ref> and rejoin her Earthrealm allies. Shinnok's forces are eventually defeated by the joint efforts of Kitana and her allies. With Edenia freed once again, Kitana finally proposes to Liu Kang, offering him the chance to rule Edenia at her side as King and Queen, but he reluctantly rejects her offer, seeing his true duty as champion of Earth. After Shinnok's defeat, Kitana captures Mileena but learns that Shao Kahn has survived his defeat in Earthrealm and is regaining power. Knowing that Kahn would attempt to reclaim Edenia once he was strong enough, she forges an alliance with ], prince of the Outworld race Shokan, against Kahn's forces.


Most of Kitana's special moves utilize her fans either as a melee weapon, a projectile, or to lift her enemies airborne.{{#tag:ref|During early production runs of ''Mortal Kombat II'', Kitana's "Fan Lift" special move could be used to completely immobilize opponents in the corner of the screen and allow players to connect with a series of uncontested attacks, resulting in changes being made to eliminate this and balance out the game.<ref name="kk"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913183520/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFu7OyFjc6M |date=2016-09-13 }} for ''Mortal Kombat: Deception''.</ref>|group="note"}} In ''Mortal Kombat X'' and onward, Kitana's play style is split into three fighting variations like those of the game's other characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lazygamer.net/general-news/get-konnected-with-kitana-in-mortal-kombat-x/|title=Get konnected with Kitana in Mortal Kombat X|last=Bonthuys|first=Darryn|date=February 25, 2015|publisher=LazyGamer.net|access-date=May 7, 2015|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082121/http://www.lazygamer.net/general-news/get-konnected-with-kitana-in-mortal-kombat-x/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Boon, Kitana's "Kiss of Death" ], first seen in ''MKII'', was inspired by the demise of villain Mr. Big (Dr. Kananga) in the 1973 ] film '']''.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Premium Edition |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level="The History of Fatalities" commentary}}</ref> Kitana's other most commonly recurring finisher has her decapitate opponents with her fan, which has been featured in almost all of her game appearances and is expanded in ''Mortal Kombat 2011'' where she cuts off the defeated opponents' arms before beheading them.
In '']'' (2002), Kitana, leading a preemptive strike against Shao Kahn's forces,<ref>''Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance'' GameCube manual, p.22</ref> learns that he has been slain by unknown assassins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mortalkombatwarehouse.com/mkda/kitana/ |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance: Kitana |publisher=Mortal Kombat Warehouse |date= |accessdate=2012-01-10}}</ref> Thinking her fight is at an end, she begins the journey back to Edenia, hoping to finally live in peace. However, on the way she encounters Kung Lao, who tells her of the plans of the Deadly Alliance of Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, who are responsible for Liu Kang and Shao Kahn's demise and are attempting to revive the undead army of the legendary Onaga the Dragon King. Despite Kitana's grief, she rejoins the Earthrealm warriors and leads them into battle. During the assault on Shang Tsung's palace, she faces Quan Chi one-on-one but despite her improved fighting skills, gained from training with ], Kitana is outmatched and killed alongside her allies. Shortly after, they are resurrected and magically enslaved by Onaga,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mortalkombatwarehouse.com/mkd/kitana/ |title=Mortal Kombat: Deception: Kitana |publisher=Mortal Kombat Warehouse |date= |accessdate=2012-01-10}}</ref> who then sends Mileena to impersonate Kitana as the princess of Edenia.


=== Gameplay ===
In '']'' (2004), Onaga uses Kitana to defeat and imprison her mother, Sindel, knowing that the queen would not fight her daughter. Sindel is freed from her own dungeon by Jade, and together they flee to Outworld where they attempt to find a way to defeat Onaga and free Kitana from his influence. Unknown to anyone at the time, Liu Kang's spirit was able to remain amongst the living due to the bond he shared with Kitana.<ref name="MKAbio"> at the official ''Mortal Kombat Armageddon'' website. Retrieved on 2007-01-23.</ref> He found himself a new ally and friend in ], as the two embark on a mission to save their allies as well. Ermac and Liu Kang are successful in freeing Kitana and the other Earthrealm heroes. Afterward, as Kitana travels back to Edenia, she encounters ], who warns her of a coming new danger that will threaten all the realms and advices her to assemble the forces of light into battle. Weary of constant battle, Kitana is disheartened, but Blaze assures her that the wars will soon be over. Following this warning, Kitana returns in '']'' (2006), accompanied by Liu Kang's spirit in order to keep him whole until there was a way to reunite him with his body. They later meet with ], who offers to relieve Kitana of her burden to take Liu Kang's soul into himself, allowing her to fight against the coming evil. Kitana ultimately perishes with the rest of her allies during the battle.
Kitana was chosen as the best ''Mortal Kombat II'' fighter by the editors of '']'' and '']'' for being "good all around" and due to her quick attacks and perceived similarities to ].<ref name=ap>"True Stories: Mortal Kombat 2". {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713165355/http://amr.abime.net/issue_44 |date=2011-07-13 }} (December 1994), pages 10-11.</ref> '']'' too called her "a really good character to pick"<ref name=ap/> and Cinema Blend stated Kitana "could absolutely dominate" the game.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Top-10-Best-Fighting-Games-Of-All-Time-13864.html|title = Top 10 Best Fighting Games Of All Time|date = December 7, 2008|access-date = April 3, 2013|archive-date = July 26, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130726100835/http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Top-10-Best-Fighting-Games-Of-All-Time-13864.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> However, '']'s'' strategy guide ranked Kitana as only the seventh best of the 12 fighters in ''MKII'' (citing her devastating ], powerful "Fan Throw" move, and good sweep and reach hindered by slow release of the fan-based special moves and limited attack patterns); it was her clone Mileena who landed on the top of their chart.<ref>"ProStrategy Guide: Mortal Kombat II". ''GamePro'' 59 (June 1994), pages 82-83.</ref> According to a retrospective by '']'', Kitana "had the most powerful projectile attack, and along with Mileena, the fastest throws and sweeps."<ref name=wong>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/10/best-mortal-kombat-finishing-moves-video-game-history/kitana |title=18. Exploding Kiss of Death—The Best "Mortal Kombat" Finishing Moves in Video Game History |magazine=Complex |date=2013-10-01 |access-date=2014-01-14 |archive-date=2014-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728100313/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/10/best-mortal-kombat-finishing-moves-video-game-history/kitana |url-status=live }}</ref> "Kitana's big combos in the corner" were among Ed Boon's own personal favourite things in the game: "When I saw people do Kitana's combos I knew there was something special, because people were taking the game to a new direction."<ref>''GamePro'' 59 (June 1994), page 120.</ref> '']'' described Kitana as "a force to be reckoned with" and predicted she would "make a big impact as her Fan Wave leaves foes open to combos."<ref>''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' issue 54 (January 1994), page 192.</ref> In the ] version of ''MKII'', however, Kitana's fan lifts the opponent too low and too far away for an easy combo.<ref>Slasher Quan, ''GamePro'' issue 63 (October 1994), page 40.</ref>


Kitana's combo abilities were severely downgraded for ''Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3'' (and, by extension, ''Mortal Kombat Trilogy''), for which she received no new special moves unlike most of the other characters. According to '']'', "with such a small repertoire, Princess Kitana will be sorely challenged by experienced warriors," even as her fan toss is faster than many other projectile attacks.<ref>"Full Coverage: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3". ''Nintendo Power'' 91 (December 1996), page 71.</ref> '']'' opined that "Kitana's lack of enhancements doesn't make her as exciting to play as some of the other characters, though her excellent juggle combos still work - and they can do loads of damage,"<ref name=ossm>"Showcases: Mortal Kombat 3". ''Official Sega Saturn Magazine'' 6 (April 1996), page 47.</ref> According to ''Total 64'', "her moves are a little unfriendly and her combos are a touch difficult."<ref name=total>''Total 64'' 2/97, page 58.</ref> ''EGM Strategy Guide'' for ''UMK3'' stated: "She had deadly corner traps with damage in up to 90 percent . Now, her fan-raise combos have been severely crippled to almost not being worth it." Nevertheless, '']'' called the ] Kitana "the worst possible character to come up against" in the single-player Tower mode of ''UMK3'', as she is "fast, impossible to sweep, and capable of rendering any opponent incapable with a waft of her fan."<ref name=x360>{{cite web |url=http://www.x360magazine.com/general/an-alternative-top-ten-females-in-gaming/ |title=An Alternative Top Ten Females In Gaming |publisher=X360magazine.com |date=2009-08-24 |access-date=2014-01-17 |archive-date=2009-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831014422/http://www.x360magazine.com/general/an-alternative-top-ten-females-in-gaming/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to ''Dreamcast Magazine'', ''Mortal Kombat Gold'''s returning "old favourites like Sub-Zero, Kitana and Baraka" too had by then "dated moves and fatalities."<ref>Allex Warren, "Mortal Kombat Gold". ''Dreamcast Magazine'' issue 32, page 21.</ref> Her combos improved in the later games, and according to ]' official guide for ''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'', "Kitana stays at the top of the heap as far as kombatants go. In any stance, she can pump out over 30% with relative ease, making her one of the deadliest in the hands of a beginner or a master."<ref>Ben Cureton, Paul Edwards, ''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Official Strategy Guide'', BradyGames 2002 (p.17).</ref> Kitana was later found to be capable of infinite-loop corner combos in her "Mournful" variation in ''Mortal Kombat X''.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
In the uncanonical crossover game '']'' (2008), Kitana is transported to ], where she encounters her counterpart from the ], ]. Due to the "kombat rage", Kitana hallucinates, believing Wonder Woman to be an assassin sent from Outworld and challenged her. After being defeated, Kitana flees to elsewhere in Metropolis, where she is found and defeated by ] and brought to ]'s temple, where she tells about seeing the fusion of Shao Kahn and ]: ]. Kitana then joins the rest of the Kombatants in traveling to the fused realms of Outworld and ]. She fights alongside them against the DC heroes and villains, and is one of the many knocked unconscious while Raiden and ] battle and destroy Dark Kahn.


In ''Mortal Kombat:'' ''Shaolin Monks'', Kitana is fought as a ] twice in the game's main story mode and is one of ] player characters for the versus mode. ]' guide to ''Shaolin Monks'' states she is "quick enough for moderate damage, and has some of the most potent special moves in the game," but her limitation is she needs to be fighting at close range to make use of it.<ref>Eric Mylonas, ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (Prima Official Guide)'', Prima Games 2005 (p.111).</ref> Regarding ''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'', however, Prima declared Kitana "a tough character to win with" and "like many of the other low tier character types, she's lacking in almost every aspect" (even as she "is a little better on defense than she is on offense"). She was rated overall only 4/10 for this game.<ref>Bryan Dawson, ''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Prima Official Game Guide)'', Prima Games 2006 (p.198-201).</ref> Their official guide for ''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'', on the other hand, called her "one of the more dangerous characters in the game due to her speed and extremely effective move-set."<ref>Jason Wilson, ''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe: Prima Official Game Guide'', Prima Games 2008 (p.102).</ref> Prima's official guide for 2011's ''Mortal Kombat'' deemed Kitana a capable fighter who once again "is at her deadliest in the corner" and is also especially good if played against ] and ].<ref>Jason Wilson, Adam Hernandez, ''Mortal Kombat: Prima Official Game Guide'', Prima Games 2011 (p.123).</ref> Prima observed Kitana in ''MK2011'' as her "cheapest" (unduly overpowered) incarnation so far, stating "Kitana is not only one of the most damaging characters in the game, but in addition to the Fan Lift and Square Wave Punch, she can combo her Air Fan almost any time an opponent is airborne."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.primagames.com/games/mortal-kombat-x/feature/cheapest-characters-mortal-kombat-history-part-2|title=Cheapest Characters in Mortal Kombat History: Part 2|work=Prima Games|date=16 September 2014|access-date=May 11, 2015|archive-date=20 March 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150320050145/http://www.primagames.com/games/mortal-kombat-x/feature/cheapest-characters-mortal-kombat-history-part-2|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Prima's guide to ''MKX'', "Kitana is one of the more unique characters in the game" due to her inheriting many of Jade's special moves, and she "is a zoning character at heart, but she can play offensively or defensively" depending on a variation chosen. The guide recommended the "Mournful" variant for former Jade players, and the "Assassin" variant, which "tries to take the generally defensive style Kitana has in ''MKX'' and add some offensive firepower to it," for veteran Kitana players.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.primagames.com/games/mortal-kombat-x/tips/mortal-kombat-x-how-play-kitana-combos-and-strategies |title=Mortal Kombat X - How to Play Kitana: Combos and Strategies &#124; Tips |publisher=Primagames.com |date=2015-04-14 |access-date=2015-05-18 |archive-date=2015-05-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519213616/http://www.primagames.com/games/mortal-kombat-x/tips/mortal-kombat-x-how-play-kitana-combos-and-strategies |url-status=live }}</ref>
Kitana re-appears in ], the 2011 re-imagining of the earliest three ''Mortal Kombat'' games,<ref>Randy Nelson, , Joystiq, Aug 18th 2010</ref> voiced by ] and ] by Brenda Barrie.<ref></ref> In the game's story mode, she and Jade are sent by Shao Kahn to compete in Mortal Kombat. Kitana battles Liu Kang in an attempt to insure that he will not reach the final stages of the first tournament, but is defeated; expecting to die, she is surprised by his decision to spare her. Later, during the second tournament, Kitana is approached by Raiden, who informs her that her supposed past as Shao Kahn's daughter is a lie, and discovers a newly-created Mileena. Before Kahn, she accuses Shang Tsung of attempting to replace her, and is shocked to learn that the Emperor himself ordered Mileena's creation, as he imprisons Kitana in the palace and commands his "true daughter" to be brought to him. However, Kitana is soon freed by Jade and the two escape to Earthrealm to join their new allies against the forces of Outworld. They assist in the battle for Earthrealm, but are killed alongside several others by Kitana's corrupted mother, Sindel. In the end, she is shown to be one of the warriors that are resurrected by Quan Chi in the Netherrealm to battle Raiden.


