Bio:
- Name: Liu Kang
- Age: 24(when killed)
- Weight: 80 kg
- Height: 5’10
- Gender: Male
- Resides: Netherrealm
- Race: Undead/Formerly Human
- Eye Color: Brown
- Status: Former Champion/Revenant/Emperor of the Netherrealm
- Alignment: Evil
Liu Kang is one of the most popular and accessible characters in the series. He is one of Earthrealm’s greatest warriors, having defeated many to prove his valor. Throughout the series, he has been gradually portrayed as the main hero, becoming champion after the first Mortal Kombat tournament. Kang has found a nemesis in the traitorous Shang Tsung, a sorcerer who he has defeated on numerous occasions. He is often considered the greatest threat to the plans of Shang and his emperor, Shao Kahn. He is a member of the White Lotus Society and trains extensively at the Wu Shi Academy. It was at the Academy that he was murdered by a Deadly Alliance of Shang with Quan Chi.
In the first entry in the series, Liu Kang was shown to be non-violent, in that his finisher did not graphically kill the opponent. Starting with Mortal Kombat II, however, all of his Fatalities were more gruesome. His body was resurrected without spirit, and this physical half killed hundreds of innocent people. Liu Kang retained his personality as a zombie, as he still had his trademark yells.
He is said to be one of the Great Kung Lao’s last descendants. It is possible that Liu Kang and Kung Lao are cousins. He is referred to as the “Immortal Champion of Mortal Kombat.”
Mortal Kombat
Orphaned as a child, Liu Kang was taken in by the Order of Light’s Shaolin Temple, hidden in the mountains of Honan Province in China. Trained in the teachings of the Great Kung Lao, Liu Kang’s talent in the martial arts caught the attention of Lord Raiden. Raiden saw Earthrealm’s last hope in the young warrior monk, and took Liu Kang to see the legendary Outworld master of martial arts, Bo’ Rai Cho. He would further the young Shaolin’s development over the course of several years. When Liu Kang’s training was complete, he was then enrolled into the top secret White Lotus Society. As the tenth generation of the Mortal Kombat Tournament approached, Liu Kang was summoned by Shaolin Grandmaster Wu. Kang was dispatched to defeat Shang Tsung. As he made his way to the tournament, he met and became friends with movie star Johnny Cage and Special Forces agent Sonya Blade. At the time of Liu Kang’s entry, Outworld had won nine Mortal Kombat tournaments in a row. He eventually earned the right to challenge Goro, the current Champion of Mortal Kombat. By exploiting the Shokan’s overconfidence, Liu Kang defeated Goro and became the new Champion. Upon hearing of Goro’s defeat, Shang Tsung challenged him. After an epic battle, Liu Kang defeated Shang Tsung, and caused the island to self-destruct. Liu Kang then returned home as the new Mortal Kombat Champion.
Mortal Kombat II
Coming home from Tsung’s Island, he found many of his Shaolin brothers 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, 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 Sonya’s superior Jax Briggs, 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 eventually learned the true nature of the Outworld tournament, but competed anyway. Liu Kang fought Shao Kahn, eventually defeating the emperor. It is likely that he faced Kintaro and Shang Tsung as well, overpowering the latter once more despite his youth and renewed powers. Unable to accept defeat, Kahn ordered his forces to destroy the Earthrealm warriors.
Mortal Kombat 3/Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3/Mortal Kombat Trilogy
After returning to Earthrealm, Liu Kang, along with Kung Lao, began training a new generation of Shaolin warriors. They were to be interrupted when the invasion began. As Kahn’s extermination squads were sent to kill Earth’s chosen warriors, Liu Kang found himself as the primary target. Kung Lao went against Shao Kahn and was seemingly killed by a powerful blast from the emperor. Enraged, Liu Kang challenged Kahn to Mortal Kombat and defeated him once again, causing the emperor and his forces to retreat back to Outworld. The souls that Kahn had stolen were set free.Liu Kang was thanked by Kitana for his part in saving both Earth and her own realm from Shao Kahn.
