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In Japan, around October, KiShin Pictures showcased the 'Mortal Kombat' trailer in Tokyo, surprising numerous video game enthusiasts.

While the term 'Mōtaru Konbatto' was familiar to the Japanese, the game was known as 'Shinken Kourin Densetsu' outside Tokyo. However, 'Mōtaru Konbatto' gained more prominence in Tokyo.

Thus, when fans witnessed the 'Mortal Kombat' trailer on television, excitement ensued among video game enthusiasts. The game had become a favorite alongside 'Street Fighter,' gradually surpassing its popularity in Japan.

The allure of 'Mortal Kombat' lay in its exhilarating gameplay, featuring graphic violence. Despite its unrestricted access for those aged 7 and above, the pixelated and cartoon-like portrayal of blood and gore, coupled with less disturbing sound effects, contributed to its wide acceptance.

During this time, the Japanese imposed minimal restrictions on anime or video games, unless they involved gambling or had a detrimental impact on children. As 'Mortal Kombat' was perceived as an unrealistic fighting game akin to 'Street Fighter,' it didn't raise much concern among the populace.

During this period, Japan grappled with an ongoing economic recession, prompting the government to tread lightly on the video game industry, recognizing its modest contribution to economic recovery.

In a particular household, a young man reclining on the sofa, fixated on the television, couldn't help but remark, "I never expected KiShin to consider adapting their video game into a film."

Not particularly a video game enthusiast, he preferred staying home to indulge in occasional anime TV shows or films. The anime landscape had evolved, with KiShin Animes no longer standing as the sole option. While KiShin boasted the most popular and captivating anime, other studios had begun to innovate, drawing many newcomers into the anime industry.

Tora and Suzuki were genuinely grateful to KiShin for inspiring their entry into the anime industry, driven by the success of Pokémon. Their timing was opportune, as they joined the industry in its early stages, now witnessing its evolution into a highly profitable sector.

In the current scenario, the Japanese video game community buzzed with anticipation following the release of the 'Mortal Kombat' trailer.

The film is set to premiere in the USA, followed by a nationwide screening for two weeks before reaching audiences in Japan. Video game enthusiasts, in particular, were keen to see how the adaptation from a video game would unfold on the big screen.

Many who weren't avid video game fans assumed that it would turn out poorly, as adaptations from inherently unrealistic series often end up as disappointments.

On October 12, 1994, in the USA, the film 'Mortal Kombat' had its first premiere in New York. The theater buzzed with activity as the media and the crowd warmly welcomed the cast of 'Mortal Kombat,' who were then interviewed by reporters.

Subsequently, they entered the cinema and took their seats. Among the audience, several film critics were present, eagerly awaiting the latest offering from KiShin Pictures.

It would be dishonest to say they had no expectations; in reality, they were anticipating KiShin to deliver a quality film, especially after the success of 'Jurassic Park.' They hoped KiShin would surpass their expectations.

Some were aware that 'Mortal Kombat' was a video game adaptation from Japan, leading them to temper their expectations. They understood that adaptations, be it from novels or comics, could fall short if they diverged from the expectations of fans of the original source material.

The realm of film adaptations, especially those based on video games, is largely uncharted. Consequently, some film critics, aware of the movie's video game origins, harbored low expectations and even anticipated it to be subpar.

As they contemplated, the cinema screen brightened, unveiling the KiShin intro. This time, the intro was rendered in 3D animation, a notable improvement from previous versions. The animation portrayed a boy holding an umbrella on a dark, rainy grassland night. The wind whisked away the umbrella into the sky, where stars and clouds converged to form the word 'KShin.' The umbrella then floated between the 'K' and 'S,' ultimately shaping the word 'KiShin,' accompanied by a 'Picture' drifting beside the logo.

Many recognized it as the distinctive mark of 'KiShin Pictures.'

The audience was thoroughly impressed—the animation surpassed the intro of KiShin in the film 'Jurassic Park.'

Following that, the Walt Disney introduction followed suit, also animated but incomparable to KiShin's breathtaking 3D animation.

Certain audience members, including film critics and computer experts, sensed that KiShin's strides in graphics development outpaced others.

Little did they know that the animations were primarily crafted by Pixar, in collaboration with KiShin's CGI company and Motion Capture company.

Following the introduction of the production and distribution details, 'Mortal Kombat' finally commenced.

It opened with a fiercely realistic display of fire, accompanied by the resounding strikes of a hammer against metal, and the iconic music theme from the 'Mortal Kombat' video game.

Though the music's 16-bit resemblance was noted by the audience, their attention shifted as the hammer's clang grew more pronounced. The metal dragon emblem of 'Mortal Kombat' emerged from the fiery furnace before settling onto stone. A hand holding a hammer descended upon it, and the camera captured the emblem being returned to the blazing furnace. Inside, the dragon emblem (Mortal Kombat Logo) was engulfed in flames, creating a remarkably realistic scene.

As the music theme subsided, the screen gradually darkened, transitioning to a temple-laden environment shrouded in dark clouds. On the stage arena, two figures stood— a young man and a towering, menacing counterpart. The audience felt the tension rise with the accompaniment of intense music.

The menacing figure lunged at the determined young man, landing a punch that was skillfully evaded. A series of counterattacks ensued, with the young man delivering a kick that the menacing opponent narrowly dodged.

After a sequence of intense fighting moves, the menacing man seized the young man's arms, causing him to scream in pain as the antagonist twisted them for all to witness. Some in the audience couldn't bear to watch, covering or closing their eyes. Attempting to escape, the young man dashed towards the stage arena's edge, only to be met with the menacing man's laughter as a bolt of lightning coincidentally struck the area he was headed.

The menacing man cruelly laughed as he caught up to the young man, gripping his throat. Against all odds, the young man hoisted his assailant into the air, blood spewing from his mouth. Eventually, the young man succumbed, gasping for breath. The menacing figure stared directly at the audience, his emotionless voice echoing, "Your brother's soul is mine... You will be next."

The audience, unprepared for such violence at the film's outset, found themselves shocked by the intense and brutal scenes unfolding before them.