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Kano
Mortal Kombat character
Kano in Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)
First appearance	Mortal Kombat (1992)
Created by	Ed Boon and John Tobias
Based on	Terminator
Portrayed by	List Trevor Goddard (1995 film) Darren Shahlavi (web series) Josh Lawson (2020s films)
Voiced by	List David Bennett Allen (MK:SF, MK:SM) Michael McConnohie (MKvsDCU) JB Blanc (MK11, MK1) Brian Kesinger (Wreck-It Ralph) Robin Atkin Downes (MKL:SR) David Wenham (MKL:SB)
Motion capture	Richard 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 the original Mortal Kombat (1992) as the leader of the fictional Black Dragon crime organization. Kano is characterized by his cybernetic eye. He uses knives as his primary weapon and is the main adversary of Special Forces officer Sonya Blade.

Kano has been featured in various media beyond the games, including live-action adaptations, animations, and comics. Video game journalists have acknowledged the character for his personality, Australian representation, and portrayals by Trevor Goddard in the 1995 film and Josh Lawson in the 2021 film.

Development and design

Kano was based on actor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator. 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 and struggled with Kano's mask, which was purchased from a Halloween shop. Secured with spirit gum and later regular glue, the mask damaged his face. For Kano's Fatality, Divizio initially proposed ripping out a heart, biting it, and then raising it in the air. After this idea was rejected by the development team, he suggested an alternative inspired by the Indiana Jones film series: "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". The team approved and finalized this concept. Divizio reprised his motion capture role in Mortal Kombat 3 (1995). As a result of Kano's absence in Mortal Kombat 4 (1997) and Mortal Kombat: Deception (2004), the series introduced two substitute characters: Jarek and Kira.

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 following actor Trevor Goddard's portrayal in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film. Kano conceals the injured side of his face with a metal plate, an injury attributed to fellow character Jax. For the first live-action adaptation, American filmmaker Lawrence Kasanoff cited Schwarzenegger's Terminator as an influence to redesign 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 restored the original design. In the 2011 web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy, English actor Darren Shahlavi played Kano. In Mortal Kombat X (2015), Kano's enhancements extended beyond his cybernetic eye to include a cybernetic heart. Kano was redesigned for the 2022 animated film Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, with a mohawk hairstyle and white beard, and was named "King Kano".

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!", which was improvised during filming. Lawson ensured Kano's personality remained faithful to his original characterization. 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. Lawson reprised the role for the sequel Mortal Kombat 2 (2025), revealing that Kano undergoes significant character development, influenced by his death in the prequel. This event marks a turning point, resulting in "Kano 2.0" with altered motivations.

Appearances

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

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), citing several of his characteristics: skills in using knives, sense of humor, urinary habits, beer drinking, criminal behavior, clothing style, attitude, dialogues, and gameplay.

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 characterized as misogynistic 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 verbal dispute. From the perspective of moral realism, the authors argue that, as members of the same cultural community, both characters likely share an understanding of the terms involved. This implies that their disagreement stems from fundamentally opposing beliefs, rather than miscommunication, showcasing moral disputes' complexity.

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. Kano's portrayal by Josh Lawson in the 2021 film was praised by critics such as Rolling Stone's K. Austin Collins, The Washington Post's Gene Park, and Junkee's Molly Hunt.

References

1. "Kano Voice". Behind The Voice Actors. Inyxception Enterprises, Inc. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
2. James Egan (October 27, 2016). 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1. p. 100. ISBN 978-1326828929. Retrieved January 17, 2025 – via Google Books.
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. ^ 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. Bobinator (March 2013). "Mortal Kombat". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
7. ^ 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.
8. Davi Nonato Braid (April 20, 2021). "Mortal Kombat: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Kano". TheGamer. Valnet, Inc. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Tanner Dedmon (October 14, 2022). "Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Director Breaks Down Mortal Kombat 11 Nods, Big Twists". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
13. Stephen Wilds (October 11, 2022). "Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Review: A Good & Gory Time". ComingSoon.net. Evolve Media Holdings, LLC. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. Makuochi Echebiri (December 17, 2024). ""Death Alters You": Josh Lawson Teases Kano 2.0 in Mortal Kombat 2". Collider. Valnet, Inc. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
17. 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.
18. K. Austin Collins (April 22, 2021). "Good Guys Are Boring. Luckily, Mortal Kombat Luxuriates in the Bad". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
19. Gene Park (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.
20. 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.

• 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