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Kano (Mortal Kombat)

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Kano
Mortal Kombat character
Kano in Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)
First appearanceMortal Kombat (1992)
Created byEd Boon and John Tobias
Portrayed by
List
Voiced by
List
Motion captureRichard Divizio (MK, MK3)

Kano is a character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game series, created by Midway Games and later developed by NetherRealm Studios under Warner Bros. Games. Introduced in Mortal Kombat (1992) as a player character and the leader of the fictional Black Dragon crime organization. Kano is characterized by his cybernetic eye, in addition to knives, serving as his primary weapon. In the series, Kano is the main adversary of Special Forces officer Sonya Blade.

Kano has been featured in several sequels of the first game, appearing in ten major titles overall (excluding Mortal Kombat 4 and Mortal Kombat: Deception). He also appears in the series' spin-offs and various media beyond the games, including live-action adaptations, animations, and comics. Outside of the Mortal Kombat series, his likeness is present in the 2005 stop motion television series Robot Chicken and 2012 animated film Wreck-It Ralph. Critics have acknowledged the character for his personality, mannerisms, representation of the Australian heritage, and portrayals by Trevor Goddard in the 1995 film and Josh Lawson in the 2021 film.

Development and design

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Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator (left) had a major impact on the conception of Kano's design, particularly his cybernetic facial structure, which can be observed in his Mortal Kombat 9 face model, as shown on the right side

Kano's original design featured a helmet with red eyes, later revised to include a metal plate on his right eye based on Schwarzenegger's Terminator.[2] In Mortal Kombat (1992), Richard Divizio was invited by one of the series' co-creators, John Tobias, to perform motion capture for Kano. Divizio worked alongside other motion capture artists in a makeshift studio, collaborating with the development team to animate his movements for the game. While developing Kano's Fatality, Divizio initially proposed ripping out a heart, biting it, and raising it in the air. This idea was rejected by the team, leading him to suggest an alternative inspired by the Indiana Jones film series. He modified the concept by removing the biting and adding heartbeats for realism, which the team agreed to finalize.[3] Divizio reprised his motion capture role in Mortal Kombat 3 (1995).[4] Kano's absence in Mortal Kombat 4 (1997) and Mortal Kombat: Deception (2004) led to the creation of two substitutes: Jarek and Kira.[5]

Kano leads the Black Dragon crime syndicate and utilizes his cybernetic laser eye and knives as primary tools for combat. Originally represented as a Japanese-born American, his nationality was changed to Australian after actor Trevor Goddard's portrayal in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film.[6] Kano conceals the injured side of his face with a metal plate, an injury attributed to fellow character Jax.[7] For the first live-action adaptation, American filmmaker Lawrence Kasanoff cited Schwarzenegger's Terminator as an influence for redesigning Kano. However, during a set visit by school children, one child became upset at the redesign and insisted Kano retain his uniqueness. Recognizing the audience's attachment to the character, Kasanoff's team reinstated Kano's appearance.[8] In the 2011 web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy, English actor Darren Shahlavi played Kano.[9] In Mortal Kombat X (2015), Kano's enhancements expanded beyond his cybernetic eye to include a cybernetic heart.[10] Kano was redesigned for the 2022 animated film Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, featuring a mohawk hairstyle, a white beard, and the title "King Kano".[11]

For the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot film, Australian actor Josh Lawson portrayed Kano, with director Simon McQuoid balancing his comic relief role with the film's serious tone. McQuoid explained that Kano, along with the original character Cole Young, served as an entry point to explain the franchise's supernatural lore to the audience. Lawson described his interpretation of Kano as both immature and passionate, mixing his violent nature with humor, mentioning his catchphrase "Kano wins!" that was improvised during filming. Lawson ensured Kano's personality remained faithful to his original characterization.[12] Despite this, one major Mortal Kombat character, Johnny Cage, was omitted from the film, as writer Greg Russo found Lawson's role entertaining enough to exclude Cage.[13] In addition, some of Kano's traits are modified in this film: he lacks the metallic mask to cover his cybernetic eye, instead having scars around it, and he is depicted in less revealing attire.[14] Lawson reprised the role for the sequel Mortal Kombat 2 (2025), revealing that Kano experiences crucial character development shaped by his death in the prequel, marking a turning point that leads to "Kano 2.0" with altered motivations.[15]

Biography

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Kano is a recurring character in the Mortal Kombat series, known for his affiliation with the Black Dragon clan and his shifting allegiances. Introduced in Mortal Kombat (1992), he was pursued by U.S. Special Forces operative Sonya Blade, leading to their long-standing rivalry. After being taken to a place named Outworld following the first tournament, Kano aligned himself with the emperor Shao Kahn, offering knowledge of Earthrealm's weapons. His role in Outworld's conflicts continued, including a brief tenure as Shao Kahn's general and later service under sorcerers Shang Tsung and Quan Chi's Deadly Alliance.

