Liu Kang is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series, and from the first game up until the introduction of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, has been its main hero, being the only character to appear in every game of the series until Deadly Alliance (Sub-Zero has appeared in every Mortal Kombat game, but he is actually two different characters). Kang is 5' 7½".
About Liu Kang
Liu Kang is the ultimate stereotype in fighting games, and a fusion of both Eastern and Western traditions in martial arts movies. Although in name a Shaolin fighting monk, his style and manners owe more to Bruce Lee; he has the typical turkey-voice (not in the MK movies), moves quickly and possesses formidable fighting skills. Throughout the series, he has been gradually portrayed as the main hero, becoming Grand Champion after the first Mortal Kombat tournament, and then mainly following whatever quest Raiden had in mind for him. His infallible good-guy persona seems to have contributed to his loss of popularity but simultaneously, what he fails to make up in popularity he makes up in character integrity.
In a shock move that altered the course of the Mortal Kombat series, he was brutally murdered by Shang Tsung (who had Quan Chi's assistance) in the prelude of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, and his soul consumed by Tsung. He did however return in Mortal Kombat: Deception. He will also co-star alongside Kung Lao, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Goro and others in his latest adventure game: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks.
Storyline
Liu Kang follows the teachings of the Great Kung Lao, and the Temple of Light's only hope of ever defeating Shang Tsung. At the time of Kang's entry, Outworld had won nine Mortal Kombat tournaments in a row, and Raiden had lapsed into cynical indifference. In a surprise move, however, he won the tournament and even defeated Shang Tsung and Goro. However, Tsung's master in Outworld, Shao Kahn, was ever resourceful, and continued scheming to absorb Earthrealm into Outworld.
The Grand Champion was lured to Outworld and tempted to take revenge. Coming home from the Lost Island, he found many of his Shaolin brethren killed in a vicious attack by a Tarkatan horde. Despite receiving a warning from Raiden, Liu Kang decided to travel to Outworld by himself, backed by his friends Johnny Cage and fellow White Lotus member Kung Lao. On Outworld, Liu Kang learned the true nature of the hoax tournament, presumably through Kitana. The Earthrealm warriors fled back to Earth and began to prepare for the coming invasion.
During this invasion, Liu Kang was the main focal point of attacks by the extermination squads, but proved that he was up to the task by playing a vital role in the final attack on Shao Kahn's fortress, and in linking the desperate warriors of Edenia and Earth in a joint battle. The invasion was foiled, but Liu Kang still could not enjoy the peace he deserved. He and other Earthrealm warriors were summoned by Raiden to combat his longtime arch-enemy and fallen Elder God Shinnok, who had overrun the Netherrealm and was planning to attack Earthrealm. In these battles, too, Liu Kang once again loyally participated, and later honorably declined an offer of Kitana to rule Edenia at her side.
For some years, Liu Kang went on to enjoy relative peace. However, the Deadly Alliance brutally made itself known on Earth by its successful assassination attempt of Liu Kang. Shang Tsung posed as Kung Lao and snuck up on the champion, but his attack would have been useless without the assistance of Quan Chi. Shang Tsung used this critical moment to gain the upper hand and snapped Liu Kang's neck. He then consumed his soul.
However, by some unknown force, Liu Kang's body was reanimated and was forced to fight on its behalf. While many believe that Onaga was behind the act, there isn't any solid evidence that he did so, as Onaga only entered the Outworld realm and not the Earthrealm. Liu Kang's soul was trapped within Shang Tsung, who was in the Outworld. In the final events that compromised the events of Deadly Alliance, Raiden released his godlike essence in order to destroy Onaga, and it is assumed that he killed both Quan Chi and Shang Tsung during the ordeal. While it is unknown whether or not Quan Chi and Shang Tsung are dead, it is known that the thousands of souls that Tsung consumed in the past were released, including that of Liu Kang. Liu Kang decided to stay in Outworld to destroy the latest in evil threats. Liu Kang, however, discovered the nature of his body's "resurrection" and was stricken by what it 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 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 save his friends from Onaga with Ermac, and the second was to defeat and stop his body from doing further harm.
