One of the original Mortal Kombat cast’s most popular characters is Sub-Zero, a master martial artist and leader of a ninja sect. This blue mask-wearing combatant has brand recognition only rivaled by Scorpion and Johnny Cage, often seen in images promoting the franchise.
The long-running franchise veteran is known for his abilities to freeze whatever he touches. While his prowess in combat is renowned, much of who he is behind the mask remains a mystery to many. There is much more to this honorable ninja leader in the Mortal Kombat universe.
10 There Are Multiple Sub-Zeros
Contrary to popular belief, the moniker of Sub-Zero is not exclusive to one man. There have been several Mortal Kombat participants that have donned the title over the series’s history. Bi-Han was the original Sub-Zero, and brother of the current iteration of the character. When he passed, his younger brother, Kuai Liang took the title. While the current holder of the title has been Sub-Zero for the majority of the franchise, dating all the way back to Mortal Kombat II, the original Sub-Zero was killed.
9 Sub-Zero Uses Cryomancy
Arguably the most recognizable ability of Sub-Zero’s is his power to create and manipulate frozen matter. Whatever tool he imagines, he can create with ice, a power handy for creating weapons on the battlefield. Not only can he create weapons, but his base control over frost allows him to lower the temperature of anything in his vicinity by influencing the air surrounding him. Capable of dropping to temperatures below -500 degrees Fahrenheit, this ninja continues to grow stronger as the series progresses.
8 Sub-Zero is Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei
The Lin Kuei are one of the oldest organizations within Earthrealm. This longstanding ninja clan serving as a force of law and justice has existed longer than the Mortal Kombat tournament itself.
While leadership has shifted throughout the years, the current Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei is none other than the current iteration of Sub-Zero, Kuai Liang. After his brother’s passing, he filled in, eventually rising to become a respected Grandmaster. Under his leadership, this faction aims to defend Earthrealm from any who would see it harmed.
7 One Of The Original Palette Swapped Ninjas
Before the 3D iterations of Mortal Kombat, the game series was famous for using several of the same character models despite shifting characters. While the moves were changed depending on who was selected, ninja-themed characters like Sub-Zero, Reptile, Scorpion, and Ermac simply had a different main color. This was done largely to save resources and prevent the need for different models to be used. Though their character models were almost identical, each of the palette-swapped ninjas did have their own unique move sets, allowing for varied play styles even in the earliest Mortal Kombat games.
6 Sub-Zero Is Only Human
Despite facing off against supernatural forces like the specter Scorpion and the wraith Noob Saibot, Sub-Zero is just a mortal. He may have cryomancer abilities, but his physical limits are far greater than many of the foes he faces throughout the franchise. This mortality means that Sub-Zero often needs assistance in battles of a larger scale. To overcome his limitations, the leader of the Lin Kuei can often be seen teaming up with the elder god, Raiden, when the forces he faces are far beyond his capabilities.
5 His Powers Are Hereditary
In the world of Mortal Kombat, it’s not so far-fetched to say that ice powers run in the family. The brothers that would both live to become Sub-Zero had a cryomancer for a father, one that would eventually pass on his knowledge and skill to his sons.
Though the pair had an unpowered mother, the ability to manipulate ice holds strong within them both. While Bi-Han was the more powerful of the brothers during his lifetime, Kuai Liang would far surpass him after his death. Today, the current Sub-Zero stands as one of the most powerful grandmasters the Lin Kuei has ever seen.
4 The Original Sub Zero Is Now Noob Saibot
After Quan-Chi deceived Scorpion into believing that the original Sub-Zero, Bi-Han, was responsible for the murder of his clan, he took the frost ninja’s life. Just as Scorpion returned from death changed as a specter, Sub-Zero re-emerged as well. Unlike Scorpion, however, he reincarnated as something far different. Returning as not as a specter, but as a wraith, Noob Saibot serves as a consistent antagonist in the series. The now corrupted Bi-Han is often seen targeting his killer, Scorpion, and younger brother, Kuai Liang.
3 He Has A Franchise Long Rivalry With Scorpion
After killing Kuai Liang’s brother and the original Sub-Zero, Bi-Han, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero’s recurring rivalry cemented itself within the franchise. Quan-Chi is often the orchestrator of the conflict between the two, tricking Scorpion into fighting on the side of evil. The lawful Lin Kuei and Sub-Zero have consistently seen direct opposition over the course of the franchise from Scorpion and the denizens of the Netherrealm. It is only recently that the two have put aside this decades-long conflict and agreed to peace. The pair has recently been seen working together on the side of good to protect Earthrealm in Mortal Kombat 11.
2 Played By Joe Taslim In The Live-Action Movie Reboot
The Mortal Kombat series is no stranger to the world of cinema. This video game franchise saw its first silver screen adaptation in 1995. The movie was a hit, making over six times its initial budget at the box office. Despite the initial buzz surrounding the first film, the following entry was seen as a failure. Since then no on-screen adaptation has been released, though a new film has recently wrapped filming hoping to reboot the franchise. The man behind the mask in the most recent live-action recreation of the series is Joe Taslim. The latest entry in the Mortal Kombat film franchise is slated to release in 2021.
1 Sub-Zero Is A Guest Playable Character In Injustice 2
Despite creating one of the most iconic fighting games of all time in Mortal Kombat, NetherRealm Studios has continued to innovate within fighting games to this day. The subsidiary of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment falls under the same umbrella as superhero giants like Batman and Superman, giving them the freedom to make a superhero fighting game in Injustice 2 with DC’s most popular superheroes. Seeing that both Mortal Kombat and Injustice 2 are created by the same developers, it comes as no surprise that NetherRealm would include Sub-Zero as a guest character in their partner fighting franchise. Players will be able to take on DC’s finest heroes with the leader of the Lin Kuei.
NEXT: The 15 Best Female Fighters In Mortal Kombat
