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{{Short description|Mortal Kombat character}}{{Multiple issues|{{cleanup|reason=Article is loaded with poor references that say little|date=May 2023}}{{original research|date=May 2023}}}}

factoids

| creator = Ed BoonJohn Tobiastitle=Various MKII, UMK3) >Steve Beran (MK:D, MK:A) MK:SM)HTTP://WWW.ALLGAME.COM/GAME.PHP?ID=46532&TAB=CREDITS PUBLISHER=ALLGAME.COM ACCESS-DATE=2013-11-06 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20141116021746/HTTP://WWW.ALLGAME.COM/GAME.PHP?ID=46532&TAB=CREDITS Atomhawk Design (MK9)HTTP://WWW.ATOMHAWK.COM/CHARACTERS.HTML >TITLE=CHARACTERS ACCESS-DATE=2013-11-06 ARCHIVE-DATE=2013-11-03 Justin Murray (MKX)Mortal Kombat X Mileena alternate costume and mouth sketches {{Webarchiveweblink >date=2016-01-08 }} - Mortal Kombat Online, April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.HTTP://SHORYUKEN.COM/2015/04/24/MORTAL-KOMBAT-X-DESIGNER-SHARES-CONCEPT-ART-OF-MILEENA-FERRA-AND-TORR/ >TITLE=MORTAL KOMBAT X DESIGNER SHARES CONCEPT ART OF MILEENA, FERRA, AND TORR DATE=2015-04-24 ARCHIVE-DATE=2019-01-14 URL-STATUS=DEAD, }}| species = Edenian-Tarkatan clone (1st – 2nd timelines)Edenian-Tarkatan (3rd timeline)title=Various Dana Hee (1997 film) >Megan Brown (television) Legacy) >Michelle Lee (actress) (Legacy II) >Sisi Stringer (2021 film)}}title=Various MKII) >Becky Gable (UMK3, MKT) MK:D, MK:A)MORTAL KOMBAT: ARMAGEDDON PREMIUM EDITION PUBLISHER=MIDWAY LEVEL="THE HISTORY OF FATALITIES" COMMENTARY, HTTPS://ARCHIVE.ORG/STREAM/OXM_2008_08-WEB#PAGE/N19/MODE/1UP/ >TITLE=OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE ISSUE 86 ACCESS-DATE=2014-05-04, MK9)HTTP://GEODEPRESS.COM/CONTINUED-INTERVIEW-WITH-LORRISA-JULIANUS-AKA-ZENOBIA/ PUBLISHER=GEODEPRESS.COM ACCESS-DATE=2015-04-06 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20150402094109/HTTP://GEODEPRESS.COM/CONTINUED-INTERVIEW-WITH-LORRISA-JULIANUS-AKA-ZENOBIA/ Quynh Chi Nguyen (MK1)HTTP://INSTAGRAM.COM/P/CTEFS-OA_2-/>TITLE=QUYNH CHI NGUYEN ON INSTAGRAM, June 14, 2023, }}title=Various MKII, UMK3) >Rosalind Dugas (MKG) MK:SM) >Johanna Añonuevo (2004–2006) Karen Strassman (2011–2015)HTTP://WWW.KARENSTRASSMAN.COM/KAREN_CREDITS.PDF PUBLISHER=KARENSTRASSMAN.COM ARCHIVE-DATE=2013-10-20 URL-STATUS=DEAD, Kari Wahlgren (2020–present)CIANCIOLOUSER=DOMCIANCIOLOTITLE=@KARIWAHLGREN VOICES MILEENA. RAIN IS @DEMPSEYPAPPION .ACCESS-DATE=2020-10-08, }}| origin = OutworldSai (weapon)>Sai, teeth}}Mileena is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. Introduced in Mortal Kombat II (1993), Mileena was initially depicted as a clone of the Edenian princess Kitana, created by Shang Tsung with the blood of the fictional Tarkatan species, and raised alongside her "sister". Following the time-travelling actions of Raiden in Mortal Kombat 9 (2011), Mileena's background as a Tarkatan clone of Kitana remains the same, although she was only recently awoken, rather than raised alongside Kitana. Mortal Kombat X (2015) depicts her attempts to regain her throne as Empress of Outworld, following her overthrow by Kotal Kahn.In a third timeline, created by Liu Kang and depicted in Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), significant changes were made to Mileena's character and background. Rather than a clone, Mileena is instead portrayed as the biological twin sister of Kitana and daughter of Sindel, and heir to the throne. However, she was infected with the Tarkatan virus—as Baraka and other victims—resulting in her developing the deformed facial features of the Tarkatan, which she conceals with a veil.Mileena is featured as a prominent villain throughout the series and uses a pair of sai as her primary weapons. Despite some criticism for her revealing character designs, Mileena has received a positive reception for her unique appearance and personality. She has been featured in various media outside of the games and is one of the franchise's most popular characters.

