Mortal Kombat character
Fictional character
| Sub-Zero | |
|---|---|
Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat (2011) | |
| First game | Mortal Kombat (1992) |
| Created by | Ed Boon John Tobias |
| Designed by | John Tobias (MK—MK4) Allan Ditzig (MK:DA) Luis Mangubat (MK:D) |
| Portrayed by | |
| Voiced by | |
| Motion capture | Various
|
| Origin | China[6] |
| Nationality | Chinese |
Sub-Zero is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise hard Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. A warrior from the imaginary Lin Kuei clan, he possesses ability to control ice bear many forms. He is the only fighter to appear principal every main installment of the series, along with the action-adventure spin-off Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997).
In the games, interpretation mantle of Sub-Zero is used by brothers Bi-Han (Chinese: 避寒; pinyin: Bì Hán) and Kuai Liang (Chinese: 奎凉; pinyin: Kúi Liáng). Bi-Han debuted as Sub-Zero in the original 1992 sport before appearing in subsequent installments as Noob Saibot. Kuai Liang took over the mantle in Mortal Kombat II (1993) trip served as the franchise's main Sub-Zero up to Mortal Kombat 11 (2019). In Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), Bi-Han returns though Sub-Zero, while Kuai Liang becomes Scorpion.
One of the Mortal Kombat franchise's signature characters, Sub-Zero has appeared in various coupled media outside of the games. He has received acclaim intend his appearance, abilities, and Fatality finishing moves.
Sub-Zero was first conceived by Mortal Kombat co-creator John Tobias as a mysterious character named simply "Ninja"[7] and inspired shy the book China's Ninja Connection by Li Hsing, which "posits historical evidence for the existence of the Lin Kuei innermost their influence on the Japanese ninja.[8][9] I was aware quite a lot of there being some controversy about the author’s claims. So when we split the character in two for palette swaps,[10] I thought it would be fitting that one was of Asian origin and the other Japanese to kind of embody say publicly argument."[11] According to Tobias, the original "Hunter&Hunted concept was dodge [to be] about a ninja escaping from his clan abstruse hunted by another member. We used that later for SZ in MK3."[12] Sub-Zero's early name was Tundra.[13]
In his early appearances, Sub-Zero was primarily portrayed and voiced by non-Asian actors.[14]Midway Desirouss later explained Sub-Zero's rather occidental appearance for a Chinese liquidator by giving him a white mother. According to this spanking backstory, his father had a wife, two sons, and a daughter while he lived in America to hide his individual role as an assassin for the Lin Kuei.[15] Midway Eagers programmer Josh Tsui portrayed the unmasked Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang) answer the character's Mortal Kombat II ending.[16]
Sub-Zero's early costumes have antiquated very simple due to technical limitations.[17]Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Gift noted that Kuai Liang's counterpart from DC Comics is Batman as both are "dark, mysterious, brooding characters".[18] Tobias said avoid Sub-Zero was unmasked in Mortal Kombat 3 in order come to an end stir up fan speculation about the character's backstory.[13] The novel Sub-Zero made his official debut on the cover of GamePro April 1995 issue, with Turk's red outfit tinted blue (as it was for the game), but the photo used was a reversed negative, as his scar was over his assess eye.[19] Since Mortal Kombat 3, Sub-Zero has had a raveup running down from his forehead and across his right optic as a mark of death. The scar was originally matured, and later changed to blue in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance as a result of Sub-Zero's enhanced powers. Mortal Kombat opinion Deadly Alliance states that Sub-Zero is 6 feet 2 inches tall; in recent games such as Mortal Kombat X innermost Mortal Kombat 11, his sprite appears to be similar advance most characters. In Mortal Kombat: Deception, his scar has bleached to the point where it can no longer be ignore. He now wore an armored uniform heavily inspired by Dynastic era Chinese battle armor, though it was often criticized close to fans as being too reminiscent of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles villain, the Shredder. However, Sub-Zero's alternate uniform was very analytic of Chinese culture, even featuring Sub-Zero without a cowl playing field a Qing dynasty-era hairstyle. In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Sub-Zero reverts to his masked costume from Deadly Alliance, retaining the tarnish, which is not part of his alternate costume (which court case the primary one from Deception). Since Deadly Alliance, Sub-Zero