MK1 Johnny Cage (Song) Headcanons

MK1 Johnny Cage (Song) Headcanons

I was inspired by @mothercetrion headcanon on Johnny’s past. You should visit their page and read some of their posts. They are very well-written! I like to connect songs with characters so I thought doing a headcanon post with songs would be a good idea. I’m also working on a regular headcanon post for Johnny as well. I love his MK1 version and feel the need to write about it. Lmk if I should make a Spotify playlist so all the songs are in one place.

TW: Heavy angst (Mention of bullying, alcoholism, parental abuse, domestic violence, and broken marriage)

I Started a Joke by Bee Gees 

- “I started a joke. Which started the whole world crying. But I didn’t see. That the joke was on me, oh no. I started to cry. Which started the whole world laughing. Oh, if I’d only seen. That the joke was on me.” 

Unfortunately, I firmly believe that Johnny was bullied and abused in his childhood. Most people who have an egotistical facade usually create that personality to protect themselves from horrible treatment. Johnny mentioned having daddy issues and an asshole brother he barely(if any) has contact with. I think his dad and, later, his brother tormented him for a long time, which I will further explain in another song. I want to focus on school bullies. Johnny seems to have always wanted to be an actor, so I think he focused on the performing arts like theatre, singing, and dancing. Sadly, it's not considered masculine to do those activities- a prime target for bullying. This treatment causes Johnny to feel like a joke to everyone. 

- “Til I finally died. Which started the whole world living. Oh, if I’d only seen. That the joke was on me.” 

This meant figuratively that Johnny’s original personality “died” and was replaced by his well-known facade to protect him from the bullying and stop him from feeling the pain. 

Blown Away by Carrie Underwood

-“Dry lightning cracks across the sky. Those storm clouds gather in her eyes. Her daddy was a mean old mister. Mama was an angel in the ground.” 

Johnny notices his parents’ turbulent relationship. His dad is an awful man and his mom is a kind person being tormented by her husband.

-“She heard those sirens screaming out. Her daddy laid there passed out on the couch. She locked herself in the cellar. Listened to the screaming of the wind. Some people called it taking shelter.” 

Johnny’s hiding from one of his parents’ violent arguments. His room is his hiding spot- a shelter and a prison- but it doesn’t protect him from hearing the arguments. The sirens are symbolic of Johnny’s mother since she used to be a police officer (an intro with Li Mei confirms it), so she is screaming at Johnny’s father who loves his life drinking and sleeping. 

-“There’s not enough rain in Oklahoma. To wash the sins out of that house. There’s not enough wind in Oklahoma. To rip the nails out of the past (blown away)” 

The awful memory leaves Johnny wishing that his childhood home could be destroyed with no trace, though he knows it will never erase what he’s gone through.

Numb by Linkin Park

- “I’m tired of being what you want me to be. Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface. Don’t know what you’re expecting of me. Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes. Every step that I take is another mistake to you (Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow).”

Johnny was abused by his father. He was pressured to be like his dad but would make “mistakes” (be himself), leading to his father lashing out at him. His dad is obsessed with masculinity and being a “traditional” man, which he pushes into Johnny. This puts them at odds since the performing arts (Johnny’s aspirations) are not considered masculine. 

- “I’ve become so numb. I can’t feel you there. Become so tired. So much more aware. I’m becoming this. All I want to do. Is be more like me. And be less like you.”

The constant pressure makes Johnny numb to the abuse and more aware of his father’s behavior. He wants the opportunity to be himself and the weight to lift off him. 

- “Can’t you see that you’re smothering me. Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control? ‘Cause everything that you thought I would be. Has fallen apart right in front of you.” 

He’s questioning his father’s behavior and needs to control him and the rest of the family (his mother and siblings). 

- “And I know. I may end up failing too. But I know. You were just like me with someone disappointed in you.”

Johnny fights back and decides to break the generational trauma cycle he and his dad have unwittingly been trapped in. His dad was in Johnny’s position and hated it, but decided to continue the cycle rather than end it.

Applause by Lady Gaga 

- “I stand here waiting for you to bang the gong. To crash the critic saying, “Is it right or is it wrong?” If only fame had an I.V, baby could I bear? Being away for you, I found the vein, put it in here.”

From some of his intros, Johnny sometimes gets defensive whenever anyone talks down about his career, and the first thing he brings up is how he makes his fans happy with his work. This makes me believe that Johnny loves his fans and they are the biggest reason he stays in Hollywood.

- “I live for the applause, applause, applause. I live for the applause-plause, live for the applause-plause, live for the way that you cheer and scream for me. The applause, applause, applause. Give me that thing that I love (I’ll turn the lights out). Put your hands up, make ‘em touch, touch (Make it real loud). Give me that thing that I love (I’ll turn the lightd out). Put your hands up, make ‘em touch, touch (Make it real loud).” 

