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| Sub-Zero | |
|---|---|
| Mortal Kombat character | |
.png) Bi-Han / Sub-Zero inMortal Kombat 1 (2023) | |
| First appearance | Mortal Kombat (1992) |
| Last appearance | Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) |
| Created by | Ed Boon John Tobias |
| Designed by | John Tobias (MK,MKII,MK3,MKM:SZ,MK4) Allan Ditzig (MK:DA) Luis Mangubat (MK:D) |
| Voiced by | Various
|
| Portrayed by | Various
|
| Motion capture | Various
|
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Bi-Han (MK,MKM:SZ,MK1) Kuai Liang (MKII,MK3,MK4,MK:DA,MK:D,MK:SM,MK:A,MKvs.DCU,MK9,MKX,MK11,MK:O) |
| Species | Human/cryomancer |
| Weapon | Ice scepter (MK4) Ice sword (MK:DA,MK:D,MK:A,MKvs.DCU,MK9,MKX) Ice daggers (MKX) Ice hammer (MKX,MK1) Ice pollaxe (MK11) Ice combistick (MK1) |
| Origin | China[6] |
| Nationality | Chinese |
Sub-Zero is the name of two fictional characters in theMortal Kombat fighting game franchise byMidway Games andNetherRealm Studios. Warriors from the fictional Lin Kuei clan, the two possess the ability to control ice in many forms. Characters by the name are the only fighters to appear in every main installment of the series, along with the action-adventure spin-offMortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997).
In the games, the mantle of Sub-Zero is used by brothersBi-Han (Chinese:避寒;pinyin:Bì Hán) andKuai Liang (Chinese:奎凉;pinyin:Kúi Liáng). Bi-Han debuted as Sub-Zero in theoriginal 1992 game before appearing in subsequent installments asNoob Saibot. Kuai Liang took over the mantle inMortal Kombat II (1993) and served as the franchise's main Sub-Zero up toMortal Kombat: Onslaught (2023). InMortal Kombat 1 (2023), Bi-Han returns as Sub-Zero, while Kuai Liang becomesScorpion.
One of theMortal Kombat franchise's signature characters, Sub-Zero has appeared in various related media outside of the games. He has received critical acclaim for his appearance, abilities, andFatality finishing moves.
Sub-Zero was first conceived byMortal Kombat co-creatorJohn Tobias as a mysterious character named simply "Ninja"[7] and inspired by the bookChina's Ninja Connection by Li Hsing, which "posits historical evidence for the existence of the Lin Kuei and their influence on the Japanese ninja.[8][9] I was aware of there being some controversy about the author’s claims. So when we split the character in two forpalette swaps,[10] I thought it would be fitting that one was of Chinese origin and the other Japanese to kind of embody the argument."[11] According to Tobias, the original "Hunter&Hunted concept was going [to be] about a ninja escaping from his clan and hunted by another member. We used that later for SZ inMK3."[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 Games later explained Sub-Zero's rather occidental appearance for a Chinese assassin by giving him a white mother. According to this new backstory, his father had a wife, two sons, and a daughter while he lived in America to hide his personal role as an assassin for the Lin Kuei.[15] Midway Games programmer Josh Tsui portrayed the unmasked Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang) in the character'sMortal Kombat II ending.[16]
Sub-Zero's early costumes have been very simple due to technical limitations.[17]Mortal Kombat co-creatorEd Boon noted that Kuai Liang's counterpart fromDC Comics is Batman as both are "dark, mysterious, brooding characters".[18] SinceMortal Kombat 3, Sub-Zero has had a scar running down from his forehead and across his right eye as a mark of death. The scar was originally red, and later changed to blue inMortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance as a result of Sub-Zero's enhanced powers. Tobias said that Sub-Zero was unmasked inMortal Kombat 3 in order to stir up fan speculation about the character's backstory.[13] The new Sub-Zero made his official debut on the cover ofGamePro 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 left eye.[19]
Mortal Kombat andDeadly Alliance states that Sub-Zero is 6 feet 2 inches tall; in recent games such asMortal Kombat X andMortal Kombat 11, his sprite appears to be similar to most characters. InMortal Kombat: Deception, his scar has faded to the point where it can no longer be seen. He now wore an armored uniform heavily inspired byDynastic era Chinese battle armor, though it was often criticized by fans as being too reminiscent ofTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles villain, theShredder. However, Sub-Zero's alternate uniform was very reminiscent of Chinese culture, even featuring Sub-Zero without a cowl and aQing dynasty-era hairstyle. InMortal Kombat: Armageddon, Sub-Zero reverts to his masked costume fromDeadly Alliance, retaining the scar, which is not part of his alternate costume (which is the primary one fromDeception). SinceDeadly Alliance, Sub-Zero is the only character who has shown considerable signs of aging. Concept art fromDeadly Alliance depicted him with a graying, receding hairline, and a more pale and gaunt face, while his scar was now blue and his forearms frozen over. Although Sub-Zero originally had blue eyes, they turned white after he obtained the Dragon Medallion in the game. Sub-Zero's appearance inMortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks was one of the most revised ones from the title. Character lead Mark Lappin did almost ten passes on his design; producer Shaun Himmerick noted that "we went through literally 5-6 heads and styles of head costume on him" and commented that Sub-Zero's design inMortal Kombat was difficult to make although most people called it "simple". In the end, the staff was satisfied with his final look in the game as it reminisces them to his classic outfit.[20] His appearance inInjustice 2 was redesigned byJim Lee.[21]