===Design=== ==Appearances==
===''Mortal Kombat'' games===
]' design sketch for the unused character "Kitsune" in '']'' and his concept art for Kitana in '']''. ''Total 64'' called her the "babe" of '']'', saying that her gameplay problems "all can be forgiven when we look at those legs."<ref name=total>''Total 64'' 2/97, page 58</ref>]]
Kitana debuts in '']'' (1993) alongside her sister ] as Outworld emperor ]'s personal assassins.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=Midway Games |date=1993 |level=Kitana biography}}</ref> While she is ten thousand years old, she resembles a younger woman.<ref name="sindelending"/> In her ending, Kitana turns against Kahn after learning that her parents were once rulers of Outworld until they were forcefully overthrown by Kahn, while Mileena is actually an evil clone created by the sorcerer ].<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=Midway Games |date=1993 |level=Kitana ending}}</ref>


Kitana and the series' other ninja characters were excluded from '']'' (1995), but her backstory is expanded therein with the introduction of new character ]. Kitana is revealed as the daughter of Queen Sindel and King Jerrod, who ruled the Outworld realm of Edenia until it was invaded by Kahn and his forces, during which Kahn kills Jerrod and takes Kitana as his daughter.<ref name="sindelending">{{cite video game|title=] |developer=Midway Games |date=1995 |level=Sindel ending}}</ref> After Sindel commits suicide rather than serve as Kahn's ], she is resurrected and used by Kahn as a means to illegally invade Earthrealm.<ref>{{cite video game|title=]|date=1995|developer=]|publisher=Midway Games|level=] screens}} ("Kahn's Shadow Priests, led by Shang Tsung, make it so Sindel's spirit would someday be reborn: not Outworld but Earth itself. This unholy act gives Shao Kahn the power to step through the dimensional gates and reclaim his queen, thus enabling him to finally seize the Earthrealm.")</ref> Realizing her life had been a lie, Kitana turns against Kahn and allies with Earth's champions to defeat him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-series-summary-mortal-kombat-2-cj-79888/all/1/ |title=A History of Violence: A Look Back At The Mortal Kombat Series (Part 1) |author=C.J. Smillie |publisher=Game Rant |date=April 18, 2011 |access-date=2012-01-10 |archive-date=2011-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110421043539/http://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-series-summary-mortal-kombat-2-cj-79888/all/1/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> The ninjas returned as playable characters in the 1995 upgrade '']'', in which Kitana is tried for treason after killing her evil twin Mileena, but before a verdict is reached, Kitana escapes and joins the Earth heroes to reach Sindel and warn her of her true past.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=Midway Games |date=1995 |level=Kitana biography}}</ref> Kitana and fellow Edenian ] free Sindel from Shao Kahn's mind control, which enables reigning Mortal Kombat champion ] to defeat him and results in Edenia and Earth returning to their peaceful states.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3|developer=Midway Games |date=1995 |level=Kitana ending}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3|developer=Midway Games |date=1995 |level=Jade ending}}</ref>
] comic book depicting the '']''-era original versions of Kitana and Mileena created by Tobias in 1993, as illustrated by ]. In 2009, ]'s Aaron Koehn ranked them as the 11th best pair of ] video game characters, adding that "both prefer wearing clothing that shows off their inflated mammary glands, and both have used the usually endearing gesture of kissing as a ]."<ref>Aaron Koehn, , GamePro, January 13, 2009</ref>|alt=]]


During the events of '']'' (1999; a ]-exclusive upgrade of '']''), fallen Elder God ] and his cohort ] invade Edenia, aided by the traitorous Edenian ].<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=Midway Games |date=1997 |level=Tanya biography}}</ref> When Quan Chi and his forces later leave the realm to focus on attacking thunder god ] and the Earth heroes, Kitana escapes to aid her allies in defeating Shinnok.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=Midway Games |date=1999 |level=Kitana biography}}</ref> With Edenia freed once again, Kitana offers Liu Kang the chance to rule Edenia by her side, which he reluctantly rejects due to his duty as Earth's champion.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=Midway Games |date=1997 |level=Liu Kang ending}}</ref> In a special-edition ''MK4'' comic book released with the 1998 PC version of the game, Kitana arranges peace between the warring ] and ] races.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=Ted Adams (with John Tobias)|penciller=Ryan Benjamin|inker=Ryan Benjamin, John Tigue, Sean Parsons|story=''Mortal Kombat 4: Limited Edition''|title=Mortal Kombat|issue=|date=July 1998|publisher=}}</ref>
In 2011, Kitana origins as character were revealed by her creator ], who disclosed that she started out as an unplayable ]-type character called Kitsune who was created during the early development of the original ''Mortal Kombat'' game in 1991. Tobias' original inspiration while creating Kitsune was the character of Princess Mariko from ]'s 1984 video game '']''.{{#tag:ref|Jordan Mechner commented: "Ha thanks, that's awesome! Kitsune/Kitana vs Mariko... not sure who I'd bet on!"<ref></ref>|group="note"}} Kitsune "was going to fit into the story as Shang Lao’s (Tsung) princess daughter - the spoil of victory for winning the tournament", who would betray her father after she fell for Liu Kang, but Shang became a minion of Shao Kahn when the story was expanded for ''MKII'' and Kitsune was renamed Kitana and made Kahn's step-child. In Tobias' design sketch, she wielded a single fan and wore a Chinese dress. The name Kitsune was rejected for it being a Japanese word and thus not fitting with "Shang and Shao who were both Chinese in origin" (before the games "ultimately became a hodgepodge of nonsensical Asian mythological hooha anyway"), and the name of Kitana was created as "a combo of ] & ]" that would sound "generically Asian enough."<ref> (a series of posts on September 7, 2011)</ref>


In '']'' (2002), Kitana leads a preemptive strike against Shao Kahn's forces, but Kahn is killed by unknown assassins later revealed as the titular Deadly Alliance of Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, who had formed an alliance to kill Kahn and Liu Kang before attempting to revive the mysterious Dragon King. Despite her grief, she leads the Earth warriors into an assault on Shang Tsung's palace, where she faces Quan Chi but is outmatched and killed alongside her allies.<ref>{{cite video game|title=]|developer=Midway Games |date=2002 |level=Kitana biography}}</ref>
''Mortal Kombat'' series' co-creator and producer ] said Kitana's characteristic ] "Kiss of Doom" was inspired by the demise of the villain Mr. Big (Dr. Kananga) in the 1973 '']'' film '']'', adding that it was his favourite finishing move of ''Mortal Kombat II'' and one the best examples of their attempt to combine violent and humorous elements in the game.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Premium Edition |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level="The History of Fatalities" commentary}}</ref> He also described Kitana and Mileena as the female equivalents of Scorpion and ], the series' two most iconic male characters with a fierce rivalry of their own.<ref name=kk> for ''Mortal Kombat: Deception''</ref>


As a result of her death in the previous game, Kitana is unplayable in '']'' (2004),{{#tag:ref|Kitana is selectable in ''Mortal Kombat: Unchained'', the 2006 ] port of the game.|group="note"}} in which she and her slain companions are resurrected and controlled by the game's final boss, the Dragon King ],<ref>{{cite video game|title=]|developer=Midway Games |date=2004 |level=Kitana biography}}</ref> who additionally uses her to defeat and imprison Sindel and then install Mileena to pose as Kitana.<ref>{{cite video game|title=]|developer=Midway Games |date=2004 |level=Mileena biography}}</ref> However, Jade frees Sindel before imprisoning Kitana, and together they flee to Outworld to figure out how to free Kitana from Onaga's influence.<ref>{{cite video game|title=]|developer=Midway Games |date=2004 |level=Jade biography}}</ref> Meanwhile, Liu Kang's spirit is able to remain amongst the living after his murder, and he enlists the reformed ninja ] to help him free Kitana and his friends from Onaga's control, a mission in which they are successful.<ref>{{cite video game|title=]|developer=Midway Games |date=2004 |level=Ermac ending}}</ref>
Kitana was originally portrayed by ] (Becky Gable took over for ''UMK3''/''MKT''), who got hired for the role after Boon and Tobias were contacted by her brother who was a ''Mortal Kombat'' fan.<ref name=blast>, TheOnBlastShow</ref> Zamiar's ]-based<ref name=blast/> outfit used for creating the game's female ninja characters was Kitana's blue.<ref>''VideoGames'' 63 (April 1994), p.49</ref> Until ''MK Gold'', Kitana-derived characters Mileena, Jade and ] all wore identical sets of costumes as Kitana did, differing from each other through the use of ] technique to create their digitized ] graphics.{{#tag:ref|Jade, when introduced as secret boss character in ''MKII'', was a faster, ] of Kitana with green attire and darker skin, using her weapons and attacks. Jade was given her own weapon and distinct special moves in the later games, and made to be Kitana's friend when she given a personality.|group="note"}} Kitana's weapon of choice became a pair of razor-edged steel fans, inspired by ]s and originally being fully metal. Following her debut, Kitana was repeatedly removed from the further sequels due to various circumstances, only to always return in a port or an update, as it was in the case of ''UMK3''/''MKT'' (after her absence in ''MK3''), ''MKG'' (after ''MK4'') and '']'' (after ''Deception'').{{#tag:ref|The ''MKII''-style (albeit modified and noticably different for all of them) costumes for Kitana, Mileena and Jade have been actually considered to return already in ''Shaolin Monks'', as seen in an early concept art<ref>, Total Mortal Kombat</ref> for this game, but got rejected in favour of more fresh designs (in Kitana's case, it meant a cross between the her attires from ''UMK3'' and ''Deadly Alliance'').|group="note"}} In ''MKG'', Kitana uses the throwing weapon "Flying Blade", which is similar to Tanya's sharp boomerang due to the two characters' shared development history in ''MK4''.{{#tag:ref|Kitana has been actually included in the early development versions of ''MK4'', before her character model (shown only in Liu Kang's ending; she also only appears in his ending in the original ''MK3'') became basis for creating Tanya, and is accessible to play in the ] version of the game with the use of ] cheat cartridge device.<ref></ref> In ''Deception'', Kitana only appears in the endings for Sindel and Ermac, resembling an unmasked and blue-clad version of Mileena from this game. This is explained by the two early design concepts<ref>, hosted at Wikia</ref> for Mileena's design in ''Deception'', created by Steve Beran and included as unlockable pictures in the game's bonus gallery "The Krypt". According to the picture's caption text, the first costume shown there was actually originally supposed to be Kitana's, but was later developed into Mileena's primary.|group="note"}}


In the spinoff game '']'' (2005), after Kitana was found to be no longer loyal to Shao Kahn, she was placed into a spell-induced trance and forced to fight the Earth heroes, Mileena, and Jade before being freed by the ] Liu Kang and ]. Eventually, Kitana slays Mileena.
===Gameplay===
In ''MK: Shaolin Monks'', Kitana is fought as a ] twice during the game's main story mode and one of unlockable player characters for the versus mode. Besides the "Kiss of Death", her other most common Fatality is an execution through ] with a fan, which has been featured in almost all of her game appearances (except of ''Deadly Alliance'' and ''MKvsDCU'') and is expanded in ''MK2011'' where she cuts off the defeated opponents' arms before beheading them. Most of Kitana's traditional special moves utilize her twin fan weapons, used as a melee weapon, as a thrown projectile, and to lift her enemies in the air.{{#tag:ref|During the early production runs of ''MKII'', Kitana became notorious as an unbeatable kombatant, as her "Fan Lift" special attack could be done in such a way as to completely immobilize the opponent in the corner of the screen, allowing the player to defeat their opponent with a series of uncontested attacks. Changes were made to eliminate this and balance the game, yet still Ed Boon said that it was amazing seeing people doing combos with her that even he had not thought of.<ref name=kk/>|group="note"}}


Following this warning, Kitana returned in '']'' (2006), accompanied by Liu Kang's spirit in order to keep him whole until she found a way to reunite him with his body. They later meet with ], who offers to relieve Kitana of her burden by absorbing Liu Kang's soul, allowing her to fight against the coming evil.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=Midway Games |date=2006 |level=Training mode}}</ref> Kitana ultimately perishes alongside the rest of her allies during the battle.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon|developer=Midway Games |date=2006 |level=Opening cinematic sequence}}</ref>
According to the '']'' strategy guide, Kitana is only the seventh best of the 12 fighters in ''Mortal Kombat II'' (citing her devastating ], powerful "Fan Throw" move, and good sweep and reach hindered by slow release of the fan-based special moves and limited attack patterns),<ref>"ProStrategy Guide: Mortal Kombat II". ''GamePro'' 59 (June 1994), p.82-83</ref> but she was picked as the best ''MKII'' fighter by the editors of '']'' and '']''.<ref>"True Stories: Mortal Kombat 2". (December 1994), p.11</ref> In ''UMK3'' (and, by extension, ''Trilogy''), however, she got no new special moves as opposed to most of the other characters. According to '']'', "Kitana's lack of enhancements doesn't make her as exciting to play as some of the other characters, though her excellent juggle combos still work - and they can do loads of damage."<ref>"Showcases: Mortal Kombat 3". ''Official Sega Saturn Magazine'' 6 (April 1996), p.47</ref> According to ''Total 64'', "her moves are a little unfriendly and her combos are a touch difficult."<ref name=total/> According to '']'', "with such a small repertoire, Princess Kitana will be sorely challenged by experienced warriors," even as her "Fan Toss" is faster than many other projectiles.<ref>"Full Coverage: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3". ''Nintendo Power'' 91 (December 1996), p.71</ref> Over the time, however, Kitana has received the received some of special moves typically associated with Mileena, including a ground-roll attack (based on Mileena's classic move "Rolling Thunder" and given to Kitana in ''MKvsDCU'') and ]-based moves (since ''Shaolin Monks'').


