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.
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 new version of Shang Tsung returns in Mortal Kombat 1 as a pre-order bonus character, serving as the secondary antagonist in the game's Story Mode, a role he shares with a new version of Quan Chi. A counterpart from the previous timeline also appears, serving as the main antagonist of the game's Story Mode.
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!
Vengeance attire
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[]
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Young Shang Skins[]
Old Shang Skins[]
Kronika's Crown Shang Skins[]
Titan Shang Skins[]