When he first appeared in the firstMortal Kombat, Sub-Zero featured only two special moves: his ice blast and sliding kick. These moves have become Sub-Zero's trademark 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 newFatalities including the now-famous one where he would freeze and shatter the victim. According to Boon, Sub-Zero's Freeze was originally omitted from the game in place of the Ice Shower, but was brought back in the next revision following fan feedback at a local arcade.[13] Sub-Zero'sPredator-inspired[22]Fatality, the "Spine Rip," is considered by Boon to be his favorite Fatality from the first game as well as the most controversial.[23]
Some home versions of the first game replaced the "Spine Rip" with another finishing move due to its violent content, for instance the SNES port had a freeze and shatter finishing move due toNintendo's "family friendly" policies (this tame fatality received a positive reception so it was added to Sub-Zero's arsenal in the sequels).[24][25] Unlike other returning characters whose moves remained intact, the spine rip Fatality was not carried over toMortal Kombat II andMortal Kombat 3, (an explanation is because Kuai Liang was heroic compared to his villainous brother Bi-Han).[26] TheNintendo 64 port ofMortal Kombat Trilogy gives Sub-Zero's special techniques and finishing moves to the classic masked version, due to the fact the N64's cartridge format had memory restrictions that did not allow the use of both masked and unmasked characters. The developers had to remove the "Spine Rip" fromMortal Kombat vs. DC Universe as that game 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]
Bi-Han / Sub-Zero first appears as a playable character inMortal Kombat (1992). A cryomancer and warrior of the Chinese Lin Kuei clan, he is sent to killShang Tsung, host of the eponymous Mortal Kombat tournament.[a] However, Bi-Han is revealed to have been killed by the specterScorpion following the events of the game. From there, Kuai Liang takes the mantle of Sub-Zero inMortal Kombat II (1993) and tries to complete Bi-Han's mission.[28] InMortal Kombat 3 (1995), Kuai Liang leaves the Lin Kuei after the clan begins converting their warriors into cyborgs and is recruited by Earthrealm's protectorRaiden to defeat the tyrantShao Kahn.[29] Additionally, an alternate playable character called "Classic Sub-Zero" appears inUltimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) andMortal Kombat Trilogy (1996).[30] Initially believed to be Bi-Han, he is an unidentified warrior who emerges to assassinate Shang Tsung.[31][32]
InMortal Kombat 4 (1997), Raiden summons Kuai Liang to help him defend Earthrealm against the fallen Elder GodShinnok,[33] during which he re-encounters Scorpion after the latter freed himself from the sorcererQuan Chi's control.[34] InMortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002), Kuai Liang becomes the new leader of the Lin Kuei and takes on an apprentice namedFrost, who tries to betray him.[35][36] InMortal Kombat: Deception (2004), Kuai Liang joins forces with the warriorShujinko, among others, to combat the Dragon KingOnaga and finds Bi-Han, who had been converted into the undead wraithNoob Saibot.[37][38] InMortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006), Sub-Zero faces the warriorTaven, who aids him in defeating Noob Saibot so the former can heal him.[39] Kuai Liang appears as a playable character inMortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008).[40]
Both Bi-Han and Kuai Liang appear inMortal Kombat (2011). Despite Raiden's alterations to the timeline, Bi-Han is still killed by Scorpion through Quan Chi's manipulation and converted into Noob Saibot,[41] leading to Kuai Liang / Tundra becoming Sub-Zero.[42] While attempting to avenge Bi-Han, Kuai Liang is converted into a cyborg,[43] but joins Raiden's side upon regaining his mind.[44] Kuai Liang is later killed by Shao Kahn's queenSindel and kept by Quan Chi as an undead revenant.[45] InMortal Kombat X (2015), Kuai Lang is restored to life by Raiden and becomes the Lin Kuei's new grandmaster. InMortal Kombat 11 (2019), Kuai Liang assists Earthrealm's warriors in fighting the keeper of timeKronika.[46][47][48]
InMortal Kombat 1 (2023), Fire GodLiu Kang creates a new timeline, where Bi-Han becomes Sub-Zero once more while Kuai Liang became Scorpion. Both appear as playable characters while an unidentified Sub-Zero appears as an assist character, or "Kameo Fighter". Liu Kang sends Bi-Han, Kuai Liang, and their adopted brother Smoke to investigate Shang Tsung. However, Shang Tsung sways Bi-Han to his side. Kuai Liang and Smoke escape to help Liu Kang stop Shang Tsung before heading to Japan to found the Shirai Ryu clan and replace the Lin Kuei as Earthrealm's protectors.[49][50] In theKhaos Reigns DLC, Bi-Han leads the Lin Kuei in an attack on the Shirai Ryu to testSektor'spowered suits, only to be captured by TitanHavik and converted into Noob Saibot.[51] After being rescued, Bi-Han reluctantly joins forces with Liu Kang to stop him.[52][53][54][55]
InMortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, Bi-Han embarks on a quest to aid Quan Chi in exchange for his help in destroying the Shirai Ryu, but later steals Shinnok's amulet under Raiden's guidance. In an alternate take onMortal Kombat II's events depicted inMortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005), in which Kuai Liang appears as a boss and unlockable player character, he briefly allies himself with Liu Kang andKung Lao while searching for Bi-Han, who had been transformed into the undead Noob Saibot.[56] Kuai Liang appears as a playable character inMortal Kombat: Onslaught (2023).
