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Liu Kang

From The Codex
"Mature Content"
This character or verse has mature themes and concepts, thus those of young age are ill-advised to look through these.
Articles About Liu Kang
Main Continuity Main Games - Zombie Liu Kang
Alternate Continuity 1995 Film - 2021 Film - Legends

Once a member of the super secret White Lotus Society, Liu Kang left the organization in order to represent Shaolin temples in the Tournament. Kang is strong in his beliefs and despises Shang Tsung.
~ Mortal Kombat Arcade bio

Background

Liu Kang is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. A former Shaolin Monk and undisputed champion of the Mortal Kombat Tournament, he is the eternal God of Fire, protector of Earthrealm, and the current Keeper of Time. Liu Kang has remained one of the most recognizable and memorable characters in the series alongside the likes of Raiden, Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, in one form or another, and Scorpion. He serves as the protagonist of the series in many instances.

Liu Kang made his debut as one of the few original characters in the first Mortal Kombat game and is the one of the few characters to have appeared in every generation of Mortal Kombat games as a playable character.

This dropdown contains the synopsis of Liu Kang’s story. Read at your own risk as you may be spoiled otherwise!
Mortal Kombat


Orphaned as a child, Liu Kang was taken in by the Order of Light's Shaolin Temple, hidden in the mountains of Honan Province in China. Trained in the teachings of the Great Kung Lao, Liu Kang's talent in the martial arts caught the attention of Lord Raiden. Raiden saw Earthrealm's last hope in the young warrior monk, and took Liu Kang to see the legendary Outworld master of martial arts, Bo' Rai Cho to further the young Shaolin's development. After several years Liu Kang's training was complete, and then he was enrolled into the top secret White Lotus Society, an order of warriors created by Raiden to defend the Earthrealm. As the tenth generation of the Mortal Kombat Tournament approached, Liu Kang was summoned by Shaolin Grandmaster Wu, and was sent by the Temple of Light to defeat Shang Tsung. He desired to defeat Shang Tsung and bring the tournament back to its Shaolin owners. As he made his way to the tournament, he met and became friends with movie star Johnny Cage and Special Forces agent Sonya Blade. At the time of Liu Kang's entry, Outworld had won nine Mortal Kombat tournaments in a row. It is unknown which opponents Kang fought throughout the tournament, but he eventually earned the right to challenge Goro, the current Champion of Mortal Kombat. By exploiting the Shokan's overconfidence, Liu Kang defeated Goro and became the new Champion. Upon hearing of Goro's defeat, Shang Tsung challenged him.

After an epic battle, Liu Kang defeated Shang Tsung with his Flying Kick, taught to him by Bo' Rai Cho. Shang Tsung's defeat caused the island to self-destruct. Liu Kang then returned home as the new Mortal Kombat Champion.

Mortal Kombat II
Coming home from Tsung's Island, he found many of his Shaolin brothers killed in a vicious attack by a Tarkatan horde. Enraged, Liu Kang decided to travel to Outworld, backed by fellow White Lotus member and spiritual brother Kung Lao, Raiden, Sub-Zero (the younger brother of the original Sub-Zero, who was killed by Scorpion), and Smoke to seek revenge. Before he traveled to Outworld, Liu Kang went to Hollywood to seek Johnny Cage's help.

Luckily, Liu Kang arrived at the right time as Cage was being attacked by a Tarkatan horde. Now joined with Johnny as well as Sonya's superior Jax Briggs, they finally traveled to Outworld. At the tournament, he and Kung Lao met Kitana, and Liu Kang began to fall in love with her. He eventually learned the true nature of the Outworld tournament, but competed anyway. While it is unclear as to what matches took place, it is known that Liu Kang fought Shao Kahn, eventually defeating the emperor. It is likely that he faced Kintaro and Shang Tsung as well, overpowering the latter once more despite his youth and renewed powers, and this time right in front of Shao Kahn himself. Unable to accept defeat, Kahn ordered his forces to destroy the Earthrealm warriors, forcing them to return home and prepare for the coming invasion.

Mortal Kombat 3
After returning to Earthrealm, Liu Kang, along with Kung Lao, began training a new generation of Shaolin warriors, only to be interrupted when the invasion began. As Kahn's extermination squads were sent to kill Earth's chosen warriors, Liu Kang found himself as the primary target. Kung Lao went against Shao Kahn and was seemingly killed by a powerful blast from the emperor. Enraged, Liu Kang challenged Kahn to Mortal Kombat and defeated him once again, causing the emperor and his forces to retreat back to Outworld. The souls that Kahn had stolen were set free, and just before the portal closed, Liu Kang was thanked by Kitana for his part in saving both Earth and her own realm from Shao Kahn.

Mortal Kombat 4
Liu Kang traveled to America to look for a new generation of Shaolin warriors to train. While there in America, he met his old friend Kai. The two then traveled back to China, where Liu Kang trained Kai to be a Shaolin warrior. However, the peace was not to last, as the fallen Elder God Shinnok had escaped from the Netherrealm through a portal to Edenia. Upon learning that Kitana had been captured, Liu Kang set out on his own to save her, but was unsuccessful. Liu Kang returned to Earth, where he began gathering Earth's warriors to save Earth and assist his mentor, Raiden.

Eventually, Liu Kang confronted the fallen Elder God Shinnok and once again emerged victorious, effectively ending his attack on Earth. Liu Kang returned to the Shaolin Temples, believing he has lost Kitana forever. However, the Edenian Princess appeared through a portal from Edenia and thanked Liu Kang for all he had done. She offered him a chance to join her at the throne of Edenia. However, due to his responsibilities as a Mortal Kombat Champion, Liu Kang was forced to decline her offer. Although he loved Kitana he had to do what he felt was right.