In the non-canonical crossover game '']'' (2008), Kitana was transported to ], where she encountered ]. As she was suffering from "kombat rage" at the time, Kitana hallucinated Wonder Woman as an assassin sent from Outworld and challenged her. After being defeated, Kitana fled to a different section of Metropolis, where she was found and defeated by ] and brought to ]'s temple, where she reveals she had a vision of ] to become Dark Kahn. Following this, Kitana joined the rest of the combatants in traveling to the fused realms of Outworld and ] and fighting the ]'s heroes and villains while Raiden and ] destroyed Dark Kahn.
According to ]' official guide for ''Shaolin Monks'', Kitana is "quick enough for moderate damage, and has some of the most potent special moves in the game," but needs to be fighting at close range.<ref>Eric Mylonas, ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (Prima Official Guide)'', Prima Games 2005 (p.111)</ref> In ''Armageddon'', however, Kitana is "a tough character to win with" and "like many of the other low tier character types, she's lacking in almost every aspect" (even as she "is a little better on defense than she is on offense"); she was rated overall only 4/10 for this game.<ref>Bryan Dawson, ''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Prima Official Game Guide)'', Prima Games 2006 (p.198-201)</ref> Prima's official guide for ''MKvsDCU'', on the other hand, called her "one of the more dangerous characters in the game due to her speed and extremely effective move-set."<ref>Jason Wilson, ''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe: Prima Official Game Guide'', Prima Games 2008 (p.102)</ref> According to Prima's official guide for ''MK2011'', in this game Kitana is a capable fighter who "is at her deadliest in the corner" and who is best played against ] and Cyber Sub-Zero.<ref>Jason Wilson, Adam Hernandez, ''Mortal Kombat: Prima Official Game Guide'', Prima Games 2011, p.123</ref> {{-}}


In the rebooted timeline of ] (2011), which retells the events of the first three ''Mortal Kombat'' games,<ref>Randy Nelson, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821121111/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/mortal-kombats-latest-kombatants-cyrax-and-kitana/? |date=2010-08-21 }}, Joystiq, August 18th 2010.</ref> Shao Kahn sends her and Jade to participate in a Mortal Kombat tournament. Kitana tries to defeat Liu Kang, but ends up being defeated. Anticipating her death, she is shocked by his choice to let her live. In the second tournament, Raiden approaches Kitana and reveals that her belief that she is Shao Kahn's daughter is false. Riddled with uncertainty, she secretly entered Shang Tsung's flesh pits and came across the recently made Mileena. Prior to meeting Kahn, she blames Shang Tsung for replacing her, only to be surprised by the revelation that the Emperor was the one who created Mileena. Before carrying out the execution, he locks Kitana in the palace and demands for his real daughter to be brought to him. Liu Kang quickly helps Kitana to be liberated, and they, along with Jade, flee to Earth to team up with their new comrades in the fight against Outworld's army. They help in the fight for Earth, but are slain by Kitana's evil mother, Sindel, along with other warriors. Ultimately, it is revealed that she is among the fighters brought back to life by Quan Chi in the Netherrealm to fight against Raiden.
== In other media ==
Kitana was one of the characters featured in the 1995 stage show '']'', played by ] (credited as "Lexi Mirai")<ref>, KeramCast.com, December 12, 2008</ref><ref name=bb>''Black Belt'' Vol. 41, No. 6 (June 2003)</ref> and Jennifer DeCosta. Kitana also appears as a secondary character in ]'s 1994-1995 ]. She was the subject of the special issue "Kitana and Mileena: Sister Act", in which her backstory is revealed as slightly altered in comparison to the ''MKII'' canon story. In the comic books, Kitana is the princess of Edenia and daughter of Jerrod and Sindel, but she was already an adult when Shao Kahn killed Jerrod and seized the realm, putting her under a spell that made her forget her past life and believe she is Kahn's daughter. Kitana first appeared during the "Goro: Prince of Pain" story arc, joining Mileena, Baraka and ] in search for Goro in Outworld. During the "Battlewave" miniseries, she attempts to rebel against Kahn with the assistance of Kung Lao, Baraka and Sub-Zero. Unlike in the game series' continuity, in the comic series Kitana has no interactions with neither Liu Kang nor Jade. Instead, she has a closer relation with Kung Lao (Shang Tsung even attempts to exploit this while taking Kitana's form).<ref>''Mortal Kombat: Kung Lao #1: "Rising Son"'' (p.10-12)</ref> She re-appears in ]'s stand-alone ''Mortal Kombat 4'' prologue comic book published in 1997, in which she is arranges peace between the Shokan and Centaurian races, and in the game tie-in title ''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe: Beginnings'', drawn by Tobias and published by ] in 2008.<ref>, Comic Vine</ref>


In '']'' (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cheatcc.com/395954|title=New Mortal Kombat X Trailer Shows Off Kitana - Cheat Code Central|publisher=News.cheatcc.com|access-date=17 January 2015|archive-date=21 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121014135/http://news.cheatcc.com/395954|url-status=live}}</ref> Kitana returns as one of Quan Chi's revenants. She fought ] and ]. Following Quan Chi's death and Shinnok's defeat, she and fellow revenant Liu Kang became the Netherrealm's new rulers.
] as Kitana in '']'', a film adaptation of the ] that also featured some elements from the game ''Mortal Kombat II'', including her character. Soto reprised her role in the sequel, '']''. In 2012, she was ranked fourth on the list of "hottest women in video game movies" by Peter Rubin of '']'', with likeness factor of 70%<ref>Peter Rubin, , ''Complex'', February 16, 2011</ref>|alt=This image shows a black-haired woman with braided hair, wearing an all-black outfit with a corset shirt, pants and elbows-long handless gloves.]]


In '']'' (2019), Kitana's revenant aligned herself with the keeper of time, ].<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 1: Next of Kin (Cassie Cage)}}</ref> As a result of Kronika's actions however, a past version of Kitana and Liu Kang were brought to the present. While he traveled to Earthrealm to find out more about what happened, she stayed in Outworld to find Shao Kahn, who had also been brought to the present.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 2: Timequake (Kotal Kahn)}}</ref> To aid the new Outworld emperor ], Kitana forged alliances with Outworld's disparate factions before leading them into battle against Shao Kahn; personally defeating and maiming him herself. Kotal, who had been crippled during the fight, appointed Kitana as the new Kahn of Outworld in recognition of her skills in combat.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 5: Truths Revealed (Jade)}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 7: Coming of Age (Kitana)}}</ref> After Kronika kidnaps Liu Kang, Kitana and her Outworld army aided Earthrealm's allied forces against Kronika's army until Raiden merged himself with Liu Kang to become Fire God Liu Kang.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 11: Cutting the Strings (Raiden)}}</ref> As the rest of her allies fought off Kronika's forces, Kitana joined Liu Kang in breaching Kronika's keep. However, Kronika reverses time for everyone except Liu Kang, who faces her and his allies' revenants alone.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 12: End of an Era (Fire God Liu Kang)}}</ref> In one of the game's endings, Liu Kang defeats Kronika and is able to bring Kitana back to help him forge a new timeline. In the DLC story expansion '']'', Kitana was brought back to life by ] and Shang Tsung to join forces with Sindel in the battle against Kronika.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 14: Guardian for Life (Sheeva)}}</ref> Nevertheless, she was shocked to discover her mother's real character when she was unable to prevent her from betraying Earth and Outworld.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 16: Visions of Empire (Sindel & Shao Kahn)}}</ref>
Despite being a major character in the video games' storyline, Princess Kitana was only a supporting character in both ''Mortal Kombat'' live-action films. In the movies, Kitana was portrayed by the 28-year-old ], appearing unmasked and wearing less revealing, all-black costumes (including a long formal dress). In the ], released in 1995, Kitana is introduced as a companion of Shang Tsung, but eventually joins Liu Kang and the Earthrealm warriors to help them defeat the sorcerer. In the 1995 novel ''Mortal Kombat'' by ], an expanded novelization of the first film, Kitana is introduced in a new new scene, in which she is described as dressed in "scarlet-red silk stitched all around with a golden thread." Shang Tsung also tells Goro that Kitana "alone keeps alive the memory" of Edenia before Kahn's conquest and "uses her age and her position as a shield to cover her rebellion."<ref>''Mortal Kombat: The Movie'' by Martin Delrio, Chapter Eight</ref> Kitana spends most of the 1997 sequel film '']'' in Kahn's capivity, captured by Scorpion, before facing Sindel during the final battle. Kitana's steel folding fans (for the first time redesigned into several blades on each one, instead of solid all-metal fans) briefly appear as her weapon in the second film. In the films, Kitana does engage in a romantic relationship with Liu Kang, but her Edenian background, prior loyalty to Kahn, and relations with Mileena and Jade were ignored in both pictures in which she was instead described simply as being the rightful heir to the Outworld's throne.


In '']''{{'}}s rebooted timeline, Mileena is biologically her older twin sister at birth and they have a steady relationship with each other as well as their mother, Sindel. Due to being slightly older, Mileena is set to inherit the throne, but her family fears her potential banishment from the throne due to her affliction with the Tarkat disease. They are initially deceived by Shang Tsung and General Shao into believing Earthrealm is plotting against them until Fire God Liu Kang and his allies expose their atrocities. Though they are reunited with their father, Jerrod, after he takes control of Ermac's body, Sindel is killed shortly afterwards by her evil counterpart from Titan Shang Tsung's timeline and passes the throne to Mileena. To defeat Titan Shang Tsung, Liu Kang brings over Kitana from an alternate timeline where she defeated Kronika and became a Titan, and they passionately embrace each other before recruiting more Titan allies to face off against the threat. After Titan Shang Tsung's defeat, Titan Kitana returns to her own timeline, and the Kitana from Liu Kang's timeline replaces Shao as the General of Outworld's army while continuing to advise her sister.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mortalkombat.com/en-us/faq | title=FAQ | access-date=2023-05-21 | archive-date=2023-05-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526141955/https://www.mortalkombat.com/en-us/faq | url-status=live }}</ref>
Kitana is one of the lead characters in the 1996 television animated series '']'', roughly based on the movie version of the ''MK'' universe, in which she did again appear unmasked even if clad in a black-blue leotard-type outfit reminiscent of the one she wore in ''MKII'',<ref name="TKP">, The Kombat Pavilion</ref> and was voiced by ]. Similar to the films, she is never shown to have ever been loyal to Kahn in the cartoon. In the episode "Skin Deep", a male ninja character ] is introduced as her former love interest turned enemy. The series' finale involved Kitana leading a rebellion from Outworld against Shao Kahn's rule.


