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This Antagonist was Headlined on November, 2022. | ||
NOTE: This page covers the mainstream version of Shang Tsung. If you are looking for the other versions of him, visit this disambiguation page.
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| “ | Your soul is mine! | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung's most famous quote. |
| “ | You participate in the most important Mortal Kombat in history. This tournament, the tenth after nine Outworld victories, will determine Earthrealm's fate. If you defeat all of your opponents, you will face one final challenge... me. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung speaking at the beginning of the first Mortal Kombat tournament. |
Shang Tsung, commonly referred as the Sorcerer, is one of the main antagonists of the Mortal Kombat franchise.
He is a powerful, manipulative sorcerer, virtually unmatched in his mastery of sorcery, and a shapeshifter who consumes souls in order to sustain himself.
He often serves as Shao Kahn's right-hand, but with a traitorous ambition, preferring to plan behind others' back instead of direct conflict. Nonetheless, he remains one of the most powerful kombatants of the franchise and is the eternal archenemy of Liu Kang.
In Liu Kang's New Era, Shang Tsung was an Outworld-born con artist who grew up poor, but an encounter with "Damashi" led him to become a sorcerer like his previous selves. He was unaware that Damashi's true identity was Titan Shang Tsung, who had fought Liu Kang for the Hourglass and became Keeper of Time in his branched timeline.
Portrayals[]
- He was portrayed by Ho-Sung Pak in the original Mortal Kombat.
- He was portrayed by Phillip Ahn in Mortal Kombat II.
- In Mortal Kombat 3, he was portrayed by John Turk, who also portrayed Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Reptile, Smoke and Ermac in the same game.
- In Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, he was portrayed by Richard Divizio, who also portrayed Quan Chi in the same game, Kabal in Mortal Kombat 3 and Kano and Baraka throughout the other games.
- He was played by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in the 1995 movie.
- He was played by Bruce Locke in Mortal Kombat: Conquest.
- In Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, he was voiced by Neil Ross, who also voiced Motaro in the same series, Colonel Volgin in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Green Goblin in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Mad Bomber in the video game adaptation of Spider-Man 3, Grandfather in Codename: Kids Next Door: Operation Z.E.R.O., the Cyclops in The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie and CatNap in Poppy Playtime.
- He was voiced by Max Crawford from Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance to Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.
- He was voiced by James Kyson-Lee in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.
- In Mortal Kombat (2011), he was voiced by Andrew Kishino, who also voiced Sektor in the same game, Juggernaut in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, Janja in The Lion Guard, Mantis in Young Justice and Shredder in Batman vs. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
- In Mortal Kombat: Legacy, he was played by Johnson Phan in the first season and by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in the second.
- He was played by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in Mortal Kombat 11.
- He was voiced by Artt Butler in the Mortal Kombat Legends movies.
- He was played by Ng Chin Han in the 2021 movie.
- He was voiced by Alan Lee in Mortal Kombat 1.
Appearance[]
Shang Tsung initially had the appearance of an old man. His skin was pale with long, balding white hair, a beard and mustache, with thin fingers and long fingernails. He wore robes with shades of blue and yellow and had a sword holstered at his side at all times.
Since Mortal Kombat II, however, after being given a second chance by Shao Khan he gives Shang Tsung his youth. His skin returns to a natural tint and is depicted with long black hair. As with his older persona, he shares white eyes. In both Mortal Kombat II and Mortal Kombat 3, he wore yellow and black clothes. In Deadly Alliance and beyond, he wears a heavy red uniform. he is also depicted with pupils, having brown eyes.
In Mortal Kombat 11, he once again appears in his older and younger forms, with his older appearance being a slight redesign as his one in the reboot and his younger form being based directly off of his physical appearance in the 1995 live-action movie, sporting a near-identical hairstyle and a complete lack of facial hair. One of his alternate costumes also grants him his look from the aforementioned movies. Interestingly, his old form's eyes have visible pupils rather than being pure white.
Personality[]
Shang Tsung is infamous for his sadism and greed. Even before joining Shao Kahn, he was a heartless sorcerer who gleefully took advantage of his punishment after the Elder Gods cursed him to die unless he consumed the souls of those he defeats or souls he decided to consume for fun.
Using his polite façade as a means of tricking opponents, Shang shows he is willing to do anything that will help him gain more power. He can also be highly condescending, often looking down on his opponents while pretending to be affable towards them. All of this proves that he is nothing more than a heartless coward who would do anything to ensure his survival.
During the events of Mortal Kombat 11, Shang Tsung despite helping the heroes against Kronika, shows how treacherous he can be after he betrays them and later Shao Kahn and Sindel even Raiden called Shang Tsung a snake. Furthermore, although he remains as pragmatic as ever, he barely even tries to hide his true intentions nor convince his allies that he is not using them as if mocking them for even considering teaming up with him to stop Kronika's forces.
Mortal Kombat 1 showed that he cannot even be satisfied/satiated by being supreme god/Titan of existence. Simply learning that there was a multiverse sprung from fighting over Kronika's hourglass inspired him to undergo a pointless plan to conquer other timelines and merge them into his own; ironically mirroring Shao's own pointless conquest.
Biography[]
Background[]
Much of Shang Tsung's origins remain a mystery, but it is speculated that he was human at one point. He competed in the first Mortal Kombat tournament, but cheated in one of the battles. Because of this, the Elder Gods (the highest power in Mortal Kombat) sentenced him to death. However, Shang was saved by a timely alliance with the vicious Outworld Emperor Shao Kahn. Since then, he becomes one of the biggest threats to all of the realms.
Later on, Shang Tsung committed the atrocity of stealing a soul. Because of his crime, the Elder Gods cursed him to not only to kill his enemies, but to take their souls as well. If he didn’t do that he would age rapidly and die. Instead of being angry though Shang Tsung didn’t mind this, in fact, he loved it and as a side effect he learned the memories of the person of the soul he consumed, something which would prove to be extremely useful later in his life, it's later revealed that the Titaness Kronika orchestrated this in case she ever needed a backup well of souls.