Kano frequently changed sides when given the opportunity, at times working for powerful figures such as Shao Kahn, the Deadly Alliance, and Kotal Kahn, while also facing opposition from Sonya Blade and the Special Forces. His activities included arms dealing, intelligence gathering, and mercenary work. During Mortal Kombat X (2015), he facilitated the sale of Shinnok's amulet and later attempted an assassination, reinforcing his role as a figure operating in both Earthrealm and Outworld's conflicts. His rivalry with Sonya Blade remained central, leading to several confrontations. In Mortal Kombat 11 (2019), a timeline disruption introduced a younger version of Kano, allowing interaction between different points in his life. His cybernetic enhancements, including his laser eye, and his adaptability have kept him a notable presence in the series. His actions are often driven by self-interest, making him a complex figure within Mortal Kombat's ongoing storylines.[16]

Appearances

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Kano's main appearances in the Mortal Kombat series span several installments, including the original Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 3 (and its updates), Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Mortal Kombat 9, Mortal Kombat X (and its accompanying comics), and Mortal Kombat 11. Across these games, his storyline frequently revolves around his rivalry with Sonya Blade. Kano also appears as a background character in Mortal Kombat II, as an opponent in Batman: Arkham City Lockdown, and as an assist character with the term "Kameo Fighter" in Mortal Kombat 1.

His appearances in the series' spin-offs include Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Mortal Kombat Mobile, and Mortal Kombat: Onslaught. Besides video games, he has appeared in live-action productions: the 1995 film, Mortal Kombat Legacy, the 2021 film, and the 2025 film; and in animations: Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, Robot Chicken, Wreck-It Ralph, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge, and Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind.

Critical reception

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Edmond Tran from GameSpot published an article discussing Kano's influence on Australia. In the article, Tran initially criticizes Kano as the sole overt villain in the original Mortal Kombat (1992), showcasing moves like his knife projectile and cannonball roll. Despite his distinctive appearance (white gi, bandolier, and metallic faceplate), Kano was considered less engaging compared to other characters, such as the ninjas or those with magical abilities. Tran referenced Kano's history, originally conceived with a Japanese-American background and later changed to Australian, inspired by Trevor Goddard's portrayal in the 1995 film. While this change added some impact, Tran argued it did not necessarily make Kano a more compelling character. However, Tran expressed satisfaction with Kano's Australian representation and redesign in Mortal Kombat 11 (2019), examining several of his characteristics: skills in using knives, sense of humor, urinary habits, beer drinking, criminal behavior, clothing style, attitude, dialogues, and gameplay moves.[6]

Devin Randall, a writer for the gay men's lifestyle magazine Instinct, reported on Mortal Kombat 11's depiction of Kano, interpreting his mannerisms as evocative of a gay fetish. This includes chugging and spitting out beer, urinating on the ground, and a self-centered personality, which Randall likened to themes associated with glory-hole sexual activity. These traits, combined with the names of some of his gameplay moves—such as "Fist of Power", "Chokehold", and "Power Slam"—have led to interpretations associating him with hyper-masculine gay subcultures. Publications like Gay Star News and discussions on social media platforms, including X, have further contributed to this perspective. However, Randall clarified that Kano is not canonically gay and identified Kung Jin as the series' sole confirmed gay character.[17]

Authors Edward Elliot and Jessica Isserow used Kano and Sonya as a case study in "Moral Kombat: Analytic Naturalism and Moral Disagreement", examining the nature of moral disagreements through a philosophical conflict between the two characters over gender inequality. In the analysis, Kano is distinguished as sexist for supporting policies that promote gender inequality, directly opposing Sonya's view that such policies are morally wrong. The study explores whether their conflict represents a genuine moral debate or a verbal dispute. From the view of moral realism, the authors argue that, as members of the same cultural community, both characters likely share knowledge of the terms involved, suggesting that their disagreement is caused by opposing beliefs and not the lack of communication, showcasing the complexity of moral disputes.[18]

