But I was only talking about Kitana. Then I don't really care what else SP tried to say. I will for you though. ^^

Sonya was kidnapped once after MK1 and throughout MK2 to give Jax a way into the game. That's once though. One time. And this has been consistent in various media and games, it was never retconned to make Sonya look worse or better, it was a point in the plot which has been untouched. Doesn't make her a damsel-in-distress character to me.

Kitana because vagina.

A damsel in distress is a woman who is foolishly helpless and is in need of someone to help rescue them, most likely from a man of a heroic sort. Of course, in other literature, it may be different, but technically what I have is kind of a stereotypical term... AKA, Disney's Princesses

For a person who loves to write fiction, I should know the meaning and would like to share for those who either don't know the term well, are getting confused, or just to see my beautiful post of cyan words. Or just being a bitch.

But you do not see Kitana as a damsel-in-distress when she has been in exactly that position several times?

Actually, per this definition, Sonya was also a damsel-in-distress back when she was kidnapped. I just don't see it as part of her overall personality whilst it has become a definite part of Kitana's.

She's not "foolishly" helpless. It's not like she foolishly got herself enslaved by Onaga's power, as well as foolishly getting herself ordered to be beheaded by Kahn after demanding to know his true intentions.

She didn't purposely get herself in a position where she needs her knight in shiny armor to help her out.

She did ask for help, and that was only if Jade were to have successfully carried out her task in asking her to go get Raiden. Otherwise, she would have been screwed right there and then.

I do not see her, at all, as a damsel in distress and no, I don't see Sonya as one either. Just because they're girls, they got kidnapped at one point or another, doesn't make them a damsel in distress.

Disney Princesses are perfect examples for who they are. My favorite all-time PRINCESS Meg, I call her a princess because she is one thank you very much haters... is that she foolishly got herself in a position where she stood in the movie. She sold her soul to Hades to save her boyfriend, but the guy was a jerk and fell in love with the next best thing.

It's a foolish move to sell your soul to the "devil." So, Meg is a fool to have done that. She knew the consequences, pretty much everyone should know, the consequences of handing your soul to the devil.

In Kitana's position, she didn't foolishly got herself almost beheaded because she wasn't aware that Kahn knew Shang Tsung's sorcery in making Mileena. That's not being a fool. Not knowing that someone was working with another person behind one's back isn't a foolish thing. Kitana probably could have prevented attacking Shang Tsung, but I certainly don't see what she did was foolish. As at the time, Shang did disappoint Kahn and got a second chance. Thus probably triggering a thought bubble in Kitana's mind that, "Hey, this guy once pissed off "dad" before, maybe he's at it again. I'll go kick his ass and tattle-tale on him."

Of course, that's over speculating but it at least makes sense in my point of view. And yet again, we'll eventually come down the line of "Let's agree to disagree" thing so... this may have been a waste.

Everyone has different opinions and Sub-Zero is winning. The End .

You make it seem like Kitana is kidnapped every game. She's been kidnapped what twice? When she was under the Dragon King's thrall and in the most recent MK game? That's the same amount of times as Sonya. Which still begs the question why do you view one character one way and another character a different way. Not even with Kitana and Sonya but say Jax or any of the other "distressed" characters.

Well ... clearly I voted for Kitana as she is my all time favorite character, but I didn't expect her to beat out Sub-Zero. I knew a dude would take the top spot in the end. I'm just glad it isn't Scorpion and that Kitana goes out as #1 female. In a cast of 60+, top 8 overall and #1 female is a pretty good showing! Based on who is left, my vote will go to Ermac for #1.

I ain't complainin'.

I'm also glad about both Sub Zs making it so far. Dude got his own video game (first) for a reason!

See, we agree, だ̈もãaち

Gotta go with the iceball on this one. A "damsel" she is, by way of being a beautiful princess, but distress is not really fair. She got captured by being a badass and getting over run by stronger people. She didn't just bend over for the Kahn brigade and volunteer, she lost a fight and got strung up for execution. Yes she needs help, but that does not difine her character. Kitana has a quality story, one of the better character archs in MK, and genuinely stands out above the other swap girls because of her role in the story.

