right here we go i think the following list of kombatants should return

1. scorpion - the only reason i want in the game is because he is my favourite character and he can't die so there
2. sub zero
3. noob saibot or the merged version of old SZ and NS that arrived in the ending of noob in MKA
4. cyrax
5.sektor
6. kintaro
7. raiden
8. shao khan
9. shang tsung
10. quan chi
11. kitana
12. jade
13. mileena
14. kung lao
15. goro
16. reptile
17. mileena (against my better judgement)
18. baraka
19. taven
20. kano
21. jax
22. sonya
23. johnny cage
24. ermac
25. onaga


and about 10 of the rest should temporaily retired. the 10 i have chose follow in this list

1. mavado
2. nitara
3. bo rai cho
4. li mei
5. shinnok
6. smoke
7. jarek
8. kai
9. reiko
10. kabal

the rest should be killed off but violently

returning:
raiden
sub zero
shinnok (boss)
noob(sub boss)
smoke(sub boss)
sektor
jax
scorpion
kabal
fujin
goro
havik
hotaru
retired: motaro kintaro bo rai cho taven reptile ermac kenshi baraka

people who will die a horrible violent death for being gay characters
mokap
hsu hao
movado
and jerek

Liu Kang
Lose him. Never was that much of a protagonist or hero and there's no further need for him. There are better characters more derserving of the spotlight. Keep him dead.

Johnny Cage
Retire him. He did something relevant in Armageddon and can finally proved he can be a serious fighter. The end.

Sonya Blade
I've no use for her. Retirement. However, while I don't want her back, I could (grudgingly)accept her return, since she's more-or-less the only character of her kind in Mortal Kombat and a rivalry with Sektor's just started and if Jax does turn evil, that should be carried out. Course, I personally would rather Sektor feud with Sub-Zero and Jax get killed off, but...

Kano
DIE!

Raiden
I'd count on his return. Figure him the unofficial third icon after Scorpion & Sub-Zero. I think they should run with his "dark" storyline and see where it goes.

Sub-Zero
We know he's coming back, but I don't mind at all. I do think it's time for him to move on to more "main event" level stories. We've seen plenty of build-up...let's see some pay-off.

Scorpion
We know he's coming back, but he's in bad shape. I'm not really sure if Scorpion can be salvaged at this point. He's become a joke.

Reptile
I'm on the fence with Reptile. I can see them keeping him around due to his popularity & whatnot...and he is a well developed character. I'm not sure what else can be done with him though. I'm tired of seeing him trying to rebuild his race, but I don't want to see his race come back either. He needs something new, but I'm not sure what.

Goro
Off him. His latest near-death and alignment switch was one too many. Past his prime and should just go.

Shang Tsung
I've no use for Shang Tsung and I think the major villains of the current era should end with it.

Kung Lao
One the fence with Kung Lao, too. If one of the current characters is to be the new "main hero" and it's not Sub-Zero (or they have more than one), they should go with Kung Lao. But ignore his idiotic Shaolin Monks persona, please.

Jax
If they bring back, turn him evil. I'd rather he just get killed off though. No real use for the Special Forces at all.

Kitana
I used to be all about her retiring and passing the torch to Jade...but I'm no longer as certain on that. if Kitana comes back, they should have her give up on Edenia and renounce her title as Princess. Bring her back to her roots and see where she goes. I'm getting more interested in that than anything Jade can do.
More detailed thoughts on this here.

Mileena
One of the few older characters I definitely think should return. I'd rather her get over Kitana and seeking to establish her own identity...but if they run with her trying to take over Edenia, I want them to portray her, not as the villain, but the protagonist. I also don't want Kitana involved...as said, abandoning Edenia.
More detailed thoughts in the link with Kitana.

Baraka
Lose him. The standard henchman bit has grown stale and I don't want to see him trying to take power for himself. Anything he could do, I'd rather see Reptile or Mileena do.

Jade
As said, I'm losing interest in Jade. They could find a place for her, but I don't care as much about what that might be anymore.
See link under Kitana for more thoughts on this.

Smoke
I figure Smoke should be killed off. But there is a small part of me that would like to see him get a chance to be his own character.

Noob Saibot
I wouldn't mind Noob Saibot return. I'd rather he feud mainly with Sareena or Scorpion (if they gave him back his brain, that is) than Sub-Zero. If they run with the Subz rivalry, I just hope they keep it interesting. And DON'T make him Sub-Zero again or even a fusion.

Kintaro
I figure Kintaro's one of the guys brought back to die in Armagedodn. If however, they decide they're going to bring back one of the current Shokan, I'd go with Kintaro.

Shao Kahn
Off him. The defining "big bad" of this era should theoretically end with it. If, however, he comes back he should NOT be Emperor anymore. Have him de-powered and on his own trying to survive and reclaim his throne.

Sindel
Seems likely to die. But I wouldn't mind if she returned. Either her or Jade.
More thoughts in link with Kitana.

Nightwolf
Lose him. Easily disposable casualty of Armageddon. Trim the fat.

Stryker
See Nightwolf.

Sheeva
As said, if one of the current Shokan is to come back, I'd prefer Kintaro. Never interested in Sheeva.

Sektor
I wouldn't mind his coming back since his story has only just started to take off. I'd rather he feud with Sub-Zero than Sonya Blade though.

Cyrax
I can see Cyrax dying. Good way of establishing Sektor as a threat.

Kabal
On the fence with Kabal. I like the anarchist angle and we haven't see everything he can do...but he's disposable and we need to lose the Black Dragon.

Ermac
Keep Ermac. I can see him building up into a major character like how Sub-Zero did.

Rain
I'd only really want Rain back if Kitana comes back. See that link again for more thoughts on him.

Mimik
DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!!!!!!!

Khameleon
There is still a small part of me that would like to see Khameleon get a REAL revamp and see what can be done with her. But she's disposable.

Fujin
Keep him. With Raiden going nutso, I'd like to see Fujin step up.

