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| NOTE: This page is about Liu Kang from the original game series. For the version seen in the main story from Mortal Kombat 9 onwards, see Liu Kang (2nd and 3rd Timelines) For other versions see: Liu Kang. |
| “ | The sorcerer Shang Tsung had killed me and consumed my soul. I remained trapped within his being, tormented by his evil, along with many other victims of his vampiric soul drain. Through Shang Tsung’s eyes, we witnessed the battle with Raiden, who sacrificed himself to stop Onaga. Raiden’s blast destroyed Shang Tsung, and our souls were free to ascend into the heavens. I remained in Outworld, however, to aid my friends in the fight against the Dragon King. Why someone would desecrate my grave and reanimate my body, I cannot say. Somehow my corpse retains my knowledge of martial arts and has killed many innocents. Though I am not the perpetrator of these slaying, I cannot help but feel responsible for the brutality committed by my corporal form. The battle between mind and body has begun. | „ |
| ~ Liu Kang's first person bio from Deception. |
Liu Kang (Chinese: 劉鋼) is one of the two main protagonists (alongside Scorpion) of first timeline within the Mortal Kombat franchise.
He is a Shaolin monk who is a member of the White Lotus Society as well as Earthrealm's greatest warrior and champion of the Mortal Kombat tournament.
He was physically portrayed by Ho Sung Pak in Mortal Kombat and MKII, Eddie Wong in Mortal Kombat 3, and voiced by Joshua Y. Tsui in Mortal Kombat 4/Gold and Jin Kim in Shaolin Monks.
Appearance[]
At his debut, Liu Kang appeared to be based on Bruce Lee; an adult of Chinese origin with a bare chest, black pants and white sneakers. From MKII and onward, he is depicted with shaggy black hair (even though Shaolin monks are bald), a red headband, spiked gauntlets, red and black kung fu pants, and kung fu slippers; still keeping his upper body bare (except in Mortal Kombat 4 where he has a tank top). This design is one of the most consistent in the series.
He is depicted as a zombie in Mortal Kombat: Deception. He gains a ghastly grey tint on his decaying skin, showing the most damage on his peeling face. He retains his usual attire, but now wears a pair of chains with hooks attached to his gauntlets.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Liu Kang was an orphan who was raised as a Shaolin monk, alongside his friend Kung Lao. He was a prodigy in his training, which led to Lord Raiden taking an interest in him and Kung Lao as a potential champion for Earthrealm in the Mortal Kombat tournament. Liu Kang would be trained personally by Bo' Rai Cho, and would be enrolled into the top secret White Lotus Society after he completed his training. While Kung Lao was supposed to be the Earthrealm champion, he left to find a different destiny, and Liu Kang chose to take his place.
Mortal Kombat[]
Liu Kang was dispatched by the Temple of Light to destroy Shang Tsung and was called by Shaolin Grandmaster Wu as the tenth generation of the Mortal Kombat Tournament drew near. His goal was to vanquish Shang Tsung and return the tournament to its Shaolin roots. On his approach to the competition, he ran into movie star Johnny Cage and Special Forces agent Sonya Blade, with whom he subsequently became friends. Outworld had won nine straight Mortal Kombat tournaments when Liu Kang entered.
The opponents that Kang faced during the competition are unknown, but he eventually gained the qualification to fight Prince Goro, the current Mortal Kombat Champion. Liu Kang overcame Goro. When Shang Tsung learned of Goro's defeat, he issued a challenge. Following a fierce encounter, Liu Kang used the Flying Kick that Bo' Rai Cho had taught him to defeat Shang Tsung. The island destroyed itself in the wake of Shang Tsung’s defeat. As the new Mortal Kombat Champion, Liu Kang went back home.
Mortal Kombat II /Shaolin Monks[]
As he returned from Tsung's Island, a ferocious attack by a Tarkatan horde had murdered many of his Shaolin brethren. Furious, Liu Kang made the decision to go to Outworld in order to get retribution. He was joined in this endeavour by Kung Lao, a fellow White Lotus member and spiritual brother, Raiden, Kuai Liang (the younger brother of the original Sub-Zero, who was killed by Scorpion), and Smoke. Liu Kang set out to get Johnny Cage's assistance in Hollywood before his departure for Outworld. Fortunately, a Tarkatan horde was attacking Cage, and Liu Kang arrived just in time. They finally made it to Outworld, now accompanied by Sonya's superior Jax Briggs and Johnny.
Liu Kang fell in love with Kitana when he and Kung Lao met her at the tournament. Even after discovering the true nature of the Outworld competition, he continued to compete. It is known that Liu Kang engaged in combat with Shao Kahn, ultimately triumphing over the emperor, however it is unclear what specific matches were played. Presumably he also faced Kintaro and Shang Tsung, defeating the latter again in front of Shao Kahn. Unable to concede a loss, Kahn gave the order for his soldiers to eliminate the Earthrealm fighters, compelling them to return home and be ready for the impending invasion.