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
For many years, Liu Kang went on to enjoy relative peace. However, the Deadly Alliance would make itself known on Earth by its successful assassination of Liu Kang. Shang Tsung posed as Kung Lao and approached the champion as he was practicing his katas. Shang Tsung, after being beaten down by Liu Kang, would be assisted by Quan Chi, who injured Liu Kang by hitting him in the back with a projectile while he was focused on Shang Tsung. Shang Tsung used this distraction to gain the upper hand and broke Liu Kang's neck, consuming his soul shortly afterwards. Liu Kang's mutilated body was discovered by his fellow Shaolin monk Kung Lao, and he was laid to rest at the Wu Shi Academy, where a shrine was built to honor him.

Mortal Kombat: Deception
In the culmination of events, Raiden released his godlike essence in order to destroy Onaga, presumably killing both Quan Chi and Shang Tsung in the process. Liu Kang witnessed these events through Shang Tsung's eyes. While it is unknown whether or not Quan Chi and Shang Tsung truly died, it has been established that the thousands of souls that Tsung consumed in the past were released, including that of Liu Kang. Furthermore, Raiden, now somehow corrupted in his reformation, reanimated Liu Kang's body and sent it on a rampage, slaughtering many of Liu Kang's fellow Shaolin monks. Liu Kang's spirit decided to stay in Outworld to assist in the war against Onaga, but he soon discovered his body's "resurrection" and was stricken by what he had done. Although Liu Kang wasn't technically responsible, he couldn't help but feel responsibility for the actions committed by his corpse. He also learned about his comrades and how they had been enslaved by Onaga. From there, Liu Kang enlisted the mysterious ninja Ermac as an ally, and had two missions to complete. The first was to try and save his friends from Onaga, the second to defeat and stop his body from doing further harm. Liu Kang was actually aware that Shujinko was deceived by Onaga into getting the Kamidogu. However, Liu Kang gladly taught Shujinko his techniques to help him. With that finished, Liu Kang then set out to complete his missions with Ermac. Liu Kang successfully saved his friends from Onaga's enslavement and had an emotional, albeit short, reunion with those closest to him, even the love of his life, Kitana. After going separate ways with his friends, Liu Kang set out to accomplish his most dire task - reuniting with his body.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
According to Nightwolf's bio, Kitana was accompanied by the spirit of Liu Kang. The bond between them was strong; thus she was able to keep his energies intact until a way to reunite his body and soul could be found. Nightwolf transferred the bond from Kitana to himself and accepted the role as Liu Kang's new spiritual anchor.

Liu Kang's corpse, however, still has a score to settle with his murderer and arch-nemesis, Shang Tsung. Despite Shang Tsung gaining the upper hand and reaching the top of the Pyramid of Argus, Liu Kang's corpse eventually caught up with him and held him in place with his hooks. This caused Shang Tsung to revert back to his elderly form. In the end, neither Nightwolf nor Liu Kang's corpse survived the Battle of Armageddon. With Nightwolf's death, Liu Kang's spirit lost its anchor to the physical world and was forced to pass on.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
After Shao Kahn's unsuccessful invasion of Earthrealm, Liu Kang returned to Wu Shi Academy for a time. Soon, some of his fellow White Lotus monks began disappearing mysteriously. Meditating, Liu Kang sensed Kitana attempting a sneak attack, but easily parried her kick. After catching up, Kitana informs Liu Kang of the disappearance of her fellow Edenian warriors.

Liu Kang informs Kitana of the White Lotus' similar predicament and they discuss who could be behind them, concluding the Black Dragon and Lin Kuei are the only factions that remain that are bold enough. Liu Kang tells Kitana to contact Sonya Blade for help in locating the Black Dragon while he searches for Sub-Zero. Arriving at a Graveyard in the middle of a flurry of snow, Liu Kang contacts Kitana and learns that Sonya is already trailing Kano.

After Kitana tells him she is returning to Outworld, Liu Kang is attacked by Sub-Zero. Liu Kang defeats Sub-Zero, who accuses the Forces of Light of being responsible for his own missing allies. Liu Kang declares his innocence and reveals his own comrades have vanished as well. Liu Kang tells Sub-Zero they have a common enemy and saves the Cryomancer from the rope dart of Scorpion, earning Sub-Zero's trust.

Liu Kang urges Sub-Zero to escape before confronting an enraged Scorpion. Liu Kang defeats Scorpion, and watches in astonishment as the specter is consumed in strange energy, leaving a red clad figure. Though the newcomer expresses confusion, Liu Kang believes he is facing the shapeshifter Shang Tsung and battles him, defeating him.

Realizing the stranger is not Shang Tsung, as well as noting his foreign aura, Liu Kang decides to take him to his masters for better understanding the stranger's origins. Returning to the Wu Shi Academy, Liu Kang cannot locate his masters and is soon confronted by Shang Tsung, who reveals he has killed them. Facing Shang Tsung in combat, Liu Kang emerges victorious over his arch enemy yet again, but does not kill him, leaving his soul to the Elder God's judgement.

Liu Kang is contacted by Sonya Blade, and informs her of the new threat that may be behind the disappearances. Explaining the warrior's strange aura, Liu Kang tells Sonya he is going to try to attune to it, despite her concerns. Liu Kang attempts to attune to the warrior's aura, but is overcome by the same strange energy that engulfed Scorpion and vanishes. Liu Kang reappears in Gotham City in a different universe, and is is greeted by the city's protector, Batman.

