Hi! I am Kermit the writer! I'm currently a college student working on my career as a digital artist. The purpose of this blog is to make lovely fics for others in need! I go by they/them, and I'm pansexual. My ask are OPEN and I WILL be taking request as well! If you want more info of what I write, look at the main master list pinned on the very top of the blog! MY OFFICIAL WEBSITE https://kermit-writes.carrd.co/ MY OFFICAL KO-FI: https://ko-fi.com/kermitwriteslol
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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I wish all Black girls a clear shot at this world. I wish all Black girls a full belly. I wish all Black girls a respite from their many troubles. I wish all Black girls nothing but grace, prosperity, and ease. Black girls I am hoping for your continued safety and success every single day.
Hey guys! Sorry I haven’t been present all the time, college is beating my ass 💀 But I made this short story for a writing assignment and decided to share it with you guys. I will say this story does contain heavy topics involving children. So please read with caution. Hope you guys enjoy!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Heya besties, I’m back again with another meta post! Since I’m noticing that this topic is kinda becoming relevant again, I’m gonna talk about it!
Major spoiler warning for aa3
CW: Ableism, death, death penalty
I’ve seen too many people say that Godot should just be dead after aa3 because he only had Mia so he might as well die with her. Not only that, but he has so many health issues that he would be better off dead since it’s not worth living that kind of life.
If you genuinely think like that, do you have any idea how ableist that is?
Like sure, Godot would have those kinds of thoughts about himself, but straight up saying that him being dead is the best kind of “happy” ending for him is a very disgusting mindset to have. It tells me that you don’t think disabled people should even bother living their lives every day because their lifestyle is just too depressing for you; that it’s impossible for disabled people to do well for themselves and be happy — so it’s better for them to die instead. This devaluation of disabled life is at the core of ableism.
For Godot, after the end of aa3 you really don’t think he’s able to get help from Phoenix or Maya or anybody else? This is the point where he’s finally able to let go of the past and move on, because he finally put his trust in Phoenix; someone who is more than willing to help a man in his position. I’m sure Godot, or rather Diego, still hates himself more than anything, but that doesn’t mean he can’t try to get help. He’s finally on good terms with Phoenix, so at this point I’m sure he’s willing to talk to him about his issues; especially considering he sees Mia’s spirit in him. If he’s wanting advice from anyone, it’s Mia’s spiritual successor. Like yeah, Diego is in prison, but he can still get visitors. There’s even an animal therapy program there too.
With Phoenix’s help, he’ll be able to make friends with not only Maya, but Pearl, Gumshoe, Edgeworth etc. That friendship circle can keep expanding and that means he’ll find more reasons to live and be able to get more help. It’s really not that hard to imagine that he’ll get better after the events of aa3, even if he does have a lot of health issues and disabilities. Diego does have medication that allows him to live to a ripe old age, as he’s said so himself. As long as he keeps taking his meds, he’ll be fine. Plus things get more advanced in the future, so I’m sure he’ll end up getting better support too. Perhaps Athena can be his therapist when he eventually finishes his prison sentence. Given his circumstances, he would definitely be given a lighter sentence since it’s clearly manslaughter, not murder. (And don’t even give me that “he got executed” bs.)
And why would it be better for Diego to reunite with Mia in Heaven? If that’s what you want to happen, then you’re not allowing Diego to fully move on. You’re making him regress that way. The whole point of his character arc is that he realised that he was too scared to accept Mia’s death, and the ending showed that he finally accepted it. Why then, would it not be better for him to move on without her? If anything, he would prefer to keep her memory alive but not let his fears get in the way anymore. Diego moving on from Mia’s death is a crucial step for him to grow and heal. It makes a whole lot more sense than “Bro got executed! He’s got too many health problems to live long after all that! There’s no way he’ll last long with that big wound on his face! He’s got nothing else to live for now!”
I’d love to see this beautiful blind comatose survivor do well for himself, so let’s stop being negative about it simply because he’s disabled, okay? There’s so much potential with a character like him, exploring the life of a disabled person and all the struggles we go through. It would have such a positive impact if done right.
PS: I am also so sick of being labelled as the “delulu” one just because I believe he gets to live life after aa3. I’ve gone over the whole death penalty thing before, but how can you possibly believe someone who committed manslaughter will be given the death penalty? Like just because it exists, doesn’t mean every killer gets it. It’s one of the dumbest misconceptions in the entire fandom, and it needs to be dropped ASAP. 😭
Here’s my death penalty meta post if you’re interested: https://www.tumblr.com/bagelbun333/754725218437709824/the-death-penalty-in-ace-attorney-the-fandoms
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
Your Favorite Character is Objectively Flawed (and That’s Okay)
❥ GENRE: EXPLORATORY ESSAY
❥ COMMISSIONED OR SELF MADE: SELF MADE
❥ W/C: 1,387 (W/O SOURCES)
ঞ SUMMARY: Fans can often misread or even defend character flaws based on personal bias. Rather than viewing characters in the storyline, we find ourselves projecting our own perception of them. There isn't anything wrong with that (obviously), but is there a limit to such perception?
ᰔ KERMIT'S NOTE: Hey guys! Sorry I'm not as active as much anymore. Personal life has been really draining me, and I have to leave for college soon. 😭😭 Lately, I’ve been in a mood to write another exploratory essay cause why not? If you like them, feel free to ask for more! Thanks for reading!