For the first time in his life, Johnny is appreciated for his aspirations and it feeds into his need to feel wanted and accepted. He wants the applause and love to grow. 

- “I’ve overheard your theory, ‘Nostalgia’s for geeks.’ I guess sir, if you say so, some of us just like to read. One second I’m a Koons fan, suddenly the Koons is me. Pop culture was in art, now art’s in pop culture, in me.” 

Since Johnny is inspired by 80s action stars, critics condemn him for not being authentic. Johnny doesn’t care and, because of the love he gets, he considers himself to be a part of pop culture. 

Liability by Lorde 

-“Baby really hurt me, crying in the taxi. He don’t know me. Says her made the big mistake in my storm. Says it was poison.” 

This reminds me of Johnny’s chapter where Steven- the director- whom Johnny might’ve considered a friend, doesn’t seem to like him and purposefully distances me. This makes me believe that Johnny doesn’t have many friends because they don’t like his boastful, outgoing personality. 

- “So I guess I’ll go home. Into the arms of the girl that I love. The only I haven’t screwed up. She’s so hard to please, but she’s a forest fire.”

 With not having many friends and his marriage on the rocks, Johnny feels alone and feels he can only count on himself. Based on his intro with Kenshi about doing forty takes, it seems like Johnny is a perfectionist, so it wouldn’t be surprising if that sentiment extends to everything he does. That’s why he has this facade where he constantly inflates his ego and his capabilities because, on the inside, Johnny is hard on himself and has trouble finding his good qualities. 

- “They say “You’re a little too much for me. You’re a liability. You’re a little much for me.” So they pull back, make other plans. I understand, I’m a liability. Get you wild, make you leave. I’m a little much for everyone.” 

Johnny accepts that he’ll never have a true connection with someone, so he makes them leave sooner before they hurt him. 

- “The truth is I am a toy that people enjoy. ‘Till all of the tricks don’t work anymore. And then they are bored of me. I know that it’s exciting running through the night, but every perfect summer’s eating me alive until you’re gone. Better on my own. They’re gonna watch me disappear into the sun. You're all gonna watch disappear into the sun” 

This pertains to Johnny’s faltering career. He was a popular actor for a long time until it ran dry. It eats him up to see people- fans, his wife, and Hollywood- grow bored and annoyed with him. By the end of his chapter, he’s alone and feels hopeless. 

Midnight Rain by Taylor Swift 

- “My town was a wasteland. Full of cages, full of fences. Pageant queens and big pretenders. But for some, it was paradise.” 

Johnny’s world is Hollywood and the American dream. He wants to be the biggest star and feel at home in the acting business. 

- “My boy was a montage. A slow motion, love potion. Jumping off things in the ocean.”

I see Cris as someone who wanted a simple life full of love and family. She was supportive of Johnny’s dream but didn’t have his drive to live the Hollywood life. She expected Johnny to settle down once his career dwindled. 

- “He was sunshine, I was midnight rain. He wanted it comfortable. I wanted that pain. He wanted a bride. I was making my own. Chasing that fame. He stayed the same. All of me changed like midnight.” 

Johnny and Cris are different people with opposing goals. Cris wanted a comfortable life and Johnny to focus on their relationship, while Johnny was consumed in his dreams and staying relevant. 

- “It came like a postcard. Picture perfect, shiny family. Holiday, peppermint candy. But for him it’s everyday. So I peered through a window. A deep portal, time travel. All the love we unravel. And the life I gave away.”

If one of them conformed to what the other wanted instead of compromise, they would’ve given away their dream life and lost their love. 

- “I guess sometimes we all get just what we wanted, just what we wanted. And he never thinks of me. Except when I’m on TV. I guess sometimes we all get some kind of haunted, some kind of haunted. And I never think of him. Except on midnights like this.” 

By the end of their marriage, Johnny and Cris barely connect with each other. Cris lives her own life and only sees Johnny when his movies are on TV. Johnny is so busy with work and doesn’t focus on his personal life until he’s home late at night.  

Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift 

(This kind of continues my thoughts from “Liability” by Lorde.) 

- “I have this thing where I get older but just never wise. Midnights become my afternoons. When my depression works the graveyard shift. All of the people I’ve ghosted stand there in the room. I should not be left to my own devices. They come with prices and vices. I end up in crises (tale as old as time). I wake up screaming from dreaming. One day I’ll watch as you’re leaving. ‘Cause you got tired of my scheming (for the last time).”

Even though Johnny knows his career is dwindling, Johnny continues to work and revive it- something Hollywood people would consider unwise. His fears and depression leave him up at night and thinks about the people who left him and people he had to step over to make it in showbiz. His deepest fear is everyone he cares about- Cris and his fans- leaving him because they become bored of him. This is where he develops his alcoholism (this will be explained in another song). 

- “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me. At tea time, everybody agrees. I’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror. It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero.”

