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| {{short description|Fictional character}} | |||
| {{cleanup rewrite|date=March 2023}} | |||
| {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} | |||
| {{Short description|Mortal Kombat character}} | |||
| {{Use American English|date=December 2024}} | |||
| {{DISPLAYTITLE:Kano (''Mortal Kombat'')}} | |||
| {{Infobox character | {{Infobox character | ||
| | name |
| name = Kano | ||
| | series = ] | |||
| | image = KanoMKXrender.png | |||
| | image = Kano (MK).png | |||
| | caption = Kano in '']'' (2019) | |||
| | |
| caption = Kano in '']'' (2023) | ||
| | first |
| first = '']'' (1992) | ||
| | creator |
| creator = ] and ] | ||
| | voice = {{collapsible list|David Bennett Allen (''Special Forces'', ''Shaolin Monks'')|] (''MKvsDC'')|] (''MK11'', ''MK1'')|] (''MK Legends: Scorpion's Revenge'')|] (''MK Legends: Snow Blind'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Mortal-Kombat/Kano/|title=Kano Voice|website=Behind The Voice Actors|publisher=Inyxception Enterprises, Inc|access-date=December 14, 2024|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517204713/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Mortal-Kombat/Kano/|url-status=live}}</ref>}} | |||
| | portrayer = ] (])<br />] ('']'')<br />] (]) | |||
| | portrayer = ] (1995 film)<br>] (2020s films) | |||
| | motion_actor = Richard Divizio (''MK'', ''MKII'', ''MK3'', ''UMK3'', ''MKT'', ''MKA'')<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dorkly.com/post/64843/mortal-kombat-game-kast-gets-reunited |title=Mortal Kombat (Game Kast) Gets Reunited - Dorkly Post |access-date=2015-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160050/http://www.dorkly.com/post/64843/mortal-kombat-game-kast-gets-reunited |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />Sorin Brouwers (''MKvsDCU'', ''MK9'')<br />Derek Pratt (''MK11'') | |||
| | motion_actor = Richard Divizio (''MK'', ''MK3'') | |||
| | voice = ] (''MK:DotR'')<br />David Allen (2000–2006)<br />] (2008–2015)<br />] (''MK11'')<br />] (2020)<br />] (''MKL:SB'') | |||
| | origin = Earthrealm | |||
| | species = Human | |||
| | weapon = Raptor Knives<ref name="knife"/> (''MK'', ''MK3'', ''UMK3'', ''MKT'', ''MK:DA'', ''MK:SM'', ''MK:A'') | |||
| | lbl21 = Fighting styles | |||
| | data21 = ] (''MK:DA'', ''MK:A'')<br />] (''MK:DA'') | |||
| | gender = Male | |||
| | nationality = American (1992–1995)<ref name="MKcomic"> (John Tobias, 1992).</ref><br />Australian (1995–)<ref name="Australian">{{cite web |last1=Tran |first1=Edmond |title=Mortal Kombat 11's Kano Can Teach You A Ton About Australia |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mortal-kombat-11s-kano-can-teach-you-a-ton-about-a/1100-6466837/ |website=] |access-date=22 May 2021 |date=12 December 2019}}</ref> | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Kano''' is a |
'''Kano''' is a character from the '']'' ] franchise created by ] and later developed by ] under ]. Debuting in the first '']'' in 1992, he leads the Black Dragon, a fictional criminal organization. He possesses a cybernetic eye, which functions as a laser weapon, Kano's archenemy is ] officer ] throughout the series. | ||
| Kano has been featured in various media outside of the games, including live-action films, animations, and comics. The character has been acknowledged by ] due to his personality, Australian representation, and his portrayal by ] and ] in the ] and the ], respectively. | |||
| ==Character design== | |||
| ]'', in which Kano was a player character]] | |||
| ==Development and design== | |||
| Kano was the final fighter to be added to the first game, where his role was to serve as the enemy of the female character Sonya.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z15M1I3q0OI|title=Mortal Kombat 3 - Ed Boon And John Tobias Interviews|last=Mortal Kombat Secrets - MKSecrets.Net|access-date=26 December 2018|publisher=]}}</ref> Kano originally had a large helmet with two red eyes, a concept that was dropped in favor of a smaller metal piece over his right eye. The eye piece was at first envisioned as a simple eyepatch, but then it was turned into a metal plate inspired by ]'s character in '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.retrozap.com/argcast-mini-14-making-mortal-kombat-with-john-tobias/|title=ARGcast Mini #14: Making Mortal Kombat with John Tobias|last=ARGpodcast|date=2018-06-26|website=RetroZap|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-24}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Team RipSet|title=]{0MBAT interviews John Tobias|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPehYWsviUk|access-date=2018-12-24}}.</ref> In his '']'' biography card, ''Mortal Kombat'' co-creator ] described how Kano's bionic eye in the first game was created by cutting out a piece of a plastic mask and painting it a silver color, then attaching it with ] to actor Richard Divizio's face, with the infrared eye added digitally. For the first game he wore a simple gray ] that was changed to red and black for ''MK3''; Divizio said, "I thought, 'Good, get rid of that white karate outfit!'" and remarked that his versus-screen pose in the game represented his "mean Kano face".<ref name="egm95">{{cite book |author1=Goldman, Michael |author2=Aaron, Richard E. |title=Official MK3 Kollector's Book|year=1995 |chapter=Ed Boon & John Tobias Interview|publisher=Electronic Gaming Monthly}}</ref> Kano's iconic heart-ripping finishing move was Divizio's idea inspired by the film '']'' on which he insisted as a fan of ''Indiana Jones''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/an-oral-history-of-mortal-kombat|title=An Oral History of 'Mortal Kombat'|date=2018-11-26|website=MEL Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-25}}</ref> | |||
| In the original '']'' (1992), Kano's ] was performed by Richard Divizio, who was invited by ''Mortal Kombat''{{'s}} co-creator ]. Divizio worked in a makeshift space where his movements were recorded. Divizio encountered difficulties wearing Kano's mask, described as "a phantom of the opera mask" purchased from a ] shop. Initially secured with spirit gum, the mask was later attached with regular glue, which caused skin damage to Divizio while removing it. For Kano's fatality, the original plan was to rip out the heart and eat it. However, Divizio suggested a change inspired by the ] film series, stating "Why don't I just stick my hand in there and rip the heart out, and then I'll hold it up and it'll be beating". This idea was accepted by the developers.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/an-oral-history-of-mortal-kombat|title=An Oral History of 'Mortal Kombat'|author=Quinn Myers|date=July 23, 2020|magazine=]|access-date=December 25, 2018|archive-date=November 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127144229/https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/an-oral-history-of-mortal-kombat|url-status=live}}</ref><!--The information cited in this source might not be completely accurate.--> Divizio returned for '']'' (1995) to motion capture Kano.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nerdist.com/article/mortal-kombat-3-behind-the-scenes-video/|title=Mortal Kombat 3 Behind-the-Scenes Video Revisits the Early Days of the Franchise|author=Blair Marnell|website=]|publisher=Nerdist Industries, LLC|date=September 30, 2018|access-date=December 21, 2024|archive-date=December 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219115457/https://nerdist.com/article/mortal-kombat-3-behind-the-scenes-video/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| Kano |