ʚ WARNINGS: Spoilers from mentioned media.
Being in certain fanbases is like gambling: You pray to get content you enjoy, but then you get something... not so great. And that is fine! Fans are allowed to create content they want. However, no matter the fandom, there is one common trait that they share, and that is defending flawed characters. Now, there is nothing wrong with defending flawed characters. But how come we feel the need to defend them anyway? You could argue that you like the character, but it’s way more than just that reason. In Relatability, Realism, and the Importance of Flawed Characters, Joshua Laine explained that “as readers, we often gravitate towards characters who exhibit those same flaws we struggle to correct” (Laine, 2022). In fact, we’ll go as far as to “form stronger bonds with characters who conquer adversity [despite] their flaws” (Laine, 2022). But what happens when that bond becomes too strong, we forget why that character is flawed in the first place? A fanbase’s response to a flawed character often reveals more about our own values rather than the characters themselves, highlighting the complex relationship between fiction and reality.
Every character in fiction has a flaw. Some are small enough to blend into other traits, and some are so large that the audience’s opinion of the character might vary because of it. Some characters might utilize their flaws to achieve their complex goals or cope with their past. Those characters are considered morally grey. According to Morally Gray by Katie Davis, a morally grey character (MGC for short) is “a character that is neither good nor bad” (Davis, 2023). They follow their own ambitions and often use them as a frontier to hide their weaknesses. Some examples of MGCs I have include Guts, Godot, and Kotal Kahn.
Guts (Berserk): Because of his brutal environment and severe psychological trauma, Guts became extremely violent and brash, constantly pushing away any concepts of relationships in fear of betrayal and deception. However, Guts gradually learns how to trust others over time. By allowing himself to form bonds other than Casca (who was mentally regressed at the time), Guts slowly strays away from his internal struggles to focus on what really matters to him: The people he truly cares for.
Godot (Ace Attorney): Despite being deemed a tragic character in the Ace Attorney fandom, Godot is the definition of a morally realistic character. After losing his partner, Mia Fey, Godot’s grief and insecurity cause him to lash out at others, specifically Phoenix Wright, who was trained under Mia. By the end of Trials and Tribulations, Godot takes responsibility by confessing to the murder of Misty Fey. Overall, Godot is a multifaceted antagonist who makes mistakes, just like every other character in Ace Attorney.
Kotal Kahn (Mortal Kombat): Hate him or love him, he is an interesting character, to say the least. Despite being an antagonist, he is one of the “tamest” rulers of Outworld. Throughout his time in Mortal Kombat, he has shown himself to care for his empire and rarely displays any arrogance and malice (I think the only time he has shown genuine animosity was in his dialogue when he interacts with the Earthrealmers and Tarkatans). However, he does not stray away from harsh and even inhumane treatment of Outworld Inhabitants like previous leaders. However, he would eventually mend these wounds and restore the Tarkatans and Shokans, uniting more of Outworld together.
These three characters are considered morally grey because they follow their own sense of rules and justice. However, when they realize they only act this way because of their internalized conflicts, they take responsibility and correct their mistakes, making them redeemed characters. But what if a character is considered irredeemable? What then?
An irredeemable character is a character who is not willing to redeem themselves. In What Exactly is “Irredeemable," Anyway? - Rejecting Actions Disqualify Characters from Redemption, Bridget Jandovitz argues that “what ‘decides’ if a character is redeemable is the character themself, not the evilness of their past actions,” meaning the only way for a character to be redeemable is when they are willing to be one (Jandovitz, 2024). Ultimately, it is up to the author to tell that story satisfyingly. Now, there are numerous examples of irredeemable characters, some famous ones being the Joker, Dio Brando, Shou Tucker, and Johan Liebert. However, one irredeemable character I had in mind is Bi-Han (Sub-Zero) from Mortal Kombat.
HEAR ME OUT. HEAR ME OUT, GUYS. I am aware that Bi-Han (for the most part) is a grey character. Other than his conflicts with the Shirai Ryu, he sticks with his goal of becoming a successful grandmaster within the Lin Kuei. Moreover, I am also aware that the Shirai Ryu massacre was not his fault and was coordinated by Quan Chi, leading him to be wrongfully killed by Scorpion. However, before all of that, Bi-Han was already a cold-hearted assassin who vowed to increase the power of the Lin Kuei by any means necessary. By the end of the original Mortal Kombat Tournament, Bi-Han's transformation into Noob Saibot had only fueled the evil within his soul, stripping him of pride, compassion, and everything else that made him human. He quite literally becomes the incarnation of evil, even going as far as planning to take over NetherRealm.
In Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), Bi-Han betrays Titan God Liu Kang and works alongside Shang Tsung in promises that the Lin Kuei will become more powerful. He becomes so corrupt, he chases out his brothers, Kuai Liang and Tomas, from the clan. In the DLC: Khaos Reigns, Bi-Han's lust for power and chaos intensifies after being killed and turned into Noob Saibot by Titan Havik. In his ending, he has awoken from his comatose state and plans to bring an anarchist utopia to all timelines. Throughout his entire character arc, Bi-Han is driven by ambition, lust for power, and a commitment to the dark forces.
