Shang Tsung

Shang Tsung (尚宗) is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. A powerful, soul stealing sorcerer, Shang Tsung is a celebrated villain of the series and serves as the host for the traditional Mortal Kombat tournament. He serves as a major antagonist to the series.
Shang Tsung made his debut as one of the few original characters in the first Mortal Kombat arcade game, in which he served as the main antagonist and the unplayable final boss. He made playable debut in Mortal Kombat II, where he serves as the secondary antagonist and sub-boss.
Shang Tsung returned as a playable character and secondary sub-boss in Mortal Kombat (2011) before Kintaro and Goro in the game's Arcade while serving as the secondary antagonist of the game's Story Mode alongside Quan Chi.
Shang Tsung returned in Mortal Kombat 11 as the guide in the game's Krypt and as a DLC character, being the first character available in the Kombat Pack. He later serves as the main antagonist of the Aftermath Story Mode expansion.
A powerful, deadly sorcerer and a primary villain in the Mortal Kombat franchise, Shang Tsung is a shapeshifter who needs to consume souls in order to sustain his health and life. In the Mortal Kombat series, he is the epitome of cunning and decadence, as symbolized by his preference for lavish parties, grand palaces, and stylish clothing. Unlike the crude Shao Kahn, this bombast is a facade, disguising Shang Tsung's true intellectual and mental sophistication. His arch-nemesis is Liu Kang, but throughout his unnatural lifespan, he has earned the hatred of many others, including Kung Lao and Kenshi.
Shang Tsung's allegiance to Shao Kahn granted him the status of a free roaming sorcerer. As such, he is able to move between realms without detection by the Elder Gods or local deities, an ability which has granted him many opportunities to commit atrocities over the centuries. Only Delia, Shinnok, Shao Kahn, and Quan Chi can match Shang Tsung's skills as a sorcerer.
== Theme songs ==
Shang Tsung's theme (MK: Defenders of the Realm) - MK OST
Resurrection (Intro of Defenders) - Paul UnFaces - Topic
Shang Tsung's Revenge (Mortal Kombat: Conquest)
Mision Impossible Theme (FC7) - Battle Song for Mortal Kombat: Vengeance
Shang Tsung Theme - Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm OST (re-recorded)
== Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Part II ==
Shang Tsung was resurrected by Shao Kahn about a month since their demise in Outworld. Quan Chi was able to revive the Konquerer, and thanks to the ancient dark magic by the Shadow Priests, Kahn was able to bring Shang back to life. There were a few failed attempts, until he made a sneaky insurrection onto Kahn, only to be the mole to the Shokan and Centaurs. He began to break the news to both sides, causing an alliance with Sheeva and her Shokan warriors, who were more than happy to kill Kahn for insulting them as inferior compared to the Centaurs. Thankfully, after the scrimmage, Shang was unable to attain the throne. Instead, he was forced into the Great Pyramid and make audience with the Konquerer who assigned him and Quan Chi to resurrect and brainwash Sindel to start his foolproof invasion.
He was then seen in chains and shackles somewhere in Kahn's Fortress as Sindel usurped most of his energy before she unleashed her deadly screams onto the advancing Kombatants. It's quite possible that with all the incompetence he made, Kahn may have banished him to the Netherrealm...
== Mortal Kombat: Vengeance ==
Shang Tsung was disguised as Kung Lao, just to get close enough to Liu Kang while he was practicing katas at the Wu Shi Arena! His towering silhouette caught the monk's attention and Shang was losing to his swift and skilled hits. If it weren't for Quan Chi's intervention, then he would've lost, but the demon made a cheap shot onto Liu's unprotected back and Shang put him in a stranglehold! He prevented Liu's head from moving and escaping, until Shang was able to snap his neck to the left, leaving his body limp and lifeless. As soon as he was about to retrieve the former Champion's soul, it immediately skyrocketed thru the gathering clouds! He let out most of his doomed souls after it, till he was electrocuted by lightning! He instantly suspected it was Raiden and enraged Quan on being still with awe! Kiba and Nightwolf came into the fray, and the sorcerer was little match against the two electrokinetics! He ordered Quan Chi and they dissipated away!
The Deadly Alliance was operating the upcoming Palace as they were enslaving the people of Sun Do, either as sacrifices to imprison their souls for Onaga and his undead army, feeding them to the Onis below, or forcing them to build their fortress. It was stated by Shang that they informed the sorcerer the location was the secret belonging to the Soulnado. With the Amulet, Quan Chi shall be able to unlock the vicious storm in order to attain endless amounts of souls from the Heavens. They even sent out Mavado and Hsu Hao to scout the meddling heroes to make sure they perished upon the destruction of the Dragonfly.
