Liu Kang

For the artist, see Liu Kang (artist).

Template:Mortal Kombat character Liu Kang is the main protagonist in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.

About Liu Kang

Liu Kang is a Chinese Shaolin fighting monk. He moves quickly and possesses formidable fighting skills. Throughout the series, Liu Kang has been gradually portrayed as the main hero, becoming Champion after the first Mortal Kombat tournament and then following whatever quest Raiden has in mind for him. His romantic interest is Princess Kitana, but he is unable to commit himself to a relationship due to his duty (protecting Earthrealm as the Champion of Mortal Kombat) while Kitana has to stay in Edenia as reigning princess.

The Death of Liu Kang

Liu Kang was murdered by Shang Tsung (who had Quan Chi's assistance) in the prelude of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, his soul consumed by Tsung. He did return in Mortal Kombat: Deception, albeit as a zombie. He also co-stars alongside Kung Lao, Sub-Zero, Scorpion and others in the adventure game Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (as a human, due to the game taking place during the time of Mortal Kombat II), in Mortal Kombat: Unchained and is featured again in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon in zombie form, although his human form is his alternate costume.

Storyline

Liu Kang follows the teachings of the Shaolin White Lotus Society and was sent by the Temple of Light to defeat Shang Tsung. He desired to defeat Shang Tsung and bring the tournament back to its Shaolin owners. Liu Kang was trained by Master Bo' Rai Cho, who taught him the Flying Kick. As he made his way to the tournament, he met and became friends with Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade. At the time of Liu Kang's entry, Outworld had won nine Mortal Kombat tournaments in a row. Upon entering the tournament, he also met Kitana, princess of Outworld. In the tournament he fought against Sub-Zero, and fought briefly with Kitana. Upon hearing of Goro's defeat, Shang Tsung challenged Sonya Blade, and took her captive. Liu and Jonny traveled to Outworld with Kitana. On their way there, Liu fights Reptile (Mortal Kombat) and kills him. After the three went into Tsung's palace, they showed themselves to Shang and to Sonya. Shang then turned to fight Liu. After an epic battle, Liu Kang defeated Tsung with his Flying kick and won the Mortal Kombat tournament, keeping earthrealm safe for another generation.

Coming home from Tsung's island, he found many of his Shaolin killed in a vicious attack by a Tarkatan horde. Enraged, Liu Kang decided to travel to Outworld, backed by fellow White Lotus member and spiritual brother Kung Lao, Raiden, Sub-Zero's younger brother, and Smoke to seek revenge. Before he traveled to Outworld, Liu Kang went to Hollywood to seek Johnny Cage's help.

Luckily, Liu Kang arrived at the right time as Cage was being attacked by a Tarkatan horde. Now joined with Johnny and new-found friend Jax they finally traveled to Outworld. At the tournament, he and Kung Lao met Kitana, and Liu Kang began to fall in love with her. He learned the true nature of the Outworld tournament but competed anyway. While it is unclear as to what matches took place, it is known that Liu Kang fought Shao Kahn, eventually overpowering the emperor. It is also strongly possible he also faced Shang Tsung in front of Shao Kahn, defeating him despite his youth and renewed powers, and Kintaro as well. Near defeat, Kahn ordered his forces to destroy the earth fighters, forcing Earth's heroes to return home and to begin preparing for the coming invasion.

After returning to Earthrealm, Liu Kang, along with Kung Lao, began training a new generation of Shaolin Warriors, but was interrupted when the invasion began. As Kahn's extermination squads were sent to kill Earth's chosen warriors, Liu Kang found himself the primary target. Kung Lao who went against Shao Kahn was nearly beaten to death. Enraged, Liu Kang, who thought Kung Lao perished, challenged the Emperor to Mortal Kombat, and after the final battle, he defeated Shao Kahn again, causing him and his forces to retreat back to Outworld. The souls that Khan had trapped were set free and, just before the portal closed, Liu Kang was thanked by Kitana for his part in saving both Earth and her realm from Shao Kahn.

Liu Kang traveled to America to look for a new generation of Shaolin warriors to train. While there in America, he met his old friend Kai. The two then travelled back to China, where Liu Kang trained Kai to be a Shaolin Warrior. However, the peace was not to last, as the fallen Elder God Shinnok had escaped from the Netherrealm through a portal to Edenia. Upon learning that Kitana had been captured, Liu Kang set out on his own to save her, but he was unsuccessful. Liu Kang returned to Earth, where he began gathering Earth's warriors to save Earth and assist his mentor, Raiden.

Eventually, Liu Kang confronted the fallen Elder God Shinnok and once again emerged victorious, effectively ending his attack on Earth. Liu Kang returned to the Shaolin Temples, believing he has lost Kitana forever. However, the Edenian Princess appeared through a portal from Edenia and thanked Liu Kang for all he had done. She offered him a chance to join her at the throne of Edenia. However, due to the responsibilities as a Mortal Kombat Champion, Liu Kang was forced to decline her offer.