Now, where does the fanbase align with all of this? Well, many Mortal Kombat fans argued that Bi-Han could have been redeemed since his humanity was wrongfully stripped away from him. While that is true, Bi-Han was shown to be ruthless and savage even before he became Noob Saibot. Repeatedly, he shows no remorse for what he has done, and it is unlikely that he will change unless he is threatened by an opposing party (but then he will go back to his own way). Unless Bi-Han is written to feel regretful and act for what he has done, a redemption arc would do more harm to his character rather than good.
A character must go through a redemption arc if they wish to make amends. But what is even a redemption arc? Well, a redemption arc is a story arc where an immoral character is redeemed and makes right for their wrongdoings (or where the audience perceives them as doing so). It forces the character to grow from their mistakes and move forward. Some examples of good redemption arcs include sacrificing one’s life for others, selflessly saving someone else from danger, and sacrificing an opportunity so that another character can seize it.
For redemption arcs to work, the author must consider what ways the character is represented in the story as well as the setting presented. They cannot just shoehorn a redemption arc because the audience will know. It is why redemption arcs are executed poorly if the characters’ morals/actions are considered irredeemable by the plot. Ultimately, redemption arcs are character development. You cannot rid an immoral character of all their wrongdoings just because they apologized and hugged it out. Redemption is only written well if a character is willing to change for themselves and not for the sake of others’ approval.
I want to make it clear that there is nothing wrong with liking/disliking flawed characters. In fact, the characters I mentioned above are some of my favorites (except Bi-Han, I hate that kid). Regardless, it is important to take a step back and ask what truly makes a character flawed. Writing/developing characters is not as simple as people like to say it is. Which is why showing empathy is the most useful method to understand a character. And who knows? Maybe a character is better flawed.
ঞ SUMMARY: The world is changing, and so is our perception of media. So why are we against these changes? What if everything remained the same from the beginning?
ᰔ KERMIT'S NOTE: I haven't made an exploratory essay since 2022. Mostly because I was afraid of what people might perceive me as. But for a while, I gathered the confidence to start writing more essays based on my personal views. Maybe that will help my writing skills. If you wish for more content like this, feel free to ask! Thanks for reading!
ʚ TAG LIST: @fsfghgee @laismoura-art @loiola00 Thank you for giving me the courage to write again 🫶
ʚ WARNING: Spoilers (maybe???) Racism, Misogyny/Misogynoir, and other graphic content.
Before I start, I just want to say that I only know Mortal Kombat through NetherRealm Studios, so I will be referring to them more than Midway. Now, I’ve only been a fan of Mortal Kombat for two years. I first started getting into it when my friend showed me a video of the Mortal Kombat 9 gameplay in 2022. Since then, I’ve been consuming so much of the MK media. From video games, to animations, to fanfiction, you name it! However, as I delved deeper into the Mortal Kombat rabbit hole, I noticed that there is a strong “bias” within the fandom. Now don’t get me wrong, there isn’t anything bad about having biases. In fact, some biases can improve problem solving skills by identifying different patterns and thinking accordingly to solve the problem. But since I’m talking about Mortal Kombat here, there won’t be as much problem solving. When it comes to NetherRealm Studio's interpretation of Mortal Kombat, fans and critics are quick to have some sort of cognitive bias.
So why specifically cognitive bias? What even is a cognitive bias? Well, cognitive bias is a systematic thought process caused by the tendency to simplify (or fully reject) information through a filter of personal experience and preferences. But if cognitive bias helps with problem solving, how can it be harmful? In most cases, cognitive bias can contribute to poor and unfair judgment, especially when that judgment can affect the way we consume media. From my experience in Mortal Kombat, fans have the most bias between different characterizations; whether that’d be race, gender, or sexuality, plot, and even the companies itself.
Race/Ethnicity: Black female characters such as Jacqui Briggs, Tanya, Cyrax (MK1) are more prominent to be discriminated against based on their appearance, motives, and depiction throughout the MK series. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a Mortal Kombat problem. In fact, black women in different media are heavily underrepresented and often looked down upon. In the scholar work “Art Imitates Life: The Representation (Or Lack Thereof) of Black Women in Video Games” by Bug Gadson, the author makes an important claim that because of the systematic racism built on white supremacy and misogynoir (racism and misogyny), the “historical evolution of Black feminism in the United States not only developed through [black stereotypes],” but also how the media consume these types of harmful portrayal and use it to characterize all black women (Gadson, 2021). This is almost ironic because Mortal Kombat is known for its diverse characters. As a black non-binary student, it’s very painful to see racist comments of these black characters on Reddit, YouTube, and even Tumblr.
Gender: Along with racism, misogyny in the Mortal Kombat fanbase is no secret. As Mortal Kombat progressed over to NetherRealm Studios, women have grown to be less sexualized and played more dominant roles throughout the series. Because of this change, most fans complained that the women were ‘unattractive’ and threatened the NRS developers to revert to their revealing attire. One example of this outrage is when YouTube commenter, TrueUnderDawg made a petition on his Twitter and YouTube community post to enforce “cyber-swimsuits” for female Cyrax and Sektor, further engaging with the sexualization of female characters in video games. With Sektor and Cyrax being gender-swapped in MK1’s DLC: Khaos Reigns, fans believed that the gender swap was only implemented to add more relationships within the new timeline. While it’s true that Sektor and Cyrax were intended to pursue romantic relationships, I believe that it doesn’t overall deter their characterization. In fact, any form of relationship can build up motives and create a sense of agency for that character. For Sektor and Bi-Han's relationship, both share goals and concepts of building the Lin Kuei, so even if there is a gender swap, their relationship does make sense to a point (it’s also hypocritical to criticize Bi-Han/Sektor to justify Bi-Han/Sareena as both ships have their flaws). Tumblr user @fsfghgee made some pretty good points on Bi-Han and Sektor, so I recommend looking at them for more information.
