Shang Tsung

Shang Tsung
Mortal Kombat character
Shang Tsung by John Tobias
First appearanceMortal Kombat (1992)
Created byEd Boon
John Tobias
Designed byJohn Tobias
Portrayed by
Various
Voiced by
Various
Motion capture
Various
  • Ho-Sung Pak (MK)
  • Phillip Ahn (MKII)
  • John Turk (MK3, UMK3, MKT)
  • Chris Bashen (MKvsDCU)
  • Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (MK11)
In-universe information
OriginEarthrealm; Outworld
NationalityChinese

Shang Tsung (Chinese: 尚宗 pinyin: Shàng Zōng; Wade–Giles: Shang4 Tsung1) is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. He debuted as the final boss in the original 1992 game and has remained one of the franchise's primary villains. A powerful sorcerer, he is principally defined by his abilities to shapeshift into other characters and to absorb the souls of defeated warriors. Shang Tsung is usually portrayed as the right-hand man of Outworld emperor Shao Kahn and the archenemy of Shaolin monk Liu Kang. He also appeared as the main villain of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002), alongside Quan Chi as the eponymous Deadly Alliance, as well as in Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath (2020) and Mortal Kombat 1 (2023).

The character has appeared in various media outside of the games, including as the main villain of the 1995 film and the 2021 film. He has received a positive reception for his design, abilities, and role in the series.

  1. ^ Couch, Aaron (2020-01-17). "Animated 'Mortal Kombat' Movie Sets Cast With Joel McHale, Jennifer Carpenter". hollywoodreporter.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-18. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
  2. ^ @domcianciolo (July 15, 2023). ".#MK1's Cast so far! @mattyangking Liu Kang @KariWahlgren Mileena/Kitana @vicchao Kenshi @AlanLeeVO - Shang Tsung @KaijiTang Sub-Zero @dicek2g Scorpion @AndrewSBowen Johnny @VRodriguezIII Raiden @ThatSunil Kung Lao @YuriLowenthal Smoke @NoshirDalal Rain" (Tweet). Retrieved July 15, 2023 – via Twitter.