More than 25 years after the character of Mileena was first introduced, “Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate” is now confirming that she is a lesbian character. Warning: Spoilers for the new game ahead!
Mortal Kombat, which first launched in 1992, is one of the most popular fighting games on the market and one of the first to include graphic blood and violence on-screen. But the game is much more than the gore it features; it’s also jam-packed with cool, well-rounded characters.
Mileena is no exception. She’s a genetic experiment clone of the Edenian princess Kitana mixed with demon-like race Tarkatan (all of this is lore specific to the game, so don’t worry if you’re a little lost). Mileena has been featured a number of times throughout the series as an antagonist since first being in “Mortal Kombat II,” and though her character died in a recent game, the new video game has her being given a new chance at life.
While Mileena was known for sticking to killing and winning, “MK 11” shows her aiming for something softer: love, acceptance, and family. She finds that in fellow Edenian warrior Tanya. This will come as no surprise to fans of the game, as the two characters had been quite flirty in their last game appearance together.
The major scene comes after Mileena beats the keepers of time, allowing her to rewrite history. She does so to make herself the perfect daughter to Emporer Shao Kahn and Queen Sindel — as well as to be able to have a family with Tanya. The scene isn’t necessarily cute, but it’s definitely Mortal Kombat-y. In a scene featuring the two lovers, Mileena cradles a baby in her arms and feeds it human flesh as Tanya looks on and embraces the pair.
Mileena isn’t the first queer character in the series; that title goes to ex-Shaoilin Monk Kung Jin, who was shown to be gay in “Mortal Kombat X” in 2015. However, Mileena’s story is the most obvious and in-depth queer story in the games so far.
“Mortal Kombat 11” is available now across devices.
