Place of Origin Earthrealm (Later relocated to Outworld)
Appearances Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat 3
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat Trilogy
Mortal Kombat Advance
MK: Deadly Alliance
MK: Tournament Edition
MK: Shaolin Monks
MK: Armageddon
Species Human
Fighting styles Snake(MKA,MK:A)
Crane
Weapons Straight Sword(MKA,MK:A)
Alignment Evil
Portrayers Ho Sung Pak (MK)
Phillip Ahn, M.D. (MKII)
John Turk (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (first film)
Bruce Locke (MK Conquest)
Sidney Liufau (Live Tour)
Shang Tsung is a video game character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.
About Shang Tsung
A powerful and deadly sorcerer, Shang Tsung is a demonic 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 faηade, disguising Tsung's true intellectual and mental sophistication. His nemesis is Liu Kang, but throughout his unnatural lifespan, he has earned the hatred of many people. Only Quan Chi can match his sorcery skills.
Storyline
Shang Tsung's past remains shrouded in mystery, with his exact origins never specified and unclear at best. According to some sources, he was originally a human from Earthrealm.
According to the first Mortal Kombat comic, Shang Tsung was cursed by "his Gods" not only to kill his enemies, but to take their souls as well. Only in this way would he hold off his grim fate: to age rapidly and die prematurely. As a side effect of his consuming the souls of others, Tsung was able to access their memories and knowledge, a happenstance which would greatly benefit him years later.
Tsung entered the Mortal Kombat tournament, quickly overcoming all competition and becoming Grand Champion. How long he retained the title is unclear; however the overconfident Tsung would eventually have it taken from him by the legendary Shaolin warrior monk, the Great Kung Lao.
Shang Tsung returned years later, now appearing far older, after the "mysterious" death of one of the tournament's three Grandmasters. 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 unblance the Furies and weaken the dimensional gates, thus allowing the Outworld Emperor to conquer Earth. After a valiant but doomed fight, Kung Lao was defeated by Goro and killed. Tsung consumed his soul, and the Outworld's domination of the Mortal Kombat tournament had begun.
Shang Tsung made contact with another sorceror, 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. In exchange for Quan Chi's, and Shinnok's, aid in completing a task for the Emperor Shao Kahn, he gave the location of the Map of the Elements- but failed to inform Quan Chi that no sorcerer could enter the Temple where it was stored.
Over the next 500 years, as Goro remained undefeated, the tournament fell further into Tsung's depraved hands. He became the sole Grandmaster, and the tournament came to be held on his private island- in reality, a zone in between Earth and the Outworld.
Near the end of this time period, Tsung learned of the swordsman Kenshi. Realizing that Kenshi's pride could easily be exploited, Tsung disguised himself as an old man named Song. He praised Kenshi for his ability, telling him that he deserved a sword worthy of his skill. He then led Kenshi through an ancient underground labyrinth, and stopped before a deep well, covered by a large stone. Tsung informed Kenshi the sword lay within. Once Kenshi removed the lid, the souls of the swordsman's warrior king ancestors were released, blinding Kenshi. Tsung revealed his true self, proceeded to consume the souls, and left Kenshi to die, not knowing the swordsman would survive to become a bitter enemy. Tsung also sparred with Shujinko to determine whether or not he would allow him to enter the tournament. The spar ended in a draw with Tsung granting Shujinko permission to enter. Shujinko does not do so as he is on a quest.
During the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament, the final victory that would enable Kahn to conquer Earth, Liu Kang, a Shaolin Monk, defeated Goro, breaking the streak. Liu Kang then challenged Shang Tsung in Kombat to restore the honour of the once-sacred tournament; Liu Kang prevailed, and Shang Tsung fled to Outworld. Dragged before Shao Kahn, Shang Tsung begged for his life. He told the tyrant that if they challenged Earthrealm to Mortal Kombat in Outworld, they would have to accept or forfeit. Kahn agreed to this plan, and restored Tsung's youth. Meanwhile, while the tournament served as a diversion, Shao Kahn could continue with his own scheme, 10,000 years in the making: the resoration to life of his former Queen, Sindel.
During the tournament despite having his youth restored and after a long brutal fight Tsung lost to Liu Kang, this time in front of Kahn. After Shao Kahn's defeat at the hands of Liu Kang, Shang Tsung finished the process of Sindel's resurrection with the aid of his cult of Shadow Priests. Thanks to the help Quan Chi and Shinnok had given, her soul would indeed be resurrected- but on the Earthrealm, and tainted with evil.