Furthermore, he appears as a guest character inNBA Jam Tournament Edition (1995),The Grid (2000),[57] andMLB Slugfest: Loaded (2004) as well as a downloadable playable character inInjustice 2 (2017).[58] An unlockable outfit based on Sub-Zero was added toFortnite Battle Royale.
An unidentified Sub-Zero makes a cameo appearance inInjustice: Gods Among Us (2013) while a character inspired by Sub-Zero calledSub-273 appears as the final boss ofPunch Club (2016).[59]
The Bi-Han and Kuai Liang incarnations of Sub-Zero appear inMalibu Comics'Mortal Kombat: Blood & Thunder andMortal Kombat: Battlewave miniseries respectively. Additionally, Kuai Liang / Sub-Zero appears inDC Comics'Mortal Kombat X: Blood Ties.[60]
The Bi-Han incarnation of Sub-Zero appears inMortal Kombat (1995), portrayed by François Petit. This version is an enslaved servant of Shang Tsung who is later killed by Liu Kang. Additionally, Bi-Han appears inMortal Kombat: The Journey Begins, voiced by an uncreditedJim Cummings.[citation needed]
The Kuai Liang incarnation of Sub-Zero appears inMortal Kombat: Live Tour, portrayed by Ryan Watson;Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, voiced byLuke Perry;[61] andMortal Kombat Annihilation, portrayed by Keith Cooke.[62]
An original past incarnation of Sub-Zero appears inMortal Kombat: Conquest, portrayed byJ. J. Perry. He is an unnamed ancestor of Bi-Han and Kuai Liang's and a Lin Kuei assassin working for Shang Tsung from theGreat Kung Lao's time period who displays a rivalry with his time's Scorpion, whose lover Peron killed Sub-Zero's sister, leading to Sub-Zero killing Peron in turn.[63][64]
The Bi-Han incarnation of Sub-Zero and Kuai Liang appear inMortal Kombat: Legacy, with the former portrayed by Kevan Ohtsji in the first season andEric Steinberg in the second while Liang is portrayed byHarry Shum.[65] This version of Bi-Han was a childhood friend 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 into fighting him and was subsequently killed by him, Hasashi and Bi-Han attempted to maintain peace until Quan Chi impersonates Bi-Han and kills Hasashi's clan, family, and Hasashi himself. By the present, Hasashi became Scorpion and resurfaces to kill Bi-Han.
The Bi-Han incarnation of Sub-Zero appears inMortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (2020), voiced bySteve Blum.
The Bi-Han incarnation of Sub-Zero appears inMortal Kombat (2021), portrayed byJoe Taslim. This version is the leader of the Lin Kuei and ally of Shang Tsung who personally led the attack that killed most of Hanzo Hasashi's family before killing Hasashi himself. In the present, Bi-Han helps Shang Tsung ensure Outworld's victory in the Mortal Kombat tournament. However, he is defeated and killed by Hasashi and the latter's descendant Cole Young before Shang Tsung claims Bi-Han's body. Taslim was surprised by how violent was his character and his death, which convinced him to take the role.[66] Additionally, he has stated that he found Sub-Zero "cool and he's just kickass" and wanted to humanize him, wanting audiences to feel his pain and that he still has dilemmas. He felt the character became scary and lacked any sort of humanity in the final project.[67]
The Kuai Liang incarnation of Sub-Zero appears inMortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms andMortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, voiced by Bayardo De Murguia in the former[68] andRon Yuan in the latter.
