Cosplay Spotlight: Mortal Kombat Icons Across the Eras

Sonya knife

Lieutenant Sonya Blade made her debut in the original Mortal Kombat movie from 1992. Alongside Chun-Li from Street Fighter 2, she stood as one of the first playable heroines in fighting games, instantly captivating fans with her athletic presence. The absence of a second Mortal Kombat game initially frustrated enthusiasts, because the arcade era limited the roster and Sonya was set aside for new faces. Yet over time, Sonya’s character returned in every licensed installment, cementing her place in the franchise.

Across the years, Sonya’s appearance has evolved. Early installments dressed her in an aerobics-inspired outfit, while later chapters feature military-inspired attire reflecting a harsher timeline.

Cosplay from Tniwe:

Cosplay of Anna Shakhovskaya (photographer – Alena Mogan):

Cosplay of Soffka Maltseva:

Cosplay of Mirasol (Photographer – EVA):

Cosplay of Okani:

Cosplay from Tniwe:

Cosplay of Anna Shakhovskaya (Photographer – Alena Mogan):

Cosplay of Soffka Maltseva:

Scorpion

Sonya isn’t the only iconic figure who didn’t appear in every Mortal Kombat entry. For instance, Scorpion was absent from Mortal Kombat 3 but returned in the Ultimate Edition of that title. Scorpion’s true name is Hanzo Hasashi, a fighter from the Shirai Ryu clan who dies at the hands of Sub-Zero, then is reborn as a vengeful ghost in the afterlife and returns to confront the living. The rivalry between fire and ice characters remains a central thread as fans await the fate of their clash in the next Mortal Kombat installment.

Cosplay of Maul:

Cosplay of Sergey Zhadan (Photographer – Gabi):

Cosplay of Arkham Psy (photographer – miss Plague):

Cosplay by Earthwings77:

Cosplay of Jeezzai:

Cosplay compilations

Below zero

Sub-Zero has appeared in every licensed entry and many spin-offs, yet there are two fighters who share this name. The elder, Bi-Han, was slain by Scorpion and later reborn as the wraith Noob Saibot. The younger brother, Kuai Liang, pursues vengeance and is drawn into Shao Kahn’s schemes for a time.

Cosplay by Matt Hunter:

Cosplay of Mikhail Nazarov:

Cosplay by Kirill Podskrebkin (Photographer – 412ART):

Cosplay by Earthwings77:

Cosplay of Mellys Veron:

Kitana

If Sonya, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero debuted in Mortal Kombat I, Kitana arrived in the sequel. As the daughter of Sindel and Edenian royalty, she is adopted by Emperor Shao Kahn and grown into a formidable commander. Yet she was often portrayed as softer-spoken than the battlefield would demand. More on Kitana’s journey appears in a separate piece on the evolving Mortal Kombat timeline.

Cosplay of Anastasia Vvedenskaya (photographer – barabaka):

Cosplay by Yuan Herong:

Cosplay of Alena Sysueva (Photographer – Murzik):

Cosplay of April Fool (Photographer – Nerina):

Cosplay of Valeria Chimera:

Cosplay of Anastasia Zelenova:

Cosplay of Sofia Letyago:

Cosplay of Evgenia Rukavitsina:

Looking forward to Mortal Kombat 1?

Milina

When a replacement was deemed necessary for Kitana, Shao Kahn tasked Shang Tsung with crafting a more formidable, warlike clone. The wizard blended Edenian blood with Tarkatan ferocity, producing Milina, a striking fighter with a powerful presence and a feral edge. In the new timeline, Milina survives Shao Kahn’s rule but falls during a power struggle in Outworld.

Cosplay of Alena Polurotova:

Cosplay of Ksana Stankevich (Photographer – JustMoolti):

Cosplay of Lara Logvinenko:

Cosplay of Soffka Maltseva:

Cosplay of Alicia Marie:

Cosplay of Anastasia Vvedenskaya (Photographer – Yaguar):

jade

The early Mortal Kombat games thrived on mystery, with secret fighters entering the roster in various ways. Jade, originally a palette swap for Kitana, later gained a distinct backstory involving friendship with Kitana, covert orders from Shao Kahn, and interactions with the Earthrealm alliance.

Cosplay of Anya Ichios (photographer – Nikolai Zharov):

Cosplay of Kittilittl:

Cosplay of Karina Maryevskaya:

Cosplay of Alena Sysueva (Photographer – Murzik):

Cosplay of Valeria Chimera:

Cosplay of Speedy (Photographer – Yaguar):

Cosplay of Mi2ray (Photographer — Vesania):

Sindel

Sindel is Kitana’s mother and reigned as Queen of Edenia before Shao Kahn seized the realm. Bound by a forced marriage to the emperor, she later met a tragic fate that led to her death and a chilling resurrection by Quan Chi. In Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath, Sindel appears with a new depth, revealing layers beyond the initial portrayal. Among the classic faces, she entered the series in the third installment.

Cosplay of Anna Molevoy (Photographer – Aku):

Cosplay of Zhanna Rudakova (photographer – Makar Vinogradov):

Cosplay of Vavalika (photographer – Nikolai Zharov):

Cosplay of Alina Artemyeva (photographer – Yaguar):

Cosplay by Envy (photographer – miss Plague):

Cosplay of Anna Shakhovskaya (Photographer – Andrey Modey):

scarlet

In the 2011 reboot, Mortal Kombat introduced Scarlet, a brand-new fighter created from the blood of fallen soldiers. Her mission included shadowing Quan Chi and eliminating him if he opposed the emperor. Scarlet fights with blood magic, offering an arsenal of abilities distinct from other fighters.

Cosplay of Leya Radna (Photographer – Nikolai Zharov):

Cosplay from Shproton:

Cosplay of Speedy:

Cassie Cage

Both Mortal Kombat X and MK 11 introduced numerous newcomers, though cosplayers tend to gravitate toward the original trilogy’s icons. Cassie Cage stands out as Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage’s daughter, carrying her mother’s legacy while actively defending Earthrealm from external threats.

Cosplay of Irina Meyer:

Cosplay of Narga (Photographer – Aku):

Mortal Kombat group photo shoots

Beyond individual heroes, the group dynamics define the series. The latest selection highlights the raw power of clashes, brutal fatalities, and the enduring appeal of a brand that thrives on vivid, unapologetic action. Fans anticipate a return to that uncompromising energy in Mortal Kombat 1.

Scorpion (Arkham Psy) vs. Sub-Zero (Ilya Kondrashin), photographer — miss Plague:

Milina (Alena Polurotova) vs. Kitana (Evgenia Rukavitsina):

Jade (Anya Ichios) vs. Scorpion (Sergey Zhadan), Photographer – KIRA:

What is your favorite part of the Mortal Kombat series?

Did you enjoy the selection? Share your thoughts in the comments. You can also tell us what you expect from the next installment, and suggest other universes that deserve similar attention in future articles.

Source: VG Times