Raiden (Mortal Kombat)

Raiden is a major character from the Mortal Kombat games.

Raiden is the eternal God of Thunder, protector of Earthrealm, and arguably one of the most powerful characters in all of Mortal Kombat. After the second defeat of Shinnok, he ascended to the status of Elder God. Being a god, he possesses many supernatural abilities, such as the ability to teleport, control lightning and fly. As a god, he is used to thinking in terms of eternity rather than normal human lifespans, and so he has a radically different outlook on life. This is not to say he is incapable of understanding human values and psyches.

Appearance
Although being formless and ethereal, Raiden often takes form on mortal planes. As such, he appears as a fully-grown man wearing predominately white robes and a blue vest, his face usually shadowed by a straw hat. The effect is enhanced by his glowing blue eyes that radiate with electricity and long white hair, befitting of his god-like status. In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, one of his outfits is finished by a flowing blue cape. Lastly, his power is so great that he constantly radiates with lightning energy, electricity constantly dancing and crackling around his being. In Deception and Armageddon, his visage is warped by Onaga's malevolent aura when he sacrifices himself, reforming as a dark warrior dressed in black robes and dark armor, his eyes changed from a soothing blue to a belligerent red. His cape was changed to a subdued red and appears tattered at the end. Due to the events of Mortal Kombat (2011), this change was rendered null. However, he seems to return to this form in the post-credits scene of Mortal Kombat X, though now he wears Shinnok's Amulet. His character model in MK11 is from his guest appearance from Injustice 2, with subtle changes for the new game.

Personality
Raiden is one of the only gods who actively help the Earthrealm warriors and guides them as their mentor.

Abilities
Raiden is the god of thunder and lightning, and as such, he is immensely powerful and has complete control over electricity. Raiden's movements in combat are stated to be as fast as lightning in the Konquest Mode's lore in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. He can summon lightning bolts with a thought, project electricity from his hands that can paralyze, incapacitate, kill, or force an opponent's body to move wherever he chooses, create forcefields and blades made of electricity, summon electric orbs that act as shocking traps, use electricity in conjunction with telekinesis to move objects without physically touching them, form massive thunderstorms that shapes the weather and channel electricity through his limbs to strengthen his strikes.

He usually keeps behind the scenes in the games and rarely fights, although one notable exception was in Deception, where he fought both Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, and was able to hold his own for most of the fight. Raiden has a plethora of other abilities that are not suited for combat such as creation of interrealm portals, project blinding light from his eyes, raise fallen beings from the dead, take flight and summoning objects such as ships as shown in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance.

The thunder god is gifted with foresight, and has the ability to see the future in his dreams or simply viewing it in his mind. His precognition can be enhanced by Kamidogu daggers infused Blood Magik, although this prevents his wounds from healing for a while once he has slit himself with the dagger. He has a degree of enhanced senses as he can track energy signatures and locate the presence of others, preventing stealth attempts on him or simply finding someone who is lost.

In Mortal Kombat (2011), it is shown that he can also use electricity to heal and resurrect others. He also has the ability to teleport to another destination by transforming his body into an ethereal state. Despite his godly status, he is not indestructible and has limits. Raiden, like any other god, will have his powers taken away should he enter a domain not native to him, with Outworld being the most prominent example of this. His powers can return to him once he returns however. It is also because of his godly status that he is forbidden to directly participate in any Mortal Kombat tournaments unless he takes on a mortal form.

It should be noted that even without his godly power, Raiden has a millenia of experience coupled with knowledge on 750 forms of Jujitsu and three other martial arts and is not to be taken lightly, even in mortal form. He is well versed in the art of Bojutsu, the art of wielding the bō staff in combat. Throughout the years, Raiden has consistently carried his trusty staff with him through the years, although he has wielded other weapons such as warhammers.