File:Liu Kang Deception.PNG

The undead Liu Kang debuted in Mortal Kombat: Deception.

For some years, Liu Kang went on to enjoy relative peace. However, the Deadly Alliance would make itself known on Earth by its successful assassination attempt of Liu Kang. Shang Tsung posed as Kung Lao and snuck up on the champion as he was practicing his katas. Shang Tsung was assisted by Quan Chi, who caught Liu Kang in the back unawares with a projectile. Shang Tsung used this distraction to gain the upper hand and snapped Liu Kang's neck and proceeded to consume his soul. Liu Kang's mutilated body was discovered by his friend Kung Lao, and he was laid to rest at the Wu Shi Academy, where a shrine was built to honor him.

In the culmination of the events of Mortal Kombat: Deception, Raiden released his godlike essence in order to destroy Onaga, killing Shang Tsung and presumably Quan Chi in the process. While it is unknown whether or not Quan Chi and Shang Tsung are truly dead, it has been established that the thousands of souls that Tsung consumed in the past were released, including that of Liu Kang. Furthermore Raiden, now somehow corrupted in his reformation, reanimated Liu Kang's body and sent it on a rampage, slaughtering many of Liu Kang's fellow Shaolin monks. Liu Kang's spirit decided to stay in Outworld to assist in the war against Onaga, but he soon discovered his body's "resurrection" and was stricken by what he had done. Although Liu Kang wasn't technically responsible, he couldn't help but feel responsibility for the actions committed by his corporeal form. He also learned about his comrades (Jax, Johnny Cage, Sonya, Kitana, and Kung Lao) and how they had been enslaved by Onaga. From there, Liu Kang enlisted the mysterious ninja Ermac as an ally and had two missions to complete. The first was to try and save his friends from Onaga with Ermac, the second to defeat and stop his body from doing further harm.

In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, he accomplished his first task by saving his friends but was unable to reunite his body and soul. However, in his ending, players learned that upon defeating Blaze, Liu Kang's body and soul reunited, and he gained the power of a god. Liu Kang then confronted the corrupted Raiden, and reluctantly defeated him in an epic clash. With the consent of the Elder Gods, he replaced Raiden as Protector of Earthrealm.

Combat characteristics

Signature moves

• Flying Kick: Liu Kang flies across the screen and connects with a kick to the opponent's torso. (MK, MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MK:D, MK:SM, MK:A)
• Dragon Fire: Liu Kang sends a fiery flame in the shape of a dragon across the screen out of his hands at his opponent. After MKII, he gains the ability to perform this while crouching and in the air (he lost this variation in Deception and Armageddon).(MK, MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MK:D, MK:SM, MK:A)
• Flying Bicycle Kick: Liu Kang flies across the screen with a series of multiple kicks to the opponent's torso resembling pedaling a bicycle, hence the name. (MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK4, MKG, MK:D, MK:SM, MK:A)

Recurring fatalities

• Shaolin Uppercut: Liu Kang performs a butterfly kick on his opponent, before hitting an uppercut that knocks them into the air for several seconds. The opponent isn't explicitly murdered (unless it is used as a Pit fatality), and was created to show Kang's faith in the Shaolin way. In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, there were two versions; one where the victim explodes to pieces upon impact and the original, in which the opponent is torn to pieces upon falling to the ground. (MK,MKII,MK:SM)
• Dragon: Liu Kang's signature fatality, in which he morphs into a large dragon, consuming the upper body of his opponent. This fatality was turned into an animality in MK3 and back into a normal fatality in MK4. In the Handheld versions of MKII, he burns the opponent with a fireball.(MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MKG, MK4, MK:SM)

Appearances in other media

Film

File:Liu kang.jpg

Robin Shou as Liu Kang in the first MK movie

Portrayed by Robin Shou, Liu Kang is the main hero in both Mortal Kombat movies (Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat: Annihilation), and it's there that his love interest with Kitana develops, and was later ported to the games.

In the first movie, Liu's brother is named Chan (not Chow as specified in the video game), and he was killed by Shang Tsung. The guilt of his brother's death provides Liu's primary motivation for competing in the Mortal Kombat tournament.

Television

Liu Kang is one of the lead characters in animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm. Even though in other medias he's the main protagonist, the animated series focuses on a group of heroes instead of just one, leaving him to reprise important roles on few episodes. In Episode 4 Skin Deep, he shows jealousy towards Rain, Kitana's old fiancee.

Comic books

Liu Kang is the main protagonist of the Malibu Comics series. His story is mostly intact (he being an Order of Light monk out to restore the tournament to their righteous owners), though in the comics he's not the chosen one to defeat Goro, the role instead falls on a character created exclusively for the comics: the twin monk brothers Sing and Sang, which are capable of fusing their bodies and minds into one being, Siang. Liu Kang steps as the only hope for the Temples of Light after Siang is brutally murdered by Goro. Another changed aspect is that he works in Chicago as an architect, having left the Order of Light before the events of the first series.