Shang Tsung returned years later, now appearing far older. He brought with him his greatest student: the Shokan prince Goro. He had been ordered by the ruler of Outworld, Shao Kahn, to finally bring about the winning streak in Mortal Kombat necessary to weaken the dimensional gates, thus allowing Shao Khan to conquer Earth. After a long but doomed fight, Kung Lao was defeated by Goro and killed. Tsung then also consumed his soul, and the start of Outworld's winning streak had begun.
At some point, Shang Tsung was responsible for blinding the swordsman Kenshi Takahashi, and left him to die. Shang Tsung would later make contact with Quan Chi. He had become aware of Quan Chi's quest for Shinnok's amulet, the location of which was known only to the Shaolin Monks. Luckily for Quan Chi as a result of consuming the Kung Lao's soul, Shang Tsung had learned of it. In exchange for Quan Chi's, and Shinnok's, aid in completing a task for Shao Kahn, he gave the location of the Map of Elements.
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero[]
Shang Tsung briefly appears at the end of the game inviting the Elder Sub-Zero to the tournament.
Mortal Kombat[]
Shang Tsung as an old man.
At the behest of his master, Shang Tsung took over the Mortal Kombat tournament, changing its rules to allow the emperor to conquer the Earthrealm through it. If he achieved a winning streak of 10 tournaments, he would be allowed to conquer Earth. For this end, he used the half-dragon, half-man Shokan Goro, who defeated the former champion and Shaolin monk, the Great Kung Lao, remaining undefeated for 500 years. In the 10th tournament, the thunder god Raiden decided to interfere, by summoning the Earth's finest warriors to defend their realm. Raiden gave up on his immortality in order to participate in the tournament as well. The Shaolin monk Liu Kang, direct descendant of the Great Kung Lao and one of the chosen warriors, defeated Shang, thwarting his plans. Despite this, he spares him because of his Shaolin background preventing him from killing.
Mortal Kombat II[]
Shang Tsung with his youth restored.
After being defeated by Liu Kang, Shang Tsung begged his master Shao Kahn for one more chance to achieve the last victory in the tournament. Shang Tsung pitches to hold another tournament on Outworld, Kahn, liking the idea, grants him his request, restoring the sorcerer's former youth and power, so he could attract the Earth's warriors to certain death at Kahn's hands. However, Shang is defeated once again by Kang and his new partner Kung Lao, also a direct descendant of the Great Kung Lao.
Mortal Kombat 3[]
Shang Tsung is once again revived by Shao Kahn, this time because he was the key on fulfilling a plan that Kahn enacted over centuries before the last tournament. At that time, Shang had bound the soul of Kahn's former queen Sindel to Earthrealm, so when she was reincarnated, Kahn could claim his queen and overthrow the rules of the tournament. Raiden chooses new warriors to defend Earthrealm against Kahn. Shang is once again defeated, as well as Kahn. Knowing it would be foolish to fight again, Tsung kept a low profile while plotting his next scheme.
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance[]
Shang Tsung found the sorcerer Quan Chi in his garden one day, by a lucky chance, fighting against Scorpion. Quan Chi made Shang a tempting offer: help him revive the lost army of the Dragon King Onaga, and he would open up a route to the heavens, providing Shang with an unlimited supply of souls. This was the beginning of the Deadly Alliance.
In order to make their plan work, Quan Chi and Shang would need to rid themselves of two sizable obstacles: Shao Kahn and Liu Kang. Kahn was apparently eliminated by Quan Chi, and the Alliance moved on to Kang. Disguising himself as Kang's ally Kung Lao, Shang attacked the warrior, and, with the help of his ally Quan Chi, defeated and killed the noble monk.
But Shang Tsung did not fully trust Quan Chi. Upon returning to Outworld, so just in case he enlisted the help of Drahmin and Moloch who had escaped from the Netherrealm, and gave them an offer: If Quan Chi shows any sign of betrayal or after Shang Tsung was ready, Quan Chi, who the two despised for abandoning them in the infernal pits after promising to free them, would be theirs to do with as they wished.
The Alliance soon took over the troops of several other Mortal Kombat villains, including Kano, Drahmin, and Moloch, and used them to conquer an Outworld village. The two leaders of the Deadly Alliance defeated the champions that Earthrealm sent against them, including Lao and the god Raiden, but Shang's distrustful nature proved to be his downfall. His deception came to light, and Quan Chi fought and defeated him.
Mortal Kombat: Deception[]
But immediately after Quan Chi defeated him the newly reborn Onaga came in and started shrugging off Quan Chi's attacks. So he, Quan Chi and Raiden temporally teamed up in order to defeat Onaga, but their combined strength was not enough to stop him. Raiden in a last-ditch attempt to defeat Onaga blew himself up. Shang Tsung was caught in Raiden's blast, killing him. Because of his death, the thousands of souls he had consumed over the years were released.
In the Konquest Mode, set at a point prior to the Mortal Kombat tournament of the first game, Shang Tsung was seeking warriors for said "competition", and encountered Shujinko. He was amused to discover that the man had long wished to defeat his evil, and proceeded to test the warrior in a duel to see if he was worthy of the tournament. After Shujinko won the fight by using the abilities he had learned, Shang Tsung was impressed, inviting him to the tournament. Shujinko requested that an aquaintance of his also join him, who Shang surmised to be Kenshi, and urged the both of them to hurry in time for the tournament.
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon[]
Shao Kahn restored his body as the sorcerer's soul returned from death, but at the cost of Shang's loyalty, even beyond death. A great power, the fire elemental power of Blaze, would allow him to sever his ties to Kahn and regain his former power, so Shang continued to feign allegiance to Kahn, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Like all the other Mortal Kombat warriors, Shang Tsung desired the power of Blaze. He made an alliance with Onaga, Shao Kahn, and Quan Chi to prevent the heroes from obtaining the power. In his unique character ending, he obtained Blaze's soul, and gained unlimited power, among them the ability to change the appearances of others. After turning his former master Kahn into his Centaur slave, Shang used the power to conquer Outworld.
In the canon ending while he was fighting against the Forces of Light, Shang Tsung was one of the few characters to almost reach to the top of Pyramid of Argus, but eventually he was confronted by Liu Kang's corpse despite initially gaining the upper hand. Eventually, Liu Kang caught up with Shang Tsung and held him in place with his Houan Chain Hooks before he could reach Blaze. The resulted struggle caused Shang Tsung to revert back to his elderly form, and died near the top of the Pyramid, ending this version of Shang Tsung for good.
Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe[]
Shang Tsung plays a prominent role in the game he appears many times appearing several times and remains one of the few characters not influenced by the Kombat Rage until the very end of the game.
Alternate Timeline[]
Backstory[]
This version of Shang Tsung is implied to share the same history as his original counterpart, being a native of Earthrealm who subsequently betrayed it for Shao Kahn's Outworld forces. A viciously cunning and evil sorcerer with the ability to steal souls, he was the host of the Mortal Kombat tournament for Outworld, although he harboured ambitions to overthrow Shao Kahn and rule the Realms by himself. At some point, he discovered that his life had been influenced by Kronika, the Keeper of Time, and aided her in designing and constructing her Crown, which he would later describe as his "finest work". In the 19th century, he hired the gunslinger Erron Black to assassinate an Earthrealm warrior to prevent them becoming a potential champion, and in return gave him a slowed ageing. In the 1990s, he recruits several members of the Lin Kuei clan to act as assassins for Outworld, including Sub-Zero, Sektor and Cyrax.
Mortal Kombat 9[]
to be added
Mortal Kombat X[]
Shang Tsung appears in Ermac's Arcade ending, set decades after his death, which depicted him being able to exist as an echo. After luring Ermac to him, he began consuming many of his souls, allowing him to return to life.
Mortal Kombat 11[]
Shang Tsung returns as a playable DLC character in Mortal Kombat 11. He was revealed on March 22, 2019. The main reason Shang Tsung was not involved in the events of the game proper was because Kronika imprisoned him in the Void, aware of his treacherous nature.
Aftermath[]
In the story expansion DLC Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath, Shang Tsung appears as the central character, manipulating both the heroes and the villains in order to obtain the Crown of Kronika, steal her power and rule all of existence. He, alongside Fujin and a past version of Nightwolf, first appear right after Liu Kang attempts to restore the timeline. Raiden attempts to stop him, but the trio talk him down with Shang Tsung explaining that without Kronika's Crown, Liu Kang would end up destroying Kronika's hourglass and all of reality in the process. When questioned about what he's helping them, Shang Tsung states it's because Kronika not only used him, but trapped him in The Void alongside Fujin and Nightwolf after she had no more use for him. Fire God Liu Kang accepts his offer for an alliance, but only if Nightwolf and Fujin supervise him.
They arrive in the past during Kitana's battle with Shao Kahn, realizing they can't intervene or risk ruining their plan, Shang Tsung, Fujin and Nightwolf try to find a way out. They end up encountering the Kollector, but are able to fend him off. Eventually, Shang Tsung and his allies are able to get out, but they realize they can't defeat Cetrion without some help. So Shang Tsung suggests recruiting Sindel since she plays no major role in the upcoming battle, and if they restore her she will be her more heroic self. They get part of Earthrealm's Jinsi, but before Shang Tsung and Nightwolf can leave, they are attacked by Frost and Geras, as well as the cyber Lin Kuei. Once Nightwolf defeats Frost and Geras, the trio are able to banish the latter to the Chaosrealm and go to the Netherrealm. When they get there, they are suddenly captured by the revenants, but thanks to Nightwolf, they are able to escape. Shang Tsung takes on revenant Nightwolf, but is fatally injured by him, Luckily for him, Nightwolf steps in and stops his revenant self, only for Shang Tsung to absorb the revenant Nightwolf's soul; when Nightwolf attempts to stop him, Fujin holds the Matoka back, declaring that the sorcerer must live if they are to succeed.
The trio then heads to Sheeva to find the soul chamber. Sheeva initially refuses, but once Shang Tsung mentions their intention to restore Sindel, Sheeva agrees, but only if Kitana now Kahn agrees to it. Eventually, though Fujin convinces Sheeva to revive Sindel behind Kitana's back, Shang Tsung also disguises as a Shokan so Kitana's guard doesn't recognize him. While they're heading to the soul chamber Baraka, Erron Black and some tarkatans find them Baraka demands to know what is going on. Sheeva refuses to explain her motives, but Baraka recognizes Shang Tsung's scent so a battle breaks out which is made worse when Shang Tsung kills a random tarkatan by dropping him in the acid and giving a sarcastic apology. The four eventually win the battle when Sheeva defeats Baraka and Erron Black and the three keep heading to the soul chamber, but Jade shows up Shang Tsung tries to convince her to trust them but it doesn't work so Sheeva is forced to defeat her. They eventually get to the Soul Chamber but while there, Sheeva awakens Kotal Kahn, who was using it to heal his back. Kotal immediately attacks Shang Tsung remembering his experience in the flesh pits, Sheeva hold him off and later Kitana while Shang Tsung and Fujin work to restore Sindel. The two eventually restore Sindel and she has a happy reunion with Kitana. Sindel also reveals she didn't commit suicide but was murdered by Quan Chi.
The four then head off to Shang Tsung's old island where they see several of Shang Tsung's followers hanged Shang Tsung is touched by their devotion which Nightwolf scoffs off, soon after Kabal shows up and attempts to stop the four along with revenant Jade who summons Shang Tsung's old minions as undead zombies and a battle breaks out. Shang Tsung eventually defeats Jade and knowing Cetrion is going to show up, Nightwolf and Sindel stay back to occupy her while Shang Tsung and Fujin go to get Kronika's crown, where Fujin wonders when Shang Tsung will betray them which Shang Tsung laughs off. They quickly get to the crown, but Jax and Noob Saibot show up. Jax, remembering what Shang Tsung did to him in MK 2011, starts attacking him so they get into a fight while Fujin takes on Noob, Shang Tsung wins but when he attempts to absorb Jax's soul, Fujin stops him and takes on Jax himself. Fujin is able to convince Jax to help them. Fujin also grabs the crown and the three arrive after Sindel defeats Cetrion, the special forces also later show up and immediately attempt to attack, but Jax is able to convince them to step down.