Mortal Kombat 4/Mortal Kombat Gold
Liu Kang traveled to America to look for a new generation of Shaolin warriors to train. While in America, he met his old friend Kai. The two then traveled back to China, where Liu Kang trained Kai to be a Shaolin warrior. Fallen Elder God Shinnok eventually 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 was unsuccessful. Liu Kang returned to Earth, where he began gathering Earth’s warriors to save Earth and assist his 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. 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. Due to his responsibilities as a Mortal Kombat Champion, Liu Kang was forced to decline her offer. Although he loved Kitana he had to do what he felt was right.
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
For many years, Liu Kang went on to enjoy relative peace. However, the Deadly Alliance would make itself known on Earth by its successful assassination of Liu Kang. Shang Tsung posed as Kung Lao and approached the champion as he was practicing his katas. Shang Tsung, with Quan Chi’s assistance snapped Liu Kang’s neck and consume his soul. Liu Kang’s mutilated body was discovered by his fellow Shaolin monk Kung Lao. He was laid to rest at the Wu Shi Academy, where a shrine was built to honor him.
Mortal Kombat: Deception
In the culmination of events, Raiden released his godlike essence in order to destroy Onaga, killing both Quan Chi and Shang Tsung along with himself. Liu Kang witnessed these events through Shang Tsung’s eyes. 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. It slaughtered many of Liu Kang’s fellow Shaolin monks. Liu Kang’s spirit decided to stay in Outworld to assist in the war against Onaga. The monk’s spirit soon discovered his body’s reanimation and was stricken by what he had done. Although Liu Kang wasn’t technically responsible, he couldn’t help but feel responsible for the actions committed by his corpse. In addition, he would learn about his comrades and how they had been enslaved by Onaga.
Liu Kang ultimately 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, the second to defeat and stop his body from doing further harm. Liu Kang was actually aware that Shujinko was deceived by Onaga into getting the Kamidogu. Even with this information, Liu Kang gladly taught Shujinko his techniques to help him. With that finished, Liu Kang then set out to complete his missions with Ermac. Liu Kang eventually saved his friends from Onaga’s enslavement. He had an emotional, albeit short, reunion with those closest to him. Amongst those that were present was the love of his life, Kitana. After going separate ways with his friends, Liu Kang set out to accomplish his most dire task, reuniting with his body.
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
According to Nightwolf’s bio, Kitana was accompanied by the spirit of Liu Kang. The bond between them was strong; thus she was able to keep his energies intact until a way to reunite his body and soul could be found. Nightwolf transferred the bond from Kitana to himself and accepted the role as Liu Kang’s new spiritual anchor.
Liu Kang’s corpse, however, still has a score to settle with his murderer and arch-nemesis, Shang Tsung. Despite Shang Tsung gaining the upper hand and reaching the top of the Pyramid of Argus, Liu Kang’s corpse eventually caught up with him and held him in place with his hooks. This caused Shang Tsung to revert back to his elderly form. In the end, neither Nightwolf nor Liu Kang’s corpse survived the Battle of Armageddon. With Nightwolf’s death, Liu Kang’s spirit lost its anchor to the physical world and was forced to pass on.
Mortal Kombat 9
Liu Kang is attends the first Mortal Kombat tournament. His first fight is with Ermac who is revealed as the latest creation of Shao Kahn. Even though Liu Kang was never shown to have fought in the tournament, Shang Tsung states that Liu Kang is the final Earthrealm warrior remaining. Liu Kang defeats Ermac, and goes on to train with Raiden. Raiden receives a message from his future self, and states that “He must win.” Raiden leaves perplexed by message. Liu Kang is then approached by Kitana, who tries to kill him. Liu Kang is able to defeat her however. When Kitana tells Liu Kang to kill her for her failure to assassinate him, he refuses, and lets her live. He then faces Scorpion and Quan Chi by himself, and defeats them both. He is then led to face Goro in Goro’s Lair. After defeating Goro, Liu Kang returns to Shang Tsung’s Throne Room, where he faces and defeats Shang Tsung. Liu Kang is then regarded as Earthrealm’s savior, although Raiden notices his amulet has cracked even more.