Sexual Orientation: Since 2015, there has been a new splurge of canon and implied relationships in Mortal Kombat. In addition, there have been a handful of LGBTQ+ characters. Examples being Sindel, Mileena, Tanya, and Kung Jin. However, it didn’t stop fans from creating their own LGBTQ+ ships; with the most well-known ships being SubScorp (Scorpion x Sub Zero), Johnshi (Johnny x Kenshi), JadeTana (Jade x Kitana), and many others. With the new changes in MK1 (and Khaos Rain and Tanya’s relationship), most fans were claiming that NRS were erasing queer characters and relationships. For reference, I am pansexual. So, my personal view on ‘cis relationships’ might be different. While I do believe that NRS’s interpretation of relationships can be improved, it does have greater potential than Midway (sorry older fans). What really pisses me off is when fans were so quick to call “queer erasure” when non-canon ships weren’t implemented in the game. I’m not trying to say that NRS shouldn’t have more LGBTQ+ representation, but being blatantly cisphobic to the already canon ships within the series takes away actual queer erasure that purposefully diminishes the existence of the queer community throughout any other media platforms.
Writer’s Perspective: Ed Boon and Dominic Cianciolo are the main writers and directors for Mortal Kombat in NetherRealm Studios. As of 2023, they released a reboot of Mortal Kombat named Mortal 1 Kombat. After the dissolvement of the previous timeline (MK11), newly demigod Liu Kang resets the universe to create a more peaceful timeline. With the significant changes in the story, it’s almost difficult to adjust to the new storyline. Personally, I don’t like all the changes either. And I think it’s even more difficult to find someone who does like all the changes. Nevertheless, I believe that providing different perspectives can accommodate and even further regulate the story. It’s important to take note that the earlier timeline is nearly irrelevant to MK1. So rather than trying to implement older lore, why not use what is already canon and interpret our own theories? For example, let’s take Hanzo, who is a child in MK1. Hanzo’s survivor guilt could parallel Tomas (Smoke). Rather than accepting the death of his clan, Hanzo’s emotions could turn him to be vengeful and become more irrational and radicalized. Another example could be Bi-Han/Noob Saibot (The corrupted version of Bi-Han). His irredeemable actions and hatred towards his family could symbolize the corruption of leadership and foreshadow his ultimate downfall. Now here’s a side note: I know some fans believed that Bi-Han should’ve gotten a redemption arc, but this man openly claimed that he is willing to kill his OWN FAMILY to remain in power. So, like... I don’t know if he could redeem himself if tried. That being said, there is nothing inherently wrong with ‘maliciously evil’ characters if written correctly. However, there is a difference between ‘bad’ characters and ‘bad character writing’ (AHEM AHEM KOTAL KAHN AHEM).
Overall Thoughts: I want to make it clear that there is nothing wrong with criticizing Boon and Cianciolo and giving them feedback to help them improve future games. However, there is a difference between constructive criticism and harassment. The NRS developers aren’t blocking people in different media because they can’t handle criticism, they’re blocking people because they are continuously being harassed and receiving death threats. Regardless of these changes, Mortal Kombat is still an enjoyable game and shouldn’t be torn apart by its own hypocrisy. There is nothing wrong with having bias. Sometimes, biases can help us interpret different information in a nuanced way. But know that change is necessary for the world to function, even if some of the changes can kind of stink.
The more I think of Casca's time as Elaine the more crazy it is that people hate it in hindsight. Yes she was Elaine for ages, yes she's in another bad situation right now but Casca's time as Elaine is the only instance of canonical age regression I've seen in media outside of Moral Orel. Other fandoms would kill to see age regression discussed in fiction and instead of expanding on Casca's time as Elaine our fandom degrades her for it.
ঞ SUMMARY: The world is changing, and so has our perception of media. So why are we against these changes? What if everything remained the same from the beginning?
ᰔ KERMIT'S NOTE: I haven't made an exploratory essay since 2022. Mostly because I was afraid of what people might perceive me as. But for a while, I gathered the confidence to start writing more essays based on my personal views. Maybe that will help my writing skills. If you wish for more content like this, feel free to ask! Thanks for reading!
ʚ TAG LIST: @fsfghgee @laismoura-art @loiola00 Thank you for giving me the courage to write again 🫶
ʚ WARNING: Spoilers (maybe???) Racism, Misogyny/Misogynoir, and other graphic content.