Sareena
Definite keeper. She needs to come back. Massive potential and can go very far. If she doesn't return, I will spew venom. Just no ice powers.

Quan Chi
I'd honestly rather see him continue than Scorpion at this point, but he should go for the sake of the storyline. Nevertheless, I'd like to see his influence live on in some way...maybe like Sauron.

Shinnok
Disposable character. But I would mind that much if they kept him around after all.

Kai
Take or leave Kai. I figure he's either a casualty or they might actually make something out of him.

Tanya
As unlikely as it may be, I want Tanya to come back. Someone to feud with Mileena (awesome) and Jade (if she comes back).
See link again for more thoughts.

Jarek
No need. Dead.

Reiko
I could do without any future Emperors of Outworld. I'd rather see the realm in constant disarray. And I never cared for Reiko being a Kahn-wannabe anyway.

Meat
Please...

Kenshi
I can see Kenshi coming back. I have no ideas on him and I can't say I'd miss him if he was gone, but I do think he's worth keeping around.

Li Mei
Keep her. Could make a good protagonist and I would like to see where she goes.

Frost
I think they should trim the fat for the next generation...which leaves little room for a "female Sub-Zero"...even a well made one.

Hsu Hao
He served his purpose. Kill him.

Mavado
I wouldn't mind Mavado coming back, even though they completely screwed up the Red Dragon storyline. Probably should off him.

Nitara
Keep her. She's cool and can go places.

Bo' Rai Cho
Kill him. At this point, I think he'd have more impace dying than returning.

Drahmin
Keep him. Good backstory and I like his concept.

Moloch
No real need for him.

Blaze
Kill him. He served his purpose.

Mokap
....hurm....

Ashrah
Keep her. She stands out, I like her feud with Nitara, and I'd like to see a feud with Sareena down the line.

Havik
Keep him. Great character concept who can be adapted to just about any storyline.

Hotaru
I'd keep him. He can make a good antagonist for various characters.

Dairou
I can take him or leave him. What was wrong with him can be fixed, but he's not on the top of my list for returns.

Darrius
Kill him. We don't need another "avenge the family" story and he wasn't very well-received anyway.

Kira
I'd keep her. I'd like to see where she goes and if Sonya does come back, maybe we can see them developed into each others' antitheses.

Kobra
I liked Kobra...but he should die. There's no real need for him.

Shujinko
Kill him. He served his purpose and I've no use for him.

Onaga
Should probably die with the other major villains.

Taven
I've no need for him. Probably won't die, but I don't want him back.

Daegon
Liked him more than Taven, but I don't see where he can go.

Definite Return because Midway already claimed to return:
Scorpion and Sub-Zero

Scorpion - should have an alter ego he's battling out with. Like he has an evil side he should fight against.

Sub-Zero - should stay with the God ending from Armageddon. He had the most decent ending in the game.

Returning characters

Frost - Should return with a good side. I don't like that the made her evil. It didn't suite her back in DA. Yeah that was another character that technically "Died" in thier ending.

Shang Tsung - should go back being the original boss of the game and have his morphing ability restored.

Quan Chi - Either make something new happen to this sorcerer, or ditch him. I wasn't pleased that DA totally ruined his fatality, made him to where he didn't feel like an evil character to me at all.

Hotaru - I want him and Sub-Zero to fued about this whole God thing because of Sub-Zero's amulet. Hotaru wants it for power or something like that and the only person that he needs to kill to retrieve the powers is Sub-Zero. Yeah, I like that at lot.

Reptile - they need to keep his SM appearance and not a dino-looking creep. They need to make him like a very deadly creature claiming to have killed previous kombatants off the game and trying to become like a serial reptilian killer or something like that.

Tanya - I like her betrayer attitude. I want her to partner up with someone that would try to kill shang tsung (if he claims to be teh boss of the game) and whoever she is teaming up with she can betray them right there.

Well, this is all I can think of, if I think of something more I'll post it later.

KANO must die but he is a orginal so... i gusse li mei

My Returning Characters....(excluded; Sub and Scorp-obvious returning)

Playable off start;

Nightwolf
Tanya
Drahmin
Kira
Raiden
Ashrah
Havik
Frost
Kenshi
Sareena
Shinnok


Unlockables; Smoke(human or cyborg), Noob, Reiko, H.Reptile, Bo Rai Cho and Fujin.

Sidelined Characters; Kabal, Kobra, Shang Tsung, Quan Chi, Li Mei, Nitara and Blaze.

Kill Off/ Retire Indefinitely; The Rest of Them!

* If Ashrah returns, then Nitara will definitely return to continue their rivalry.
*I'd like to see a rivalry between Kira and Sonya. That would be the only reason why I would want Sonya back. Well, that's if Kira does return herself.
*Raiden will definitely return. So, I'm think that Kahn should return as a playable kombatant and try to reign supreme again.

I'm going to use the same template as XiahouDun84:

Liu Kang
Killed off, as you really don't need him anymore. There will be a new main protagonist, and Kang is pretty much dead anyway.

Johnny Cage
The character grew some legs with Armageddon, I would personally not mind him back, at all. You also have to believe that with the new movie coming out, the game and the movie will somewhat connect, so some early characters will be needed to be included in both to help each sell better. Cage seems like a good choice.

Sonya Blade
I think she should actually return. I'm not that big a fan of the character, but she's the original female of Mortal Kombat, and her character is great for the background. It also connects this new arc with the old one.

Kano
I'm acutally liking his character more and more. There is no real sense in bringing him back in the same role as previous installments, but I would not mind him returning as the sub-boss of the new game, fully in-control of his newfound Black Dragon form.

Raiden
I'm in no way his biggest fan, but a poster here convinced me he should return. His dark storyline is boring and predictable, but I like what they suggested where he is defeated (personally, I'd have Johnny Cage be the guy to defeat Raiden), and brought to justice by the Elder Gods. He is stripped of his immortality and his powers, and is forced to compete in the new Mortal Kombat tournament on behalf of Earthrealm. It gives the character a vulnerability, and through the change he can learn to respect mortals, so if/when he does return to being the old Raiden, his character will be a lot deeper.