Johnny knows his alcoholism is messing up his relationship with Cris but is scared of facing it, making him the anti-hero in the story. 

- “Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby. And I’m a monster on the hill. Too big to hang out, slowly lurching toward your favorite city. Pierced through the the heart, but never killed.” 

It goes with how Hollywood works- younger, prettier actors have a higher standing than older actors. Johnny feels like people see him as a monster who ruins things, but they aren’t willing to “kill” his ambition. 

- “I have this dream my daughter in-law kills me for the money. She thinks I left them in the will. The family gathers ‘round and reads it and then someone screams out. “She’s laughing up at us from hell.” 

Johnny fears his ambition will kill him and that the people who don’t care about him will take advantage of it. 

Rehab by Amy Winehouse 

- “They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said, ‘No, no, no.’ Yes, I’ve been black, but when I come back, you’ll know, know, know. I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I’m fine.” 

Cris is trying to get Johnny to go to rehab for his alcoholism, but he refuses because he wants to focus on reigniting his career and he reasons that nobody else is concerned. 

- “I’d rather be at home with Ray. I ain't got seventy days. ‘Cause there’s nothing, there’s nothing you can teach me. That I can’t learn from Mr. Hathaway.” 

Johnny wants to continue working and being at home. He doesn’t think he has a problem and, if he did, Johnny doesn’t think anyone can help. 

- “The man said ‘Why do you think you are here?’ I said, ‘I got no idea.’ I’m gonna, I’m gonna lose my baby. So I always keep a bottle near. He said, ‘I just think you’re depressed.’ This, me: ‘Yeah, baby, and the rest.’”

Johnny goes to a therapist (Cris gave him an ultimatum). The therapist tells Johnny that it’s just depression and to stop drinking. Johnny can’t seem to stop because drinking takes away the pain he’s feeling. 

- “I don’t ever wanna drink again. I just, ooh, I just need a friend. I’m not gonna spend ten weeks. Have everyone think I’m on the mend. It’s not just my pride. It’s just till these tears have dried.”  

Johnny hates drinking but feels like it’s the only way to escape his loneliness and stress. He’s scared that his career will be over and his fans will leave him if he goes to rehab. 

Hollywood by MARINA 

- “American queen is the American dream. American queen is the American dream.”

This is the mantra Johnny says to motivate himself to continue his career.

- “I asked her ‘Why would you wanna be a Hollywood wife?’ ‘Because I don’t wanna end up living in a dive on Vine.” 

Johnny doesn’t want to live a life less than his dreams. He’ll do anything to live his dreams. 

- “Trying to stimulate a mind. That is slowly starting to decay. I itch my skin, I jump up and say. Lady, I know why your thoughts turn gray.”

Exhaustion and alcohol are infecting Johnny’s brain and dulling his thoughts. He’s barely present in his personal life- marriage and home. 

- “Hollywood infected your brain. You wanted kissing in the rain. Oh oh, (I’ve been) living in a movie scene. Pukin American dreams. Oh oh, I’m obsessed with the mess that’s America. I’m obsessed with the mess that’s America.” 

The price of striving for fame is catching up to Johnny, yet he’s willing to ignore it due to being obsessed with his desires. 

- “A fat security making plays for me. As soon as I touch down in, old L.A., he said… ‘Oh my god, you look just like Shakira. No no, you’re Catherine Zeta.” Actually, my name’s Marina.”

This is a reference to how Hollywood has a surplus of stars that can overshadow each other. Since Johnny is no longer a big star, people mistake him for a lookalike. His individualism in the industry is dying.

Oh No! by MARINA (& The Diamonds) 

- “Don’t do love, don’t do friends. I’m only after success. Don’t need a relationship. I’ll never soften my grip. Don’t want cash, don’t want card. Want it fast, want it hard. Don’t need money don’t need fame. I just want to make a change. I just wanna change.”

Johnny’s obsession evolves into him ignoring everything- his relationships and income- to maintain and grow his success.

- “I know exactly what I want and who I want to be. I know exactly why I walk and talk like a machine. I’m now becoming my own self-fulfilled prophecy. Oh! Oh no! Oh no! Oh, no, oh!”

His singular goal can be compared to a program, making Johnny out to be a machine. He’s also realizing that his alcoholism is leading him into a similar path to his father’s. This could be seen as a self-fulfilled prophecy because children usually copy their parents’ behavior, even the bad ones, and the phrase “like father, like son.” It terrifies him. 

- “One track mind, one track heart. If I fail, I’ll fall apart. Maybe it is all a test. ‘Cause, I feel like I’m the worst. So I always act like I’m the best.”

Johnny wonders if his downfall is karma since he had to step over people to build his career or a test of his character. The last two lines reference his feelings of inadequacy due to his childhood and the birth of his movie star persona.

- “If you are not very careful. Your possessions will possess you. TV taught me how to feel. Now real life has no appeal. It has no appeal.” 

