Which Mortal Kombat game introduced the blind swordsman Kenshi as a playable character?

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance introduced Kenshi as a playable character.

Released in 2002, Deadly Alliance was the fifth main entry in the Mortal Kombat series. Kenshi is a blind swordsman whose signature weapon is the telekinetically controlled sword Sento. His backstory centers on Shang Tsung betraying him after Kenshi discovered the ancient sword.

Kenshi is often confused with other sword-wielding Mortal Kombat fighters, especially Takeda, his son and a later character. Kenshi first appeared in Deadly Alliance, while Takeda debuted much later in Mortal Kombat X. Deadly Alliance also marked a major shift toward weapon-based fighting styles, giving each fighter multiple styles rather than relying only on the classic move sets.

The character returned in later games, including Deception, Armageddon, Mortal Kombat X, and Mortal Kombat 1. His recurring role made him one of the most important new characters created during the series’ early-2000s expansion.