When Queen Sindel was revived in Earthrealm, Shao Kahn could reach across the realms and reclaim her, forcefully merging Earthrealm with Outworld. Shang Tsung led one of Kahn's extermination squads to hunt down the fighters that Lord Raiden had protected. Despite being granted more power than ever before, Tsung lost to Liu Kang again. Upon Kahn's defeat, Shang Tsung retreated with him back to Outworld proper, when the merger was reversed. Tsung would then be imprisoned for his failure to help his master merge Earthrealm into Outworld. He was periodically released to do Kahn's bidding, but was released after regaining Kahn's favour.
Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat: Deadly AllianceA few years later, Shang Tsung found Quan Chi in his palace courtyard, fighting Scorpion. When Quan Chi defeated him, he gave Shang an offer: if Tsung helped him revive the lost army of the Dragon King by means of his ability to transplant souls, he would open a "soulnado" to the Heavens, giving him an endless supply of souls. Tsung accepted, and together, they formed the Deadly Alliance. In order to carry out their scheme however, they first needed to remove the two largest obstacles in their way: Shao Kahn and Liu Kang.
Shang Tsung introduced Quan Chi to Shao Kahn, vouched for his loyalty, and then they attacked him. After killing him and accepting Kano's offer to serve them, they travelled through a portal known only to sorcerers and deities to Earthrealm, and headed to the Wu Shi Academy. There, Shang Tsung disguised himself as Kung Lao and approached Liu Kang. As Liu practiced his kata, Shang revealed his true face and attacked. Although Liu had the upper hand, Quan Chi struck from behind, giving Shang the opportunity to finally take his revenge on Liu Kang by breaking his neck and taking his soul.
Shang Tsung did not fully trust Quan Chi, so upon returning to Outworld, he gave the Oni Drahmin and Moloch, who had escaped from the Netherealm, an offer: after Tsung performed his part in the plan, 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 Deadly Alliance soon commanded Kano's troops to force a small Outworld village to construct a new palace around the tomb to house the Soulnado. When one of the citizens, Li Mei, attacked Kano, they offered to free her village if she could win a tournament they would hold. About the same time, they approached Mavado, offering him a deal as well; he could earn the right to fight and kill Kano, in exchange for eliminating Kenshi, who had been spying on Tsung. Mavado accomplished his mission, and the Alliance granted him his wish. Li Mei, having won the local tournament, demanded her reward, but her soul instead began to be transferred to a mummified soldier of Onaga's army. It was at this time that the forces of Earthrealm, led by Raiden, attacked. Li Mei was rescued by Bo' Rai Cho, who escaped with her, but the remainder of the warriors assaulted the Alliance.
Shang Tsung's apparent appearance in Mortal Kombat: ArmageddonThe two defeated Earthrealm's champions and finally, Raiden. Their victory, however, would not be savored. Shang's lust for power and Quan Chi's suspicion finally came to light. The two fought, and Quan Chi emerged the victor. But immediately after defeating Tsung, he was confronted by a reborn Onaga, who seemed to shrug off his most powerful blasts with ease. Tsung regained consciousness, and recognizing the Dragon King to be an immediate threat, assisted Quan Chi in attacking him. Bare moments later, the thunder god did as well, but their combined efforts could not stop the former Outworld ruler, who had come to reclaim Shinnok's amulet and his ancient army. In Raiden's ensuing last-ditch attempt at victory through a self-sacrificial blast, Shang Tsung was caught in the blast, apparently killing him. The thousands of souls he had consumed over the years were released, including the soul of Liu Kang.
Possible future
While no explanation for his seeming resurrection has been given at the current time, he is scheduled to return in the upcoming Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. He can be seen in the trailer, in his Deadly Alliance attire, and with youthful looks as well.