Sub-Zero
He's pretty much confirmed, but it's not a bad thing. The ice ninja is iconic in Mortal Kombat, and it should be kept around. I like the idea of him trying to perfect the Dragon Medallion, and trying to restore his youth, or something. His story with Noob Saibot is pretty fantastic right now, so I say keep it. A race to killing Noob agaisnt Scorpion could re-spark the legendary rivalry between two ninjas.

Scorpion
If it were up to me, he probably wouldn't return. I think the character needs to be refreshed in a bad way. Personally, I'd have him brutally murder Quan Chi, and then discover that he cannot rest while Noob Saibot, an entity he is responsible for is walking the earth. Have him race against Sub-Zero to see who earns the right to face Noob Saibot in Mortal Kombat. When Sub-Zero wins, Scorpion is stuck forever, and he can never see his family again. It gives you a permanent reason to have Scorpion around (he literally can't go anywhere), and it gives him a reason to despise Sub-Zero.

Reptile
I'm sorry, but it should have been the end for Reptile when he was evidently transformed into the Dragon King. He should be killed off in a dramatic fashion. I like the idea of Khameleon being killed by Shao Kahn (I envision him holding her head against a wall and then smashing it with his hammer), and Reptile going insane and savagely attacking Shao Kahn. Reptile is not powerful enough to defeat Kahn, and his life is ended, but he manages to weaken Kahn enough to prevent him from making a final grab for power in Armageddon, which leads to him being left out of the power loop.

Goro
I don't care if he is an icon, his welcome has long since expired. I can't figure out if Goro is meant to be alive or dead anymore. Have him clash with Kintaro in a fight to the death, which Kintaro wins, because he's meant to be bigger, faster and stronger than Goro. Sheeva, who is finally revealed to be a wife of Goro, kills the weakened Kintaro for this, just in time for Motaro to get his revenge on Sheeva. There go your Shokan. If you want to revive the species later, or even in the next game, go for it, just make it a completely new character.

Shang Tsung
I really, really like Shang Tsung. Personally, I think he should have Raiden's kamikaze move in Deception, but evidently he didn't. That seals it for me. Shang Tsung should probably be left to rest. I would not be opposed to seeing his spirit resurrected in a later game, as sort of a "demon-Tsung from hell" version of his character. Or he can survive somehow and go into hiding. I don't really care, but I don't think he should be back until Mortal Kombat 9, at the earliest.

Kung Lao
They had a chance to make Lao the new hero for Earthrealm. They chose Shujinko. Kung Lao was also probably meant to die in MK3. It's time for Kung Lao to rest in peace, and play solitaire in heaven with Liu Kang.

Jax
He's one of Ed Boon's favourites, apparently, so he might be back. Also, with Sonya back, it makes sense to do his evil cybernetic Jax route. I've warmed up to the character a lot, but I think if he does return, it should be as a secret character, or not until MK9.

Kitana
She should definitely be alive. I personally liked the idea of Kitana and Mileena somehow swapping their faces around. Kitana became the grotesque one, which surprisingly drives Kitana insane, as Mileena finally has one up on her. Mileena defeats Kitana with her newfound confidence, and "Mileena" is sentenced to the Edenia prisons for the rest of her life. This makes Kitana go even further off the deep-end, because she cannot image the horrors Mileena is subjecting her people to.

Mileena
I go back and forth on her. Originally, I thought, fuck yeah she should be back. But then I realised that the character has died multiple times, she's just a shallow clone, blah blah, she can go. But now I'm back to thinking that she should have taken the Edenian throne. She's gotten Kitana out of the way, he murders Sindel, and now she has the realm BUT...for Mileena's deception to work, she has to rule like Kitana. She has to do good for the realm, and I think that would be the best route to take her character. She treats her people right, and she does a lot of good for Edenia. Can you imagine how pissed Kitana would be when she got out of jail, was hideous, and her people didn't want her back? Bitch fight.

Baraka
He should be dead. The only thing Baraka has going for him are the blades, and they could very easily be given to a more interesting character in a more interesting way. I like my Pestus idea more than Baraka returning.

Jade
I'm not anti-Jade, don't get me wrong, but the only reason this character was brought back was for popularity. I can't see anywhere too interesting they can go with her. I think the plan was to have her killed by Reptile in the MK3 era, back when she sacrificed herself to allow Kitana to escape, or something. Her character should meet its end in some semi-epic way in, or after, Armageddon.

Smoke
I've never been too big a fan of Smoke, so I'm fine with him being killed off. Noob Saibot should probably return, but I think Smoke should be killed alongside Noob Saibot, but Saibot works out a way back into existence, while Smoke just shortcircuts in the Netherrealm.

Noob Saibot
I like what they've done with him, and I think the character has legs. Don't make him a cliched villain trying to get an army going. Instead, just make him an entity that is just the assassin qualities of his soul epitomised. I'd give Noob Saibot a completely new look, too. Maybe some kind of new life, somehow? To get out of the Netherrealm, he sells his soul to the ruler there, whoever it may be. He does their bidding, somewhat, while also trying to get some revenge and fulfill his own agenda. Personally, I'd actually go with white garments for Noob Saibot. The Lin Kuei are a Chinese clan, and I believe white is often associated with death there. It'd just be a way of refreshing the appearance of the character, and focusing more on its story than of it just being a cool black ninja.

Kintaro
He's apparently not a favourite of the MK Team, and his character has always been pretty simple. I like the idea of Kintaro killing Goro, and then proving he should rule the Shokan, only to be killed by Sheeva. There's no real need for him to be back.