Signature Moves

 * Teleport: At will, Raiden vanishes and reappears behind his opponent. In MKX, besides being able to reappear behind the opponent, he can also reappear in front of them, about a jump distance behind them and even fake the teleport, which will trigger the animation but keep him in place. However, doing any version of the teleport besides the classic one (which leaves him right behind the opponent) will slightly deplete the Stamina Meter. It is called Sparkport in MK11.
 * Both in MK (2011) and MKX, the enhanced version is called Sparkport. In MK (2011), it will have Raiden appear behind the opponent and quickly teleporting back in front.
 * In MKX, the enhanced version gives Raiden armor in some instances, activates and has Raiden recover from using the attack much faster. When timed right, the move can be used to extend combos.
 * Electricity: Raiden sends a bolt of lightning flying at his opponent. In MK 2011 and MKX, this is known as Lightning. In the Thunder God variation in MKX, it can be charged for more damage, and this charge can also be canceled out of with a dash or run. Additionally, charging the attack completely deals increased damage and briefly juggles the opponent for brief combo extensions. In MK11, Raiden shoots an actual bolt of lightning at the opponent instead of a flying projectile and it is now called Lightning Bolt.
 * Both in MK (2011) and MKX, the enhanced version is called Bolt. In MK 2011, Raiden fires two bolts, one behind and one in front of him. The one behind him wraps around the map hitting the opponent in the back.
 * In MKX, the enhanced version will stun the opponent in the air, allowing for a free hit but deals no additional damage. Only certain combos can connect to stun the opponent, otherwise the combo may be cancelled by a blocking opponent.
 * The Thunder God variation allows for the attack to be enhanced a second time, leaving it on the fight line as a trap. If the opponent makes contact with the bolt like this, they will be stunned and left open for a free hit.
 * Torpedo: Raiden flies at his opponent and pushes them against the wall. He can perform the move in the air. In MKvsDCU, it's called The Superman and in MK 2011 and MKX, the move is named Electric Fly. In MK11, it can be delayed and even cancelled.
 * Both in MK 2011 and MKX, the enhanced version is called Thunder Fly. In MK 2011, this increases the attack's speed and damage.
 * In MKX, the enhanced version does more damage and has armor.
 * In the Displacer variation, both Electric Fly and Thunder Fly can be enhanced after Raiden has grabbed the opponent, tossing them backwards and teleporting behind them to strike them down with a powerful punch for even more damage. The attack can be enhanced a second time at any time while Raiden is flying with the opponent.
 * Shocking Touch: Raiden grabs his opponent and holds them in the air while electrocuting them, then punches them to the ground. In MK 2011 and MKX, this is named Electrocute. In MK 2011, Raiden won't punch the enemy at the end, but simply let them fall on the floor, and in MKX the electric charge sends the opponent flying across the arena.
 * Shocker: Raiden grabs his opponent and electrocutes them. In MK 2011 and MKX, this is the enhanced version of Electrocute. In MK 2011, this lets Raiden grab the opponent one step farther, but takes a slightly longer period to start. In MKX, it does more damage and launches the opponent into the air, allowing for a juggle.
 * Vicinity Blast: Raiden performs a closer range version of his lightning, but with more knock back and a wind effect to it, which can be charged up. In MK 2011, it can't be charged. In MKX, Raiden lifts his arms up and passes an electric current through them to shock an airborne foe, which can also be extended for some time if the button is held down. This won't hit enemies on the ground. The attack can be run-cancelled when used on an airborne opponent, allowing the use of other attacks when timed right.
 * Both in MK 2011 and MKX, the enhanced version is called Vicinity Burst. In MK 2011, this knocks the opponent back with increased damage.
 * In MKX, it will hit enemies around Raiden by producing a powerful electric explosion that irradiates from his body. It also has armor and increased damage.
 * Projectile Cancel: Raiden cancels out his Lightning or Vicinity Blast when charging it.
 * Reverse Electricity: Raiden sends a bolt of lightning in the other direction hitting an opponent from behind. In MK (2011), this appears partially as the enhanced version of Lightning.
 * Electric Slide: Raiden slides across the floor and hits his opponent with his shoulder, electrocuting them in the process.
 * Rising Thunder: Raiden rushes upwards to strike his opponent with a lightning-charged punch.
 * The enhanced version is called Thunder Strike. After the initial uppercut, Raiden will slam the opponent to the ground with a hammerfist, bouncing them off the ground and allowing for a juggle.
 * Static Trap: Raiden places an orb of electricity in front of himself that will last for about ten seconds. This move has many versions that allow him to place the orbs in various positions around himself, such as above and behind. If the opponent stands near the orb, they take minor, unblockable damage. Spawning two orbs connects an electric current that will stun the opponent, leaving them open for a free hit. The traps can connect from any distance in the arena, even covering the entire arena itself.
 * The enhanced versions, called Forward/Away Full Trap, has Raiden spawn two traps instantly.
 * Summon Lightning: Raiden summons lightning from the sky to himself in a diagonal way which catches airborne opponents. If the opponent is close to Raiden, he will follow up by conducting lightning through his body and into the opponents head, dealing more damage.
 * Lightning Strike: Raiden summons a bolt of lightning from above to hit the opponent. Has close, far and very far versions.
 * Jo Push: Raiden pushes his staff vertically at the opponent by using electricity. This move goes mid-range and has a big hitbox. Replaces Lightning Bolt.
 * Lightning Rod: Raiden sends his staff at a certain location on the stage. If amplified, the staff will have a lightning aura around itself, which shocks the opponent every time they enter or exit this electric field.
 * Rolling Thunder: Raiden forms a small thunder cloud at his feet which slowly travels along the stage. If the opponent stands in it, it will deal minor continuous damage.
 * Electric Burst: Raiden slams his staff on the ground, forming lightning around himself, which will knock the opponent down if they come into contact. Replaces Lightning Strike.
 * Storm Cell: Raiden shoots lightning at a short distance around him in a circular motion, which sends the opponent flying.