Unfortunately, he sensed their souls were still ripe for the taking especially Liu Kang's! He ordered Quan to rally up the Tarkatan army, before the two sorcerers opened the way to the fatal Soulnado!
Shang was about to sacrifice the last of the Sun Do, including Li Mei herself, to Onaga's mummified army, until he and Quan were distracted by the breach of the Soulnado, courtesy of Lao and Fujin! He grew irate as his plans had been thwarted and the villagers escaped thanks to Bo'! Raiden declared as such and he struggled against him while Scorpion, consumed with rage, volunteered against Quan! Lao witnessed the terror and Liu merged with his body! Raiden was at his mercy until he noticed his desired victim was in the former monk! He challenged him and Lao and Nightwolf took positions! The shaman wasn't much of a threat, though Lao was his main concern! Liu and Lao were at a disadvantage as Shang attempted to steal the monk's soul, until Lao was full of rage raining down severe blows onto him; as said by Bo', Shang was of little resistance to the Whirlwind Kick and Liu's own fatal moves! Lao eventually conjured his Tornado Brutality, and the wounded Kenshi and Liu's spirit forced Shang into it! His body was paralyzed while souls escaped, forming a newer Soulnado, then Lao exploded the F3!!
== Final Kombat ==
In the throne room of Kahn's Fortress in Outworld, Hanzo and Taven eavesdropped on him discussing with the other overlords (Quan, Kahn, and Onaga) on uniting against their adversaries during the Battle of Armageddon. Shang was at first irritated cooperating with his rivals and to claim the prize of Blaze's eternal flames to destroy all the realms and everyone. Taven and Hanzo were relieved they didn't know it was all a setup and Blaze was only to erase victims from existence, a fate worse than death. As the snake that he was, Shang played along before a blood bath should ensue, although he sensed the intruders and fired upon them! They made their hasty escape thru Taven's warp ability and Caro's portal!
By the time Armageddon rolled around, he was at first taken off guard by Fire God Liu Kang's new prowess. He still attempted to ascend the Pyramid, and he was about to massacre Kenshi finishing him off from Quan's onslaughts till Liu blasted him off, although he was easily distracted by Quan Chi who clobbered him from above, courtesy of the elemental's distraction. They fought with every tooth and nail before Blaze erupted and ceased both sorcerers from existence...
== Kontentment ==
Shang was seen via flashback as Caro was rehashing to Aiko on how Fire God Liu Kang was able to retrieve Kronika's Krown! He actually met up with him and Kitana in the dawn of time, with Nightwolf and Fujin by his sides; he was able to coax Liu to never wield the Hourglass without the Krown, otherwise existence would crumble! He and Kitana watched over his machinations losing their friends in the process. After he decimated the titaness, Liu Kang ordered him to seize and fought him off! He was able to best him in kombat despite absorbing souls from the Revenant Kung Lao, Raiden and Fujin, Kahn and Sindel, then lastly Kronika with Cetrion's essence in her! With absorption from the Hourglass, Liu fired onto the sorcerer, although his vessel began to dissipate within grains of sand!
It was recapped that Shang was defeated by the Great Kung Lao, even over his sidekick, Prince Goro, before succumbing to his injuries.
== Trivia ==
* Shang was inspired by David Lo-Pan from Big Trouble in Little China.
* While Cory-Hiroyuki Tagawa was an iconic actor for Shang, for her first fanfic Ikran eventually decided it shall be Neil Ross since it symbolizes his treachery better.
*For MK: Vengeance, since she chose a different model and a year had passed, she stuck with Cory!
== Gallery ==
File:ShangTsungiconMK1.webp|Tsung's icon (MK1)
File:ShangTsungMK1.webp|Tsung as seen on his throne (MK1)
File:ShangTsungrenderMK1.jpg|Tsung (MK1 render)
File:ShangTsungMK2render.jpg|Tsung (MKII render)
File:ShangTsungMK2Friendship.jpg|Tsung's Friendship (MKII)
File:ShangTsungMK3render.jpg|Tsung (MK3 render)
File:ShangMKDeadlyAlliance.webp|Tsung (MK Deadly Alliance)
File:OldTsungDeception.webp|Old Tsung (MK Deception)
File:OldTsungMK9.webp|Old Tsung (MK9)
File:Old Shang Tsung render.webp|Old Shang with flame
File:Shang Tsung kostume MK9.webp|Shang Tsung primary kostume
File:Old Shang kostume MK9.webp|Old Shang render
File:Old Shang in Krypt MK11.webp|Old Shang in Krypt (MK11)
File:Old Shang MK11 kloseup.webp
File:Young Shang MK11.webp
File:Shang 1995 outfit MK11.webp|Shang in MK 1995 kostume
File:YourSoulisMine.webp|Your soul is mine!