The two head to the garden to tell Raiden they have the crown, but when Sub-Zero sees Shang Tsung forcing Fujin to defeat him and Scorpion. Raiden and Liu Kang later show up they are initially distrustful toward Shang Tsung. Fujin tries to explain, but Raiden attacks Shang Tsung with Shinnok's amulet forcing Fujin to step in again and defeat him then Raiden agrees to help. While talking about future events, Kronika shows up and warns the heroes that Shang Tsung will betray them, and reveals that his knowledge of her Crown runs deeper than gathering souls to fuel it; he is in fact the one who designed and created it, and thus is the only person other than Kronika who knows the kind of power it presents. The Titan presents the ultimatum that either she or Shang Tsung will be the one to rule all the realms, to which Raiden responds with neither so Kronika attacks all of them. But just before she finishes them off, Fujin gets the crown and is able to push back Kronika. This causes Kronika to become weakened and she retreats, during the battle Shang Tsung gets the crown and calls it his finest work as well but gives it back to Raiden. Shang Tsung is briefly seen during Sindel and Shao Kahn's chapter where he is telling Sindel to heal Shao Kahn and meet him at the isles. This also reveals to the audience that Shang Tsung plans to betray everyone and Sindel was evil the entire time.
During the battle on Kronika's Keep Shang Tsung chooses the right moment to betray everyone by disguising himself as Raiden to steal the crown from Fujin, but is revealed when the real Raiden shows up. Shang Tsung then dons the crown to superpower himself, restoring his youth and, he claims, making him equal to Kronika in terms of power. Shang Tsung then kills Nightwolf and absorbs Raiden and Fujin's souls and teams up with Shao Kahn and Sindel though deciding to keep Raiden and Fujin alive so he can use their power. The three fight through hordes of Kronika's army eventually reaching the soul chamber the three are able to defeat all the revenants, with Shang killing the revenant Kung Lao, and briefly taking on his form to blast Kronika. Shang Tsung in another unsurprising move betrays Shao Kahn and Sindel, first offering for them to serve him, but when they refuse Shang Tsung fights them and wins. As he then absorbs their souls he tauntingly tells them that they'll serve him in his New Era anyway. Shang Tsung then turns to Kronika, defeats her and absorbs her soul, which finally gives him enough power to reshape the timeline in his image.
At the last moment, Fire God Liu Kang appears, who reveals that he knew Shang Tsung would betray them the whole time and allowed him to acquire the crown, as the hourglass showed that only Shang Tsung could successfully wield it against Kronika; in order to ensure the events came to pass, Liu Kang willingly sacrificed his friends, though he vows that they will live again in his New Era. Liu Kang informed Fujin of his plan before sending the trio back to retrieve the crown, and the latter worked to ensure that the sorcerer succeeded in his plot. Shang Tsung is impressed by Liu Kang outsmarting him, and the two face each other in a final battle to decide the fate of reality. The player is given the choice between picking Liu Kang or Shang Tsung, and depending on which they pick, one of two different endings is the result. If the player picks Liu Kang and wins, he pulls out temporal energy from the Hourglass and blasts it at Shang Tsung. As the sorcerer's body slowly dissolves into sand, Liu Kang takes Kronika's Crown from him and molds his New Era, erasing this version of Shang Tsung from existence and ensuring that no future timelines will ever be tainted by his evil again.
Titan Shang Tsung[]
If the player picks Shang Tsung and wins, the sorcerer chokes Liu Kang as he mocks him for his failure, before consuming his archenemy's soul and power for himself. With all of his enemies vanquished, Shang Tsung forges his New Era where he rules over all the realms as a god. He also makes Fujin and the now Dark Raiden his servants as they conquer Outworld, Earthrealm and the Netherrealm in his name. With all three under his control, Shang Tsung moves to conquering Chaosrealm and Orderealm next, cementing his ultimate victory.
New Era[]
- Main article: Shang Tsung (3rd Timeline)
A rewritten version of Shang Tsung serves as one of the secondary antagonists of Mortal Kombat 1. Having been stripped of his powers by Liu Kang, he would go on to become an accomplice of Titan Shang Tsung, allowing him to regain his former malicious glory as a formidable sorcerer.
After spending eons conquering and ruling his own timeline, the Titan Shang Tsung discovered that his battle with Liu Kang had splintered the timeline, and there was an outcome where Liu Kang was the victor who had created a peaceful New Era. Shang Tsung seized on the idea of infiltrating it, taking on Kronika's form and the name Damashi. "Damashi" located the New Era Shang Tsung, a lowly con artist who merely posed as a great sorcerer. Damashi tells him that forces have conspired against him to prevent him gaining his "rightful" destiny, and claims to be his deliverer. Damashi also recruited Quan Chi, teaching the both of them sorcery, and promising them that they will conquer the Realms with "her" help.
Based at Ying Fortress, "Damashi" took a report from Shang Tsung, whom informed "her" that the Soul Stealers were under construction, and that the Dragon army will obey her every command. Damiashi was impressed to hear that Tsung had devised a plan to turn the Lin Kuei against Liu Kang, and promised him that he would reap his rewards soon enough. Elsewhere, Geras and Liu Kang became aware of her, and Liu wondered if she was Kronika, which Geras dismissed, leading to Liu coming close to working out her identity, inferring "her" as an inhabitant of the previous timeline with a vendetta against him.
When Liu Kang led an assault on Ying Fortress, Titan Shang Tsung elected to reveal his true identity. Titan Shang Tsung explains that his existence was the result of an alternate scenario where he had won the battle for Kronika's Hourglass, and had infiltrated Liu Kang's timeline disguised as Kronika to empower Shang Tsung and Quan Chi and have them build the Dragon Army for him. He also states that his endgame is to merge Liu Kang's timeline into his own, rejecting the New Era Deadly Alliance and forcing them to join forces with Liu Kang. Shang Tsung let his minions from his New Era, namely the Dark Raiden and Sindel to kill the heroes, and his Geras plotted to locate Liu Kang's base. Shang Tsung sent his Dark minions to aid the Dragon Army in conquering the Realms but they were thwarted by the combined forces of Light.