The following series Battlewave states Liu Kang won the first tournament, which happened after Blood & Thunder ended and is never shown in any comic, after defeating Goro. He returns to his normal life, but suffers from constant attacks by an unknown force of ninjas and later receives help from Johnny Cage's bodyguard Bo when Goro ambushes him in an office building. Eventually he decides to travel to Outworld, realizing that he cannot avoid Mortal Kombat.

Liu Kang is never shown interacting with Kitana, thus their relation is never brought up or developed, instead choosing to pair her with Kung Lao. His friendship with Kung Lao is also greatly overlooked, only becoming friends during the Blood & Thunder series when Kung Lao saved a near-death Liu Kang after Kano backstabbed him.

Appearance

In the first game, Liu Kang had short hair and wears black pants and white shoes and no shirt and is considerably smaller than the other playable characters in the game, in MKII he had a new red headband on his forehead, two red stripes on his pants and two new wristbands, and he wears black tabi shoes, he also is now more normal in size compared to the first game. In MK3 he had long hair instead of short, in MK4 he had a red tanktop, in Deception he wears his MK3 outfit, but due to his resurrection, his skin is zombie-grey now (with a bit of flesh exposed also) and he wears hooked chains around his wrists while his spirit form is in the same costume excluding the chains and his body is ghostly green.

Liu Kang's MK3 outfit is his most used outfit. It is used in the later games such as MK4, MKD, and MKA as his Alternate Costume.

Game information

Liu Kang was the only Mortal Kombat character who had a fatality in which the opponent was not explicitly murdered (save for the Pit Fatality). His finishing move was also the only one in the original MK game that was performed without the background dimming. This was because Liu Kang was depicted as a Shaolin monk, and, in general, Shaolin monks have strict beliefs regarding killing and murder. However, starting with Mortal Kombat II, he was given gory fatalities as he was depicted as a renegade monk who had "strong Shaolin beliefs, but was no longer a part of the Shaolin monks."

A victorious round against Shao Kahn in Mortal Kombat II does not lead to Kahn's usual voice declaring that the player's character wins. If Liu Kang is the chosen fighter, he will utter a small war cry upon winning the round, he will also mutter the same warcry if you perform the butterfly kick fatality just before the opponent falls down.

Liu Kang deals double damage upon Onaga in Mortal Kombat: Deception.

He is the fourth Mortal Kombat character to have a game based around him (Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks). He and Kung Lao are the game's two protagonists.

Even though Liu Kang, canonwise, appears in his dead form both in Deception and Armageddon, his alternate costume in both games depicts his human form; or the form that was achieved when he, in his endings in Deception and Armageddon, fused his soul with his body.

The hooked chains that hang from the arms of Liu Kang's zombie form has garnered much demand by fans to be used as a weapons style in the series, especially after Kang himself uses them as such in Armageddon's intro movie (where he rolls the chains up his wrists to fight Shang Tsung, and later uses their hooked tips to stop Tsung from reaching for the top of the pyramid). So far, however, these demands seem to have fallen on deaf ears at Midway, and the chains remain a non-interactive costume accessory for the character. Also, as these chains seem to have appeared arbitrarily to give Zombie Kang a more 'dark' feel, many fans have also demanded for a canonical explanation for why the character has them. The origins of Liu Kang's shackles were finally revealed in Raiden's bio in the game Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, where he described the shackles as enchanted chains used to control the dead. As such, he placed them on the corpse of Liu Kang, recited an unholy incantation, and revived Liu Kang as his personal enforcer.

Trivia

• Liu Kang is one of the only characters to appear in every MK game, though his appearance in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance was not playable.
• Liu Kang is Mortal Kombat's current and undisputed champion. He is referred to as "The immortal champion of Mortal Kombat" in later games, and his ending in Mortal Kombat: Deception has him again assuming the role upon his restoration to life.
• Liu Kang appeared in the walled city in Mortal Kombat: Deception's Konquest mode as a living person, albeit only to give you 500 Ruby coins. If you hit him, he will say "Watch it, I know many forms of Kombat and am the Champion of Mortal Kombat!"
• Liu Kang was originally going to be called Minamoto Yo Shin Soo. He was a Japanese mythological character, but John Tobias stated that they could not deal with the name.
• Like many other video game characters Liu Kang is based on Bruce Lee, they both share the same style of fighting and high pitched screams when executing certain moves.
• Liu Kang was intended to be a “surprise/secret” character during Mortal Kombat Deception, being one of the most difficult to find/unlock during Konquest because the creators intended to cause a shock to the fans of the series by having their hero resurrected in such a corrupted way. They intended to keep this as a major secret that they never even released an official high resolution render of the character (to avoid any leaks). Liu Kang now has a render of his undead zombie appearance.
• As stated on his Armageddon bio card, Ed Boon mentioned that Liu Kang was designed to be the most easily "accessible" character, meaning that casual and non casual gamers could play as him with little difficulty.
• One of Liu Kang's fighting styles is Jun Fan, which is Bruce Lee's real birth name, and was also the original name of the style now known as Jeet Kune Do.