Kenshi Takahashi (高橋剣士) is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. A blind swordsman with the abilities of telekinetics and psychokinetics, he is the father of Takeda Takahashi and a major ally to the Special Forces.
Kenshi made his playable debut in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. Kenshi returned in Mortal Kombat (2011) as DLC as part of the Season Pass.
Kenshi returned in Mortal Kombat X as a playable character and a major supporting character in the game's Story Mode.
Kenshi is a rogue swordsman of Eurasian heritage who possesses psychokinetic powers and nurses a bitter hatred for the evil sorcerer named Shang Tsung, whose deceit had resulted in Kenshi's living. Since debuting in 2002's Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, he has persistently featured in the series storyline by freeing Ermac from Outworld emperor Shao Kahn's control, joining the Special Forces alongside Jax and Sonya Blade, and seeking to bring down Mavado and his Red Dragon faction, in addition to associating with the likes of Sub-Zero and Johnny Cage.
Kenshi was included in the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot as a downloadable character, appeared in the 2013 second season of the Mortal Kombat: Legacy web series, and was featured as a playable kombatant in the 2015 game Mortal Kombat X. In Mortal Kombat X, set 25 years after the events of Mortal Kombat (2011), Kenshi had fathered a son named Takeda with his wife Suchin and after she was murdered by Red Dragon assassins that were targeting Kenshi, he had a restored Hanzo Hasashi watch over and care for Takeda for most of Takeda's life, training him in the ways of the Shirai Ryu. After revealing the truth of his wife's demise to Takeda, Takeda was hesitant to return with his father but decided to trust him in finding and defeating those who murdered Takeda's mother while enhancing Takeda's psychokinetic powers even further.
A new version of Kenshi returns in Mortal Kombat 1 as a playable character, serving as a supporting character in the game's Story Mode. In the new era, the Taira clan were decimated in battle five centuries earlier and changed their name to Takahashi before joining the Bakuto, a predecessor for the Yakuza, for protection. Kenshi vows to free his family from the Yakuza's grasp by retrieving the clan's legendary sword, Sento, from Johnny Cage. After losing to Johnny in a fight, the two are recruited by Fire God Liu Kang as Earthrealm's defenders for the Mortal Kombat tournament alongside Raiden and Kung Lao. In the lab, Kenshi is blinded when protecting Johnny from Mileena, who also has Tarkat disease, before he and the other three are arrested. With help from his allies, they manage to escape and make their way back to Earthrealm. Along the way, Johnny gifts Kenshi Sento as payment for saving his life, and he manages to unleash its power by siphoning some of the souls within Ermac.
Ikran's theme song: If You Could Read My Mind (Stars on 54)
Mortal Kombat: Vengeance[]
Unlike in Deadly Alliance, Kenshi had his misfortunes early. He recently joined the Special Forces' subsidiary branch, the Outer World Investigation Agency, and became close friends with Jax and Cyrax. Before his arrival in Outworld, Kenshi noticed the Red Dragon were at large since the Black Dragon was wiped out. Hsu Hao joined the heroic group for years; however, his wife was slaughtered! He was then determined to hunt down Shang which resulted in his blindness; a man named Song led him to the burial ground of his ancestors, where the blade went awry as the spirits went haywire! They overwhelmed Kenshi and Shang took the opportunity to blind him! However, the blade guided Kenshi and allowed him to wield it. Since then, he asked another acquaintance to write the note in Thai, and he left it to Hanzo that he must look after the baby, Takeda, while he went on the pursuit of the sorcerer; he never wanted to leave Takeda in a Thailand daycare due to its primitiveness nor a Chinese one due to its militaristic ways. Luckily, Fujin delivered the baby to Hanzo personally, before the ninja made the choice to get rid of Quan Chi.