Titan Shang Tsung elected to attack Liu Kang's Hourglass, and was surprised to find him with Titan versions of his allies, before coming to the same conclusion as his counterpart that there are multiple timelines apart from his and Liu Kang's. Knowing that his Dragon Army is defeated, and that he has greater prospects of conquest, Shang Tsung decides to simply destroy Liu Kang's Hourglass, and move onto the other timelines. Unleasing his versions of Reptile, Baraka, Li Mei, Nitara, Tanya, Liu Kang and Kung Lao on the Titans, he and the Dark versions of Kitana and Mileena began attacking the Hourglass, with Geras attempting to hold the damage back. After Liu Kang and the others managed to defeat his minions, they poured their magical energy into repairing the Hourglass, overpowering Shang Tsung. Bitter at his defeat, Shang Tsung fled back to his own timeline, and created his own multiversal Order of Darkness to counter the Union of Light.
Confronting them atop the Pyramid of Armageddon, Shang Tsung was defiant, countering Liu Kang's clain that history would always bend against his evil, and summoned his army, with him and Titan Quan Chi taking their place as the leaders of the Order of Darkness. During the subsequent battle, they noticed the playable Final Warrior making their way up the pyramid, and together blasted a magical explosion, throwing them off balance. Readying more magic, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi were surprise attacked by their heroic counterparts, but brutally took revenge by tearing their skeletons out of their bodies. Eventually, Liu Kang and the Final Warrior managed to reach the top, and Shang Tsung refused to surrender, vowing to kill Liu Kang and his followers, and make his conquest complete. Shang Tsung fought the Final Warrior, kicking him down before aiding Quan Chi against Liu Kang. After an epic fight, Liu Kang was finally defeated and captured by them. Feeling confident, the Titan Deadly Alliance taunted the Final Warrior, but after an intense battle with them, they are finally defeated. After Liu Kang was free, he used his power to erase The Titan Deadly Alliance from existence, hopefully never to be seen again. His timeline seemingly begins to collapse in the end.
Mortal Kombat: Onslaught[]
Shang Tsung is one of the main antagonists of this game, along with Quan Chi and Shinnok.
to be added
In other media[]
Movies[]
Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins[]
Shang Tsung also appeared in the animated film Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins as the main enemy that had an army of Tarkatan minions. He had his appearance from the original Mortal Kombat.
Mortal Kombat (1995)[]
- Main article: Shang Tsung (1995)
Shang Tsung appears as the main antagonist of the film, portrayed by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. He develops an interest in Sonya Blade that borders on romantic feelings, calling her "My sweet Sonya", for example. He regularly resorted to intimidation and trickery; for example, he allows Johnny Cage to challenge Goro on the condition that he may challenge anyone of his choosing, in any place, as the final battle for the tournament, thus setting the stage for Liu Kang and Johnny's desperate move to save Sonya and leading to the climactic battle between Shang and Kang (Kang, however, said that Sonya had to accept the challenge or the battle could not occur.) In the end, Shang fights Kang and ends up being knocked off a platform onto a row of spikes, impaling him. With the soul power no longer intact, Shang decomposes into his true remains: a skeleton. Upon his death, all of the captured warriors' souls escape into the Heavens, including Kang's younger brother, Chan, so those warriors would rest in peace, and then Chan told Kang that his spirit would always be with him. Shang also has a flashback cameo in the 1997 sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.
Mortal Kombat Rebirth[]
James Lew portrayed Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat: Rebirth. His appearance closely resembles his attire in the 1995 Mortal Kombat movie. He appears at the end of episode 3, stopping time in a movie studio and approaching Johnny Cage. He then offers him a chance to change his life.
Mortal Kombat Legends[]
- Main article: Shang Tsung (Mortal Kombat Legends)
Shang Tsung is a major antagonist of the ''Mortal Kombat Legends'' series, voiced by Artt Butler.
Mortal Kombat (2021)[]
- Main article: Shang Tsung (2021)
Shang Tsung appears as the main antagonist of the live-action film Mortal Kombat, played by Chin Han.
TV[]
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm[]
Shang Tsung appears several times in the animated TV show Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm as a major antagonist mostly serving under Shao Khan who he despises.
Mortal Kombat: Conquest[]
- Main article: Shang Tsung (Mortal Kombat: Conquest)
In the Mortal Kombat: Conquest TV series, Shang Tsung was played by Bruce Locke. Shang Tsung was portrayed very differently than how he usually is he is a sorcerer obsessed with taking revenge on the Great Kung Lao, who had defeated him in Mortal Kombat.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy[]
Johnson Phan, and later Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, portrayed Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat: Legacy.
Shang Tsung in this continuity is still one of Shao Kahn's servants and a sorcerer of unrivalled power.
He chronologically appears for the first time in the fourth episode, where Shang Tsung is summoned by Shao Kahn to create a clone of Kitana when Shao Khan has fears that Sindel will raise her up to hate him. Shang Tsung agrees to the task without hesitation. at first, it's unknown what he did next, but in a flashback, in the fifth episode, it reveals that he stole some of Kitana's blood to create Mileena, a clone of Kitana, though he mixed in Tarkatan blood. In episode eight, Shang Tsung turned out to have formed an alliance with Quan Chi, and aided him in slaughtering the Shirai Ryu. Afterwards, they recruited the now undead Hanzo Hasashi, now known as Scorpion.
A decade beforehand, Shang Tsung fought Eaerthrealm's champion Liu Kang, having been decapitated by him, although he had returned to life anyway. In episode nine of the second season, set two weeks before the tournament, Shang Tsung came to Liu Kang, and offered him the chance to join Outworld's forces.
Powers and Abilities[]
Shang Tsung has the power to steal the souls of those he defeats and must do so to continue living. He can shapeshift into the people whose souls he steals, giving him their combat abilities and memories. However, he can shapeshift into someone without their soul. Shang is highly skilled in black magic and sorcery, and his attacks are mainly fire-based, much like his archenemy Liu Kang. Like with most other kombatants, he also has superhuman strength, speed, and endurance with him becoming more powerful after each soul consumed. When transformed into someone else, he also gains their abilities. Even without transforming, however, he is powerful enough to stand up to the likes of Liu Kang even in his elderly form.