Gavin Jasper of Den of Geek discussed Kano and his connections to other Mortal Kombat characters, including Jarek, Hsu Hao, and Kira. Jasper noted that Jarek, who replaced Kano in Mortal Kombat 4 (1997), lacked the distinctive qualities that made Kano notable. In contrast, Jasper considered Hsu Hao and Kira similar to Kano, with Hsu Hao becoming irrelevant in Mortal Kombat X (2015). Kira, however, was viewed as a fusion of Kano's and Sonya's gameplay properties. Jasper classified Kano as the series' "bullseye" and "cockroach", emphasizing his selfishness in betraying humanity for power, survival, or amusement. He also praised Goddard's portrayal of Kano, which helped make the character stand out.[5] Kano's portrayal by Josh Lawson in the 2021 film generally received positive commentary from the critics, including Screen Rant's Max Ruscinski, CinemaBlend's Mick Joest, and Junkee's Molly Hunt.[19][20][7]

Further reading

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  • Davi Nonato Braid (April 20, 2021). "Mortal Kombat: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Kano". TheGamer. Valnet. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  • Jen Juneau (April 22, 2021). "Josh Lawson Calls His Role as Kano in Mortal Kombat a 'Childhood Dream Come True': 'So Grateful'". People. Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2025.

References

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  1. ^ "Kano Voice". Behind The Voice Actors. Inyxception Enterprises, Inc. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  2. ^ Kimberly Key (July 15, 2020). "How The Mortal Kombat Movie Changed Kano's Design". Screen Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  3. ^ Quinn Myers (July 23, 2020). "An Oral History of Mortal Kombat". MEL Magazine. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  4. ^ Blair Marnell (September 30, 2018). "Mortal Kombat 3 Behind-the-Scenes Video Revisits the Early Days of the Franchise". Nerdist. Nerdist Industries, LLC. Archived from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Gavin Jasper (July 30, 2019). "Mortal Kombat Characters Ranked". Den of Geek. DoG Tech LLC. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Edmond Tran (December 12, 2019). "Mortal Kombat 11's Kano Can Teach You A Ton About Australia". GameSpot. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Molly Hunt (April 29, 2021). "Kano Is The Bad Guy You Can't Help But Love In The New Mortal Kombat Movie". Junkee. Junkee Media. Archived from the original on December 28, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Lawrence Kasanoff (September 12, 2023). "Kano and the Kid". A Touch of the Madness - How to Be More Innovative in Work and Life ... by Being a Little Crazy. BenBella Books. ISBN 978-1-63774-424-6. Retrieved December 21, 2024 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Jordan Sirani (January 21, 2015). "Mortal Kombat: Legacy's Kano Actor Darren Shahlavi Has Died". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  10. ^ Andy Chalk (August 11, 2014). "Mortal Kombat X brings back older, wiser, nastier Kano". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  11. ^ Tanner Dedmon (October 14, 2022). "Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Director Breaks Down Mortal Kombat 11 Nods, Big Twists". ComicBook.com. Savage Ventures. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  12. ^ Michael McWhertor (April 21, 2021). "Mortal Kombat's secret weapon is comedy (and Kano)". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  13. ^ Braden Roberts (April 21, 2021). "Why Mortal Kombat's Johnny Cage Isn't In The New Movie, According To The Screenwriter". CinemaBlend. Future plc. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  14. ^ Arya Saputra; Rista Nur Kholifah; Salman Alfarisi (December 2022). "Adaptation Analysis of American Video Games Mortal Kombat into Film Mortal Kombat Reboot 2021". CrossOver - Journal of Adaptation Studies. UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta: 43. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  15. ^ Tamal Kundu (December 16, 2024). "Mortal Kombat 2 Star Promises Kano 2.0 Upon Return in Sequel". ComingSoon.net. Evovle Media. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  16. ^ "Kano: The Story of a Scoundrel". Warner Bros. Entertainment. July 1, 2021. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  17. ^ Devin Randall (May 5, 2019). "Is Mortal Kombat's Kano A Gay Icon?". Instinct. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  18. ^ Edward Elliot; Jessica Isserow (2023). "Moral Kombat: Analytic Naturalism and Moral Disagreement" (PDF). Canadian Journal of Philosophy. Cambridge University Press: 366–367, 370–382. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  19. ^ Max Ruscinski (December 23, 2024). "Kano Stole The Show In 2021, But Mortal Kombat 2 Is Giving Him A Major Rival". Screen Rant. Valnet. Archived from the original on December 23, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  20. ^ Mick Joest (May 4, 2021). "Mortal Kombat 2: Why The Sequel Needs To Bring Back Kano No Matter What". CinemaBlend. Future plc. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
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