Whaaaaaaaaat. This whole time I thought it was so martial artsy that it was something she picked up on the island to compete. I'm so upset right now lol.

Think of the Special Forces in MK1 thru 3 as G.I. Joe and the whole spandex thing will make more sense.

Nothing says martial arts like a headband and olive gym gear.

Ignoring the conversational plateau of the usual Rainman routine, it strikes me that the issue (and discourse) is not about revealing items of clothing, but whether or not Sonya is an overtly sexualized character in a series with a bias toward sexualized characters.

In her original in-game iteration, regardless of reason, impressions would be that she wasn't particularly.

Allowing for styles and references of the time, Sonya's original getup is relatively modest. Early nineties comic book art might offer some alternate intentions (or at least a commentary about the artistic practises of the medium and time), but there's little argument against the fact the original in-game model's attire is built exclusively for support -- not titilation.

Even when the base model enters pinup territory (in MK3), things stay relatively holstered, which is probably an MK equivalent argument for a less sexualized impression of a character, if not actual modesty. At that point the gym gear may have become more colourful and even less GI, but that's more of an issue of authenticity, than sexualization. MK4 rights itself in both respects, retaining the stylized look whilst taking Sonya to one of her most modest designs.

There's all the precedent in the world for a character who favours a bare midriff and/or the cartoon mobility of a sports top. Every example, particularly the original, also makes an argument for attire built for support. That's somewhat contrary to the notion of a skimpy, braless singlet. You pretty much have to go to MKDA for breasts that really call attention to themselves, and even then, that rests on the uncomfortably bizarre physiology of in-game models of the time, in attire that again goes relatively modest for the series and its design tendencies.

Is this the place to have the argument? It's a fair observation highlighted by the item, but you've got to give the statuette credit for adequately presenting a version of the character that was introduced in the latest game. That's all you can really demand of a merchandising product. This debate is really the second-coming of the original Sonya design argument.

I think the bigger story here is the Andy Park/Tomb Raider reference.
Playful homage building on references found in the original design, or an outrageous lifting of someone elses artwork? It certainly explains the doric columns and... sort of explains the double hydrants.

I just don't see a plain white tanktop as "designed for titillation", or as any less "sporty". I still think it looks exactly the same as her green tanktop in MK1, just in a different color.

The only significant difference is the size of the tits inside the tanktop. THOSE are designed for titillation, sure. But they're still gonna be big tits no matter what kind of clothing she wears over top of them and they've been big tits since MK3. I definitely disagree that "You pretty much have to go to MKDA for breasts that really call attention to themselves." They stand out in 3 and 4, neckline or no.

My only real reason for arguing the subject though is I took umbrage at the idea that an ordinary tanktop goes against Sonya's "personality". Being the continuity nut that I am, I can't help myself but to point it out whenever someone makes an argument about "how they always have been portrayed" that disagrees with reality and should probably be reworded to "how I think they should be portrayed."

If you THINK Sonya should be more modest, that's fine, I have no quarrel with that. But you can't say this outfit stands out from the pack. For her closet, this is Tuesday.

Which, again, is why it's pretty clear the counterpoint is about whether or not Sonya has been an overtly sexualized character. 'Not first tanktop, yeah, definitely not first tanktop' is not a discussion and doesn't address the objection, which is at least supported in so much as even by MKDA, you haven't had a scantily clad, overtly sexualized Sonya design.

Since you're ascribing physical proportions to an incidental factor, it would be mutual to your point that exposed cleavage has not appeared in an in-game Sonya design until MKvsDC (where it's still a little more reserved) -- very late in the established fashion sequence. Which is exactly the observable difference that would suggest some departure from your supposed "continuity."

It's fair to say that there's also an element of assumption that can't be proved -- the presumed inconsistency of a known career military woman swanning about braless in a tiny, gravity-defying tanktop. Even if you accept that, it really only speaks to the basic bias and stylized references that we all already know are there, disconnected, or not -- "GI Joe" military.

I don't know why the physical constraints of the garment aren't being taken into account, but I don't think dissecting that logic is for an MK forum. I'd like to think the differences between a garment specifically tailored for support, versus some cotton dangling in the wind, are pretty obvious. If they aren't, that certainly isn't inconsistent with MK attitudes.

In any event, it's still a discussion much better suited to the oft lamented Sonya design thread, particularly if we're going to be subject to blunt-force repetition. I'd rather we weren't.

They said it was inspirational art used to create the statue. The whole thing got a bit heated on facebook, but I think it's fine TBH. I mean nobody cared when they directly copied the renders to make Kitana, Jade, Mileena, Noob, etc. I passed on this one simply because I couldn't afford another $300+ on top of buying Noob and the upcoming 18" Sub Zero fatality. Would have liked to of added it to my shelves since it's a great looking statue in general, but Noob with his clone and Sub Zero doing the spine rip are just in another league when compared to a plain Sonya.