 * Quick Charge: Raiden enters a stance in which he will hold up his palm to reduce block damage.
 * If he is hit 3 times during this, he is able to do Discharge, a short lightning attack.
 * Super Bolt: Raiden quickly flies up, then diagonally down to sucker punch the enemy in the head with a lightning-charged fist, knocking them down. Can be delayed and cancelled. Replaces Electric Fly.
 * Electric Current: Raiden taps the ground with his staff, creating a low bouncing stream of lightning that hits the shins of the opponent.


 * X-Ray Move - Shock Therapy: Raiden sends a beam in close range (when and if it connects), blinding the opponent. Then he teleports behind the opponent and elbows their back damaging their spine, heart, and ribs. Raiden then teleports in front of them and delivers a chop directly at his opponent's forehead, damaging the skull. Raiden finally sends a bolt of electricity through his opponent's head, making them fall down.
 * X-Ray Move - Shock Therapy: Raiden shoots his opponent into the air with a blast of lightning. The victim flies up through the clouds, and Raiden follows, grabbing hold of the victim's spine and releasing a powerful electrical current through the opponent. He then summons lightning to shoot the opponent back down the ground. The opponent then bounces off the ground and a few feet into the air. Raiden then teleports under his enemy and brings his knee into the opponent's spine, breaking it in half.
 * Fatal Blow: Raiden strikes his opponent multiple times with his staff, bashing them across the face with it. He then teleports above them and throws his staff like a javelin, impaling the opponent through the head and bouncing them into the air. Finally he teleports beneath the airborne opponent and impales them through the gut from below with his staff. The startup of this attack was first seen in the Mortal Kombat 11announcement trailer being performed on Scorpion.

Other Moves

 * Free-Fall Super Move: Raiden grabs his opponent, electrocuting them, before throwing them to the ground below.
 * Throw: Raiden punches his opponent several times before electrocuting them. He then blasts them backwards with a bolt of lightning, or he teleports behind them and knocks them to the ground with an electrical blast.
 * Throw: Raiden grabs his opponent, applies two shockwaves to their chest followed by a third that sends the opponent flying away.
 * Power Discharge: Raiden grabs the opponent by the neck to force them against the ground, and then fires streams of lightning to send them sliding backwards across the floor.
 * Forked Lightning: Raiden chops then kicks his opponent in the stomach. This attack re-stands the opponent.
 * Throw (Forward): Raiden electrocutes his opponent before kicking them hard in the face, launching them across the arena.
 * Throw (Backward): Raiden forces his opponent to walk away by shocking them at a distance, then trips them with a lightning bolt to the shins.