Infected by the emerging Kombat Rage, Liu Kang believes the dark knight to be Shang Tsung and battles him, but is defeated. An unconscious Liu Kang was taken to the U.N. Orbital Station and held captive by Batman, but was soon rescued by Raiden, who took Liu Kang to his temple where they interrupted a fight between Jax Briggs and Sonya. Liu Kang tells his allies of his capture and Raiden soon explains the new merging of universes to all of them.

Liu Kang is with Raiden as the thunder god chastises Sub-Zero for allowing Quan Chi to escape the Netherrealm. Liu Kang then witnesses Quan Chi appear with Kitana under his thrall. The necromancer releases Kitana from his control and reveals the extent of her Kombat Rage infection. Quan Chi frees Kitana from the Rage's control, using the last of his magic to do so, and pleads with Raiden to unite his Forces of Light with the Forces of Darkness to stop the merging and save all the realms.

Agreeing, Raiden assigns Liu Kang to work with Shang Tsung, which Liu Kang reluctantly agrees too, and sends them to investigate the fortress of the invaders leader. There, they are confronted by Superman and Green Lantern. Tsunh defeats Superman, while Liu Kang defeats Green Lantern.

Their partnership is tense and Liu Kang is overcome by the Kombat Rage when Shang Tsung mocks the masters he slew from before, attacking the sorcerer, but is defeated by a revitalized Shang Tsung, and the weakened Kang is knocked out by a Kombat Rage fueled Green Lantern, though he is defeated by Shang Tsung. Liu Kang acknowledges gratitude for Tsung for saving his life, but the sorcerer brushes it off and they return to Raiden's Temple.

After returning, Liu Kang accompanies the united Forces of Light and Darkness to the ruins of the merged Outworld/Apokolips space, where they are confronted by the DC Universe heroes and villains. Dark Kahn's arrival infects all present with Kombat Rage and the two groups face off, with Liu Kang confronting Green Lantern and emerging victorious, being one of the few fighters left standing when the battle ends. When a Rage affected Raiden attempts to kill Shang Tsung, Liu Kang confronts his mentor and reluctantly faces him.

When Raiden defeats him, Liu Kang falls unconscious, though both Raiden and Shang Tsung mistake this for Raiden killing him, which snaps Raiden out of his rage and gives him enough focus to face Dark Kahn. Liu Kang would regain consciousness and witness the restoration of the two universes after Dark Kahn's destruction.

General Information

Name: Liu Kang [1]

Origin: Mortal Kombat

Sex: Male

Age: 24 during the first Mortal Kombat (Noted to be 24 years old in a prequel comic to the first Mortal Kombat[2])

Classification: Former Member of the Secret White Lotus, Monk

Species: Human

Occupation: White Lotus Member (Formerly), Shaolin Monk

Status: Alive before Deadly Alliance, Deceased during Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (Was killed by a team attack from Shang Tsung and Quan Chi[3]), Undead during Mortal Kombat: Deception & Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Liu Kang exists as a spirit[4], where he remained in outworld to aid his friends in the fight against Onaga[5]), Deceased after Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Everyone Kombatant asides from Shao Kahn were killed during Armageddon[6])

Alignment: Neutral Good (Has repeatedly defended Earthrealm during the Mortal Kombat tournaments, stopping Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung from conquering the Earth, along with saving Outworld too. Listed under the good alignment)

Codex Statistics

Key: Regular State | Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe | Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

Grade: S | S | S

Tier: 9-B | 9-B regularly. Varies with the Rage | 9-B. Up to 2-C with the power of Blaze

Cardinality: Finite. Up to ℵ0 with the power of Blaze

Dimensionality: 3-D

Power Source: Chi | Has a Multiversal Power Source with the Rage (The power of the Rage comes from Dark Kahn who is merging the two universes together agitating the kombatants until they become enraged and fight, which will eventually rip both universes apart) | Chi

Attack Potency: Wall level (Potency) (Canonically won the first mortal kombat tournament, where he fought and defeated Goro who remained undefeated for the past 500 years, winning the title of grand champion by defeating Kung Lao, a shaolin fighting monk[14]. Kombatants are able to break wood, stone, steel, ruby, marble, bricks, iron, silver, gold, titanium, amber, pearl, sapphire, platinum, and diamond blocks[15]. Kombatants can also break stone tables in half[16], along with push other kombatants through several walls[17]) | Wall level regularly (Can push other kombatants through several walls[18]). Varies with the Rage (The rage granted by Dark Kahn grants strange flucuations of everyone's powers, making characters like Flash being comparable to Batman) | Wall level (Comparable to kombatants like Tevan, who can break apart large trees with several punches, shatter stone statues, and stone pillars[19]. Up to Universe level with the power of Blaze (The power of Blaze allows one to become psychically linked to the One Being[20]. Raiden with the power of Blaze destroyed all the realms[21]. Infused with the power of Blaze, Havik's aura corrupted the stability of the realms, causing them to rip, tear and reshape in grotesque ways, where nothing remained that resembled the former universe[22]. Blaze himself caused armageddon that begain in the Edenian crater and spread throughout the realms, shattering reality until there was nothing[23], with realms being apart of the overall universe, such as Earthrealm not being the entire universe but having no physical limit, with all the realms existing in one timeline[See note])

Durability: Wall level | Wall level regularly. Varies with the Rage | Wall level

Striking Strength: Wall Class (Potency) | Wall Class regularly. Varies with the Rage | Wall Class

Lifting Strength: Class K (Comparable to other kombatants who can rip out hearts[24], punch off heads[25], rip off limbs[26], rip off half of one's body[27], rip out one's entire skeleton[28], rip out one's entire spinal cord[29], which takes over one million newtons) | Class K regularly. Varies with the Rage | Class K