In his chapter, Johnny tells Cris that they can’t cut back on cash because acting like a success makes people perceive you that way. This shows how Johnny's spending habits are consuming him. 

During his childhood, Johnny coped with his father’s abuse and his mother working all the time by watching TV. TV raised Johnny, and it made his reality- good or bad- unappealing. 

- “I’m gonna live, I’m gonna fly. I’m gonna fail, I’m gonna die. “I’m gonna live, I’m gonna fly. I’m gonna fail, I’m gonna die, die, die, die, die.” 

Johnny identifies failing as dying and succeeding as living. He thinks retiring his career will kill his confident persona and revert him to the sad child he was. 

Are You Satisfied? By MARINA 

-“I was pulling out my hair. The day I got the deal, chemically calm. Was I meant to feel happy that my life was about to change?” 

Because of his health issues- alcoholism and depression, Johnny is starting to feel numb towards his work, to the point where getting a role doesn’t excite him. 

-“One life pretending to be the cat who got the cream. Oh, everybody said, ‘Marina is a dreamer.’ People like to tell you what you’re gonna be. It’s not my problem if you don’t see what I see. And do not give a damn if you don’t believe.” 

Johnny is reminded of the people in his childhood who called him a dreamer and tried to tell him what he should do with his life. He never saw why his life was anyone’s problem. 

-“My problem, it’s my problem. That I never am happy. It’s my problem, it’s my problem. On how fast I will succeed. Are you satisfied with an average life? Do I need to lie to make my way in life?” 

With no big payoff, Johnny starts to ponder if an average life will satisfy him and make him happy. If not, does he have to start lying to himself and others to continue his Hollywood life. 

-“High achiever, don’t you see? Baby, nothing comes for free. They say I’m a control freak. Driven by a greed to succeed. Nobody can stop me.”

One of his intro with Kenshi has the latter complaining about doing forty takes with Johnny arguing that the shot has to be perfect. It lead me to believe that Johnny is a perfectionist since he is driven by his need to succeed. 

-“Cause it’s my problem if I want to pack up and run away. It’s my business if I feel the need to smoke and drink and sway. It’s my problem, it’s my problem if I feel the need to hide. And it’s my problem if I have no friends and feel I want to die.” 

Johnny realizes his problems yet doesn’t push himself to get the help he needs. He thinks no one except him could handle his issues. Johnny feels that it’s his fault that he let alcohol control his life, has depression, and has no friends. 

-“Are you satisfied with an easy ride? Once you cross the line, will you be satisfied? Sad inside in this life, unsatisfied, prayin’. Sad inside in this life, unsatisfied, waitin’.” 

He wonders again whether regular life with more simplistic issues will satisfy him and if he should cross the line and consider letting go of his career. The difficult decision makes it more despondent and he prays for an answer. He finds his answer by the end of the game- to step back from the industry for a while and focus on his personal life.  

The Reason by Hoobastank 

-“I’m not a perfect person. There’s many things I wish I didn’t do. But I continue learning. I never meant to do those things to you. And so, I have to say before I go. That I just want you to know.” 

After going through therapy, training at Wu Shi Academy, and the Outworld adventure, Johnny realizes his mistakes and wants to apologize to Cris before they go their separate ways. 

-“I’m sorry that I hurt you. It’s something I must live with everyday. And all the pain I put you through. I wish that I could take it all away. And be the one catches all your tears. That’s why I need you to hear.”

He realizes the full extent of pain Johnny put her through. He’s remorseful and wishes he could go back to listen and comfort her. 

-“I’ve found a reason for me. To change who I used to be. A reason to start over new. And the reason is you. I’ve found a reason to show. A side of me you didn’t know. A reason for all that I do. And the reason is you.”

Johnny wants Cris to know how much he’s grown and will be a better person. Although sad it had to come to it, Johnny thanks Cris for letting him go since it led him to get the help he needed and continue to heal old wounds he kept hidden. 

..................

BONUS (These songs are from Cris’ point of view to Johhny.): 

All I Wanted by Paramore 

- “Think of me when you’re out, when you’re out there. I’ll beg you nice from my knees. And when the world treats you way too fairly. Well, it’s a shame I’m a dream. All I wanted was you.”

Every time Johnny leaves for his hours-long shoots, Cris hopes he thinks of her, but knows that she’ll always be second to his career. Although their marriage was always on her mind. 

- “I think I’ll pace my apartment a few times. And fall asleep on the couch. And wake up early to black-and-white reruns. That escaped from my mouth.” 

When Cris is alone, she wanders through their house and watches movies. She mostly watches Johnny’s movies to fill the hole of him not being with her most of the time. 

- “I could follow you to the beginning. Just to relive the start. And maybe then we’d remember to slow down. At all of our favorite parts.” 