He mainly got these powers from Shao Kahn, but in later games, this was no longer the case. Shang Tsung can fire flaming skull projectiles, which can also be summoned from the ground, that are believed to be the souls he has collected. He can create a giant flaming cobra, though he only used this ability in the opening of Mortal Kombat: Deception, which is a reference to his Animality in Mortal Kombat 3. Shang can also create portals between realms and teleport in bursts of fire. Furthermore, he can also engulf his hands with fire to increase the power of his attacks as shown in Mortal Kombat 11.
Once Shang Tsung took Kronika's crown his power increased exponentially. With the crown, he could easily defeat the likes of Raiden, Shao Kahn, Sindel and even Kronika without much issue. The only one who could match or even surpass him was Fire God Liu Kang.
In the New Era, Shang Tsung is a proficient alchemist, possibly stemming from his life as a con man selling fake potions. He is able to synthesize a serum to treat Mileena's Tarkat affliction, earning him the trust of the royal house. He can also infuse sorcery into his cocktails to create weapons he can use in kombat.
Powers[]
- Divine Curse/Empowerment: According to the first Mortal Kombat comic, Shang Tsung was cursed by his gods to age rapidly and die prematurely. In the games from the Original Timeline leading up to the end of the Alternate Timeline, Kronika was the one who gifted him power of the most vile magic and gained a lot more powerful from Shao Kahn. In the New Era, Liu Kang forged his destiny to be an Outworlder, until he was met by the Alternate Timeline Shang Tsung disguised as a woman who granted him impressive power. When Shang Tsung has become a Titan, all of his powers have become formidable than before, and he has become far more powerful than all of the Elder Gods combined.
- Superhuman Strength: Despite being old or young, Shang Tsung does possess incredible strength to defeat beings who look twice as powerful than him.
- Superhuman Speed: Shang Tsung is fast enough to take on assassins, ninjas, and others who possess such impressive speed.
- Superhuman Stamina: His stamina is so high that he can still keep fighting for minutes or hours without showing signs of exhaustion.
- Superhuman Durability: Shang Tsung is also very durable to keep on fighting despite receiving powerful blows from beings like Raiden and Shao Kahn.
- Superhuman Endurance: Shang Tsung can endure even the strongest of attacks.
- Superhuman Senses: Shang Tsung does have incredible senses. He can notice Johnny Cage secretly mocking him during the start of the first Mortal Kombat Tournament in the 2011 video game. He can also notice Kronika starting to appear in the MK11 Aftermath story mode.
- Cosmic Awareness
- Invulnerability: Mostly his invulnerability is shown when he is a Titan. He can take nearly powerful blows from beings who can break mountains and can still survive and fight.
- Sorcery: Shang Tsung was gifted sorcery by Kronika and gained more magic from Shao Kahn. He possesses many abilities.
- Fire Manipulation: Similar to Liu Kang, Shang Tsung can unleash fire balls in the shape of a skull.
- Soul Manipulation: Shang Tsung can do many things with soul magic.
- Soul Blasts: Shang Tsung can fire blasts of green soul magic at his opponents.
- Soul Steal: He can steal the souls of warriors until they all turn into empty husks.
- Soul Empowerment: When in possession of the Soul Crown in MK11 Aftermath, his power has increased exponentially until it was proven unmatched. With this increase in power, all of his superhuman characteristics and his sorcery were so powerful that he was able to overwhelm powerful beings like Raiden, Fujin, Shao Kahn, Sindel, Kronika, and even Liu Kang as a fire god.
- Shapeshifting: Shang Tsung can also morph into any character by stealing their souls, but he does not really need to steal their souls to shapeshift into them.
- Power Mimicry: When he shapeshifts into any character, he gains all of their powers, abilities, and fighting prowess. He can gain telekinesis from Ermac, telepathy from Kenshi, and any other special ability from anyone.
- Summoning: Shang Tsung can summon demons to hold a grip on his opponents.
- Necromancy: Shang Tsung also has the ability to resurrect beings from the dead like Kintaro.
- Portal Creation: Shang Tsung can use his sorcery to make portals to travel anywhere. He summoned portals to lead Liu kang to Goro's Lair, the Tarkatans to raid the Wu Shi Academy, and send Geras to Chaosrealm.
- Dimensional Travel
- Mind Control: Not much is known, but Kotal Kahn mentioned that he can also take control of anyone's mind.
- Teleportation: Shang Tsung can also teleport and can switch sides with his opponent.
- Time Manipulation: Granting power from the Hourglass and becoming Keeper of Time, Shang Tsung can create new timelines and even erase beings from existence.
- Flight: Shang Tsung also has the ability to fly.
- Longevity/Immortality: Shang Tsung has confirmed that he has lived for over millennia, though he needed souls to survive since being cursed. In the New Era, Shang Tsung doesn't need souls to survive because he is an Outworlder. Outworlders live much longer than humans.
Souls That Shang Tsung Possesses[]
- Kenshi Takahashi and his powers from- new timeline
- Drahmin and his powers- from another timeline
- Goro and his powers- from the new timeline
- Moloch and his powers- from another timeline
- Ermac and his powers- from the new timeline
- Jerrod (Kitana's father) trapped in Ermac- from the new timeline
- Kintaro and his powers- from another timeline
- Rain and his powers- from the original timeline
- Tremor and his powers- from the original timeline
- Smoke and his powers- from the original timeline
- Chameleon and his powers- from the original timeline
Abilities[]
- Genius Level Intellect: Shang Tsung is one of the smartest characters in the whole universe. He is an incredible inventor, stratagist, tactitian, scientist, and commander. He's also shown to be much smarter than Shao Kahn and Raiden. His creations have been going on ever since before pledging his allegiance to Shao Kahn as well.
- Forensic Science: Shang Tsung knows how to identify diseases like the Tarkat disease in the New Era.
- Eidetic Memory: Shang Tsung has total recall and can remember anything in great detail. He memorized the entire layout in Outworld. He also remembers being betrayed by Shao Kahn when he transferred his soul and powers to Sindel. He can also remember anyone he has encountered with in every realm in the universe including Havik.
- Chemistry: When Mileena was sickened with Tarkat, he was able to create a serum to help hold back the affliction.