Shao Kahn
I like the idea of the former Emperor of Outworld surviving Armageddon, actually. I mean, let's look at it logically: Shao Kahn is one of the toughest guys in the MK universe, allegedly. If you're going by skill in order to survive, then Shao Kahn would definitely make the survivor shortlist. I don't think he should be essentially the same character, though. He has lost control of Outworld, he is weakened, and he needs to make a grab for power, or at least go down with honour. I see a less evil Shao Kahn this time, and rather just an ambitious one, much like Kahn would have been before he became Emperor. There's that old saying about absolute power, and how it corrupts absolutely. That's how I envision Shao Kahn. He got the power, and he became more corrupted than he was without it.

Sindel
Her character has no real reason to return. Anything she can do, Kitana or Mileena can do, which makes her irrelevent right there. I'd actually give her character the dignity of surviving Armageddon, but then I'd have her murdered by Mileena, who makes a grab for the throne of Edenia.

Nightwolf
I liked how he tainted his soul to enter the Netherrealm, and bind Onaga there. I think he should get to do that, but then he realises that there is no way out, so he is essentially trapped there. Maybe make him kind of like the boatman of the river styx, only he doesn't help people in; he makes sure they don't get out. I wouldn't make the character playable or anything, just give us an update on the fate of his soul, and what role he now plays in the MK universe.

Stryker
I actually like the idea of Stryker returning, actually. He always seemed like someone who was not keen on fighting, and got forced into it. Can you imagine how Stryker must be mentally? Especially if he survives? He'd be a complete nutjob with a bit of a god complex, believing he cannot die. I've also seen Stryker as being someone willing to sellout and join evil in order to save his life, as he didn't ask for any of this whacked out shit. If there is ever room for a character, I would not mind Insane Stryker returning.

Sheeva
Her character died, and hence a lot of her credibility has been lost. I can't see anywhere particularly interesting they can go with her. I think she should be offed.

Sektor
I'm a big fan of the cybernetic ninjas, but being unbiased, I don't think they should return. The charcters were never central to the plot, and they could very easily be left in the arc of past. However, if Sektor returned, I would not lose any sleep. It doesn't really make too much sense, though, as Sektor would have an army working for him, and there's no reason for him personally to fight and risk his life. There needs to be a lot of development for Sektor if he is to return. I think he's one of those "maybe in MK9" characters. Ah fuck it, include him, but give him a good reason for being there.

Cyrax
I like Cyrax a lot, but like Sektor, I think he can be left to die. However, if Sektor is back, I'd bring Cyrax back, too. My personal preference for Cyrax: He bumps into Nitara again, and Nitara reprograms Cyrax, and sends him off to deliver a distress signal to her brother, who would be a playable character in the game.

Kabal
Never the biggest fan of Kabal. I felt like Mavado killing him was the right move, and it gave the character the rub it needed, but they completely reversed that. Kabal should be brutally slaughtered by Dragon Kano.

Ermac
I like what they've done with him, but I don't know, liking Ermac or not, it doesn't seem right he comes back. I'd have him run into a weakened Shao Kahn (probably from Reptile's attack, or after being defeated by a major hero) and Ermac believes he can defeat Kahn and end this, but Shao Kahn was Ermac's creator, so he just undoes his magic, and absorbs the souls that Ermac was composed of, and gets some of his power back to the point where he can become a playable threat in the next game. Bring back Ermac if you decide to make Shao Kahn powerful again, and he needs minions, and you can have Ermac remember his past prior to this incarnation of him, but he cannot fight against Kahn's control.

Rain
I think there is a lot of legs on the character, actually. I think he should be back, however, I'd lose the purple look, and make Rain more of a secret character. He always seemed to be a thinker and not a fighter. I'd like to see him in MK9, whilst being behind the scenes and mentioned in MK8.

Mimik
I have no clue who this actually is. Let them die.

Khameleon
She dies, Reptile's race's fate is sealed, and we can all move on with our lives.

Fujin
I've never been a big fan of the character, but if Raiden is back, he is the logical being to be trying to pull him back in. If Raiden is gone, well he should take over as guardian of Earthrealm. I don't really like the character, though, even though it makes perfect sense he should be back. The story is all well and good, it's just the actual character and his moveset. I'd have Fujin either graduate to Elder God status and be retired, or have him be a non-playable associate of Earthrealm.

Sareena
The character only made her first fighting appearance in Armageddon, so she has that going for her. She also has a fairly interesting story. I'd stick her in the middle of the Sub-Zero/Scorpion/Noob Saibot story, not knowing whether to side with the Sub-Zero who is good, or the Sub-Zero who she actually owes her life to.

Quan Chi
I'm not as big on the character as many others, but I can actually see him returning. I think he would be best served to meet his end brutally at the hands of Scorpion, though, and restore some credibility back to the yellow ninja.

Shinnok
Another character I'm not too big on. I'd have him defeated, sentenced to eternity in the Netherrealm, and imprisoned by a new ruler there. Shinnok never has to be played as again, although it would be possible to bring him back in case of emergency.

Kai
I think there were plans to turn him into something, but he didn't get enough of the spotlight in MK4 to become worth anything. I think his character can be safely disposed of, and the lead male protagonist role could be given to a new character. Kai would only be worth anything as a supporting hero, but why use Kai when you can use Johnny Cage, who is a more important character to the series, in my opinion.

Tanya
I'm not anti-her, like many are, but I don't see her character being worth too much. You can make something from it, but it's a lot of work just to prove you can. She should probably be killed by Jade during Armageddon.

Jarek
I like the way they kind of made him a "good Kano," but I think a lot of people missed that. His character could be killed during Armageddon, and it would not be missed.

Reiko
Interesting as the character may be, there is no need for him. During the chaos of Armageddon, he is brought to his knees and killed.

Meat
I think they did a good job of actually making him interesting. The name "Meat" alone ruins any good will the character has, though. Another casualty for Armageddon.

Kenshi
Definitely the pick over Ermac. They're pretty much both psychics, but one is a lot more original than the other. I think Kenshi returning is good, because it makes the later games not seem completely pointless. He can still be somewhat aligned with Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage as a fighter on the good side.

