These two characters are often perceived as individual characters since MK1, while the other subsequent ninja characters are dubbed as palette swaps.
So I question as to why Scorpion or Subzero are exempt from this label as they both share the same model in MK1. Obviously 1 has to be the original, but which one?
Kitana and Mileena are in the same boat, however, they are more subejcted to the labelization of being palette swap characters, Mileena more so than Kitana, despite as first appearing in the same game with an original moveset much like Scorpion and Subzero the game prior.
Rain also had an original moveset his first appearance, but was considered a "joke character". Tanya an original moveset as well, but used a unused Kitana model for her appearance and is considered a palette swap, despite her costume and moveset being unique from Kitana.
Or
Do you consider only the characters that were bonus/secret charactrs in their first game appearance as the true palette swap characters. This being:
Noob, Reptile, Smoke, Jade, Khameleon, Ermac. Skarlet.
K discuss.