Appearances

Mortal Kombat games

After conquering Edenia and merging it with his realm, Outworld's emperor Shao Kahn took Edenian princess Kitana and raised her as his own. While she grew up not knowing her true heritage, Shao nonetheless feared she would eventually discover the truth and turn against him. To remedy this, he tasked the sorcerer Shang Tsung with creating a vicious yet loyal clone of her to take her place if necessary. In creating the clone however, Shang Tsung used Tarkatan essence, which resulted in Mileena taking on a Tarkatan mouth. Due to this, Shao introduced her to Kitana as her long-lost twin sister as a means of spying on Kitana and ensuring she remains loyal to him. Mileena and Kitana would grow up to become Shao's personal assassins, though the former became bitter and jealous towards the latter, who Shao favored over her.In Mortal Kombat II, after Kitana discovers her true heritage and joins forces with Earthrealm's warriors to fight him, Shao orders Mileena to watch over her.Bryan Dawson, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Prima Official Game Guide), Prima Games 2006 (p. 101).Mortal Kombat Warehouse: Mortal Kombat II: Mileena {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821003205weblink |date=2015-08-21 }}, Mortal Kombat Online network. While Mileena is determined to stop her twin at any cost,Mortal Kombat II Game Gear manual (p. 20). she is killed by Kitana.Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 SNES manual (p. 25). In an alternate take of the story depicted in (Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks), in which she appears as a boss, Mileena joins Kitana and Jade in fighting Liu Kang and Kung Lao, only to be defeated and forced to flee to the Wasteland to seek help from Goro.In Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, having been damned to the Netherrealm following her death, Mileena swears fealty to its ruler Shinnok. Shao later resurrects her to help him defeat Earthrealm's warriors and grants her the ability to read Kitana's thoughts.Mortal Kombat Trilogy PlayStation manual, p.19. Seizing the opportunity, Shinnok allows her to be resurrected so he can use her to spy on Earthrealm.WEB,weblink Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 - Bios, Mksecrets.net, 2009-10-22, 2013-11-06, 2013-09-25,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130925020316weblink">weblink live, Following Shao's defeat, Mileena is forced back to the Netherrealm.{{cn|date=May 2023}} In Mortal Kombat Gold, she assists Shinnok in his invasion of Edenia, but allows Kitana to escape from imprisonment. After Shinnok is defeated, Mileena attempts to seize Kitana's power over Edenia, only to be defeated by her and imprisoned.During the events of (Mortal Kombat: Deception), Mileena's ally Baraka frees her before she joins Onaga, who tasks her with posing as Kitana to misdirect his enemies.Bryan Dawson, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Prima Official Game Guide), Prima Games 2006 (p. 118). Secretly, she also plots to take control of Edenia's forces and Onaga's undead army.Mark Ryan Sallee, Mortal Kombat: Deception - xbox - Walkthrough and Guide - p. 25 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402061553weblink |date=2013-04-02 }}, GameSpy, January 8, 2004.In (Mortal Kombat: Armageddon), Mileena seizes Shao's fortress and maintains her deception, intending to wait until she feels the Edenian forces are ready to serve her under her true identity. When Shao resurfaces to reinstate himself as Outworld's ruler however, she is forced to reveal herself and surrenders to him. While capturing Shujinko to coerce Onaga into joining forces with Shao, Mileena continues secretly plotting to take Edenia's throne for herself before she is killed by Shang Tsung amidst the titular Armageddon.VIDEO GAME, (Mortal Kombat: Armageddon), Midway Games, 2006, Opening sequence, In Mortal Kombat (2011), after Raiden alters the timeline to avert Armageddon, Shang Tsung uses the "Flesh Pits" to create Mileena, who is introduced during an early Mortal Kombat tournament initially to serve as Kitana's replacement. However, due to her physical and mental damage, animalistic rage, and lascivious behavior, Shao uses Mileena to lure and devour victims. Additionally, he views her as his "true daughter".Richard Mitchell, Video: Mileena gets stab-happy in Mortal Kombat {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119202625weblink |date=2011-01-19 }}, Joystiq, January 15, 2011.Mortal Kombat Kitana's Ending in High Definition {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310092528weblink |date=2013-03-10 }}, G4tv.com, April 25, 2011Mileena returns as a playable character in Mortal Kombat X (2015).WEB, Maiberg, Emanuel,weblink New Mortal Kombat X Images Confirm Mileena and Johnny Cage, GameSpot.com, 2015-03-11, 2015-04-06, 2015-04-07,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150407045003weblink">weblink live, In flashbacks, she succeeded Shao as empress of Outworld, but was betrayed by Reptile and overthrown by Kotal Kahn. Refusing to accept this, she set out to acquire Shinnok's amulet in the hopes of using its power to reclaim her throne. In the present, she joins forces with Rain, Tanya, and Kano in an attempt to assassinate Kotal, only to be captured. Mileena uses Shinnok's amulet to survive her execution, but is overcome by its power before Rain rescues her. She is later re-apprehended by Cassie Cage and D'Vorah, with the latter stealing the amulet and successfully executing Mileena on Kotal's orders.Mileena appears as a downloadable playable character in Mortal Kombat 11 (MK11) via the "Kombat Pack 2" DLC.WEB,weblink Mortal Kombat 11 Roster: Mileena, MortalKombat.com, 2020-10-08, 2020-10-08, 2020-10-14,weblink dead, Mileena appears as a playable character in Mortal Kombat 1 (MK1).WEB,weblink FAQ, 2023-05-21, 2023-05-26,weblink live, After Fire God Liu Kang creates a second new timeline, she is rewritten to become Kitana's biological elder twin sister, daughter of Empress Sindel and Emperor Jerrod, crown princess of Outworld, and lover of Umgadi warrior Tanya. Additionally, Mileena secretly suffers from the Tarkat virus, a disease that slowly transforms the afflicted into feral monsters, with a serum developed by Shang Tsung keeping it at bay. While helping Liu Kang foil Titan Shang Tsung's plot to absorb their timeline, Mileena defeats Ermac, allowing Jerrod's soul to take control, but loses Sindel, who appoints Mileena her successor before dying. Following Titan Shang Tsung's defeat, Mileena becomes empress of Outworld and works to mend relations with others who share her condition.