While the fate of all the characters at this point is up in the air, it is heavily implied that Liu Kang will help Ermac by helping free the souls of his friends and will then confront his undead body and attempt to fight off the evil influence which had taken it over. It seems for a moment that neither can get an advantage over the other, when a mysterious flash of light encompasses the two and Liu Kang is reborn into his newly regenerated body.
Place of origin
Earthrealm
Allignment
Good (despite the fact that his body did kill many innocents).
Allies and enemies
Allies: Raiden, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, Kitana, Kung Lao and Ermac.
Enemies: Shao Khan, Shang Tsung, Onaga, Shinnok and Quan Chi.
Favorite weapon
At first, Liu Kang used the Dragon Sword in which is a simple sword that has a rather curved and wavy blade. The blade itself was sharp though. He then went on and used the Nunchaku, which was previously Johnny Cage's weapon.
Movie appearance
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. He does not use the turkey voice in the movies as originally thought. In both movies, he is played by Robin Shou. In the first movie, Liu's brother is named Chan, and he was killed by Shang Tsung.
Trademarks
- Has long hair (he started the series out with short hair).
- Wears a red headband. It was believed that he wore this to mock Street Fighter character Ryu, although that is simply an assumption by many fans.
- His Bicycle Kick and his Flying Kick are two main household Mortal Kombat moves in which fans remember Liu Kang by. The Flying Kick however was placed upon Sonya Blade in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance and Kung Lao had a move that somewhat emulated Liu Kang's trademark Bicycle Kick.
- He is well known for his Dragon fatality, the first fatality in which he actually killed his opponent.
Trivia
- Is Mortal Kombat's current and undisputed champion.
- Is one of the many characters that carry the likeness and the characteristics of Bruce Lee.
- Has had the longest reign as Mortal Kombat champion since Goro. He is the first Shaolin warrior to be crowned as the champion since the Great Kung Lao- Kung Lao's ancestor
- Was considered to be Midway's answer to Street Fighter character Ryu.
- Was the only Mortal Kombat character who had a fatality in which the opponent was not actually murdered (unless used as a stage fatality). This was because Liu Kang was depicted as a Shaolin monk and in general, Shaolin monks have strict beliefs on commiting murder. This characteristic was dropped as the fans were getting tired of Liu Kang having non-violent fatalities and the introduction of friendship and babality finishing moves softened up the game a little. Starting with Mortal Kombat 3, he was given gory fatalities as he was depicted as someone who had "strong shaolin beliefs, but was no longer a part of the shaolin monks."
- Liu Kang's signature fatality "The Dragon" which debuted in Mortal Kombat II, was turned into an animality in Mortal Kombat 3. In Mortal Kombat 4, he would retain the dragon finisher as a fatality once more.
- He is the third Mortal Kombat character to have a game solely based around him (Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks). He will be one of the main characters.
Kombat highlights
- Undisputed champion of Mortal Kombat.
- Love interest of Kitana.
Memorable fatalities
- Cartwheel of Death - Liu Kang simply did a cartwheel and uppercuted his opponent. The opponent wasn't brutally murdered (unless it was used as a stage fatality).
- Dragon - Liu Kang's signature fatality sees him morphing into a large, mythical dragon and consumes the upper body of his opponent.
- Funeral Pyre - Liu Kang would disappear and his opponent would be set alight, and burn to death. Liu Kang's energies would then reform once more.
- Arcade drop - Liu Kang would disappear and a large Mortal Kombat arcade machine would drop on top of his opponent, which crushed him to death.
- Toss and burn - Liu Kang would throw his opponent in the air and launch a fireball which tore apart his opponent's body.
- Body Invader - Liu Kang would dissipate and take control of his enemy's body. Then the manipulated foe would rip his/her own head off, revealing Liu Kang's underneath.