When Mortal Kombat debuted as an arcade cabinet, its biggest draw was its unique fatalities. As players completed button inputs, they were able to gruesomely end their opponents in ways that have stuck with the franchise with each new installment. It's undeniable that the series started as a straightforward, perhaps even immature, fighting game that focused on spectacle and action above story and lore. But that didn't last long.
As the years progressed and the franchise became more story-focused, Mortal Kombat began to mature. The games were able to take on more complex storylines that revolved around themes of trust, betrayal and even time travel. Today, the franchise is not only one of the biggest names among fighting games, but it's also gained enough traction to return to the big screen. Mortal Kombat's growth is impressive, and that transformation even mirrors how one of the game's most iconic characters, Johnny Cage, has grown.
When Johnny was introduced in the original Mortal Kombat, he was nothing more than a guy in gym shorts who kicked high. But as his story took form over the many installments, it became clear that Johnny could be more than just comic relief. Cage was an action movie star who cared more about his looks and his work than he did about saving the world from the enemies that came from the Netherrealm.
As Johnny's story continued, he developed an attraction to fellow series original Sonya Blade, who was far more serious and driven by duty than he was. The two would butt heads as he constantly tried to hit on her and failed. Eventually, though, Johnny matured into an admirable friend and an even more capable fighter. As it became evident the war that the heroes of Earthrealm were fighting would last a lot longer than a tournament, Johnny chose to stay on and help his friends.
Johnny Cage's desire to be better even led to a relationship with Sonya. The two married and had a daughter, Cassie. While the idea of Johnny being a decent father would be unthinkable to anyone who only knew him from his earlier appearances, Cassie's introduction in Mortal Kombat X showed that she inherited her mother's sense of duty and her father's sarcasm and cleverness. It's clear that Johnny was an active and positive presence in Cassie's life, and she likely would not have been able to defeat the game's main antagonist Shinnok and save Earthrealm if not for her parents.
While Johnny Cage is by no means a perfect character, his arc is incredibly heartwarming. By going from arrogant and uninterested protagonist to one of Mortal Kombat's best leaders, Johnny proves that it's never too late for an immature or self-interested person to grow up and take on responsibilities that go beyond the self. This makes him the series' true hero.
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