Cris would do anything to have a semblance of their old relationship- before Johnny got famous- back. She hopes that if it happens then Johnny will be more attentive, and they can live a happy life. 

Call Me When You’re Sober by Evanescence 

- “Don’t cry to me, if you loved me. You would be here with me. You want me, come find me. Make up your mind.” 

Cris is frustrated with Johnny and tells him that if he loved her then he would pay attention to her and her needs instead of his career. 

- “Should I let you fall, lose it all. So maybe you can remember yourself? Can’t keep believing. We’re only deceiving ourselves. And I’m sick of the lie. And you’re too late.” 

Cris contemplates letting Johnny’s alcoholism overtake him since he never listens to her advice on going to therapy or rehab. She also thinks that letting him fall could bring back John Carlton, the man she fell in love with. 

- “Couldn’t take the blame, sick with shame. Must be exhausting to lose your own game, selfishly hated. No wonder you’re jaded. You can’t play the victim this time. And you’re too late.”

Cris is tired of being responsible for Johnny's health and reducing his problems to inconveniences. She wants him to stop playing the victim and take responsibility because she can’t take care of him anymore. 

- “You never call me when you’re sober. You only want it ‘cause it’s over, it’s over.” 

Their relationship only revolves around Johnny’s career and alcoholism instead of their love. 

Losing Grip by Avril Lavigne 

-“Are you aware of what you make me feel? Baby. Right now I feel invisible to you, like I’m not real. Didn’t you feel me lock my arms around you? Why’d you turn away? Here’s what I have to say. I was left to cry there. Waiting outside there. Grinning with a lost stare. That’s when I decided.”

Cris is frustrated at Johnny being distant and inattentive. It makes her feel invisible and unimportant in his life. She questions why he acts this way when he should be treating her like his wife. It leaves her feeling desperate and lonely, but she hides it with a smile. 

-“Why should I care? ‘Cause you weren’t there. When I was scared. I was so alone. You, you need to listen. I’m starting to trip. I’m losing my grip and I’m in this thing alone.” 

Cris wonders why she’s even staying in the marriage. She’s scared of losing Johnny to his alcoholism and his obsession with work; as well as the financial troubles that were accumulating. Instead of listening and being there for her, Johnny decides to ignore the problems, making her feel alone in their marriage. 

-“Am I just some chick you place beside you to take somebody’s place? When you turn around can you recognize my face? You used to love me, you used to hug me. But that wasn’t the case. Everything wasn’t okay.”

Cris starts to think Johnny only wants her around to fill a role anyone can take such as a caregiver (not his intention). She sees Johnny’s eyes go through her like she’s a stranger and he rarely gives her affection. Unfortunately, Johnny’s exhaustion from working and alcoholism affects his ability to focus on what’s going on around him. 

-“Why should I care? ‘Cause you weren’t there. When I was scared. I was so alone. Why should I care? If you don’t care then I don’t care. We’re not going anywhere.” 

Cris continues pondering about their marriage, though it ends with her deciding that she’s exhausted her commitment to the marriage and has to leave before it further destroys her.

I forgot to say in my last reblog that I don’t think Liu Kang was at fault for everything that had gone wrong. Though he’s a god, Liu Kang is capable of making mistakes like a human. I do believe that there are events that can’t be changed such as the clans fighting, Tarkatans, etc. I actually wrote a theory post a while back on why I think Tarkatans couldn’t be erased. Basically, I believe Liu Kang tried getting rid of Tarkatans but couldn’t due to Time Keeper rules. So, he changed it into a disease that is pretty hard to contract. I think that Liu made a bad call giving Shang Tsung and Quan-Chi meaningless lives (as he put it in the story mode). I wish he specified his intentions with Shang and Quan-Chi’s life. It’s hard to tell if he gave them hard lives in hopes they’ll grow kinder or he gave them average lives and, unfortunately, he had no control with their lives getting worse (Quan-Chi being in the mines and Shang having a hard time making a living). Liu Kang definitely didn’t have a hand on Bi-Han’s betrayal because he didn’t expect the cyromancer to betray his brothers for his own interest. General Shao’s arrogance returned because of Shang’s manipulation. 

I’m the type of fan who sometimes overanalyzes things, especially when things aren’t explicitly explained. Because of this, I question which occurrences in the New Era are due to Liu’s interference or if it's meant to happen (a canon event). For example, Liu Kang interfered in Shang Tsung, Shao Kahn and Quan-Chi’s lives to make sure they didn't become their previous selves. He made sure Mileena was Kitana’s blood sister and not a clone. He also had the Lin-Kuei act as Earthrealm’s defense instead of continuing their assassination system that was for their own interest. That’s Liu interference. A mix of Liu’s ability to manipulate outcomes and his cryptidness definitely leads to questioning what else he’s done, at least for me. Time is a very complex matter so it leads to more questions than answers. I hope in the next story there will be an explanation on Liu Kang’s limits and what he specifically did to create the timeline. 