Fatalities

 * Electric Decapitation: Raiden sends a surge of electricity into his opponent's head and it explodes. In the Super Nintendo version of MK, the electricity reduces them to a pile of ash and a skull. In MK 2011, this move has become a part of his throw. In MKX, this Fatality is worked into a Brutality.
 * Electric Knockout: In the Amiga, Sega Genesis, Sega CD and the Sega Master System versions of MK, Raiden sends electricity to his opponent's head knocking them out. This is done without the blood code.
 * Invisible Electrocution: In the Game Boy version, Raiden teleports into the ground and rises as a mass of electricity. He then proceeds to cover and shock his opponent, electrocuting them to death.
 * Explosive Uppercut: Raiden crouches down and sends a vicious electrically-charged uppercut to his opponent blowing them into pieces.
 * Electrocution I: Raiden grabs his opponent, holds them a few feet off the ground, and sends electricity into their body, which causes them to explode.
 * Electrocution II: Raiden lodges his hands into his opponent's chest, lifts them over his head, and sends surges of electricity into their body, making them explode.
 * Staff Shock: Raiden calls for his staff, lodges the end into his opponent's chest, lifts them up and shocks them until they're dead. This was also Raiden's first in-game use of a staff.
 * Godly Essence: Raiden charges up a ball of energy similar to the intro of Mortal Kombat: Deception. He then fires it at his opponent, blowing them (and Raiden himself) to pieces.
 * Lightning Strike: Raiden calls down lightning until it strikes his hand and he fires lightning out of his other, shocking his opponent until they explode.
 * Electrocution III: Raiden charges electricity into his hand and grabs his opponent, sending it through their body. The electric shock burns off all the opponent's flesh, leaving behind their burning skeleton.
 * Electric Slam: Raiden grabs the opponent, zaps them for a while, then flies up in the air with them. A couple seconds later, the opponent falls back down and lands headfirst in the ground.
 * Just A Scratch: Raiden charges two bolts of lightning and fires them at the opponent's arms, blowing them off, causing the victim to look at their stumps in a dazed shock. Then he fires another two at his/her legs, blowing them off, causing the victim to fall to the ground still upright. He then grabs his opponent and slams his/her head onto the ground behind him, crushing it, with blood spraying out of the stumps.
 * Transplant: Raiden teleports behind the opponent and rips out the brain and heart from the opponent. He then charges them and puts them back into place. The head begins to glow as he manipulates the charges, and blows up, then the torso explodes shortly afterwards, leaving behind just the victim's lower-half.
 * Bug Eyes: Raiden grabs his opponent by the face, releasing a powerful electric current into their head, causing their eyeballs to pop out, still hanging by the optic nerves. The electric charge becomes so powerful their head pops off their neck and, as it falls down, Raiden destroys it with a final blast of lightning.
 * Conducting Rod: Raiden summons his staff and blasts a lightning bolt which runs down on the ground and hits the opponent's legs, blowing their lower legs off. He then charges towards the opponent and proceeds to stab them through the mouth with the staff. He slowly levitates to his feet, and summons a stream of lightning to electrocute his opponent, using the staff as a lightning rod to fry his opponent.
 * Alternating Kurrent: Raiden lifts up his opponent with electricity. He then tears their limbs apart and pulls them back onto the opponent's body. Raiden charges a blast of lightning and throws it at the opponent, causing the limbs to fly away.
 * Direct Kurrent: Raiden channels his lightning into blades on both of his wrists, then slashes the opponent twice at the mid-section, cutting off their arms and bifurcating their abdomen. He then teleports behind the opponent and begins to electrocute their head, suspending the torso in mid-air as the bottom falls off from his first attack. After the opponent is fully split in two, Raiden tears their head into two pieces with a burst of electricity.

Other Finishers

 * Friendship: Raiden generates a miniature version of himself named Kidd Thunder.
 * Animality: Raiden turns into an electric eel and electrocutes his opponent until they explode.
 * Fergality: After inputting a code on the Sega Genesis version of MKII, Raiden would turn the enemy into a smoking version of Probe Ltd. employee Fergus McGovern, who worked on that port of the game.
 * Hara-Kiri: Self Electrocution: Raiden charges himself with electricity until he explodes.
 * Babality: Raiden lifts his hands up and lighting appears from it until a thunderbolt almost strikes him, making him curl into a ball and causing him to cry in fear.