===Other media===
Kitana made several appearances in the non-canonical prequel live-action television series '']'' (1998–1999), her role shared by the 27-year-old ] (the episodes "Vengeance" and "Shadow of a Doubt") and by Dara Tomanovich (in "The Essence"), with Christine Rodriguez being their stunt double.<ref>, mortalkombat.com</ref> In this series, she is fully aware of her Edenian past and the deaths of her parents at Kahn's hands, clandestinely working with the ] to prevent the Emperor from conquering realms while at the same time feigning her allegiance to him. Her outfit and weapon are similar to these she has in the films, but she uses her native fighting style called the Special Edenian Arts, which she had mastered already before Shao Kahn's invasion and which was suplemented with various moves that she learnt from prisoners of her stepfather. The ''Konquest'' version of Mileena is neither her clone nor a sister, and Rain appears as her former best friend.<ref name=mkc /> In the series' abrupt finale (due to the show's cancellation, as it was supposed to continue further for a next season after a cliffhanger ending), Kitana appears to die, after she was reluctantly ordered by Shao Kahn to be killled for her plots of treason against him. She is attacked by three Shadow Priests, and one of them uses Kitana's own fan against her.
Kitana had a brief appearance in a Midway-published ''Mortal Kombat II'' comic book prequel that was written and illustrated by series co-creator John Tobias and served to introduce the game's new characters.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mortal Kombat II Kollector's Edition Comic Book |page=21|first=John|last=Tobias|author-link=John Tobias|publisher=]|date=1994}}</ref> She is a minor character in ]' 1994-1995 ''Mortal Kombat'' comic book series, first appearing in the three-issue miniseries ''Goro: Prince of Pain'' (1994), joining other ''MKII'' characters in searching for ] in Outworld.<ref name="goro1">{{cite comic|writer=Charles Marshall|penciller=Roy Burdine|inker=Jack Snider|story=Mortal Kombat: Goro: Prince of Pain #1|title=Mortal Kombat|issue=|date=September 1994|publisher=Malibu Comics}}</ref> Kitana's role in the six-issue miniseries "Battlewave" (1995) has her attempting to rebel against Shao Kahn.<ref>{{cite comic|title=Mortal Kombat: Battlewave|writer=Charles Marshall|penciller=Patrick Rolo, Vinton Heuck|volume=|issue=1-6|date=January–August 1995|publisher=]}}</ref> She was additionally the subject of the 1995 one-shot "Kitana and Mileena: Sister Act", in which her background from the games is intact, except she is already an adult when Shao Kahn kills Jerrod and seizes the realm and then bewitches her into believing she is Kahn's daughter.<ref name="K&M">{{cite comic|writer=Charles Marshall|penciller=Greg Horn|inker=Larry Welch|story=Mortal Kombat: Kitana & Mileena|title=Mortal Kombat|issue=1|date=August 1995|publisher=Malibu Comics}}</ref>


] as Kitana in '']'' (1995)]]
A young Kitana appears in the 2011 prequel live-action webisode series '']'',<ref>, Kotaku, Jan 14, 2011</ref> played in her first acting role by a 20-year-old martial artist and stuntwoman Samantha Jo (credited as Sam Tjhia),<ref>Ian Fisher, , Shogun Gamer, 03/22/2011</ref><ref>, IMDb</ref> a self-professed Kitana fan who said she did research "to get on the same page" with other fans to see how they perceive the character while preparing for the role.<ref>Ian Fisher, , Shogun Gamer, 05/03/2011</ref> Kitana's origin story is told in part-live and part-animated episode "Kitana & Mileena", which is a fable-like, altered adaptation of their backstory from the original game series' canon. In a notable difference, her mother, Sindel, used a ritual so her soul fused with Kitana's in hopes to avoid Shao Khan's corruption before committing suicide. Kitana appears both masked (only in the animated scenes) and unmasked, and bests Mileena in a fierce sparring match. When the young sisters are sent by Shao Kahn to assassinate the man who is really King Jerrod, Kitana's biological father who is then killed by Mileena, Kitana eventually learns the truth after her past and decides to turn against Shao Kahn in the upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament. The episode was nominated by the ] in the category "Outstanding Achievement in Writing Derivative New Media".<ref>Steve Pond at TheWrap, , Reuters, Jan 11, 2012</ref> Kitana was confirmed to return for the second season of ''Legacy'' in 2013.<ref>Eric Goldman, , IGN, July 14, 2012</ref> {{-}}
Kitana was a supporting character in the 1990s '']'' feature films, unmasked throughout and portrayed by ]. She is introduced as a companion of Shang Tsung and described only as his adversary due to her being the rightful heir of Outworld and thus a threat to his rule should she ally herself with the Earth fighters. Kitana eventually joins main protagonist Liu Kang and the Earthrealm heroes in defeating the sorcerer.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=]|publisher=] and ]|date=1995|medium=Motion picture|people=] (director)}}</ref> The film's producer Lauri Apelian commented that the two main female characters (Kitana and ], played by ]) "needed to have a strength and an independence and an intellect that went well beyond their beauty and being sexy."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mortal-kombat-movie-oral-history-815287|title='Mortal Kombat': Untold Story of the Movie That "Kicked the Hell" Out of Everyone|first=Aaron|last=Couch|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-11-24|language=en|archive-date=2017-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130175918/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mortal-kombat-movie-oral-history-815287|url-status=live}}</ref> Kitana has a lesser role in the 1997 sequel '']'', in which she is mostly kept in Shao Kahn's captivity before being freed by Liu Kang. She joins the Earth heroes in their victorious final battle over Kahn's forces.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=]|publisher=] and ]|date=1997|medium=Motion picture|people=] (director)}}</ref> Soto underwent five weeks of martial arts training for the first film,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/858548594/|title=In Step with Talisa Soto|first=James|last=Brady|authorlink=James Brady (columnist)|work=]|via=]|date=July 9, 1995|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref> and additionally learned Brazilian ] for her use of the character's steel fans in ''Annihilation''.<ref>Paseman, Lloyd. "'Kombat' Mortally Wounded" (December 12, 1997). '']''.</ref> Kitana was not included in the 2021 feature film '']'', but will appear in the ] played by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thathashtagshow.com/2023/04/17/meet-the-new-characters-of-mortal-kombat-2-exclusive/|title=Meet the New Characters of 'Mortal Kombat 2'|website=That Hashtag Show|last=Bolding|first=Hunter|date=April 17, 2023|access-date=April 18, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417232323/https://thathashtagshow.com/2023/04/17/meet-the-new-characters-of-mortal-kombat-2-exclusive/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Kitana is a main character in the 1996 animated television series '']'', a loose adaptation of ''Mortal Kombat 3''. She was voiced by ].<ref>{{cite AV media|title=] |date=1996|publisher=] and ]|medium=Animated series}}</ref>
==Cultural impact==
Kitana was featured in comic shorts in the humor magazine '']'', having been renamed as Princess ],<ref>Lifestyles of the Rich and Violent" (1994) and "Moron Kombat" (1995) in ''Cracked'' #291 (August 1994) and #303 (November 1995)</ref> and in the novel ''This Is How It Starts'' by Grant Ginder.<ref>Grant Ginder, ''This Is How It Starts'' (Simon and Schuster 2009), page 187</ref> The character became a popular subject of ].<ref name=gf/> Tanya Jordan won the Ms Fitness ] competition with her ] while dressed as Kitana in 2010<ref>Tyler Nagata, , GamesRadar, May 21, 2010</ref> and the '']'' Premiere Vixen champion Karen Bordador had a photo session while dressed as Kitana in 2011.<ref> {{Dead link|date=January 2012}}</ref> In the ] 2011 special edition of '']'', professional wrestler ] dressed as Kitana for the Divas Battle Royal contest and jokingly attempted to perform a "Fan Lift" on her rival.<ref>Ben Wilson, , ''Official PlayStation Magazine UK'', November 1 2011</ref><ref>Raymond Padilla, , RPad.TV, 2 November 2011</ref> ]'s Charlie Jane Anders included Kitana's costume among 2011's "]tiest and weirdest" store-bought Halloween costumes,<ref>Charlie Jane Anders, , io9, Oct 24, 2011</ref> but Mike Jackson of '']'' wrote they are hoping to see more "hot" women cosplaying as Kitana.<ref>Mike Jackson, , ComputerAndVideoGames.com, 12 April 2012</ref>


She appeared in three episodes of the 1998 syndicated live-action television series '']'', with the role split by ] and Dara Tomanovich.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mortalkombat.com/film-conquestcredits.shtml|title=Full Cast and Crew for "Mortal Kombat: Conquest" (1998)|author=Manna Studio|date=2010-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220232155/http://mortalkombat.com/film-conquestcredits.shtml|archive-date=2010-12-20|access-date=2013-11-06}}</ref> She is fully aware of her Edenian past and the deaths of her parents at Kahn's hands but has no direct relation to Mileena.<ref name=mkc>{{cite web|url=http://www.mkcsite.com/warriors.php?id=mileena |title=Warriors:Mileena |publisher=Replay.waybackmachine.org |access-date=2013-11-15 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324021834/http://www.mkcsite.com/warriors.php?id=mileena |archive-date=March 24, 2009 }}</ref>
Kitana has quickly become one of ]s of the ''Mortal Kombat'' series, in a display of what one author described as manifestation of "pseudo-Japanese ]alist fetishes."<ref>Sheng-Mei Ma, ''The Deathly Embrace: Orientalism and Asian American Identity'', University of Minnesota Press, 2000 (p.72)</ref> One of the many ]-style rumors surrounding ''Mortal Kombat II'' in the early 1990s concerned the supposed "Nudality" finishing move (also known under other names, such as "Sexuality") that would be performed by Kitana stripping naked.<ref>Dan Elektro, , GamePro, August 07, 2003</ref> The nickname of an American adult model ] is "Kitana Jade" since 1999 (Jade being the name of another female ninja character in the series), while ] is an adopted name of an American model born as Christi Josenhans. During the development of the ''Mortal Kombat'' reboot game, the '']'' series' director ] explicitly wrote how his character ] would have "a FUCKALITY" with "Sonya AND Katana " if he would join the series.<ref>, Kotaku, Dec 8, 2010</ref>{{#tag:ref|"Katana" is a fairly-common<ref name=bb /> misspelling of Kitana's name and Kratos was indeed soon added to the ] in ''MK2011''.|group="note"}} Following Internet backlash, Jaffe explained he does not advocate rape and this comment was just an "intentionally juvenile" joke to suggest that "as a reward, Kratos gets a ] with two of the hottest chix in gaming."<ref>Robert Purchese, , Eurogamer.net, 9/12/2010</ref> The made-up word "kitana" also became an occasional misspelling for the word "katana".{{#tag:ref|Such as in a 2004 ] article mentioning "the kitana-blade wielding Mileena" (by also confusing the katana with the ]).<ref>Anthony Breznican, , AP Online, September 8, 2004</ref>|group="note"}}


Kitana was featured in a two-part episode of the 2011 web series '']'', which combined live action and animated sequences.<ref name="MKlegacy">{{cite AV media|title=]|date=2011|medium=Web series|number= 4-5|people=] (director)|publisher=] (Episodes 4-5: "Kitana & Mileena")}}</ref> She was played by martial artist and stuntwoman ], in her acting debut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shogungamer.com/news/find-out-whos-playing-princess-kitana-mortal-kombat-rebirth |title=Sam Tjhia Will Play Princess Kitana in Mortal Kombat: Rebirth|first=Ian|last=Fisher|work=Shogun Gamer|date=March 22, 2011|url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216181114/http://shogungamer.com/news/find-out-whos-playing-princess-kitana-mortal-kombat-rebirth |archivedate=December 16, 2011}}</ref> The episodes are another retelling of Kitana's past from the games but with changes such as Sindel fusing her soul with Kitana's in hopes to avoid Shao Kahn's corruption before she commits suicide. When Mileena kills a man who is actually their father King Jerrod, Kitana learns the truth after her past and decides to turn against Shao Kahn in the upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament. Jo reprised the role in one episode of the 2013 second season.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=]|date=2013|medium=Web series|number= 3-4|people=] (director)|publisher=] (Episode 5: "Kitana & Mileena")}}</ref>
===Merchandise and promotion===
A figurine of Kitana came in the ''MKII'' set with the Argentinian magazine ''Top Kids'' in 1995.<ref>, Juguetes de Colección {{es icon}}</ref> In 1996, a 12 inch action figure of Kitana was released in the UK by Toy Island as part of their ''Mortal Kombat Trilogy'' series.<ref>, videogamemm.com</ref> An unreleased action figure based on her ''MKII'' design and an earlier figure of Mileena was presented by Infinite Concepts in a prototype form at the ] 2000.<ref>, Raving Toy Maniac</ref> A 1/6 scale limited edition statue of Kitana was released by Syco Collectibles in the Enchanted Warriors series in 2012.<ref>, Syco Collectibles</ref> Another statue was announced by Pop Culture Shock Collectibles later in 2012.<ref>, The Toyark, 09-05-2012</ref>