Other media

File:Mileena Annihilation.png|thumb|upright|Dana Hee as Mileena in Mortal Kombat AnnihilationMortal Kombat AnnihilationMileena makes a minor appearance in Mortal Kombat Annihilation, portrayed by Dana Hee.AV MEDIA, Mortal Kombat Annihilation, New Line Cinema, 1997, Motion picture, In the tie-in novelization, she joins forces with Smoke before they are defeated by Sonya Blade and Jax Briggs.BOOK, Mortal Kombat; Annihilation, Jerome, Preisler, 1997, Tor Books, 0812539338, Mileena appears in the (Mortal Kombat: Conquest) episode "Shadow of a Doubt", portrayed by Megan Brown. This version is not directly related to Kitana.WEB,weblink Warriors:Mileena, Replay.waybackmachine.org, 2013-11-15, unfit,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090324021834weblink">weblink March 24, 2009, WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080914180024weblink">weblink 2008-09-14, Episodes:Shadow of a Doubt, 2013-11-15, Mileena appears in Mortal Kombat (2021), portrayed by Sisi Stringer. This version is an enforcer to Shang Tsung.WEB, Borys, Kit, Mia, Galuppo,weblink 'Mortal Kombat' Movie Adds Fistful of Fighters (Exclusive), August 16, 2019, The Hollywood Reporter, August 16, 2019, August 16, 2019,weblink live, While helping him avert a prophecy that will deny Outworld a crucial victory in the Mortal Kombat tournament, Mileena is killed by Sonya Blade.Mileena appears in (Mortal Kombat: Legacy), portrayed by martial artist Jolene Tran in the first seasonIan Fisher, Find Out Who's Playing Mileena In The Mortal Kombat Web Series {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108142021weblink |date=2016-01-08 }}, Shogun Gamer, 03/29/2011. and Michelle Lee in the second season. This version sports a scarred but otherwise normal mouth and personally assassinated King Jerrod.AV MEDIA, Mortal Kombat Legacy, Mortal Kombat Legacy I, 2011, Web series, 3-4, Kevin Tancharoen (director), Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Episode 3, While competing in the Mortal Kombat tournament, she defeats Johnny Cage before she is killed by Kitana.AV MEDIA, Mortal Kombat Legacy, Mortal Kombat Legacy II, 2013, Web series, 3-4, Kevin Tancharoen (director), Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Mileena appears in Midway's Mortal Kombat II comic book, written and illustrated by series co-creator John Tobias;John Tobias, Mortal Kombat II Official Kollector's Edition Comic Book, 1994.Mileena appears in Malibu Comics' Mortal Kombat comic series (1994-1995),COMIC, Charles Marshall, Patrick Rolo, Richard Emond, Abraham Madison, Larry Welch, Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition #1, Mortal Kombat, 1, December 1994, Malibu Comics, the Goro: Prince of Pain miniseries,COMIC, Charles Marshall, Roy Burdine, Jack Snider, Mortal Kombat: Goro: Prince of Pain #1, Mortal Kombat, September 1994, Malibu Comics, and the one-shot Kitana and Mileena: Sister Act.COMIC, Charles Marshall, Greg Horn, Larry Welch, Mortal Kombat: Kitana & Mileena, Mortal Kombat, 1, August 1995, Malibu Comics, Mileena appears in DC Comics' Mortal Kombat X: Blood Ties, written by Shawn Kittelsen.COMIC, Shawn Kittelsen, Dexter Soy, Dexter Soy, Blood Gods: Watch the Throne, Mortal Kombat X, chapter #26, June 2015, DC Comics, in which she battles Kotal Kahn for control of Outworld's throne before temporarily joining forces with him to defeat Reiko, Havik, and the Red Dragon clan. Following this however, Mileena loses the throne to Kotal. As Kittelsen explains, "Kotal didn't overthrow Mileena in some macho power play; he overthrew her out of genuine concern for the safety and well being of Outworld and its citizens."WEB, Thompson, Zac,weblink Shawn Kittlesen Talks "Mortal Kombat X: Blood Ties", Bloody-disgusting.com, 2015-04-14, 2016-01-01, 2016-01-26,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160126172404weblink">weblink live,

