Origin
Baraka was first introduced in the comics as a “Brawn over brains” type of character that speaks in pidgin english, his one line in the Mortal Kombat II book was “Baraka show Cage pain!”. In the video games he is commonly depicted as a more intelligent creature that is also an effective leader he is also very arrogant and vicious.
As a Tarkatan he is a crossbread of demons from the Netherealms and Outworld Denizens, like the rest of his kind he has retractable blades protruding from his forearms and is likely to be found roaming the wastelands of Outland while following a powerful leader who can lead his race to victory.
Storyline
Baraka was recruited by the Emperor of Outworld Shao Khan, to lead an assault on the Shaolin Temple of Light in Earthrealm which killed many monks in the process. This enraged Liu Kang and Kung Lao who traveled to Outworld to defeat Khan. After Shao Khan’s defeat, Baraka was sent away to the lowerlands of Outworld. He would then leave Outworld and travel alone.
Sometime later, while wandering through Edenia, he would encounter the sorcerer Quan Chi who offered him to rule the realms at his side if he joins Shinnok‘s army. Eager for battle, he acceptes.
After Shinnok’s defeat, Baraka and his tarkatan hord found thereselves again leaderless, until the former ruler of Outworld Onaga returned and sought to rule the realm. Baraka, having faith in the Dragon King‘s strength, saw him as his new master, and led his takatan hord in battle against the forces of Light and anyone who resisted his rule. Baraka would free his old ally Mileena and recruit her to Onaga’s ranks. She posed as her sister Princess Kitana, using her position to misdirect the Edenian forces into combat against the Tarkatan raiding parties well away from Onaga. This was intended to give the Dragon King the time he needed to complete his schemes. However she gave command of Kitana’s army to Bo’ Rai Cho. His forces have defeated many Tarkatans and Bo’Rai Chi himself defeated Baraka, which angered him. Although Mileena agreed to meet him in the Beetle Lair, Baraka, knowing she would ambush him, decided to send another Tarkatan in his place. As Baraka predicted, Mileena had ambushed and killed the tarkatan. While making her way back from the Beetle lair, she was ambushed by a vengeful Baraka.
During the Armageddon Arc, if Baraka defeats Blaze, he acquires ultimate power, and decides to never serve anyone again and to rule the Realms. He confronts his old masters Onaga and Shao Khan and threaten them to bow before him or die. They reply by attacking him but this proves as unsucessful, as he stabs them both in their heart with his blades which have grown to twice their natural size. He offers Mileena to be his Queen. She presumably acceptes.
Characteristics
- Height: 6’5″
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Nationality: Outworlder
- Martial Art: Silat, Hung Gar
Special Moves
Flying Shard – Baraka launches a spike to the opponent.
Head Swipe – Baraka swipes the opponent quick and hard at the head.
Blade Spin – Baraka would spin around like a top toy and making his blades grow longer he hurts the opponent.
Blade Fury/Chop Chop – Blades Baraka continually swipes the opponent vertically.
Mutant Blades – Baraka charges at the opponent with both blades pointing towards to strike the opponent.
Fatalities
Decapitation – Baraka decapitates the opponent with one swing to the head with his blade.
Blade Lift – Baraka stabs the opponent in the stomach with both blades and lifts the rival up, The opponent screams before dying and finally Baraka goes mad and slices te opponent into pieces.
Other Media
Video Games
- Mortal Kombat II
- Ultimate Mortal Kombat
- Mortal Kombat Trilogy
- Mortal Kombat Gold
- Mortal Kombat: Deception
- Mortal Kombat: Unchained
- Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
- Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
- Mortal Kombat 2011
- Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe
- Mortal Kombat XL