Kano is a leader of the Black Dragon crime syndicate and uses a cybernetic laser eye as a weapon. Kano's backstory depicted him as a Japanese-born American, but this was changed to Australian after actor ]'s portrayal in the 1995 '']'' film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/mortalkombat/mortalkombat.htm|title=Hardcore Gaming 101: Mortal Kombat|author=Bobinator|access-date=December 14, 2024|archive-date=April 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412015427/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/mortalkombat/mortalkombat.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kano conceals the injured part of his face with a metal plate, with the injury caused by fellow character ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/mortal-kombat-kano-trivia/|title=Mortal Kombat: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Kano|author=Davi Nonato Braid|website=]|date=April 20, 2021|access-date=December 21, 2024|archive-date=June 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603105720/https://www.thegamer.com/mortal-kombat-kano-trivia/|url-status=live}}</ref> American filmmaker ] recalled a decision to model Kano after ]'s ] from '']''. This inspiration was reflected in Kano's metallic face. However, during a set visit from a group of school children, a child saw the new design and became upset, insisting that Kano should retain his "metallic eye patch", as seen in the games. Kasanoff's team immediately decided to restore Kano's original design, recognizing that the audience's connection to the character was more important than the creative changes.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aEioEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT17|title=A Touch of the Madness - How to Be More Innovative in Work and Life ... by Being a Little Crazy|author=]|date=2023|publisher=BenBella Books|isbn=978-1-63774-424-6 |access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref> | ||
| For the 2021 '']'' reboot film, Australian actor ] portrayed Kano. The film director ] made Kano the film's ] to add humor to the story. The humor was carefully integrated to avoid overshadowing the film's serious elements while keeping it entertaining. McQuoid said that Kano, along with 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 "juvenile" and "earnest", blending his violent nature with humor mentioning his exclamation of "Kano wins!"—a line that was improvised during filming. Both McQuoid and Lawson ensured Kano's humor reflected his original personality from the ''Mortal Kombat'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/interviews/22394546/kano-actor-josh-lawson-mortal-kombat-movie-simon-mcquoid-interview|title=Mortal Kombat's secret weapon is comedy (and Kano)|author=Michael McWhertor|website=]|publisher=]|date=April 21, 2021|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref> Lawson reprised the role for the sequel '']'' (2025). He revealed that Kano experiences significant character development in this installment, shaped by his death in the previous film. This event acts as a turning point, introducing a "Kano 2.0" with altered motivations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/mortal-kombat-2-kano-update-josh-lawson/|title="Death Alters You": Josh Lawson Teases Kano 2.0 in 'Mortal Kombat 2'|author=Makuochi Echebiri|date=December 17, 2024|website=Collider|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref> | |||
| In all ''Mortal Kombat'' media from the first game to ''Armageddon'', Kano had either had a ] or been completely bald (since Divizio had been going bald himself while filming for the first game and had shaved his head prior to shooting ''MK3'') and his facial hair had regularly consisted of nothing more than ]. With ''MKvsDC'' and the 2011 reboot, Kano was given a full head of hair and beard, and a cosmetic addition in the reboot was two large solid-black dragon ]s that started at his chest and snaked around his arms, while his outfits in both games were throwbacks to the two-dimensional titles. The character was originally depicted as an expediate American, until his nationality was ] as Australian after English actor ] portrayed him in the first ''Mortal Kombat'' film with a Cockney accent that was mistaken as Australian. | |||
| ===Gameplay=== | |||
| In the original ''Mortal Kombat,'' Kano's special moves were the Knife Throw, making him one of two characters in the game (besides Scorpion) whose projectile was a physical weapon, while his body-propel move, the Cannonball, saw him curl into a ball and launch himself at his opponent. '']'' called the Knife Throw "a strong distance weapon and easily thrown".<ref>''Sega Visions'' August/September 1993, p.16</ref> Kano also possessed one of the more graphic ] in the game, which involved him plunging his hand into his opponent's chest and ripping out their still-beating heart. In the censored ] version, he instead ] the opponent's ] with a deadly punch. Boon claimed that Sub-Zero's "Spine Rip" Fatality from the same game stood out more, because Kano's finisher did not have a "mark left on the opponent's body".<ref>{{cite web|first=Sid|last=Shuman|title=Ed Boon talks Mortal Kombat secrets, MK vs. DC, and the future of M-rated fighters|date=2008-11-13|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/207906/ed-boon-talks-mortal-kombat-secrets-mk-vs-dc-and-the-future-of-m-rated-fighters/|website=GamePro.com|access-date=2011-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607151951/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/207906/ed-boon-talks-mortal-kombat-secrets-mk-vs-dc-and-the-future-of-m-rated-fighters/|archive-date=2011-06-07}}</ref> Kano was cut from the ] version of ''Mortal Kombat'' due to memory constraints, while a still image of him wielding an automatic weapon in his arcade ending was removed from the ] version of the game.<ref> - Mortal Kombat Warehouse. Retrieved July 10, 2014.</ref><ref> - VGMuseum.com. Retrieved July 10, 2014.</ref> | |||
| Kano was not playable in ''Mortal Kombat II''; according to series co-creator ] in a 1994 interview with ''],'' in the first game, "Kano and Sonya were probably picked the least. We still wanted to include them in the storyline, so we had them captured." He then confirmed that Kano and Sonya would return in a future installment.<ref>''GamePro'' #59, June 1994, p. 116</ref> Indeed, Kano and Sonya were playable in ''Mortal Kombat 3,'' where his moves from the first game were retained while he gained a new "Choke" maneuver where he lifted his opponents and then violently shook them. His Fatalities were far less graphic than in the first game, as he either exploded his opponent with a laser blast from his implant, or reached down their throat to pull out their entire skeleton and hold it aloft without any blood or gore present. The game featured the unplayable hidden character ], who was a silhouetted ] of Kano before being switched to a traditional ninja ] in '']'' and the 1996 compilation title '']'', the latter of which featured the original ''MK1'' Kano as a selectable along with the then-current version. | |||
| Kano was the only one of the original seven characters who was omitted from '']'' (1997), with new character Jarek debuting in his place. His role in the game was as the last surviving member of the Black Dragon following Kano's apparent death, and was being pursued by Sonya and Jax for "crimes against humanity". Jarek copied Kano's special moves as well as his "Heart Rip" and "Eye Laser" Fatalities despite possessing no cybernetic enhancements. He was not as well-received as his predecessor, and has not featured as a playable in the series again with the exception of ''Armageddon''. | |||