Merchandise and promotion

In October 2004, Mileena was featured in a spread in the special edition of Playboy magazine that spotlighted provocative video game characters.Benjamin Golze, BloodRayne, others confirmed for Playboy spread {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228165904weblink |date=2009-12-28 }}, GameSpot, August 27, 2004. A famous promotional picture of her, known as "Sexy Mileena"WEB,weblink Sexy Mileena, Ugo.com, 2013-11-06, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110306051318weblink">weblink 2011-03-06, (a topless picture in her alternative costume from Mortal Kombat: Deception) was created for this purpose by Midway Games artist Pav Kovacic.MILEENA CONCEPTS (Koffin ET 141 Jade Koins). Mortal Kombat: Deception, Midway Games 2004. This image was used as an unlockable picture for an in-game gallery.WEB,weblink Mortal Kombat: Deception Krypt Guide, Mortalkombat.net, 1996-10-31, 2013-11-06, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131027045603weblink">weblink 2013-10-27, A figurine of Mileena ("the evil twin")TOP Kids 12 (cover {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129025158weblink |date=2014-11-29 }}). from Mortal Kombat II came out exclusively with a special issue of the Argentinian magazine Top Kids in 1995.WEB, Juan Quaglia,weblink MuÅ„ecos de Mortal Kombat Top Kids | Guía del coleccionista, Juguetesdecoleccion.com, 2013-05-31, 2013-11-06, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131005100302weblink">weblink 2013-10-05, A 7.5-inch action figure that was also based on her design in this game was released by Infinite Concepts in 1999, with a detachable mask.WEB, Captain Coder,weblink Mileena Action Figure Gallery, Figurerealm.com, 2013-11-06, 2013-10-04,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131004235845weblink">weblink live, A ten-inch polystone statue of her Mortal Kombat 2011 incarnation was released in Syco Collectibles' Enchanted Warriors series in 2012.WEB,weblink Interview with Mortal Kombat Online, Sycocollectibles.com, 2011-09-26, 2013-11-06, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131108125307weblink">weblink 2013-11-08, Luke Plunkett, This Mortal Kombat Statue Isn’t Afraid to Show a Little Skin {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507222922weblink |date=2012-05-07 }}, Kotaku, February 1, 2012.WEB,weblink Mileena Polystone Statue, Sycocollectibles.com, 2014-01-16, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140213072416weblink">weblink 2014-02-13, Pop Culture Shock Collectibles released a 1/4 scale statue of "Klassic" Mileena from Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 in 2015,WEB,weblink Pop Culture Shock Collectibles - MORTAL KOMBAT 'MILEENA' 1:4 STATUE -, Pop Culture Shock Collectibles, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140619054150weblink">weblink 2014-06-19, followed by a 1/3 scale (28 in / 71 cm tall) statue from Mortal Kombat X in 2018.WEB,weblink PCS Preview Mortal Kombat Kitana and Mileena Statues - The Toyark - News, news.toyark.com, en-US, 2018-05-22, 2016-11-18, 2018-05-22,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180522181141weblink">weblink live, WEB,weblink Mortal Kombat X - Mileena 1/3 Scale Statue {{!, Pop Culture Shock Collectibles {{!}} Popcultcha|website=www.popcultcha.com.au|language=en|access-date=2018-05-22|archive-date=2017-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420001541weblink|url-status=live}}Mileena was one of the faces of Mortal Kombat: Deception during and after its release, including the game's special edition for the Xbox that featured her likeness, and a promotional metal card with her biography. She was featured in the 1995 collectible card game Mortal Kombat Kard Game, as well as in the 2006 crossover collectible card game Epic Battles where she is one of the characters representing the Mortal Kombat universe that were featured already in the Premiere Edition.WEB,weblink Epic Battles Card List, Viciousmk.com, 2013-11-06, 2012-05-17,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120517100142weblink">weblink live, An electronic music track called "Mileena's Theme" by Tokimonsta was released in 2011WEB,weblink "Mileena's Theme" by Tokimonsta, Itunes.apple.com, 2013-11-06, 2013-10-16,weblink live, as the first of three singles that were compiled on the album (Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors).Sophia Tong, Sound Byte: Mortal Kombat - Songs Inspired by The Warriors {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109235357weblink |date=2012-11-09 }}, GameSpot, April 18, 2011. Mileena is one of several MK characters featured on 2.5" x 3.5" collectible magnets by Ata-BoyMileena 2.5" x 3.5" Magnet {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108142021weblink |date=2016-01-08 }} - Ata-Boy Wholesale, 2011. Retrieved 2014-02-26 and Halloween costumes of her have been also sold.{{#tag:ref|Io9's Charlie Jane Anders included Mileena dress-up apparel among 2011's "sluttiest and weirdest" store-bought Halloween costumes,Charlie Jane Anders, This Year’s Sluttiest and Weirdest Store-Bought Halloween Costumes {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017235812weblink |date=2012-10-17 }}, io9, October 24, 2011. but Justin Amirikhani of Complex praised it as one of "last-minute video game costumes that actually look cool."Justin Amirikhani, 15 Last-Minute Video Game Game Costumes That Actually Look Cool {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027015810weblink |date=2012-10-27 }}, Complex.com, October 23, 2012. Brian Altano of IGN included it among "ten ridiculous (or ridiculously sexy) video game inspired Halloween costumes" of 2012.Brian Altano, The Most Ridiculous, Sexy Video Game Costumes of 2012 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204204843weblink |date=2015-02-04 }}, October 22, 2012.|group="note"}}