Merchandise items of the character includeaction figures,[69][70] statues,[71] and ajoystick released along withMortal Kombat: Deception for thePlayStation 2.[72]
Deemed one of the most popular and recognizable characters in theMortal Kombat franchise, as well as in the fighting-genre as a whole, Sub-Zero is regarded as the franchise's most iconic character along with Scorpion. He was given the award of the best fighter of 1997 bySuperGamePower (readers vote).[73] AGamesRadar article from 2011 discussed his and Scorpion's evolution across theMortal Kombat series, citing them as its two most popular characters.[25] IGN's Brian Altano and Ryan Clements chose him as the most iconic character ofMortal Kombat to represent the series againstJin Kazama ofTekken andRyu ofStreet Fighter.[74] Together, Scorpion and Sub-Zero were voted the fifth most iconic characters in the two decades of thePlayStation by readers ofPlayStation Official Magazine – UK in 2015.[75]TheGamer.com said both Sub-Zero and Scorpion were manipulated by Quan Chi to be enemies andMortal Kombat X ends the feud when both fighters join forces to kill the sorcerer.[76] However, criticized Sub-Zero's characterization fromMortal Kombat 1 as he comes across as an obvious villain when interacting with the rest of the cast.[77]
Several writers focused on his designs.UGO noted his ninja costume as the most iconic from the series.[78] GamePlayBook praised his freeze attacks and "Head Rip" Fatality,[79] His redesign inMortal Kombat 3 was disliked byGamePro, which they deemed "suspenders" and compared his scar to a red smear.[80] However, his appearance inDeadly Alliance received praise byGaming Age's Tim Lewinson noting that "Sub-Zero never looked so good."[81] According toGameSpot'sJeff Gerstmann, the unlocking of the hidden character Classic Sub-Zero inUltimate Mortal Kombat 3 was "annoying" to the point that players would not do it.[30]BBC News mentioned Sub-Zero as a prominent example of "Western ninja-inspired nonsense" inpopular culture.[82]
His ice-projectile technique has been noted by1UP.com to be one of the best mechanics that changed video games due to how practical it is as it gives players the opportunity of making any move while the opponent is frozen.[83]Prima Games listed the same move as the 23rd in fighting games due to how it paralyses enemies, allowing the player to attack the enemy.[84]
Hyper's John Dewhurst opined that what contributed to the failure ofMythologies Sub-Zero is that Sub-Zero's character alone "isn't that interesting without Johnny Cage and Kitana to bounce off."[85]GameDaily listed his appearance inMortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero as one of his worst moments.[86] On the other hand,IGN staff liked how Sub-Zero was given his own video game, noting him to be one of the series' most popular characters, and that "it offers gamers a new look at Sub Zero."[87] Den of Geek praised his role inMythologies Sub-Zero whereas the second Sub-Zero was noted for many of his actions such as his rivalry with Batman, as well as his role in the series such as his relationship with the Lin Kuei.[88] The rivalry between Sub-Zero and Batman inMortal 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.[89]
When it comes to voice acting, critics also foundSteve Blum as one of the best actors in the franchise for his take on Sub-Zero and wished he would return in future installments.[90][91][92] On the other hand,Dimitri Vegas' performance as Sub-Zero inMortal Kombat 11 was the subject of heavy criticism for sounding "truly awful" according to Eurogamer as they noticed the celebrity is more skilled as a dee jay rather than voice acting.[93]Bleeding Cool noted fan response was negative too, to the point it was as bad asRonda Rousey's performance asSonya Blade in the same game. Instead, they preferred Blum.[94]
When it comes portrayals outside gaming,The Escapist called the Scorpion and Sub-Zero-themed episode 7 "one of the best episodes" in theLegacy series, lending an emotional weight to the most famous tale in the franchise.[95] On the other hand,Film School Rejects bemoaned the series' expectation that its viewers be knowledgeable about the franchise's history, explaining that without previous knowledge of the games, the viewer is left with too many questions that may never be answered.[96] Stephen Wilds ofComingSoon.net said that while it is a cliche that Sub-Zero is rude mentor to Kenshi, the fact that he is tired of fighting might divide the audience.[97] Ron Yuan's voice acting as Sub-Zero was praised byComic Book Resources.[98] Taslim's portrayal of the character was praised byLos Angeles Times for his violent moves performed on several characters from the 2021 movie referring to him as "aTakashi Miike remake ofFrozen".[99] Espinof agreed with both Sub-Zero's handling and Scorpion so much they would like to have them explored more in a prequel.[100] Discussing Film enjoyed how entertaining is Sub-Zero as a villain due to the action scenes he is involved.[101] However,GamesRadar+ was more critical to the character, claiming he lacked a personality in the film other than being one of Shang Tsung's pawns.[102]
Media related toSub-Zero at Wikimedia Commons
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