Jump to content

Baraka (Mortal Kombat)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baraka
Baraka in Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)
First appearanceMortal Kombat II (1993)
Created byEd Boon and John Tobias
Voiced by
List
Portrayed by
List
Motion captureRichard Divizio (MKII)

Baraka is a fictional character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise. He was introduced in the franchise's second game Mortal Kombat II (1993) as a playable character. Within the series' narrative, Baraka is portrayed as a mutant belonging to the Tarkatan species, a race recognized for its ferocity and distinctive physical traits. In the earlier installments of the series, the Tarkatans were depicted as a unique species. However, in the second reboot, Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), their origin is retconned: Tarkat is now presented as a contagious disease, and those afflicted are referred to as the "Tarkatans". As a result of being a Tarkatan, Baraka possesses sharp, spiked teeth and retractable blade-like claws that extend from his forearms, which he uses in combat. He originates from the fictional realm known as Outworld, one of the primary settings in the Mortal Kombat universe.

Character overview

[edit]

In the franchise's earlier lore, Baraka leads the army of Tarkatans, a race from Outworld that is characterized as half human and demon. Known for their aggression and loyalty to power, the Tarkatans are often used as soldiers under the command of villainous Shao Kahn. Their most distinctive feature is the large blades that extend from their arms, making them effective in combat. Baraka gains prominence by leading a Tarkatan assault on protagonist Liu Kang's monastery. Over time, Baraka frequently allies himself with powerful antagonists, though he is known to abandon them once they are defeated.[2]

In the second reboot, Mortal Kombat 1, Baraka's backstory has been reworked. After engaging in the highly infectious and incurable Tarkat epidemic, a reimagined origin for the Tarkatan race, Baraka was pressured to abandon his former life as a respected merchant. Banished to a colony inhabited by others afflicted with the same condition, he witnessed firsthand the despair and marginalization experienced by his fellow Tarkatans. This experience strengthened his determination, inspiring him to battle for a better future for his people.[3]

Appearances

[edit]

Video games

[edit]

Other media

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

According to Den of Geek's Gavin Jasper, in the early days of arcade fighting games, it was common for each game to include at least one "freak" character, to which he referenced Baraka. Jasper stated that Baraka's monstrous appearance, often compared to a mix of Nosferatu and a comic book experiment, made him suitable for the darker, more intense atmosphere that was required for Mortal Kombat II (1993). His design, especially his signature arm blades resembling Wolverine claws, stood out in the early years of the series. However, Jasper argued that as the franchise grew and filled with even more strange characters, Baraka's specialty began to disappear. He was often pushed to the background and overshadowed by other characters, particularly Mileena, eventually becoming a minor villain. Conversely, Jasper was glad of the character development Baraka received in Mortal Kombat 11 (2019), seeing him being represented as a passionate leader of the Tarkatan people.[4]

Matías Alderete of the University of Buenos Aires's Department of History has drawn parallels between the Tarkatans, a group led by Baraka, and the historical nomadic societies of Western Asia. These real-world groups frequently migrated in response to seasonal climatic variations, particularly shifts in rainfall, and developed symbiotic relationships with sedentary agricultural communities. Archaeological and archival records, notably those from the ancient city of Mari in northern Iraq, document how such nomadic tribes provided labor, trade goods, and military support in exchange for access to pastures and other essential resources. This structured form of migration and cooperation, referred to as circumscribed nomadism, is reflected in the depiction of the Tarkatans within the series.[5] Leonardo Dallacqua de Carvalho, a professor at the State University of Maranhão, explores the concept of Tarkat concerning the real-life disease leprosy and offers a comprehensive analysis of Baraka's character development throughout the Mortal Kombat series. Furthermore, Carvalho examines player perceptions regarding Baraka and the Tarkat disease by analyzing data collected from social media platforms, comprised of Reddit and YouTube critics.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Baraka Voices (Mortal Kombat)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  2. ^ Bobinator (May 24, 2016) [March 2013]. "Mortal Kombat". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved June 2, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ Parijat, Shubhankar (July 23, 2023). "Mortal Kombat 1 Reveals New Story Details on Li Mei and Baraka". GamingBolt. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  4. ^ Jasper, Gavin (July 30, 2019). "Mortal Kombat Characters Ranked". Den of Geek. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  5. ^ Alderete, Matías (2016). "El oriente, femmes fatales y militarismo en Mortal Kombat: Género e ideología en el Outworld". Luthor (in Spanish) (28): 45. ISSN 1853-3272. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  6. ^ de Carvalho, Leonardo Dallacqua (2024). "A lepra e a tarkat: uma representação da doença e do doente no jogo eletrônico Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)". Locus: Revista de História (in Portuguese). 30 (1): 44–49, 54–58. doi:10.34019/2594-8296.2024.v30.42957. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Baraka_(Mortal_Kombat)&oldid=1294403085"