Before I start, I just want to say that I only know Mortal Kombat through NetherRealm Studios, so I will be referring to them more than Midway. Now, I’ve only been a fan of Mortal Kombat for two years. I first started getting into it when my friend showed me a video of the Mortal Kombat 9 gameplay in 2022. Since then, I’ve been consuming so much of the MK media. From video games, to animations, to fanfiction, you name it! However, as I delved deeper into the Mortal Kombat rabbit hole, I noticed that there is a strong “bias” within the fandom. Now don’t get me wrong, there isn’t anything bad about having biases. In fact, some biases can improve problem solving skills by identifying different patterns and thinking accordingly to solve the problem. But since I’m talking about Mortal Kombat here, there won’t be as much problem solving. When it comes to NetherRealm Studio's interpretation of Mortal Kombat, fans and critics are quick to have some sort of cognitive bias.
So why specifically cognitive bias? What even is a cognitive bias? Well, cognitive bias is a systematic thought process caused by the tendency to simplify (or fully reject) information through a filter of personal experience and preferences. But if cognitive bias helps with problem solving, how can it be harmful? In most cases, cognitive bias can contribute to poor and unfair judgment, especially when that judgment can affect the way we consume media. From my experience in Mortal Kombat, fans have the most bias between different characterizations; whether that’d be race, gender, or sexuality, plot, and even the companies itself.
Race/Ethnicity: Black female characters such as Jacqui Briggs, Tanya, Cyrax (MK1) are more prominent to be discriminated against based on their appearance, motives, and depiction throughout the MK series. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a Mortal Kombat problem. In fact, black women in different media are heavily underrepresented and often looked down upon. In the scholar work “Art Imitates Life: The Representation (Or Lack Thereof) of Black Women in Video Games” by Bug Gadson, the author makes an important claim that because of the systematic racism built on white supremacy and misogynoir (racism and misogyny), the “historical evolution of Black feminism in the United States not only developed through [black stereotypes],” but also how the media consume these types of harmful portrayal and use it to characterize all black women (Gadson, 2021). This is almost ironic because Mortal Kombat is known for its diverse characters. As a black non-binary student, it’s very painful to see racist comments of these black characters on Reddit, YouTube, and even Tumblr.
Gender: Along with racism, misogyny in the Mortal Kombat fanbase is no secret. As Mortal Kombat progressed over to NetherRealm Studios, women have grown to be less sexualized and played more dominant roles throughout the series. Because of this change, most fans complained that the women were ‘unattractive’ and threatened the NRS developers to revert to their revealing attire. One example of this outrage is when YouTube commenter, TrueUnderDawg made a petition on his Twitter and YouTube community post to enforce “cyber-swimsuits” for female Cyrax and Sektor, further engaging with the sexualization of female characters in video games. With Sektor and Cyrax being gender-swapped in MK1’s DLC: Khaos Reigns, fans believed that the gender swap was only implemented to add more relationships within the new timeline. While it’s true that Sektor and Cyrax were intended to pursue romantic relationships, I believe that it doesn’t overall deter their characterization. In fact, any form of relationship can build up motives and create a sense of agency for that character. For Sektor and Bi-Han's relationship, both share goals and concepts of building the Lin Kuei, so even if there is a gender swap, their relationship does make sense to a point (it’s also hypocritical to criticize Bi-Han/Sektor to justify Bi-Han/Sareena as both ships have their flaws). Tumblr user @fsfghgee made some pretty good points on Bi-Han and Sektor, so I recommend looking at them for more information.
Sexual Orientation: Since 2015, there has been a new splurge of canon and implied relationships in Mortal Kombat. In addition, there have been a handful of LGBTQ+ characters. Examples being Sindel, Mileena, Tanya, and Kung Jin. However, it didn’t stop fans from creating their own LGBTQ+ ships; with the most well-known ships being SubScorp (Scorpion x Sub Zero), Johnshi (Johnny x Kenshi), JadeTana (Jade x Kitana), and many others. With the new changes in MK1 (and Khaos Rain and Tanya’s relationship), most fans were claiming that NRS were erasing queer characters and relationships. For reference, I am pansexual. So, my personal view on ‘cis relationships’ might be different. While I do believe that NRS’s interpretation of relationships can be improved, it does have greater potential than Midway (sorry older fans). What really pisses me off is when fans were so quick to call “queer erasure” when non-canon ships weren’t implemented in the game. I’m not trying to say that NRS shouldn’t have more LGBTQ+ representation, but being blatantly cisphobic to the already canon ships within the series takes away actual queer erasure that purposefully diminishes the existence of the queer community throughout any other media platforms.
Writer’s Perspective: Ed Boon and Dominic Cianciolo are the main writers and directors for Mortal Kombat in NetherRealm Studios. As of 2023, they released a reboot of Mortal Kombat named Mortal 1 Kombat. After the dissolvement of the previous timeline (MK11), newly demigod Liu Kang resets the universe to create a more peaceful timeline. With the significant changes in the story, it’s almost difficult to adjust to the new storyline. Personally, I don’t like all the changes either. And I think it’s even more difficult to find someone who does like all the changes. Nevertheless, I believe that providing different perspectives can accommodate and even further regulate the story. It’s important to take note that the earlier timeline is nearly irrelevant to MK1. So rather than trying to implement older lore, why not use what is already canon and interpret our own theories? For example, let’s take Hanzo, who is a child in MK1. Hanzo’s survivor guilt could parallel Tomas (Smoke). Rather than accepting the death of his clan, Hanzo’s emotions could turn him to be vengeful and become more irrational and radicalized. Another example could be Bi-Han/Noob Saibot (The corrupted version of Bi-Han). His irredeemable actions and hatred towards his family could symbolize the corruption of leadership and foreshadow his ultimate downfall. Now here’s a side note: I know some fans believed that Bi-Han should’ve gotten a redemption arc, but this man openly claimed that he is willing to kill his OWN FAMILY to remain in power. So, like... I don’t know if he could redeem himself if tried. That being said, there is nothing inherently wrong with ‘maliciously evil’ characters if written correctly. However, there is a difference between ‘bad’ characters and ‘bad character writing’ (AHEM AHEM KOTAL KAHN AHEM).