Personally, I like Kitana from a gameplay standpoint, but not as much from a character one. I like her moveset and her fighting style, but I wouldn't choose to play as her unless I need her ending and so on (which I do). I'd say I think Jade is the cooler character, but that's sort of a blind argument too, since she's got way less back story than Kitana. She has a lot more personality in the fights, though, with her Xena weapons and general kick-assery. Anyway she's out, and so is Kitana once this wraps up.

Oh, and whoever said about Sub and Scorp being cheesy because they have a 'free hit' move is neglecting that fact that more than half the characters have the same ability now. Sure it was annoying in MK1, which is why the ninja boys are the figureheads of the franchise now, but it's not a very valid reason to hang onto, I think.

While I am glad that Sub-Zero is moving on to the semi-finals, I have to congratulate Kitana for being the last chick standing. In a cast of over 60, making it to the final 8 is no small feat.

I disagree. Sonya couldn't even beat Noob Saibot who is certainly less popular than Sub-Zero. At the moment Subby vs Kitty is 60%-40% in Sub's favor, and it is a fairly convincing lead. However, look at the previous round and what happened to Quan Chi vs Sub-Zero. Quan Chi (one of the greatest villains in the franchise) couldn't even break 30% (!!) (27.6% was his score vs Subby). So when you look at that, Kitana isn't doing that bad actually.

That's the whole thing. I'm afraid here on MKO no one stands a chance against Sub-Zero. I still predict a Sub-Zero vs Smoke final with Subby taking the win.




Again, I think you're underestimating Kitana's success here. She didn't do badly against Shao Kahn and Rain, she beat them. Shao Kahn is considered the most iconic villain in the series and he eliminated Sindel in the previous round, so he's no weak opposition by any means. When it comes to Rain, just remember the army of Rain fans that emerged when DLC talks started for MK2011. They were all over the place. But even then, Kitana's supporters outnumbered all the Rain fans and Kitana haters. She didn't do badly at all.

Going back to a possible Jade vs Kitana match-up and you having "no doubt" about Jade winning that. While it's true that Jade's (visual) appearance in the latest game got better reception from MKO folks than Kitana's, you're forgetting how much Kitana's gameplay has been praised. After all, she's the only female in Top 10 most used characters on the official website on both consoles (as of this moment, plus it has been like that for about a year now) + she's tier-list wise (way) better than Jade. That's just taking the latest game into account, which is not the only factor people take into account when they vote and Kitana's history throughout many games certainly tops Jade's imo and I'd say in the opinion of the majority.

I just think you're underestimating Kitana's performance/support here, that's all. Nice to see you post though!




I was cheering for Sektor and Cyrax too! I really think Smoke is going to end-up as a runner-up though. He already had lots of fans and now with his new popular gameplay he's become an even stronger competitor.

I honestly don't see any damsels in distress in MK. I think that there have been moments throughout the series, both in canon games and non-canon games as well as movies even where both Sonya and Kitana have been made to look like weak females in need of rescuing.

But honestly? I don't get that from the general character of each of them. Sonya is a focused, hard-edged, military woman that spent several games hunting down a ruthless, cutthroat terrorist, while Kitana is a 10,000 year old masked assassin who's trying to save her realm.

Neither of those backgrounds, regardless of what has happened in their stories, screams "I'm a helpless girly girl that needs a big, tough man to save me." Whoever used Princess Peach as an example was right on.

That, to me, is a damsel in destress. Not the military badass and not the masked assassin.

Personally, just as an aside, I think that Kitana is an awesome character who has several characters revolving around her plotline. I think that they've done plenty with her and although I will absolutely concede that she has been misused in recent iterations, I still think that she's got a ton of potential.

No no, I understand what you're saying, and thanks for explaining the term so thoroughly to me. It appears that calling Kitana a damsel-in-distress is an overstatement. What I meant by it is that her character has been heavily undermined the last few games, that she seems to have been weakened alot by taking away the several strong points of her storyline which made her the fierce, independent warrior she was portrayed as in the past. I used the word "damsel-in-distress" to tell how I feel she has become, though it may not have been the most correct term.