File:MK11 Shang Tsung you're soul is mine transparent.webp
File:Shang Tsung with the Crown of Souls.webp|Shang with Crown of Souls
File:Mk11 Titan Shang Tsung.webp|Titan Shang
File:Young vs Old Shang Tsung.webp|Young and Old Shang
File:OldTsungSM.webp|Old Tsung (Shaolin Monks)
File:TsungSM.webp|Tsung (Shaolin Monks)
File:TsungMythologies.webp|Tsung (MK Mythologies)
File:Tsung95.webp|Tsung (MK 1995)
File:Tsung95LastStand.webp|Tsung's Last Stand
File:TsunginConquest.webp|Tsung (Conquest)
File:TsunginRebirth.webp|Tsung (MK Rebirth)
File:TsungLegacy.webp|Tsung (Legacy)
File:TsungDotR.webp|Tsung (Defenders of the Realm)
File:TsungScorpionsRevenge.webp|Tsung (Scorpion's Revenge)
File:Aftermath Kombat Pack Kast.jpg|Shang (right) in Aftermath DLC Kast
File:MKL-SB Shang Tsung Old.webp|Old Shang in Snow Blind
File:MKL-SB Shang Tsung.webp|Young Shang in Snow Blind
File:ShangMK1.webp|Shang (MK1)
File:ShangTsung-MK1 thru portal.webp|Shang Tsung walking thru portal (MK1)
File:ShangTsung-MK1-SoulSuck.webp|Shang's Soul Suck (MK1)
File:ShangTsung preorder MK1.jpg|Shang Tsung preorder (MK1)
File:OldShangMK1.png|Old Shang in MK1
Shang age shifting.jpg
File:Shang Tsung MK1 unofficial bio.webp|Shang's unofficial bio
File:ShangBioMK1.png|Shang's official bio
File:Titan-Shang-with-others-mk1.webp|Titan Shang with Army of Darkness
File:Deadly Alliance MK1.webp|Deadly Alliance, MK1 style
File:MK1 Titan Deadly Alliance.webp|Titan Shang with Titan Quan
File:Titan Deadly Alliance vs their Heroic counterparts.webp|The Titan Deadly Alliance on their heroic counterparts
File:ShangTsung MK1 render.webp|MK1 render
File:Shang Boss Story Tower.webp|Shang Boss Story Tower render
File:Shang Tsung Titan Story TowerActive.webp|Titan Shang Tsung Tower icon
File:Shang Tsung - Titan.webp|Titan render
File:Raiden and Fujin braiding.jpg|Fujin braiding Shang's hair in his spare time
File:Shang Tsung (80sFan).png|Shang Tsung (80sFan)
File:DavidLoPan.jpg|David Lo Pan, the inspiration for Shang Tsung
File:The Greatest Villain in Mortal Kombat History!
File:Secret Origins- Mortal Kombat's Shang Tsung and Quan Chi
File:Shang Tsung = Quan Chi - Parallel Plots
=== Toung Shang Skins ===
File:Shang Tsung Skin - Sinister Sorcerer.webp|Sinister Sorcerer
File:02. Gleefully Evil.webp|Gleefully Evil
File:03. Wicked Wizard.webp|Wicked Wizard
File:04. Final Boss.webp|Final Boss
File:05. Traitor to Earthrealm.webp|Traitor to Earthrealm
File:06. Krypt Keeper.webp|Krypt Keeper
File:07. Deadly Ally.webp|Deadly Ally
File:08. Insidious Imposter.webp|Insidious Imposter
File:09. Shadow Conspirator.webp|Shadow Conspirator
File:10. Bold Stratagem.webp|Bold Stratagem
File:Shang Tsung Skin - Master Tsung.webp|Master Tsung
File:12. Soul Seeker.webp|Soul Seeker
File:13. Dark Magician.webp|Dark Magician
File:14. Island Warlock.webp|Island Warlock
File:15. Sorcerer of the Realms.webp|Sorcerer of the Realms
File:16. Master of Ceremonies.webp|Master of Ceremonies
File:17. Devious Schemer.webp|Devious Schemer
File:18. Quiet Intrigue.webp|Quiet Intrigue
File:19. Invisible Hand.webp|Invisible Hand
File:20. Influence Peddler.webp|Influence Peddler
File:Shang Tsung Skin - Spirit Stealer.webp|Spirit Stealer
File:42. Force of Darkness.webp|Force of Darkness
File:43. Tournament Grandmaster.webp|Tournament Grandmaster
File:44. Kahn Whisperer.webp|Kahn Whisperer
File:45. Goro's Master.webp|Goro's Master
File:46. Shapeshifter.webp|Shapeshifter
File:Shang Tsung Skin - Good for the Soul.webp|Good for the Soul
File:48. Proponent of Evil.webp|Proponent of Evil
File:49. Sleight of Hand.webp|Sleight of Hand
File:50. Bad Influence.webp|Bad Influence
File:51. Dark Days.webp|Dark Days
File:52. Trade Secret.webp|Trade Secret
File:Shang Tsung Skin - For Eternity.webp|For Eternity
File:60. Timeshifter.webp|Timeshifter