| His eye laser is available as a special move in ''Deadly Alliance'', and he had a special with his knives called "Ear to Ear".<ref> IGN, November 22, 2002. Retrieved July 14, 2014.</ref> This was a reference to a scene in the 1995 movie in which Kano tells Sonya that he had used his knife to slit her partner's throat "from ear to ear". One of his fighting styles in the game, ironically, is ], which is a defensive ] that protects the attacker from injury.<ref>{{cite book| last = Ueshiba| first = Kisshōmaru| title = The Art of Aikido: Principles and Essential Techniques| publisher = Kodansha International| year = 2004| page = 70| isbn = 4-7700-2945-4}}</ref> | |||
| ==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
| Kano's main appearances in the ''Mortal Kombat'' series include the original '']'', '']'' (and its updates), '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' (and its comics), and '']''. Additionally, he's featured as a background character in '']'', and a "Kameo" fighter in '']''. In most of these games, his storyline often centers on his rivalry with ]. Kano has also been featured in the series' spin-offs, including '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''. | |||
| ===''Mortal Kombat'' games=== | |||
| First depicted in the ''Mortal Kombat'' ] as a Japanese-American who was orphaned at a young age and fell into a life of crime,{{#tag:ref|His background was further detailed in a scene from Jeff Rovin's 1995 ''Mortal Kombat'' novel, when Goro explains to Shang Tsung, “Kano was only five years old when found him, an orphan stealing from American soldiers and natives alike. He had the good fortune to steal from one of the members, who admired his skills and they took him in.”<ref name="rovin">Rovin, Jeff. ''Mortal Kombat''. Berkley Publishing (1995), {{ISBN|1572970596}}.</ref>|group="note"}} Kano is the leader of the Black Dragon criminal empire, having been deported from both Japan and the United States, and becoming a wanted man in thirty-five other countries.<ref name="MKcomic"/> Initially named ''Kao'', his eye plate came from a gunshot by escaping Sonya Blade in a scrapped ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/therealsaibot/status/1392139371738927105|title=John Tobias tweeted about Kano's early designs|access-date=12 May 2021|publisher=]}}</ref> He made his first chronological appearance in the 2000 ] ''Mortal Kombat: Special Forces'', freeing fellow Black Dragon cohorts No Face, Tasia, ], and ] from a Special Forces security facility under the pretense that they would reform the organization, though he really intended to use them as pawns to slow down any Special Forces agents who might pursue him. They kill an entire Special Forces unit during the prison break before Kano heads to Outworld, where he recovers the Eye of Chitian, an artifact through which he would acquire incredible power. While Special Forces Major ] gets ahold of the object first and transports himself and Kano back to Earthrealm, the latter soon escapes custody. | |||
| Outside of the video games, he has appeared in live-action movies: the '']'', '']'', the ], and the ]; and in animations: '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''. | |||
| Kano enters the ''Mortal Kombat'' tournament in the original '']'' (1992) after hearing rumors that tournament host ]'s palace was filled with gold and other riches, with the intention of looting it for the Black Dragon. However, he is fervently pursued by U.S. Special Forces officer ], who holds a personal grudge against Kano that was left unspecified in the game's storyline. He evades capture by leaping onto Shang Tsung's ] bound for the tournament. When Sonya tracks him onto the private island, she is captured and forced to compete. She and Kano are among the competition's few survivors, and during the final battle between Shang Tsung and Shaolin monk ], Sonya reluctantly teams up with Kano to fight off the Shokan Prince ]. During their battle, the island immediately self-destructs following Shang Tsung's defeat, trapping Kano and Sonya in the otherworldly dimension Outworld. They are both captured and spend the events of '']'' (1993) chained and on display in Outworld emperor ]'s arena. | |||
| ==Critical reception== | |||
| In '']'' (1995), Jax finds and rescues Sonya and Kano, enabling him to escape their clutches once again. Kano convinces Shao Kahn to spare his soul at the outset of the tyrant's invasion of Earth on the grounds that he can teach his armies how to use Earthrealm weaponry. While Sonya tosses Kano to his apparent death from the roof of a high-rise, he survives and is found by the centaur ], who heals and imprisons him. Motaro is killed by the warrior ], who frees Kano from his prison. During the events of '']'' (2002), he and Sheeva originally hatched a plan to assassinate Shao Kahn, but Kano turns on her by preventing the attack. As a reward, he is promoted to general of Outworld's rapidly shrinking army before the invasion is defeated. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, Kano stood his ground and eventually manages to repel Princess ] and her Edenian-Shokan army. He returns to Shao Kahn's palace just as the Deadly Alliance, Shang Tsung and ], launch their attack on the weakened emperor. After the battle, Kano declares his allegiance to the Deadly Alliance. The two have Kano oversee the enslavement of a small village, who construct a temple over ]'s tomb to house a Soulnado. During its construction, Kano is assaulted by ], but Quan Chi intervenes, as the Alliance had made a deal with the Red Dragon leader ] to eliminate the swordsman ] in exchange for the opportunity to fight and defeat Kano. | |||
| Edmond Tran from '']'' published an article discussing Kano's influence on Australia. In the article, Edmond initially criticizes Kano as the sole overt villain in the original '']'' (1992), showcasing moves like his knife projectile and cannonball roll. Despite his distinctive appearance (white gi, bandolier, and metallic faceplate), Kano was considered less intriguing compared to other characters, such as the ninjas or those with magical abilities. Edmond referenced Kano's history, originally conceived with a Japanese-American background and later changed to Australian, inspired by ]{{'s}} portrayal in the '']''. While this change added some cultural impact, Edmond argued it did not necessarily make Kano a more interesting character. However, Tran expressed satisfaction with Kano's Australian representation and redesign in '']'' (2019), citing his characteristics: skills in using knives, sense of humor, urinary habits, beer drinking, criminal behavior, clothing style, attitude, dialogues, and moveset.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mortal-kombat-11s-kano-can-teach-you-a-ton-about-a/1100-6466837/|author=Edmond Tran|title=Mortal Kombat 11's Kano Can Teach You A Ton About Australia|date=December 12, 2019|website=]|publisher=]|access-date=April 11, 2022|archive-date=April 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411175848/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mortal-kombat-11s-kano-can-teach-you-a-ton-about-a/1100-6466837/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| Authors Edward Elliot and Jessica Isserow used Kano and Sonya as a case study for "Moral Kombat: Analytic Naturalism and Moral Disagreement", the nature of moral disagreements is examined through a speculative conflict between Kano and Sonya over ]. For exemplification, the authors characterize Kano as ] for endorsing policies that promote gender inequality, directly opposing Sonya's stance that such policies are morally wrong. The analysis explores whether this conflict represents a genuine moral debate or is merely a verbal dispute. From the perspective of moral realism, the authors argue that, as members of the same linguistic and cultural community, both characters likely understand the terms similarly. This suggests that their disagreement stems from fundamentally opposing beliefs, rather than miscommunication, emphasizing the complexity of moral disputes.<ref>{{cite book|title=Moral Kombat: Analytic Naturalism and Moral Disagreement|author=Edward Elliot|author2=Jessica Isserow|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/A312E79A40672AC108BF640D7846C4C9/S0045509124000249a.pdf/moral_kombat_analytic_naturalism_and_moral_disagreement.pdf|publisher=]|date=2023|archive-date=December 19, 2024|access-date=December 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219162433/https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/A312E79A40672AC108BF640D7846C4C9/S0045509124000249a.pdf/moral_kombat_analytic_naturalism_and_moral_disagreement.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| Kano returns in '']'' (2006), in which the demigod ] finds him being held prisoner by the Red Dragon Clan. Before escaping their facilities, Kano explains to Taven that the Red Dragon had been experimenting on him and their clansmen in an effort to create genetically engineered dragons and human-dragon hybrids. | |||