Brutalities Edit

 * Super Shocker: Raiden performs an Electrocute, this time extended until the opponent's head explodes.
 * A button must be pressed during the Electrocute.
 * Dark Force: Raiden performs his Power Discharge combo that, when the opponent slides across the ground, the final electrical surge cuts them in half at the waist while also electrocute all of their limbs off.
 * A button combination is required during the ending of the combo in order for the brutality to occur.
 * Overload: Raiden performs his Lightning Strike combo, bifurcating the opponent at the waist during the final electrical surge.
 * Requires a certain percentage of a combo during the match.
 * Inside You: Raiden performs the second enhanced version of an Electric Fly or Thunder Fly only this time when Raiden throws the opponent backwards, they stop momentarily in place as electricity slowly surges from their feet up their body. After a moment, Raiden teleports in their place, causing them to explode immediately in to bloody chunks.
 * This can also be performed with either Air Electic Fly or Air Thunder Fly.
 * Must perform a number of Teleports during the match.
 * Power Outage: Raiden either performs two Static Traps or performs a Full Trap that zaps off the limbs of his opponent.
 * Must land a combo with a certain number of hits during the match.
 * Power Of A God: Raiden does his forward throw, then sends enough lightning through their body to make their body explode, leaving behind their arms and head.
 * Thunder Take You: Raiden does his backward throw, then severs the opponents' legs by their knees with his final blast.
 * Electric: Raiden does a Lightning Bolt that is so powerful, it makes the opponents' head violently explode.
 * Must be from sweep distance.
 * Ground Strike: Raiden does a Lightning Strike that electrocutes the opponent multiple times, skeletonizing their torso, head and upper legs.