Li Mei
I really like Li Mei, and I think that they really saved her from being a Mileena clone with a different story and a face. However, I don't see any urgency to bring her back at all. She can die.

Frost
Her character never really interested me. Let's get rid of her. The only interesting thing I can see being done with her is putting her next to Noob Saibot against the other Sub-Zero, or turning her into a Tekunin. Maybe in MK9.

Hsu Hao
Not nearly as bad as everyone makes him out to be, but not nearly worth bringing back.

Mavado
He was one of the best characters of the new generation, and they completely ruined him by not having him smart enough to actually check if Kabal was dead, and then get his ass handed to him. I wouldn't mind him back, but at this point in time, there's no real urgency for it, like there should be.

Nitara
I like the theory behind the character, and it's now going places, even though it originally appeared like it was dropped. Keep her alive, but have her stuck somewhere, missing, etc. Send a new vampire character (I'm thinking her brother, who is more than a scout in their realm, which would really allow us to explore the race), and instead she sends Cyrax to get help for her. She should return as an active fighter in MK9.

Bo' Rai Cho
Another character that isn't nearly as bad as people make out, but he should probably die during Armageddon. I think he should get one good kill, though, to remind everyone that this is the badass that can be drunk and survive Mortal Kombat.

Drahmin
The more I look into the character, the more it seems like a joke one. His bio card made it sound like he was a "landlord," which just makes me imagine a stereotypical money-seeking bastard who died, went to hell, discovered a mask and a club, and has been there long enough to long how to survive. He's not awful or anything, but there's no immediate reason to bring him back.

Moloch
He was a sub-boss who was already dead. We can lose him.

Blaze
I think his purpose in MKA was to die. Let him serve that one.

Mokap
Not nearly as bad as everyone made out. Sure, it was ridiculous to have him run around in his motion capture suit, and I doubt any child would be named "Mokap" and end up as a motion capture martial artist, but seriously, those goes that do the motion capture shit are talented as hell. If they gave him a real name, and actually highlighted that he is a serious martial artist, he wouldn't nearly have been as much of a flop. There's no reason to bring him back, though. I wouldn't mind him surviving and retiring just to piss people off, though, haha.

Ashrah
I really like her character, and she is one of the better characters to be introduced late last series. Her character has legs, but I'd actually alter her character a lot. I'd move her to Earthrealm, where she retires from demon hunting (having successfully ascended) and she partakes in human activities such as partying and sex, and basically she lives the life she fought hard to obtain. Then something threatens it so she fights in Mortal Kombat.

Havik
I really loved this character. I'd bring him back as the chaotic badass over Scorpion any day. I think he should be back, and honestly, I think he should have been the force behind Armageddon. He steals Onaga's heart after he's dead, resurrects everybody and chaos ensues. There's no great plan for it, just Havik holding Onaga's heart, and no one can die until it's destroyed and Havik is defeated. I'd bring him back. He might be better suited to being one of those "maybe in MK9" guys.

Hotaru
I liked his story, and I think he could come back. However, the more I think about it, the more I think that good characters like Havik, Hotaru and Ashrah can be left in the past as shining jewels of their respective games. If there's room for Hotaru, though, bring him back.

Dairou
I think he's done all that he really should. He was not a bad character concept, but he suffered by coming in when he did as one of three characters in a messy storyline, and he looks the weakest coming out of it. I think he can left out.

Darrius
He's one of the MK Team's favourites, so he may be back. Personally, I'd have him align with Earthrealm. You kind of got the impression he was a bad guy during his past story, but I can see him loving the chaos and freedom Earthrealm provides, and he decides that it will be his own home, nuts to Seido. He then discovers means to restore Seido to chaos, and he discovers that the cleric of chaos still lives, and his alignments are torn and tested.

Kira
I did not mind the character, but I felt she was more of a gimmick than a real fleshed out story. I think she can be killed by Kano in some kind of cutscene to explain why he is the sub-boss without any harm.

Kobra
Wasn't a big fan, wasn't particularly against him. I think his fate should match Kira's: slaughtered by Kano.

Shujinko
I liked how Shujinko righted his wrong, but still got killed by Raiden for it. I think he should be mentioned in the story, possibly with his memory haunting the now mortal Raiden, but I don't think he should be playable.

Onaga
He was kind of an anti-climax to what they were building to, and he should probably be dead.

Taven
He's a young character, relatively fresh, with a good story. However, he needs a reason to fight, otherwise he can ascend and not bother with mortal stuff anymore. I can think of many ways to do this. I'd bring him back. He should definitely still be in the story, even if he's not immediately playable. I'd expect fully to play as him in either MK8 or MK9.

Daegon
Another young character that I feel should get more than the shake he got. What I'd do, is have him actually be the one to kill Blaze, and it does turn out to be a test from Argus and Delia, who decide that Daegon is not worthy of being Edenia's guardian. He is imprisoned in the Edenia dungeons for the rest of his life, which is eternity, while his body decays. This haunts Taven, who had his issues with his brother, but does not think this treatment is right. Taven can give up his status to fight in Mortal Kombat, where the prize can somehow help Daegon not suffer as much as he is. This creates a vacuum in Edenia, as someone has to be named guardian, which can lead to the resurfacing of Rain, who thinks he is up to the task. Daegon, meanwhile, sits in the prisons of Edenia where he makes a friend...a wrongfully imprisoned Kitana, as they discuss just what they'll do when they get out. MK8 or MK9 should mark the return of Daegon.

So MK8 returns:

1. Johnny Cage (could be cut)
2. Sonya Blade
3. Kano (as sub-boss)
4. Raiden
5. Sub-Zero
6. Scorpion
7. Mileena
8. Shao Kahn
9. Stryker (could be cut)
10. Cyrax
11. Sareena
12. Kenshi
13. Ashrah
14. Hotaru
15. Darrius
16. Taven

I'd be going with 32 characters in MK8, as cluttered as it may seem, because it's a nice round number for a tournament. So that means exactly half of the characters would be returning, and exactly half would be new. This works out fairly nicely, in my opinion.