Kitana was voiced by ] in the animated film '']'' (2020), featuring in a fight scene against Liu Kang in the Mortal Kombat tournament.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=]|date=2020|medium=Animated film|number= |people=] (director)|publisher=] and ]}}</ref> DeLisle reprised the role in the ''Legends'' sequel '']'' (2021), in which Kitana works alongside Kahn's forces in invading Earth before rebelling against him and allying with the Earth fighters.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=]|date=2021|medium=Animated film|number= |people=] (director)|publisher=] and ]}}</ref>
In April 2011, Rachelle Glover,<ref>, GuySpeed, April 30, 2012</ref> cosplaying as Kitana, along with those dressed as Sonya and Mileena, was featured in her a live-action trailer "Kitana Kasting" and an official photo session;<ref>, Mortal Kombat Online</ref> all three of them later also attended '']'' for a ''MK'' game tournament.<ref>Nikole Zivalich, , G4tv.com, April 8, 201</ref> That same month, ]'s Octagon Girl<ref>, UFC</ref> Brittney Palmer dressed up in a blue costume and played as Kitana in the game in a promotional video on the '']'' vlog of ].<ref>, Playboy.com {{Dead link|date=January 2012}}</ref><ref>Anthony Severino, , Game Revolution, April 19, 2011</ref> In 2012, Glover also portrayed Kitana in "Play Anywhere", a live-action trailer for the ] version of ''Mortal Kombat'' (first in two teaser trailers and then in the full version with both of them together).<ref>David Hinkle, , Joystiq, Apr 13th 2012</ref><ref>Erskin Hansen, , Caribbean Game-Zone, April 25, 2012</ref> Kitana's ''UMK3'' outfit returned in ''MK2011'', first as an exclusive costume in the pre-order bonuses and then later as ] (DLC).<ref>Michael McWhertor, , Kotaku, May 26, 2011</ref> The ''MKII''-style retro outfits for Kitana and ] were also later included as part of another, free DLC,<ref>, TheLoneGamer.Net</ref> jokingly described by the game's developer ] as "swimsuit party".<ref></ref>{{#tag:ref|The ''MKII''-style (albeit modified and noticably different for all of them) costumes for Kitana, Mileena and Jade have been actually considered to return already in ''Shaolin Monks'', as seen in an early concept art<ref>, Total Mortal Kombat</ref> for this game, but got rejected in favour of more fresh designs (in Kitana's case, it meant a cross between the her costumes from ''UMK3'' and ''Deadly Alliance'').|group="note"}}


Kitana is played by Emily Mei in the short film, Kenshi V Kitana: Battle of the Realms. Kitana appears alongside Kenshi who is portrayed by Noah Fleder, who portrays Kenshi in the game, Mortal Kombat 1.
===Reception===
Critical reception of Kitana was mostly very positive, often with emphasis placed on her good looks and sometimes also on her complicated character, and is commonly regarded to be one of the most recognizable characters of ''Mortal Kombat''. At the time of her introduction in 1993, '']'' described Kitana as "the sexy and vicious fighter" and "a killer babe who melds a mix of seduction and violence."<ref>''Times Union'', January 30, 1994</ref> According to '']'' in 1994, while it might be "incredibly sad for adult males to fancy in game female characters," one should be "prepared to fall in love" with Kitana;<ref>''Amiga Format'' 66 (December 1994), p.47</ref> in 2004, a '']''{{'}}s contributor Stud Houston admitted he had a crush on Kitana, describing her as "sexy as hell."<ref>Stud Houston, "Virtual Sex", ''Vibe'', December 2004 (p.197)</ref> In 2005, ]'s Anthony Severino ranked her as fourth on the list of top ten "old school" ''Mortal Kombat'' characters, adding that "what was really deadly about Kitana was her beauty."<ref name="OldschoolMK"/> In 2007, Rob Wright of ] listed Kitana among the 50 greatest female characters in video game history, stating that this "powerful princess that's lived more than 10,000 years and still hasn't lost her hotness" is "arguably the best known and most popular woman" in the series.<ref>, Tom's Games, 2007-02-20 (archived)</ref> In 2010, Robert Workman of GamePlayBook ranked Kitana as the series' fifth top character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameplaybook.com/news/the-best-mortal-kombat-characters-of-all-time/ |title=The Best Mortal Kombat Characters of All Time |author=Robert Workman |publisher=GamePlayBook |date=August 9, 2010 |accessdate=2011-12-27}} {{deadlink|date=October 2012}}</ref> Danny Gallagher of ]'s Guy Code Blog ranked her as the fourth "best babe" in video games of 2011, stating that she has Kitana only "a great pair of long legs" but also "the deepest emotional core of any of the ''Mortal Kombat'' characters."<ref>Danny Gallagher, , MTV Guy Code Blog, 12/6/11</ref> In 2012, ] ranked her as the ninth top ''Mortal Kombat'' fighter, adding that Kitana and her mother Sindel should be on every "hot females in videogames" list.<ref>{{cite web|author=UGO Team |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/mortal-kombat-characters?page=5 |title=Top 50 Mortal Kombat Characters - Mortal Kombat |publisher=UGO.com |date=2012-02-28 |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref>


Kitana appears in the web video, Mortal Kombat: Federation of Martial Arts. She has several fight sequences in the video.
Kitana has been featured in many lists of the most attractive female characters by various publications, including being listed as one of the nine "sexiest babes of ]s" by '']''.<ref>, ''The Times of India''</ref> In 2008, ] ranked her as the 28th top "hottest game babe", noting her as "the most worthy of the ''Mortal Kombat II'' babes,"<ref>, GameDaily (archived)</ref> UGO ranked her as the 28th top "videogame hottie",<ref>. UGO.com. Retrieved on 2008-12-14</ref> and ] featured her on the list of top 20 "overlooked game babes".<ref>, GamesRadar, July 8, 2008</ref> In 2009, Kitana was included on the list of 21 "sexy ladies of ]s" by Polish tabloid '']''.<ref>, ''Fakt'', 2009-11-13 {{pl icon}}</ref> In 2010, Wesley Yin-Poole ] included Princess Kitana on the list of top ten "video game crushes" as rivaling ] for number one video game monarch and winning out "in sheer ]."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/features/article/top_10_video_game_crushes.html?page=7|title=Top 10 Video Game Crushes | The female game characters who waggled our joysticks|publisher=VideoGamer.com |author=Yin-Poole, Wesley|date=March 30, 2010|accessdate=September 7, 2011}}</ref> In 2011, Anurag Ghosh and Bill Fulks at ] named "the gorgeous Kitana" as the sexiest ''Mortal Kombat'' character,<ref>Anurag Ghosh, Bill Fulks, , Bright Hub, Oct 27, 2011</ref> while ]'s Ross Lincoln ranked her breasts in ''MK2011'' as the 30th finest in gaming history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefront.com/the-greatest-boobs-in-video-game-history-gallery/ |title=The Greatest Boobs In Video Game History |publisher=GameFront |date= May 5, 2011 |author=Ross Lincoln}}</ref> UGO listed her among the 25 "hottest (and deadliest) ninja assassin chicks" in all media in 2011, for having "brains and brawns, not to mention a wardrobe full of sparse clothing,"<ref>, UGO.com, January 5, 2011</ref> and chose her as the 38th "hottest fictional woman of 2012", commenting that the series "has always boasted some hotties, but the new game brought back Kitana in a big way."<ref>K. Thor Jensen, , UGO.com, February 1, 2012</ref> '']'' featured her as one of top ten "hottest video game girls" ever in 2009,<ref>, ''Complex'', March 2, 2009</ref> also ranking the animated series version of Kitana as 18th on the list of "hottest cartoon women of all time" in 2011.<ref>Dimas Sanfiorenzo, , ''Complex'', January 28, 2011</ref> In 2012, Gelo Gonzales of '']'' included Kitana among the nine "sexiest ninja babes in games" and compared her to ].<ref>Gelo Gonzales, , ''FHM'', March 29, 2012</ref> ''Complex'' pitted the "as deadly as she is beautiful" Kitana against ] from the '']'' series in the 2011 "battle of the beauties", which resulted in a draw,<ref>Rich Knight, , Complex.com, November 9, 2011</ref> and additionally ranked Kitana as the tenth top female killer from video games in 2012, noting that "she is still holding down her spot on the hot female assassins list" nearly two decades after her debut.<ref>, Complex.com, June 6, 2012</ref>


===Merchandise===
Kitana also shared some of media spotlight with her clone, and sometimes with Jade as well; GameFront's Phil Owen called Kitana, Mileena and Jade "basically the same character."<ref name=gf>Phil Owen, , GameFront, April 18, 2011</ref> At the time of the release of ''MKII'', '']'' called Kitana and Mileena ("leggy ladies who wear masks") to be "an interesting step toward ]" as "a far cry from ]",<ref>''Miami Herald'', August 26, 1994</ref> while '']'' described them as "far nastier than ] from the ]."<ref>''Austin American-Statesman'', September 8, 1994</ref> In the book ''Interacting With Video'' by Patricia Marks Greenfield and Rodney R. Cocking, the "two Asian twin sisters, Kitana and Mileena" exemplified "highly eroticized ]" stereotype in video games.<ref>Patricia Marks Greenfield, Rodney R. Cocking, ''Interacting With Video'' (p.34)</ref> Patrick Sunnen's book ''Making Sense of Video Games'' judged their portrayal as "formiddable female opponents" to be potentially progressive, yet arguably made just to increase "the ] potential of the individual fights", and described Kitana's Fatality of decapitation with a "deceptively feminine razor-sharp fan" to be ]-like.<ref>Patrick Sunnen, ''Making Sense of Video Games'', University of London (p.19)</ref> The two were featured in ]'s 2006 list of top seven "girls kissing girls" by Mikel Reparaz<ref name=kiss>Mikel Reparaz, , GamesRadar, November 28, 2006</ref> and shared the eight place with Sonya in the 2010 list of the "hottest women in video games" by ''Complex''.<ref>, ''Complex'', November 8, 2010 {{Dead link|date=December 2011}}</ref> According to Lauren Alessandra of GamingUnion.net in 2011, Kitana "easily fits in" the number six spot on the list of top video game heroines, adding that "her and her 'clone' sister for that matter quickly became poster girls for the series."<ref>Lauren Alessandra, , GamingUnion.net, Jul 17th, 2011</ref> In addition, the relationship between the "smoking hot" Kitana and Liu Kang was ranked as the fourth best video game couple by the staff of ] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://web.archive.org/web/20110629123257/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/688/688837p1.html| title = Top 10 Tuesday: Best Videogame Romances| publisher = IGN|date=February 14, 2006| accessdate = July 18, 2010}} (archived)</ref>
]s of Kitana were released in the UK by Toy Island in 1996,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamemm.com/main/content/mortal-kombat-trilogy-series-2-kitana-figure |title=Mortal Kombat Trilogy Series 2 Kitana Figure |publisher=Videogamemm.com |access-date=2014-01-17 |archive-date=2014-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118053341/http://www.videogamemm.com/main/content/mortal-kombat-trilogy-series-2-kitana-figure |url-status=dead }}</ref> ] in 2015,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mezcotoyz.com/mortal-kombat-x-series-2-kitana |title=Mortal Kombat X Series 2: KITANA – Mezco Toyz |publisher=Mezcotoyz.com |access-date=2015-05-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518081258/http://www.mezcotoyz.com/mortal-kombat-x-series-2-kitana |archive-date=2015-05-18 }}</ref> and by ], as both a Funko Pop! vinyl figurine in 2017 and a traditional figure the following year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nerdreactor.com/2017/09/13/mortal-kombat-funko-pop/|title=Mortal Kombat is getting Funko Pop! vinyl figures - Nerd Reactor|date=2017-09-13|work=Nerd Reactor|access-date=2018-05-23|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524082456/http://nerdreactor.com/2017/09/13/mortal-kombat-funko-pop/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.funko.com/products/all/brands/action-figure/action-figures-mortal-kombat-kitana|website=www.funko.com|title=Action Figures: Mortal Kombat - Kitana|access-date=2018-12-25|archive-date=2018-12-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225225038/https://www.funko.com/products/all/brands/action-figure/action-figures-mortal-kombat-kitana|url-status=dead}}</ref> Syco Collectibles released a 1/6-scale limited-edition ] Kitana statue in 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sycocollectibles.com/search?tid=All&title=kitana |title=Kitana Polystone Statue |publisher=Sycocollectibles.com |access-date=2014-01-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118192056/http://www.sycocollectibles.com/search?tid=All&title=kitana |archive-date=2014-01-18 }}</ref> while Pop Culture Shock Collectibles released a 1/4-scale character statuette in 2013 and a 1/3-scale version in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://toynewsi.com/news.php?itemid=19608|title=Pop Culture Shock Announces Mortal Kombat 9 Kitana 1:4 scale statue|website=toynewsi.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-23|archive-date=2018-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524082825/https://toynewsi.com/news.php?itemid=19608|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popcultureshocktoys.com/en/kitana-13-statue-mortal-kombat-x-2|title=Kitana MKX 1:3|website=PCS Collectibles|access-date=2018-05-23|archive-date=2018-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524081914/https://www.popcultureshocktoys.com/en/kitana-13-statue-mortal-kombat-x-2|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Luke Plunkett, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127120804/http://kotaku.com/5970385/355-will-get-you-your-very-own-20-mortal-kombat-femme-fatale/gallery/1 |date=2013-01-27 }}, Kotaku, December 24, 2012.</ref> Other items included a character mousepad,<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514111409/http://www.geekologie.com/2013/01/well-endowed-mortal-kombat-kitana-mousep.php |date=2013-05-14 }}, Geekologie, January 30, 2013.</ref> a life-sized cardboard ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://advancedgraphics.com/product/kitana/|title=Kitana 70" cardboard cutout|work=Advanced Graphics|date=2011|access-date=March 7, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225022806/http://advancedgraphics.com/product/kitana/|archive-date=February 25, 2014}}</ref> and Halloween costumes.<ref>Charlie Jane Anders, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017235812/http://io9.com/5852860/this-years-sluttiest-and-weirdest-store+bought-halloween-costumes/gallery/1 |date=2012-10-17 }}, io9, October 24, 2011.</ref><ref>Justin Amirikhani, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027015810/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/10/15-last-minute-video-game-game-costumes-that-actually-look-cool/mileena-kitana-and-sonya-blade |date=2012-10-27 }}, Complex.com, October 23, 2012.</ref>