| Gavin Jasper of '']'' discussed Kano and his connections to other ''Mortal Kombat'' characters, including ], ], and ]. Jasper noted that Jarek, who replaced Kano in '']'' (1997), lacked the distinctive qualities that made Kano notable. In contrast, Jasper considered Hsu Hao and Mavado similar to Kano, with Hsu Hao becoming irrelevant in '']'' (2015). Mavado, however, was seen as a knockoff of Kano. Jasper described Kano as the series' "bullseye" and "cockroach", known for his selfishness and willingness to betray humanity for power, survival, or amusement. Jasper also praised Goddard's performance in the 1995 film, which helped Kano stand out as a character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/mortal-kombat-characters-ranked/|title=Mortal Kombat Characters Ranked|author=Gavin Jasper|date=July 30, 2019|website=]|publisher=DoG Tech LLC|access-date=December 21, 2024|archive-date=May 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502015737/http://www.denofgeek.us/games/mortal-kombat/243041/mortal-kombat-ranking-all-the-characters/page/0/5|url-status=live}}</ref> The Kano's portrayal by ] in the '']'' was generally well-received by critics, including '']''{{'s}} Austin Collins, '']''{{'s}} Gene Park, and '']''{{'s}} Molly Hunt.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/mortal-kombat-movie-review-1158301/|title=Good Guys Are Boring. Luckily, 'Mortal Kombat' Luxuriates in the Bad|author=Austin Collins|magazine=]|date=April 22, 2021|access-date=December 21, 2024|archive-date=December 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215144903/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/mortal-kombat-movie-review-1158301/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/mortal-kombat-movie-characters-reviewed/|title=Reviewing every 'Mortal Kombat' character in the new movie|author=Gene Part|date=April 27, 2021|newspaper=]|access-date=December 21, 2024|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518154100/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/mortal-kombat-movie-characters-reviewed/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.junkee.com/mortal-kombat-2021-kano-joshua-lawson/293234|title=Kano Is The Bad Guy You Can't Help But Love In The New 'Mortal Kombat' Movie|author=Molly Hunt|website=]|date=April 29, 2021|access-date=December 21, 2024}}</ref> | |||
| Kano appears as one of eleven ''Mortal Kombat'' characters representing the franchise in the non-canonical ] fighting game '']'' (2008). | |||
| In the 2011 '']'' reboot, which retells the stories of the first three games, Kano is the Black Dragon's leader who tricked the Special Forces by acting as an informant and deliberately feeding them false ] that led to the deaths of many of Sonya and Jax's comrades, establishing their vendetta against him. During the events of the first Shaolin tournament, Kano fights Sonya following her fight with the pompous actor ], but he is defeated.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2011 |level=Chapter 1: Johnny Cage}}</ref> While Kano is later beaten by Sonya again after Shang Tsung presents him to her as a challenge, the tournament host forbids her from arresting him.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2011 |level=Chapter 2: Sonya}}</ref> Following this, Kano becomes Shao Kahn's arms supplier, giving his armies Earthrealm weaponry for his impending invasion.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2011 |level=Chapter 7: Smoke}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2011 |level=Chapter 10: Jade}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2011 |level=Chapter 12: Stryker}}</ref> After ], a former Black Dragon member turned ] officer, is severely burned by the warrior ], Kano takes him away to restore his health alongside Shang Tsung and outfit him with a respirator, mask, and ] even in spite of his former ally's defection. However, Kabal is mortified by his condition and furious at Kano for siding against Earthrealm, so he bests him in combat and forces him to take him to Shao Kahn before knocking Kano out. Kano later joins Goro and Kintaro in holding a group of soldiers hostage before being frozen by the cyborg ]. However, Kano manages to free himself and informs his ally ] that Sub-Zero broke free of his controller, ].<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2011 |level=Chapter 14: Cyber Sub-Zero}}</ref> | |||
| Kano returned for the series' tenth installment, '']'' (2015). His confirmation for the game was leaked by the German version of '']'', before his appearance was officially announced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://shoryuken.com/2014/08/11/kano-officially-revealed-in-new-mortal-kombat-x-gameplay-video/ |title=Kano Officially Revealed in New Mortal Kombat X Gameplay Video |website=Shoryuken.com}}</ref> He first appears in a comic book prequel, set after Quan Chi launched his own invasion of Earthrealm. Kano joins Sub-Zero in infiltrating a Red Dragon base to retrieve a Kamidogu dagger, though the former sought to take it for himself. Once Sub-Zero finds the dagger, Kano steals it and injures Sub-Zero with it, unaware it contained a demon. The dagger possesses Sub-Zero and quickly injures Kano, leaving him to fall back as Sub-Zero escapes. Kano is later hired by ] alongside the gunman ] to capture Sonya and Jax's respective daughters, ] and ]. While they were successful, he and his fellow Black Dragons are ambushed by Mavado and the Red Dragon. Kano escapes after being injured in the fight, leaving Black for dead. Sometime after the comic book, and during the main game, Kano infiltrates the Shaolin Temple and steals the fallen Elder God ]'s amulet for Shao Kahn's daughter, ], to assist in a civil war against Outworld's new ruler, Kotal Kahn. He attempts to distract the new Kahn while Mileena sets up an ambush, but Kotal realizes Kano is going to betray him and defeats the criminal. After he defeats Mileena, Kano retreats to Earthrealm. He infiltrates an Outworld refugee camp, but is caught by Kenshi and Sonya, who take him into custody. | |||
| As of '']'' (2019), Kano escaped and aligned himself with the keeper of time ]. To assist her further by fixing and mass-producing ], she also brought in a younger version of him.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 2: Timequake (Kotal Kahn)}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 4: Fire & Ice (Sub-Zero & Scorpion)}}</ref> Together, the two Kanos attack the Special Forces base and kidnap younger versions of Johnny and Sonya to force them to fight for the Black Dragon's entertainment before Cassie rescues them. Amidst a stand-off, Sonya kills the younger Kano, erasing the present version from existence.<ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 6: War on the Homefront (Johnny Cage)}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=] |developer=NetherRealm Studios |publisher= Warner Bros.|date=2019 |level=Chapter 8: Fight Club (Sonya Blade)}}</ref> | |||