A ceremony at the Wu Shi Academy is held in honor of Liu Kang’s Mortal Kombat tournament victory. As night falls, a revitalized Shang Tsung and an army of Tarkatans assault the academy. Jax is knocked unconscious, and when he awakens, Liu Kang is among the Earthrealm warriors who explain the latest situation to him along with Sonya’s capture.
Liu Kang along with Kung Lao are dispatched to free their Shaolin masters. After the Wu Shi Academy was invaded, several monks were kidnapped by Baraka and his Tarkatan horde. Liu Kang sets off with both Raiden and Kung Lao to free the monks. The trio eventually discover the monks being loaded onto a ship under the command of D’Vorah. He engages the Tarkatan Horde alongside Kung Lao, while Raiden deals with both Baraka and D’Vorah. After defeating their enemies, they proceed to free the monks on the first ship. Raiden then tells Liu Kang that he must return for the tournament, leaving Liu Kang and Kung Lao to seek out and free the remaining monks on the second ship that has already departed.
It is during a conversation with Jade that Liu Kang learns of Kitana’s capture and imprisonment. After a brief argument with Raiden over what to do, Liu Kang and Kung Lao head to the Tower to try and find Kitana. There they discover Edenian princess has been moved, and are suddenly attacked by Sheeva and Noob Saibot. Liu Kang faces Sheeva, and eventually Goro. After the shokan prince is defeated, he informs the two of them that Kitana has likely been executed in the coliseum. Furious, Liu Kang knocks Goro out. Kung Lao, however, believes that Kitana may still be alive.
They do discover that Kitana is indeed still alive, and Liu Kang goes to release Kitana from her imprisonment. Meanwhile, Kung Lao steps up and defeats Shang Tsung, Quan Chi, and Kintaro shortly after. Shao Kahn kills Kung Lao in cold blood, enraging Liu Kang. Liu Kang faces, defeats, and seemingly kills Shao Kahn with a fiery punch. Kahn survives however, thanks to the help of Quan Chi’s magic. Quan Chi later resurrects Kahn’s dead wife Sindel on Earth, allowing Kahn to invade Earthrealm.
Liu Kang accompanies Raiden to see the Elder Gods. They try to convince the Elder Gods to stop Shao Kahn, but the Elder Gods refuse to intervene. Shortly after they return to Earthrealm, where they find almost all of the Earthrealm warriors dead. He witnesses Nightwolf sacrificing himself to kill Queen Sindel. Liu Kang rushes to a mortally wounded Kitana, as she eventually dies while holding Liu Kang’s hand. He is visibly upset with Raiden following the deaths of the Earthrealm warriors. After Raiden’s latest suggestion to ask Quan Chi for help, Liu Kang believes Raiden to have become mad and refuses to go with him.
When Raiden returns and reveals to Liu Kang that “He must win” actually refers to Shao Kahn, Liu Kang refuses to let Shao Kahn win. He fights with Raiden, but is defeated. Shortly afterward, Shao Kahn enters Earthrealm, and Liu Kang once more tries to stop him. Again, Raiden forbids him to do so by sending electricity bolts in front of him. Infuriated, Liu Kang throws a fiery punch at Raiden, who defends himself with a blast of lightning. The combination of Raiden’s electricity and Liu Kang’s own fire severely burn Liu Kang’s body, causing him fatal injuries. A horrified Raiden begs the mortally wounded Liu Kang to forgive him. The final words spoken by Liu Kang are, “You….have killed us….all.” After Shao Kahn’s final defeat at the hands of Raiden and the Elder Gods, Liu Kang’s body is taken away.