==Reception==
There has been also some controversy and mixed or negative critical reception (some of it being written in obviously tongue-in-cheek style). In 1994, she was one of the fighting game characters cited by ] for '']'' as allegedly perpetuating existing ] as martial arts experts.<ref>"Do Fighting Video Games Prolong Stereotypes of Asian Americans?", ''AsianWeek'', September 23, 1994</ref> In 2008, Soren Bowie of Mania.com listed her as one of ten "psychotic video game chicks with too much baggage,"<ref>Soren Bowie, , Mania.com, May 29, 2008</ref> while GameDaily featured her as one of ten "babes who shouldn't meet your mom".<ref>, GameDaily, June 20, 2008</ref> In 2010, GamesRadar's Alan Bradley listed among "gaming's most twisted royalty" for having "a thing for bloody decapitations via razor fan and for boys 9,000 years her junior."<ref>Alan Bradley, , GamesRadar, 2010-11-30</ref> That same year, GamePro's AJ Glasser called her his favorite female ''Mortal Kombat'' character but criticized her weak repertoire of special moves.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/216385/pax-2010-mortal-kombat-preview-kitana/|title=PAX 2010: Mortal Kombat Preview (Kitana)|publisher=GamePro |author=Glasser, AJ |date=September 4, 2010|accessdate=September 4, 2010|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100909030826/http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/216385/pax-2010-mortal-kombat-preview-kitana/|archivedate=2010-09-09}} (archived)</ref> In 2011, Ben Kendrick of Game Rant included Kitana on their list of ten "most awesome" ''Mortal Kombat'' characters in the "honorable mentions" section, but added that "apart from possessing one of the cooler weapons" she "lacks the entertaining/alluring oddity" of Mileena;<ref>Ben Kendrick, , Game Rant, April 18, 2011</ref> Game Rant's Ben Richardson called her "not a very compelling character".<ref name=br/> In 2012, Chad Hunter of ''Complex'' chose Jade and Kitana to represent the "women who fight" stereotype on the list of the 15 most stereotypical characters in video games, for being "half-naked skanks who can fight, hurl lasers and perform aerobatic attacks while wearing thongs, high-heeled boots and keeping their giant breasts under scarves,"<ref>Chad Hunter, , Complex.com, May 9, 2010</ref> while ]'s Mike Fahey wrote that "the whole alien ninja woman thing isn't quite my cup of tea."<ref>Mike Fahey, , Kotaku, April 12, 2012</ref> In a ] article "''Mortal Kombat II'' warriors: Where are they now?" by Samir Torres, Kitana "joined the ] and started an online campaign to recognize and combat the rampant ] in organized death tournaments. ], ], ], and Mileena all stepped forward to share their stories."<ref>Samir Torres, , VentureBeat, May 13, 2012</ref> Kitana's outfits were parodied in the Grey Carter's "Critical Miss" strip series at '']'', where she is forced to wear skimpy costumes and high heels by her stepfather.<ref>Grey Carter, , The Escapist, May 3, 2011</ref>
===Critical reception===
Critical reception of Kitana has varied, often with emphasis placed on her good looks and sometimes on her relatively complicated personality. Ben Kendrick of ] noted that "apart from possessing one of the cooler weapons" in the series, she "lacks the entertaining/alluring oddity" of her counterpart Mileena.<ref>Ben Kendrick, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811195604/http://gamerant.com/top-10-mortal-kombat-characters-benk-78857/2/ |date=2011-08-11 }}, Game Rant, April 18, 2011.</ref> ''GameFront'' opined the same year that Kitana has "not a very compelling character."<ref name=br/> Though she and Mileena were included in ''GamePro''{{'}}s 2009 list of the seventeen best palette-swapped video game characters alongside the series' male ninjas,<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Aaron |last=Koehn |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/208570/17-best-palette-swapped-characters/ |title=Palette Swapping: 17 Games that Did it Right |magazine=]|publisher=]|date=January 13, 2009 |accessdate= January 28, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208102954/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/208570/17-best-palette-swapped-characters/|archivedate=December 8, 2009}}</ref> Dan Ryckert of '']'' wrote in 2010 that he did not want these characters, aside from ] and ], in future series installments.<ref>Dan Ryckert, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107094027/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/06/21/who-we-want-and-dont-want-in-the-new-mortal-kombat.aspx?PostPageIndex=2&PageIndex=4 |date=2013-11-07 }}, ''Game Informer'', June 21, 2010.</ref> Kitana's "Kiss of Death" Fatality from ''Mortal Kombat II'' has met with critical praise.<ref name=br>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefront.com/mortal-kombats-10-best-fatalities|title=Mortal Kombat's 10 Best Fatalities|first=Ben|last=Richardson|publisher=GameFront|date=April 20, 2011|access-date=May 18, 2012|archive-date=August 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831063320/http://www.gamefront.com/mortal-kombats-10-best-fatalities/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.techtudo.com.br/listas/noticia/2015/03/mortal-kombat-relembre-os-fatalities-classicos-da-serie-de-luta.html |title=Mortal Kombat: relembre os fatalities clássicos da série de luta &#124; Listas |date=March 2015 |publisher=TechTudo |language=es|access-date=2015-05-07 |archive-date=2024-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224003522/https://www.techtudo.com.br/noticias/2015/03/mortal-kombat-relembre-os-fatalities-classicos-da-serie-de-luta.ghtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401202148/http://www.ugo.com/games/top-11-mortal-kombat-fatalities |date=2013-04-01 }}, UGO.com, 2 January 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/30/igns-unofficial-top-10-list-of-the-best-mortal-kombat-fatalities|title=IGN's Unofficial Top 10 List of the Best Mortal Kombat Fatalities|first=Jack|last=DeVries|work=]|publisher=]|date=November 30, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401210218/http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/113/1137436p1.html |archivedate=2012-04-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.primagames.com/games/mortal-kombat/feature/top-50-mortal-kombat-fatalities-all-time-10-1 |title=The Top 50 Mortal Kombat Fatalities of All Time: 10-1|first=Robert|last=Workman|work=Prima Games|publisher=] |date=2011-04-19 |access-date=2014-05-13 |archive-date=2014-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515065604/http://www.primagames.com/games/mortal-kombat/feature/top-50-mortal-kombat-fatalities-all-time-10-1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gwaltney |first=Javy |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/mortal-kombat/the-15-most-memorable-fatalities-in-mortal-kombat/ |title=The 15 Most Memorable Fatalities in Mortal Kombat |work=]|publisher=Paste Media Group|date=2015-05-06 |access-date=2020-06-09 |archive-date=2020-06-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609184120/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/mortal-kombat/the-15-most-memorable-fatalities-in-mortal-kombat/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Response to Kitana's alternate-media incarnations have been variably received. Laura Evenson of '']'' noted Talisa Soto's attractiveness in the 1995 ''Mortal Kombat'' film, but found her character otherwise uninteresting as compared to ]'s Liu Kang.<ref>{{cite news |author=Laura Evenson |url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Kombat-Just-for-Kicks-Game-s-fans-will-3026016.php |title='Kombat' - Just for Kicks / Game's fans will like campy film version |newspaper=SFGate |date=1995-08-19 |access-date=2013-12-20 |archive-date=2013-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216182103/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Kombat-Just-for-Kicks-Game-s-fans-will-3026016.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Ben Steelman of the '']'' described her as "basically ] in black leotards,"<ref>Ben Steelman, All 'Mortal Kombat' needs is a joystick at your seat, ''Star-News'', August 19, 1995.</ref> but Jim Sterling of '']'' noted Kitana's "more sensible makeover" therein in contrast to her in-game designs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/mortal-kombat-really-did-have-the-best-game-based-movie-199473.phtml|title=Mortal Kombat really did have the best game-based movie|first=Jim|last=Sterling|website=Destructoid|date=April 23, 2011|access-date=September 7, 2014|archive-date=September 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908065024/http://www.destructoid.com/mortal-kombat-really-did-have-the-best-game-based-movie-199473.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Michael Saunders of '']'' wrote in his 1997 review of ''Mortal Kombat Annihilation'' that Soto "never seems to do much more other than look exotic in the role."<ref>'Kombat' sequel is a bloodless 'Annihilation', ''The Tuscaloosa News'', November 26, 1997.</ref> The 2011 ''Mortal Kombat Legacy'' first-season episode "Kitana & Mileena" was nominated for a ] in the category of "Outstanding Achievement in Writing Derivative New Media".<ref>Steve Pond at TheWrap, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008044819/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS59054142720120111 |date=2023-10-08 }}, Reuters, January 11, 2012.</ref>
Kitana's finishing moves were received variably, but mostly positively, especially in regards to her signature "Kiss of Death".<ref name=kiss/> Featuring her in their "girls of gaming" special in 2003, '']'' cited this Fatality as the aspect of Kitana that she is famous for.<ref>''Play magazine presents: girls of gaming'' #1</ref> It was ranked as the eight best of all ''Mortal Kombat'' Fatalities by both UGO in 2007<ref>, UGO.com, 2 Jan 2007</ref> and IGN in 2010.<ref>Jack DeVries, , IGN, November 30, 2010</ref> In 2011, Ben Richardson of GameFront ranked it as the second best Fatality in the series for being "just icing on the cake" for ''MKI''{{'}}s combination of gore with ], echoing Ed Boon's opinion.<ref name=br>Ben Richardson, , GameFront, April 20, 2011</ref> However, her death kiss was also included on the list of the series' seven worst Fatalities by Dan Ryckert of '']'' in 2010<ref>Dan Ryckert, , ''Game Informer'', May 03, 2010</ref> and C.J. Smillie of Game Rant ranked it as the eighth worst Fatality in the series in 2011, criticizing it for not innovating enough over the years and stating that this "unoriginality really hurts Kitana’s standing in the series."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamerant.com/worst-mortal-kombat-fatalities-cj-79624/all/1/ |title=Top Ten Worst ‘Mortal Kombat’ Fatalities |author=C.J. Smillie |publisher=Game Rant |date=April 19, 2011 |accessdate=2011-12-21}}</ref> On the other hand, Smillie ranked her "Splitting Headache" from ''MK2011'' as the eighth best finishing move in that game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamerant.com/best-fatalities-mortal-kombat-9-2011-cj-80814/all/1/ |title=Top 10 Fatalities Of Mortal Kombat 9 (2011) |author=C.J. Smillie |publisher=Game Rant |date=April 19, 2011 |accessdate=2011-12-21}}</ref>


===Sex appeal===
==Notes== <!-- for side-notes and non-canonical game information that I didn't feel fit in the article's main body -->
Kitana is considered a prominent ] in the ''Mortal Kombat'' series, in a display of what one author described as manifestation of "pseudo-Japanese ]alist ]."<ref>Sheng-Mei Ma, ''The Deathly Embrace: Orientalism and Asian American Identity'', University of Minnesota Press, 2000 (p.72)</ref> According to Joey Esposito of ], "it's obvious that ''Mortal Kombat II'' added in some more, let’s say, ] characters in Mileena and Kitana,"<ref name="mtv">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2132456/mortal-kombat-fatalities/ |title=9 'Mortal Kombat' Fatalities That Warped Your Childhood |publisher=MTV.com |date=2015-04-13 |access-date=2015-07-01 |archive-date=2015-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626174234/http://www.mtv.com/news/2132456/mortal-kombat-fatalities/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Danny Gallagher of MTV's ''Guy Code'' ranked Kitana among the "best babes in video games" of 2011, but commented that she had "the deepest emotional core of any of the ''Mortal Kombat'' characters."<ref>Danny Gallagher, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722034908/http://guycodeblog.mtv.com/2011/12/06/best-video-game-babes-of-2011/ |date=2012-07-22 }}, MTV Guy Code Blog, 12/6/11.</ref> '']'' commented that "Kitana became one of the breakout stars of the series" upon her ''MKII'' debut, "easily having more meat on her character than ] ever did."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.us/games/mortal-kombat/243041/mortal-kombat-ranking-all-the-characters/page/0/4|title=Mortal Kombat: Ranking All the Characters|first=Gavin|last=Jasper|publisher=Den of Geek|date=January 30, 2015|access-date=February 3, 2015|archive-date=February 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204065403/http://www.denofgeek.us/games/mortal-kombat/243041/mortal-kombat-ranking-all-the-characters/page/0/4|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Gender criticism and Fatalities===

