Kung Jin is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by NetherRealm Studios. He debuted in Mortal Kombat X (2015) as a Shaolin archer and relative of fellow Shaolin Kung Lao who joins a new generation of heroes defending Earthrealm. Kung Jin wields a bow and arrow system for melee and projectile attacks.
The character is the first male LGBT fighter of the Mortal Kombat series and has received significant media attention and discussion about the representation of LGBT characters in the Mortal Kombat, as well as fighting games in general.
Concept and design
Kung Jin was introduced as a relative of Kung Lao in preview trailers and gameplay streams for Mortal Kombat X uploaded in March 2015. According to NetherRealm Studios, Kung Jin's default costume was inspired by Mongolian nomadic archers, with him wearing it as a symbol of his acceptance of his role as a hero. Johnny Yong Bosch is credited as the voice actor for Kung Jin in Mortal Kombat X. Lewis Tan played Kung Jin for the unreleased web series Mortal Kombat X: Generations.
Although not explicitly stated in Mortal Kombat X, Kung Jin was confirmed as the series' first gay character by NetherRealms Studios employee Dominic Cianciolo on social media. A notable example of in-game dialogue which alludes to his sexuality involve a conversation between him and Raiden, where the latter convinces him to continue the legacy of his kinsmen who were Shaolin monks. Kung Jin expresses his fear of the Shaolin not accepting him for who is, but Raiden responds by telling him, "They care only about what is in your heart. Not whom your heart desires." A potential dialogue exchange between Kung Jin and Tanya prior to their fight confirms his lack of interest in members of the opposite sex.
Appearances
In Mortal Kombat X, Kung Jin is introduced as a descendant of the legendary Earthrealm hero, the Great Kung Lao, and a cousin of Kung Lao, who is an undead revenant corrupted by the evil Elder God Shinnok during the game's events. As a member of the White Lotus Society, a faction co-founded by the Shaolin Order of Light and Raiden, the immortal protector of Earthrealm, he fights alongside Cassie Cage's military unit in order to repel the hostile forces of Outworld and the Netherrealm. According to the character's backstory, he moved with his family to the United States after Kung Lao's death where they live in poverty. He originally operated as a thief until Raiden convinced him to abandon his criminal activities and train with the Shaolin at their Wu Shi Academy.
Kung Jin appears as a playable character in Mortal Kombat Mobile, a tie-in mobile game for Mortal Kombat X. He appears Issue #12 of the tie-in comic to Mortal Kombat X of the same name, a prequel miniseries that is set before the in-game storyline.
Kung Jin does not appear for Mortal Kombat 11, though he is referenced in passing. He is established through retroactive continuity as Kung Lao's nephew.
Reception
Kung Jin's appearance in Mortal Kombat X received a mixed commentary from reviewers. Sam Machkovech said Kung Jin, whose staff could be turned into a bow for cross-screen arrow action, is a good example of a character who offers a playstyle that was never seen before in a Mortal Kombat game. Writing for Kotaku, Evan Narcisse was initially skeptical of Kung Jin's appeal as a playable character, but found himself drawn to the character's moveset, which involved quick strikes with options for keeping opponents at a distance as a play style. On the other hand, Chris Carter in his review of Mortal Kombat X for Destructoid was dismissive of the character, whom he described as a "wasted" roster slot. Gavin Jasper from Den of Geek ranked Kung Jin 52nd in their 2019 list of the series' playable characters, deeming his personality the "most boring" of Mortal Kombat Xs new characters.