| ===Other games=== | |||
| He appears in the ] game '']'' as an ] fighting ] in one of the levels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFVrSGlWy2M |title=Batman: Arkham City Lockdown - Kano vs Batman - Easter Egg |publisher=] |date=2012-04-10 |access-date=2012-09-05}}</ref> In the indie game '']'', a fighter named Jax, who is designed after the'' Mortal Kombat 3'' incarnation of Kano, makes an appearance in one of the game's gang turf war segments. | |||
| ===Other media=== | |||
| In ]' ], Kano appeared with all of the characters from the first game (minus Reptile) in the 1994 "Blood & Thunder" miniseries, the first issue of which borrowed liberally from John Tobias' ''MK'' comic in detailing his evading of Sonya and the Special Forces and getting into an altercation with Johnny Cage onboard Shang Tsung's ship before Cage knocks him out.<ref name="MKBT#1">{{cite comic|writer=Charles Marshall|penciller=Patrick Rolo|inker=Bobby Rae|story=Mortal Kombat: Blood & Thunder #1|title=Mortal Kombat|issue=|date=July 1994|publisher=Malibu Comics}}</ref> In the second issue, during one of only two organized tournament fights that commenced in the entire Malibu run, Kano kills Lance, Sonya's cybernetically armed partner who had accompanied her onto the island, by way of his "Heart Rip" Fatality. He later breaks into Shang Tsung's quarters and steals his mythical tome, the Tao te Zhan, which he manages to hide on his person just before he is caught by Goro and imprisoned in a dungeon with the rest of the series characters.<ref name="MKBT#2">{{cite comic|writer=Charles Marshall|penciller=Patrick Rolo|inker=Steve Biasi, Bobby Rae, Larry Welch|story=Blood & Thunder #2|title=Mortal Kombat|issue=|date=August 1994|publisher=Malibu Comics}}</ref> They all are pummeled by Goro in the following issue until Raiden comes to their rescue and breaks them out of the dungeon, but they wind up scattered throughout Outworld, and as a consequence, Kano is joined by Liu Kang, and their personalities clash from the start. Kano is still in possession of the book until it is taken by Scorpion; anxious to get it back, Kano attempts to ditch Liu Kang by scheming with a group of Outworld mutants into fighting them as a distraction, enabling him to stab his knife into Liu Kang's back and leave him for dead. In the sixth issue, he defeats Sub-Zero but is then beaten in battle by Sonya. The storyline ends with the Earth warriors victorious over the Outworlders and Kano taken into custody by Sonya and Jax, but he escapes, as detailed in a mini-story titled "Breakout" that was included in the first installment of the 1995 two-issue miniseries ''U.S. Special Forces'', in which Kano was not featured, as the main villain therein was an original Black Dragon character named Rojack.<ref name="MKSF">{{cite comic|writer=Mark Paniccia|penciller=Patrick Rolo|inker=Abraham Madison|story=Mortal Kombat: U.S. Special Forces #1 & 2|title=Mortal Kombat|issue=|date=January & February 1995|publisher=Malibu Comics}}</ref> That same year, Kano was also featured in a three-issue miniseries titled ''Rayden & Kano,'' in which Raiden presents Kano with a magical sword called "Ebbonrule", in hopes that he would kill Shao Kahn with it in the name of personal redemption, but the opposite occurs as Kano gives the sword to Kahn instead in exchange for godlike powers. | |||
| Kano was a featured character in the 1995 noncanonical ''Mortal Kombat'' novel written by Jeff Rovin, which is set before the events of the first game. He and several Black Dragon members (all originals exclusive to the book) are hired by Shang Tsung to locate a mystical amulet hidden somewhere in China. They come across a remote village in which ] resides, and Kano forces Kung Lao to accompany him on the journey. Unbeknownst to him, one of the Dragons is Sonya working undercover, as she has a personal interest in apprehending him after he had killed her fiancé several years earlier. However, Shang Tsung, Goro and Raiden interrupt the search, and Kano's Black Dragon cohorts are killed while Shang Tsung merges Kano with Kung Lao and sends the combined being to locate the amulet. After he and Kung Lao are returned to normal, Kano takes the amulet to Shang Tsung's palace, though he is assaulted by Goro after making physical contact with Shang Tsung. He then brawls with Sonya near the conclusion but the fight is inconclusive when he flees after she is momentarily distracted, thereby evading capture.<ref name="rovin"/> | |||
| ] as Kano in '']'' (1995)]] | |||
| In the 1995 '']'' movie, Kano was played by English actor ]. The film expanded upon Kano's rivalry with Sonya from the games; she now sought vengeance against Kano for killing her (unnamed) partner. Shang Tsung hires Kano to lure Sonya into the Mortal Kombat tournament, promising to reward Kano's efforts after he presumably defeats Sonya, while demanding that she is "not to be harmed, only humiliated". Kano baits Sonya into boarding Shang Tsung's ship, and is later spotted by Cage, Sonya and Liu Kang conversing with Goro. When Sonya and Kano meet in battle, his earlier plan with Shang Tsung goes astray when he is defeated, and Shang Tsung goads Sonya into finishing him; she complies by breaking his neck. Kano is described as wearing a business suit during the dining scene in the movie novelization, which also features a detailed opening scene of an unsuccessful joint mission of arresting Black Dragon members by the Special Forces and an international task force, which culminates in Kano killing the task force's lieutenant, who is designated therein as Sonya's murdered partner.<ref name=delrio>Delrio, Martin. ''Mortal Kombat''. Tor Books (1995). {{ISBN|0-812-54452-8}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tabmok99.mortalkombatonline.com/mk_movie_script.doc |title=''Mortal Kombat'' second draft script by Kevin Droney |access-date=2013-07-24}}</ref> Kano is spared by Sonya in their fight, as she refuses to fall prey to Shang Tsung's scheme while declaring that nobody "owned" her, and at the end of the book, he is captured and handcuffed by Sonya.<ref name=delrio/> Kano's wardrobe is minimalist in the film, as his game design was eschewed in favor of the character going shirtless with a simple brown vest, while he wears only a pair of pinstriped slacks, a metal ] and combat boots when he fights Sonya. The companion book published by Prima Lifestyles prior to the film's release said in his character profile: "A strapping Australian talented in all forms of martial arts, he's particularly skilled with a knife. He seems to enjoy his ] game with Sonya, which began after he murdered her partner."<ref name=MKBook>{{cite book|last=Goldman |first=Michael |title=Mortal Kombat: the Movie |publisher=Prima Lifestyles |isbn=0-7615-0082-0 |date=1995-08-16 }}</ref> | |||
| Kano was a main character in ''Mortal Kombat: Live Tour'', and was portrayed by martial artists Joseph "Eddie" Acavedo and Mark Chemeleski.<ref>Chris Antista, , GamesRadar, April 12, 2011</ref> | |||