Trivia

 * Raiden is one of the earliest instances of a playable god in a fighting game.
 * He is the protagonist of Mortal Kombat (2011), and co-protagonist of Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe.
 * Raiden's MK vs DC Universe ending implies that he has become like Ultraman, Earth-3's Superman, where his powers are inverted (e.g. Kryptonite fuels his powers, solar radiation from a yellow star weakens them).
 * Raiden's Fatality in the original MK was drastically altered in the Super NES version due to Nintendo's strict no-blood policy at the time. The decapitation was changed to the opponent's turning into a gray pile of dust.
 * Raiden's name is spelled Raiden in the arcade iterations of the Mortal Kombat games, and both Deadly Alliance and Deception. On the other home versions and in the Mortal Kombat films, comics. and TV series', his name is spelled Rayden. This was possibly because of copyright issues from a shoot 'em up named Raiden, or to avoid confusion with Raiden from the Fatal Fury series, a large wrestler. The console versions up until Mortal Kombat 4 and the movies changed the name to Rayden. Ed Boon disliked the way that Acclaim changed Raiden's spelling.
 * Raiden's name is written in both Traditional Chinese and Japanese and in Simplified Chinese. It's pronounced as "raiden" (phonetically) in Japanese and "léidiàn" (Pinyin) in Mandarin Chinese. This is simply the Chinese word for "thunder and lightning" that was borrowed in Japanese together with the Chinese characters. The first character in this word means "thunder", the second one now mostly means "electricity", or "lightning" in ancient times.
 * Raiden was modeled after the character "Lightning" from the 1986 John Carpenter movie Big Trouble in Little China.
 * Lightning was one of three storms from the movie. Fujin corresponds most with Thunder (they share a suicidal final attack theme), while the purple ninja Rain corresponds to the third storm (also named Rain).
 * In MK4, Raiden and Johnny Cage share the same fighting stance.
 * Originally, Raiden was not going to be in Deception, and the opening of Deception explained why Raiden would not be in the game. However, this changed after fan complaints, and Raiden remained in the game; the character who would have replaced him, Fujin, makes only a cameo appearance in the Prison stage, and in the Orderrealm during Konquest. Despite this, logically, Fujin is still the protector of Earthrealm, as appointed in MK4.
 * Raiden's alignment and personality change on the events of Mortal Kombat: Deception can be related not only to Onaga's presence, but also influenced by the Elder God's passivity. Since the supreme entities only interfere on Realm affairs when occurs a threat to their existence and power, after many times requesting help, Raiden adopted a machiavellian ideology of doing anything for the protection of Earthrealm, including allying himself to the Forces of Darkness. These steps didn't interfere on the Elder Gods affairs, so Raiden decided to do whatever was necessary to preserve Earthrealm, even not being its current protector at the time.
 * In MK3 and UMK3 for both the arcade and home versions, Nightwolf's Friendship had him transform into Raiden and an arcade machine of MKII drop down with two quotes, "Yes, But I Can Do a Raiden Transformation" or "I've Never Seen a Kano Transformation" (despite not actually turning into Kano). This Friendship was omitted in the Nintendo 64 version of Mortal Kombat Trilogy, due to the fact that Raiden was in that game with the same MKII sprite. Perhaps as a nod to this, Nightwolf becomes Raiden's second-in-command in the story mode of MK 2011.
 * Raiden was originally going to use his staff as a weapon in MKII, but Midway were forced to omit it due to memory constraints.
 * Of all the Kombat Kode symbols shown in MK3, Raiden's symbol was the eighth to appear if the player presses the right buttons seven times or in reverse by holding the joystick Up and press the right buttons three times.
 * In the Super Nintendo version of the first MK, by killing the final opponent in the third Endurance Match with Raiden using his Shock to the Head fatality will make Goro appear grey just like the ashes when he defeated the opponent.
 * Raiden's popularity as a "thunder god" and the way fans reacted to him when he made his debut ultimately led to the creation of other gods such as Fujin (the "wind god"). While they had their own uniqueness, Raiden was still considered to be the most popular of all the gods in the series.
 * He also appeared as a secret character in Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict, NFL Blitz and NBA Jam: Tournament Edition, as well as a cameo appearance in a pinball machine, Bally's 1994 World Cup Championship, in a bonus round, WWE Immortals and a playable guest character Injustice 2.
 * To unlock Raiden in Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict, the player had to complete all the challenges. Two of the challenges are called "Unreal Kombat". The challenges involved 3 people at once though rather than their traditional 2. Also all 3 people used staff weapons for their melee weapons.
 * The television show Mortal Kombat: Conquest is the only portrayal of Raiden as sort of "laid back" god, where he seems like a normal human (or guardian over Kung Lao) rather than an immortal being.
 * Raiden is also a playable character in Broforce as Broden appearing in his 1995 film.
 * Raiden has been portrayed by Midway employee and martial artist Carlos Pesina in all his 2D games' appearances, except in MK Trilogy 's versus screen, where he is portrayed by Sal Divita.
 * In Deception, Raiden's ending is the only ending to be narrated by himself.
 * In his profile from the Brady Games' Official MK4 Fighters Companion strategy guide, Raiden's favorite food is "nuclear buffalo wings". This guide also said that Kid Thunder is his favorite nephew.
 * Actors Clancy Brown and Christopher Lambert, both starring in the film Highlander, have both portrayed Raiden.
 * When Shao Kahn killed Raiden in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, his dragon Tattoo did not fly off when he died when all of the others with tattoos did. He explains this in the movie as Cyrax's, as well as Mileena's being temporary, as they are not in Raiden's bloodline.