I don’t think I explained my reasoning on why I think having Kuai and Harumi together makes me feel like Kuai is kind of like “Hanzo with a different name” very well. 

My main reason for saying this is because they got together during a Tower Ending instead of the story. It feels rushed to add this relationship in 90 seconds so it feels like the writers did this to fulfill a checklist (have a Scorpion and Harumi together). I think I would like this relationship if the expansion story focused on them and I see why and what made Harumi and Kuai love each other. They could be in the beginning of their relationship and seeing their dynamic would be enough. But they are married so it wouldn’t happen exactly like that. I guess I’m the type of person who only really feels for a ship if I see their growth. From what I remember, all that has been mentioned about their relationship is that they are childhood friends and have mutual respect for each other, which is a good starting point though not enough for me to feel anything other than neutral. I’m very for the “Show don’t Tell” idea of storytelling.

I am looking forward to seeing Harumi in the story and what you listed about her makes me interested in her as a character. I hope she’s a badass who will be added to the main roster in future games. We need more female fighters.

I see your points on why you think Hanzo is an adult, but I still think Hanzo is underage. Not by a lot though, I think he’s at least 16-17. 

His arms are bigger than most teens but he’s been training and before that he had the minimum amount of skill to steal. Smoke stopped him because he’s trained longer but I am certain an average person would not defend themselves as well. In the image I added, you can see his muscles are smaller compared to the images you included. This shows that training and eating more (like you said Hanzo was starving before joining the Shirai-Ryu) were major reasons his muscles are larger, not age. What I’m trying to say is that it’s possible for a slightly underage guy to look like an adult due to physical fitness and eating right (I expect the Shirai-Ryu to have a healthy regiment). I think a time skip happened between my image and yours, but they are probably at least a few months to a year apart since Bi-Han doesn’t seem like the person who would wait very long. After all, he hunted Kuai and Tomas after Titan Shang Tsung was defeated.

Also we have to consider some things. Compared to a front view, a side view of muscles will look larger because of perspective (the second image you added proves it since his arms are slightly slimmer compared to the first image). Hanzo is flexing as well which makes muscles look larger. I also searched up what muscular guys (16-17 years old) look like and they look very close to Hanzo’s physique. 

With his voice, I agree that it’s deep though guys in my high school sounded very similar when they were 16-17 because of puberty. A deep voice doesn’t always equal being an adult. Also, it hasn’t been confirmed if the voice actor that did those grunts will be Hanzo’s in future appearances. They could’ve been another va who’s voicing another character that did those grunts because NRS didn’t want to hire a new va just for grunts. I’m going to wait for the voice actor hired for Hanzo’s official appearance in the games to see if Hanzo is a late teen or adult. 

I agree with you about adults being born shorts. Everyone grows at different rates and it doesn’t physically show someone’s maturity. I still somewhat considered it (though not as much as other points I mentioned) because the media usually use height to show age, especially in animated projects. Short adults or tall teens/kids are rarely shown unless for comedic reasons. I’m not saying Mortal Kombat is like that but I still keep it in mind in case they do use height = age formula. 

Although I see your points on why you think Hanzo is an adult, I’m going to assume he’s underage until the game confirms his age or at least gives strong enough hints to make an educated guess. 

Thank you for replying back to me! I appreciate your pov because it evolves mine at the same time. I enjoy our conversations. I apologize for taking the expected, life got a little hectic. Sorry for going into crazy specifics near the end. It was the only way I could think of to better explain my points. Also, I noticed in your tags that you don’t like being a Liu Kang apologist or something along those lines. I’m curious as to why. 

My Thoughts on MK1 Hanzo

(Spoiler Warning: Smoke’s Tower Ending is discussed)

I saw Smoke’s tower ending and was surprised to see Hanzo in the new timeline, let alone as a child. Although I’m open to how the writers will handle his character, I’m kind of disappointed that they went this route. When I learned that Kuai Liang would be Scorpion in the new timeline, I expected Hanzo to either not even exist or live a nice life with Harumi and their son. Instead, Kuai Liang is married to Harumi and Hanzo is much younger than them, which is so weird. I really hoped Hanzo would have a happy life and only be involved in the games through mentions at least.  Also, this decision paints Liu Kang in a bad light. It’s no secret Liu Kang made sure his allies had a good life while making some of his enemies’ lives (Shang Tsung and Quan Chi) insignificant to prevent them from turning into their past counterparts. So, it makes me wonder why Liu Kang didn’t think to give Hanzo a good life or at least watch over him. It’s shown that Hanzo is a starving orphan forced to steal for essentials. I have no doubt Liu Kang knows about Hanzo’s past since he met the older and kinder Scorpion in MK11 and Raiden has disclosed Hanzo’s past in MK 9. Plus when Liu Kang fused with the Hourglass, he most likely became aware of what happened in MK9 and MKX. He gave Shao Kahn the chance to be a better man by being the Kingdom’s general- a risk that didn’t pay off, yet didn’t give Hanzo what he always desired- his wife, son, and the Shirai-Ryu. It feels so out of character for Liu Kang to not make sure Hanzo had a good chance at life. 

