If it weren’t for the bamboo hat, I wouldn’t have guessed that THIS guy was Raiden when I saw him in the first Mortal Kombat 1 trailer! I was expecting…well, an old guy with a bamboo hat.

But not only has Raiden been reborn in this new timeline as a pretty good looking human, he has his own assortment of skins like his fellow MK1 kombatants. Don’t worry, in each of his skins, Raiden keeps his hat!

#1: Madam Bo’s Favorite

Well, between Raiden and Kung Lao…Madam Bo made a wise choice

Madam Bo’s Favorite in action:

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Madam Bo is probably the best non-playable character in Mortal Kombat 1, so in honor of this crazy lady, we’ll start our list off with Madam Bo’s Favorite. This is an uncommon New Era skin for Raiden with a palette of blue and gold. To unlock Madam Bo’s Favorite, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

In MK1’s story mode, we learn that Madam Bo was assigned to look after Raiden and Kung Lao since they were boys, so she could train them to one day fight in the Mortal Kombat tournament. To be honest, I think Madam Bo is supposed to be Bo’ Rai Cho in the new timeline, but even if she’s not, I love her character! She reminds me a lot of my own grandma, whom I love dearly, as the two share a smart mouth and a bad habit of smoking.

#2: Spirit of Fengjian

You mess with Fengjian, you mess with Raiden

Spirit of Fengjian in action:

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And along with Madam Bo, of course we have to mention Fengjian, so here we have Spirit of Fengjian. Spirit of Fengjian is an epic New Era skin that has a palette containing colors such as blue and red. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain Spirit of Fengjian as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store. 

Fengjian is the name of the village that is home to Raiden, Kung Lao, and Madam Bo. In fact, one of the arenas in Mortal Kombat 1 is the Fengjian Teahouse, which belongs to Madam Bo. Speaking of the teahouse, I do wonder what’s in Madam Bo’s special tea…

#3: Fervent Acolyte

Liu Kang’s been a bad influence on you, Raiden

Fervent Acolyte in action:

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No matter what timeline he’s in, Raiden will somehow get caught up in some godly affairs and Fervent Acolyte is a reminder of that. This common New Era skin’s palette contains colors such as red and gold. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain Fervent Acolyte as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store. 

An acolyte is someone who assists in certain services with the most common acolytes being involved in religious matters. Raiden is a loyal follower of Liu Kang and will do what he can to protect Earthrealm from any threats with the fire god’s guidance. But as seen in his MK1 ending, Raiden does resent Liu Kang for robbing him of his godhood and he now trains under Scorpion to harness the power of rage.

#4: Lightning Storm

Whenever you see a storm for now on, just know someone made Raiden mad

Lightning Storm in action:

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Come on, this wouldn’t be a MK1 Raiden skins list without a skin called Lightning Storm! This skin is, of course, a legendary skin and it has a palette of silver and gold. To unlock Lightning Storm, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

Lightning Storm, I believe, is just simply a nod to Raiden’s powers. He was once the god of thunder, but now Raiden gains lightning powers through the use of a special amulet given to him by Liu Kang. Although, after what happened in Mortal Kombat 9, you would think an amulet would only serve as a reminder to Liu Kang of what happened during that time.

#5: Growing Tempest

Magical Girl Site anyone?

Growing Tempest in action:

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Here we have the first of Raiden’s Union of Light skins on the list, Growing Tempest. Growing Tempest has a palette of blue and white. To unlock Growing Tempest, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

A tempest is a violent, windy storm, and for it to be a “growing tempest”, that makes it even more dangerous. Raiden is a really calm person most of the time much like his teacher Liu Kang. But as we have seen with Dark Raiden in the past, you do not want to get on this guy’s bad side!

#6: Fujin’s Brother

Speaking of Fujin, WHERE IS HE!?

Fujin’s Brother in action:

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This uncommon Union of Light skin is called Fujin’s Brother. Fujin’s Brother has a palette containing colors like mint and white. To unlock Fujin’s Brother, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

Fujin is the god of wind who first debuted in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero as one of the bosses. It wasn’t until later that Fujin was revealed as Raiden’s younger brother and they even fought at one point because Raiden feared Fujin would become too close with mortals. Now in the new timeline, Raiden is a human and apparently he has a sister, so either Fujin is gender bent or Raiden’s sister is a whole new character.

#7: Touched by the Elder Gods

No more consulting with the Elder Gods for Raiden!

Touched by the Elder Gods in action:

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Touched by the Elder Gods is truly an epic skin for Raiden! This skin has a palette containing colors such as red and brown. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain Touched by the Elder Gods as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store. 

In another timeline, Raiden was promoted to the status of Elder God and he gave his position as Earthrealm’s protector to his brother Fujin. Despite Liu Kang making Raiden mortal, I’m sure Raiden still has some of that godly power within him. After all, Liu Kang himself has said that he doesn’t have complete control over everything that happens in the new timeline, so Raiden using his powers in the future without the amulet isn’t that far-fetched.

#8: Liu Kang’s Pupil

Oh Raiden, how the tables have turned

Liu Kang’s Pupil in action:

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Here we have a rare Union of Light skin, Liu Kang’s Pupil. This rare skin’s palette contains the colors green, black, and gold. To unlock Liu Kang’s Pupil, you have to level up your Character Mastery.

I think the title of this skin speaks for itself. The color green symbolizes new beginnings and growth, which are both things Raiden experiences after meeting Liu Kang. Raiden’s new life as a Champion of Light and his growth as a warrior, to be precise.

#9: Heated Exchange

Okay, who would dare get in an argument with this cinnamon bun!?

Heated Exchange in action:

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Heated Exchange is a common Union of Light skin for Raiden. The skin’s palette contains colors such as yellow and black. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain Heated Exchange as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store. 

The colors of this skin made me think about Scorpion almost immediately. And the title of the skin is interesting too, because I’m sure it hints at a future conflict involving Raiden and Liu Kang. With Scorpion teaching Raiden how to turn his rage into power, Liu Kang is probably going to have words with the Shirai Ryu as well.

#10: Smoldering Embers

Liu Kang, IT’S NOT A PHASE!

Smoldering Embers in action:

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It’s so weird seeing fire themed skins for a character whose powers revolve around lightning, but you have to admit, Smoldering Embers does look cool! This is another common Union of Light and it has a palette with colors like red and orange. There are no specific requirements needed to obtain Smoldering Embers as you can get it from the Shrine or purchase it from the store. 

A smoldering ember is a glowing fragment of a fire that is slowly burning. I think the embers are supposed to represent the anger that is slowly building up within Raiden towards Liu Kang. As I mentioned before, I’m sure Raiden is going to snap at some point and Liu Kang is going to feel the full force of his pupil’s rage. 

Old Raiden, young Raiden, god Raiden, human Raiden. No matter the age or his status, Raiden is and will always be an awesome character in Mortal Kombat. The skins I listed above are, in my opinion, fragments of the former god’s past and glimpses into his future. Of course, there are an infinite amount of timelines and who knows in which direction the current MK timeline is heading. In fact, did you know there’s a timeline where you go and play Mortal Kombat 1 to get all of Raiden’s skins? I know, crazy right!?

You may also be interested in:

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