MK9 returns/potential secret characters in MK8:

1. Shang Tsung
2. Jax
3. Kitana
4. Frost
5. Mavado
6. Nitara
7. Havik
8. Daegon

Liu Kang
#--------------------------------#
For many people Liu Kang means Mortal Kombat. I think thathe should be killed off....I mean c'mon we've had enough of this guy...he is one of my favourites by I think they should have him "retired". As I've mentioned in another thread we should have a new hero....Maybe the "Last Member" of the White Lotus Society, a new "Liu Kang" but with different look, and a different background!!

Kung Lao
#------------------------------#
He should definately live. A character with a lot of pottential. I think that in the new MK we should see a Kung Lao with a "wiser" look....Could take the role of mentor or some kind in the new series of games and train a new warrior...or they could just let him as he is and give him a little push!!!

Sub-Zero
#------------------------------------------------#
We pretty much know that Subby's gonna make it...Hell...who doesn't want him to live?? I think that considering the story that he and Noob became one we should have a new SubZero who will be neutral. He'll have to fight his inner battle...much like Spider-Man!!!

Scorpion
#---------------------------------------------------#
ok now, we know this dude will make it too but...enough with this "revenge" bullshit man.....C'mon...GET A LIFE....I think that it's time for old Scorp to make a choice and join the forces of evil or the forces of good....It's time to Choose His Destiny!!!

Nightwolf
#--------------------------------------------------#
I'm almost sure this dude's gonna make it....but I don't know....They should give him a good return story

Motaro
#--------------------------------------------------------#
Either give this guy his legs back or kill him off!!!!!

Well that's all I can think right now.....see ya later!!!

kill off liu kang, mokap, blaze, mavado, moloch, drahmin, jax, sonya, striker sheeva, goro, nightwolf, smoke, dragon king, bo rai cho and a bunch more.

return scorpion, reiko, kung lao, reptile, sub zero, noob, baraka, raiden, shinnok, kahn, fujin, quan chi, mileena, sareena, kira, sindel, cyrax, and few others.

is it any surprise that i want sheeva to return?
i know that Ed Boon has said that many old characters will not be returning for this game. FOR THIS GAME!!!!!!!! I don't think anyone will be killed off because then if a new character's story ends up tying with an old character they killed off, it would suck if they bring a character back from the dead....AGAIN or have to change that new character's story. I think they should leave everyone's story where they ended in armageddon and just continue them if they want to.

SHEEVA is rarely a hated character, actually i haven't really known anybody that hates her. I think they should bring back a few really popular characters and a few unpopular characters.

The ones that i want to return are:

POPULAR
Sonya
Scorpion
Sub-Zero
Raiden
Liu-Kang

UNPOPULAR
Sheeva (of course)
Nitara
Sindel
Sektor

I definately want more to return, but i think that the popular ones cant be absent from a game ever again because they are too popular and important. And the unpopular ones need it so they can actually expand their story. Sheeva, Nitara, and Sektor have only been in two games and Sindel has been in three. But yeah, thats my opinion.

Ashrah

I think she should survive and make it to the next-gen MK games. I like her a lot, and I see good potential in her. I hope she'll be involved with Sareena's and Nitara's stories, and I hope they'll explain more about the Kriss.

Baraka

He's still the same as he was since his debut: predictable, 1-dimensional, and shallow. While I don't completely hate him, there's just nothing good for him in his future. He's had his run and is easily dispensable. I know that he's a fan favorite of some, but when you take away the gimmicks, he's a pretty shallow character.

Blaze

I like Blaze, but he's served his purpose. He should be killed.

Bo' Rai Cho

I like Bo' Rai Cho, but I'm not really interested in seeing him continue. It's probably better for the story that he dies.

Chameleon

Chameleon is one of the worst, maybe even the worst MK character. He should die a most horribly painful death.

Cyrax

I kind of like Cyrax, but I'm not too interested in seeing him return. If he does, I kind of want him to be sort of the main protagonist in Sektor's story with the Tekunin.

Daegon

I like Daegon, but I'm not really interested in seeing him come back.

Dairou

I like Dairou, but it could go either way for me. If he dies, I wouldn't be too concerned. However, I think he kind of deserves another chance. He's one of the underrated characters, and he's one that could become something more.

Darrius

I don't hate Darrius, but I think that Dairou should kill him. He's served his purpose.

Drahmin

I like him a lot, and I want to see him return. He could be involved with the Netherrealm side of the story.

Ermac

I like him a lot, and I think he has good potential for the future. I say bring him back.

Frost

I like Frost, but I'm not interested in seeing her return.

Fujin

I kind of like Fujin, and I think it'd be best to have him return. It would be wise to explore his role as Earthrealm's Protector God and how he does things differently than Raiden did and how he interacts with the heroes.

Goro

He should have really been killed by Noob Saibot. His return in MKD was a huge mistake that ruined his character. He needs to die.

Havik

I think he has great potential and could go various places, causing trouble. He's my favorite new character from MKD, and I definitely want him to return.

Hotaru

Hotaru is an underrated character, but I appreciate him, and I see good potential. I'd like to see him come back.

Hsu Hao

I don't care for Hsu Hao, and to me, he's served his purpose. So to me, he should die.

Jade

I like Jade, but I'm not entirely sure whether she should continue on. I will say that she should at least survive. If they are going to bring her back, they should make the most out of her.

Jarek

I have to admit that there are some good things about Jarek. However, I'm not interested in seeing him return, and I'd rather have him die.

Jax

Jax has been pretty boring throughout. I still say he was at his best in MK2. The way he is in MKDA is horrible. Although the dynamic of him being a loose cannon is interesting, it's too late for him. I'd rather have him die.

Johnny Cage

I'm glad that Johnny Cage finally had real character and story development. It's too bad that it came at the last moment. To me, he should live but retire. I like the idea of him trying to seek enlightenment with the help of Shaolin monks.