| The character appeared twice in the animated series ''],'' and was voiced by ]. In the sixth episode ("Familiar Red"), he works with Shao Kahn in fooling the Earthrealm defenders into chasing phony dimensional rips across the globe, while a flashback scene (shown from Sonya's perspective and narrated by Jax) depicting Kano's offscreen killing of Sonya's Special Forces partner Wexler prior to the first tournament was shown; this segment included a continuity violation as Kano was shown with his ''MK3'' design.<ref name="DOTRfamiliarred">. Retrieved December 15, 2013.</ref> He confronts Kabal for the first time in the ] ("Amends") since Kabal's defection from the Black Dragon and his turn to the side of good, and his consequential disfigurement at the hands of Kahn's forces. Kano's Black Dragon comrades received a generic design of shaved heads and facial tattoos, and were operating an underground generator used for opening portals. They are easily disposed of by the Earth warriors at the conclusion and Kabal detonates the machine with a bomb, but Kano manages to escape.<ref name="DOTRamends">. Retrieved December 15, 2013.</ref> | |||
| English actor and martial artist ] portrayed Kano in three episodes of the 2011 first season of director ]'s '']'' web series. He and the Black Dragon are shipping stolen robotics to an undisclosed location under the name "Cyber Initiative", and Kano takes Sonya hostage after she is caught infiltrating the large warehouse where the Dragons carry out their operations, and plans to kill her when the facility is raided by a SWAT team led by Jax and Stryker. During the assault, Kano engages Jax in combat but is defeated, taking a vicious punch to the temple from Jax in the process that dislodges his eye. He is later recovered by his henchmen and has his cybernetic eye surgically attached. Kano makes one last appearance in the ninth episode, which precedes the aforementioned events; the receiver of the robotics from the Black Dragon in the first episode was revealed to be the Lin Kuei headquarters. | |||
| English actor ] voices Kano in the 2020 animated film '']''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Aaron|last=Couch|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/heat-vision/animated-mortal-kombat-movie-works-joel-mchale-1270671|title=Animated 'Mortal Kombat' Movie Sets Cast With Joel McHale, Jennifer Carpenter|website=hollywoodreporter.com|date=2020-01-17|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref> Australian actor ] voices Kano in the 2022 animated film '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Voice Cast and Plot Details Revealed|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-legends-snow-blind-cast-plot|access-date=2022-08-04|website=IGN|date=3 August 2022 }}</ref> | |||
| Australian actor ] portrays Kano in the 2021 reboot film '']''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mortal-kombat-movie-finds-sonya-blade-kano-1234513|title='Mortal Kombat' Movie Finds Its Sonya Blade, Kano (Exclusive)|date=August 26, 2019|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 26, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ===Merchandise and promotion=== | |||
| Along with the original series characters, Kano was highlighted on an individual track from ]' 1994 album '']''. Titled "Use Your Might", it features a female vocalist singing the character's praises from a ] perspective, citing him as "the strongest of them all" out of the other Mortal Kombat contestants. | |||
| ] released a 4" Kano action figure in 1994, packaged with a "Kombat Cycle" vehicle.<ref> - FigureRealm.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.</ref> ] released a Kano action figure that was part of their 2006 ''Shaolin Monks'' toyline (despite the figure sporting Kano's costume from ''Deadly Alliance''),<ref> - FigureRealm.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.</ref> in addition to a 6" twentieth-anniversary Kano figure in 2012.<ref> - EntertainmentEarth.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.</ref> Kano was one of twenty ''MK'' characters featured on 2.5" x 3.5" collectible magnets released by Ata-Boy Wholesale in 2011,<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140715121331/http://ataboy.cameoez.com/images/import/29972MK.jpg |date=2014-07-15 }} - Ata-Boy Wholesale, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2014.</ref> and licensed replicas of his "Raptor" knife from the first film, which was designed by ], were made available for purchase.<ref name="knife"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202038/http://www.chuckswagon.com/knives/raptor.cfm |date=2014-07-14 }} - Chuckswagon.com. Retrieved on July 12, 2014.</ref> | |||
| Kano makes a brief appearance in the 2012 animated film '']'', voiced by ]. He performs the "Heart Rip" on '']'' zombie character Cyril while attending a "Bad-Anon" support group that featured villains from various classic video games. He is credited as Cyborg possibly since Mortal Kombat is an M-Rated franchise. The same goes with Cyril where he is credited as Zombie rather than Cyril. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinemablend.com/new/wreck-it-ralph-footage-from-d23-features-8-bit-action-plenty-of-cameos-26349.html |title=Wreck-It Ralph Footage From D23 Features 8-Bit Action, Plenty Of Cameos |website=CinemaBlend.com |date=2011-08-21 |access-date=2012-09-05 |archive-date=2012-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428015024/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Wreck-It-Ralph-Footage-From-D23-Features-8-Bit-Action-Plenty-Of-Cameos-26349.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
| ==Reception== | |||
| Kano placed 24th in ]'s 2012 selection of the series' top fifty characters,<ref name="UGO">{{cite web|author=UGO Team |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/mortal-kombat-characters?page=3 |title=Top 50 Mortal Kombat Characters - Mortal Kombat |website=UGO.com |date=2012-02-28 |access-date=2012-03-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031014002/http://www.ugo.com/games/mortal-kombat-characters?page=3 |archive-date=2013-10-31 }}</ref> and the site had additionally ranked him in 2011 as the seventh best cyborg character of all time, ahead of ] and '']'' character ].<ref>K. Thor Jensen, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231143547/http://www.ugo.com/movies/best-cyborgs-of-all-time |date=2011-12-31 }}, UGO, September 15, 2011</ref> ] placed him seventeenth in their 2015 ranking of the series' characters, commenting that "Kano is a special kind of scum, and the series is better for him existing ... he probably wouldn’t rank quite as high if not for Trevor Goddard’s rocking performance in the first movie."<ref name="denofgeek">{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.us/games/mortal-kombat/243041/mortal-kombat-ranking-all-the-characters/page/0/5|title=Mortal Kombat: Ranking All the Characters|first=Gavin|last=Jasper|publisher=Den of Geek|date=January 30, 2015|access-date=February 4, 2015}}</ref> Josh Wirtanen of Cheat Code Central listed Kano as the fifth best ''Mortal Kombat'' character<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cheatcc.com/extra/top10mortalkombatants2.html#.Tvm7lzVO-Tl |title=Top 10 Mortal Kombatants - Cheat Code Central |website=Cheatcc.com |access-date=2011-12-27}}</ref> while ]'s Anthony Severino included in his 2011 "Top 10 Old School Mortal Kombat Characters" feature.<ref name="OldschoolMK">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/features/top-10-old-school-mortal-kombat-characters/2 |title=Top 10 Old School Mortal Kombat Characters|first=Anthony|last=Severino |publisher=Game Revolution |date= February 3, 2011 |access-date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> Saldana praised the character as "such a scene-stealer in the movie that the ''MK'' team retconned everything about Kano to fit that portrayal",<ref name="1UPds"/> but Chris Buffa of Modojo.com included Kano in his "worst list" of characters from ''MK3'' without explanation.<ref name="modojo">{{cite web|url=http://www.modojo.com/features/mortal_kombat_a_portable_history|title=Mortal Kombat: A Portable History|first=Chris|last=Buffa|website=Modojo.com|date=2012|access-date=February 7, 2014}}</ref> According to ]' official guide for the 2011 reboot game, Kano's "'flinch and you will be comboed' style can be frustrating to play against, but if you are a die-hard Kano user back from the ''Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3'' days, you will find that Kano completely fits your style". The guide also determined him to not be overly formidable nor at a great disadvantage in matches against the other characters.<ref>''Mortal Kombat: Prima Official Game Guide'', page 115.</ref> In ''Mortal Kombat X'', as with all playable characters, Kano has three distinctive gameplay variations.<ref> - primagames.com. Retrieved September 3, 2019.</ref> | |||