Development

Design

File:Oriental weapons.jpg|thumb|A pair of blunt sai, along with nunchaku and a alt=|leftMortal Kombat co-creator and producer Ed Boon described Mileena and Kitana as the "female versions of Scorpion and Sub-Zero", two palette-swapped ninja characters from the original game.Kitana's Kombat Kard video for Mortal Kombat: Deception. Character creator John Tobias chose Mileena's name as he felt "it had a pleasant sound to it, which either helped hide her grotesque appearance or exposed a hidden inner beauty", while hers and Kitana's storylines were borne from "the conflicts of sibling rivalry and rebelling against authority".John Tobias (therealsaibot) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503141557weblink |date=2021-05-03 }} on Twitter (series of tweets on April 21, 2021). Mileena's signature weapon in the series is a pair of sai, along with recurring teleport-kick and ground-rolling-attack special moves while she utilizes either her sai or cannibalistic tendencies in most of her Fatalities.Mileena was portrayed by martial artist Katalin Zamiar in Mortal Kombat II,VIDEO GAME, Mortal Kombat II, Midway Games, Midway Games, 1993, Closing credits, and as a palette-swapped character, she was physically identical to Kitana and hidden character Jade save for her pink outfit and large gnashing teeth, which were created only for one of her Fatalities in MKII in which Mileena consumes her defeated opponent and spits out their bones.weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110423030907weblink">The Evolution of Mortal Kombat Fatalities, IGN, April 7, 2011. She was excluded from Mortal Kombat 3 along with the series' other ninja characters, but returned in the upgrade Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, in which the female ninjas were played by Becky Gable.VIDEO GAME, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Midway Games, Midway Games, 1995, Closing credits, Her motion capture actors for 3D games have included Carlos Pesina in Deception and Armageddon, but in MK2011 she was played by a female actor.WEB,weblink Twitter / noobde: RT @FlayGunnar Did Carlos Pesina, Twitter.com, 2014-05-04, 2014-05-04,weblink live, In Mortal Kombat X, her facial appearance was redesigned in which she has a human-like mouth with her facial deformities relocated to her cheeks.VIDEO GAME, Mortal Kombat X, NetherRealm Studios, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, 2015, Her alternate costume in the 2011 reboot is composed of bandages wrapped around her otherwise naked form.Hamza CTZ Aziz, The new winner for skimpiest 'outfit' in a videogame ever {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022124112weblink |date=2012-10-22 }}, Destructoid, 4.22.2011.

Gameplay

Mileena has been commonly perceived as one of the top characters of Mortal Kombat II in gameplay terms. She was ranked as the game's best overall fighter by Sega Visions for her high speed and reach as well as her teleport kick that can uniquely dodge the opponent's projectiles."Sega Saturn Features: Mortal Kombat II". Sega Visions 21 (October/November 1994), p. 25. Super Play too called her "the best MKII character" as she is "fast, with a good range of attacks, and the potential for the most awesome combo in the game."Super Play 26 (December 1994), p 64. EGM noted about how this "deadly woman...can hold her own against any man in the game" as her players can use her "lightning speed" and the sai blasts to overcome other players,EGM's Complete Guide to Mortal Kombat II (supplement to Electronic Gaming Monthly). while C+VG evaluated all of MKII characters as "well-balanced" and "potentially excellent", but still the teleport kick of the "very fast" Mileena was singled out by them as "the best surprising move in the game.""Tougher than the best: Mortal Kombat II", Computer + Video Games 154 (September 1994), p. 48–51. According to CU Amiga, Mileena was "third only to Jax and Liu Kang for sheer brilliance," being a "somewhat misleading character" whose moves need to be "learnt the right way to put them all together to be devastating.""Player's Guide: Mortal Kombat II". CU Amiga Magazine {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823033217weblink |date=2011-08-23 }}, February 1995, p. 62. Hyper verdicted that in the hands of the skilled players, all three "Mileena, Jax and Liu Kang are almost unstoppable,"Hyper issue 10 page 41. and Amiga Concept chose the "almost unassailable" Mileena as the game's best character alongside Jax.JOURNAL, Test: Mortal Kombat II, Amiga Concept, 13, 34–35, In GamePro test, the "queen of the hill" Mileena was effective against all characters, and especially versus Jax (who shared tier 1 with her in their ranking), Reptile and Shang Tsung.WEB,weblink Mortal Kombat II Tournament - GamePro rankings analysis, Gaminginsurrection.com, 2013-11-06, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140222235602weblink">weblink 2014-02-22, GamePro testers opined that "although Jax is the better overall characters against Tiers 2-4, Mileena's massive advantage over him makes her number one. Neither suffers disadvantages against anyone else. With her rapid sai-throwing ability, teleport attacks, and deadly combos, this beautiful assassin lands atop our rankings.""Mortal Kombat II Pro--Strategy Guide", GamePro 59 (June 1994), p. 82–83. In Amiga Format test matches, both Mileena and Kitana were always "so much faster" that "poor Jax...ended getting his head kicked in every time."Amiga Format 67 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908052004weblink |date=2011-09-08 }} (January 1995), p. 92.Mileena is a hidden playable character in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, for which she needs to be unlocked with a special "Kombat Kode",WEB,weblink Ultimate Mortal Kombat Cheats, Ultimate Mortal Kombat Walkthrough, Gamespot.com, 2014-01-16, 2014-03-26,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140326171904weblink">weblink live, but is available from the start in the compilation game Mortal Kombat Trilogy (appearing as seen in UMK3). Sega Saturn Magazine stated "she's pretty much identical to the last time," meaning MKII."Showcases: Mortal Kombat 3". Official Sega Saturn Magazine 6 (April 1996), p. 48. According to Nintendo Power, Mileena's original powers "may prove insufficient" for using her with the same effectiveness in UMK3 in which most of the other characters got some additional special moves."Full Coverage: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3". Nintendo Power 91 (December 1996), p. 71. On the other hand, Total 64 wrote that Mileena of Trilogy (directly based on UMK3 version) is "a damn good fighter [with] plenty of powerful moves" making her "an all round classy fighting star."Total 64 2/97 (p. 59). According to GameSpy's guide to Mortal Kombat: Deception, Mileena "has some solid offensive tools" and "a few solid combos up her sleeve, as well as a few pop-up attacks that are extremely quick and open up brief juggle opportunities," however she now also has severe weaknesses such as a very short range of her sai and poor ranged attack abilities.Mark Ryan Sallee, Mortal Kombat: Deception - xbox - Walkthrough and Guide - p. 15 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402061547weblink |date=2013-04-02 }}, GameSpy, January 8, 2004. Prima Games' official guide for a Deception-based Mortal Kombat Armageddon gave Mileena an overall rating of 6/10, calling her a "punisher" type character and a better fighter than Kitana ("seems to have the upper hand between the two"), but while she "is able to punish from any range and even interrupt high attacks and projectiles, the damage she inflicts is minor."Bryan Dawson, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Prima Official Game Guide), Prima Games 2006 (p. 221–224). Mileena is not playable in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks wherein she only appears as a sub-boss character with Kitana and Jade.In Prima Games' official guide for the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot, Mileena was judged to be well-balanced and universal, displaying neither particular weaknesses nor advantages that would result in a one-sided battle against anyone else.Jason Wilson, Adam Hernandez, Mortal Kombat: Prima Official Game Guide, Prima Games 2011 (p. 157). In Mortal Kombat X, Mileena's fighting style is split into three variations like those of the game's other playable characters. Prima Games evaluated her as a "solid character" with "several great ways to stop opponents from jumping toward her," but who is "not as safe as some of the other characters, which means she has to take a few risks."WEB,weblink Mortal Kombat X - How to Play Mileena: Combos and Strategies | Tips, Primagames.com, 2015-04-14, 2015-05-19, 2015-05-21,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150521032306weblink">weblink live,

