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Learn about the character of Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat and the lore he has accumulated over the years as part of the franchise.
Liu Kang is the protagonist of the Mortal Kombat series. While Scorpion and Sub-Zero are perhaps the most recognizable faces of the franchise, Liu Kang is generally the one who gets to play a key role in most games. So, let’s take a look at how the story of this Shaolin monk progressed over the years.
Liu Kang’s History in Mortal Kombat
Liu Kang in the Original Timeline
Liu Kang made his debut in the first Mortal Kombat game. Canonically, he is the one who defeats both the main antagonists of the game, Goro and Shang Tsung and saves the Earthrealm. In Mortal Kombat II, he faces against the main antagonist of the series, Shao Kahn, and defeats him, saving Earthrealm. It is here, that he also meets Kitana, his main love interest for the rest of the series.
In Mortal Kombat 3, he once again faces and defeats Shao Kahn during his invasion of Earthrealm. He also defends Earthrealm from Shinnok in Mortal Kombat 4, where after everything ends, Kitana asks him to join her and rule her realm Edenia side-by-side. However, Liu Kang is forced to turn down her offer owing to his responsibility to Earth.
Unfortunately, Liu Kang’s story takes a dark turn in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. He is killed by the sorcerer duo of Quan-Chi and Shang Tsung before the game’s events and remains dead for the rest of the timeline. However, his soul plays a key role in freeing Kitana and the rest of his former allies from the Dragon King Onaga’s control in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Unfortunately, Raiden feeling bitter at everything that has transpired so far, re-animates Liu Kang’s corpse and lets it rampage throughout Earthrealm. This re-animated Liu Kang is seen taking part in the events of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, while his soul is left wandering on Earth.
Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat (2011)
In the first reboot, events play out in a roughly serious manner for Liu Kang up until the battle with Shao Kahn. His close friend Kung Lao is killed by Shao Kahn after he wins the tournament, leading to Liu Kang defeating Shao Kahn in response.
Throughout the course of Mortal Kombat (2011), Liu Kang loses faith in his mentor Raiden’s visions as several of his friends perish over the course of the game. The breaking point is when Raiden tells Liu that Shao Kahn must merge the realms, which would result in the Elder Gods punishing him. The two fight, and Raiden accidentally kills Liu Kang in self-defense.
In Mortal Kombat X, Liu Kang is a revenant serving under Quan Chi and participates in the NetherRealm’s invasion of Earth led by Shinnok. At the end of the game, he and Kitana rule the NetherRealm together. Alongside the rest of the revenants, they join Kronika as she alters the timeline to suit her needs in Mortal Kombat 11. However, her actions lead to the appearance of a past version of Liu Kang, this one firmly on the side of good.
Near the end of the story, Raiden realizes that Kronika means for him and Liu Kang to be eternal enemies. So, Raiden merges himself with both versions of Liu Kang, leading to the appearance of Fire God Liu Kang. He defeats Kronika and reboots the timeline again.
Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat 1
Fire God Liu Kang’s efforts led to a more peaceful timeline than before. Even the Mortal Kombat tournament between Earthrealm and Outworld is more of a formality. However, when former threats like Shang Tsung and Quan-Chi begin to emerge, the peace is now threatened. It turns out that this was the machinations of a Shang Tsung from a different timeline who has similar powers to Liu Kang. With the help of the player, Fire God Liu Kang defeats this Shang Tsung and erases his timeline.
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