Mortal Kombat 3[]
Following their return to Earthrealm, Liu Kang and Kung Lao started training a fresh batch of Shaolin warriors, only to have their work cut short when the invasion started. Liu Kang was the main target as Kahn's extermination squads were dispatched to slaughter Earth's selected warriors. After opposing Shao Kahn, Kung Lao appeared to be killed by an intense blast from the emperor. Furious, Liu Kang issued Kahn a challenge to a Mortal Kombat duel and vanquished him once more, forcing the emperor and his army to flee back to Outworld. Just before the gateway closed, Kitana praised Liu Kang for his assistance in rescuing Earth and her own realm from Shao Kahn.
Mortal Kombat 4[]
Liu Kang journeyed to America in search of a fresh batch of Shaolin fighters to instruct. He ran across Kai, an old friend, while he was in America. After that, the two returned to China, where Liu Kang taught Kai how to fight like a Shaolin warrior. But the tranquillity would not last long, for through a portal to Edenia, the fallen Elder God Shinnok had fled the Netherrealm. When Liu Kang discovered Kitana was kidnapped, he tried to rescue her on his own but was unable. After returning to Earth, Liu Kang started rallying the planet's warriors to help his mentor Raiden and defend Earth.
Finally, Liu Kang faced down fallen Elder God Shinnok and defeated him more, putting an end to his onslaught on Earth. Feeling as though he had lost Kitana for good, Liu Kang made his way back to the Shaolin Temples. But the Edenian Princess showed up via an Edenian portal, and she expressed gratitude to Liu Kang for everything he had accomplished. She invited him to take her place on Edenia's throne. However, Liu Kang had to turn down her offer because of his obligations as a Mortal Kombat Champion. Despite his love for Kitana, he had to follow his moral convictions.
Deadly Alliance[]
Liu Kang had a period of quietness and peace for many years. While the champion was rehearsing his katas, Shang Tsung approached him in the guise of Kung Lao. Liu Kang battled his old enemy, but Shang Tsung would receive assistance from Quan Chi, who wounded Liu Kang by shooting him in the rear while he was concentrating on Shang Tsung. This diversion gave Shang Tsung the upper hand; he shattered Liu Kang's neck and soon after devoured his soul. After fellow Shaolin monk Kung Lao found Liu Kang's disfigured remains, he was buried at Wu Shi Academy and a shrine erected in his honor.
Deception[]
At the end, Raiden unleashed his divine essence to destroy Onaga, most likely resulting in the deaths of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. Through Shang Tsung's eyes, Liu Kang saw these occurrences. Thousands of souls, including Liu Kang's, were released from Tsung, yet it is uncertain whether Quan Chi and Shang Tsung actually passed away. Raiden, who had somehow become corrupted during his reformation, also killed a large number of Liu Kang's fellow Shaolin monks by reviving Liu Kang's corpse and sending it on a rampage.
When Liu Kang's spirit realized that his body had "resurrected," he was horrified by what he had done and chose to remain in Outworld to help fight Onaga. Liu Kang couldn't help but feel accountable for his corpse's deeds, even though he wasn't technically at fault. Additionally, he was informed about his allies' enslavement by Onaga. From there, Liu Kang had two missions to finish and recruited the enigmatic ninja Ermac as an ally. The first was to attempt to save his comrades from Onaga; the second was to vanquish him and prevent his body from causing any more damage. Liu Kang knew that Onaga had tricked Shujinko into getting the Kamidogu, and gave Shujinko helpful techniques.
Liu Kang managed to find his old mentor Bo' Rai Cho, who was losing hope against Onaga's forces, and managed to reinvigorate him. After that, Liu Kang went off to accomplish his goals with Ermac. Liu Kang was able to free his comrades from Onaga's servitude and enjoyed a brief but poignant reunion with his loved ones, including Kitana, the love of his life. Following his friends' departure, Liu Kang set out to return to his body. In his non canon ending, Liu Kang confronted his undead form in Earthrealm with neither were able to best the other. Much to his surprise, a bolt of energy, implied to be from a remorseful Raiden, managed to merge his soul with his body, bring Liu back to life.
Armageddon[]
Liu Kang's soul accompanied Kitana, because of their close relationship, and thus she was able to preserve his energy until a means of uniting his body and spirit could be discovered. As Nightwolf took on the role of Liu Kang's new spiritual compass, he transferred Kitana's bond to himself. Liu Kang's corpse remains angry at Shang Tsung. Even though Shang Tsung was winning and making his way to the summit of the Pyramid of Argus, Liu Kang's corpse was able to catch up to him and use his hooks to keep him in place. Shang Tsung assumed his old form as a result of this. Ultimately, the corpse of Liu Kang and Nightwolf perished in the Armageddon. Liu Kang's spirit lost its connection to the material world with Nightwolf's passing, and moved on.