She's no Disney princess indeed. However, she has several times been shown as "the lady who needs to be saved" on several occasions and I think that is what undermines her character. That's not the Kitana I grew up to love.

Kitana (though I am partial about it).

While Kitana's character was very weakened in the few last games and she was turned into essentialy "damsel-in-distress" (no matter what others want to tell). She was a strong self-reliant warrior, but since MKSM she was transformed into rather weak character, who only have outward signs of being strong warrior, but ultimately closer to a more traditional princess archetype. It's quite sad, what had happened with her, but I hope that maybe someday she will return to her former glory. And receive good design in the next game, to the very least.

I don't see her winning over Sub-Zero, but I vote for her, just to support final female warrior in the poll. Sub-Zero will win this one without my help.


He clearly explained it. It is strange that you didn't get it.


It doesn't matter. Character changes are quite telling about direction in which developers want to take them, even if game is non-canon.

Besides, as history has proven, if character was changed in non-canon game, those changes will be used in the next canon entry. So there.

Kitana.

I didn't even hesitate with that vote despite actually having a lot of love for Sub-Zero's storyline in both timelines. I remember seeing that mysterious, sensual portrait of her in the MK2 select screen for the first time and thinking "that's my character of choice". The blue garbs, the bladed fans, her lethal kiss of death, the fact she's a 10,000 year old princess of a conquered realm who learns (one way or another) that her entire life has been a deception....there's just no words for her.

Fact is, Kitana has always had presence. Even in lackluster games like Shaolin Monks or MKvsDC, she carried herself with an air of intrigue. In terms of gameplay she's an absolute monster, and was one of the first characters in this game I picked up, played as and mastered. Even in this pole, she annihilated Rain (who's also one of my top 3 characters, in fact at the time I voted for him solely due to his progression in the last 2 games) and I actually applauded his loss for losing out to such a classic character.

There's absolutely no competition in my eyes. She'll always be an institute and powerhouse in this franchise and I'll always be a total Kitana supporter.

Still that doesn't make much sense. In MKII-MKDA she's a strong warrior. In MKD she was in the same position as most of the other heroes and then she died with everyone else in MKA. How many MK games have you played that I haven't where she's just getting snatched up?

One thing I am sick of however, is her forming Charlie's Angels in her endings. No one wants that lol.

Please don't call me iceball.

I'm surprised with the amount of people who voted for Kitanan, she's down by that much...

Hmm, let's see... 4 game portrayals: MKD, Shaolin Monks, MKvsDCU and the newest MK. As I said, in the later games. It has nothing to do wether the games are canon or not, it is more the way she is portrayed in those games which has become a part of her character. I just don't like it.

Not to steer the pot even more, but, I pretty much agree with what Jaded-Raven has been expressing about that whole argument thats going on.



Im not underestimating Kitana. She is a great character full of potential. That being said, her latest appearances have been an awful combination of bad, ugly, and horrible. Yeah, she did badly in those polls.

Kitana barely defeating Shao Kahn and Rain is pretty pretty bad. I'm sorry but the Kitana I knew up till MKDA would have easily whipped the floor with those two. People would have said that there was no contest and with good reason!

Shao Kahn is very popular but he's never come across as one to have a fan base bigger and as devoted than most of the well known "sacred cows" and that included Kitana. Shao Kahn is a huge favorite but not a major powerhouse when pitted against the likes of everyone's top 5.

Some people even made fun of Kitana not even being able to stand up against Rain! We all know why. And that's a low blow. And most of those comments talked about her as an overall character, as a whole, and did not not just focus on her fun gameplay in MK9. Gameplay aside, Kitana has been heavily ruined in the last 2 (very important) incarnations of the series (and that's not even counting MKSM because canon or not it counts for the canon characters portrayals). That is a major letdown because she is one of my faves and used to be one of the greatest. I have not forgotten she has great gameplay in MK9, because that's honestly the only thing she has going for her now....and the steel fans.