Travel Speed: Peak Human (As a well-trained martial artist, he should be at this level. Should be comparable or superior to a kid Shujinko, who could easily outrun a man training to be the fastest man in all of Earthrealm[30]), Superhuman with Flying Dragon Kick (Can cross maps in a short timeframe) | Peak Human regularly. Varies with the Rage | Peak Human

Attack Speed: Superhuman | Superhuman regularly. Varies with the Rage | Superhuman

Reaction Speed: Superhuman (Kombatants can react to Johnny Cage's shadow kick, which has him move so fast he leaves behind afterimages) | Superhuman regularly. Varies with the Rage | Superhuman

Stamina: Peak Human (Can fight against kombatants and endure many blows from them), Limitless as a Spirit

Range: Standard Melee, Several Meters with Transformation (Can turn into a dragon[31]), Tens of Meters with Fireball, Up to Universal with the power of Blaze (The power of Blaze allows one to become psychically linked to the One Being[32]. Raiden with the power of Blaze destroyed all the realms[33]. Infused with the power of Blaze, Havik's aura corrupted the stability of the realms, causing them to rip, tear and reshape in grotesque ways, where nothing remained that resembled the former universe[34]. Blaze himself caused armageddon that begain in the Edenian crater and spread throughout the realms, shattering reality until there was nothing[35][See note])

Intelligence: Genius Intelligence (His martial arts skills were taught by Bo Rai Cho, a man speculated to be the one that brought the fighting style of drunken boxing to Earthrealm[36]. Fought and defeated Goro who remained undefeated for the past 500 years, winning the title of grand champion by defeating Kung Lao, a shaolin fighting monk[37]. Kombatants Captain fight against the likes of Baraka who is noted that his fighting skills gained the attention of Shao Kahn, recruiting him into his army. Kombatants are skilled enough to[38] switch between three different martial arts styles during battle[39]. Every kombatant has the potential to effortlessly link his or her moves into one long attack combination, showing that every kombatant has essentially mastered the art they follow[40]. Kombatants are able to exploit their opponent's weak points when their opponent attacks, dealing extra damage[41]. Kombatants are also able to perform "breakers", a technique that allows one to break a combo they're in by their opponent[42])


Powers and Techniques

Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Human Achievements (Skilled enough in hand puppets to make a convincing looking dragon[86]. Along with being a skilled dancer[87]), Martial Arts (His martial arts skills were taught by Bo Rai Cho, a man speculated to be the one that brought the fighting style of drunken boxing to Earthrealm[88]. Liu Kang is a proficient martial artist using Jun Fan, Karate, Pao Chui, Jeet Kune Do, Choy Lay Fut, and Luohan Quan[89]. Kombatants are skilled enough to switch between three different martial arts styles during battle[90]. Can incoporate his nunchakus with his attacks[91]), Weapon Mastery (Has shown to be skilled with his nunchakus[92]. Is a proficient user of the Dragon Sword[93]), Acrobatics (Moves such as the Flying Dragon Kick allow him to do physics defying movements, such as soar across a room with a kick), Breaking the Fourth Wall (Can throw his enemy at the screen[94]), Enhanced Senses (Could sense Kitana trying to attack him from behind[95]), Extrasensory Perception (Liu Kang is able to sense one's chi to detect them[96]. Can sense abnormalities in one's chi to detect their aura[97]), Time Paradox Immunity (Alternate Timeline; Unaffected by meeting his future self and his revenant was unaffected by meeting his past self[98]), Acausality (Unfixed Causality; The beings of Mortal Kombat are shown to go against the path crafted for them, where even Geras who attempted to create one final, perfect timeline saw how the task was nearly impossible with how much mortals refused to follow the paths he set for them[99]), Chi Manipulation (Liu Kang uses powers of chi, the energy that courses through all things in the universe[100]. Can attune to others auras[101]), Transformation (Shapeshifting; Can turn into a dragon[102]), Fire Manipulation (With Dragon Fire, shoots out a fireball, his fireballs being powerful enough to fully destroy a persons body), Teleportation (Able to teleport through the use of his flames to attack the opponent from directly underneath them[103], his flames allow him to teleport behind his opponent[104]), Summoning (Can drop the Mortal Kombat arcade onto an opponent[105]. Can summon a dragon made of fire behind his opponent[106]), Nullification (Power Nullification; Can nullify energy and projectile based attacks[107]), Durability Negation & Pressure Points (Can strike a specific pressure point to make one's chest explode[108]).


Resistance to Deconstruction (Macroscopic; Can take blast from Shinnok's amulet[109], which can shoot a beam that completely disentergrate beings[110]), Soul Manipulation ( Noted by Raiden that their souls are protected[111], the kombatants were unaffected by Shao Kahn all souls on earth[112])


Equipment

  • Dragon Sword: The Dragon Sword is a weapon with a wavy blade was designed to mimic the body of a Dragon. It was used by Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat 4 and Mortal Kombat Gold.
  • Nunchaku: Nunchaku is a traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon of the Kobudo weapons set. The nunchaku is used by Liu Kang and Johnny Cage as their weapon and weapon stances in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Deception and Armageddon. The nunchaku being befitting for the former due to his similarities with the martial artist Bruce Lee.
  • Houan Chains: These hook-like chains are called Houan Chains, that were originally used by an ancient tribe of necromancers known as the Houan sect. These shackles were once used as ceremonial relics within the Houan's rituals, especially their sacrificial rituals before the Houan themselves were destroyed by the Earthrealm's thunder god, Raiden, centuries ago. In the present day, the chains would be wrapped around the murdered Liu Kang's wristbands as a way for Dark Raiden to control him after turning him into an undead monster.