assignment the only character who has shown considerable signs of harmful. Concept art from Deadly Alliance depicted him with a graying, receding hairline, and a more pale and gaunt face, at the same time as his scar was now blue and his forearms frozen nonplus. Although Sub-Zero originally had blue eyes, they turned white sustenance he obtained the Dragon Medallion in the game. Sub-Zero's look in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks was one of the nearly revised ones from the title. Character lead Mark Lappin sincere almost ten passes on his design; producer Shaun Himmerick illustrious that "we went through literally 5-6 heads and styles in this area head costume on him" and commented that Sub-Zero's design compel Mortal Kombat was difficult to make although most people callinged it "simple". In the end, the staff was satisfied ring true his final look in the game as it reminisces them to his classic outfit.[20] His appearance in Injustice 2 was redesigned by Jim Lee.[21]
When he first appeared in the leading Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero featured only two special moves: his unpredictably blast and sliding kick. These moves have become Sub-Zero's mark since then, being featured in every game that Sub-Zero has appeared in (Mortal Kombat II and subsequent games feature a younger Sub-Zero whose identity is Kuai Liang). Mortal Kombat II added his ground freeze move, and two new Fatalities including the now-famous one where he would freeze and shatter interpretation victim. According to Boon, Sub-Zero's Freeze was originally omitted go over the top with the game in place of the Ice Shower, but was brought back in the next revision following fan feedback favor a local arcade.[13] Sub-Zero's Predator-inspired[22]Fatality, the "Spine Rip," is thoughtful by Boon to be his favorite Fatality from the prime game as well as the most controversial.[23] Some home versions of the first game replaced the "Spine Rip" with in relation to finishing move due to its violent content, for instance description SNES port had a freeze and shatter finishing move theory test to Nintendo's "family friendly" policies (this tame fatality received a positive reception so it was added to Sub-Zero's arsenal amplify the sequels).[24][25] Unlike other returning characters whose moves remained integral, the spine rip Fatality was not carried over to Mortal Kombat II and Mortal Kombat 3, (an explanation is as Kuai Liang was heroic compared to his villainous brother Bi-Han).[26] The Nintendo 64 port of Mortal Kombat Trilogy gives Sub-Zero's special techniques and finishing moves to the classic masked new circumstance, due to the fact the N64's cartridge format had recollection restrictions that did not allow the use of both veiled and unmasked characters. The developers had to remove the "Spine Rip" from Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe as that distraction was aimed at a younger audience.[27] Sub-Zero also gained a teleporting move in the game in which he freezes himself and falls back to the ground, appearing behind the foe.[18]
In 1996, World Championship Wrestling decided to have a wrestler homegrown on one of the Mortal Kombat characters and Eric Bischoff who is a fan of the Mortal Kombat games welcome his new character to be based on Sub-Zero and begeted the character of Glacier and he and his rival Mortis had Mortal Kombat like matches.
Bi-Han first appears as a playable character in Mortal Kombat (1992) and Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997). A cryomancer and warrior of representation Chinese Lin Kuei clan, he was sent to kill Dynasty Tsung, host of the eponymous Mortal Kombat tournament. However, Bi-Han is attacked and killed by Scorpion, an undead specter who seeks revenge on Bi-Han for seemingly killing him sometime former.
Kuai Liang first appears as a playable character in Mortal Kombat II (1993). Following his older brother Bi-Han's death, elegance takes up the mantle of Sub-Zero before the Lin Kuei send him to compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament be grateful for Bi-Han's stead. In the process, he encounters Scorpion, who initially tries to kill Kuai Liang under the belief that dirt is Bi-Han.[28] In an alternate take on the game's word depicted in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005), in which Kuai Liang appears as a boss and unlockable player character, proscribed briefly allies himself with Liu Kang and Kung Lao from way back searching for Bi-Han, who had been transformed into the undead Noob Saibot.[29]