| ===Finishing moves=== | |||
| Kano's Fatalities are often well-received, although his toned-down finishers in the censored ] version of the first game and the T-rated ''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' are regarded among the worst. Russell Frushtick of ] rated the "Heart Rip" from the original ''Mortal Kombat'' second in his 2011 listing of the "Top 11 Mortal Kombat Fatalities", crediting it as singlehandedly "herald the birth of anti-video game violence advocates" and describing it as "ripping the beating heart out of an opponent's chest like he's some sort of ]".<ref name="UGO" /><ref>{{cite web|first=Russell|last=Frushtick|title=TOP 11 MORTAL KOMBAT FATALITIES (2-1) |url=http://www.ugo.com/channels/games/features/mortalkombat/4.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220110012/http://www.ugo.com/channels/games/features/mortalkombat/4.asp |archive-date=2008-02-20|website=UGO.com|access-date=2011-01-25}}</ref> ] ranked it runner-up to Sub-Zero's "Spine Rip" in their 2014 selection of the series' top Fatalities.<ref name="primagames2">{{cite web|url=http://www.primagames.com/games/mortal-kombat/feature/top-50-mortal-kombat-fatalities-all-time-10-1|title=The Top 50 Mortal Kombat Fatalities of All Time: 10-1|first=Robert|last=Workman|publisher=Prima Games|date=April 2014|access-date=May 30, 2014}}</ref> '']'' in 2008 rated the doctored version of the finisher from the SNES port, in which Kano instead smashes the opponent's rib cage with a deadly punch, first in their list of the series' twelve "lamest" Fatalities.<ref name="gameprolame">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/208023/the-12-lamest-fatalities/|title=The 12 LAMEST Fatalities|publisher=GamePro|author1=Rudden, Dave |author2=Shaw, Patrick |date=November 25, 2008|page=1|access-date=February 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531010838/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/208023/the-12-lamest-fatalities/|archive-date=2010-05-31}}</ref> Craig Skistimas of ] ranked his "Skeleton Removal" from ''Mortal Kombat 3'' sixth on the site's "Top 10 Mortal Kombat Fatalities",<ref>{{cite web|first=Craig|last=Skistimas|work=ScrewAttack|date=2010-08-01|title=Top 10 Mortal Kombat Fatalities|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/6xohkd/screwattack-s-top-ten-top-10-mortal-kombat-fatalities|series='']''|publisher=GameTrailers|access-date=2011-01-25}}</ref> but Dan Ryckert of '']'' included it among the most confusing ''MK'' finishers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/05/03/the-best-and-worst-mk-fatalities.aspx?PostPageIndex=3&PageIndex=8|title=Mortal Kombat's Best And Worst Fatalities|first=Dan|last=Ryckert|publisher=Game Informer|date=May 3, 2010|access-date=July 16, 2014}}</ref> Kano's "Stomach Pounce" Fatality from ''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' has been particularly criticized for its tameness in a ''Mortal Kombat'' title negatively received for its toned-down violence. It led to his second appearance on ''GamePro's'' "Top 12 Lamest Fatalities" listing (fifth), with the magazine commenting that "absolutely no effort was put in creating it."<ref name="gameprolame" /> ''Game Informer'' rated it among the series' worst finishers,<ref>{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Ryckert|date=2010-05-03|title=Mortal Kombat's Best And Worst Fatalities|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/05/03/the-best-and-worst-mk-fatalities.aspx?PostPageIndex=2&PageIndex=4|publisher=GameInformer|access-date=2011-01-25}}</ref> and Game Rant chose it as the series' worst Fatality, adding that it had no connection to the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamerant.com/worst-mortal-kombat-fatalities-cj-79624/all/1/|title=Top Ten Worst "Mortal Kombat" Fatalities|first=CJ|last=Smillie|publisher=Game Rant|date=April 19, 2011|access-date=July 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006073910/http://gamerant.com/worst-mortal-kombat-fatalities-cj-79624/all/1/|archive-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> David Saldana of ] listed it among his selection of the ''MK'' series' worst Fatalities (seventh).<ref name="1UPds">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9083906|title=The Worst 15 Fatalities in ''Mortal Kombat'' History|first=David|last=Saldana|website=1UP.com|date=July 7, 2011|access-date=February 7, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317090809/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9083906|archive-date=March 17, 2014}}</ref> ScrewAttack used the "Stomach Pounce" as the representative of all of ''MKvsDC's'' finishers topping its 2011 list of the series' worst Fatalities.<ref name="screwfatalities">{{cite web|url=http://www.screwattack.com/shows/originals/screwattack-top-10s/top-10-worst-mortal-kombat-fatalities|title=Top 10 Worst Mortal Kombat Fatalities|first=Craig|last=Skistimas|series='']''|website=ScrewAttack.com|date=August 15, 2011|access-date=February 10, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222184437/http://www.screwattack.com/shows/originals/screwattack-top-10s/top-10-worst-mortal-kombat-fatalities|archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ''We Got this Covered'' rated his "Heart Transplant" Fatality from the 2011 ''Mortal Kombat'' reboot — in which Kano barehandedly decapitates his opponent and then rips out their heart before shoving their head into their chest cavity — among the series' top finishers,<ref name="wegotthiscovered">{{cite web|url=http://wegotthiscovered.com/gaming/mortal-kombats-fatalities/|title=''Mortal Kombat's'' Best Fatalities|publisher=We Got This Covered|first=Benjo|last=Colautti|date=April 20, 2011|access-date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> and Tony Searle of WhatCulture ranked it 18th in his 2014 list of the series' "20 Horrifically Stomach-Churning Fatalities."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whatculture.com/gaming/mortal-kombat-20-horrifically-stomach-churning-fatalities.php/3|title=18. Kano - Eat Your Heart Out - Mortal Kombat: 20 Horrifically Stomach-Churning Fatalities|first=Tony|last=Searle|date=May 2014|access-date=July 16, 2014}}</ref> | |||
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Latest revision as of 03:13, 26 December 2024
Fictional characterFictional character
| Kano | |
|---|---|
| Mortal Kombat character | |
.png) Kano in Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) | |
| First appearance | Mortal Kombat (1992) |
| Created by | Ed Boon and John Tobias |
| Portrayed by | Trevor Goddard (1995 film) Josh Lawson (2020s films) |
| Voiced by |
List
|
| Motion capture | Richard Divizio (MK, MK3) |
Kano is a character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise created by Midway Games and later developed by NetherRealm Studios under Warner Bros. Games. Debuting in the first Mortal Kombat in 1992, he leads the Black Dragon, a fictional criminal organization. He possesses a cybernetic eye, which functions as a laser weapon, Kano's archenemy is Special Forces officer Sonya Blade throughout the series.
