2021's Mortal Kombat took the world by storm last month, upon its release, and with very good reason. The reboot of the cult martial arts fantasy series earned strong reviews, particularly for the modern characterizations which worked and didn’t mess with the original creations. Naturally, the cosplay world is abuzz with Mortal Kombat costumes be it Jax, Cole, or Scorpion.
Raiden, the Japanese god of thunder is also a really popular pick amid cosplayers. Raiden’s costume has undergone many transformations in the last few decades, but the most popular version among cosplayers is the blue and white version that’s most widely recognized. So, which are the best Raiden cosplays at the moment?
Dark Raiden
This is easily one of the most creative Raiden cosplays. Interestingly, LA-based cosplayer Luanna has experimented with more than one different Raiden look but this one takes the cake for its finesse and fun changes.
She switches up the color palette for something flashier and the gold and black does work a lot better than the white and blue, that Raiden originally sports. Plus, the leather cuffs, the DIY armor plate, and hat ribbon are great creative liberties and make the cosplay look edgier.
Set The Mood
Cosplayer Tolga focuses on getting the mood right for his Raiden cosplay which is not all that hard considering he has great props. The lightning effect is great as it gives the cosplay a lot of credibility.
A great thing about the costume is the detailing, as it stays true to the color palette of Raiden’s original costume and Tolga makes some really smart tweaks that make his costume more efficient, like the rope belts and head cover under his hat.
Do Your Thing
It’s always great to see cosplayers improvising right to perfect the look of a certain character. Cosplayer Larry Mccalister makes some crucial modifications in Raiden’s costume; firstly he goes a neutral base for his costume instead of the regular white and blue which introduces a really intimidating aura to his get-up.
He also keeps it simple with a straight-forward bamboo hat and a simple gold-lined cape so the curation doesn’t look too overworked.
Raiden, Is That You?
Georgia-based artist and cosplayer Antoine Wilson’s blue mask may have been a creative improvisation but it fits right into his Raiden cosplay. In fact, he may have lead fans to realize that Raiden does need a mask to better represent the duality in him.
For the rest of the costume, Antoine sticks to a traditional curation of color-blocked robes, a jute-lined hat, metal accents, and gloves and even adds in Raiden’s lightning rod which many cosplayers overlook.
Perfect Picks
Cosplayer Kristin designs her own color palette for her Raiden look and it makes for an absolutely flawless DIY get-up. She sticks to a monochromatic slate because it leaves more room for risks.
Her white vest does have some blue lining, similar to Raiden’s original costume but she styles that with black tights with cut-outs and tie-up boots to make the warrior look more functional. Her choice of an ornate silk robe instead of plain blue ones is really refreshing and introduces a lot of drama to the costume.
Raiden Approves
Cosplayer Daijah’s fun adjustments would be total ice-breakers at any comic convention. Her costume is also an example of how easy it is to break down the vibe of a costume and personalize the essentials. Instead of a classic white and blue robe, Daijah goes for a simple white top suit and styles it with a blue printed kimono-inspired drape.
She also adds a flowy cape at the back and old school metallic combat detailing which really works in this mix.
Moody And Fierce
Cosplayer Diego Lobo sticks with a traditional Raiden rendition but adds his own spin to the cosplay. The great effects aside, Lobo’s costume is really cinematic and explores a more intense look.
Cosplayers often tend to forget that Raiden was a god, so adding in some stylized old school, mythical detailing won’t look out of place. Lobo goes for the full-blown magic element as his costume has been curated along the lines of a god-meets-warrior aesthetic.
The Chosen One
This Raiden cosplay has been curated to be a smart, alternative to the traditional look of the superhero because it effortlessly brings in a different tonal element to the costume. Firstly, there are no heavy robes with metallic detailing or medallions.
The cosplayer goes for low-key bronze-effect metal cuffs and instead of a robe, he opts for a svelte, non-metallic armor with spike effect which looks weirdly perfect and is immaculately in sync with the bamboo hat.
Stand Out
This look may not be a traditional Raiden cosplay but gets a lot of things right about the concept of the character; according to the Mortal Kombat canon, Raiden has more than 700 kinds of jujutsu, which is one of his primary fighting techniques.
This martial arts-inspired look is simplistic and yet the straw hat, the side-kick, and the lightning effects do a great job of setting the mood for the cosplay. This is also a great example for cosplayers looking for DIY ideas on a budget.
Epic Crossover?
There’s a lot to be said about crossover cosplays because if done right they could be really inspiring and could open up a lot of avenues for costumes. This Cyberpunk 2077-meets-Mortal Kombat cosplay is ingenious and quirky and somehow manages to retain the aesthetic of both universes.
Digital effects definitely play a big role in this cosplay but even if someone wants to recreate it in a low-key format, there are many DIY options that can be explored.