Kenshi finally met up with his allies at the Sarna Ruins! He spotted one of its ferocious twisters and noticed its funnel shrinking! Only to realize it was Kung Lao who decimated it from the funnel! He was falling from an enormous height, but luckily, he was saved by an invisible field, only to be Kenshi's telekinesis! He slowly descended his body, and Sonya, Jax and especially Johnny and Hanzo were thrilled to find him in Outworld! Sadly, he hasn't found the lost Cyrax yet, but he was desperate as he saw Sonya hold the missing arm console, and Jax stating he saw some sort of large bat carry him away! He was relieved they were on their way to the treacherous Hsu Hao and the Deadly Alliance, so he decided to tag along. By the time Aiko became entranced by distant drums, Kenshi warned they belonged to the Drum Arena and the Makeba tribe; she was unable to resist them, and Kenshi assisted on the brutal fight with Konga, and the assault onto the village! Only to hijack the rumored airship, the Dragonfly, to help escape the savage tribe with the dazed cardiokinetic.
He was relieved they found a faster method of transport and he encouraged Kung Lao to stay with the fair Aiko in order to help empower her defective mind and heart; Lao explained of her birth defects, in which the blind man shown pity. He remembered what it was like to have a family, before it was compromised. Aiko wished for Kenshi to help her resist her temptations with his psychokinesis and assured he will if the heroes would be successful on defeating the Red Dragons and the Deadly Alliance.
As his partners spotted Cyrax, Kenshi remained on deck. He stated his senses were sharpened upon his blindness, indicating the intense heat is volatile as it enveloped beneath his arm! Yet still, the Special Forces and the cryomancers insisted to find him. He stood by beside the idle ship, even when the team was ambushed by a couple of unsuspecting Outworld nomads. He was surprised Baraka came to their aid and was willing to stop the Deadly Alliance, even if his kind should work for them as their personal army! Despite the group's doubts, Kenshi read the Tarkatan's mind, and he was speaking the truth! He was more acceptable on having him tag along.
Kenshi still remained onboard although he brought up to Bo' of his discovery of the small, primitive Outworld village known as Sun Do. Bo' was impressed on all the knowledge he wielded as an OIA scout!
Kenshi was then revived by Nightwolf's conjuring of his ancestors' strength. He was able to sense a distress prisoner within Moloch's Lair who didn't have long to live... He read his mind since the Sun Do villager was too weak, as visions of the Soulnado came to him, a vicious storm conjured to empower the Deadly Alliance while the doomed inhabitants were building a Palace at that secretive location of that phenomenon. He was impressed that Hanzo and Baraka worked together to decimate the Onis, Moloch and Drahmin!
Although luck wasn't for long as Kenshi sensed the immense evil emanating from the Palace, even the hapless villagers. He tackled the team down as soon as he sensed Hsu Hao firing a laser from his artificial heart! Sonya made out Kabal's hook swords enhanced by the Red Dragons, and Jax and Johnny declared to put an end to them; however, as Sonya and Johnny were a couple, he offered to assist Jax while they stayed behind and dealt with the Tarkatan army. Kenshi was at a homefield disadvantage as both Red Dragons kept countering his unreachable psychokinesis! He was certainly at Mavado's mercy until Jax was finally able to best Hsu Hao! Thanks to his brute strength against Mavado's own brutality, Jax was able to slow him down just enough for Kenshi to catch him in his telekinetic field resulting in spewing his eyes out!
Kenshi stuck by Sonya, Jax and Johnny as they tried to brainstorm who should assist Kung Lao against the Deadly Alliance. It was officially decided by Liu Kang that the vengeful former monk shall team up with Nightwolf! Noticing the lethal commotion, despite his damaged ribcage, Kenshi made the fatal blow with his longsword onto Quan Chi's neck, assisting Nightwolf who was in deep peril! At first, he decided to brutally mangle Shang Tsung, until he was caught in awe of Lao's enragement! Kenshi was impressed on Lao's Brutality, shattering Shang's vessel in a F3! He and Nightwolf came to Lao's aide, escorting him into the Nethership. As Kuai was healing his deep wounds with ice, both men felt dismayed of Hanzo's tragic fate...
Moments later, Kenshi reunited with his lost son, Takeda, at the Shirai Ryu headquarters. He was unable to get his sight back, but as long as he had his psychic sword, with his ancestors at rest, and his kid alive and well, he was forever grateful...