Reception

Cultural impact

Mileena has made several homage cameo appearances outside of the Mortal Kombat franchise, including in the comic book series Gen13 in 1995,Gen13 Vol 2, #1 ("Among Friends and Enemies").{{#tag:ref|In which Mileena-inspired character Keiko is shown defeating and killing Raiden-like Ronan in what then turns out to be a match in an arcade game called "Mortal Conflict" (a pun on Mortal Kombat), as played and commented on by Roxy (Freefall) and Grunge, two of the comic's main characters. The issue was written by Brandon Choi and drawn by J. Scott Campbell.|group="note"}} in the episode "Another Bad Thanksgiving" of the animated series The Cleveland Show in 2010,{{#tag:ref|In a short spoof scene parody-referencing the Mortal Kombat games, guest character Janet dressed up as Mileena and was killed Fatality-style by Cleveland Brown, who was dressed as Scorpion. The scene appears at around the 7 minute mark.|group="note"}} and in a comedy sketch by Animation Domination High-Def in 2015.{{Citation|last=Animation Domination High-Def|title=MORTAL KOMBAT HUMILITALITY|date=2015-10-05|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM0y0WhGoMw|access-date=2018-05-22|archive-date=2018-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216052557weblink|url-status=live}} According to People, "Mileena" proved a popular baby name in 2015.WEB, Pearl, Diana,weblink Weird Baby Names Quiz, People.com, 2015-09-28, 2016-01-01, 2016-01-08,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160108142021weblink">weblink live, In November 2020, rapper Megan Thee Stallion dressed up as Mileena to promote the character's addition as downloadable content in Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate Edition.WEB, Bishop, Rollin, Megan Thee Stallion Cosplays as Mortal Kombat 11 Fighter Mileena,weblink Comicbook, 4 November 2020, 12 February 2021, 10 February 2021,weblink live,

