Next on the lineup, is The Dawn's Shogun, Amaterasu.
Character Questions: Amaterasu
Full name: Amaterasu no Okami, Amaterasu of Japan, Sannosuke Amy (Name she took after integrating amongst the mortals)
Nickname: Ammy (pet name by Kim, Tsukuyomi, and Nox), Lady Sun (by Xan when he was still her champion)
Occupation: Leader of the Japanese Pantheon of Gods and Maddonosuke Fashion's Defense Attorney.
Appearance: She can make herself look however she wants to but prefers a grounded facial appearance as opposed to her brothers. Verbatim from Callie in Amaterasu's official debut chapter: "Amaterasu was slightly taller than me and had fair skin with black hair tied into a low ponytail. She looked like a Japanese supermodel in terms of facial appearance. No one would know she was a deity if you've never met her."
Age: Unknown
Mannerisms: While looking like a Japanese woman, she acts nothing like the sort. Well-mannered, well-spoken, and well-educated. She takes her role as Head Defender of Japan seriously but is more friendly towards allies like Fujin. Unlike her younger brother, Raiden.
What does he/she wear?: Keeps up Japan's traditions when it comes to her wardrobe. During Kombat, Amaterasu wears either a red Samurai kimono with matching Hakama Pants with a white Haori Jacket or the same kimono but white with red Armor. When not in Kombat, she can wear a myriad of outfits. Regardless, Japan's colors are always incorporated, so expect to see red and white.
Favorite color: Red
What is he/she good at?: The founder of Shinto (literally translated as "Way of the Gods"), an actual belief system that displays Amaterasu's mastery of linguistics and politics. When she became Japan's first defender alongside her younger brother, Susanoo, and first friend and later wife, Tsukuyomi, she taught herself how to use the Katana. But a few centuries after gaining her first champion, Amaterasu requested him to teach her all the Japanese styles of Kendo. His name is none other than Shio Xan. As a result, Amaterasu knows every style of Kendo. Her expertise in linguistics and politics has transferred into logistics. She uses this by being Mai and Kim's partner in Maddonosuke Fashion's personal Defense Attorney.
What is he/she bad at?: Prideful in her land. Doing anything against Japan would earn her scorn, which explains why she constantly belittles Raiden for leaving Japan for China. She's also vengeful and can be one-track-minded when wronged, i.e. when Tsukuyomi and Susanoo were killed.
What does he/she want?: To ensure Japan and Earthrealm's safety.
What is his/her goal?: Eliminate Shinnok. Later, the Deadly Alliance and Onaga.
What lie does he/she believe?: That she's solely responsible for the tragedies surrounding her.
What flaw results from the lie?: Despite her willingness to mingle with mortals, she is nearly fatally reclusive.
What truth does he/she learn?: Not everyone's death can be prevented and everyone can't be saved.
What is his/her background?: When Izanagi washed his left eye, he created the Sun or his first child, Amaterasu. Doing the same with his right, he created the Moon or Tsukuyomi. Washing his nose created the sea, or Susanoo.
In the world of Mortal Kombat, the origins of the Sun Goddess is traditional. Izanagi fell in love with a mortal woman and loved her so much that he willed her into a deity and renamed her Izanami. Their first act of love as the first divine couple was to make love. Amaterasu was conceived due to a heated passion. Godhood has its own hierarchy. (In my headcanon of MK anyway) Most Gods in MK are not conceived and are created by the Creation Gods of their respective Pantheon. As I mentioned, Amaterasu, Susanoo, and even Tsukuyomi were conceived, not created. Which is why Amaterasu acts more like a person than a deity. When her parents created Japan, Izanagi ascended to become the Titan of Life, and Izanami was sent to the Netherrealm after giving birth to Kagutsuchi. Amaterasu, her younger brothers, and her future wife were left to defend Japan.
It wasn't long until Shinnok invaded and decided to conquer Japan first, deeming it the most beautiful landmass in the realm. Raiden and Fujin fled for China, leaving Amaterasu, Susanoo, and Tsukuyomi alone to defend Japan as the rest of her siblings died young but transferred their main properties to one of the three. The three successfully repelled Shinnok and his forces, at a grave cost.
Her younger brother was killed in the battles.
The Three Precious Children saved Japan and Earthrealm as a whole. The three promised one another to ensure Earthrealm's defense. Amaterasu did this for millennia, but the story of the Head Deity in Charge has just begun.
Additional Questions for the Goddess of the Sun?
Were Amaterasu's siblings a sharp contrast to her regarding powers and personality?
Absolutely. Her little sister figure and future wife in Tsukuyomi held similar mannerisms, like being well-spoken and well-educated. Compared to Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi was slyer and often traveled to other countries, even realms. It was through Tsukuyomi that Amaterasu met Nox who became the pair's closest friends. Obviously, she commanded powers based on the Moon, and we saw a glimpse of that through Kim's utter destruction of Reiko. Susanoo was a wild child but was a bold and brave god. He was the madman who brought sake to Japan thanks to Tsukuyomi's discovery of wine after coming back from meeting Dionysus. He was also a master swordsman but was also self-taught like his older sister and commanded the Seas and the Storms that came with it. That put Raiden's mastery of thunder to shame. Susanoo couldn't find a champion before he was killed, so his powers died with him.
When exactly did her indifference to Raiden start?
Amaterasu was never truly fond of Raiden and Fujin. They were unstable and uncontrollable after their creation, and the only person who could control and calm them became a Titan after killing the youngest sibling in Kagutsuchi. They may be stalwart defenders of Earthrealm now, but they weren't that way at first. They were just a problem that Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo had to deal with. When they finally got them to stop causing constant storms and tornadoes, they fled the moment Shinnok first invaded Japan. That, and the moment Susanoo was killed was when Amaterasu truly lost all respect for her younger brothers. Raiden changing his name like he was born again Christian didn't do much to help earn her forgiveness, hence why she always calls him Raijin. That is his first and in her eyes, true name. Fujin is getting back in her good graces by mingling among mortals like Johnny Cage and Jax before becoming intimate with Mai (something she approves of) However, Raiden is trying to get Fujin to act like him which also angers her, especially since Kagutsuchi's death, Fujin is the youngest sibling.
Has Fujin done anything to earn her wrath?
Not completely. At first, Amaterasu thought of Fujin similarly to how she thought of Raiden. Over time, as he became familiar with mortal kind, she opened up to him and spoils him with affectionate love whenever she can. Despite not seeing him often, Amaterasu has a massive influence on him, though whether or not she knows that is up for debate.
How does Amaterasu view the impending conflict? (Arc V and beyond)
As we saw earlier, Amaterasu and co.'s main concern is finding Izanami and bringing her back to the mortal world. It's no secret, but she'll be another ally in the coming arcs once they do. She's just as adamant about helping the Maddox Family defend Earth and Edenia. Thanks to Xan and Kim, she's come to view the other GbNF cast members with the utmost respect. Still, what remains of her family is more important for the time being. As soon as she sorts things out with Izanami, she'll be on the frontlines with everyone else. Afterward, she'll play her part during the final Arcs, though we don't know what that is yet.