There have been controversies and mixed or negative critical reception of the character. In 1994, she was one of the fighting game characters cited by ] of '']'' as allegedly perpetuating existing ] as martial arts experts.<ref>Lam, May (September 23, 1994). "Do Fighting Video Games Prolong Stereotypes of Asian Americans?" '']''. Pan Asia Venture Capital Corporation.</ref> In the ] themed book ''Interacting With Video'', Patricia Marks Greenfield and Rodney R. Cocking used the "two Asian twin sisters, Kitana and Mileena" as an example of "highly eroticized ]" stereotyping in video games.<ref>Patricia Marks Greenfield, Rodney R. Cocking, ''Interacting With Video'' (p.34).</ref> When ] accused ''Mortal Kombat II'' of ] in its handling of female characters, she alleged that "some of the most violent possibilities are against women," whose own "fatality moves are highly eroticised."<ref>"Women, of a sort, enter Mortal Kombat", ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'', May 29, 1995.</ref> Patrick Sunnen's book ''Making Sense of Video Games'' judged their portrayal as "formidable female opponents" to be potentially progressive, yet arguably made just to increase "the ] potential of the individual fights", and described Kitana's Fatality of decapitation with a "deceptively feminine razor-sharp fan" to be ]-like.<ref>Patrick Sunnen, ''Making Sense of Video Games'', University of London (p.19).</ref> Chad Hunter of ''Complex'' chose Jade and Kitana to represent the "women who fight" stereotype in his 2012 list of the fifteen most stereotypical characters in video games, for being "half-naked skanks who can fight, hurl lasers and perform aerobatic attacks while wearing thongs, high-heeled boots and keeping their giant breasts under scarves," claiming that this has caused "female gamers slide away from this series."<ref>Chad Hunter, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125170951/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/05/the-15-most-stereotypical-characters-in-video-games/jade-kitana-mortal-kombat |date=2013-11-25 }}, Complex.com, May 9, 2010.</ref>

==See also==
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==Notes==
{{Reflist|group="note"}} {{Reflist|group="note"}}


== References == ==References==
{{reflist|30em}} {{Reflist}}


==External links==
{{Mortal Kombat characters}}
{{Commons category-inline}}

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Latest revision as of 06:10, 8 January 2025

Mortal Kombat character For other uses, see Kitana (disambiguation).
This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. You can assist by editing it. (September 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Fictional character
Kitana
Mortal Kombat character
Kitana in Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)
First gameMortal Kombat II (1993)
Created byEd Boon
John Tobias
Designed by Various
  • John Tobias (MKII, UMK3)
  • Allen Ditzig (MK:DA, MK:A)
  • Mark Lappin (MK:SM)
  • Cy Mandua (MKvsDCU)
  • Atomhawk Design (MK2011)
Portrayed by Various
Voiced by Various
Motion capture Various
  • Katalin Zamiar (MKII)
  • Becky Gable (UMK3)
  • Lorrisa Julianus (MKvsDCU)
  • Brenda Barrie (MK2011)
  • Emily Marso (MK11,MK1)
  • Kaprice Imperial (MK11, facial)
  • Quynh Chi Nguyen (MK1, facial)
In-universe information
SpeciesEdenian
WeaponSteel fans

Kitana is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat media franchise originally by Midway Games and later by NetherRealm Studios. Debuting in Mortal Kombat II (1993) as a player character and as a royal from the fictional realm of Edenia. She uses steel fans as her primary weapon. In the series, Kitana is aligned with multiple characters, especially Mileena who originally served as her clone, however, as the series evolves, Mileena suddenly becomes the older sister of Kitana and takes her place being the empress of Outworld. Kitana also shares the relationship as the love interest for the series' protagonist Liu Kang.

During the development of the original Mortal Kombat (1992), a character known as "Kitsune" was intended by Mortal Kombat's co-creator John Tobias to be in the game but was removed, that character later came into existence under the name "Kitana", which is derived from two words "Kitsune" and "Katana". Throughout the Mortal Kombat series, she eventually becomes one of its mainstays. Kitana is depicted as a warm-blooded woman, fighting for the protection of her realm and its people. Kitana has been featured in various media outside of the games, such as films and comics. She is well received by critics for her appearance, personality, and character development.

History and development

John Tobias' sketch of unused character "Kitsune" from the original Mortal Kombat, and his concept art for Kitana in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

Early development of the original Mortal Kombat featured a character named "Kitsune", conceived by series co-creator and character designer John Tobias and inspired by the character of Princess Mariko from Jordan Mechner's 1984 computer game Karateka. She was intended to be an unplayable herald-like character who wielded a single ornamental fan and was "Shang Lao's princess daughter — the spoil of victory for winning the tournament" who would ultimately betray her father after she fell for the game's protagonist Liu Kang. Kitsune was ultimately omitted from the game but included in the sequel Mortal Kombat II, with her storyline revised as her being the stepdaughter of the game's main antagonist Shao Kahn. Tobias renamed the character "Kitana" as her original name was rejected for being Japanese and thus not compatible with "Shang and Shao who were both Chinese in origin" (before the games "ultimately became a hodgepodge of nonsensical Asian mythological hooha anyway"), with Kitana serving as "a combo of Kitsune & Katana" that sounded "generically Asian enough." She was originally outfitted with a pair of sai before Ed Boon suggested that the character could be palette-swapped, which resulted in the creation of Kitana's twin Mileena and her being given the sai while Kitana instead brandished war fans. In 2009, Boon included Kitana among the series' most recognizable characters alongside Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Liu Kang. Skarlet, a female ninja who debuted as a playable character in the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot, originated in MKII by way of false player rumors of a glitch that would turn Kitana's outfit red.

Martial artist Katalin Zamiar played Kitana and the game's other palette-swapped female ninjas in MKII, with Kitana's steel fans used for filming constructed from a reflective paper material. She was hired for the role after meeting Boon and Tobias, who were members of her fitness center at the time. Zamiar did not return for Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 due to legal issues with Midway Games, and was replaced by Becky Gable. Kitana was included in early versions of Mortal Kombat 4 before being replaced by new character Tanya. For the series' transition into 3-D beginning with Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Kitana and the other ninja characters were given their own distinct redesigns.

Most of Kitana's special moves utilize her fans either as a melee weapon, a projectile, or to lift her enemies airborne. In Mortal Kombat X and onward, Kitana's play style is split into three fighting variations like those of the game's other characters. According to Boon, Kitana's "Kiss of Death" Fatality, first seen in MKII, was inspired by the demise of villain Mr. Big (Dr. Kananga) in the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die. Kitana's other most commonly recurring finisher has her decapitate opponents with her fan, which has been featured in almost all of her game appearances and is expanded in Mortal Kombat 2011 where she cuts off the defeated opponents' arms before beheading them.

Gameplay

Kitana was chosen as the best Mortal Kombat II fighter by the editors of Sega Power and Super Play for being "good all around" and due to her quick attacks and perceived similarities to Chun-Li. Amiga Power too called her "a really good character to pick" and Cinema Blend stated Kitana "could absolutely dominate" the game. However, GamePro's strategy guide ranked Kitana as only the seventh best of the 12 fighters in MKII (citing her devastating combos, powerful "Fan Throw" move, and good sweep and reach hindered by slow release of the fan-based special moves and limited attack patterns); it was her clone Mileena who landed on the top of their chart. According to a retrospective by Complex, Kitana "had the most powerful projectile attack, and along with Mileena, the fastest throws and sweeps." "Kitana's big combos in the corner" were among Ed Boon's own personal favourite things in the game: "When I saw people do Kitana's combos I knew there was something special, because people were taking the game to a new direction." EGM described Kitana as "a force to be reckoned with" and predicted she would "make a big impact as her Fan Wave leaves foes open to combos." In the Game Gear version of MKII, however, Kitana's fan lifts the opponent too low and too far away for an easy combo.

Kitana's combo abilities were severely downgraded for Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (and, by extension, Mortal Kombat Trilogy), for which she received no new special moves unlike most of the other characters. According to Nintendo Power, "with such a small repertoire, Princess Kitana will be sorely challenged by experienced warriors," even as her fan toss is faster than many other projectile attacks. Sega Saturn Magazine opined that "Kitana's lack of enhancements doesn't make her as exciting to play as some of the other characters, though her excellent juggle combos still work - and they can do loads of damage," According to Total 64, "her moves are a little unfriendly and her combos are a touch difficult." EGM Strategy Guide for UMK3 stated: "She had deadly corner traps with damage in up to 90 percent . Now, her fan-raise combos have been severely crippled to almost not being worth it." Nevertheless, X360 called the CPU Kitana "the worst possible character to come up against" in the single-player Tower mode of UMK3, as she is "fast, impossible to sweep, and capable of rendering any opponent incapable with a waft of her fan." According to Dreamcast Magazine, Mortal Kombat Gold's returning "old favourites like Sub-Zero, Kitana and Baraka" too had by then "dated moves and fatalities." Her combos improved in the later games, and according to BradyGames' official guide for Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, "Kitana stays at the top of the heap as far as kombatants go. In any stance, she can pump out over 30% with relative ease, making her one of the deadliest in the hands of a beginner or a master." Kitana was later found to be capable of infinite-loop corner combos in her "Mournful" variation in Mortal Kombat X.

In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Kitana is fought as a boss character twice in the game's main story mode and is one of unlockable player characters for the versus mode. Prima Games' guide to Shaolin Monks states she is "quick enough for moderate damage, and has some of the most potent special moves in the game," but her limitation is she needs to be fighting at close range to make use of it. Regarding Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, however, Prima declared Kitana "a tough character to win with" and "like many of the other low tier character types, she's lacking in almost every aspect" (even as she "is a little better on defense than she is on offense"). She was rated overall only 4/10 for this game. Their official guide for Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, on the other hand, called her "one of the more dangerous characters in the game due to her speed and extremely effective move-set." Prima's official guide for 2011's Mortal Kombat deemed Kitana a capable fighter who once again "is at her deadliest in the corner" and is also especially good if played against Baraka and Cyber Sub-Zero. Prima observed Kitana in MK2011 as her "cheapest" (unduly overpowered) incarnation so far, stating "Kitana is not only one of the most damaging characters in the game, but in addition to the Fan Lift and Square Wave Punch, she can combo her Air Fan almost any time an opponent is airborne." According to Prima's guide to MKX, "Kitana is one of the more unique characters in the game" due to her inheriting many of Jade's special moves, and she "is a zoning character at heart, but she can play offensively or defensively" depending on a variation chosen. The guide recommended the "Mournful" variant for former Jade players, and the "Assassin" variant, which "tries to take the generally defensive style Kitana has in MKX and add some offensive firepower to it," for veteran Kitana players.

Appearances

Mortal Kombat games

Kitana debuts in Mortal Kombat II (1993) alongside her sister Mileena as Outworld emperor Shao Kahn's personal assassins. While she is ten thousand years old, she resembles a younger woman. In her ending, Kitana turns against Kahn after learning that her parents were once rulers of Outworld until they were forcefully overthrown by Kahn, while Mileena is actually an evil clone created by the sorcerer Shang Tsung.

Kitana and the series' other ninja characters were excluded from Mortal Kombat 3 (1995), but her backstory is expanded therein with the introduction of new character Sindel. Kitana is revealed as the daughter of Queen Sindel and King Jerrod, who ruled the Outworld realm of Edenia until it was invaded by Kahn and his forces, during which Kahn kills Jerrod and takes Kitana as his daughter. After Sindel commits suicide rather than serve as Kahn's consort, she is resurrected and used by Kahn as a means to illegally invade Earthrealm. Realizing her life had been a lie, Kitana turns against Kahn and allies with Earth's champions to defeat him. The ninjas returned as playable characters in the 1995 upgrade Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, in which Kitana is tried for treason after killing her evil twin Mileena, but before a verdict is reached, Kitana escapes and joins the Earth heroes to reach Sindel and warn her of her true past. Kitana and fellow Edenian Jade free Sindel from Shao Kahn's mind control, which enables reigning Mortal Kombat champion Liu Kang to defeat him and results in Edenia and Earth returning to their peaceful states.

During the events of Mortal Kombat Gold (1999; a Dreamcast-exclusive upgrade of Mortal Kombat 4), fallen Elder God Shinnok and his cohort Quan Chi invade Edenia, aided by the traitorous Edenian Tanya. When Quan Chi and his forces later leave the realm to focus on attacking thunder god Raiden and the Earth heroes, Kitana escapes to aid her allies in defeating Shinnok. With Edenia freed once again, Kitana offers Liu Kang the chance to rule Edenia by her side, which he reluctantly rejects due to his duty as Earth's champion. In a special-edition MK4 comic book released with the 1998 PC version of the game, Kitana arranges peace between the warring Shokan and Centaurian races.

In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002), Kitana leads a preemptive strike against Shao Kahn's forces, but Kahn is killed by unknown assassins later revealed as the titular Deadly Alliance of Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, who had formed an alliance to kill Kahn and Liu Kang before attempting to revive the mysterious Dragon King. Despite her grief, she leads the Earth warriors into an assault on Shang Tsung's palace, where she faces Quan Chi but is outmatched and killed alongside her allies.