Popularity

Mileena's addition to the series was well received and she quickly became one of the most popular and recognizable Mortal Kombat characters. Her debut appearance in Mortal Kombat II was met with a favorable critical reception, with for example Nintendo Power characterizing her as "beautiful, graceful, beguiling and strong, but most of all, deadly.""Game Reviews: Mortal Kombat II" (SNES). Nintendo Power 64 (September 1994), p.15. UGO rated Mileena 17th on their 2012 list of the top 50 Mortal Kombat characters, citing her then-rare presence as an evil female player character while stating that her brutal attacks and "slutty" outfits made her a fan favorite.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120929141220weblink">weblink 2012-09-29, Top 11 Mortal Kombat Characters, 2009-01-23, 2013-11-15, Den of Geek placed Mileena fifth (14 spots ahead of Kitana) in their 2015 rating of the series' 73 playable characters.WEB,weblink Mortal Kombat: Ranking All the Characters, Gavin, Jasper, Den of Geek, January 30, 2015, February 4, 2015, January 18, 2022,weblink live, CraveOnline's Dread Central called her "without question" one of the "most beloved" characters in the Mortal Kombat universe.Uncle Creepy, Mortal Kombat - A Toothy Look at Mileena {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120160443weblink |date=2011-01-20 }}, Dread Central, January 16th, 2011.In spite of her disfigured face, Mileena has been often rated among the most attractive characters in video games. UGO Networks counted Mileena among the best-looking female ninja-type characters in all media,Ninja Chicks are So Freakin' Hot {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111180030weblink|date=2011-01-11}}, UGO.com, January 5, 2011. further ranking her as the "seventh-finest" female fighter in 2010, despite "that big scary demon mouth she keeps under the skarf."Aubrey Sitterson, Fighting Games' Hottest Women - Mileena {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117114859weblink |date=2011-01-17 }}, UGO.com, January 14, 2011. Alongside Mileena and Jade, Kitana was included on the list of the "hottest chicks" of 2011 by Univision.WEB,weblink Las chicas más candentes de 2011 - Univision Juegos, 2016-02-06, unfit,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121107092105weblink">weblink November 7, 2012, Larry Hester of Complex ranked Mileena herself as the "eighth-hottest" video game character in 2012, writing "Mileena is what some guys would call a paper bagger" due to the stark contrast between her body and her mouth.Larry Hester, The 50 Hottest Women In Video Games {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105162559weblink |date=2013-01-05 }}, Complex.com, November 8, 2010 (re-uploaded on June 27, 2012). She was one of the most searched game characters on Pornhub in 2016.WEB,weblink Jakiego porno szukają Polki i Polacy na Pornhubie?, Antyradio, 9 February 2017, pl, 2018-05-22, 2018-05-22,weblink live, NEWS,weblink Pornhub reveals top game character searches of 2017, Pokémon and Zelda make the list, GoNintendo, 2018-05-22, en-US, 2018-05-22,weblink live, Mileena has been renowned as a notable female villain in video gaming. Complex ranked her eighth on their list of the "most diabolical video game she-villains" in 2011,Bad Girls Club: The 25 Most Diabolical Video Game She-Villains {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826070445weblink |date=2011-08-26 }}, Complex.com, June 30, 2011. while Polish web portal Wirtualna Polska featured Mileena among the top ten villainesses in gaming in 2014.WEB,weblink Mileena – Mortal Kombat - 10 najseksowniejszych negatywnych bohaterek, Gry.wp.pl, 2014-05-13, pl, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160108142022weblink">weblink 2016-01-08, Placing Mileena 18th on his 2013 list of the most brutal fighters in Mortal Kombat, Hanuman Welch of Complex described her as a "deadly mixture of Kitana's agility and seduction, and Baraka's impulsive behavior."Hanuman Welch, The Most Brutal Fighters In "Mortal Kombat" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714161148weblink |date=2013-07-14 }}, Complex.com, July 21, 2013. Márcio Pacheco Alexsandro of Brazil's GameHall placed them both at second spot of his top list of female ninja characters in games, calling Mileena "beautiful and monstrous" and adding that there was nothing more "cool" than a ninja who is both sexy and insane.WEB,weblink Top 10 – Kunoichis (Ninjas Femininas) dos Games « GameHall Network, Gamehall.uol.com.br, 2014-04-12, pt,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140415021848weblink">weblink 2014-04-15, dead, An often commented, and referenced, aspect of Mileena is her cannibalistic tendencies. The University of Sydney's Kate Robertson analyzed Mileena's cannibalism as one of examples how "the connection between women and cannibalism reflects the common trope of the danger inherent within the female body" regarding "allure, fear and revulsion provoked by such a display of female power."JOURNAL, Ladies who lunch: Man-eating femmes fatales in contemporary visual culture, Robertson, Kate, 2015-06-01, Australasian Journal of Popular Culture, 4, 2, 161–175, en, 10.1386/ajpc.4.2-3.161_1, X360 chose her MK2011 Fatality, "in which she tears a man's head off then chows down upon it," to represent cannibalism on their list of the top ten video game crimes.WEB, The X360 Magazine Team,weblink 10 Of The Best…Notorious Videogame Crimes, X360magazine.com, 2011-09-19, 2014-01-16, 2015-06-10,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150610204953weblink">weblink live, GamesMaster opined one "simply cannot watch" Mileena decapitate an opponent "and then take repeated bites out of his face ... without deeply desiring this game."WEB, GamesMaster,weblink Mortal Kombat: A successful return to its classic roots? - CVG, Computerandvideogames.com, 2011-04-12, 2014-05-21, 2014-05-21,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140521105018weblink">weblink live, In 2015, Andrea Subissati from horror magazine Rue Morgue selected "making out with Mileena" as one of the best Fatalities in the 23 years of Mortal Kombat.JOURNAL, Subissati, Andrea, June 2015, Play Dead, Rue Morgue, 156, 61, Mileena was described by Computer and Video Games as "equally erotic and repulsive."WEB, Tom Pakinkis CVG UK,weblink Mortal Kombat Mileena trailer talks first dates - CVG, Computerandvideogames.com, 2011-01-10, 2014-05-21, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140521105447weblink">weblink 2014-05-21, According to IGN, "at first blush she seems like your quintessential sultry video-game vixen, but the mask comes off and she's got a gaping mouth filled to the brim with dagger-like teeth." Comparing the Mortal Kombat characters to the seven deadly sins in Dante's Inferno, Chris Holt of GamePro chose Mileena to represent Envy.Chris Holt, weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110701110313weblink">Scalia clearly doesn’t play Mortal Kombat, read Dante, GamePro, June 27, 2011. Virgin Media included her on their list of the ten "game girls you wouldn't dare to date" for being attractive "until she rips off her veil and reveals her monstrous form beneath."WEB,weblink Mileena (Mortal Kombat) - Bad Date - Games, Virginmedia.com, 2014-01-16, 2013-10-15,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131015053145weblink">weblink live, On the other hand, EGM's Eric L. Patterson wrote that Mileena's face is actually one of the reasons why he prefers her over Kitana.Eric L. Patterson, Full Length Live-Action Mileena vs. Kitana Mortal Kombat Vita Video {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424221226weblink |date=2012-04-24 }}, EGMNOW, April 19, 2012. Ranking Mileena as second on his 2013 list of ugliest video game characters, Alex Langley of Arcade Sushi wrote: "If ever there were a time to use the term 'butterface' it would be with Mileena because everything about her is hot...but her face."WEB,weblink The 11 Ugliest Video Game Characters, Arcadesushi.com, 2013-06-28, 2014-01-14, 2013-06-30,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130630225709weblink">weblink live,