Kabal

I like Kabal, but I don't want him to return.

Kai

I find Kai to be a very boring character, and his return in MKA did nothing to change my mind. He should probably just die or something. If he returns, they need to really step him up.

Kano

He's been dragged on for too long, and he needs to finally die. The whole thing with him becoming a black dragon in his ending is garbage.

Kenshi

I like Kenshi, and I do want him to return. However, I'm not sure what could be done with him.

Khameleon

I'd rather not have her return even though I don't hate her.

Kintaro

I don't hate Kintaro, but I think he should die. He's unnecessary and his return in MKA seems to me like it was only for completing the roster.

Kira

Like Hotaru, Kira is an underrated character who I feel has good potential. If Sonya was to return, I'd like to see a good rivalry between the two, not a shallow rivalry like the one between Sonya and Kano.

Kitana

I like Kitana, and I think that she should probably return and have her story go in a darker direction. I'd like to see how the loss of Liu Kang and the situation of the realms affects her and all that. If Jade and/or Sindel were to die, that would definitely add to her pain, but I happen to like both of them.

Kobra

Aside from his sociopathic tendencies, he's not that great of a character. I'd rather just have him die.

Kung Lao

I like Kung Lao, and I think he has potential to return. I'm not sure what to do with him aside from stepping him up to being Earthrealm's main hero. He could probably be Fujin's right hand man.

Li Mei

Li Mei really improved in MKD, and I'd like to see her come back for more. They should keep the struggle with the darkness in her soul, making her a bit of a loose cannon in the Forces of Light. Like Ermac, she could be a main protagonist in the Outworld side of the story.

Liu Kang

Liu Kang has had his run, and he should have stayed dead and gone. As a hero and main protagonist, he has failed miserably due to how bland and relatively 1-dimensional he is.

Mavado

I like Mavado, but I'm not interested in seeing him return.

Meat

He should be eaten alive and never return.

Mileena

Mileena has really stepped up, imo. She's a must have as she has good potential and could possibly become a mid-level antagonist. I think maybe she should try to find a way to fix her face.

Mokap

Whether he lives or dies, I don't want him back. I doubt we'll see him return anyway. He was just a tribute to Carlos Pesina.

Moloch

I despise Moloch, and I find him to be one of the worst MK characters. Like Chameleon, he should die a most horribly painful death.

Motaro

I'm not interested in seeing Motaro return. He should have stayed dead.

Nightwolf

I don't hate Nightwolf, but I'm not interested in him enough to really want him back. He should at last survive and maybe be an NPC.

Nitara

I like Nitara, and I'd like to learn more about her and her race. She has good potential and is a very interesting character. I hope that the rivalry between her and Ashrah continues.

Noob Saibot

Noob Saibot really became great with his MKD story, but I'm somewhat iffy on the idea of him returning. I do think he has potential to become a mid-level villain, and I kind of want him to have a rivalry with Scorpion. If I were to try and streamline things by doing as much trimming as possible, I might have the Sub-Zero/Noob Saibot rivalry end in MKA. If he does return, which he might, they should make the most out of him.

Onaga

Onaga was kind of a cool boss concept, but the boss fight turned out kind of bad. I'm not interested in seeing him continue.

Quan Chi

I like Quan Chi, but for the sake of the story, he should probably die, either at the hands of Sareena or Scorpion.

Raiden

Raiden is one of my favorite characters, and I personally like his dark side. I'd like to see it further explored, and I think he could be a good antagonist.

Rain

Rain has stepped up due to his story, and he could be an antagonist for the Edenian side of the story. I think he could return. He could possibly be an enemy for Jade or Sindel, maybe even Kitana. Rain could even align with someone like Mileena.

Reiko

I'm iffy on Reiko. For me, it could go either way.

Reptile

I don't hate Reptile, but he's had his run. I simply don't want him back.

Sareena

I think she has good potential that shouldn't go to waste. She's a must have, imo. The struggle with her demonic instincts needs to be one of her main obstacles throughout her story.

Scorpion

Scorpion is currently a huge mess yet there are still people who kiss his ass anyway. Part of me wants to see him be fixed, but I'm starting to think that it's not worth it. He's been dragged on for a long time, and he's just so horrible. The problem here is that he's a fan favorite and the favorite character of Ed Boon, so we know that he'll be returning. With that said, he NEEDS to be fixed, and I think that if done right, a rivalry with Noob Saibot could help him. At the same time, it could easily be a disaster. If it were up to me, Scorpion would be wiped out by Blaze's essence, because given the way he is now, he doesn't deserve any reward.

Sektor

I like Sektor, but it could kind of go either way with me. If he returns, I could see Sub-Zero and/or Cyrax be the main enemies. Like Noob Saibot, he could become a mid-level villain. He could be that villain that would be sort of a threat to other villains. So yeah, I see potential for him, but I wouldn't exactly want him to be in MK8 but rather a later MK game.

Shang Tsung

I like Shang Tsung, but I think it's best for him to die.

Shao Kahn

My feelings here are the same as with Shang Tsung.

Sheeva

I never liked Sheeva, and she's still worthless to me. She needs to die for sure.

Shinnok

I like that Shinnok has improved, and given the situation with the real Shinnok still being confined to the Netherrealm, well, he's still around. So chances are, he'll return in one way or another. I sort of want him back.

Shujinko

I'm glad that he's kind of improved, but he's served his purpose and should die a hero's death.

Sindel

My feelings towards Sindel are similar to that of Jade's. I like both characters, but both of them, especially Sindel, are overshadowed by Kitana. So in a way, she's kind of doomed, and she will likely die. I kind of want her to live and return though. But alas, if I were to really streamline things and trim as much as I feel is needed, Sindel and Jade probably would be offed or at the most saved for later.

Smoke

I'm iffy on Smoke. He hasn't gotten good treatment from a story standpoint, but he sort of has potential. I'd probably just have him die.