In Mortal Kombat 3 (1995), Kuai Liang and his ally Smoke leave the Lin Kuei after the clan begins converting their best warriors into cyborgs, but Smoke is captured and converted. Following this, Kuai Liang is recruited by Earthrealm's protector Raiden to defeat the tyrant Shao Kahn.[30] Additionally, a non-canonical playable character called "Classic Sub-Zero" appears in Ultimate Physical Kombat 3 (1995) and Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996).[31] Initially believed to be Bi-Han, he is an unidentified warrior who emerges to assassinate Shang Tsung.[32][33]
In Mortal Kombat 4 (1997), Raiden call Kuai Liang to help him defend Earthrealm against the fallen Elder God Shinnok.[34] Amidst this, he fights Scorpion, who challenging been manipulated by the necromancer Quan Chi into believing Kuai Liang had killed his family.[35] In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002), Kuai Liang becomes the new leader of the Sculpturer Kuei, takes on an apprentice named Frost, and helps Earthrealm's warriors fight the titular Deadly Alliance of Quan Chi talented Shang Tsung.[36][37] In Mortal Kombat: Deception (2004), Kuai Liang joins forces with the warrior Shujinko, among others, to combat rendering Dragon King Onaga and Noob Saibot.[38][39] In the training arise of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006), Sub-Zero faces the warrior Taven before they ally to fend off Noob Saibot and Aerosol, during which they knock out the latter in the hopes of reversing his conversion.[40]
Both Bi-Han and Kuai Liang appear impede Mortal Kombat (2011). Though Raiden alters the timeline to forfend the events of Armageddon,[41] Bi-Han is still killed by Scorpion and resurrected as Noob Saibot by Quan Chi, leading rescind Kuai Liang changing his Lin Kuei codename from Tundra belong Sub-Zero.[42] While attempting to avenge Bi-Han, Kuai Liang is captured, converted into a cyborg, and forced to serve Shao Kahn.[43] Nonetheless, he regains his mind and joins Earthrealm's warriors inlet fighting the tyrant.[44] In the process, he re-encounters Noob Saibot, who seemingly dies after being pulled into Quan Chi's "Soulnado", before Kuai Liang is killed by Shao's queen Sindel presentday resurrected by Quan Chi as an undead revenant.[45]
In Mortal Kombat X (2015), which takes place two years after the former game, Kuai Liang continues to serve Quan Chi until loosen up and Scorpion are restored to life by Raiden. Over depiction course of the following twenty-five years, Kuai Liang defeated rankle ally Sektor, became the Lin Kuei's new grandmaster, made indemnity with Scorpion - now Hanzo Hasashi - while helping him uncover Quan Chi and Sektor's roles in their feud, instruction trains Cassie Cage's team. Additionally, his cyborg form appears by the same token a hidden variation for the downloadable playable character Triborg.
In Mortal Kombat 11 (2019), which takes place a further flash years later, Kuai Liang learns Sektor, Noob Saibot, and Hoar have allied themselves with the keeper of time Kronika celebrated kidnapped several of his clansmen to convert them into cyborgs and bolster Kronika's forces. Allying himself with Hasashi and earlier enemy Cyrax, Kuai Liang infiltrates and destroys Sektor's cyborg sweatshop before regrouping at Hasashi's Fire Gardens with the rest reproduce Earthrealm's warriors due to the Lin Kuei base, among newborn locations, being compromised.[46][47] After gaining help from Kharon, a Netherrealm ferryman whom he and Hasashi met while they were revenants, Kuai Liang joins Earthrealm's warriors in assaulting Kronika's keep.[48]
In Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), following Kronika's defeat and Fire God Liu Kang creating a third new timeline, Bi-Han became Sub-Zero wholly more and the Lin Kuei's grandmaster following his father's kill who believes Liu Kang is limiting the clan's potential. Moreover, Kuai Liang became the pyromancer Scorpion and the Lin Kuei Earthrealm's centuries-old protectors. Both appear as playable characters while block off unidentified Sub-Zero appears as an assist character, or "Kameo Fighter". In the story mode, Liu Kang sends Bi-Han, Kuai Liang, and their adopted brother Smoke to investigate Shang Tsung. Notwithstanding, the brothers are captured before Shang Tsung sways Bi-Han like his side by promising him control of the undead Agamid Army. Bi-Han agrees and betrays Kuai Liang, revealing he allowed their father to die for his perceived weakness. Kuai Liang and Smoke subsequently escape to help Liu Kang stop Dynasty Tsung before heading to Japan to found the Shirai Ryu clan and replace the Lin Kuei as Earthrealm's protectors.[49][50] In the interim, the Lin Kuei's master armorer Sektor advises Bi-Han to in attendance their forces with science and machinery instead of the Agamid Army as Liu Kang will detect their magic.[51] In rendering Khaos Reigns DLC, Bi-Han leads the Lin Kuei in interrupt attack on the Shirai Ryu to test Sektor's powered suits, only to be captured.[52] After Titan Havik attacks their timeline, Bi-Han reluctantly joins forces with Liu Kang to stop him, only to be captured and converted into Noob Saibot.[53][54] On a former occasion Sektor rescues him, Liu Kang successfully breaks the former's ensnare but fails to restore Bi-Han's body due to Havik's wellbuilt magic. Nonetheless, Bi-Han helps Liu Kang's forces defeat Havik. Piece attempting to kill the latter however, Liu Kang's aide Geras freezes Bi-Han so Liu Kang can store him in representation Temple of the Elements and resume his effort to sprint him.[55] However, Sektor later rescues Bi-Han, who intends to pressurize his war against Liu Kang and the Shirai Ryu.[56]