Notable Techniques

*Jun Fan: Jun Fan is an alternate name for Jeet Kune Do, and the name of the fighting style used by Liu Kang as his primary fighting style in Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Mortal Kombat: Deception and Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. The name of the fighting style is also based on Bruce Lee's chinese given name, 振藩 Junfan (Jun-fan) in Cantonese, Zhènfán (Zhen-fan) in Standard Chinese (Mandarin).

  • Karate: Karate is an Okinawan fighting style used by Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat II. The fighting stance, commonly held by the "aggressor" in one-step sparring (Ippon Kumite) technique practice, is also similar to Sub-Zero's Shotokan, which is the most commonly practiced style of karate in the world, founded by Gichin Funakoshi.
  • Pao Chui: Pao Chui is a fighting style used by Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat: Deception and by Reptile in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.
  • Jeet Kune Do: Jeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial arts system and life philosophy founded by world renowned martial artist Bruce Lee in 1967 with an emphasis on direct, non-classical and straightforward movements. As a tribute to Bruce Lee, Liu Kang, in Mortal Kombat: Deception, Mortal Kombat: Unchained, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, and Mortal Kombat (2011) uses a fighting style based upon Jeet Kune Do, but called Jun Fan, as per Lee's Chinese name, Lee Jun-fan.
  • Choy Lay Fut: Choy Lay Fut (also called Choy Li Fut or Cai Li Fo) is a fighting style used by Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat (2011) and Mortal Kombat X. It combines the martial arts techniques from various northern and southern Chinese martial arts.


Other

Standard Tactics: Liu Kang uses various different martial arts styles along with fire-based attacks. Weaknesses: Nothing notable.


Note: The power of the Blaze is not a universal amplification for every character, with characters having varying power increases such as increasing their power exponentially[247], "a thousand-fold"[248], tenfold[249], etcetera. As the Blaze's power is mainly based on making one's desires surface, the user isn't given the same amplfiication as others, thus the user can reach "Up to" Universe levels of power with it, but isn't automatically at this level just because they have the power of Blaze.

Note 2: It is noted by Ed Boon that characters surviving fatal blows and X-Rays are purely an in-game only thing and that in cutscene only characters like Raiden could survive a bullet to the head.