As a result of her death in the previous game, Kitana is unplayable in Mortal Kombat: Deception (2004), in which she and her slain companions are resurrected and controlled by the game's final boss, the Dragon King Onaga, who additionally uses her to defeat and imprison Sindel and then install Mileena to pose as Kitana. However, Jade frees Sindel before imprisoning Kitana, and together they flee to Outworld to figure out how to free Kitana from Onaga's influence. Meanwhile, Liu Kang's spirit is able to remain amongst the living after his murder, and he enlists the reformed ninja Ermac to help him free Kitana and his friends from Onaga's control, a mission in which they are successful.

In the spinoff game Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005), after Kitana was found to be no longer loyal to Shao Kahn, she was placed into a spell-induced trance and forced to fight the Earth heroes, Mileena, and Jade before being freed by the Shaolin warrior monks Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Eventually, Kitana slays Mileena.

Following this warning, Kitana returned in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006), accompanied by Liu Kang's spirit in order to keep him whole until she found a way to reunite him with his body. They later meet with Nightwolf, who offers to relieve Kitana of her burden by absorbing Liu Kang's soul, allowing her to fight against the coming evil. Kitana ultimately perishes alongside the rest of her allies during the battle.

In the non-canonical crossover game Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008), Kitana was transported to Metropolis, where she encountered Wonder Woman. As she was suffering from "kombat rage" at the time, Kitana hallucinated Wonder Woman as an assassin sent from Outworld and challenged her. After being defeated, Kitana fled to a different section of Metropolis, where she was found and defeated by Scorpion and brought to Raiden's temple, where she reveals she had a vision of Darkseid to become Dark Kahn. Following this, Kitana joined the rest of the combatants in traveling to the fused realms of Outworld and Apokolips and fighting the DC Universe's heroes and villains while Raiden and Superman destroyed Dark Kahn.

In the rebooted timeline of Mortal Kombat (2011), which retells the events of the first three Mortal Kombat games, Shao Kahn sends her and Jade to participate in a Mortal Kombat tournament. Kitana tries to defeat Liu Kang, but ends up being defeated. Anticipating her death, she is shocked by his choice to let her live. In the second tournament, Raiden approaches Kitana and reveals that her belief that she is Shao Kahn's daughter is false. Riddled with uncertainty, she secretly entered Shang Tsung's flesh pits and came across the recently made Mileena. Prior to meeting Kahn, she blames Shang Tsung for replacing her, only to be surprised by the revelation that the Emperor was the one who created Mileena. Before carrying out the execution, he locks Kitana in the palace and demands for his real daughter to be brought to him. Liu Kang quickly helps Kitana to be liberated, and they, along with Jade, flee to Earth to team up with their new comrades in the fight against Outworld's army. They help in the fight for Earth, but are slain by Kitana's evil mother, Sindel, along with other warriors. Ultimately, it is revealed that she is among the fighters brought back to life by Quan Chi in the Netherrealm to fight against Raiden.

In Mortal Kombat X (2015) Kitana returns as one of Quan Chi's revenants. She fought Jax and Cassie Cage. Following Quan Chi's death and Shinnok's defeat, she and fellow revenant Liu Kang became the Netherrealm's new rulers.

In Mortal Kombat 11 (2019), Kitana's revenant aligned herself with the keeper of time, Kronika. As a result of Kronika's actions however, a past version of Kitana and Liu Kang were brought to the present. While he traveled to Earthrealm to find out more about what happened, she stayed in Outworld to find Shao Kahn, who had also been brought to the present. To aid the new Outworld emperor Kotal Kahn, Kitana forged alliances with Outworld's disparate factions before leading them into battle against Shao Kahn; personally defeating and maiming him herself. Kotal, who had been crippled during the fight, appointed Kitana as the new Kahn of Outworld in recognition of her skills in combat. After Kronika kidnaps Liu Kang, Kitana and her Outworld army aided Earthrealm's allied forces against Kronika's army until Raiden merged himself with Liu Kang to become Fire God Liu Kang. As the rest of her allies fought off Kronika's forces, Kitana joined Liu Kang in breaching Kronika's keep. However, Kronika reverses time for everyone except Liu Kang, who faces her and his allies' revenants alone. In one of the game's endings, Liu Kang defeats Kronika and is able to bring Kitana back to help him forge a new timeline. In the DLC story expansion Aftermath, Kitana was brought back to life by Fujin and Shang Tsung to join forces with Sindel in the battle against Kronika. Nevertheless, she was shocked to discover her mother's real character when she was unable to prevent her from betraying Earth and Outworld.

In Mortal Kombat 1's rebooted timeline, Mileena is biologically her older twin sister at birth and they have a steady relationship with each other as well as their mother, Sindel. Due to being slightly older, Mileena is set to inherit the throne, but her family fears her potential banishment from the throne due to her affliction with the Tarkat disease. They are initially deceived by Shang Tsung and General Shao into believing Earthrealm is plotting against them until Fire God Liu Kang and his allies expose their atrocities. Though they are reunited with their father, Jerrod, after he takes control of Ermac's body, Sindel is killed shortly afterwards by her evil counterpart from Titan Shang Tsung's timeline and passes the throne to Mileena. To defeat Titan Shang Tsung, Liu Kang brings over Kitana from an alternate timeline where she defeated Kronika and became a Titan, and they passionately embrace each other before recruiting more Titan allies to face off against the threat. After Titan Shang Tsung's defeat, Titan Kitana returns to her own timeline, and the Kitana from Liu Kang's timeline replaces Shao as the General of Outworld's army while continuing to advise her sister.

Other media

Kitana had a brief appearance in a Midway-published Mortal Kombat II comic book prequel that was written and illustrated by series co-creator John Tobias and served to introduce the game's new characters. She is a minor character in Malibu Comics' 1994-1995 Mortal Kombat comic book series, first appearing in the three-issue miniseries Goro: Prince of Pain (1994), joining other MKII characters in searching for Goro in Outworld. Kitana's role in the six-issue miniseries "Battlewave" (1995) has her attempting to rebel against Shao Kahn. She was additionally the subject of the 1995 one-shot "Kitana and Mileena: Sister Act", in which her background from the games is intact, except she is already an adult when Shao Kahn kills Jerrod and seizes the realm and then bewitches her into believing she is Kahn's daughter.

Talisa Soto as Kitana in Mortal Kombat (1995)

Kitana was a supporting character in the 1990s Mortal Kombat feature films, unmasked throughout and portrayed by Talisa Soto. She is introduced as a companion of Shang Tsung and described only as his adversary due to her being the rightful heir of Outworld and thus a threat to his rule should she ally herself with the Earth fighters. Kitana eventually joins main protagonist Liu Kang and the Earthrealm heroes in defeating the sorcerer. The film's producer Lauri Apelian commented that the two main female characters (Kitana and Sonya Blade, played by Bridgette Wilson) "needed to have a strength and an independence and an intellect that went well beyond their beauty and being sexy." Kitana has a lesser role in the 1997 sequel Mortal Kombat Annihilation, in which she is mostly kept in Shao Kahn's captivity before being freed by Liu Kang. She joins the Earth heroes in their victorious final battle over Kahn's forces. Soto underwent five weeks of martial arts training for the first film, and additionally learned Brazilian stick fighting for her use of the character's steel fans in Annihilation. Kitana was not included in the 2021 feature film Mortal Kombat, but will appear in the 2025 sequel played by Adeline Rudolph.

Kitana is a main character in the 1996 animated television series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, a loose adaptation of Mortal Kombat 3. She was voiced by Cree Summer.

She appeared in three episodes of the 1998 syndicated live-action television series Mortal Kombat: Conquest, with the role split by Audie England and Dara Tomanovich. She is fully aware of her Edenian past and the deaths of her parents at Kahn's hands but has no direct relation to Mileena.

Kitana was featured in a two-part episode of the 2011 web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy, which combined live action and animated sequences. She was played by martial artist and stuntwoman Samantha Jo, in her acting debut. The episodes are another retelling of Kitana's past from the games but with changes such as Sindel fusing her soul with Kitana's in hopes to avoid Shao Kahn's corruption before she commits suicide. When Mileena kills a man who is actually their father King Jerrod, Kitana learns the truth after her past and decides to turn against Shao Kahn in the upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament. Jo reprised the role in one episode of the 2013 second season.

Kitana was voiced by Grey DeLisle in the animated film Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (2020), featuring in a fight scene against Liu Kang in the Mortal Kombat tournament. DeLisle reprised the role in the Legends sequel Battle of the Realms (2021), in which Kitana works alongside Kahn's forces in invading Earth before rebelling against him and allying with the Earth fighters.

Kitana is played by Emily Mei in the short film, Kenshi V Kitana: Battle of the Realms. Kitana appears alongside Kenshi who is portrayed by Noah Fleder, who portrays Kenshi in the game, Mortal Kombat 1.

Kitana appears in the web video, Mortal Kombat: Federation of Martial Arts. She has several fight sequences in the video.

Merchandise

Action figures of Kitana were released in the UK by Toy Island in 1996, Mezco Toyz in 2015, and by Funko, as both a Funko Pop! vinyl figurine in 2017 and a traditional figure the following year. Syco Collectibles released a 1/6-scale limited-edition polystone Kitana statue in 2012, while Pop Culture Shock Collectibles released a 1/4-scale character statuette in 2013 and a 1/3-scale version in 2018. Other items included a character mousepad, a life-sized cardboard standee, and Halloween costumes.

Reception

Critical reception

Critical reception of Kitana has varied, often with emphasis placed on her good looks and sometimes on her relatively complicated personality. Ben Kendrick of Game Rant noted that "apart from possessing one of the cooler weapons" in the series, she "lacks the entertaining/alluring oddity" of her counterpart Mileena. GameFront opined the same year that Kitana has "not a very compelling character." Though she and Mileena were included in GamePro's 2009 list of the seventeen best palette-swapped video game characters alongside the series' male ninjas, Dan Ryckert of Game Informer wrote in 2010 that he did not want these characters, aside from Scorpion and Sub-Zero, in future series installments. Kitana's "Kiss of Death" Fatality from Mortal Kombat II has met with critical praise.

Response to Kitana's alternate-media incarnations have been variably received. Laura Evenson of San Francisco Chronicle noted Talisa Soto's attractiveness in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film, but found her character otherwise uninteresting as compared to Robin Shou's Liu Kang. Ben Steelman of the Star-News described her as "basically Princess Leia in black leotards," but Jim Sterling of Destructoid noted Kitana's "more sensible makeover" therein in contrast to her in-game designs. Michael Saunders of The Boston Globe wrote in his 1997 review of Mortal Kombat Annihilation that Soto "never seems to do much more other than look exotic in the role." The 2011 Mortal Kombat Legacy first-season episode "Kitana & Mileena" was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award in the category of "Outstanding Achievement in Writing Derivative New Media".

Sex appeal

Kitana is considered a prominent sex symbol in the Mortal Kombat series, in a display of what one author described as manifestation of "pseudo-Japanese Orientalist fetishes." According to Joey Esposito of MTV, "it's obvious that Mortal Kombat II added in some more, let’s say, sexually suggestive characters in Mileena and Kitana," Danny Gallagher of MTV's Guy Code ranked Kitana among the "best babes in video games" of 2011, but commented that she had "the deepest emotional core of any of the Mortal Kombat characters." Den of Geek commented that "Kitana became one of the breakout stars of the series" upon her MKII debut, "easily having more meat on her character than Sonya ever did."

Gender criticism and Fatalities

There have been controversies and mixed or negative critical reception of the character. In 1994, she was one of the fighting game characters cited by Guy Aoki of AsianWeek as allegedly perpetuating existing stereotypes of Asians as martial arts experts. In the video game violence controversy themed book Interacting With Video, Patricia Marks Greenfield and Rodney R. Cocking used the "two Asian twin sisters, Kitana and Mileena" as an example of "highly eroticized Dragon Lady" stereotyping in video games. When Marsha Kinder accused Mortal Kombat II of misogyny in its handling of female characters, she alleged that "some of the most violent possibilities are against women," whose own "fatality moves are highly eroticised." Patrick Sunnen's book Making Sense of Video Games judged their portrayal as "formidable female opponents" to be potentially progressive, yet arguably made just to increase "the sexist potential of the individual fights", and described Kitana's Fatality of decapitation with a "deceptively feminine razor-sharp fan" to be castration-like. Chad Hunter of Complex chose Jade and Kitana to represent the "women who fight" stereotype in his 2012 list of the fifteen most stereotypical characters in video games, for being "half-naked skanks who can fight, hurl lasers and perform aerobatic attacks while wearing thongs, high-heeled boots and keeping their giant breasts under scarves," claiming that this has caused "female gamers slide away from this series."

See also

Notes

  1. During early production runs of Mortal Kombat II, Kitana's "Fan Lift" special move could be used to completely immobilize opponents in the corner of the screen and allow players to connect with a series of uncontested attacks, resulting in changes being made to eliminate this and balance out the game.
  2. Kitana is selectable in Mortal Kombat: Unchained, the 2006 PSP port of the game.

References

  1. "Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks - Credits". Allgame.com. 2010-10-03. Archived from the original on 2014-11-16. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
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