Fans of Mortal Kombat will fondly remember the sorcerer Shang Tsung not just for his schemes, but his frightening ability to siphon the souls of others. As such, Shang Tsung has the unique skill set of “transforming” into other characters and retain both their abilities and techniques. Make no mistake – while Shang Tsung serves Shao Kahn, he follows his own personal agenda.
Thanks to his sheer cunning and entertaining ploys, Shang Tsung remains a fan favorite among Mortal Kombat fans. However, it seems the sorcerer has more to offer than meets the eye. What else should fans know about Shang Tsung?
10 The Chinese Sorcerer Archetype
Given how the original Mortal Kombat takes cues from popular martial arts films, it makes sense for a character to come from the popular Chinese sorcerer archetype. In particular, a character named Shang Lao will serve as the mystic fighter in the Mortal Kombat tournament. According to the team, Lo Pan (Big Trouble in Little China) served as one of the many inspirations for this Shang Lao character.
Interestingly, Shang Lao had a much more “grandiose” role in the original game. In fact, he originally held the distinction of beheading losing fighters before the game inserted the Fatality system.
9 The Father Of Kitsune
Additionally, the Shang Lao character served as the father of another cut character named Kitsune. This character held a princess archetype, and was assigned to be the “spoil of victory” for the winner of the tournament. Kitsune would have then fallen for Liu Kang and betrayed her father. While the Kitsune character didn’t make it to the final game, her character became the basis for Kitana.
Interestingly, the Shang Lao character didn’t make it to the main series either. Instead, the Shang Lao character became the sorcerer Shang Tsung. While Shang Tsung is not Kitana’s father, he does retain the Chinese sorcerer archetype.
8 Varying Designs, Always Sinister Regality
Fans might notice that Shang Tsung’s primary design changed throughout the years. However, according to Herman Sanchez, the art director of Mortal Kombat, the sorcerer’s design always had an aim to achieve “sinister regality.” As such, this explains why Shang Tsung always had a knack for robes, accessories of gold and various jewelry, and a stance or poise that attach him to nobility. This is also in stark contrast to other consistent motifs from other characters, such as the shinobi garb of ninjas Scorpion and Sub-Zero.
Interestingly, Acclaim Entertainment revealed in a 1994 interview that there’s also no definitive and correct way of pronouncing the sorcerer’s name “Shang Tsung.”
7 A Recurring Cobra Motif
In addition to a sense of regality, it appears the cobra is a persistent and recurring animal motif for Shang Tsung. For instance, Shang Tsung transforms into a cobra for his MK 3 Animality. Moreover, Shang Tsung uses a huge flaming cobra to knock out Raiden in the MK Deception opening.
He also uses this motif in the recent games. In MK 2011, Shang Tsung has cobras incorporated in his belt, back, and shoulder designs. Moreover, Shang Tsung transforms into a fiery giant cobra in his MK 11 intro and uses the same transformation against Cetrion in the Aftermath Story.
6 The Original Champion
Lore fans might remember that Kung Lao served as Earthrealm’s first Mortal Kombat champion. However, Shang Tsung holds the distinction of being the champion of the first-ever Mortal Kombat (back then called the Shaolin Tournament) over 500 years ago. It’s at this time that the Elder Gods cursed him with accelerated aging for failing “to appease the gods.” In turn, he appears old, aging, and dying – unless he consumes the souls of others. However, this ability also endowed him with the skills of the souls he possesses.
His status as the first Mortal Kombat champion might explain his familiarity with the tournament’s rules and regulations. After the Gods punished him, Shang Tsung became the official coordinator of the tournament. Afterward, Shang Tsung conspired to help Outworld win by enlisting his protégé, the Shokan Goro, to join the tournament.
5 The Unseen Twisted Demon
Of all characters in the series, it’s Shang Tsung that perhaps had undergone the most visible transformations. After his defeat as an old man in MK, Shao Kahn actually resurrected Shang Tsung as a younger version of himself in MK 2. Apparently, the resurrected Shang Tsung was his 19-year-old self. Additionally, Shao Kahn had done this to enlist Shang Tsung’s help in conquering Earthrealm and resurrecting Queen Sindel.
However, Shang Tsung’s most remarkable “transformation” was his unused one. According to MK co-creator John Tobias, Shang Tsung apparently had a “true form” in the guise of a twisted demon that never made it to the games. This may explain his shapeshifting nature, as well as his ability to fire projectiles in the form of flaming skulls.
4 Quan Chi Is Both A Friend And An Enemy
Shang Tsung and Quan Chi establish the Deadly Alliance to take control of Onaga’s secret army and take Outworld for themselves. This was surprising to Mortal Kombat fans, as both sorcerers almost always masterminded their ploys alone but never together. Quan Chi even taunts Kung Lao by saying, “No Earthrealm boy could stop this Deadly Alliance,” to which Shang Tsung replies, “On that we agree.”
Interestingly, this line of dialogue implies that, indeed, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi rarely get along. However, other game materials may reveal that their disagreements didn’t stop them from making beneficial exchanges with each other. For instance, in Mythologies: Sub-Zero, it appears Quan Chi learned of the Map of the Elements courtesy of Shang Tsung himself, who then learned of its location by absorbing the soul of the Great Kung Lao.
3 Erron Black Owes Him His Longevity
Fans might wonder how the bounty hunter Erron Black has lived for so long despite his age. Apparently, that’s because Shang Tsung himself bestowed longevity to Erron Black in return for his services. This establishes a unique connection between the two, as this means Erron Black is most likely knowledgeable in matters across the realms despite being an Earthrealmer.
Interestingly, this might also be a reference to how Quan Chi manipulated Scorpion into serving him by resurrecting the ninja as a vengeful specter shinobi. However, fans might find it odd that Erron Black and Shang Tsung never have any meaningful interactions together. This might imply that the directors have, at some point, retconned their connection.
2 Kronika Owes Him The Crown Of Souls
In the Aftermath Story Mode, Shang Tsung appears alongside Nightwolf and Fujin to convince Fire God Liu Kang that he needs the Crown of Souls to manipulate the Hourglass of Time. Albeit reluctant, Liu Kang agrees to send the three back in time to retrieve the Crown before it gets destroyed. Unfortunately, Shang Tsung eventually takes possession of the Crown – killing Sindel, Shao Kahn, and even Kronika in the process. It’s only at Liu Kang’s hands that the sorcerer meets his doom.
Interestingly, Shang Tsung has intimate knowledge about the Crown due to his connection with it. Kronika admits to manipulating events to ensure Shang Tsung will hone his ability to collect souls for her eventual use. However, she also reveals that Shang Tsung himself created the Crown for her.
1 Always Shang Tsung In Mirror Matches
Even Shang Tsung’s infamous shapeshifting has gone beyond the fourth wall. In most games, dialogue between characters in Mirror Matches would almost always have one character accuse the other of being Shang Tsung. For instance, in MK X, Reptile fighting himself would have one of them declare that they are, indeed, Shang Tsung in disguise.
Moreover, even Shang Tsung makes a unique reference when facing himself in an MK 11 Mirror Match. According to the sorcerer, he actually has a brother named Shang Lao – perhaps a reference to the unused beta version of himself. Interestingly, even Sub-Zero as a DLC character in Injustice 2 accuses the Enchantress – who can also absorb souls – as working with Shang Tsung.
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