File:61. Temporal Influencer.webp|Temporal Influencer
File:62. King of History.webp|King of History
File:63. Keeper of Time.webp|Keeper of Time
File:64. The Master.webp|The Master
=== Old Shang Skins ===
File:Shang Tsung Skin - Smirking Adversary.webp|Smirking Adversary
File:22. Student of Detah.webp|Student of Detah
File:23. Shao Kahn's Seer.webp|Shao Kahn's Seer
File:24. Magic Touch.webp|Magic Touch
File:25. Shifty Sorcerer.webp|Shifty Sorcerer
File:26. Ancient Magus.webp|Ancient Magus
File:27. Cunning Adversary.webp|Cunning Adversary
File:28. Proudly Underhanded.webp|Proudly Underhanded
File:29. Practitioner of Devilry.webp|Practitioner of Devilry
File:30. Bottomless Feeder.webp|Bottomless Feeder
File:Shang Tsung Skin - Undying Hunger.webp|Undying Hunger
File:32. Peerless Inventor.webp|Peerless Inventor
File:33. Doppelg% 3Fnger.webp|Doppelgänger
File:34. Body and Soul.webp|Body and Soul
File:35. Esurient.webp|Esurient
File:36. Grand Scheme.webp|Grand Scheme
File:37. Shang Lao.webp|Shang Lao
File:38. Dark Metamorph.webp|Dark Metamorph
File:39. Onaga's Resurrector.webp|Onaga's Resurrector
File:40. Hushed Influence.webp|Hushed Influence
=== Titan Shang Skins ===
File:Shang Tsung Skin - Sorcerer Supreme.webp|Sorcerer Supreme
File:54. Power Incarnate.webp|Power Incarnate
File:55. Omnipotent.webp|Omnipotent
File:56. Subjugator of Realms.webp|Subjugator of Realms
File:57. Dark Lord.webp|Dark Lord
File:58. Divine Soulstealer.webp|Divine Soulstealer
Category:Characters
Category:Animated
Category:Video Game Characters
Category:Arcade Game Characters
Category:Comic Characters
Category:Book Characters
Category:Novel Characters
Category:Magic Users
Category:Humans
Category:Elementals
Category:Soul Workers
Category:Male Characters
Category:Shapeshifters
Category:Mortal Kombat
Category:Villains
Category:Villianous Leaders
Category:Rebels
Category:Villains who torture others
Category:Characters involved in Ikran's Showitious
Category:Characters favorited by TheIkranRider
Category:Characters hated by TheIkranRider
Category:Enemies
Category:Antagonists
Category:Adults
Category:Monsters
Category:Scary
Category:Terrorists
Category:Terrifying
Category:Leaders
Category:Old character
Category:Power hungry
Category:Murderers
Category:Murder victims
Category:Killers
Category:Mass murderers
Category:Living characters
Category:Live action characters
Category:Assassins
Category:Swordsmen
Category:Martial Artists
Category:Fighter
Category:Time-Travellers
Category:Traitors
Category:Master Manipulator
Category:Mastermind
Category:Masters Of Evil
Category:Masters
Category:Henchmen
Category:Warriors
Category:Hypnotic Villains
Category:Sociopaths
Category:Deceased characters
Category:Deceased characters who been revived
Category:Deceased characters who been revived who been redeceased
Category:Damned Souls
Category:Imprisoned Villains
Category:Bilingual Characters
Category:Umbrakinetic
Category:Teleports
Category:Pyrotics
Category:Necromancers
Category:Successful Villains
Category:Black Haired Characters
Category:Silver Haired Characters
Category:Fighting Game Characters
Category:Jacket Wearers
Category:Roleplay
Category:Characters in Ikran's Mortal Kombat Khronology
Category:Envious Characters
Category:Lawful Evil
Category:Tyrants
Category:Humans that were turned into animals
Category:Final Bosses
Category:Jim Cummings
Category:Tricksters
Category:Determinators
Category:Dream characters
Category:Brainwashers
Category:Crossover Characters
Category:Crossover Villains
Category:Dimensional Travelers
Category:Alchemists
Category:False Hero
Category:Bosses
Category:Bossy Characters
Category:Boss
Category:Right-Hand
Category:Characters who dress sharply
Category:Magi-Tech
Category:Magic Researcher
Category:Magic Drainers
Category:Life Drainers
Category:Telekinesis
Category:Con Artists
Category:One-Man Army