Overall Thoughts: I want to make it clear that there is nothing wrong with criticizing Boon and Cianciolo and giving them feedback to help them improve future games. However, there is a difference between constructive criticism and harassment. The NRS developers aren’t blocking people in different media because they can’t handle criticism, they’re blocking people because they are continuously being harassed and receiving death threats. Regardless of these changes, Mortal Kombat is still an enjoyable game and shouldn’t be torn apart by its own hypocrisy. There is nothing wrong with having bias. Sometimes, biases can help us interpret different information in a nuanced way. But know that change is necessary for the world to function, even if some of the changes can kind of stink.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
✓ Live Streaming✓ Interactive Chat✓ Private Shows✓ HD Quality✓ Free Actions
Free to watch • No registration required • HD streaming
ঞ SUMMARY: The world is changing, and so is our perception of media. So why are we against these changes? What if everything remained the same from the beginning?
ᰔ KERMIT'S NOTE: I haven't made an exploratory essay since 2022. Mostly because I was afraid of what people might perceive me as. But for a while, I gathered the confidence to start writing more essays based on my personal views. Maybe that will help my writing skills. If you wish for more content like this, feel free to ask! Thanks for reading!
ʚ TAG LIST: @fsfghgee @laismoura-art @loiola00 Thank you for giving me the courage to write again 🫶
ʚ WARNING: Spoilers (maybe???) Racism, Misogyny/Misogynoir, and other graphic content.
Before I start, I just want to say that I only know Mortal Kombat through NetherRealm Studios, so I will be referring to them more than Midway. Now, I’ve only been a fan of Mortal Kombat for two years. I first started getting into it when my friend showed me a video of the Mortal Kombat 9 gameplay in 2022. Since then, I’ve been consuming so much of the MK media. From video games, to animations, to fanfiction, you name it! However, as I delved deeper into the Mortal Kombat rabbit hole, I noticed that there is a strong “bias” within the fandom. Now don’t get me wrong, there isn’t anything bad about having biases. In fact, some biases can improve problem solving skills by identifying different patterns and thinking accordingly to solve the problem. But since I’m talking about Mortal Kombat here, there won’t be as much problem solving. When it comes to NetherRealm Studio's interpretation of Mortal Kombat, fans and critics are quick to have some sort of cognitive bias.
So why specifically cognitive bias? What even is a cognitive bias? Well, cognitive bias is a systematic thought process caused by the tendency to simplify (or fully reject) information through a filter of personal experience and preferences. But if cognitive bias helps with problem solving, how can it be harmful? In most cases, cognitive bias can contribute to poor and unfair judgment, especially when that judgment can affect the way we consume media. From my experience in Mortal Kombat, fans have the most bias between different characterizations; whether that’d be race, gender, or sexuality, plot, and even the companies itself.
Race/Ethnicity: Black female characters such as Jacqui Briggs, Tanya, Cyrax (MK1) are more prominent to be discriminated against based on their appearance, motives, and depiction throughout the MK series. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a Mortal Kombat problem. In fact, black women in different media are heavily underrepresented and often looked down upon. In the scholar work “Art Imitates Life: The Representation (Or Lack Thereof) of Black Women in Video Games” by Bug Gadson, the author makes an important claim that because of the systematic racism built on white supremacy and misogynoir (racism and misogyny), the “historical evolution of Black feminism in the United States not only developed through [black stereotypes],” but also how the media consume these types of harmful portrayal and use it to characterize all black women (Gadson, 2021). This is almost ironic because Mortal Kombat is known for its diverse characters. As a black non-binary student, it’s very painful to see racist comments of these black characters on Reddit, YouTube, and even Tumblr.
Gender: Along with racism, misogyny in the Mortal Kombat fanbase is no secret. As Mortal Kombat progressed over to NetherRealm Studios, women have grown to be less sexualized and played more dominant roles throughout the series. Because of this change, most fans complained that the women were ‘unattractive’ and threatened the NRS developers to revert to their revealing attire. One example of this outrage is when YouTube commenter, TrueUnderDawg made a petition on his Twitter and YouTube community post to enforce “cyber-swimsuits” for female Cyrax and Sektor, further engaging with the sexualization of female characters in video games. With Sektor and Cyrax being gender-swapped in MK1’s DLC: Khaos Reigns, fans believed that the gender swap was only implemented to add more relationships within the new timeline. While it’s true that Sektor and Cyrax were intended to pursue romantic relationships, I believe that it doesn’t overall deter their characterization. In fact, any form of relationship can build up motives and create a sense of agency for that character. For Sektor and Bi-Han's relationship, both share goals and concepts of building the Lin Kuei, so even if there is a gender swap, their relationship does make sense to a point (it’s also hypocritical to criticize Bi-Han/Sektor to justify Bi-Han/Sareena as both ships have their flaws). Tumblr user @fsfghgee made some pretty good points on Bi-Han and Sektor, so I recommend looking at them for more information.