 * During the development of Mortal Kombat Armageddon, early screenshots showed Raiden's pre-Dark Raiden portrait being used for the character select screen, implying Raiden had returned to his original self. When the game was ultimately released however, the portrait had been changed to his Dark Raiden version, and was left as such in the games unchanged from Mortal Kombat Deception.
 * In MK (2011), Nightwolf refers to Raiden as Haokah, the Lakota Indian thunder god.
 * In Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, he was supposed to partake in an extensive fight scene with Sheeva (Marjean Holden). Despite being in the shooting script (and subsequent novel adaptation), it was cut from the film. Raiden instead fights a pair of Reptile clones, and Sheeva is crushed by a falling cage.
 * In MK (2011), if Raiden is using his "Dark Raiden" costume, his teleport will be red instead of white.
 * If certain X-Ray Moves are performed on Raiden, his hat will fall off. However, it will not fall off during Fatalities, similar to Kung Lao's Razor-Rimmed Hat.
 * Raiden's name and status as a god are taken directly from the Japanese thunder god Raijin.
 * He is the last playable fighter in Mortal Kombat (2011) 's story mode.
 * Raiden's alternate costume in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance is his first official appearance hatless. Also, he has a katana on his waist, but he does not use it in battle.
 * In Mortal Kombat (2011), one of Raiden's fatalities is called "Just A Scratch". This is a reference to Monty Python and the Holy Grail, in which the Black Knight fights King Arthur and is dismembered, the Black Knight says "Tis but a scratch". Raiden also severs the opponent's limbs and leaves the head like in the film. Unlike the film however, where King Arthur decides to just leave the limbless Black Knight be and go, Raiden picks up the dismembered body and smashes the head in to kill them.
 * This is the second fatality to reference a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail as Kung Lao's "Unfriendly Rabbit" fatality from Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is likely a reference to the Rabbit of Caerbannog from the film.
 * In the MK (2011) Arcade Ladder, Raiden appears in eight endings, including his own. This is more than any other character in the game.
 * Raiden's official theme is titled "Eternal Life".
 * If Reptile's Yummy! Fatality is performed on Raiden, Reptile will swallow his head, while his hat is still on.
 * In Injustice 2, Raiden sometimes says "Thunder take you!" during a clash. This is a reference to his MK 2011 Battle Cry.
 * In a Top 10 list hosted by Screwattack.com, Raiden's Godly Essence Fatality is listed at #5 for the Worst Fatality due to Raiden blowing himself up during the Fatality.
 * Raiden had a different X-Ray Move for Mortal Kombat X during development, compared to the one found in the final version. This version has the same start as the final version, with Raiden shooting electricity at the opponent, but it doesn't send them flying. Instead, Raiden comes in close and attacks them with a high kick, similar to the one performed by Johnny Cage during his X-Ray Move. Raiden then grabs the victim's spine and releasing a powerful electrical current through the opponent, before teleporting in front of them, and punching them in the liver, sending them flying backwards.
 * During a Clash in Injustice 2, The Joker and Black Adam will make a reference to Raiden; with Black Adam referring to Raiden as "The guy with the bamboo hat".
 * This reference could have been a foreshadow for Raiden's appearance in Injustice 2 as a playable guest character via the Fighter Pack 2.
 * WWE Superstar Xavier Woods is playable in the WWE Immortals game as Raiden.
 * In MKX, he and Shinnok are the only characters to address guest character Leatherface as "Leatherface".
 * Shinnok will, however, address Leatherface by last name in addition to calling him "Leatherface".
 * Although Raiden does not say Jason Voorhees' name at all, he is aware of who he is, saying "Back to Hell with you!", referencing Jason's undead nature.
 * In MKX, Raiden along with Sub-Zero and Reptile have the weakest X-Ray attacks, dealing only 31% damage.
 * Raiden's Klassic Diamond card is one of five cards in the mobile game with the Grapple bonus on all his specials. The others are Jason Voorhees's Slasher card, Jax's Revenant and Klassic cards, and Raiden's Injustice 2 card.
 * Injustice 2 Raiden is one of two cards in the mobile game with Grapple attacks that are completely unavoidable. This is because all the attacks break the opponent's block at the start of every special rather than in the middle. The first was Revenant Jax.
 * Raiden's Brutality Inside You pays homage to the climactic fight scene in the end of the 1999 film The Matrix in which Neo does the same into Agent Smith and explodes from the inside.
 * Raiden's new corrupted persona in MK11 is very similar to that of Superman from the Injustice game series;
 * Both act like villains, torturing and/or murdering their enemies, but claim they do it to protect the Earth.
 * Both have been through traumatic experiences that have changed them to more darker characters.
 * Superman - The death of Lois Lane and their unborn son and the destruction of Metropolis.
 * Raiden - The constant undeserved violence brought upon Earthrealm, the deaths of his comrades and the cleansing of the Jinsei after Shinnok corrupted it.
 * Raiden is one of the few characters whose voice actor from Mortal Kombat X reprises their role in MK11.
 * Some of his brutalities from MK11 are references to his klassic fatalities. For instance, the brutality Electricis a reference to MK 's Electric Decapitation, whereas Power Of A God is reference to MKII Fatality Electrocution I.
 * An interaction with Sub-Zero in MK11 has Raiden discuss about a dream he had, which Sub-Zero will reply with "of a Dark Knight and a Caped Wonder". This is a reference to both the DC fighting game series Injustice, developed by NetherRealm Studios, and Sub-Zero and Raiden's inclusion in the second game as playable guest characters.