Liu Kang

**Other titles:** Fire God, God of Fire, Shaolin Champion

**Height:** 5'10

## Physical description

### Species

1st Timeline: Zombie/Spirit (formerly Human)2nd Timeline: God (formerly Human/Revenant)3rd Timeline: God

## Appearances

### Debut

Final Kombat 2, Final Kombat 3

**Allies:** Indigo, Kung Lao, Raiden, Bo Rai Cho,

**Rivals:** Shang Tsung, Ornos, Lord Havik, Shao Kahn, Quan Chi, Raiden(when Kronika brainwashes Raiden), Fei Long(friendly), Law(friendly)

**Enemies:** Ornos, Shang Tsung, Havik, Shao Kahn, Quan Chi,

**Liu Kang** (Chinese: 刘康) is a character in the *Mortal Kombat* fighting game series. A former Shaolin Monk and undisputed champion of the Mortal Kombat Tournament, he is the eternal God of Fire, protector of Earthrealm, and the current Keeper of Time. Liu Kang has remained one of the most recognizable and memorable characters in the series alongside the likes of Raiden, Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, in one form or another, and Scorpion. He serves as the protagonist of the series in many instances.

Liu Kang made his debut as one of the few original characters in the first *Mortal Kombat* game and is one of the few characters to have appeared in every generation of *Mortal Kombat* games as a playable character.

## Description

*"Having won control of the Hourglass, Liu Kang restarted history. He neutralized the threats and dangers that had come before, crafting a New Era in which all beings would have the opportunity to find peace. But that peace is now threatened by an enemy that Liu Kang could never have anticipated. It will take all of his wisdom and experience to save not only Earthrealm, but all of reality."*

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 before he became a Titan in the latest game, MK1(technically MK12). Throughout the series, he has been gradually portrayed as the main hero, becoming champion after the first *Mortal Kombat* tournament. Liu 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 his spirit in *Mortal Kombat: Deception*. This physical half killed hundreds of innocent people, with the skills he refined to protect them while he was alive. Liu Kang retained his personality as a zombie, as he still had his trademark yells. A notable exception is the intro of *Armageddon*, where he groans like a recognizable zombie.

Liu Kang 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.