Liu Kang, Screenshot from Mortal Kombat (2011)

 

Liu Kang is a character from the Mortal Kombat Fighting Game Series. Liu Kang appeared for the first time in Mortal Kombat (1992) and returned in every sequel except Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance (2002)

Liu Kang defeated Goro, Shang Tsung, Shao Kahn, and even Shinnok in Mortal Kombat 1-4, however during the events of MKDA Liu Kang was killed by Shang Tsung and became a Zombie as one of the most hidden secret characters in Mortal Kombat: Deception (2004). In the sequel Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006), Liu Kang is still a Zombie who is used by the rather darker version of the Thunder God Raiden, but since Mortal Kombat 9 (2011) plays in the past, this rather macabre outcome was prevented. 

However, Liu Kang got killed again…by Raiden and this time he became a revenant by Quan Chi and is one of the antagonists in Mortal Kombat X (2015). In Mortal Kombat XI (2019) he is the main protagonist again who even has to fight against himself.  

Liu Kang is one of the two main characters in Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks (2005) with his cousin Kung Lao, and one of the main protagonists of the MK Franchise in general.

 

Liu Kang was clearly inspired by Bruce Lee and looked almost like a clone of the popular martial arts star in the first game. His..screams are also very Bruce Lee-like usually. 

He was basically the Ryu of Mortal Kombat, being the Asian Martial Arts expert who can shoot Fireballs and is one of the easier characters to learn and master. 

In Mortal Kombat II he became the first fighting game character who could shoot a projectile while standing, crouching, and even during a jump. 

Besides his ability to shoot Fireballs, he also has special moves like his powerful Bicycle Kick, a Flying Kick, and a Parry in the newer games. 


 

Liu Kang from the Mortal Kombat Games: an Overview

Character name: Liu Kang   Developed /Created by Midway Games later NetherRealm Studios
Game series:  Mortal Kombat   First seen on: Arcades 
First Game:  Mortal Kombat   Year first seen in: 1992
Last Game:  Mortal Kombat XI (2019)   Birthplace: China
Role(s) and Characteristics: Fighting Game Character, Main Protagonist   Martial Arts Style: Jeet Kune Do
Additional Tags:  Shaolin Monks in Video Games   Similar Characters: Fei Long, Marshall Law 
Has Relations to:

Kitana (Love Interest)

Kung Lao (Friend and Cousin)

Shang Tsung (Deadly Enemy)

Bo`Rai Cho (Teacher, Master)

  See also:  

 

Liu Kang Finishing Moves (Fatalities, Friendships, Babalities etc.)

Game Finisher / Fatality Name Code Range /Distance
Mortal Kombat 11 Burnout D, B, F, 1 (Square, X) Close
  Belly of the Beast B, D,B, F, 2 (Triangle, Y) Mid-range
  Shaolin Hustle (Friendship) B, D, D, B, 2 (Triangle, Y) Mid-range
  Stage Fatalities (Deadpool, Tournament, Shaolin Trap) B,F,B, 3 (X, A) Close
       
Mortal Kombat X Sore Throat D, D, F, B, B Close
  Splitter B, F, D, U Close
  Stage Fatalities (Kove, Pit, Refugee Kamp)  D, F, B, 3 (X, A) Close
       
Mortal Kombat 9 Fist of Flame F, B, D, D, 3 (X,A) Close
  The Beast within D, D, F, D, 4, (O, B) Mid-Range
  Babality D, D, D, 4 (O, B) Mid-range
  Stage Fatalities (Pit II, Deadpool, Netherrealm, Streets, Subway, Living Forest, Kratos Stage) D, F, B, 3 (X, A)  
       
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe MK 1 Arcade Drop F, B, D, D, 3 (X,A) Sweep
  Head Stomp D,D,F,D,4 (O,B) 1 Step away

 

Official Game Art like promotional Illustrations of Liu Kang

 

Mortal Kombat X (2015)

 Liu Kang Mortal Kombat 9 Ending Art

Mortal Kombat (2011)

Liu Kang Mk vs. DC Universe Artwork  Liu Kang

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008)

Liu Kang Mortal Kombat 4 Official Art

Mortal Kombat 4 (1997)

Liu Kang Mortal Kombat 3 Official Art

Mortal Kombat 3 (1995)

Liu Kang Mortal Kombat II Official Art

Mortal Kombat II (1993)

 

 


 

Liu Kang in Game-Art-HQ Art Projects

Liu Kang is a part of our Mortal Kombat Tribute from 2011-2013 and was drawn in all of his designs from Mortal Kombat 1-9 for it

Liu Kang Mortal Kombat Fan Art Tribute by Game-Art-HQ Liu Kang Mortal Kombat II Fan Art Tribute by Game-Art-HQ Liu Kang Mortal Kombat 3 Fan Art Tribute by Game-Art-HQ Liu Kang Mortal Kombat 4 Fan Art Tribute by Game-Art-HQ Liu Kang Mortal Kombat Deception Fan Art Tribute by Game-Art-HQ
Liu-Kang-MKD-Alt Liu-Kang-MKVSDC Liu Kang Mortal Kombat 9 Fan Art Tribute by Game-Art-HQ Liu Kang Mortal Kombat 9 Alt Fan Art Tribute by Game-Art-HQ

 


 

Selected Fan Art and Cosplay Photos of Liu Kang

Liu Kang Render by Tovio Rogers

Liu Kang MK9

by Tovio Rogers

Liu Kang

Liu Kang MK Legacy

by Esau Murga

Liu Kang MK9 by Madiblitz

Liu Kang MK9

by MadiBlitz

Liu Kang MKvsDC by Scorpionblaze

Liu Kang in MKvs.DC

by Scorpionblaze

Liu-Kang-by-Scorpionblaze-

Liu Kang Concept Art

by Scorpionblaze

Liu Kang Kitana's Death by DesertoMental

Kitana’s Death

by DesertoMental

Zombie Liu Kang

Liu Kang Zombie MKD

by Abel Vera

Fierce Liu Kang

by Flavio Luccisano

 

 

Updates

22.06.2022 – Added Flavio’s take on Liu Kang

02.02.2022 – Added more MKX Art, and updated the text a bit more. 

01.02.2022 – Added the Liu Kang Concept Artworks from Mortal Kombat X, the intro text was updated as well

28.01.2022 – Liu Kang Header Image updated with a screenshot from his MK9 Intro, Text updated a lot + links to other VG Character DB Pages added

 – Also added a Table for all of his Finishing Moves