The Return of the Dragon King[]
Kenshi in Return of the Dragon King
Next to Liu Kang's Tomb, Kenshi arrived via portal he created thanks to attaining a remote device owned by OIA. He, much like Aiko, sensed something is amiss in Outworld; she was relieved she never lost Kung Lao, as she lent a heart gem to him before he faced the Deadly Alliance, and she would've felt chest pain, or the gem would've gotten dark. Kenshi encouraged her to take the portal to Shang Tsung's Palace, which by the time they arrived, it was in shambles! Kenshi assured he didn't sense any loss of life, before they were ambushed by Ermac! Kenshi struck first with his telekinesis and empowered blade, until he was in a kinetic tug-of-war against Ermac's soul kinesis. The soul shifter had a strong, free hand to attack Aiko, causing her to have a delirium. Momentarily, she began to whistle to a lulling tune in which she recollected, and the melody attracted Ermac whom hesitated. As soon as Kenshi used his telepathy, he was able to wield his blade and sliced the chains which broke Kahn's thrall! They then restored Aiko's head from the impact, and she was shocked to know he was actually the lost ruler of Edenia, Jerrod!! He then offered to take Kenshi and Aiko to the Palace after receiving news of Onaga's resurrection!
By the time he, Kenshi and Aiko reached the Palace, the guardsmen blocked their entry. They complained on the Queen's disappearance and now dealing with more intruders... Jerrod, by speaking his normal voice despite the eerie getup, tried to assure them otherwise, and Kenshi proved he was correct by projecting Ermac's thoughts onto them. Eventually, they remembered the long-lost ruler, while Aiko was whistling the song she heard while zoning out. Recognizing the melody and reading Jerrod's thoughts they stated Sindel, Jade and half of the royal guard had left to find Onaga's remains. He remembered they'd be preserved in the Lost Tomb, and he grew suspicious. He then decided to take the pair there, but before he did, the guards gave Ermac a special stitching for his uniform, which was said to represent the yaz letter to symbolize him as a free man!
The trio arrived inside the pyramid, involved in a lethal scrimmage between Kitana warring against Jade and Sindel! Ermac struck first by holding then tossing Kitana using his soul kinesis! Kenshi amplified Aiko's mind as she recalled and whistled that same mysterious tune... That seemed to snap Kitana out of her thrall and reunited with her long-lost father! He interrupted the emotional reunion with the Edenians as the heroes must guard over the location of the last relic, Shinnok's Amulet; Liu recommended the Temple of Elements, though Kenshi warned he'd pass the intel telepathically as there can be a spy. Kenshi then opened the portal to Liu's Tomb which was said to be nearby.
The group arrived, though no one seemed certain where the Temple was. Liu suggested to talk to Hanzo or Kuai, though Kenshi was ecstatic his friend was still alive after the Soulnado incident! Hanzo explained he was revived by the Elder Gods, though he was unsuccessful on stopping Shujinko in the Nexus. He then was stranded in Outworld and caught up with Kung Lao, who've yet to recruit all the Champions; so far, they've yet to find the Edenian representative...till the signal went dead. Kenshi figured it'd be by the undead Special Forces, so he offered Aiko to use her heart gem. Since Lao had one too, Hanzo was receiving still. He heard Jerrod offer to impersonate the slain Champion by Kahn and he offered Liu to come along.
Thanks to Fujin, the group went to the Temple. Kenshi was irritated he wasn't sure how to deal with the revenant, Johnny, as the knights tossed him in the ditch. He held up the descending stone slab from crushing him and eventually went with Aiko as they sensed a disturbance from the Wu Shi Academy! It interfered with his mind as he noticed the sudden, tan-grey thundercloud overhead.