Kano has been featured in various media outside of the games, including live-action films, animations, and comics. The character has been acknowledged by video game journalists due to his personality, Australian representation, and his portrayal by Trevor Goddard and Josh Lawson in the 1995 film and the 2021 film, respectively.
Development and design
In the original Mortal Kombat (1992), Kano's motion capture was performed by Richard Divizio, who was invited by Mortal Kombat's co-creator John Tobias. Divizio worked in a makeshift space where his movements were recorded. Divizio encountered difficulties wearing Kano's mask, described as "a phantom of the opera mask" purchased from a Halloween shop. Initially secured with spirit gum, the mask was later attached with regular glue, which caused skin damage to Divizio while removing it. For Kano's fatality, the original plan was to rip out the heart and eat it. However, Divizio suggested a change inspired by the Indiana Jones film series, stating "Why don't I just stick my hand in there and rip the heart out, and then I'll hold it up and it'll be beating". This idea was accepted by the developers. Divizio returned for Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) to motion capture Kano.
Kano is a leader of the Black Dragon crime syndicate and uses a cybernetic laser eye as a weapon. Kano's backstory depicted him as a Japanese-born American, but this was changed to Australian after actor Trevor Goddard's portrayal in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film. Kano conceals the injured part of his face with a metal plate, with the injury caused by fellow character Jax. American filmmaker Lawrence Kasanoff recalled a decision to model Kano after Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator from Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This inspiration was reflected in Kano's metallic face. However, during a set visit from a group of school children, a child saw the new design and became upset, insisting that Kano should retain his "metallic eye patch", as seen in the games. Kasanoff's team immediately decided to restore Kano's original design, recognizing that the audience's connection to the character was more important than the creative changes.
For the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot film, Australian actor Josh Lawson portrayed Kano. The film director Simon McQuoid made Kano the film's comic relief to add humor to the story. The humor was carefully integrated to avoid overshadowing the film's serious elements while keeping it entertaining. McQuoid said that Kano, along with 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 "juvenile" and "earnest", blending his violent nature with humor mentioning his exclamation of "Kano wins!"—a line that was improvised during filming. Both McQuoid and Lawson ensured Kano's humor reflected his original personality from the Mortal Kombat series. Lawson reprised the role for the sequel Mortal Kombat 2 (2025). He revealed that Kano experiences significant character development in this installment, shaped by his death in the previous film. This event acts as a turning point, introducing a "Kano 2.0" with altered motivations.
Appearances
Kano's main appearances in the Mortal Kombat series include 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 comics), and Mortal Kombat 11. Additionally, he's featured as a background character in Mortal Kombat II, and a "Kameo" fighter in Mortal Kombat 1. In most of these games, his storyline often centers on his rivalry with Sonya Blade. Kano has also been featured in the series' spin-offs, including Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Mortal Kombat Mobile, and Mortal Kombat: Onslaught.
Outside of the video games, he has appeared in live-action movies: the 1995 film, Mortal Kombat Legacy, the 2021 film, and the 2025 film; and in animations: Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, Wreck-It Ralph, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge, and Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind.
Critical reception
Edmond Tran from GameSpot published an article discussing Kano's influence on Australia. In the article, Edmond 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 intriguing compared to other characters, such as the ninjas or those with magical abilities. Edmond 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 cultural impact, Edmond argued it did not necessarily make Kano a more interesting character. However, Tran expressed satisfaction with Kano's Australian representation and redesign in Mortal Kombat 11 (2019), citing his characteristics: skills in using knives, sense of humor, urinary habits, beer drinking, criminal behavior, clothing style, attitude, dialogues, and moveset.
Authors Edward Elliot and Jessica Isserow used Kano and Sonya as a case study for "Moral Kombat: Analytic Naturalism and Moral Disagreement", the nature of moral disagreements is examined through a speculative conflict between Kano and Sonya over gender inequality. For exemplification, the authors characterize Kano as misogynist for endorsing policies that promote gender inequality, directly opposing Sonya's stance that such policies are morally wrong. The analysis explores whether this conflict represents a genuine moral debate or is merely a verbal dispute. From the perspective of moral realism, the authors argue that, as members of the same linguistic and cultural community, both characters likely understand the terms similarly. This suggests that their disagreement stems from fundamentally opposing beliefs, rather than miscommunication, emphasizing the complexity of moral disputes.
Gavin Jasper of Den of Geek discussed Kano and his connections to other Mortal Kombat characters, including Jarek, Hsu Hao, and Mavado. 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 Mavado similar to Kano, with Hsu Hao becoming irrelevant in Mortal Kombat X (2015). Mavado, however, was seen as a knockoff of Kano. Jasper described Kano as the series' "bullseye" and "cockroach", known for his selfishness and willingness to betray humanity for power, survival, or amusement. Jasper also praised Goddard's performance in the 1995 film, which helped Kano stand out as a character. The Kano's portrayal by Josh Lawson in the 2021 film was generally well-received by critics, including Rolling Stone's Austin Collins, The Washington Post's Gene Park, and Junkee's Molly Hunt.
References
- "Kano Voice". Behind The Voice Actors. Inyxception Enterprises, Inc. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bobinator. "Hardcore Gaming 101: Mortal Kombat". Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- Davi Nonato Braid (April 20, 2021). "Mortal Kombat: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Kano". TheGamer. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- Lawrence Kasanoff (2023). 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.
- Michael McWhertor (April 21, 2021). "Mortal Kombat's secret weapon is comedy (and Kano)". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- Makuochi Echebiri (December 17, 2024). ""Death Alters You": Josh Lawson Teases Kano 2.0 in 'Mortal Kombat 2'". Collider. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- 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.
- Edward Elliot; Jessica Isserow (2023). Moral Kombat: Analytic Naturalism and Moral Disagreement (PDF). Cambridge University Press. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- 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.
- Austin Collins (April 22, 2021). "Good Guys Are Boring. Luckily, 'Mortal Kombat' Luxuriates in the Bad". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- Gene Part (April 27, 2021). "Reviewing every 'Mortal Kombat' character in the new movie". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- Molly Hunt (April 29, 2021). "Kano Is The Bad Guy You Can't Help But Love In The New 'Mortal Kombat' Movie". Junkee. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
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| Related | |||||||
- Cyborg characters in video games
- Fictional Australian people in video games
- Fictional characters missing an eye
- Fictional criminals in video games
- Fictional knife-fighters
- Fictional martial artists in video games
- Fictional mercenaries in video games
- Male characters in video games
- Mortal Kombat characters
- Video game characters introduced in 1992