Sexual Orientation: Since 2015, there has been a new splurge of canon and implied relationships in Mortal Kombat. In addition, there have been a handful of LGBTQ+ characters. Examples being Sindel, Mileena, Tanya, and Kung Jin. However, it didn’t stop fans from creating their own LGBTQ+ ships; with the most well-known ships being SubScorp (Scorpion x Sub Zero), Johnshi (Johnny x Kenshi), JadeTana (Jade x Kitana), and many others. With the new changes in MK1 (and Khaos Rain and Tanya’s relationship), most fans were claiming that NRS were erasing queer characters and relationships. For reference, I am pansexual. So, my personal view on ‘cis relationships’ might be different. While I do believe that NRS’s interpretation of relationships can be improved, it does have greater potential than Midway (sorry older fans). What really pisses me off is when fans were so quick to call “queer erasure” when non-canon ships weren’t implemented in the game. I’m not trying to say that NRS shouldn’t have more LGBTQ+ representation, but being blatantly cisphobic to the already canon ships within the series takes away actual queer erasure that purposefully diminishes the existence of the queer community throughout any other media platforms.
Writer’s Perspective: Ed Boon and Dominic Cianciolo are the main writers and directors for Mortal Kombat in NetherRealm Studios. As of 2023, they released a reboot of Mortal Kombat named Mortal 1 Kombat. After the dissolvement of the previous timeline (MK11), newly demigod Liu Kang resets the universe to create a more peaceful timeline. With the significant changes in the story, it’s almost difficult to adjust to the new storyline. Personally, I don’t like all the changes either. And I think it’s even more difficult to find someone who does like all the changes. Nevertheless, I believe that providing different perspectives can accommodate and even further regulate the story. It’s important to take note that the earlier timeline is nearly irrelevant to MK1. So rather than trying to implement older lore, why not use what is already canon and interpret our own theories? For example, let’s take Hanzo, who is a child in MK1. Hanzo’s survivor guilt could parallel Tomas (Smoke). Rather than accepting the death of his clan, Hanzo’s emotions could turn him to be vengeful and become more irrational and radicalized. Another example could be Bi-Han/Noob Saibot (The corrupted version of Bi-Han). His irredeemable actions and hatred towards his family could symbolize the corruption of leadership and foreshadow his ultimate downfall. Now here’s a side note: I know some fans believed that Bi-Han should’ve gotten a redemption arc, but this man openly claimed that he is willing to kill his OWN FAMILY to remain in power. So, like... I don’t know if he could redeem himself if tried. That being said, there is nothing inherently wrong with ‘maliciously evil’ characters if written correctly. However, there is a difference between ‘bad’ characters and ‘bad character writing’ (AHEM AHEM KOTAL KAHN AHEM).
Overall Thoughts: I want to make it clear that there is nothing wrong with criticizing Boon and Cianciolo and giving them feedback to help them improve future games. However, there is a difference between constructive criticism and harassment. The NRS developers aren’t blocking people in different media because they can’t handle criticism, they’re blocking people because they are continuously being harassed and receiving death threats. Regardless of these changes, Mortal Kombat is still an enjoyable game and shouldn’t be torn apart by its own hypocrisy. There is nothing wrong with having bias. Sometimes, biases can help us interpret different information in a nuanced way. But know that change is necessary for the world to function, even if some of the changes can kind of stink.
if I see one more post about how Godot ace attorney is suuuch a horrible misogynist and therefore not a character worth thinking about…I think I am going to explode for real
”he was sexist to franziska” a million different people can tell you this was a poor translation. In the original context he is belittling her for her age more than anything else.
”he acts like Mia couldn’t have protected herself, almost as if he thinks she needs to be protected by a man….hmmmm 🧐 curious” Bestie you are soooo close to getting it! Diego Armando has a very unhealthy idea of masculinity and what the “role” of what a man is supposed to be and he channels his grief and guilt over Mia’s death through that fucked up framework. That is called a “character flaw” and it is what we utilize in “stories” to make them “interesting”
Edgeworth gets to call Mia a novice bimbo in court and nobody cares because ohhhh poor edgeworth my skrunkly scrimblo!!!! It’s okay guys he’s allowed to talk like that because he’s gay which makes it fine :) also he’s white I mean Japanese I mean nothing who said that. Anyway the brown skinned man calling his girlfriend a pet name? Electric chair
this is something rather personal that's been bothering me. i hesitated to write it because it can easily be taken the wrong way but i feel like i need to get this out.
i see a lot of people complaining about mk1 and its plot and all these complaints are valid, but i feel like if people stopped and paid a little bit more attention to some details, then some plot holes would be filled.
a big one is syzoth and ashrah getting together after he just lost his family. that's not true. after the events of the main story, there's a big timeskip. it's evident in the intros and endings. kuai and tomas didn't create a new clan by just snapping their fingers, it took time and a lot happened in between that. by the time KR happens, shirai ryu is thriving with hundreds of students. for a while, they only had hanzo.