In his non canon ending, Liu Kang was restored to life after defeating Blaze, also absorbing the elemental's power. Liu Kang confronted the corrupted Raiden, and reluctantly defeated his former mentor in a final battle. Liu Kang would replace Raiden as the protector god of Earthrealm.
Personality[]
Liu Kang is the biggest threat to Shao Kahn's plans and has single-handedly won in the two previous Mortal Kombat Tournaments. Thus, he is a very dedicated and courageous man. He carries the title "Shaolin Champion" and is undoubtedly one of the greatest martial artists on the planet. For this reason (and the previous setbacks of Outworld) Liu Kang constantly finds himself as the number one target for Shao Kahn's troops, and he generally takes this calmly.
He probably has the personality of a fighting monk: insightful and cool, but in combat strong, fast, and merciless. Home is his training camp and the temple and his hobby used to be to create shadow puppets around the campfire. In combat he tends to be very noisy focusing his powers, screaming and intimidating his opponents and apparently also because it sometimes hurts so much to fight. Regardless, the man is a true hero and a living legend.
Powers and Abilities[]
Liu Kang is a highly skilled fighter as seen due to his victory in every Mortal Kombat tournament. He is an extremely skilled martial artist, possessing incredible acrobatic skills and agility and knowledge in a variety of techniques.
Kang is able to perform a powerful flying kick attack, use a bicycle kick, and send out fireballs from his hands that take the shape of dragon heads. These fireballs are part of fire element theme to Kang, which also is involved with some of his fatalities.
It also suggested that he regularly increases and maintains his strength through mediation and as champion of Mortal Kombat, he never ages.
Quotes[]
| “ | He discovers his sacred home in ruins, his Shaolin brothers killed in a vicious battle with a horde of Outworld warriors. Now he travels into the Dark Realm to seek revenge. | „ |
| ~ Liu Kang's biography in Mortal Kombat II. |
| “ | Are you okay? | „ |
| ~ Liu Kang to a Shaolin Monk after Baraka stabs him two time in the chest and then in the head and throws the dead body in front Liu Kang & Kung Lao. |
| “ | Your fighting style is good, but not good enough. | „ |
| ~ Liu Kang, Shaolin Monks |
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- Liu Kang is the longest running protagonist in franchise history, playing the hero for an entire decade. However, in later years, he would written into increasingly-antagonistic roles, starting as a monstrous zombie beginning in Mortal Kombat Deception which would continue into the rebooted era.
- Liu Kang is the only character to have a fatality that does not kill the opponent, his original one, which was done because he was supposed to be a pacifistic monk character.
- His name was originally going to be Minamoto Yoshitsune, a legendary Japanese mythological character, but John Tobias decided the name was too long to deal with.
- Ironically, Ho Sung Pak also portrayed Shang Tsung in the first game.
- Liu Kang's official theme is titled, "Born in China."
- The Human Tornado, a pro wrestler, uses a move called the Liu Kang Kick, in homage to the character.
- Upon him beating Shao Kahn in Mortal Kombat II, the usual occurrence of Kahn's voice announcing him as winner is replaced with the monk giving off a small war cry.
- Liu Kang's original fatality and his fatality from MK2, where he turned into an Asian-style dragon to bite off top of his opponent's body, was voted second on Screwattack's Top 10 Lists of Worst Mortal Kombat and Best Mortal Kombat Fatalities respectively.
- The hooked chains that are attached to Liu Kang's arms have been in much demand to be used as his weapon fighting style, especially after he used them in the intro to Armageddon to attack Shang Tsung. These were later revealed by Raiden's Armageddon bio to be enchanted shackles used by a group of necromancers to control their undead. The thunder god had used their spells to turn Kang's body into a zombie, which is why he put the chains on the corpse.
- He deals double damage to Onaga in Deception.
- Liu Kang's alternate costumes in Armageddon and Deception depict him as a human or at least his soul fused with his body.
- Liu Kang was intended to be a secret surprise character in Deception. He is the most difficult to unlock and was meant to shock fans that their hero had been brought back as such a corrupted being.
- In the Flash's ending in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, he and Liu Kang form a psychic connection that allows them to warn each other if their worlds are threatened again, due to earlier events.
- Liu Kang is the only character that has his own voice file for every game he appeared in, consisting of "kiai," a shout that is said to maximize the force of the user's attacks. His voice in dialogue changed from a regular casual voice in Shaolin Monks to one with more of an Asian accent in Mortal Kombat vs. DC.
External Links[]
- Liu Kang on the Near Pure Good Wiki
- Liu Kang on the Mortal Kombat Wiki