Trivia

  • Liu Kang was originally going to be called Yoshitsune Minamoto, a historical character based on a famous Japanese clan but John Tobias stated that they could not deal with the name.
  • Although "Liu" (劉), a common Chinese surname, is generally treated as Liu Kang's family name as seen in various localizations in Asia per his localized name "劉鋼" or "劉康"[250] , his surname is officially "Kang" in Mortal Kombat Collector's Edition, the SNES manual of Mortal Kombat, and the 1995 film. This is further reinforced by the introduction of his ancestor, Cheh Kang, in a Mirror Match intro in Mortal Kombat 11.
  • Liu Kang is said to be one of the Great Kung Lao's descendants in the 1995 film Mortal Kombat and its spin-off trading card.[251]
    • It should be noted that Kung Lao is the Hokkien and Cantonese pronunciation of "鋼劉" (while Kang Liu is Mandarin).
  • Liu Kang's official theme is "Born in China", which is featured in Mortal Kombat: The Album.
  • According to his person information in Mortal Kombat, Liu Kang's father is Lee Kang and his mother is Lin Kang. He also has a younger brother, Chow Kang.[252][253]
  • Liu Kang is the longest running protagonist in franchise history, playing the hero for an entire decade. However, in recent years, he has been written into increasingly-antagonistic roles, starting as a monstrous zombie beginning in Mortal Kombat Deception and culminating in becoming an anger-driven enemy in Mortal Kombat (2011), resulting in his accidental death at Raiden's hands. Throughout Mortal Kombat X's story mode, though he is an unwillingly evil revenant, his behavior portrays him as a self-centered, taunting and vengeful warrior, while his human form in the game's Arcade mode portrays him as jaded and self-aggrandizing. Mortal Kombat 11 marks his return to the series protagonist for the first time in over two decades, this time as the God of Fire and a Keeper of Time.
  • Liu Kang retains all of his special moves from Mortal Kombat into Mortal Kombat (2011).
  • Liu Kang is uniquely playable in all 5 Mortal Kombat Arcade games, this being Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, and Mortal Kombat 4.
  • Liu Kang has been in every major game but not every spin-off. The only major game to not feature him as a playable character was Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance.
  • Liu Kang is the default choice for player 1 in Mortal Kombat II and the default choice for player 2 in Mortal Kombat 3. In both games, the opposing default character is a reptile-themed villain (Reptile and Shang Tsung respectively.)
  • Ho Sung Pak, who played Liu Kang in the first two games, also portrayed Shang Tsung in the first game as well. He did not reprise his role in Mortal Kombat 3 along with other actors from Mortal Kombat & Mortal Kombat\ II. He was replaced by Eddie Wong.
  • Liu Kang is unique in that he has his own voice files in each game he has appeared in, which consist of 'kiai', a shouting technique that serves to maximize the force of the user's attacks.
  • Liu Kang's dialogue speaking voice was changed from a regular American voice in Shaolin Monks to a more East Asian inspired accent in Mortal Kombat\ vs DC Universe. Mortal Kombat (2011) and Mortal Kombat X saw the return of an American accent, which was then replaced with an East Asian accent in Mortal Kombat 11.
  • Liu Kang is in several "Top 10" lists hosted by Screwattack.com. His zombie form was placed at #9 of the worst characters in the Mortal Kombat series due to his late accessibility (needing to clear Konquest Mode in Deception) as well as his zombie status; and both his Dragon Bite and Deadly Uppercut Fatalities were both placed at #2 of the best and worst Fatalities in the Mortal Kombat series respectively.
  • Liu Kang was the second fighting-game character to be based on Bruce Lee. He is predated only by Kim Dragon from World Heroes, released two months before the first Mortal Kombat game.
    • An interaction with Reptile in Mortal Kombat Xhas the Saurian refer to Liu Kang as "Little Dragon", which was the English translation for Bruce Lee's mandarin name, Li Xiao Long.
  • An achievement for the Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection is called THE CHOSEN ONE, referring to Liu Kang's moniker in the films. It is earned by completing all three tournaments.
  • Liu Kang is one of the few characters in the series to be listed as multiple species: Human, Undead, Revenant, and God. He ties with Sub-Zero who at different points has been a Human, a Revenant, a Cyborg and, in his Mortal Kombat: Armageddon ending, a God for the most depicted species.
  • The wrestler Human Tornado uses a move he calls the Liu Kang Kick in homage to the character.
  • According to Daniel Pesina on the WWE wrestler Xavier Wood's UpUpDownDown Youtube Channel, Liu Kang's later design from Mortal Kombat II onward was modeled after Marvel's character Shang Chi.[254]
  • The original Mortal Kombat was the only game that portrayed Liu Kang without his red bandana, arm gauntlets, or red & black pants.
  • Liu Kang's Mortal Kombat II Dragon Bite Fatality resembled the Mortal Kombat dragon logo.
    • It became his Animality in Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, and Mortal Kombat Trilogy, then returned as a Fatality in Mortal Kombat 4/Mortal Kombat Gold.
  • Liu Kang's alternate color for Mortal Kombat 3 is orange instead of blue. Orange is the traditional color real-life Shaolin monks wear.
  • It is only time Liu Kang wasn't playable due to his death by The Deadly Alliance's hands.
  • Liu Kang was intended to be a “surprise/secret” character during Mortal Kombat: Deception, being one of the most difficult to find/unlock during Konquest because the creators intended to cause a shock to the fans of the series by having their hero resurrected in such a corrupted way. This even led them not to release an official high resolution render of the character to avoid any leaks.
  • Contrary to his ending in Mortal Kombat Armageddon, Liu Kang cannot relieve Raiden as Protector of Earthrealm in the original timeline as Fujin has held that position since the final moments of the Mortal Kombat 4/Gold storyline. The concept of Liu Kang ascending to godhood is perpetuated in Shang Tsung's ending, and his own, with varied results in Mortal Kombat (2011).
  • Liu Kang's ending in Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe showed him becoming a Mortal Kombat version of Captain Marvel. The words used to transform were screamed in the opening theme of the first live-action film - "MORTAL KOMBAT!".
  • Liu Kang is the only character to be playable in another character's Chapter in the Story Mode. He wears his more traditional bareback costume, mirroring his victory over Shao Kahn in the original timeline.
  • The damage Liu Kang received in the alternate timeline by Raiden is the same that Kintaro gave Kabal, just not to the same degree, with burns all over his body, a blinded left eye and possible damage to the lungs.
  • Liu Kang is one of three characters whose X-Ray move is based on an original Fatality, the others being Baraka and Mileena.
  • Zombie Liu Kang can be playable through the Kombat Kode "Zombie Kombat", though he lacks his wrist-mounted chains.
  • Liu Kang's Arcade outfit is never seen in the Story Mode. This is the same for Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Kitana, and Kung Lao.
  • Liu Kang is one of two characters to receive two Revenant outfits in Mortal Kombat X, the other being Kitana.
  • Liu Kang is one of four characters in Mortal Kombat X to be safe on a Low poke. The others are Torr, Takeda, and Kung Jin.
  • Liu Kang is the only character with a special attack that is not an X-Ray that can spend all three bars of Super Meter to perform.
  • If the player chooses any of Liu Kang's skins that depict him as being alive (ex: "Tournament" and "Mortal Kombat I"), his fighting grunts will be high-octave "kiai" noises. However, if the player chooses any of his Revenant skins, he will instead fight with regular-octave, serious grunts.
  • Liu Kang's Circle of Shadow Card was originally one of three characters to inflict Lethal Damage. The others were Nightmare Freddy Krueger and Kobu Jutsu Tanya.
    • As of Update 2.0, many of the revamped character cards now gain passives that grant Lethal Damage, most notably Mortal Kombat 11 Scorpion's Passive.
  • Liu Kang's Klassic Card was originally one of two Diamond cards that lacked an unblockable attack. The other was Erron Black's Black Dragon Card.
    • Due to Update 2.0 and later updates, many characters were upgraded to Diamond cards, resulting in many characters not having unblockable attacks as Diamond cards.
  • Liu Kang's Klassic Card is one of the few cards that is completely immune to damage-over-time effects.
  • Liu Kang's Klassic Card is also one of the few cards immune to Power Drain effects, however he still loses Power from Frostbite.
  • Liu Kang is one of the few characters with more than one exclusive Equipment Card.
  • Liu Kang is one of the few characters that can actually kill the opponent, this being from a Brutality.
  • Liu Kang is mentioned in Injustice 2 by Raiden, who is featured as a playable guest character. His name also appears on some of Raiden's gear pieces.
  • Liu Kang and Scorpion are the only two characters playable in two chapters in Story Mode in Mortal Kombat 11. This is due to them both being playable in a two-character chapter as well as their own individual chapter.
  • Liu Kang is one of two characters whose move list is affected in the Story Mode, this being during his Fire God Chapter where a majority of his specials and some combos gain lightning effects. The other is Sonya who loses her energy ring attacks and Fatal Blow in her Chapter.
  • Cetrion states that Liu Kang's flames are same as Onaga's and has implied a possible relation between them.
  • In a mirror match interaction, one of the Liu Kangs is revealed to be his ancestor, Cheh Kang. [255]