- Multilingualism: He does have knowledge of certain languages and can understand what he was being told. He can speak English and Chinese. He can also understand Tarkatan language.
- Tactical Analysis: Shang Tsung is a brilliant tactician who can use cunning tactics to outwit his enemies, relying on his experience and plans to outmaneuver beings with dangerous powers like Raiden, Shao Kahn, and Kronika. He is even capable of deducing how a fight would end in many different ways.
- Leadership: Shang Tsung is known to have great leadership. He can lead all of the other Outworlders who are loyal to Shao Kahn and can instruct Fujin and Nightwolf on their journey to steal Kronika's Crown. In the New Era, he's also instructed other beings alongside his partner Quan Chi.
- Escapology: Shang Tsung is an amazing escape artist. He can escape from any prison like Lei Chin in the New Era and can escape other beings trying to go after him.
- Tracking: He is capable of tracking any species or being who could threaten his plans. Especially Liu Kang.
- Disguise: Shang Tsung can disguise himself by shapeshifting into someone who could blend in with the others. In the New Era, he has disguised himself as an old man to sell quack cures and fake magic.
- Deception: Shang Tsung is a master of deceit. He has secretly been lying to his "allies", Raiden and Fujin, in order to get Kronika's Crown so he could take the hourglass for himself. In the New Era, he was also able to use his old man disguise to deceive the Outworld natives into buying his fake cures.
- Master Martial Artist: Shang Tsung is a master of martial arts. He has had experience in martial arts for a while and can absorb the fighting skills of any martial art that different characters know. Normally he uses a variety of the animal martial art styles. Shang Tsung has bested Revenant Jade, Jax Briggs and can even best Liu Kang in the MK11 Aftermath Story. In the New Era, he has bested dark doubles of Kenshi, Rain, Scorpion, and Shao Kahn.
- Mimicry
- Snake Kung-Fu
- White Crane Boxing
- Praying Mantis Fist
- Acrobatics: Shang Tsung is an amazing acrobat. He can do flips and other athletic moves to evade his opponents attacks.
- Stealth: Shang Tsung has experience of stealth.
- Intimidation: Shang Tsung is a master at intimidation.
- Indomitable Will: Shang Tsung's unstoppable determination and strength of will has made him quite formidable besides his powers and abilities. He can tolerate defeat and will never give up until he achieves his goals.
Relations[]
Allies[]
- Prince Goro
- Kintaro
- Reptile
- Ermac
- Sheeva
- Quan Chi
- Drahmin
- Moloch
- Saurians
- Shokan
- Mileena
- Motaro
- Tarkata
- Centaurians
- Baraka
- Chameleon
- Kano
- Black Dragon Clan
- Tanya
- Jarek
- Reiko
- Lord Shinnok
- Sektor
- Noob Saibot
- Cyrax (formerly)
- Red Dragon Clan
- Mavado
- Daegon
Enemies[]
- Earthrealm Heroes
- Great Kung Lao
- Liu Kang - Arch-Enemy, Victim.
- Raiden
- Kung Lao- Victim
- Sonya Blade
- Kitana
- Jade
- Johnny Cage
- Fujin
- Stryker
- Jax Briggs
- Sareena
- Li Mei
- Nightwolf
- Sub-Zero
- Scorpion
- Bo' Rai Cho
- Kenshi Takahashi
- Shujinko
- Onaga
- Elder Gods
- Shao Kahn (former ally)
Quotes[]
| “ | Raiden! God of Thunder, hear these words! I have travelled through your lands, spoken your language, and your religions to deliver this message. I ask of you once more... accept this invitation and compete in my great and noble tournament! Or do you fear the dangers of mortal combat?! | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung to Raiden, Mortal Kombat comic. |
| “ | Tsung is Shao Kahn's lead sorcerer. He once fell out of favor with his emperor after failing to win the Earth realm through tournament battle. But the ever scheming Shang Tsung is instrumental in Kahn's conquest of Earth. He has now been granted more power than ever. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung's Mortal Kombat 3 bio. |
| “ | Most impressive, Shujinko! You are indeed worthy to compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament. I will enjoy consuming your soul... when you lose. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung to Shujinko, Mortal Kombat: Deception Konquest. |
| “ | Though I am bound to him eternally, an opportunity has arisen that might give me the means to free myself. It seems Quan Chi has also survived death, and he has brought word from Shinnok of a plan to take a mighty power for the Forces of Darkness. If I claim that prize for myself, I could sever my bond with Shao Kahn! Until that time, I will continue to play my role as his servant and redirect any suspicions he may have of betrayal to others within our new dark alliance. Once I have the power and I am free of Shao Kahn, I will finish him and finally take the throne of Outworld for myself! | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung's bio, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. |
| “ | Sent here by you as it happens. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung arriving from the future into the past and tells Liu Kang that he was sent by him. |
| “ | When you die Kitana will be unprotected. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung telling Liu Kang what will happen in the future. |
| “ | I killed Ermac and stole Jerrod's soul. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung to Kitana. |
| “ | Yet you trusted Shao Kahn and Sindel. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung after Kitana said she knew not trust him he reminds that she has trusted the wrong people before. |
| “ | Have the Shaolin taught you nothing? You are an ignorant fool to challenge me. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung talking about how arrogant Kung Lao is. |
| “ | Killing you will break Liu Kang's heart. Poor Kung Lao always second best. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung knowing the future of what will happen if Kung Lao dies. |
| “ | Join me, Jade. To spare your parents' souls of course. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung telling the what will happen in the future to make Jade turn on Kitana. |
| “ | An invisible hand must guide Outworld. Such has it always been, princess. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung telling Jade the hand that has always guided Outworld and the hand that always will guide Outworld. |
| “ | Imagine he's about to betray me. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung to D'Vorah knowing that Shao Kahn doesn't want to see him. |
| “ | I have use for you, D'Vorah. Why lead one when I can influence all? | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung trying to recruit D'Vorah. |
| “ | I won't be kicked like a dog Shao Kahn. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung vs Shao Kahn. |
| “ | Why? So you can transfer her my power? | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung knows Shao Kahn's plan. |
| “ | Kronika would sacrifice you in a blink. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung knows what Kronika will do to Shao Kahn but he doesn't believe she can. |
| “ | What do you think this is? | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung is telling Shao Kahn that he is currently a sacrifice for Kronika's plan. |
| “ | As if I would ally with Raiden. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung telling Frost he knows he wouldn't do that but Kronika isn't sure. |
