Kai was always a cool character. The fact that he has had only two appearances in 19 years is sucky. If and when he returns, I think they should put greater emphasis on his tiger tatoos. Give him a more cat-like theme. Maybe some steel clawed gauntlets?

Jarek blows.

Voted for Kotal Kahn in the previous face off. Was never a big fan of Blaze.

I voted for Jarek and it still says that Kai has 100% of the vote. I'm calling shenanigans! SHENANIGANS I TELL YOU!

But yeah, as much hate as Jarek gets, I actually like him and I don't know why. I played MK4 a lot as a kid so I do like both characters equally from that game. However, their appearance in Armageddon is what swings it for me. Jarek's appearance seemed somewhat more thought out and the Kreate-a-Fatality seemed to fit a lot more with the story given to him. The cornrows they gave Kai and his armour seemed off for the monk thing they were initially going for. So yeah, went for Jarek, even if my vote didn't register.

Moveset: I fucking hated playing as Jarek in MK4, so Kai.

Personality: Kai, by a fucking mile.

Design: Kai. Jarek's design is more plain than the nose on your face.

Finishers: Kai, by a hair.

Backstory: Neither.

In a fight: Kai would fucking own Jarek.

Kai wins 5-0-1.

I forgot both of these guys existed so I'm taking everyone's word for it and voting Kai.

2 puny humans. At the end of the food chain in Mortal Kombat. Gods, demigods, sorcerers, cryomancers, demons and other races would wipe the floor with them.

I hate Earthrealmers.

Maybe Kai has potential. I'll go with him. Any way to make Jarek interesting is to make him Kano's illegitim son.

Voting for Kai. Love his stripes. I loved one concept art of him with more Eastern influences, and a chakram. His moves are difficult to properly master, and their different style set him apart.
Originally in MK4, he seemed to be inspired by Tekken's Eddy Gordo.

Only thing I liked about Jarek was his MK4 projectile, outfit, and the Black Dragon sword he shared with Reptiles ninja costume. Looks like it eventually became his Kirihashi.
He's always been chided as a Kano clone. The eye lasers made no sense, unless he's secretly Kryptonian...

I know they were both updated in Armageddon. I think Kai's moves were slower, and too easy to avoid. I think Jarek had an axe, and rope moves.
I was mostly playing as created characters, and reinacting MK1-3 matchups, with just a few 4 themed matches in the Tekunin Ship, spiritual successor to the Fan stage.



Ka-Tra

Jarek.

Out of these two forgettable characters, Jarek at least will always have this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erwEjPyGIdA

and this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsvfP5BQxaw

and of course this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbsfJinaZWc


The Black Dragon Live On indeed.

THE BLACK DRAGON LIVE ON

IMSOGAAAY

I voted Kai.

Really hoping Fujin recruits him in MK11. Granted that Fujin isn't overlooked again.

Kai is by far the most forgettable character in the franchise. I don't think I ever played as him more than a handful of times in MK4, and maybe once in Armageddon. I didn't care that he was missing from MKX and practically forgot about his existence up until now. I also hated his ending. "Thanks Raiden, but I'm gonna go backpack through Europe and crash in some hostels to "find myself" for a while."

Jarek...so instead of having Kano in MK4, they have a different Black Dragon member with the SAME moves, even the heart rip and...the....eye laser? What in the actual f*ck?

This poll needs a "none of the above" option.

Kai. Not a huge fan but I like him better than Jarek lol

Should have clarified in my op, but I chose Kai mostly based on his potential in the current game system and mechanics.

Just imagine the mixup potential with a handstand stance where every hit in that stance is overhead akin to Spectral. Either that, or they could even give him a low or a sweep in that stance too. But that would just depend on how they built and designed the rest of his kit.

As for Jarek...they pretty much updated and nailed the kit they reintroduced him with in Armageddon and dedicated it to Takeda. (Same for Mavado too, really)

I love Jarek and all, but since Kai has yet to appear in the new timeline, he gets my vote. Plus, I prefer him over Liu Kang, since all the latter does is whine and complain now like Regime Superman.

I have lovely memories of both their horrible and cheesy voice acting, but I'm going for Kai. Just because he's a White Lotus member who could beat Jarek in a fight.

Eh, I don't know if I'd go that far. Anyone introduced in MK4 seemed to be a bit...let's say, uninspired. I can even forgive Kai's ending, as the whole "wandering the earth" thing has been a kung fu trope for as long as anyone can remember.

He has boatloads of potential, as do most of the seemingly dismissed characters from the 3-D era. Unfortunately I think Kung Jin may have stolen his whole "wayward son of the shaolin" thing he kinda had going for him. But, I dare say the order of Light needs a new hero...nay! A new champion. With Kung Lao and Liu Kang out of the running, and Kung Jin rubbing elbows with SF, I'd say Kai as the new, reluctant champion would be awesome.

Just in case anyone's confused...I'm voting for Kai.

I agree. Kai needs to return. Fuck Liu Kang. He can go suck Hsu Hao's dick in the Netherrealm.

Stay classy about your hatred for video game characters, as Mick said.

Both pictures show Sindel.

Sindel.

Noob is one of the lamer ninjas.

Queen deserves to throne ! That's what I think

Noob Saibot

Damn I love them both :/

I guess I gotta go with Noob though since he is Bi-Han, who I have been a fan of longer than SIndel.

Noob Saibot. No contest.

I'm voting Sindel.