Finally, I find your examples of "Noob VS Sonya" and "Quan Chi VS Subby" invalid and understated as: 1) Noob is not only extremely popular, he also defeated Scorpion. If you are going to talk about the "great Quan Chi" and the "huge Rain fan base" certainly you can't ignore the fact that he defeated "the Scorpion" and that Sonya stood well against him and

2) Quan Chi loosing sooooo badly against Sub-Zero has nothing to do with "its Sub-Zero! thats why he lost" and we all know it. Its got to do with the fact that "Troll Chi" was screwed over and made into one of the most annoying/disliked characters in MK9. This we've heard and seen everywhere, so, its not like we can pretend its not true. I'm not saying its the reason, but, its definitely a major major factor in Quan Chi's lame results. He sucked. He was beloved by a majority before, but, now? Same as Kitana.

I don't mean to take a stab at Kitana because I certainly do think Kitana she's got potential. But the truth is that she's been heavily damaged to the point were saying she is "almost ruined" is not really an overstatement. All those retcons and absolutely lame portrayals of the "Princess" have a lot more cons than pros. And I say the same about one of my ultimate favorites, Mileena. What happened to her was disgusting and its even worse than Kitana simply because she was build up with so much greatness since MKD.

PS: Jade's gameplay might be low compared to Kitana's, but, at this point, she hard much more going on for her. Why do you think she defeated a major powerhouse like Mileena? I expect the same outcome if Jade faced Kitana, not because Kitana sucks as a whole, but, because she was ruined (or "almost ruined") as badly as Mileena (a huuuuge favorite of mine who I feel disgusted about in this game).



Been craaaazy busy with work, but, I stop by from never to never. This is the most I've posted in at least 5 months! lol.



Thanks! And its very nice to see you are still around. *hugs*



Awww, miss you too! I've just been incredibly busy with great great work, so, I no longer visit and post like I used to. Maybe soon. Hope you've been doing well. :)



Back at you, buddy! *hugshugshugs* We'll be back soon.



I hate it too, and what you say is true.

Is Jax a damsel in distress?

Going by this logic he'd have to be lol.

Sonya was captured in MKSM and MKD too, and Jax was captured in MKD and the most recent game as well. Again she's hardly captured more than anyone else.

I disagree. Shao Kahn is definitely one of the "sacred cows" He's always included in almost anything MK and we can barely have an MK game without him. He's probably one of the most iconic boss characters in fighting and probably some other genres of games as well. In fact as much as I love Kitana I would've bet money on her loosing to Kahn. I was totally in shock when she won.
As far as Rain goes, he apparently has some crazy Jade type love. Crazy in that they appear to be more popular than people think. There was some ridiculous want for him to be included in the game and some extreme disappointment when he was relegated to DLC.


Going by this and your previous logic Kitana would have already been out.

I think you're overestimating Mileena's popularity. She's NRS new favorite definitely and the fanboys love her and her barely there outfits even by MK standards but she's not universally loved by MK fans by any means.
Also clearly, people have underestimated Jade's popularity.

Although I will say that she has unquestionably become more princessy as time has gone on. Even in MKG and MKDA she's more diplomatic than hardened assassin.

Why does people keep comparing one character to the other? I was strictly talking about Kitana, not Sonya, not Jax, not anyone else.

If I say "The orange is rotten" then people say "But so is the apple, so you can't say that the orange is rotten" ... It makes no sense! It doesn't matter who else was kidnapped, killed, or whatever! It doesn't change Kitana's situation!

It's just like when people say "Scorpion is popular, but so is Sub-Zero, so you can't hate Scorpion without hating Sub-Zero" ... YES I CAN!

It changes the situation if you eat one and not the other. You said you view her as a weaker character because she needs to be rescued often. Yet you don't view any other character in the same situation differently. Hence my mentioning it.

What's your logic between Kitana being a weak character, a damsel in distress, some who needs to be rescued but not the others put in that exact same situation?

What is it about Kitana that makes you go "man she needs to be rescued again" and why don't you seem to notice it with other characters.
Its that bomb ass tiara isn't it