Who is Mortal Kombat’s Sub-Zero? If you have to ask that question, it feels safe to assume that fighting games aren’t your thing. Actually, that’s not fair; MK does feature some convoluted lore when it comes to this icy ninja, so let’s take a look at everything you need to know about MK’s Sub-Zero.
If you want to know who Sub-Zero comes up against, check out our Mortal Kombat Scorpion, Mortal Kombat Mileena, Mortal Kombat 1 characters, and Mortal Kombat Sonya guides to learn who they are.
Let’s dive into our Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero guide.
Who is Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero?
Sub-Zero is arguably one of the most important characters in Mortal Kombat, being part of the original lineup when the first game came out in 1992. He’s a recurring character who appears in any MK game you can think of, though he’s not necessarily the same character. What we mean by that is that there are actually two different people who hold the mantle of Sub-Zero throughout the series.
Bi-Han is the first; he appears in Mortal Kombat, though his younger brother becomes Sub-Zero from MKII onwards. The reason for this change in title is that Scorpion kills Bi-Han, enacting his revenge for the heinous deeds of Sub-Zero against his clan. He does make a comeback, mind you, as Noob Saibot, but that’s a story for another time.
For the most part, it’s Kuai Lang who goes by Sub-Zero, and the vicious rivalry between Sub-Zero and Scorpion transcends the death of Bi-Han – it’s all a huge cycle of revenge, with the two characters going to war all throughout the series.
You can often tell who Sub-Zero is by his iconic blue outfit and his ability to manipulate ice. It’s a special gift that only belongs to a select few cryomancers, of which Sub-Zero is arguably the most powerful, serving as the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei. These ninjas are aligned with Earthrealm, so for the most part, you can consider Sub-Zero one of the good guys. Well, Kuai Lang is, at least.
Who is Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1?
Bi-Han is Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat 1, though Kuai Liang is still in the game; he’s just a bit different from how you may remember him from previous games. In this timeline, he’s actually Scorpion, making the two longtime rivals family, but that doesn’t stop the bad blood from festering and tearing the brothers apart in a way that sees them fall on opposite sides. Bi-Han is still that power-hungry man who goes on to become Noob Saibot, while Kuai Liang brings his sense of justice forward in a fiery way, making the brothers as different as fire and ice.
How things play out between the pair will no doubt be revealed in subsequent games, and we can’t help but be especially interested in whether or not Sub-Zero will die, taking the moniker to the grave with him, as Bi-Han’s younger brother won’t be able to take over the name.
What is Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero’s personality?
The main Sub-Zero, Kuai Liang, is a stoic and menacing figure, known for their strong sense of justice. Despite the violent nature of their fighting, Sub-Zero fights firmly for the side of good, which causes a rift between Liang and their older sibling.
Bi-Han instead uses violence to gain power and eventually falls to the side of evil, becoming known as the character Noob-Saibot. This even appears to be the case in the new timeline as, in Mortal Kombat 1, Bi-Han sides with Quan Chi and Shang Tsung when the pair tempt him with power.
How old is Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero?
Sub-Zero’s age is unknown, as the Cryomancer race is a mysterious clan shrouded in secrecy. But, due to their involvement in the series’ history and mythos, some think Sub-Zero could be as old as 400 or even older. Plus, there have been multiple Sub-Zeros, so it’s near on impossible to determine when one Sub-Zero ends and another begins.
What games does Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero appear in?
Sub-Zero is a series stalwart, appearing in the following Mortal Kombat games in one way or another:
- Mortal Kombat II
- Mortal Kombat 3
- Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
- Ultimate Mortal Kombat
- Mortal Kombat Advance
- Mortal Kombat Trilogy
- Mortal Kombat 4
- Mortal Kombat Gold
- MK: Deadly Alliance
- MK: Tournament Edition
- MK: Deception
- MK: Shaolin Monks
- MK: Unchained
- MK: Armageddon
- MK vs. DC Universe
- Mortal Kombat (2011)
- Mortal Kombat X
- Mortal Kombat Mobile
- Mortal Kombat 11
- Mortal Kombat: Onslaught
- Mortal Kombat 1
Who is the Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero voice actor?
A character with the longevity of Sub Zero is bound to boast multiple actors, so we’ve put together a list of those who portray the famous character, as well as what games they appear in:
- Daniel Pesina – Mortal Kombat II
- John Turk – Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Mortal Kombat Advance, Mortal Kombat 4, and Mortal Kombat Gold
- Rom Barkhordar – Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks, Mortal Kombat Armageddon
- Jim Miller – Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe, Mortal Kombat (2011)
- Steven Blum – Mortal Kombat X, Injustice 2, Mortal Kombat 11 (MKX, Injustice 2, MK11)
Alright, folks, that’s all we have in our Mortal Kombat Sub-Zero guide. To learn more about other fighters from a different franchise, give our Street Fighter characters guide a read.