tomas not having a chapter in the dlc: why would he? this wasn't the final clash between lin kuei and shirai ryu, this was a prologue to show us bi-han becoming noob. tomas is second in command. if kuai is absent, tomas' the one in charge. he needed to stay behind, especially considering they had just been ambushed and attacked. there's no way kuai would even consider dealing with all that shit to rescue geras if he didn't know tomas was back home to protect the clan. and he's my favorite character and i would've loved to see more scenes of him at the wedding, but he really didn't need to be in havik's timeline. again, this dlc is not about lin kuei x shirai ryu. that war is still coming and that's where tomas needs to shine.
sektor and the cyber lin kuei: she made it clear in her ending that she doesn't care about being a grandmaster and the power it gives her, she cares about bi-han. bi-han is also grandmaster again as noob saibot. sektor hints at the cyber prototype during her intros with bi-han as subzero only. it's a different story with him as noob.
this is the third reboot, they're not going to copy the old storyline. if they were, why reboot it again? ed boon said he wants change and new storylines.
dominic, even as the sole writer, still needs an entire team to approve his writing. he can't just type away whatever he wants and then have it animated. there's a team that reads it, suggests some new stuff, reads it again and if they like it enough, they approve it. he's not the sole responsible for the plot.
and that's it. just wanted to get this off my chest. you don't have to like the story at all but some things are easily explained. and sure, "show don't tell" but they have limited time and a budget and they can't ahow every single detail.
Dear, my name is Abdullah. I am 35 years old and the father of four children: Khalil, 7 years old, Fares, 5 years old, Bilal, 3 years old, and Aseel, 4 months old. It became fully operational after October 7. We lost our house because of the war. We are now displaced and displaced from somewhere else. I wish you help in getting out of Gaza. Please help me by donating or sharing the private link. with me
Building our house was not easy, it took a long time of effort, and it was our only refuge and source of warmth and happiness. It was full of love and dreams. We spent the most beautiful and happiest occasions with our family. I was happy to take some pictures with the family on those occasions.
Our house was bombed and destroyed. Nothing remains to remind us of the past except some stones and rubble.
We are facing a very difficult life, and we are on the verge of death, and we are trying as much as possible to adapt to these circumstances, but it is very difficult for me and my family 🍉
My name is Mohammed zaqout , and I am a Palestinian-lives in USA. I am reaching … Mohammed Zaqout needs your support for Gaza Humanitarian
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A lot of very difficult and serious suffering happens to us. No one can understand or bear it. Today is a difficult day. My son Amir is in a very bad situation. Unfortunately, health centers and hospitals were destroyed. He is in a difficult situation. I have nothing left in this life except my family. After the occupation destroyed everything, our home, my future, and my dreams.
This campaign is dedicated to treating Amir. Amir suffered from a lack of oxygen at birth and muscle relaxation. Amir's condition was very bad, but with physical therapy and physiotherapy, he finally started moving. But with the war that broke out in Gaza, all physical therapy centers were closed, medicines were rare and sometimes absent, and their prices rose. Amir's condition began to get worse and worse. Amir must return to his physical therapy, and he has the right to return to walking. This situation is special and exceptional.
Hi, I am Sara.
1. Who is Sara?
Sara is the mother of the child … mohammed shamallakh needs your support for HELP AMIR GET BACK TO WALKI
Amir must leave Gaza, complete his treatment, and live like any child in the world. There are no necessities for living in Gaza. It has become very difficult. The bombs that gather above our heads, poison us with the water we drink. There is no food except at fantastic prices. We suffer from high temperatures. Children who cannot afford it.
Rebuild with Me: A Journey from Destruction to Hope
🚨 Urgent Appeal 🚨
Opportunities in life are rare, and when destruction strikes, they can feel like they’ve vanished. But I believe that with strong willpower and support, we can create new opportunities even from the ashes. My name is Osama Basil, and I’m a web developer from Gaza. For nearly a year, I’ve been living through the horrors of war. My office, where I poured my heart into my work, was demolished, and with it, my livelihood, dreams, and ability to provide for my family were shattered.
Each day, life in Gaza becomes increasingly harsh. Destruction and devastation have woven themselves into the fabric of our daily existence, leaving deep scars on our community. The loss of so many friends, colleagues, neighbors, and loved ones weighs heavily on our hearts. Despite these overwhelming challenges, I refuse to give up.
The war took nearly everything from me—my job, my dreams of marriage, the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree, and my ability to support my family.
Forced to flee to Rafah with my loved ones, we’ve spent months living in a tent, facing daily challenges to meet our basic needs and find some sense of stability amid the chaos. The lack of stability has made it difficult to maintain even the simplest routines, yet I refuse to let these hardships define me. Every day is a test of resilience, pushing me to adapt and find new ways to continue my work and provide for my family, no matter the obstacles.
🚀Campaign Goals:
I’ve set a goal of €15,000 to rebuild my office, restore my work, and continue my education. More importantly, it will allow me to support my family, who have been deeply affected by our current circumstances.
I’ve outlined how your donations will help achieve this goal. You can find all the details through the campaign link below.
👉Donation link:
🔗https://gofund.me/100da7db
Together, we can turn ashes into opportunities. Thank you for your compassion, your time, and your commitment to freedom and justice.
With deepest gratitude,
Osama Basil
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🔍 Vetted by association in this post
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Opportunities in life are rare, and when destruction strikes, they… Osama Basil needs your support for From Rubble to Success: Helping Osama