If I had the opportunity to write Hanzo’s character, it would’ve been very different. I would’ve made him a former Lin Kuei member(he would be 5 or more years older than Bi-Han) who held the Scorpion title until he retired to Japan- where met Harumi and had their son. Hanzo would’ve also been the one to train Kuai Liang in his fire powers in the latter’s childhood. In his honor, Kuai would take the Scorpion mantle after Hanzo retires. Hanzo could also help Kuai and Smoke form the Shirai-Ryu but Harumi helps in recruiting and training while he takes care of their young son. 

Though, I still hold some faith that NRS will write the new Hanzo well. I guess I’m just disappointed because I wanted Hanzo to finally live a happy life where his family stays alive. He was one of my favorites in the MK9-MK11 era so I can’t help but feel a connection towards him.

MK1 Characters Ages Headcanon

Vaeternus: 1 year = 6k years

Edenian: 1 year = 400 years

Draconian: 1 year = 250 years 

*For Vaeternus, I made these calculations based on a Nitara intro. I believe Kung Lao asks her how old she is and Nitara says that she was a little girl when humans discovered fire. There were many differing accounts on when that happened but I decided to pick the one that said fire was a widespread, controlled source 125,000 years ago. It was the second most recent account- first being 12,000 years ago. I chose 125k since I assume the intro I mentioned is meant to hint how much older Vaeternus is than most races.  

*Since the story confirmed that Kitana and Mileena were 10,000 years old, I used the number to find an estimated number of Edenian years that equals a single human year. I considered Kitana and Mileena to be 25 in human years since it divides 10,000 evenly and the sisters look close to that age- dividing those numbers equaled to 400 years. So, 400 Edenian years is equal to 1 human year. 

*In the story, Sindel confronted Shao and mentioned how she remembered the sickly boy he was. This is evidence that Sindel is older than Shao by a few years- ten years at minimum; however, in my opinion, Shao looks older than Sindel so I believe the Draconian species have a shorter life span than Edenians, but they are still much larger than human’s. Unlike with the Edenians, I decided to have 250 Draconian years be equivalent to one human year because of an idea of an estimated range.  

*Liu Kang is slightly older than the Big Bang in the New Era. I couldn’t calculate Geras’ age since he’s experienced a ginormous amount of timelines. Calculations over a trillion is too difficult for any calculator to compute. 

Ashrah: 29 (human years) 

Baraka: 22k (Edenian years), 55 (human years) 

General Shao: 12,500 (Draconian years), 50 (human years) 

Geras: Can’t Calculate

Havik: 27 (human years) 

Johnny Cage: 28 

Kenshi Takahashi: 28 

Kitana: 10k (Edenian years; canon), 25 (human years) 

Kung Lao: 24 

Jerrod: 20k (Edenian years), 50 (human years)  [If he were alive]

Li Mei: 18,400 (Edenian years), 46 (human years)

Liu Kang: 13.8 billion 

Mileena: 10k (Edenian years; canon), 25 (human years) 

Nitara: 150k (Vaeternus years) or 12k (Vaeternus years), 25 (human years) 

Raiden: 24 

Rain: 10,400 (Edenian years), 26 (human years)

Reiko: 26 (human years) 

Reptile: 29 (human years) 

Kuai Liang/Scorpion: 26 

Sindel: 19,200 (Edenian years), 48 (human years) 

Shang Tsung: 27 (human years) 

Tomas Vrbada/Smoke: 25 

Bi-Han/Sub-Zero: 28 

Tanya: 9,600 (Edenian years), 24 (human years)

MK1 Tanya Rewrite

When it comes to MK1 character writing, I believe Tanya, alongside Nitara and Havik, got the short end. Tanya’s role is too similar to Jade and she doesn’t have too much going for her other than being the leader of the Umgadi and Mileena’s lover. Her backstory is also a bit too bland compared to most characters. I hope this changes in the next story. I had a small idea of how I would rewrite and add dimension to her character. 

Instead of being chosen as an infant like most Umgadi, Tanya began training later in her childhood. She was born on the poorer side of Outworld where her parents owed a massive debt to a corrupt merchant. When her parents died, the debt was transferred to Tanya and she had to steal to survive and pay the debt. Tanya trained herself to fight others who tried to hurt her for money or just for fun. After years of suffering under the merchant’s hand, Tanya got her chance for freedom when a Sun Do constable recruited her to be their mole for their investigation on the merchant who was suspected of trafficking illegal substances and Outworlders. Tanya succeeded and the merchant was arrested. The constable was so impressed by Tanya’s fortitude and fighting skills that she asked an old friend, Li Mei, who was the leader of the Umgadi at the time, to take her in. With that fortitude and natural ability to fight, Tanya rose in the ranks and became the new leader- the youngest to ever be appointed. It was bittersweet since Tanya’s goal was to acquire a higher standing in the Umgadi, but she felt betrayed by Li Mei’s “negligence.” 