He and Aiko took the portal back and raced to the source of the bloating omnipresence. He then picked up numerous, sudden distresses coming from the fellow monks near the Temple of Light! Seeing the wrathful storm, Kenshi picked up Aiko's nerves as her astraphobia began to bother her. He assured he could block her sensitive nerves temporarily otherwise it may cause further neurological damage. Aiko was impressed how Kenshi learnt so much in the Special Forces while at the same time training his psychokinesis being blind! He did just that, numbing her receptors, and they proceeded to the overwhelming crowd! They soon beheld a terrifying sight, Liu Kang as his zombie self and being bound to chains! Kenshi urged Aiko to lead the monks to safety, before they encountered Raiden as his more corrupt self, enforcing the former Champion's vessel! Thanks to the lost secrets of the Houan he was able to possess his body and while Kenshi assumed it was Onaga's doing, he stated he was restored in Earthrealm after his sacrifice in Outworld! Kenshi was overmatched by the merciless God, before Fujin intervened! The remaining monks escorted the wounded swordsman to the Grotto assisted by Ermac! He remained there as he was recuperating by the sacred Jinsei while the storm raged above; he came to the conclusion this was nothing natural! Suddenly, the Grotto shook as a large explosion of lightning struck above! Moments later, Nightwolf then Raiden emerged and calmed everyone they're in good hands! The benevolent God even gave Kenshi, Kung Lao, and Fujin some hints of Jinsei and reminded the Champions they must finish the mission, while he'd warp Kenshi and Aiko back to the elemental temple, confirming that's where the last Kamidogu stood. The swordsman assured Aiko that Kung Lao shall be successful and be back in her loving arms.
Kenshi was one of the spectators watching thru Aiko's heart gem as Lao and the other Champions fought Onaga in the Nexus. By the time the King was overthrown, he and his cohorts were escorted to the Sky Temple. Kenshi eagerly waited for Liu and Lao's fate, even comforted Aiko as lightning began to flash during the spiritual cleansing. He also reunited with the healed Hanzo at the summit. Minutes later, the brother gods, Nightwolf, Lao and Liu were reunited with the team!
Final Kombat[]
Along with Hanzo, Kenshi was summoned by Raiden to meet him and his fellow warriors at the Dragon Grotto. He was even seen without his blindfold as his eyes were operated on for cerulean vision. He stated he and Hanzo raised Takeda well, and he was developing quickly. Kenshi shared with Raiden and Liu's angsts on Armageddon and Blaze, as their enemies may strike again from the Netherrealm, coaxing Raiden and a selective few to espionage.
Kenshi soon reunited with the team, and with Nightwolf wondering how long they'd been gone, since realms had different time flows, Kenshi stated it was only fifteen minutes much to their surprise. He also sensed tension between them, as if a storm was about to burst. That was when Caro spilt the beans to Taven that Daegon had become more corrupt as he was awakened prematurely, millennia before Taven, and killed their parents point blank after finding out the quest may be a setup. Still, Kenshi went with Nightwolf and Frederick as the former shown the scout the rounds, though he wanted to keep an earshot. He listened on the Gods' pep talk about the mysterious Oriental randomly showing up to help the heroes conveniently, and the cryptic message Raiden received, He must win. He was also surprised how Shinnok split into two, with his weaker original sending messages via Aiko's heart gems, even warning the heroes of what's to come; Nightwolf figured that version of him can manipulate antimatter, He assured the Special Forces and the Lin Kuei would join them soon, after preparations are made, and he was assured his partner, Hanzo, assisted Havik into the Chaosrealm.
Kenshi stalled as he sensed Aiko's mind, which seemed to be in a hypnotic trance. He knew this was her weakness, but...someone was transmitting a message thru her, that the warriors must not be deceived of the so-called prize after they would destroy Blaze. Taven's quest was a setup as was Daegon's and the only way to prevent Armageddon was the same cryptic words, He must win. Raiden became urgent over these words he heard in his visions. Aiko murmured, their hearts, one and together. The thrall wore off, and Raiden kept the strategy to himself. He knew from him that Armageddon was now imminent. He then decided to prepare to alert the Special Forces and soon spend his last minutes with Takeda and Hanzo before rendezvousing to the Edenian Palace. He soon came across a scrimmage against Hanzo and Bi-Han, seizing the tiring, repetitive feud between them. Even calling him out as Noob Saibot since Bi-Han was the original culprit of his and Hanzo's troublesome fate as he was always deceived by Quan. He transferred Hanzo's memories onto Bi-Han, even the data received by Sektor's data chip. He even noticed Bi stole some equipment from the Lin Kuei in order to hunt down Hanzo, even when he had no will to fight. He was outraged he's more cold-hearted and less honorable than his benevolent brother, so he fought him instead. He gave him the psychological treatment he has a lot to improve and not much time to redeem before Armageddon, before all of existence is lost..