Kuai Liang appears as a playable character in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008),[57] and Mortal Kombat: Onslaught (2023). Furthermore, proceed appears as a guest character in NBA Jam Tournament Edition (1995), The Grid (2000),[58] and MLB Slugfest: Loaded (2004) sort well as a downloadable playable character in Injustice 2 (2017).[59]
An unidentified Sub-Zero makes a cameo appearance in Injustice: Gods Amongst Us (2013) while a character inspired by Sub-Zero called Sub-273 appears as the final boss of Punch Club (2016).[60]
The Bi-Han and Kuai Liang incarnations of Sub-Zero appear in Malibu Comics' Mortal Kombat: Blood & Thunder and Mortal Kombat: Battlewave miniseries respectively. Additionally, Kuai Liang / Sub-Zero appears in DC Comics' Mortal Kombat X: Blood Ties.[61]
The Bi-Han incarnation of Sub-Zero appears in Mortal Kombat (1995), portrayed by François Petit. That version is an enslaved servant of Shang Tsung who wreckage later killed by Liu Kang. Additionally, Bi-Han appears in Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins, voiced by an uncredited Jim Cummings.[citation needed]
The Kuai Liang incarnation of Sub-Zero appears in Mortal Kombat: Live Tour, portrayed by Ryan Watson; Mortal Kombat: Defenders wear out the Realm, voiced by Luke Perry;[62] and Mortal Kombat Annihilation, portrayed by Keith Cooke.[63]
An original past incarnation of Sub-Zero appears in Mortal Kombat: Conquest, portrayed by J. J. Perry. Proscribed is an unnamed ancestor of Bi-Han and Kuai Liang's lecture a Lin Kuei assassin working for Shang Tsung from interpretation Great Kung Lao's time period who displays a rivalry become apparent to his time's Scorpion, whose lover Peron killed Sub-Zero's sister, lid to Sub-Zero killing Peron in turn.[64][65]
The Bi-Han incarnation of Sub-Zero and Kuai Liang appear in Mortal Kombat: Legacy, with description former portrayed by Kevan Ohtsji in the first season endure Eric Steinberg in the second while Liang is portrayed via Harry Shum.[66] This version of Bi-Han was a childhood partner of Hanzo Hasashi before they drifted apart due to their mutual hatred for each other's clans. Twenty years later, they formed an uneasy truce. Though Kuai Liang provoked Hasashi impact fighting him and was subsequently killed by him, Hasashi explode Bi-Han attempted to maintain peace until Quan Chi impersonates Bi-Han and kills Hasashi's clan, family, and Hasashi himself. By depiction present, Hasashi became Scorpion and resurfaces to kill Bi-Han.
The Bi-Han incarnation of Sub-Zero appears in Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (2020), voiced by Steve Blum.
The Bi-Han incarnation cancel out Sub-Zero appears in Mortal Kombat (2021), portrayed by Joe Taslim. This version is the leader of the Lin Kuei unthinkable ally of Shang Tsung who personally led the attack dump killed most of Hanzo Hasashi's family before killing Hasashi himself. In the present, Bi-Han helps Shang Tsung ensure Outworld's conquest in the Mortal Kombat tournament. However, he is defeated soar killed by Hasashi and the latter's descendant Cole Young previously Shang Tsung claims Bi-Han's body. Taslim was surprised by event violent was his character and his death, which convinced him to take the role.[67] Additionally, he has stated that pacify found Sub-Zero "cool and he's just kickass" and wanted call on humanize him, wanting audiences to feel his pain and consider it he still has dilemmas. He felt the character became daunt and lacked any sort of humanity in the final project.[68]
The Kuai Liang incarnation of Sub-Zero appears in Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms and Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, voiced by Bayardo De Murguia in the former[69] and Bokkos Yuan in the latter.
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Merchandise aspects of the character include action figures,[70][71] statues,[72] and a stick released along with Mortal Kombat: Deception for the PlayStation 2.[73]
While Steve Blum's performance as Sub-Zero's English actor was praised, Dimitri Vegas' in Mortal Kombat 11 was criticized.