Tanya didn’t have a strong opinion of the royal family until her leadership role. With more direct contact with the family, Tanya conversed with the family, especially Mileena. Their first interaction was during Tanya’s patrol when she found Mileena hiding to grieve for her father alone. Feeling sympathy for the princess, Tanya lent her ear and listened to Mileena as she vented about missing her father and the pressure she felt to be as great of an empress as her mother. Since losing Li Mei, Tanya didn’t have a personal connection with anyone until that talk with Mileena. Afterward, Mileena would frequently sneak out of her room and walk alongside Tanya during patrols. They would talk about anything that came to mind or enjoy each other’s company in silence. Their first kiss was the first time Tanya felt alive, but she also felt incredible dread since she betrayed the Umgadi- her family. Tanya avoided Mileena for weeks, yet couldn’t deny her love for her. That’s when their affair began. 

Would Sylvie Use HWR’s Tempad To See Loki?

Note: I haven’t watched S2 more than once yet (life’s been busy) so if I missed something where Sylvie loses the Tempad then that’s why.

Since the only ways to get to the End of Time is to go through Alioth or use HWR’s tempad, I’ve been wondering if Sylvie would use the tempad to see Loki.

Personally, I don’t think so. Sylvie cares about Loki, but I don’t think enough to see it. Throughout S2, Sylvie was mostly disagreeing or getting upset with Loki and she didn’t want to see him after killing HWR. Also, I think Sylvie has this practical mindset where she doesn’t see the point of visiting him when she’s not going to stay. She could see it as painful for Loki since it could be argued that being exposed to something you desire then have it go away is worse than not having it at all since you’re used to it.

i really liked your headcanons about johnny cage and general shao. could you write one for bi-han?? that would be most interesting

Thank you for the kind words! I’ve had a lot of fun making headcanons for MK1 characters. Compared to Johnny, I don’t have that many headcanons for Bi-Han, but I do have some on his childhood and familial relationships. Sorry if this turns out really long. Hope you enjoy!

Bi-Han was very close to his mother. She would comfort him whenever his father was very harsh towards him during training and reassured him that he would be a great leader and makes the Lin-Kuei strong. Her death was the catalyst for Bi-Han believing his father was unfit to lead the Lin-Kuei since she was killed by a vengeful former member. 

His father loved and cared for Bi-Han but his duty to train him to be the rightful heir to the Lin Kuei overshadowed that. He would train his son until near exhaustion, which led to Bi-Han being mostly isolated from the rest of the family in his early and late teens. He would tell him a great leader has to be strong and perceptive enough to lead. Bi-Han admired his father as a leader though rarely considered him his father- mostly calling him “Grandmaster” compared to “father.” His admiration turned to anger after his mother’s death and realizing how involved Liu Kang is in Lin-Kuei’s business. Bi-Han saw this as a weakness since Liu Kang wasn’t an official leader and perceived it as against his training and philosophy. Years later, his father was suffering a terrible illness. His father’s death occurred during a battle against rogue Lin-Kuei members who believed him to be too weak to continue as Grandmaster. By the end of the battle, Bi-Han found his father under rubble with a stab wound to the abdomen. Bi-Han decided to leave him to die so his father wouldn’t suffer from the illness and his belief that he is capable of succeeding as Grandmaster. 

Bi-Han and Kuai Liang were very close as little boys. There’s a headcanon where Kuai Liang was born too weak to wield cryomancy- he was even close to death. Liu Kang healed Kuai, giving him his fire powers. Being two years old at the time, Bi-Han was unaware of the situation’s severity though felt protective towards his little brother when he held him. Before mastering his pyromancy, Kuai’s body couldn’t handle cold temperatures or the frequent colds he’d get. Bi-Han would sleep with his sick brother to make sure he didn’t overheat or in case he needed help. While their parents were anxious about letting Kuai Liang fight, Bi-Han saw his potential to be a great fighter and his right-hand man when he became Grandmaster.

Although Bi-Han was very harsh towards Tomas, he saw his adoptive brother as family. The reason why he sometimes treats Tomas badly is because of resentment and jealousy. Bi-Han resented Tomas since his father gave him “leniency”- welcomed Tomas to the Lin-Kuei almost immediately- and acted more fatherly. He was also jealous of Kuai Liang and Tomas’s growing brotherhood during the bulk of his intense training. In a way, Bi-Han felt like he was being replaced. He tries to not hold it against Tomas though his unresolved anger gets in the way.