He isn't just some Bruce Lee clone. People love to say that because of the high-pitched yells and the bicycle kick, but if you actually look at the thirty-year history of the franchise, Liu Kang is probably the most tragic, burdened, and eventually terrifying figure in fighting game history. He’s the quintessential Mortal Kombat main character, yet he’s died, turned into a zombie, ruled the Netherrealm as a tyrant, and literally restarted the universe.
That’s a lot for a guy who started out as a humble Shaolin monk.
When Ed Boon and John Tobias first put together the roster for the 1992 arcade original, they needed a center. A moral compass. Scorpion and Sub-Zero were the cool icons, sure. But Liu Kang was the soul. He was the one who actually had to win the tournament to save Earthrealm from a literal hostile takeover by Outworld. If he loses, we all die. No pressure.
The Burden of Being the Chosen One
It’s honestly kind of a thankless job. While characters like Johnny Cage get to be the comic relief and Sonya Blade handles the Special Forces grit, Liu Kang has to carry the "Chosen One" weight on his back. In the early games, he was almost too perfect. He didn't even have a lethal Fatality in the first game because the developers felt a Shaolin monk wouldn't murder someone in cold blood. He just did a cartwheel kick. Boring? Maybe. But it established him as the anchor.
Then things got weird.
By Mortal Kombat II and 3, the stakes escalated. He defeated Shang Tsung. He defeated Shao Kahn. Twice. But the writers realized that being the "invincible hero" gets stale after a decade. So, they did the unthinkable in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. They killed him. They actually killed the Mortal Kombat main character in the opening cinematic.
Watching Shang Tsung and Quan Chi snap Liu Kang’s neck was a massive cultural reset for the fanbase. It signaled that nobody was safe. For several years, the "main character" was a shambling, rotting zombie with hooks chained to his wrists. It was a bold, messy, and totally bizarre era that most casual fans completely forget about.
The Mortal Kombat Main Character Shift: Liu Kang vs. Raiden
There is this constant tension between Liu Kang and his mentor, Raiden. It’s the core of the modern reboot trilogy (MK9, MKX, and MK11). You’ve got Raiden trying to change the timeline to prevent a dark future, but in doing so, he keeps accidentally ruining Liu Kang’s life.
- In MK9, Raiden accidentally kills Liu Kang.
- In MKX, Liu Kang is a "Revenant"—an evil, undead version of himself.
- In MK11, we see the "Current" Liu Kang face off against his "Evil" future self.
It’s a mess. But it’s a brilliant mess. It explores the idea of what happens when the hero loses faith in the gods. When Liu Kang finally becomes the Fire God at the end of MK11, it wasn't just a power-up. It was a promotion. He stopped being the pawn and started being the player.
📖 Related: The Borderlands 4 Vex Build That Actually Works Without All the Grind
Why the 2023 Reboot Changed Everything
Then came Mortal Kombat 1 (2023). This is where the Mortal Kombat main character narrative gets flipped on its head. Liu Kang is now the Creator. He’s the one who crafted the new timeline. He tried to give everyone a "peaceful" life. He made Mileena and Kitana sisters who actually loved each other. He turned his old enemies into harmless peasants.
But you can’t outrun destiny.
The interesting thing about Liu Kang in this new era is his vulnerability. Even with the power of a Titan, he’s terrified of making a mistake. He’s a "god" who still thinks like a monk. He’s humble, almost to a fault.
Breaking Down the Fighting Style
If you're playing the games, Liu Kang is built for pressure. You've got the fireballs—high and low—to keep people away. Then you've got the flying kick to close the gap instantly.
- The Bicycle Kick: It’s iconic. It’s annoying to deal with. It defines his rhythm.
- The Dragon: This is his spirit animal, literally. Whether it’s his Fatality or his Animality, the dragon represents his inner fire.
- Stance Pressure: Especially in the newer games, Liu Kang relies on fast "frame data." His buttons are just faster than yours.
The "Other" Main Characters
Is Liu Kang always the lead? Honestly, no. Mortal Kombat is an ensemble.
For a while, the series tried to pass the torch. Mortal Kombat X really wanted Cassie Cage to be the new Mortal Kombat main character. She’s great—sarcastic, funny, and has that "Hollywood meets military" vibe. She even defeated Shinnok. But the fans eventually gravitated back to the classic icons.
Then you have Scorpion. If you look at the box art for basically any MK game in the last twenty years, Scorpion is the face of the franchise. He’s Ed Boon’s favorite. He’s the most recognizable. But Scorpion is an anti-hero. He’s driven by revenge, not by the fate of the realms. He’s the mascot, but Liu Kang is the protagonist. There’s a big difference there.
The Problem With Raiden
Raiden often steals the spotlight. Since he's the one with the "vision" and the plan, the story usually revolves around his choices. In the newest game, Raiden is actually a mortal young man again, and Liu Kang is the mentor. It’s a total role reversal. Seeing "Young Raiden" try to live up to the legend while Fire God Liu Kang watches over him adds a layer of paternal anxiety we haven't seen in the series before.