Memorable moves
Morphing Shang Tsung could assume the shape of anyone in the game. In the second, and third game he couldn't morph into the bosses. In Trilogy he could morph into anyone on the PSX, Saturn, and PC versions only. In the Amiga versions of MK and MKII, Tsung's morph is limited to that of the character he is fighting against. (MK, MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK:SM)
Flaming Skulls Shang Tsung would send a fiery skull at his opponent. In the first game he could throw up to six. In the other games it was either one, two, or three only. (MK, MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MK:SM)
Flaming Skull Eruption Shang Tsung could summon his fiery skulls to burst out of the ground in a series of three. (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
Dash Back When Shang Tsung was the boss character in MK1 he could back away very quickly to avoid being hit. (MK)
Super Punch In a move rarely used in MK1, he would float forwards and if he punched you, you would go flying across the screen. (MK)
Fireball Fires a standard normal fireball. (MKDA)
3D Fireballs: Shang Tsung could send out a 3D fireball either at close range, or far range, that would target his opponent's head. (MKDA)
Soul Drain If he needed energy, Shang Tsung could drain it from the other player. He does this in Shaolin Monks, but it resembles his MKII Fatality (MKDA, MK:SM)
Soul Destroyer: Shang Tsung strikes the opponent multiple times with Snake Bite-type punches, fragmenting the player's soul in the process. He then rips through the opponent, damaging them greatly. (MK:SM)
Fatalities
Soultaker Shang Tsung grabs or levitates his opponent and consumes their soul, leaving behind a shrunken corpse. (MKII, MK3)
Possession Shang Tsung forces himself in the body of his opponent through their ear; a moment later, they explode as Tsung breaks out from inside their body. (MKII)
Kintaro Morph Shang Tsung morphs into Kintaro and with a mighty punch knocks the torso of his opponent off. This is a hidden Easter egg fatality. (MKII)
Spike bed Shang Tsung raises sharp spikes from the ground, grabs his opponent and slams them straight into the spikes. (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
Soul Steal Shang Tsung levitates his opponent in the air and repeatedly slams him/her to the ground and jumps on his/her stomach, consuming the victim's soul in fragments in the process (MKA)
Other finishers
Rainbow Shang Tsung creates a rainbow with his bare hands. (MKII)
Joust Morph Shang Tsung morphs into the main character from the classic game Joust . (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
Cobra Shang Tsung transforms into a huge cobra snake and swallows the opponent whole. (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
Movie and TV appearances
In the first Mortal Kombat movie, Shang Tsung serves as the primary villain. At the beginning of the film, Shang develops an interest in Sonya. His tactics during the bulk of the movie are 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 and Johnny's desperate move to save Sonya and leading to the climactic battle between Tsung and Liu Kang (Liu, however, said that Sonya had to accept the challenge or the battle couldn't occur). In the end, Shang Tsung is knocked off of a platform onto spikes (a la The Pit), where he dies and all the captured warrior souls escape, including Liu's younger brother, Chan. Shang Tsung only has a flashback cameo in the sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. He is played by actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa.
In the Mortal Kombat: Conquest TV series, Shang Tsung (played by Bruce Locke) was portrayed as a sorcerer eager to take revenge on the Great Kung Lao, who had defeated him in Mortal Kombat. For most of the series, he is confined to the cobalt mines of Shao Kahn for his failure in the Mortal Kombat tournament, although he occasionally escapes (his powers unaffected by the cobalt in the mines, thanks to his human heritage).
Shang Tsung also made several appearances in the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm.
Trivia
Shang Tsung has appeared in every MK game with the exception of Mortal Kombat 4, Mortal Kombat Gold and MK: Deception, though in this game he has a cameo in Konquest mode and in the game intro.
There are at least two different origin stories for Shang Tsung. On the old Mortal Kombat Mythologies website (long since inactive), it stated Shang Tsung was originally from Earth. This however presents a problem: namely, it was revealed Bo' Rai Cho could not fight in the Mortal Kombat tournament as his victories would be in Outworld's name, hence his training of Liu Kang. Therefore, any victories by Shang Tsung as Grand Champion would be in Earth's favour. (though in Shang Tsung's MK:TE bio, it states his origin as Earthrealm/Outworld)
Many fans normally have difficulty in pronoucing his name, as they tend to pronouce the "T" in "Tsung" (thus sounding like "Tousung"). Midway have therefore stressed that the T is in fact silent, and should be pronouced as "sung". Also there is an added e sound to his last name, only it is not present when writing it.
MK co-creator John Tobias wanted Shang Tsung's long hair to hang loose in Mortal Kombat 3, but potential problems with his hair flopping about whenever he jumped resulted in it being tied back into a ponytail.
He first appeared as an elderly man in his mid-eighties, then became a younger man in his late-twenties to early-thirties. According to GamePro magazine in 1993, the MKII version of Shang Tsung was nineteen years old. (In an MKII feature by the magazine that same year, included was a rough sketch of Tsung's "true form" - a twisted demon. Though it was drawn by Tobias, this form has never actually appeared in canon.) In Deadly Alliance he's roughly forty-five. No matter how old he was, Shang Tsung is still very spry.
In the original Mortal Kombat, Shang Tsung seems to be hovering on the floor, like his fellow Shadow Priests. Because of this, he is completely immune to sweep attacks and Sub-Zero's Slide.
Shang Tsung's original name was going to be Shang Lao.
Shang Tsung's name was hyphenated in Midway's official press release for the original MK ("Shang-Tsung"). [1]
Shang Tsung can't transform into anyone in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. However, he did assume the form of Kung Lao in the opening cinematic.
Shang Tsung could actually transform into anyone in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (and the second re-release called Tournament Edition) for the Game Boy Advance.
Shang Tsung apears in the Dead Pool arena in Mortal Kombat: Deception, watching on a balcony.
Shang Tsung isn't normally playable in Mortal Kombat: Deception without the use of a GameShark code or XBox mod. However when he is used in a battle other than the fight challenges in Konquest mode, he uses the voice samples of the younger Shujinko, many of which, otherwise, are never heard in the game.
A,MK:A)