| “ | Wealth, influence, whatever you desire. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung offering Frost many things to recruit her. |
| “ | How brave of you to confront me. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung vs Jax. |
| “ | I'll teach her what you never could. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung telling Jax that he will have Jacqui under his control. |
| “ | Returning to my service, Scorpion? I like you better as Scorpion. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung wanting Scorpion to work for him again. |
| “ | Are you prepared to lose another clan? | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung telling Scorpion the future his clan. |
| “ | Thank you for sparing me the trouble. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung is glad that Scorpion killed Quan Chi. |
| “ | You lack vision, Sub-Zero. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung upset that Sub-Zero won't join him. |
| “ | He knew the rules of Mortal Kombat. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung remaining Sub-Zero that his brother knew what he was getting into as sided with him. |
| “ | I would rather raise Onaga. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung would rather revive the dragon king than join Noob Saibot in the Netherrealm. |
| “ | No more haunting my island's shadows. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung to Noob Saibot. |
| “ | So she is your master now? | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung not happy that Noob Saibot working for Kronika. |
| “ | I can make you better, faster, stronger. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung trying to recruit Baraka. |
| “ | I will torment you for eternity. And now a taste of things to come. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung telling Raiden the future. |
| “ | Such beauty in kombat is rare. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung complimenting Jacqui Briggs. |
| “ | Think why should Kronika need you? You are her sacrificial pawn. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung telling Kano the truth of Kronika's plan. |
| “ | You have no dignity or manners Kano. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung vs Kano. |
| “ | Your soul withstood Shinnok's might. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung impressed with Cassie Cage. |
| “ | If you can control your power. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung telling Cassie Cage she can only beat if she has better control of her power. |
| “ | Truly, you have mastered hellfire. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung impressed with Scorpion. |
| “ | With it, I can defeat Liu Kang. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung talking about the future of Scorpion using his hellfire under Shang Tsung's control. |
| “ | Behold the final resting place of Kenshi Takahashi. Valiant and brave he was an excellent warrior which made feeding on his soul most enjoyable. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung impressed with Kenshi's bravery and skill before he died. |
| “ | Breath deeply in your final moments, Chosen One. For now your existence ends in shame! All the power that was once yours is mine... Forever. | „ |
| ~ Titan Shang Tsung's last words to Liu Kang before killing him. |
| “ | Kronika's power overwhelmed me, such that I would have been driven mad...had I not spent centuries mastering the dark powers beyond the grasp of ordinary mortals. Now I am the master of time and fate. But Kronika's fall proves that even Titans can be defeated. Though my new power lets me roam infinite timelines and feast upon the souls of billions, I am vulnerable. To survive, I must return to the shadows, avoid confrontation, and work my will through the hands of others...more specifically, through the hands of my fellow Titans. These monstrous beings are plied easily by appealing to their greed, vanity, and fear. Through them, every soul in eternity bends to my influence. In my New Era, morality will be exposed as the illusion it is. The cunning will prosper while the "good" suffer. This is the word of Shang Tsung. Have a nice day. | „ |
| ~ Shang Tsung's MK11 ending |
| “ | You were pawns. Not partners. | „ |
| ~ Titan Shang Tsung after revealing himself as Damashi and having used Prime Shang Tsung and Quan Chi for his endgame. |
| “ | Behold, Liu Kang, the hell I unleash upon you! | „ |
| ~ Titan Shang Tsung at the commencement of the Battle of Armageddon. |
| “ | The question you must ask is: if Liu Kang couldn't finish us, how possibly could you? | „ |
| ~ Titan Shang Tsung as he confronts Liu Kang's companion during the final battle, as well as his last words before his subsequent defeat and death. |
Trivia[]
- In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, his death is very similar to Liu Kang's death in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance and likewise his death in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and at the beginning of Moral Kombat (2011) is also similar as well:
- In Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, he's killed in a similar manner to how he killed Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. If the player performing this fatality is controlling Kang, there appears to be a perfect swap of roles.
- Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe are the only games where the Soul Steal allows Shang Tsung to regain health.
- Shang Tsung used his Morphing and Flaming Skulls during the intro of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, but they are not present in the game.
- In Mortal Kombat 3, occasionally, Shang Tsung appears on the Master tournament ladder twice.
- Shang's alternate outfit from Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance is based from the time he was champion of Mortal Kombat before the Great Kung Lao defeated him (Mortal Kombat official comic).
- In Moral Kombat (2011), Shang Tsung has his classic outfit as his alternative costume, to note this further, his voice changes to that of an older tone.
- Shang Tsung was also inspired by the character Lo-Pan from "Big Trouble In Little China."
- Shang Tsung is the only character who appears in all of the 2-D games that is absent from Mortal Kombat 4.
- Mortal Kombat (2011) was the only game to mention Shang Tsung's origin. His bio states that he is originally from China in Earthrealm.
- Shang Tsung is the only character in Mortal Kombat (2011) whose throw move heals him.
- In Annoying Orange videos, he appeared in Annoying Orange Vs. Mortal Kombat after successfully defeating Shao Kahn to become champion, but was interrupted by Orange who annoys him, however, Shang Tsung was later killed by Orange who has summoned Knife which kills Shang Tsung.
- In SidLexia's second page of the Mortal Kombat Fatality Extravaganza, he mentions that when Shang Tsung uses his bed of spikes fatality upon his opponent further describes him as utterly vicious even by the standards of an evil wizard.
- It's highlighted just how deceitful of a character Shang Tsung is when in Mortal Kombat 1, he betrays his very own alternate counterpart.
External Links[]
- Shang Tsung on the Villains Wiki
- 2nd Timeline's Shang Tsung on the Villains Wiki
- Shang Tsung on the Pure Evil Wiki
- Shang Tsung on the Mortal Kombat Wiki
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