👉 See also: Teenager Playing Video Games: What Most Parents Get Wrong About the Screen Time Debate
Why People Misunderstand the Story
Most people think Mortal Kombat is just about gore. It’s not. Well, it is, but there's a weirdly deep lore underneath. The concept of "The One Being" whose consciousness is split into the different realms is high-concept fantasy stuff.
Liu Kang is the only mortal who has consistently navigated these cosmic shifts. He’s gone from a student to a champion, to a corpse, to a king of hell, to a god of time.
If you look at the 1995 movie—which, let's be real, is a cult classic—Robin Shou played Liu Kang with this perfect mix of skepticism and discipline. That movie did more to define the Mortal Kombat main character for the general public than almost anything else. It gave him a brother (Chan) and a personal reason to fight. It humanized him.
Key Elements of a Mortal Kombat Lead
What makes a character "main" in this universe? It's not just about winning. It's about sacrifice.
- Selflessness: Every time Liu Kang wins, he doesn't ask for a throne. He goes back to the Wu Shi Academy to train the next generation.
- Relationship with Kitana: This is the longest-running romance in the series. It’s tragic because, in almost every timeline, they are separated by death or duty. In the new MK1 timeline, he’s a god and she’s a countess. They can’t be together. It’s some Shakespearean level drama hidden behind a game where you can rip someone’s spine out.
- Adaptability: A main character in a 30-year-old franchise has to evolve. Liu Kang has survived the transition from 2D sprites to 3D movement to the "2.5D" cinematic era.
The Legacy of the Dragon
We should talk about the "Main Character Syndrome" that happened in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. That game had everyone. Literally everyone. And Liu Kang was still a zombie. It was the lowest point for the character’s dignity, but it served a purpose. It showed that without a strong, virtuous lead, the Mortal Kombat universe descends into absolute chaos where everyone dies.
That’s exactly what happened. Everyone died. Raiden had to reset the clock.
This highlights the necessity of Liu Kang. He isn't just a fighter; he's the "Fixed Point." When he’s healthy and focused, Earthrealm stands a chance. When he’s dead or corrupted, the world ends.
How to Master the Main Character (Gameplay Tips)
If you're picking up the latest game and want to main the legend himself, you have to understand "poking." Liu Kang is the king of the mid-range. You don't want to be right in their face like Jax, and you don't want to be full-screen like a zoner.
✨ Don't miss: Swimmers Tube Crossword Clue: Why Snorkel and Inner Tube Aren't the Same Thing
- Use the Fireballs to bait a jump. When they jump, use your anti-air (usually a high kick or a special move) to punish them.
- Learn his strings. Liu Kang usually has a "target combo" that is safe on block. This means even if the opponent blocks your attack, they can't hit you back immediately.
- Don't over-rely on the Flying Kick. It’s tempting. It’s fast. But if it’s blocked, you are going to get punished hard. Use it as a combo finisher, not an opener.
Moving Forward With Liu Kang
As we look at the future of the series, specifically with the expansions and the inevitable Mortal Kombat 2 (the sequel to the reboot), Liu Kang is in a weird spot. He’s essentially the new "Raiden." He’s the one gathering the heroes.
Does that mean he’s no longer the main character?
Technically, the "new" Raiden or perhaps a character like Kung Lao might be the ones we "play" as the primary POV. But Liu Kang’s influence is everywhere. He designed the world. Every blade of grass and every diplomatic treaty in the new timeline is his doing. That makes him the most important Mortal Kombat main character there has ever been, even if he's standing in the background.
To really appreciate the depth here, you have to stop looking at him as just "the karate guy." He is a man who carries the memory of a thousand failed timelines. He remembers his friends dying over and over again. He remembers killing Raiden. He remembers being a monster.
That kind of baggage makes for a fascinating protagonist.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Players
If you want to dive deeper into the lore or improve your game, here is what you should actually do:
- Play the MK11 Aftermath expansion: It’s the best writing the series has ever had and centers entirely on the transition of the Mortal Kombat main character from Raiden to Liu Kang.
- Watch the "Intro Dialogues": In the modern games, don't skip the pre-match talk. That’s where the real lore is hidden. You’ll hear Liu Kang’s regrets and his hopes for the new world he built.
- Practice "Hit Confirming": If you're playing as Liu Kang, practice recognizing when your first punch hits. If it hits, finish the combo. If it's blocked, stop. This "discipline" matches the character’s Shaolin roots.
- Explore the "Towers of Time": These often feature character-specific rewards that give you more flavor text about Liu Kang’s journey.
Liu Kang has survived the test of time because he represents the idea that even in a world of monsters, ninjas, and cyborgs, simple discipline and a good heart still count for something. He’s the soul of the franchise for a reason.
Next Steps for Your Journey
To truly master the lore and gameplay of the primary Mortal Kombat main character, you should focus on his frame data in the training lab. Understanding which moves are "plus on block" will give you the same tactical advantage he uses in the story. Additionally, revisiting the Mortal Kombat (2011) story mode provides the necessary context for why his transformation into the Fire God was such a massive payoff for long-time fans.