Deadly Beauty: Ranking Kitana's 7 Most Iconic Mortal Kombat Costumes (Including The New MK2 Movie Look)

Few characters in the fighting game genre command as much attention and curiosity as Kitana, the Princess of Edenia. Her costumes have always been a central point of discussion, perfectly balancing the franchise's signature blend of deadly ninja stealth and regal, yet revealing, warrior attire. As of December 15, 2025, the conversation is hotter than ever, driven by the stunning redesigns in the latest game, Mortal Kombat 1 (MK1), and the highly-anticipated reveal from the upcoming live-action film sequel.

This deep dive explores the complete evolution of Kitana’s iconic blue ensemble, tracing her journey from a simple pixelated palette swap in the arcade era to her complex, lore-driven looks in the current "New Era" timeline created by Fire God Liu Kang. We’ll break down the newest details, analyze the controversial movie look, and rank the most influential designs that cemented her status as one of Outworld’s most formidable—and fashionable—fighters.

Kitana's Complete Biography and Profile

As the adopted daughter of the tyrannical Emperor Shao Kahn, Kitana’s story is one of duty, betrayal, and the fight to reclaim her ancestral home, Edenia. Her costumes often reflect this internal conflict, blending the aesthetic of a royal princess with the gear of a deadly assassin. Here is a quick profile of the warrior princess:

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• Full Name: Kitana
• Title/Alias: Princess of Edenia, Empress of Outworld (in some timelines), Shao Kahn’s Assassin, The Royal Defender
• Debut: Mortal Kombat II (1993)
• Weapon of Choice: Steel Fans (Bladed Fans)
• Fighting Styles: Eagle Claw, Ba Gua
• Notable Relatives: Sindel (Mother), Jerrod (Father, deceased), Shao Kahn (Adopted Father/Usurper), Mileena (Clone/Twin Sister)
• Primary Realm: Edenia (originally), Outworld (adopted)
• MK1 Lore Role: General of Outworld’s armies, loyal to Empress Mileena (her sister in this timeline).
• Hidden Keyword (Lore): Duty

The New Era of Style: Kitana's Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) Costume Breakdown

The launch of Mortal Kombat 1 (MK1) in 2023 introduced a completely rebooted timeline, which allowed NetherRealm Studios to reimagine Kitana’s aesthetic with a focus on elegance and practicality, aligning with her new role as a high-ranking General. The MK1 costume is a masterclass in modernizing a classic look.

The Main MK1 General’s Attire

Kitana's primary costume in the New Era is a sophisticated blend of blue and silver armor. It moves away from the skimpy ninja outfits of the past, opting for a more covered, yet equally striking, design. Key features include:

• Regal Armor: The outfit features ornate silver plating on the shoulders, gauntlets, and chest, suggesting her high military rank and royal status.
• Deep Blue Fabric: The main fabric is a rich, deep blue, a clear nod to her original color palette, but with a more textured and flowing material that allows for dynamic movement.
• The Mask: She retains her iconic face mask, but it is now a more stylized, metallic piece that flows seamlessly into her headdress or crown, emphasizing her Edenian heritage.
• Practicality: Unlike her MK9 and MKX outfits, this design provides more coverage, reflecting a shift in the franchise's design philosophy toward more realistic, battle-ready gear without sacrificing her "deadly beauty" concept.

The Alternate 'Evil' Costumes and Variations

MK1 offers several palette swaps and alternate skins that dramatically change her look, often teasing different aspects of her personality or alternate timeline possibilities. One notable variation is the "evil" or "dark" shader, which swaps her signature blue for a deep crimson or black, often leading fans to speculate on a possible turn to the dark side, similar to her sister, Mileena.

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The ability to mix and match gear pieces—like different masks, fans, and belts—allows players to customize her look, from a fully armored General to a more traditional, streamlined ninja, increasing the topical authority and longevity of her design. This customization is a major feature that keeps the discussion about Kitana's style fresh.

From Pixels to Production: The Kitana Mortal Kombat 2 Movie Costume Reveal

The most current and exciting update comes from the set of the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 movie, where actress Adeline Rudolph will portray Kitana. Early set photos and official reveals have sparked a massive discussion among the fandom, indicating a significant departure from her video game looks.

Details of the Live-Action Redesign

The new movie costume leans heavily into a practical, armored aesthetic, moving far away from the classic "ninja bikini" look. Key details include:

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• Deep Blue Redesign: The costume utilizes a deep, rich blue color, but the material appears to be a heavy, armored fabric, potentially leather or a padded composite material, designed for high-impact combat.
• Full Coverage: The outfit provides near-full coverage, including armored sleeves and trousers, emphasizing her role as a serious warrior rather than a visually stylized fighter. This choice reflects a modern trend in movie adaptations to ground fantastical costumes in reality.
• Signature Fans: Despite the dramatic change in her clothing, the reveal image confirms that Rudolph’s Kitana will wield her signature Steel Fans.
• Fan Reaction: While some fans appreciate the grounded, realistic take on the costume, others have expressed disappointment that it sacrifices the unique, stylized, and often more revealing nature of her video game counterparts. This polarizing reaction ensures the costume will be a major talking point leading up to the film’s 2026 release.

A Legacy of Blue: Ranking Kitana's Most Iconic Outfits

To appreciate the new designs, one must look back at the history that established Kitana as the definitive blue ninja. Her costumes have evolved dramatically across three decades, each one a product of its era.

1. The Klassic MKII (1993) Look

This is the design that started it all. Introduced in Mortal Kombat II, Kitana, along with Mileena and Jade, was essentially a palette swap of the same sprite. The costume was a simple blue leotard with a mask and long boots. It was iconic for its symmetry, its simplicity, and for establishing the "female ninja" archetype in the franchise. This look is often referenced in modern games as the quintessential "Klassic" skin.

2. The MKX (2015) Regal Armor

Mortal Kombat X presented Kitana in a more mature, heavily armored, and distinctly Edenian style. This costume was a fan favorite for its balance: it was still sexy and stylized (with a midriff-baring top and high slit), but incorporated intricate gold and silver armor plating, a full-length cape, and a sophisticated crown. It perfectly conveyed her status as a princess and a high-ranking member of the Outworld hierarchy.

3. The MK9 (2011) Ninja Attire

The 2011 reboot, Mortal Kombat (9), brought back a design that was decidedly more revealing and overtly "ninja-like" compared to the subsequent entries. This blue outfit featured minimal fabric and emphasized the character's physical form, catering to the aesthetic of the time. While controversial, it successfully reintroduced the character to a new generation of players and remains a highly requested cosplay costume today.

4. The MK11 (2019) Empress Gown

In Mortal Kombat 11, Kitana’s main look was a beautifully detailed, ornate Empress gown, reflecting her status after defeating Shao Kahn. It was one of her most covered and regal designs, featuring a flowing royal blue skirt and elaborate shoulder armor. This look focused on her "Duty" and royalty, contrasting sharply with her earlier, more assassin-focused attire.

From the simple, digitized sprite of 1993 to the highly detailed 4K rendering in Mortal Kombat 1 and the grounded realism of the new Mortal Kombat 2 movie costume, Kitana’s fashion evolution mirrors the entire history of the franchise. Each design tells a chapter of her complex lore, from her time as Shao Kahn's assassin to her destiny as the Princess of Edenia. Whether you prefer the revealing ninja look or the full-armored general attire, Kitana’s aesthetic remains a benchmark for character design in fighting games, continually sparking debate and driving fan engagement across every new era.