Sonya

Sonya is one of those popular characters. However, she has one giant flaw, namely her lack of character development. She's more or less the same Sonya as she was in MK1. I don't see why I should want her to return given how she is. However, I'm willing to give her a chance if both she and Kira return and have a good rivalry with each other. In relation to this, she needs to have character development so that she can really be interesting, otherwise, she's not really worth it.

Stryker

I like his revamp, but I'm not interested in having him return. To be nice, I could probably have him live and do the cop stuff but not have him be involved with the story.

Sub-Zero

Being my favorite character, I obviously want him to return. I think he should step up as well as have his loose ends and stuff tied up. I definitely want to see exploration with his Cryomancer ancestry. If he's going to fight Noob Saibot and/or Sektor, that's fine as long as it's done well. A Noob Saibot/Sektor alliance could be good as they do have a common enemy in Sub-Zero. I still see good potential for him.

Tanya

I still don't like Tanya, and I'd rather have her die.

Taven

I don't really like Taven too much, but I think he should return. For him not to return would be really putting him to waste. At least with Shujinko, his story can just end. However, given Taven's importance with Armageddon and the whole Edenian protector god thing, it makes it difficult. So to me, his potential should be explored.

Live & in MK8:
-Dragon Kano
-Mileena
-Jade (Falcon PAWWNCH!)
-Noob
-Sareena
-Human Onaga
-Human Drahmin

MK9 Hopefuls:
-Dairou
-Havik
-Smoke

Die:
-Chameleon
-Hsu Hao
-Kahn (or should he?)
-Darrius
-Mokap
-Liu

I've been looking at some of the trading card videos on YouTube, and believe it or not, I think they may hold the answers to which characters could return in future Mortal Kombat games.

Ed Boon pretty much says he can definitely see Sonya being back. John Vogel, who is in charge of the story, so probably has some pull, reasons that he would like to see Darrius get into future games. Ed Boon is also very complementary of the character, and says he has his own gravity, and that he represents a lot of the Hong Kong films MK is inspired by.

Shang Tsung is described as the iconic villain of Mortal Kombat, and they talk about how he is pretty much in every game. Ashrah is also touted as one of the more interesting characters that game from Deception, both in terms of her character and her moves.

While they case for them is not as strong, Johnny Cage gets a a positive review from them, as well, and they imply that he is the comic relief character of Mortal Kombat. Which, yes, could be a revisionary statement, but they seem to imply that Cage offers something that is iconic with Mortal Kombat.

Bo' Rai Cho also gets placed on a notch just below Johnny Cage in this regard, but they also seem to like the way his character is a teacher, and he seems to have a lot of goodwill.

Sure, it's not at all anything concrete, as the videos only show a bit of what the MK Team thinks, but just for a little bit of fun, going by the trading cards (which will not turn out to be an accurate way to do things at all), the returning character list could look something like:

* Sub-Zero
* Scorpion
* Sonya Blade
* Darrius
* Shang Tsung
* Ashrah
* Johnny Cage
* Bo' Rai Cho

That's eight returning characters right there, and it's a pretty strong mix, really. You've got some new, and you've got some old. You've got two women, you've got five characters who have roots in MK1, and you've got three characters who came in no earlier than Deadly Alliance, the fifth installment of the series. You've got more human fighters, and more supernatural fighters in there, and you've got some heroes, some neutrals and a villain in there.

If this turned out to be the returning character list, even though it wouldn't have been what I'd have done, I think I would be pretty happy, actually.

Would anyone like to see Blaze in his MK:DA form in MK8? Maybe his defeat changes his stature due to the release of the "essence". I'd be happy with him dead though.

Characters who should return:

Shao Kahn

From Mileena and Shang Tsung's bio's, we have determined he is once again the emperor of Outworld. He should return. He doesn't have to be the "main bad guy", but he is one of the most iconic bad guys in the game. I'm sure they can find a way to put him in the game.

Reiko

He is Shao Kahn's second in command. After Armageddon, I have gained a lot of respect for him. Especially his devotion to Shao Kahn made me respect him.

Raiden

I think it would be interesting to see where his story goes. They should continue him down his evil path. Maybe form an alliance with Shinnok or something.

Fujin

Well, he is the protector of Earthrealm, and the God of Wind. And surely we can't entrust the safety of our realm to Raiden. We all know what Raiden's capable of now.

Sub-Zero

MK icon. Forever returning.

Scorpion

MK icon. Forever returning.

Noob Saibot

He has developed into a really cool character. His storyline is very interesting and he can go far.

Taven

He should return as the "main good guy". I liked him in Armageddon. It was a nice change from the over used Liu Kang, and I never liked Shujinko. And he is a good fighter. The fact that he is the son of Argus is interesting too, IMO.

Shang Tsung

Now that he is reunited with Shao Kahn, he should continue to work with him. I loved the line in his MK:A bio: "United once more, Shao Kahn, Goro and I laid waste to all who stood in our way!" It really made me like them as a team and I think combined, they could be very interesting in future MK storylines.

Shinnok

For some reason, I have come to like Shinnok. I like his storyline and I thought it was cool how he killed a bunch of gods and a few Elder Gods. That took balls.

Kitana
Should return as the leader of the Edenian army. Edenia needs a feisty young girl to lead them. She should replace Sindel as queen, even though it would be predictable, it would be cool, IMO.

Thats about all the characters I want back. That leaves room for a whole bunch of new characters.

return:sub-zero,scorpion,(human)luikang, kunglao,rieko(shao kahn yes reiko is shao kahn see mk pavilion.)fujin , (good)raiden,HUMAN SMOKE,noob, phantom(message me if you want to know.),ermac,jade kitana,millina,reptile,j cage , jax,sonya,chameleon,khameleon,goro,taven, classic sub zero,cyrax,sektor. secret unplayable charactors,hydro,acid,onaga,tremor,the mortal kombat dragon.the ret KILL!