i don't agree with Shujinko in being a filler character. in the story he played a major role because he got the Kamidogu for the dragon king. true there is nothing original about him at all but he does play a role. I'm surprised Kobra isn't put up on there. there were a lot of stories in there though that doesn't pertain to the actually story going on.

While I would like to see some of the older characters in the next game, I also like Midway adding new characters. I will admit that many of the new characters weren't given great back stories, but new characters are necessary to keep the franchise fresh. If Shujinko continues on into future games, they need to give him his own set of special moves. Other than that, I liked his addition to the game.

Shujinko and Hotaru a filler? thats the worst concept of a thread I have ever seen. Shujinkos story is in-depth (remember, the konquest mode was not meant to be fully compatible with the original storyline. So we can take that some of the events that took place in the konquest are not canon)
Shujinko is also the next generation Liu Kang while he's an original concept. He's far more older than the already annoying Liu Kang, and has a way for mirrorring everyone's moves-using them against them. Plus, his story is good: spending a lifetime for a futile quest and releasing the Ona-ga. Now he must redeem his deeds by stopping him. (there is no similarity between Shujinko and Shang Tsung, while tsung morphes to an opponent and uses all HIs skills copying them, Shujinko should only use powers that make sence -freeze blast OK if he learns it, but how could he launch a spear if he doesn't have one at disposal?- also he copies styles, while Tsung fights always in his crane/snake style -examine his MK3 fighting stance closely)
Hotaru: great concept, he's a obedient servant of Order, who's also a fanatic. Just the kind of motivation a character needed in MK. I mean most of the characters go like: simple, we have to save/invade/kill our/their/him world or friend or avenge something. Hotaru, while not evil fights for Onaga
-Why? Becouse he beliebves what he does is for the greater good of his Seudo community. Ergo, Dairou who is linked to Hotaru as a former friend also makes a lot of sense: he must kill his former fellow (he's mislead by Darrius, who is also mislead by Havik)
Hotarus fighting styles are devastating. Not even the Sub-Zero+Dragon shouldn't be compared to him. In real life the style Pi Gua Quan means Boxing within Armor-suits a character who is almost plated completely.
Pi gua in real life is also quite effective and aggressive, but also very compatible-a woman from DOA2 used Pi Qua Quan (the opera singer) and compare the two utilization of the same style. Naginata was the most fearsome weapon of medieval japan. The samurais actually feared it more than a Tachi or a Katana strike. ONLY becouse of the Naginata the samurai armor had to be strenghtened drastically in the early middle ages of Japan.
Who is a filler? KObra. But also a good filler. not a bad concept for a character for only one game. A psychotic martial arts champion who goes bloodthirsty and berserk. Good. And his death by Kira gives the Black Dragon female the boost for another game.
By my opinion the real fillers are: the ninja swaps: Rain, Nobb Saibot who actually grew to a decent and fearfull character like Ermac-gotta luv him, Jade (improved, but in MK3/trilogy she was just another masked female),
and so on, and so on, and so on...
It seems that the starting story of the characters and their concepts are good and getting better since MKDA. However I can't say that to the main storylines episodes, what are sooo twisted that it is hard to make out who's after who, and mainly why?

I would say that all of the characters their place in the storyline, which has become more complex than ever - and this is great! Order and chaos don't necessarily mean good and evil, and this is not forgotten by the MKD storyline. I'd say that all the characters have their own unique story, and I'm sure that each MKD character is someone's favorite character. I really liked Kira's and Kobra's story, they've got 2 completely different origins but they're both drawn towards the Black Dragon, I think Kira's ending was one of the better ones up there.

Dairou and Darrius are the only filler. They have no story to the MK universe at all.

Dairou has a good storyline, since it ties into Hotarus. But alas his character design needs to improve on story basics. remeber, he was meant to be in MKDA.
Darrius is a funky Jax rip-off. Why couldn't Midway go with a more original character? Geez, it would have meant +2 weeks for development.

Um, just so you know, Darrius's story goes with Hotaru and the whole Orderrealm.... Also, Darrius's story also ties with Dairous. Beat the game with Darrius and you'll see. ;)
The only new characters I have beef with are Kira and Dairou. Kira only because she has no original moves/stances to her. I think she looks cool and all, just wish they had done more with her. And Dairou... well, I can't stand that guys looks or his moves or story. His ending was one of the worst, next to SubZero's IMO. :)

I agree with you, Ayam_Rain. Though, Shujinko was a bit better than the other filler characters (barely). I still never use him, but I can see him returning in future MK games.

I thought Shujinko and Hotaru were pretty cool. Hopefully, Havik and Hotaru will continue their war between each other in the next MK...

I dont think any of the new characters, except maybe Dairou, are pointless.
I especially beleive that Havik and Darrius will factor in greatly to the next game.
Don't be surprised if, at the start of MK7, we find out that Havik tricked Darrius and the resistance into distracting the Seidan guard so that a certain resurrected, soul-stealing demi-god can claim Seido and merge it with outworld, screwing up the DK's plans...