Mortal Kombat X
Liu Kang is now residing in the Netherrealm as an undead revenant servant of Quan Chi. He along with the undead revenant versions of Kung Lao, Kitana, and Sindel ride to Quan Chi’s fortress to await D’Vorah’s arrival with Shinnok’s amulet. As they approach the fortress, Quan Chi and company are ambushed by the Special Forces led by Jax, Kenshi, and Sareena. As the other revenants are fighting off the Special Forces, Liu Kang fights his way out and escorts Quan Chi to safety. They arrive at the fortress and are followed by Jax who intends to take Quan Chi back to Earthrealm. Liu Kang tries to stop Jax, expressing his disdain at him for rejoining Raiden’s side. Jax replies that Raiden did his best and that he saved Earthrealm, but Liu Kang retorts that Raiden murdered him and stole everything from him. The two fight, and Liu Kang is defeated, resulting in Quan Chi being captured.
Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Kitana, Sindel, and Smoke meet up on Earthrealm with Shinnok. He along with the other revenants pledge their allegiance to him. Liu Kang and the other revenants then accompany Shinnok and D’Vorah, along with the captive Johnny Cage, to the Sky Temple. Shinnok attacks Bo’ Rai Cho with his amulet upon arriving. Raiden shows up to stop Shinnok only to be surrounded by the revenants. Liu Kang asks if they can kill Raiden, but Shinnok orders them to let him live so that he could seal Raiden himself. As Shinnok leaves for the Jinsei, Liu Kang, along with the other revenants, taunt Raiden before the latter proceeds to engage them. Raiden successfully defeats them before being confronted by Liu Kang. The Thunder god tries to reach out to his former student by telling him that this is not his destiny. Liu Kang’s fight with Raiden becomes an emotional one. At the end of the fight, Liu Kang is defeated by his former mentor.
After Earthrealm’s Protectors arrive at the Sky Temple, they overhear Liu Kang, D’Vorah, Kitana, and Sindel discussing Shinnok’s future plans. Liu Kang leaves with Kung Lao and Smoke in order to find a way to access Raiden’s portal to the Heavens. They come back after Cassie has defeated Sindel and Kitana. Takeda and Jacqui hold off Liu Kang and his undead comrades long enough for Cassie to defeat Shinnok. After Shinnok is defeated and the Jinsei restored, Liu Kang retreats back to the Netherrealm with the other revenants.
In the post-credit scene, Liu Kang and Kitana are now the rulers of the Netherrealm. Both he and Kitana are threatened by Raiden who throws them the severed, yet still living head of Shinnok. Raiden, who has become corrupted after cleansing the Jinsei, declares that he will no longer stand by and simply defend Earthrealm. He goes on to state that any who threaten Earthrealm will suffer fates worse than death. Raiden then departs, leaving Liu Kang and Kitana to stare at Shinnok’s head.
Powers and abilities
Liu Kang has proven himself to be one of the most powerful characters, emerging victorious from every Mortal Kombat tournament he’s been involved in. Liu Kang possesses incredible agility, acrobatic skill and martial arts, though the latter is more common. These skills were developed during his training with Bo’ Rai Cho, who also taught Kang the Flying Kick technique. It is suggested that Kang meditates regularly in order to keep increasing strength as well as maintain it. Due to his recurring status as the Mortal Kombat champion, Liu Kang hardly seems to age.
Liu Kang is commonly associated with the element of fire, which comes in the form of shooting firebound projectiles. He appears to have some degree of control over it as the fireballs sometimes form dragon-like shapes, and has even used the element for finishers as well. Kang also appears to possess a degree of shapeshifting, able to transform himself into a Chinese dragon which includes a serpentine body with small arms. This form is also revealed to have fire-breathing capabilities, most likely associated with his ability to use fire.
Liu Kang is shown to be able to manipulate his Yin and Yang energies through the Dualist variation, firing searing hot blasts of light in his Yin state along with healing properties while firing dark energy blasts and strengthening himself through his Yang state. He is also shown firing these dark projectiles in the game’s Story Mode.