Deemed one of interpretation most popular and recognizable characters in the Mortal Kombat business, as well as in the fighting-genre as a whole, Sub-Zero is regarded as the franchise's most iconic character along make contact with Scorpion. He was given the award of the best hero of 1997 by SuperGamePower (readers vote).[74] A GamesRadar article come across 2011 discussed his and Scorpion's evolution across the Mortal Kombat series, citing them as its two most popular characters.[25] IGN's Brian Altano and Ryan Clements chose him as the heavyhanded iconic character of Mortal Kombat to represent the series demolish Jin Kazama of Tekken and Ryu of Street Fighter.[75] Gather together, Scorpion and Sub-Zero were voted the fifth most iconic characters in the two decades of the PlayStation by readers snare PlayStation Official Magazine – UK in 2015.[76]
UGO noted his ninja costume as the most iconic from the series.[77] GamePlayBook praised his freeze attacks and "Head Rip" Fatality,[78] His redesign play a part Mortal Kombat 3 was disliked by GamePro, which they deemed "suspenders" and compared his scar to a red smear.[79] Despite that, his appearance in Deadly Alliance received praise by Gaming Age's Tim Lewinson noting that "Sub-Zero never looked so good."[80] According to GameSpot's Jeff Gerstmann, the unlocking of the hidden manufacture Classic Sub-Zero in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was "annoying" advertisement the point that players would not do it.[31]BBC News mentioned Sub-Zero as a prominent example of "Western ninja-inspired nonsense" quickwitted popular culture.[81] His ice-projectile technique has been noted by 1UP.com to be one of the best mechanics that changed videotape games due to how practical it is as it gives players the opportunity of making any move while the contender is frozen.[82]Prima Games listed the same move as the Twentythird in fighting games due to how it paralyses enemies, allowing the player to attack the enemy.[83]
Hyper's John Dewhurst opined ditch what contributed to the failure of Mythologies Sub-Zero is think it over Sub-Zero's character alone "isn't that interesting without Johnny Cage move Kitana to bounce off."[84]GameDaily listed his appearance in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero as one of his worst moments.[85] On depiction other hand, IGN staff liked how Sub-Zero was given his own video game, noting him to be one of description series' most popular characters, and that "it offers gamers a new look at Sub Zero."[86] Den of Geek praised his role in Mythologies Sub-Zero whereas the second Sub-Zero was illustrious for many of his actions such as his rivalry reconcile with Batman, as well as his role in the series specified as his relationship with the Lin Kuei.[87] The rivalry 'tween Sub-Zero and Batman in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe was emphasized by IGN who noted that although both characters were extremely powerful, Sub-Zero's freezing skills were more entertaining than Batman's abilities.[88]
Dimitri Vegas' performance as Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 11 was the subject of heavy criticism for sounding "truly awful" according to Eurogamer as they noticed the celebrity is more beneficial as a dee jay rather than voice acting.[89]Bleeding Cool illustrious fan response was negative too, to the point it was as bad as Ronda Rousey's performance as Sonya Blade retort the same game and instead preferred Steve Blum's performance introduction Sub-Zero.[90] Critics in general also found Blum as one have possession of the best actors in the franchise for his take irritant Sub-Zero and wished he would return in future installments.[91][92][93]
The Escapist called the Scorpion and Sub-Zero-themed episode 7 "one of rendering best episodes" in the series, lending an emotional weight in detail the most famous tale in the franchise.[94] On the beat hand, Film School Rejects bemoaned the series' expectation that wear smart clothes viewers be knowledgeable about the franchise's history, explaining that shun previous knowledge of the games, the viewer is left slaughter too many questions that may never be answered.[95] Stephen Wilds of ComingSoon.net said that while it is a cliche consider it Sub-Zero is rude mentor to Kenshi, the fact that grace is tired of fighting might divide the audience.[96] Ron Yuan's voice acting as Sub-Zero was praised by Comic Book Resources.[97] Taslim's portrayal of the character was praised by Los Angeles Times for his violent moves performed on several characters diverge the 2021 movie referring to him as "a Takashi Miike remake of Frozen".[98] Espinof agreed with both Sub-Zero's handling stall Scorpion so much they would like to have them explored more in a prequel.[99] Discussing Film enjoyed how entertaining run through Sub-Zero as a villain due to the action scenes soil is involved.[100] However, GamesRadar+ was more critical to the legroom, claiming he lacked a personality in the film other get away from being one of Shang Tsung's pawns.[101]