References

  1. Mortal Kombat Arcade Character Bios
  2. Mortal Kombat (1992) prequel comic
  3. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance intro
  4. Mortal Kombat: Deception Bo Rai Cho ending
  5. Mortal Kombat: Deception Liu Kang character bio
  6. Mortal Kombat (2011) Intro Cutscene
  7. Mortal Kombat 11 Story Mode Story Chapter 1 Cassie Cage
  8. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  9. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story Mode
  10. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story Chapter 16 Raiden
  11. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story Chapter 16 Raiden
  12. Mortal Kombat X Story
  13. Mortal Kombat 1 Story Intro
  14. Mortal Kombat Arcade
  15. Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Mortal Kombat (2011), and Mortal Kombat X Test Your Might Minigames
  16. Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks Test Your Might Minigame
  17. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Test Your Might Minigame
  18. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Test Your Might Minigame
  19. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Konquest Mode
  20. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kai Ending
  21. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Raiden Ending
  22. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Havik Ending
  23. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Blaze Ending
  24. Mortal Kombat Aracde Kano's Fatality
  25. Mortal Kombat Aracde Johnny Cage's Fatality
  26. Mortal Kombat II Jax's Fatality
  27. Mortal Kombat II Johnny Cage's Fatality
  28. Mortal Kombat 3 Kano's Fatality
  29. Mortal Kombat Aracade Sub-Zero's Fatality
  30. Mortal Kombat: Deception Konquest Mode
  31. Mortal Kombat Liu Kang Dragon Fatality
  32. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kai Ending
  33. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Raiden Ending
  34. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Havik Ending
  35. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Blaze Ending
  36. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Bo Rai Cho character bio
  37. Mortal Kombat Arcade
  38. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Tutorial
  39. Mortal Kombat: Deception Konquest Tutorial
  40. Mortal Kombat: Deception Konquest Tutorial
  41. Mortal Kombat: Deception Konquest Tutorial
  42. Mortal Kombat: Deception Konquest Tutorial
  43. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  44. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  45. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  46. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  47. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  48. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  49. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  50. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  51. Mortal Kombat: Deception intro
  52. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  53. Mortal Kombat 11 Shao Kahn Ending
  54. Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath Final Boss
  55. Mortal Kombat 1 Story
  56. Mortal Kombat X Liu Kang Fatality
  57. Mortal Kombat X Liu Kang Fatality
  58. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story Chapter 5 Liu Kang
  59. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  60. Mortal Kombat 11 Kabal Ending
  61. Mortal Kombat Liu Kang Dragon Fatality
  62. Mortal Kombat (2011) Raiden Victory Animation
  63. Mortal Kombat Mythologies Sub-Zero
  64. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  65. Mortal Kombat: Deception Scoprion character bio
  66. Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath Story
  67. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story Chapter 16 Raiden
  68. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  69. Mortal Kombat 11 Shang Tsung Ending
  70. Mortal Kombat 11 Shao Kahn Ending
  71. Mortal Kombat 11 Shang Tsung Ending
  72. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story Chapter 5 Liu Kang
  73. Mortal Kombat 11 Story Chapter 1 Cassie Cage
  74. Mortal Kombat 11 Shang Tsung Ending
  75. Mortal Kombat 11 Rain Ending
  76. Mortal Kombat 11 Sub-Zero Ending
  77. Mortal Kombat 11 Sonya Blade Ending
  78. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  79. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  80. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  81. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  82. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  83. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  84. Mortal Kombat 1 Story Intro
  85. Mortal Kombat 1 Liu Kang Brutality
  86. Mortal Kombat III Liu Kang Friendship
  87. Mortal Kombat 11 Liu Kang Friendship
  88. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Bo Rai Cho character bio
  89. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Liu Kang Ending
  90. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Tutorial
  91. Mortal Kombat 11 Liu Kang Moveset
  92. Mortal Kombat 11 Liu Kang Fatality
  93. Mortal Kombat 4 Liu Kang Move List
  94. Mortal Kombat 4 Liu Kang Fatality
  95. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  96. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  97. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  98. Mortal Kombat 11 Story Chapter 3 Liu Kang/Kung Lao
  99. Mortal Kombat 11 Geras Ending
  100. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  101. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  102. Mortal Kombat Liu Kang Dragon Fatality
  103. Mortal Kombat 3 Liu Kang Fatality
  104. Mortal Kombat 11 Liu Kang Moveset
  105. Mortal Kombat Liu Kang Arcade Drop Fatality
  106. Mortal Kombat 11 Liu Kang Moveset
  107. Mortal Kombat 11 Liu Kang Moveset
  108. Mortal Kombat 11 Liu Kang Moveset
  109. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  110. Mortal Kombat X Story Chapter 2 Kotal Kahn
  111. Mortal Kombat 3 Intro
  112. Mortal Kombat 3 Intro
  113. Mortal Kombat: Deception Bo Rai Cho ending
  114. Mortal Kombat: Deception Liu Kang character bio
  115. Mortal Kombat: Deception Ermac ending
  116. Mortal Kombat: Deception Liu Kang Fatality
  117. Mortal Kombat: Deception Liu Kang Fatality
  118. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Liu Kang Ending
  119. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Sub-Zero Ending
  120. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Fujin Ending
  121. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kobra Ending
  122. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kenshi Ending
  123. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kai Ending
  124. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kitana Ending
  125. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Meat's Ending
  126. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Scorpion Ending
  127. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kira Ending
  128. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Rain Ending
  129. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Chameleon Ending
  130. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Ermac Ending
