Why Did Raiden Turn Evil? A Shocking Descent for Mortal Kombat‘s Thunder God

As a passionate Mortal Kombat gamer and content creator, I was shocked by Raiden‘s descent into evil. Raiden, the thunder god sworn to defend Earthrealm, transformed into the vengeful and ruthless Dark Raiden by the events of Mortal Kombat 11. But Raiden‘s progressively dark turn didn‘t happen overnight – analyzing key moments across decades of MK games reveals the pivotal battles, painful losses, and desperate decisions that led Raiden to become corrupted.

Raiden‘s Backstory: An Immortal Defender Burdened by Destiny

Raiden first appeared in the original 1992 Mortal Kombat as the enigmatic god advising heroic fighters like Liu Kang. According to MK co-creator John Tobias, Raiden was envisioned as a "wizard from the past" guiding warriors – his white hair and ageless persona reflecting his immortality.

As Earthrealm‘s protector for millennia, Raiden shoulders a heavy burden. He safeguards the realm from Outworld‘s Emperor Shao Kahn and his forces, swearing sacred oaths to the Elder Gods. Breaking these oaths has dire consequences – as we‘ll see play out across Raiden‘s saga.

Raiden‘s Burdens:

- Immortal protector of Earthrealm 
- Sworn enemy of Shao Kahn & Outworld
- Beholden to strict rules of Elder Gods
- Guides mortal kombatants in their battles

This backstory establishes Raiden as a caring mentor driven to safeguard Earthrealm at nearly any cost. But his immortal lifespan means suffering loss and heartache across eras – with his resolve tested like no mortal.

The First Signs of Darkness (MK1 to MK4)

Raiden‘s early appearances show no signs of emerging darkness – he serves as a steadfast mentor for warriors of light like Liu Kang and Kung Lao. But the events of Mortal Kombat 4 plant the first seeds of Raiden‘s fall in later decades.

After Shinnok, a fallen Elder God, invades Earthrealm, Raiden imprisons him within his sacred amulet. But in using Shinnok‘s tainted power, Raiden unknowingly taints his own spirit. He also learns that gods can be killed in Mortal Kombat – a lesson that will drive future extreme decisions.

Mortal Kombat 4 Key Events:

- Raiden imprisons Shinnok using the fallen god‘s amulet
- Uses Shinnok‘s tainted powers, unknowingly corrupting himself 
- Discovers gods can be killed in Mortal Kombat

Painful Losses and Desperate Decisions (MK:DA to MK9)

In the years following MK4, Raiden suffers crushing personal losses while desperate to thwart interdimensional threats. He sees loyal friends like Liu Kang and Kitana slain, their souls claimed by sinister sorcerers like Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. Raiden also discovers his past victories were hollow – Shinnok still manages to escape and reopen Earthrealm‘s portals.

These threats push Raiden to operate in morally gray territory. In the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot, Raiden even corrupts his own legacy by manipulating events in the past. While successful restoring Earthrealm‘s protection, he pays a personal price – forced to watch many allies die again before his younger self corrects the timeline.

Key Events Driving Raiden‘s Desperation:

- Helpless as sorcerers kill Liu Kang & Kitana  
- Past victories evaporate as realms & souls threatened again
- Decides to manipulate past events as last resort
- Haunted by seeing many friends slain - now in vain    

Interviews with MK head writer Dominic Cianciolo reveal that Raiden makes an "extreme choice for the greater good" – one that leaves him increasingly isolated and willing to take more drastic measures.

The Jinsei Corruption and the Birth of Dark Raiden (MKX & MK11)

In Mortal Kombat X, Raiden‘s desperate defense of Earthrealm reaches its apex with catastrophic personal consequences. After Shinnok launches an assault on the crystalline Jinsei – the energy source binding realms together – Raiden chooses to purify it using Shinnok‘s tainted amulet from MK4.

MKX Key Events:   

- Raiden purifies the corrupted Jinsei using Shinnok‘s amulet
- Amulet infects Raiden with its ingrained corruption     
- New ruthless persona emerges as "Dark Raiden"  

This decision not only defeats Shinnok, it cracks Raiden‘s nobility once and for all. As visualized in MKX‘s cliffhanger ending, purifying the Jinsei corrupts Raiden‘s mind – infecting him with ingrained darkness and invoking a ruthlessly cynical outlook focused solely on Earthrealm‘s defense at any cost.

Raiden‘s Shifting Perspective:

Righteous Thunder God -> Jaded God -> Vengeful God -> Corrupted Destroyer   

Now fully embraced as "Dark Raiden" in MK11, he sheds former bonds of morality and brotherhood – becoming the very threat he once vowed to shield realms from. Raiden‘s fall from grace completes a painful, desperate saga spanning 25 years and a dozen Mortal Kombat games.

The Future of Mortal Kombat‘s Fallen Defender

As MK fans await the next chapter, Raiden‘s fate remains uncertain. Will purifying the Jinsei ultimately cleanse Raiden‘s festering corruption? Or is the thunder god lost forever – doomed to sow chaos and threaten realms as a grim warning of good intentions Gone Wrong? Either way, Raiden‘s fall stands as a shocking lesson on morality and desperation for Mortal Kombat‘s kombatants and fans alike.

Stay tuned to my blog for future coverage of Mortal Kombat lore and breaking developments! Which fallen hero or villain should I cover next?