He picked up Takeda's cries telepathically and led Hanzo straight thru the Shirai Ryu base. They met up with the baby in his crib and Kenshi was the first to tend him which made him stop crying. Kenshi realized he already mastered how to read minds as he sensed the tension outside. He figured Takeda already knew of Armageddon thus his discomfort. Hanzo decided to stay, surprising the warrior, while he should take up to arms with the Special Forces. Kenshi appreciated the offer and hoped Hanzo would uphold his legacy.
He had a lethal scrimmage against Quan Chi when they breached the Pyramid, and he was fatally wounded. Shang was about to worsen his wounds if not for Liu's quick actions; he would've perished if not for Aiko's heart gem sustaining his life while also being protected from Blaze's flames by Liu's fire cocoon and soon revitalized by Cetrion's healing rainfall. He moved Takeda's stroller telepathically, with the joyous child, as he and Hanzo discussed of his future. They decided to raise him together and prepare him for the OIA once he grew older. Several years later, they still became prominent fighters to this day!
Koherence[]
Kenshi received word from Raiden that he needed to give Aiko some personal training, involving her heart and mind in the technique of coherence; while the Thunder God, Nightwolf, Liu and Lao would visit the shaman's former land in the East Coast to attend his last born's ritual on receiving her Matokan name. Due to the intense, mind-altering struggles involving tribal customs, Raiden enlisted Kenshi as her safeguard as he was the one who saved her from the Makeba several months before, even Ermac. He soon met up with her at Jin's home, reiterating his training with her. While Jin's mom would prepare meals to enhance the heart, Kenshi was her anchor and advisor. He was also miffed on how she usually pronounced Takeda's name wrong
Kenshi tuning the keyboard with his telekinesis during the Koherence koncert
On the first day, he trained her solely. On the second day, Fujin greeted him personally and suggested for them to attend a meeting involving the Shaolin, on the crucial topics of how the Makeba's drums were omnipotent and that the White Lotus was dwindling and losing enlightenment due to their personal demons via meditation. He stated there's no worse demon than their own personal ones, even more evil than those in the Netherrealm. He planned on uniting the Shaolin's hearts while also safeguarding Aiko's. They soon made some exercises before he left. On the third day, he offered Aiko to climb the tallest Chinese monastery that was 30 feet up! He stuck by her side, even when she was exhausted or when she was about to surrender. He noticed she had achieved coherence as she slipped on a step, her mind was succumbing to a trance by the Matoka, she fought off the urge as her mind adapted to a song with the same tempo and her heart urged her to keep climbing! He noticed her body glow as her heart gave her a second wind! He escorted Aiko thru the rip he created at the top taking them inside the Edenian Palace. He addressed to Sindel and Jerrod they must restore hearts across the realms, and Jerrod volunteered to be the keytarist with Goro as the percussionist! He and Fujin recommended the Sky Temple for the performance.
Trivia[]
- He actually goes by the nickname of Keanu stated by Sonya, as in the action star, Keanu Reeves. Kenshi was actually inspired by Neo from The Matrix series, most notably Revolutions on account of his blindness.
- Vic Chao was chosen as an ideal voice actor for Ikran's MK fanfics.
- According to the MK1's site source code, Kenshi's purpose is revival, especially since he lost everything from the Yakuza's assaults.
- Kenshi'd be chosen as one of Ikran's Video Game Telekinetics.
Gallery[]