  131. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Smoke Ending
  132. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kenshi Ending
  133. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Cyrax Ending
  134. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Sektor Ending
  135. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Shunjinko Ending
  136. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Liu Kang Ending
  137. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Ashrah Ending
  138. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Shang Tsung Ending
  139. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Hotaru Ending
  140. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kabal Ending
  141. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kabal Ending
  142. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Dairou Ending
  143. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Sareena Ending
  144. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Jarek Ending
  145. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Mavado Ending
  146. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Konquest Mode
  147. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Tanya Ending
  148. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Hotaru Ending
  149. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Taven Ending
  150. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kung Lao Ending
  151. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Sonya Blade Ending
  152. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Sindel Ending
  153. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Nightwolf Ending
  154. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Jackson Brigg Ending
  155. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Milena Ending
  156. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Li Mei Ending
  157. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Havik Ending
  158. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kenshi Ending
  159. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Motaro
  160. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story Chapter 16 Raiden
  161. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  162. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  163. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Raiden Ending
  164. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Tutorial
  165. Mortal Kombat 4 Raiden Moveset
  166. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  167. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Raiden Fatality
  168. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story Chapter 12 Stryker
  169. Mortal Kombat 4 Raiden moveset
  170. Injustice 2 Raiden Ultimate
  171. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  172. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  173. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  174. Mortal Kombat Trilogy Raiden Animality
  175. Mortal Kombat 3 Stryker Story
  176. Mortal Kombat Arcade Raiden's Fatality
  177. Mortal Kombat II Raiden's Fatality
  178. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Raiden Fatality
  179. Mortal Kombat 11 Raiden Fatality
  180. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story Chapter 2 Sonya Blade
  181. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  182. Mortal Komat X Story
  183. Mortal Kombat 4 Raiden's Fatality
  184. Mortal Kombat (2011) Raiden Fatality
  185. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  186. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  187. Mortal Kombat 4 Raiden moveset
  188. Mortal Kombat Mythologies Sub-Zero
  189. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  190. Mortal Kombat 11 Raiden Fatality
  191. Mortal Kombat II Raiden Friendship
  192. Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Ending
  193. Mortal Kombat X Story
  194. Mortal Kombat 4 Johnny Cage character bio
  195. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story Chapter 2 Sonya Blade
  196. Mortal Kombat 11 Raiden Ending
  197. Mortal Kombat: Deception intro
  198. Mortal Kombat: Deception Raiden character bio
  199. Mortal Kombat (2011) Raiden Ending
  200. Mortal Kombat X Story
  201. Mortal Kombat II Raiden Ending
  202. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Raiden character bio
  203. Mortal Kombat II Sega Genesis version
  204. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  205. Mortal Kombat 11 Story Chapter 2 Kotal Kahn
  206. Mortal Kombat (2011) Story
  207. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  208. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  209. Mortal Kombat 3 Intro
  210. Mortal Kombat 3 Intro
  211. Mortal Kombat Mythologies Sub-Zero
  212. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
  213. Mortal Kombat 11 Story Chapter 2 Kotal Kahn
  214. Mortal Kombat 1 Liu Kang Fatality
  215. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  216. Mortal Kombat 1 Liu Kang Fatality
  217. Mortal Kombat 11 Ending
  218. Mortal Kombat 1 Liu Kang Fatality
  219. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  220. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  221. Mortal Kombat 11 Story
  222. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Liu Kang Ending
  223. Mortal Kombat 11 Fujin Ending
  224. Mortal Kombat 11 Kung Lao Ending
  225. Mortal Kombat 11 Rain Ending
  226. Mortal Kombat 11 Sub-Zero Ending
  227. Mortal Kombat 11 Sonya Blade Ending
  228. Mortal Kombat 11 Rambo Ending
  229. Mortal Kombat 11 Terminator Ending
  230. Mortal Kombat 11 Sub-Zero Ending
  231. Mortal Kombat 11 Shang Tsung Ending
  232. Mortal Kombat 11 Johnny Cage Ending
  233. Mortal Kombat 11 Kung Lao Ending
  234. Mortal Kombat 11 Chapter 1 Cassie Cage
  235. Mortal Kombat 11 Robocop Ending
  236. Mortal Kombat 11 Liu Kang Ending
  237. Mortal Kombat 11 Chapter 3 Liu Kang/Kung Lao
  238. Mortal Kombat 11 Story Chapte 2 Kotal Kahn
  239. Mortal Kombat 11 Milena Ending
  240. Mortal Kombat 11 Shang Tsung Ending
  241. Mortal Kombat 11 Shao Kahn Ending
  242. Mortal Kombat 11 Chapter 2 Kotal Kahn
  243. Mortal Kombat 11 Chapter 2 Kotal Kahn
  244. Mortal Kombat 11 Chapter 3 Liu Kang/Kung Lao
  245. Mortal Kombat 1 Liu Kang Ending
  246. Mortal Kombat 1 Liu Kang Ending
  247. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Fujin Ending
  248. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Kobra Ending
  249. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Shao Kahn ending
  250. 劉康 (WG: Liu2 K'ang1; PY: Līu Kāng) per localization in East Asia since 2010s; previously 劉鋼 (WG: Liu2 Kang1; PY: Līu Gāng) per Japanese manual of SNES version Mortal Kombat)
  251. 1995 SkyBox Mortal Kombat - Gold Foil Warrior Champions #W1 Liu Kang | Trading Card Database
  252. Page 15, Mortal Kombat Collector's Edition (1992)
  253. Mortal Kombat - Nintendo SNES - Manual - gamesdatabase.org
  254. Daniel Pesina aka MORTAL KOMBAT's JOHNNY CAGE visits UpUpDownDown! Round 1 - Special Guest Savepoint - YouTube
  255. LIU KANG MEETS CHEH KANG DIALOGUE ALL INTROS & VICTORIES - MORTAL KOMBAT 11 ULTIMATE VERSION - YouTube

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