Other reception and criticism

Mileena was noted for her alternate costume apparel, in particular, her unmasked and near-naked "Flesh Pits" outfit from MK2011 as reported by Destructoid's Hamza Aziz. Other writers also found such design ridiculous and unfitting for a fighting game character.Matt Bradford, Gaming's most ridiculous alternate fighting costumes: The weird, wacky, and wtf?! of fighting game wardrobes {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223092306weblink |date=2013-02-23 }}, GamesRadar, December 4, 2012.Jack DeVries, 2011's Worst Dressed Video Game Characters {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212203008weblink |date=2012-02-12 }}, IGN, December 29, 2011. On the other hand, UGO ranked the "Sexy Mileena" from Deception as second-best on the 2011 list of the gaming's "most stylin' alternate costumes".The Most Stylin' Alternate Costumes {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501232616weblink |date=2012-05-01 }}, UGO.com, February 27, 2011.WEB,weblink Video game nude codes (that people thought worked), GamesRadar, 2014-05-09, 2014-05-13, 2014-05-13,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140513214826weblink">weblink live, Kotaku's Patrick Klepek, in 2015, recalled hearing about "Mileena’s sexality" while playing the game at arcades.WEB,weblink The Lies Adults Used To Tell Me About Mortal Kombat, 21 April 2015, Kotaku.com, 2015-09-27, 2015-09-29,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150929001316weblink">weblink live, Mileena was one of the characters cited by Guy Aoki as allegedly perpetuating existing stereotypes of Asians as martial arts experts."Do Fighting Video Games Prolong Stereotypes of Asian Americans?", AsianWeek, September 23, 1994. In their 1996 book Interacting With Video, which condemned the violence of video games as supposedly affecting social behavior and causing real-life violence, Patricia Marks Greenfield and Rodney R. Cocking used the "two Asian twin sisters, Mileena and Kitana," as an example of a "highly eroticized dragon lady" trope, with Mileena's "Man-Eater" Fatality described as "a high-powered kiss that evokes vagina dentata." The authors wrote that despite the inclusion of "characters of color" such as the two and Jax, "we cannot assume that this greater diversity represents a more progressive identity politics, for one could argue that it merely increases the racist and sexist potential of individual fights."Patricia Marks Greenfield, Rodney R. Cocking, Interacting With Video, Greenwood Publishing Group 1996 (p.34).Some commentators admitted that they found themselves too distracted by her mouth. Joystiq's Alexander Sliwinski wrote about Mileena that instead of "focusing on her fighting style, or assets," they simply could not "get past one thing: how does she pronounce the letter P without touching her lips together?"Alexander Sliwinski, Video: Mortal Kombat's Mileena pops Ps without lips {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419133628weblink |date=2012-04-19 }}, Joystiq, January 21, 2011.Nick Chester, Mileena looks for a new playmate in new Mortal Kombat vid {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407204509weblink |date=2013-04-07 }}, Destructoid, 01.21.2011. When American radio host Howard Stern mocked a Mortal Kombat fan who admitted that he masturbates to Mileena, Matt Helgeson of Game Informer called the latter "insane" as "onanism and Mileena should not mix."Matt Helgeson, Howard Stern Mocks Video Game Convention Attendees {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829222559weblink |date=2011-08-29 }}, Game Informer, May 12, 2011.

See also

• Cannibalism in popular culture

Notes

{{Reflist|group="note"}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category-inline|Mileena}}{{Mortal Kombat Characters}}

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- time: 7:13am EDT - Sat, May 18 2024